Swim Suit Central

Going on a tropical vacation any time soon? I spend a lot of time browsing different types of swim apparel from bikinis, monokinis, halters, one pieces, bandeau tops, etc. Often times I’m asked where I get my swimsuits, so I decided to post those that I took on my vacation. My motto is you can never have too many swimsuits, since there is always something fun to do when you are in one.

Mara Hoffman Embroidered 4 Strap Bikini in Cheetah: For laying out and walking along the beach after arriving at or beach front hotel.
Nastygal Orange Puckered Swimsuit: For scuba diving

Mikoh String Triangle Top with String Tie Side Bottom in Solid Yellow: For hanging out on the beautiful Kailua beach with my beautiful besties (and jumping for joy)
Mikoh St. Barts U-Bar Bandeau with Miyako Brazilian Bottom in Seaberry: For wearing under clothes on a hike (just in case we had encountered water somewhere)

Mara Hoffman Embroidered Bikini in Mint: For swimming in the pouring rain (or in my case, going half way in, chickening out, and just getting rained on) at Lonikai Beach.
L Space Fringe Halter Top in Black with Victoria Secret Strappy Brazilian Bottom in Black: For paddle boarding at Waikiki Beach

Savoring The Experience of Diving in Hawaii

Have you ever had a dream about flying? Scuba diving has been the closest I have ever gotten to experience that weightless feeling of moving freely through space, not through air like in my dreams, but through water. Diving is one of my favorite things to do, and each dive is an amazing and unique experience that I will never forget. While in Hawaii, I had the opportunity to go scuba diving with Lacey, the really sweet and attentive dive instructor of Pearl Harbor Divers. Our first dive of the day was the YO-257 shipwreck located off Oahu on the south shore. Lacie guided me around and through the inside of the sunken ship, and we were able to see nudibranchs (sea slugs) and several different types of fish, starfish, urchins and two submarines that passed by. Our second dive was a short at a reef, where we encountered four different types of eel, a blow fish, an octopus in a crevice of the ocean floor, two giant turtles, and several other creatures that I wouldn’t be able to name, one (pictured) that Lacey, who dives every day, has never even seen before (nor have I of course). I was feeling cold on the second dive despite my full body wetsuit, but every turn there was something really cool to see; I am so glad that I withstood the cold. The experience was incredible, and I savored every moment.

Craving Some Good Hawaiian Eats (Part 2)

Les get togeddah an’ talk story (chit-chat) ’bout da ono grinds (tasty food) dat brok da mout (tastes delicious)? In my last post (http://cravensavor.com/2013/01/28/), I mentioned how Hawaiians spoke Pidgin, but I forgot to mention that tourists are NOT allowed to speak Pidgin (only type 😉 yeah?) unless you want to get beat up. That is no joke, and neither is how incredible the food has been on my trip. So, I’m continuing Part 2 of my Framavings (Freakin’ Amazing Cravings) in Hawaii:

Day 4

Iyasume Musubi: For satisfying Musubi (Rice Ball wrapped in seaweed) cravings
Ordered: Egg Musubi, Salmon Rice Ball, Spicy Salmon & Roe Rice Ball, Seaweed Salad

Side Street Inn: For Delicious Family Style Hawaiian Eats
Ordered: Farmers salad (so good, had to order another), Fresh Steamed Manila Clams, Crab Legs (not pictured), Steamed White Rice topped with shredded dried seaweed

Bubbie’s Homemade Ice Cream and Desserts: For satisfying Mochi and Ice Cream Cravings
Ordered: Multiple Orgasm Ice Cream Cake: Oreo, Espresso, & Chocolate Ince Creams layered on an Oreo crust and topped with fudge and chocolate sprinkles, Mochi Ice Cream: lychee, salted caramel, azuki bean, and a Sundae with Macadamia Nut, Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream
The Ice Cream Cake was Incredible!! And although I didn’t get to try any other flavor like the Smud Pie, Knock Me Up on the Blower, More than a Mouthful, Prisoner of My Mind, Functioning Prostate, Buffy’s Aural Massage, or Come Here Little, they looked and sounded pretty appetizing.

Day 5

Royal Hawaiian Hotel Breakfast Room Service: For In-Room Breakfast Cravings
Ordered: oatmeal with dulce deleche sauce (they found a way to make oatmeal unhealthy), fruit platter, guava juice

Orange Julius: For satisfying your thirst while shopping
Ordered: Original Orange Julius

Marukame Udon: For satisfying Udon and Tempura cravings
Ordered: Ontama Udon (Udon Noodles with sauce and a soft boiled egg) and Tempura: Shrimp, Asparagus, Mushroom, Eggplant, Sweet Potato, and Pumpkin.

