Here’s what’s one of many cool things I love about Hawaii: just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s always something new to discover!
On this last trip to visit El Hub’s family on Oahu, I found a few new local favorites, including…
Noa Noa Hawaii Dresses
This local clothing brand designs dresses, shirts and pants with gorgeous batik prints (batik refers to a specific way of waxing and dyeing cloth). The clothes are lightweight and flow-y — perfect for warm island days or nights.
I have the Ginger dress which is midi length, made out of 100% cotton and reversible (you can wear it either with the buttons on the back for a crew neckline or on the front for a v-neck shape).
I’m wearing the dress loose and casual in these pics, but it’s also cute when you belt it at the waist.
Eden In Love Home Goods
I picked up a few cute home goods from a Hawaii-based brand called Eden in Love. They do adorable prints with local themes.
I bought some dish towels, aprons and nylon shopping bags from the Simply Home store at the Kahala Mall. They’re the perfect souvenirs because they’re lightweight, flat and don’t take up a lot of room in a suitcase.
Herringbone Restaurant at the International Market
If you’re looking for a spot for a special meal, Herringbone Restaurant is where it’s at!
They serve delicious seafood in an outdoor setting, and the service is spot on.
I ordered the lobster roll which was absolutely perfect. The bread was so buttery and soft, and the lobster practically melted in my mouth. El Hub ordered the squid ink risotto, which he loved.
There’s also a children’s menu, too, if you’re dining with a little one.
Herringbone is located in the middle of bustling Waikiki at the International Market. The old school version with the outdoor stalls filled with trinkets and tchotchkes is long gone and has been replaced by restaurants and mid- to high- end clothing and accessories shops.
There’s also a really great parking garage at the International Market, which I know is a little weird to say, but when you’ve lived in San Francisco like I did for many years, you cherish things like parking garages that are easy to get to and maneuver around.
If you eat at one of the International Market restaurants, they’ll validate your ticket! We were there for three hours and ended up only paying $2 for parking, which is a total steal for Waikiki parking.
Miss you already, Hawaii! Can’t wait to go back.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I love that dress! I’m thinking of calling one of their stores and ordering a dress to have sent. You also didn’t mention that it has pockets!! A huge bonus in my book!
I’d have a hard time deciding between a lobster roll and that squid ink risotto. The scallops and shrimp on top are calling out to me.
Sounds like you had a good time in Hawaii.
You will LOVE the Ginger dress. It’s so light and easy to wear. I think I might want another one in a different print. Or maybe a shorter dress, like the Lily? Decisions, decisions.
Re: the meal at Herringbone. So, I was lucky enough to snag a big bite of scallop from El Hub’s plate. It melted in my mouth! I also failed to take a picture of the gelato I ordered and my mom-in-law’s chocolate mousse. Both were phenomenal! Next time I go back, I’m going to brunch.
We got back from Hawaii on Monday night, and we were so relieved the weather was warm here in the Bay Area. There were times in the past when we came back to freezing cold temps and that was BRUTAL!
Hope you’re enjoying the nice weather. 🙂
You missed the cool and rainy weather we had on Saturday. I’m sure it was even rainier up your way. Yesterday it was 85 down this way and I’m thinking that’s just too darn hot for March. I am not looking forward to this summer.
Oh my gosh, El Hub and I were just talking about fire season. I can’t believe that there’s even a “fire season” now. I used to love summers in the Bay Area, but as an adult they give me major stress!
I forgot to mention that underneath the dress, I wore a pair of high-rise biker shorts from Old Navy!
Dear Daughter used to wear boxers under her uniform skirt in high school. Bike shorts are just like cut off leggings/tights in my book, so I have to pass because I am not fond of leggings. I only resorted to wearing them during my workouts when I couldn’t find the right track pants anymore.
Also if you like those dresses you might like one of these, too. They’re made in Kenya. https://www.shopzuri.com/collections/all
I haven’t worn bike shorts in years (high school, OMG!), but I recently found some cotton, high-rise bike shorts from Old Navy in tan shades to wear under dresses to keep me comfy when it’s hot. They’re actually really great! I bought mine on sale for like $8.
