Three Bikinis

Sold! Thanks to my wonderful workmates Dina, Patricia, and Yasmin. Go forth and spread the summer spirit this Holiday! Enjoy guys!

Malia is in the House!

FINALLY!!! She's here! Malia! My version of the string bikini. I call this Malia Brasil.



A lovely combination of Sunshine and Leaf. A brazilophile's bikini dream. Seemingly baring and daring, the Malia bikini bottom actually gives your tush full coverage while it still flatters your shape with it being a low-rise hipster. It is accented with a thin crochet belt. The top, though straps are "string", gives your breasts a nice comfortable coverage without being too skimpy.

Another combination, which is actually my favourite, is the Malia Sunset.




As of today, I uploaded four different combinations, but I am going to upload a version where you can BYOB, Build Your Own Bikini! Check out the colors I have:



I also uploaded freshwater pearls, packaged in ready to gift gold boxes,



and crochet hairbands.



I even have special Holiday packaging for the bikinis!



It's two weeks till Christmas! Enjoy the Christmas rush and gift yourself or loved ones with Malia and Josefina!

Busy Bee

I haven't been blogging lately! I haven't updated my etsy store! My Malia line isn't up yet! I have been busy with my day job, that I have neglected my beautiful swimsuits. Don't worry girlies- I'm posting you up one of these days.

Samba de Verão

Now this is the kind of music that would be great to chill out to. You may have heard this song before- the Brazilian name is Samba de Verao, but in English, it's So Nice. Listen to Brazilian music icon Caetano Veloso sing this samba classic.

Vintage Album Art

I love this group of vintage art! This has been up for months on our dining room wall, but it was just recently I took the picture. They're 8X8 canvas prints of vintage Hawaiian and Brazilian albums. Now all we need is to host a party with Samba and Hawaiian music.

And the Winners Are...

So I changed the names of my colors for my upcoming Malia collection! Thanks to School Locker and KalliART, These are my changes:



I am currently shooting the goods, so hopefully some will be up within this week.

Sunset Coco Bangle

Inspired by sunsets at the beach, this Sunset Coco Bangle will definitely cheer up your basic summer dress!

Naming Colors

Okay- these are my Malia Colors. I want one of a red shade but I can't seem to find the shade I want. I'm iffy about Emerald, Lemon and Indigo. Any suggestions?

Sneak Peek Part Deux

I'm such a slacker! Busy with my day job (the 2 Singaporean films, Gone Shopping and 881, I worked on are finally out!) and hardly unpacked from my Saigon and Manila trips, I haven't had the energy to update my Verao Crochet Bikini blog. I haven't even uploaded any of my new goods (my Malia line) in Etsy! Aargh! All I have energy to do now is to upload another sneak peak of Malia- this time in Tangerine and Flamingo.

And no, the model isn't me.

I am still wondering how I should sell it- if I should really go full blast with my BYOB (Build Your Own Bikini) plan. Hmmm...

Anyway- my other colors for Malia are Baby Pink, Aqua, Espresso, Licorice, Vanilla, Eggplant, Emerald Green, Lemon, and Indigo.

Positivity

I love positive feedback from my buyers. My first buyer bought my Josefina in Espresso and Azure the day I posted it! It was such a surprise, I couldn't stop jumping for joy! In my enthusiasm though, I didn't read her instructions right and sent the bikini to her old address in Paris (oui, oui, Pareee!!), so her parents had to send it to her to Switzerland. Thank you, Celine of Tenlittlefingers! About a month later, when she finally received her bikini, she posted this feedback:

"I love it! It's amazing how soft and stretchy the cotton is. Fits perfect. Beautiful colours too! Many thanks for the extra gift and your wonderful communication."



It's flattering when someone who buys your creation has products that are flying off the shelf! Check out her store at tenlittlefingers.etsy.com, and her blog at ten-little-fingers.blogspot.com. When I do need to take a trip that requires me to get a coat, I will get one from her!

My other buyer, Noelle, who became an etsy member because I wrote her a How to Register at Etsy email gave me this positive feedback for the Josefina in Espresso and Azure she bought:

"I tried mine on the minute I got home and was just very, very pleased. So pleased I went and bought another. As a voluptuous woman, I find it tough to find a bikini that's supportive and works with my body. This one does."

And when she received her other Josefina in Licorice, she said:
"Love this. Bought it on the heels of the other one. Now I want a black and azure colour combination!"