Craving Some Good Hawaiian Eats (Part 1)

Ey Brah, howzit, we go get someting to eat, yeah? In case you have never heard a local Hawaiian speak Pidgin (English-Hawaiian slang or some may argue it’s the language spoken in Hawaii, because no one really speaks the Hawaiian language), it’s awesome. On Oahu, what’s even more awesome is the food. We have been feasting like Royal Hawaiian Kings and Queens, thanks to Trip Advisor Marshall and Food Advisor Face who got the inside scoop (from friends and Yelp) on some really authentic and delicious Hawaiian places that are a must eat for any tourist or local alike. Since my cravings have been on overload, I have to share…

Day 2 Eats

Ono Seafood: For satisfying Poke cravings… Best Poke Ever!
Ordered: The Hawaiian Style Poke (made spicy over white rice), The Shoku Ahi Poke, and Seaweed Salad

Waiola Shaved Ice: For satisfying sweet cravings on a hot day… Best Shave Ice in Hawaii!
Ordered: Azuki Bowl with Mochi Ball, Sundae Shave Ice

Azure restaurant (Royal Hawaiian): For Fine Dining Eats
Ordered: The Tasting Menu – 1st course: Azure Sashimi (Hawaiian Yellow Fin Ahi, Japanese Hamachi, Avocado & Watermelon Radish Salad, Ginger Vinaigrette) 2nd course: “Ocean Cappuccino” Dungeness Crab & Black Tiger Shrimp (sooo good) – 3rd course: Kona Lobster Tail with Risotto Marinated Tomato, Saffron, and Waialua Asparagus – 4th course: substituted the Fillet of Beef for the Opa (Moonfish) with corn Dessert: Kula Strawberries & Flor Di Latte with Balsamic & Cinnamon Fadrizzle Birthday Cake Surprise: Flourless Chocolate Cake

Zippy’s: For satisfying late night cravings
Ordered: Macaroni Salad (Have to have Macaroni Salad in Hawaii)

Day 3 Eats

Boots and Kimo’s Homestyle Kitchen: For Breakfast Eats, will totally hit the craving spot!
Ordered: The Entire Kitchen! I tried: Guava Juice, Fresh Papaya, The French Toast with (the most incredible) macadamia nut sauce (which had with the next two things on this list), Hawaiian Pancakes, Banana Pancakes, Seafood Omelet (Sauteed in garlic butter with fresh mushrooms, Maui onions & crab melted Haleakala swiss cheese)

Leonard’s Bakery: For Sweet Sweet Malasadas
Malasadas are Portuguese doughnuts. Each one is pastry dough fried until the crust is golden brown, while the inside remains fluffy and light. Because the dough is made with the finest ingredients, you get a malasada with a sweet toasted flavor, both crunchy and chewy.
Ordered: a dozen. Malasadas: 3 Original, 3 Cinnamon, Malasada Puffs: 3 Custard filled, 3 Dobash (Chocolate) Filled

Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin Since 1927: For satisfying Katsu cravings
Tried: Tofu, Spice Tuna Roll, Uni (Sea Urchin), Green Salad, Top 5 Kushiage Combo (Scallops, Quail Egg and Tofu), Hearty Miso Soup, Jumbo Black Tiger Katsu over Egg over easy and Rice (with homemade Katsu sauce, spice mustard, and sesame seed grounded and mixed with Katsu sauce… yummmm), and Cabbage Salad with Tomato and Cucumber
Every one at our table ate every single morsel or food on the table, including the cabbage, which we had with the Japanese dressing.

Yogurtland: For after dinner dessert cravings
Ordered: Taro and Pistachio frozen yogurt topped with strawberries and mochi balls

Conquishoedores

Who would I be quoting if I said, “we came, we saw, we conquered?” While Face, Marshall, my bf and I hiked Koko Head in Honolulu, I wore my teal and pink Puma H streets; they informed me that the quote was the translation of Julius Caesar’s latin quote, “Venimus, Vidimus, Vicimus.” We completed the Koko Head hike by climbing up (and going down) the old military railroad tracks consisting of 1048 “steps” (which I didn’t attempt to count), straight up the hillside to the top of the peak, which overlooks a spectacular view of Hanauma Bay. The hike; however, was not a walk in the park. From the parking lot, we heard shots firing (from the nearby gun range), but we pressed on in the mid-day Hawaiian sun and started up nature’s stairclimber to began our exploration. The first half of the hike to the top was a moderate incline; the second half, a steeper ascent. As I climbed the “stairs”, my shoes kept telling me, “one step at a time, we’ll get there.” When we finally reached the top, the view was unbelievable. It was a sight to savor, which we did while we caught our breathe (from the hike and view, both of which can take one’s breathe away). The descent, in my opinion, was even harder than the ascent. While my Pumas are super light and easy to pack, they don’t have very much traction on the sole and I slipped once doing down, so I had to take caution. My shoes; however, brought up the Conquistatores (Conquerors), who were soldiers, explorers, and adventurers for the Spanish and Portuguese Empires. While my H streets were brought on the trip for running on the hotel treadmill (done earlier that day) and light walking, they accomplished the task of conquering the regular Hawaiian tradition of Koko Head and were truly Conquishoedores.

