Blog — vintage style

Happy Muʻumuʻu Month Kākou!  There were more Muʻumuʻu Month events throughout the State this year.  Although I really wanted to go to Kauaʻi for their events, the farthest west I got was Muʻu at the Museum at Hānaiakamalama.  Its an annual fundraiser for the preservation of Hānaiakamalama, Queen Emma's Summer Palace.  This year’s theme was “Where East Meets West.”  It recognized the significant influence of Chinese culture within Hawaiʻi, and was inspired by the Great Chinese Merchants’ Ball of 1856 in honor of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. I found this vintage Alfred Shaheen on Poshmark.  It was in great condition considering its...

Aloha Week seems to have become a month long Aloha Festival. There were many activities at different locations, but I only made it to two. Mauna Lani had their Aloha Festival on Thursday, September 28, and we demonstrated our respective lei hulu, ulana lauhala, and cordage work.  Kaniela Akaka serenaded us with his acoustic instruments.  Beautiful music and pleasant vibes.  I always enjoy hanging out with these artists.  (Below) Above, left to right:  Me, Emily, Kathy, and Tanya.  I wore my "vintage" '90s-ish Princess Kaʻulani Fashions holomuʻu and my fine weave pāpale.  Tanya was wearing her ʻānoni Sassy Hat that she made...

I (and others who had attended their muʻumuʻu event back in January) received an email invite from Kaʻaiohelo McAfee-Torco, Kaʻūpūlehu Cultural Center Manager, for a May Day Lei Day celebration at the Four Seasons Hualalai.  Their employees had created beautiful lei that were offered for silent auction with the proceeds being donated to Hawaii Island Charity Walk.  I have attended Mauna Lani's May Day festivities through the years, but this was the first time I've experienced it at Kaʻūpūlehu. Raynette was there wearing her beautiful pāpale ʻānoni. That pink ākulikuli lei in the picture was gorgeous and fluorescent in person. There was music and hula,...

January is Muʻumuʻu Month.  I don't have enough muʻumuʻu to wear a different one each day like some on social media, but I try to wear one whenever I leave the house.  So when we went to see Hamilton and then Muʻu at the Museum after, I had to doll up in my nicest holomuʻu...  A vintage Mamo Howell. Seeing all the muʻumuʻu, holomuʻu, and holokū was amazing that night at Hānaiakamalama.  I confess, I fangirled-out seeing muʻu fashionistas that I follow on Instagram in person.  The mākeke was relatively small, but the vendors were excellent. The following week, luncheon with muʻumuʻu friends...

Sometimes thrift stores call to me... Like $7 good quality jeans for working in the yard. And this $2 Liz Claiborne purse... the "leather" handles are perfect for upcycling on a new lauhala purse.  The original purse had a scuff on the other side, but the handles were just fine. I wasn't going to buy it at first because I thought, "really? When are you making another purse?"  But $2!! So I bought the purse back in February and it sat patiently until "it was time."  Said time came up when EH accidently wrecked one of his favorite aloha shirts at work.  I...