Those dresses are gorgeous and of course I love the animal prints. Do you have any of them? I’m into the flamingo dress!
I guess I need to check out the bike shorts from Old Navy. Maybe I’ll feel differently about them since they’re cotton and not nylon or poly.
Don’t have a Zuri dress yet. My friend told me about them. They have a store on Fillmore St. in SF. I want to go in and try one on, since almost everything I’ve been buying online seems to get returned because I no longer have any idea what size I am.
YES! The bike shorts are great. I would not have bought them if they were like the old school ones in the ’90s! I need to go back and grab another pair. If I find them on sale again, I’ll let you know.
Honestly, I loathe going shopping and trying on clothes in the store, but I think I’ll have to go back to that because the same thing has been happening to me, too. I end up returning most if not all of the clothes I buy online.
Well as much as I hate going in store shopping right now, there is something about my post pandemic body that is not fitting in clothes they way I remember. So until I figure out this new weight distribution (because I’m back to the same weight) I need to go try things on.
It’s crazy how much your body changes, isn’t it? I found a bunch of old coats from the early Aughts in a closet this morning, and when I tried them on, they all fit so differently than I remember. I swear my ribs flared out when I was pregnant with Connor and never went back to their previous position! Ahh, the joys of getting wiser. 🙂
Oh I sooo miss Hawaii! My Army Dad was stationed at Schofield Barracks on Oahu from 1979 – 1981 and I graduated high school at Leilehua HS in Wahiawa, Class of 1981 (GO MULES!). I subscribe to a Youtube channel, “Walk Hawaii”, and anytime I need a virtual vacay, I check that out =D Anyways, LUV U KAREN! I really enjoy your daily blog!
Thank you for mentioning that channel, Kristie! I’m going to check it out.
I love the cute prints from the Eden in Love shop! My daughter was adopted by a Native Hawaiian family, and I think one of the favorite gifts I ever got her kids (it was an open adoption) was little plushie sushi toys. She would LOVE those things you showed here.
Oh, the sushi toys sound so cute. 🙂
Super cute dress – perfect for our hot summer days here in Dallas! And you had me at lobster roll. My favorite place here closed at the onset of Covid (grrrr) and I haven’t found a proper replacement yet. I’ve been craving one lately, too.
Glad you had big fun in Hawaii!
Thanks, Karen! I know you guys get some hot and humid days. You would LOVE these dresses. 🙂
The dresses are amazing, and such cute kitchen stuff.
I regret not picking up another dress. Next time I go back, I’ll be grabbing something light and comfy!
Hope you’re doing well, Chelsea. Has it warmed up yet around your way?
There was nice warm weather last week but it’s in the 40s and rainy now. At least it isn’t snow!
We closed on our new house Tuesday, so we’ve been getting ready to move.
Oh my gosh, congrats! I’m sending you calming vibes because moving is stressful! Do you have enough furniture for the new place?
Not yet, LOL! Our current couch is broken – the one side has been stuck on reclining for probably 2 years but we were waiting for the move to replace it, LOL! We also need a new bed frame and some dressers. One of my aunties has my grandparents’ old dining set from the 70s that we’ll be getting, so that’s exciting. Those are the most immediate needs.
We’ve got books and closets mostly in boxes at this point and poor Jiji always gets nervous when we’re getting ready for a move and starts hiding. He also hid from me this week before his vet visit though. But the new place had lots of great places for him – there’s one room the seller had that had only cat stuff I’ll have to send you a picture of. She also mentioned that she feeds a stray black cat who won’t approach people so we’re going to continue doing that and see if we can figure out if he’s fixed.
You know me so well. I would probably want to live in that cat room, hahaha!
Good luck finding new furniture; hopefully there’s a store near you with quality items that are affordable. It’s weirdly difficult to buy furniture in person where I live in the Bay Area. It’s like people do really high end or big box. There doesn’t seem be a happy place in the middle.
Anywho, one lesson I learned the hard way: if you’re hiring a contractor to do any work, get a name from someone you know and trust!
Too cute!
And the food looks AHmazing!!!
It was so good! I’ll be dreaming about that lobster roll for months. LOL
Now I know where to eat should I ever go to Hawaii – it looks delicious!