I will make one one of these days Noelle!!

Then yesterday, I got another positive feedback for the Josefina in Vanilla . It was so flattering, I almost cried!! Okay, okay... I actually did!

"I can not believe how well this bikini fits, feels and looks. I am in shock. Usually I am very picky about bathing suits. This is such a top quality suit that it is worth much, much more than the asking price. I hope you make more, because I am going to recommend everyone I know to your store. I am so, so happy.!!! My mouth will remain open in awe, and my fiance might have to get some sunblock for his tongue which will be permanently hanging out. ;) excellent product!"



This was bought by BOXC. Thanks so much for your wonderful comment, Chrissy! It warms my heart everytime I read it. Check out her rockin' jewlery at boxc.etsy.com.

I am hoping to post my other bikinis soon! I never realized shooting bikinis can be such a project!

Celebrity Look-a-like

Who is your look-a-like? Click on My Heritage !

How to Make Iced Coffee

I remember the mornings my parents spent at the breakfast table- having conversation, drinking their coffee, buttering the toast... How I loved the smell of coffee. How I wanted to be an adult and join in! I remember that it was a no-no for kids to have coffee. We were all told that it would stunt our growth. So, to "compromise", Mommy allowed me to have coffee... with "plenty of milk". Which in reality was hot milk with a few granules of coffee. But still... I believed I was having coffee. Drinking moffee (mock coffee) with them made me feel grown-up and important! Weekend mornings, I would ask my nanny, in a very sing-song way, to give me "Little coffee and plenty of milk!!" At that early age of 4, my love affair with the latte began.

Then in the early 80's when I was about 11 or 12 , on one of our trips to Tokyo, I saw my Dad drinking something very interesting. Iced Coffee. In fact it was Pokka Iced Coffee. I took a sip. Then that was it. I knew that it was THE ONE. I knew I was in love. It was weird because I only drank iced coffee when we went to Tokyo for our summer vacations. I guess I was attempting to make it a bit more special by having it only when I visited the country. Buying it in the vendo machine for Y100 was as eventful as drinking it!

By the time I was in my teens and twenties, my sisters and I would make our own iced coffee and drink away during Sunday morning breakfasts while we talked about how our Saturday nights went. And after perfecting the formula, we even toyed the idea of bottling and marketing it! Then Starbucks arrived. That marked the beginning of the end of our Iced Coffee empire.

Aaahhh... Iced Coffee. As much as it's a great summer refreshment, it's more than just a drink to me! Be it Seattle's Best, Lavazza, or Nescafe 3-in-1 packet, iced coffee is here to stay. Try and awaken those sleepy summer afternoons with this cool beverage.

How I make my Jiffy iced Coffee:

1) Brew a pot of coffee slightly stronger than your usual pot. For me, 2 tablespoons of dark roast.

2) Do you take sugar with your coffee? If so, mix sugar to taste already in the pot. It melts better this way.

3) In a tall plastic tumbler, fill it with ice, right up till you make a mini mountain past the rim, and then pour the coffee in slowly. If desired, add your milk. Leave it a minute to chill.

4) Enjoy!


If you have more time to spare, you can try this:


1) Just like my Jiffy Iced Coffee, brew a pot of fresh coffee slightly stronger than what you usually brew.

2) Mix in your desired amount of sugar

3) Let the coffee cool down. You can either keep it in its pot or transfer it into a pitcher or carafe. After about 30 minutes, stick it in the fridge to make it colder faster.

4) After about 2 hours, it is ready to drink!

5) Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.

6) Pour the coffee into the glass and mix.

7) Add milk if desired.

If you really want to make sure your coffee doesn't get watered down, try making coffee iced cubes beforehand to use!

Accesorize, Summerize...

I looove summer accessories. They perk up your basic white tee and jeans look. They brighten up your plain cotton dress. And you don't have to break your bank account to get them! The short cut to looking stylized yet hassle-free ( I know I'm sooo lazy!), is to accessorize. So where do I shop? Right at Etsy of course! ! And my latest find... Relishdress' Etsy store.





I've managed to compile my favorite summer inspired goodies from her store (I couldn't sleep so I laid out my faves). If no one gets these, I sure will! Especially the Lovers On The Beach pendant... so romantic! The Greenery Jumbo Magnets would be great for a beach house fridge too! The Sea Mist earrings would definitely go well with a white eyelet summer dress. And the Teal Octopus Necklace ? "Disarming"!