Craving a Mai Tai, Pokē, and Hakone Buffet

What’s the first thing I crave when getting to Hawaii? A Mai Tai, which I ordered virgin, and Pokē, which I ordered with a Chinese vegetable spring rolls appetizer with sweet chili sauce from the Mai Tai Bar at our hotel (Royal Hawaiian). Pokē is a raw salad and is also a Hawaiian verb for “section” or “to slice or cut;” the island pokē trio we ordered came with three variations: octopus, shrimp, and ahi. Not long after; however, we were ready for dinner and headed to Hakone Restaurant at the Prince Resorts Hawaii for authentic Japanese food. Hakone offers a wide variety of Japanese cuisine, including assorted sashimi, salad, appetizer and entree buffet, sushi bar with a chef preparing handrolls and sushi a la carte, and a dessert station. My cravings were definitely satisfied.

Perfect Sitshoeation

What could be better than spending time with some of my favorite people in the whole world in one of my favorite places to visit in the whole world? Not much. I wore my Chanel espadrilles in our travels to Honolulu Hawaii, where my bf and I will be spending the next 5 days with my dearest friends: Dreams, Face and their guys celebrating my, my bestie’s and my boyfriend’s birthdays and celebrating life.

The day started off with me putting on my perfect for traveling and walking shoes and running out the door to the car service waiting to take us to the airport and a driver who informed that we would most likely be missing our 8am flight. We sat in the car as it poured ran in traffic from Pasadena to LAX. My BF called Travelocity, the site where we booked our flights, and an agent informed that to get confirmed seats on the next flight, it would cost us four times what we paid originally for the fare difference plus change fee, which was ridulous and therefore not an option. I then called the airline, to check if there was a flight delay, which there was none, so I proceeded to ask about our options after missing our flight. There is a $75 change fee to get on another flight after missing one; however, there were no seats available that day in order to even get confirmed seats. So we headed to the American Airline counter after arriving at LAX to seek advice about what do to do next. We were put on the stand-by list on the 1030 flight, which was oversold by 6 and already had 5 people in front of us already on stand-by, which could also be pushed back further for priority AA members, etc. The next flight was in the afternoon (also oversold), and after that, our next best option was to try the next day. We waited at Gate 47, where AA agents were offering vouchers to people on our flight since they oversold the plane and people with confirmed seats didn’t even have one. It wasn’t looking good, and my shoes did not want to walk me back home sulking. Fifteen minutes before departure, and to our relief, the ticketing counter called both our names and we traded our stand-by tickets to boarding passes. It took a perfect storm of people missing their flight, people on stand-by leaving because they didn’t think they would make it, and people getting moved to first class, which were the only open seats, to be able to get the last two seats on the plane. We didn’t pay a dime extra in fees and they even took one of our bags that we carried on and checked it in without charging the normal bag fee. We were given the last middle seats, piggy-backed in rows 31 and 32, but we really couldn’t complain, we were just happy to have made it on the flight. Luckily, there was a family of 8 sitting in those two rows, who were nice enough to make accommodations so we could sit together by the window. Things were falling nicely into place, I kicked of my espadrilles and I thanked the powers that be. On the plane, I read Heads in Bed, by Jacob Tomsky, which is a very entertaining memoir of an author (who freely dropped f-bombs throughout the book like you wouldn’t believe) and his experience in the hotel and hospitality industry. I learned a trick or two about the life of working in a hotel, and when we arrived at the Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach, we used what I had learned and took care of our front desk agent, who happily upgraded our basic room with garden view (which was supposedly the only room type available in its class while making reservations over the phone and constantly checking in to see if anything opened up prior to our arrival) to a junior suite with ocean view and who sent a birthday cake to our room for my boyfriend and I to enjoy (Thank you Jacob Tomsky for the heads up and thank you hotel agent for saving us over a thousand dollars in upgrades and phenomenal customer service). We finally settled into our spacious room, and while looking down at my shoes, they told me that we were pretty damn luckily that everything worked out in the most perfect way imaginable considering how the day started. Instead of sitting at home during a rainy weekend, we are in a perfect sitshoeation on an island in the sun.

