Thank you so much for your creativity! Again, a purchase for the Malia Tangerine bikini top and the Blush bikini bottom which I just mailed this morning. 
My sister bought a pair the other week, Malia Eggplant bikini top and Aqua bikini bottom- for her trip to Krabi, Thailand. She sent me a low res photo, and requested that I don't show her face :) I was a bit hesitant with her combination, but it turned out pretty!
There are no rules to your combinations! Keep them coming!
What's summer without the movies? I always thought the best part of a summer day- after all the tanning, surfing and lounging at the beach- was going to the movies, all showered and dressed down, munching on popcorn and drinking Coke (after a high carb Italian dinner!). I saw the roster of films coming out this summer, and nothing really jumped out except for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
It's really more of a sentimental journey for me. I feel like I grew up with Indiana Jones. After all, it was Indiana Jones who made me want to be an archaeologist, and then a filmmaker.
Check out the trailer below. After all these years, I still think Harrison Ford rocks. Lucky Calista Flockhart...
It's exactly 4 years ago today I got hitched! Happy Anniversary, Huns!
Since it was more practical to get married in Manila instead of Hawaii, we did our best to bring Hawaii to Manila. My sister Michi designed my gown and all the dresses of the bridesmaids and flower girls. 
The hubby brought home fresh leis from Hawaii. He also bought Kona Coffee for our principal sponsors. For our table settings, we decided to put baby pineapples on wooden leaf trays with a variety of orchids and turquoise candles.
My friend Aileen made the wedding cake using miniature decadence cakes and topped it with orchids. I didn't like the kitschy couple in the little glass globe in the beginning, but it turned out to be such a hit in the wedding that a lot of them were taken home by guests.
And for our guests to take home a little aloha with them, we compiled a cd of local Hawaiian music for them to hula to. People still tell me that they have our compilation in their iPods!
It was a memorable evening, with authentic luau food (thanks to the chef who worked in Hawaii!), and lots of love. One of the highlights at the reception was when Pat prayed the Hawaiian Marriage Prayer. It goes like this:
Eh ha Haku, e kokua mai maua a ho'omana o i ka
manawa a maua o Launa mua ai,
a me ke aloha nui i ulu ai ma waena o maua.
E kokua mai ia maua e o'ohana i kela aloha
i na mea ma'amau i 'ole e ka'awale.
Ke nonoi ha'aha'a nei maua i na hua 'olelo 'olu'olu
a piha me ke aloha.
A no napu'uwau makaukau mau e noi i ka huikala
a e huikala aku.
E ka Haku, ke waiho nei maua I ko maua 'ana I loko
i o kou Lima. 'Amene.
In English,
Lord, help us to remember the time we first met,
and the strong love that grew between us.
Help us to apply that love
in practical things so nothing divides us.
We humbly as for kind words filled with love,
and for hearts always ready to ask forgiveness,
as well as to firgive.
Lord, we leave our marriage in your hands. Amen.
Again, Happy Anniversary, Huns! May we have 80 more years!
I love the entire concept of summer. The beaches. The clothes. The vacations. And the tropical homes! I just love pouring over magazines and books with such lovely spreads. I love it how I get inspired and make it my own!
One of my favorite summer magazine spreads is from 5 years ago- the Martha Stewart Living June 2003 issue.
click on the images for a larger picture
You must be surprised I still have it in pristine condition. Believe me, I still have most of these mags well in tact and looking brand-new.
This issue had a great spread entitled Wicker, Paper, Straw by Alison Gordon. It was shot by seasoned travel, food and still life photographer Victoria Pearson, in her own Ojai, California home. 
Once in a while I pull out this issue and leave it on my bedside table just to admire the rooms and get inspiration for our own home since it’s practically summer all year round. 
I loved how these rooms were decorated using natural fibers of sea grass, raffia, wood and straw. So earthy, organic, and Asian without getting too Zen and minimalist. I can almost smell them! Unlike the usual Bali spa look (which I personally am getting tired of in this side of the world), these rooms look more lived in and relaxed.
I have this Vietnames straw hat which I want to make into a lampshade just like the one on the right- but I haven't found the body for it!
It’s a 5 year old magazine, and still, I think these trimmings would look super for summer 2008. I would love to dress up our home more, but argh… we have to move by the end of July.
*all these photos are taken from my personal copy of Martha Stewart Living June 2003
I love it when my buyers get creative. One of them, a future bride, bought 3 pairs for her bridesmaids. She took my advice! She went BYOB... Build Your Own Bikini! Since she's having a beach wedding this coming May, she decided to buy her bridesmaids my Malias and choose colors based on their personalities. Take a look at her combinations.
I like them all! What colors would you want if you built your own bikini?
My sisters know I don't wear make-up. So even if they give me make-up, I hardly ever use it. The most I wear is lip gloss and cheek tint. So Marie, my younger sis was wise enough to gift me with this wonderful Mama Coco's Lip Balm. She gave me the Red Hibiscus, so it actually gives my lips a light red tint. That still counts as make up right?
It's now my favorite beauty product. Maybe because it's organic (and edible!). I love the coconut, vanilla and chocolate combination. Thanks so much, Marie!
It's been almost over a week, but better late than never... Happy Birthday to me! Thanks for a wonderful surprise!