Check out relishdress.etsy.com and relishdress.vox.com . Definitely bookmark worthy.

My Favorite Magazine

If there's a magazine I cannot give or throw away, it would say it's Coastal Living Magazine. Just seeing the cover is enough for me to grab a magazine at the bookstore. As you all know by now I just love summer and island style of ANYTHING. Homes, food and travel- and this magazine just transports me to that state of summer-high. It helps me get hungry for that dream to build a beach house. It makes me head to the kitchen to try a new recipe. It relaxes me at the end of an intense day at work.

If you're a summer nut just like me, Coastal Living will surely make you go nuttier for that coastal or island summer lifestyle. Check out their website at www.coastalliving.com for fresh ideas for your home, food and vacations.

How to Pack the Perfect Beach Bag

All those years obsessing about summer vacation and quick beach getaways has honed my skills in packing the perfect beach bag. I've had my share of experiences! There were those times when I finally parked myself on the best spot on the beach, only to realize I forgot something in the car or the hotel room. Aaargh! Those days are finally over! Check out my list!


1) The Beach Bag. I prefer big canvas totes. And they don't have to be expensive. Canvas totes are perfect because not only are they spacious, but they're very low maintenance. You can just throw them in the washing machine to launder. The Beach Tote Bag pictured above would be a good buy. Or, check out my fellow etsyan's Floral Reversible Beach Tote at only $10! (Devon if no one is getting it... I will!)

2) Sunscreen. I'm trying to go organic so now I use Aubrey Natural Sun Unscented SPF 20 Sunscreen. I think I'd also like to try Alba Hawaiian Green Tea SPF 30+ Sunscreen next time.

3) Bottled water and fruit. Keep yourself hydrated! Water is still better than any other juice or soda. And instead of messy chips, munch on a healthy apple when you get hungry!

4) Book or magazine. Sometimes it's better to visit a 2nd hand bookstore before your trip and buy a book you feel you won't feel bad if it gets soiled with sunblock or falls in the ocean. Or, you can try something new and get The Beach Book, a water-proof book published by Durabooks.

5) iPod or MP3 player. Make sure your iPod is in a protective case, or a water-proof case!

6) Sunglasses. Don't bother with expensive designer sunglasses. Your sunglasses can get scratched or lost along the way, so better yet, get a cheap one. I think these Jackie O sunglasses are stylish and affordable! Only US$9!

7) Swimsuit. Check out my crochet bikinis! After swimming in them, make sure you have a Ziploc bag to put it in. Or if you want to feel a bit more luxurious, put it in a Wet Bikini Bag.

8) Beach Mat or Sarong. Since I try to avoid carrying a heavy and oversized beach towel, I use a Beach Mat or sarong to lie on the beach. Getting the sand out is a breeze.

9) Towel. Just big enough to wipe yourself with- a hand towel to be exact.

10) Hat. Protect your face from the sun! The hat in the picture is from jcrew.com.

11) Goggles. If you want to go do some serious swimming, packing the Speedo Women's Vanquisher goggles might be a good idea.

12) Say Cheese! If you're a shutterbug, bring your camera but make sure it's in a water-proof encasing! Or, you can just get the Kodak MAX Water & Sport Single Use Camera.

13) Don't forget your wallet! I usually slip it in a sandwich size Ziploc if I feel extra cautious.

It was funny though, I remember taking my perfect beach bag with me when I was visited my then boyfriend (now husband) in Hawaii. We were going beach hopping around the island and despite the sleekness of my packing, he laughed hard when he saw my bag. "You don't need all that!" he said. All he took was a towel! And when we swam, he stuck his flip flops in a coconut tree!

Sneak Peek!

I'm still taking pictures of my new collection, but here's a sneak peek!

Introducing, the Malia! My version of the string bikini. Seemingly baring and daring, the Malia bikini bottom actually gives your tush full coverage while it still flatters your shape with it being a low-rise hipster. It is accented with a thin crochet belt. The top, though straps are "string", gives your breasts a nice comfortable coverage without being too skimpy.

And the best part? You are given the chance to BYOB- Build Your Own Bikini! With BYOB, you can buy your size and color of choice per piece! You can buy a small vanilla top, match it with a medium baby pink bottom, and vanilla belt! Or just like the photo below!