Forever Favoring The Style Of The Iconic Marilyn Monroe

What would you call the style of some one who is imitated (but never duplicated) and idolized for past, present and future generations to come? Timeless, and that is exactly how I would best describe the style of Marilyn Monroe, who I, along with countless amount of people, will forever favor. Her image in the white halter dress is one that will always be ingrained in my mind. Probably the most famous pin-up, MM was stylish at every moment, whether on the beach, in front of the camera, or lying on the couch. Not to mention, she looked just as sexy in that iconic gold gown as she did in slim cropped pants and and a knit sweater. The photos of Marilyn taken over 50 years ago depict her fashion sense that is just as in-style today as they were then and I bet they will still be in 50 years from now and on. I truly believe MM put the GLAM in Hollywood Glamour. In addition to her signature blond hair, bombshell body, stunning good looks, dreamy bedroom eyes, and fascinating life story (that was sadly cut way too short), Marilyn Monroe will be loved and adored (in my books, if not in history’s) as one of the best dressed women of all time.

Raving about Blogging, Bloggers and the Blogsphere

I received this from http://periscopegirl.com/. Thank you for so much http://periscopegirl.com/ for my very first award nomination in this blogsphere. I am almost two months into my participation with social media. I had my goal set to learning all about Pinterest, Polyvore, Twitter, FB, Instagram, etc, but it turns out that having one social outlet, this blog, is so much more than I thought it would be in addition to the rest of my life (I honestly don’t know how people can keep up with more than one). The time spent here; however, is enjoyable and has brought me back to writing for pleasure instead of writing for practical reasons (work). Plus, I’ve found so many blogs that have provided me an insight into other blogger’s lives, passions, and knowledge, which I can’t get enough of. I am truly grateful for this award nomination; my blog allows me to share a bit of myself, and this allows me to share some of the inspiration I get from other blogs.

The rules are:
·Display the award logo on your blog
·Link back to the person who nominated you
·State seven things about yourself
·Nominate fifteen other bloggers for this award and link to the them
·Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the award’s requirements

7 Random Things About Me:
1. I had an imaginary friend that I talked to when I was younger named Peter
2. I have a dangerous love affair with sweets (if you didn’t already know), and especially with strawberry cheesecake (damn you, why do you have to be sooo good?!)
3. I dream vividly, and in color… I can usually remember what people were wearing in my dreams
4. I have a green birthmark that could be mistaken for a bruise
5. My second toe is longer than my big toe
6. I’m the clumsiest person I know
7. I don’t usually drink alcohol, but when I do, my drink of choice is scotch neat or on the rocks, depending on my mood

There are so many blogs that I have really liked so far and so many more that I have yet to explore. I know there are some that I’m missing, but here are 15 of that I am nominating (in no particular order) that have inspired me with beautiful pictures, interesting posts, and thought provoking writing that made me want to trying new recipes, put down the gummy bears and work out, write more, write better, or read until I couldn’t any more.

http://periscopegirl.com/
http://soathome.blogspot.com/
http://tuesdayswithrachel.com/
http://lesleycarter.wordpress.com/
http://cravingchronicles.com/
http://into-mind.com/
http://thecitizensoffashion.com/
http://ilovegreeninspiration.com/
http://lifeisshorteathard.wordpress.com/
http://mygymsuccess.wordpress.com/
http://asklotta.com/
http://janethesub.wordpress.com/
http://teenieyogini.wordpress.com/
http://alotonyourplate.wordpress.com/
http://idolanuel.com/

Thank you again for all of the love! Can’t stop raving about Blogging, Bloggers and the Blogsphere.

Ay Juice Mio

Have you watched that documentary called Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead? I haven’t either, but I have heard of it. It is a film documenting a man who lost over 100 lbs in sixty days (OMG) and cured himself of an auto-immune disease by juicing. I’m not the dieting-type, but I am a healthy conscious-type and had also heard about the many benefits of drinking fruit and vegetable juices so over a year ago, this led me to purchase my Breville 800JEXL Juice Fountain Elite 1000-Watt Juice Extractor, which I use all of the time. This juicer is really high powered and I feel works as well as the juicers I see used at the Whole Foods Juice Bar. The other night, I made my boyfriend and I juice with Spinach, Romaine Lettuce, Broccoli, Carrots, Red Kale, Blueberries, and an apple (fruit always mutes the strong taste of kale). If I have a really heavy breakfast or lunch, come back from a workout or Bikram yoga class too late to have dinner, or don’t have time to make something to eat for breakfast, I will make a juice as a meal replacement. Thanks to mi amiga, who comes to my office to sell fruit and vegetables every week, I always have something fresh to juice and some one, who I can practice speaking Spanish with.