Soon, the Malia will be in my store! Watch this space!

48 Hour Sale!!

Because I feel like it, I am selling my Flamingo Espresso Josefina's at US$25 for the next 48 hours!



I've read the latest issue of Elle magazine and saw about 4 crochet bikinis featured. All over $150. Imagine getting your very own crochet bikini at only $25... for the next 48 hours that is!

The flattering halter top has a band 1.5 inches thick, and the sexifying low-rise panty has the same band thickness of 1.5 inches. The panty has full coverage of your bum, and unlike other crochet bikinis that are string, this panty has a garter to keep it up even while you swim! Both top and bottom (the crotch area) are lined.


Definitely a conversation starter, and a show stopper, make sure to buy this Flamingo Espresso Josefina for your next resort vacation... or pool party.


Available in Limited Quantity for S, M, L and XL.

SMALL : (2 pairs)
Bust: 30-32 in
Hips: 32-34 in

MEDIUM: (1 pair)
Bust: 33-35 in
Hips: 34-36 in

LARGE: (2 pairs)
Bust: 36-38
Hips: 37-39

EXTRA LARGE: (2 pairs)
Bust: 39-40
Hips: 40-42


The clock is ticking! Buy your Verao bikini today!

Congratulations, Talita and Renata!

I was never a volleyball fan. Maybe because I sucked at the sport (I almost failed my Phys Ed class when I was a college freshman because I could never get the ball over the net). Over the weekend however, I instantly became a beach volleyball fan. At the Swatch FIVB World Tour 2007 in Sentosa, my husband and I got to revel in the celebration of the sport. We got to watch world-class teams compete with each other. Italy vs Cuba, Norway VS Australia, Brazil VS China... phew! Too much to mention! The energy, spirit, and all those bikini bodies! I wanted to give each player my Verao bikinis! Particularly my newest idol, Talita Antunes!



After a quick chat with her, I found out she maintains her bikini body by working out 2 hours in the gym in the morning, and 2 hours of volleyball drills in the afternoon. And this is Monday to Saturday! And having been to over 20 beaches from all over the world, when I asked what beach stood out from all of them, she mentioned one of them to be Bali (where she and her partner Renata Ribeiro won World Tour 2005). She even got to play by the Eifel Tower! Just last Sunday, she and partner Renata Ribeiro won the top prize in the Singapore leg of the Swatch FIVB World Tour 2007 ! Congratulations!

Next stop for the Renata-Talita tandem, Swatch FIVB World Tour 2007 in Korea! They already won the match against Netherlands, Labee-de Vries (finishing the game in 37 minutes and winning both sets). And today at 3:40 pm Korea time, they will play against Barnett-Cook of Australia! Go get 'em Talita and Renata!



For more pictures of Talita and Renata, click on my husbands site, alohawerkz and select the Pro Beach Volleyball pictures at the left.

All this Brazilian spirit made me want to get a drink! Check out my other post on the Caipirinha.

Caipirinha

I've had a long week (I think it was over a week!) of working nights in my official job and I felt I needed a mini break. So I headed to the nearest beach from where I live, Siloso beach at Sentosa. There was the Swatch FIVB World Tour 2007 going on (now that's for another entry), so I thought it would be sweet if I checked out beach volleyball. After watching a few matches, I decided to stop by Cafe Del Mar to get my fave cocktail of all time- Brazil's national drink, the Caipirinha.



CooI. I lay on one of the canopied beds, listened to some Brazilian jazz and electronica,the type of music Cafe Del Mar is famous for, and ate nachos dipped in guacamole. Now this is relaxation. Since we have a semi-industrial blender at home, I thought that my hubs and I should start making our own Caiprinhas just to kick back and relax. He was once a bartender eons ago (in a bar called Nashville Waikiki!), so he supplied me with the recipe. Here goes.

Caipirinha (pronounced as ky-pee-reen-ya)

Ingredients:
1 lime, quartered
2 tsp fine sugar
2 oz cachaca (pronounced as ka-sha-sa)

Preparations:
1) Before slicing the lime, roll it against the chopping board heavily with your palm. This way you can get more juice out of it.
2) Put the sliced lime and sugar into a short, fat glass, also known as an "old fashioned glass".
3) Lightly press the lime and sugar with a wooden pestle.
4) Fill the glass with ice cubes or crushed ice (I prefer crushed ice).
5) Pour in the cachaca.
6) Stir well
7) Yum!

I think I lay there for over an hour, munching, sipping, people watching, slightly buzzing. The funniest part was it was only 4pm. I don't like going to clubs anymore, so I thought this was a good way to visit one without the crowd. Here are more pictures of Cafe Del Mar. If I'm in a tanning and chillaxing mood, I would come back here.



In the mean time, get these ingredients so you can enjoy your very own summer cocktail, Cheers!

The Josefina

Introducing my maiden design... The Josefina.



In espresso and azure, this is one of my favorite colour combinations. The halter top and low-cut bikini bottom automatically sexifies and flatters every body type- especially the fuller, more voluptuous woman.

Check out my store, www.verao.etsy.com or just click any of my items at the right! Get that Verao bikini for your next beach or resort holiday. Happy shopping!

Aloha and Obrigado!

How to Register at Etsy

Welcome to the wonderful world of Etsy! Just in case you haven't noticed by now, etsy.com is the site I sell all my bikinis in. It's an online marketplace where everything handmade is bought and sold. If you click on my gallery at the right, you will be taken directly to my etsy store, www.verao.etsy.com

Now, to be able to buy my goodies, it's best to be a member of etsy.com. Don't worry- it's easy. This is all you do.

STEP 1: Open a new window on your browser (just so that you can keep on reading these steps).
STEP 2: Key in www.etsy.com.
STEP 3: On the upper right hand corner of the page, click on REGISTER.
STEP 4: Creating your Etsy account begins. All you need to do is key in your username, password, and email address. They also ask how you got to learn about Etsy, and who referred you to the site, but they're just optional questions. At the bottom of the page, there is a box you need to tick, which is actually the agreement of Etsy's 3 Golden Resolutions (very basic so I don't need to write it here again). Just tick the box then click on SUBMIT.
STEP 5: You will then get a page that will tell you to check your email account for the confirmation email.
STEP 6: Open your email and read Etsy's confirmation email. There will be a confirmation code in it. All you need to do is to reply to this email, no need to type in anything else, then send. You will receive another email after this.
STEP 7: Check your inbox again and you will find the email that your Etsy account is successfully confirmed.
STEP 8: Now you can go back to my blog and click on any of my bikinis! You will be asked to log in, then you can finally shop!

The best part of this registration is that you can start buying other handmade goodies from all over the world! Like these Gold Grass Bracelets from Brazil,



and this precious watercolor called Mahalo Flats.



You can even start selling your own handmade stuff! Start clicking!

Bossa Hula Nova

I love Hawaiian music, and I love the Bossa Nova. My earliest memories of these kinds of music was when I was about 7 years old. Instead of partying out, my parents partied in! I'd be their DJ for the earlier part of the night and play records by request - Brazil '66, Astrud Gilberto, and Don Ho for their Friday night cocktail parties (apart from Barry White, Willy Bobo and Mel Torme). They would have relatives over (my parents friends were their brothers and sisters!) to celebrate the beginning of the weekend. It's still so clear in my head. The music pleasantly resonating through the house, my glamorous Mom and aunts sipping their margaritas on our mod striped orange and fuschia upholstered chairs, and laughter filling the house after my Dad cracks a joke or two. After saying good night to the guests to prepare for my bedtime, I'd climb up the stairs, leading to my bedroom. Making sure no one was watching, I would do my version of the samba or the hula to whatever music was playing.

Twenty plus years later, preparing to get married to my local Hawaiian fiance, you could just imagine the thrill I experienced discovering this wonderful mix of Hawaii and Brazil music Bossa Hula Nova by Lisa Ono. Think Hawaiian music with a Bossa twist. Smooth and easy listening- perfect for that sunset at the beach while sipping your margarita.

Play this video and listen to one of my favourite tracks, Manoa. Soothing, light, and just simply great to chill to.



Track listing:

1. Swing Time in Honolulu /No Ceu AzuL De Honolulu
2. Nani Wai 'Ale 'Ale
3. Blue Hawaii
4. Manoa
5. Mauna Loa
6. Hawaiian Vamp / Nova Hula
7. E Assim
8. Beyond The Reef
9. Poliahu
10. Kaimana Hila
11. Flor De Yamanja
12. Sway it, Hula Girl
13. Aloha 'Oe

I love the whole idea of fusion!