Yesterday On Tuesday

Field Trip: Aulani Resort in Hawaii

Aloha! I am so happy to be back to blogging. 

Gosh I have missed you all. Forgive me for being late with my visits to your blogs. I can't wait to stop by.

My family and I just got back from a trip to the new Aulani Resort and Spa on Oahu. Quite simply: it was magical. I have a lot to share but I think I'll start with some images of Aulani itself. Translated from Hawaiian, Aulani means "messanger." It is a Disney property, but the "Disney-ness" is very understated. The amazing beauty and heritage of Hawaii shines through and is highlighted in the most tasteful ways.

Here is Aulani from the "garden" side

And the view from the front deck

The interiors are GORGEOUS. I am in love with this teal/orange/chocolate scheme in a sitting area

And this bold florals in this sitting area were lovely

 

The artwork is breathtaking-- including this wraparound Hawaiian history mural in the entry.

Incredible stained glass.

The pool is quite large and shallow. There is also a spectacular pair of hot tubs. I couldn't snap a photo because Carson Kressley was in one and I didn't want to intrude (yes I am serious) more on my many celeb sightings in another post.

There are two water slides, a "thrilling" one and a lazy river. 

Here's the "Off the Hook" bar. More orange!

Here's the room. Just the right size for a family of four. Notice the Mickey ears in the Hawaiian quilt? The best thing about the room was the way the beds were cleverly designed so that you could easily slide your suitcase underneath.

Every detail is eye-catching...

And the sunset... well there aren't words.

Before you start thinking I'm a fancy pants... my husband works for ABC/Disney and there are certain times that Disney castmembers are able to get a major discount on their stay at Disney travel properties. We were SO lucky that we were able to take advantage of this window of opportunity.

I can't wait to show you celeb pix. I should call them stupid celeb picks-- the celebs weren't stupid but I sort of was... trying to snap photos in ways that weren't intrusive LOL. We happened to be there while "Live With Kelly!" was taping a few shows. More from Aulani soon.

 A BIG thank you to the fabulous Andrea from The Cottage Market and Carolyn from Carolyn's Homework for guest posting. I heart you both!

XO

Delicious Upper Fremont: Book Larder and Dot's

There's a delicious new shop in Seattle's Upper Fremont neighborhood. How to describe a place that makes your mouth water-- but doesn't serve food?

Book Larder is an entire store devoted to cookbooks. The cheery space is filled with them, both classic and new.

Note to self: Put Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home on your holiday wish list.

They have a lovely space to do tastings, cooking demonstrations and author events (many of which are free).

I can see myself losing all sense of time here. And leaving with an armload of cookbooks.

For directions and a list of events, visit the official Book Larder website. 

And here's a recipe for a fun afternoon. After gorging yourself (in a good way) at Book Larder, head over to visit their neighbor, Dot's Delicatessen.

 I mean, check out this sandwich board.

And the deli case-- Spicy Italian, Bratwurst and Garlic Sausage.

And these beauties.

The entire menu. I'm sorry-- this is probably making you hungry.

And as a lifelong Seattle gal, I was especially pleased to see the bottles of Rainier Beer on the shelves. So perfect. Except for the fact that the circa 1970-something "Rai-neer-beer" mototrcycle commercial has been running through my head ever since. Okay I actually don't mind that much.

What did I order? I had to have the BLT. And with the salty-crisp bacon, fresh tomatoes, mayo, aioli and sourdough bread-- it was the best BLT of my life so far. As a matter of fact I am plotting my next trip to Upper Fremont right now. For more on Dot's Delicatessen, visit them on Facebook.

What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Thanks Book Larder and Dot's Delicatessen!

XO

 

2nd Saturdayz Market in Seattle Tomorrow

I so look forward to each "Second Saturdayz"... it's a fabulous Flea Market held the second Saturday of every month. The show promoters Deb and Linda are really talented gals and another one of my favs, Retreat (Deb and Bob Kennedy) will be there too. Check out the new 2nd Saturdayz website.

Barn House Road Trip

Note:  I am still accepting applications for friends (lol!) through Google Friend Connect.  I finally got it on the YoT Blog.  I will follow you back-- pinky promise!

Hello!

I'm back from a super fun day at the Barn House Flea Market in Battleground, WA.  The event was about a three hour drive from Seattle.  My Mom and I met up at 6:30 (!) am and make the trek south.  We were making great time until we got to Battleground.  There was a terrible accident on the main road and as a result, it was closed down.  We had to find a different way to get to there and it was quite a challenge. It took another hour to get to our destination and when we did-- there was a endless line of cars ahead of us.

We had to park about a third of a mile away and hike in-- uphill.  OK I'm kidding about the hiking but when you're wearing flip flops and carrying a bag of equipment, it feels like a hike.

Phew!  A sign of civilization.  I have so much to share with you that I'm just going to do a general overview of goodness post today.  Enjoy these pretty pictures!  I'm also posting over at Vintage Indie.  I will have more for you as the week goes on.

Thanks to all the vendors who let me take photos of their lovelies.  In alphabetical order:

Barn House

Lynne Gunderson

Kindred Roses

Maison Douce

Monticello Antiques

Retreat

Worthy Goods

If I left out your shop-- my apologies.  Email me your link and I'll add it.

Barn House Bound

Hi Pals!  I am so excited for this weekend.  My Mom and I are heading to Battleground, WA to this really exciting event:

In case you aren't acquainted with the Barn House Boys, they're been featured in some pretty amazing publications:

Flea Market Style

Somerset Life 

Sunset  

I'm looking forward to sharing some pretty pictures with you when I get back.  I'll also be doing a post for Vintage Indie.  I'm excited to let you know about my new role as a Contributing Editor over at VI.  Woo Hoo!  Another fantastic reason to find more beautiful items, shops and people to write about.

See you back here and hopefully over there.  Wishing everyone a fabulous weekend.

BIG Hug! Malia

Field Trip Friday: Fremont Sunday Street Market

A sample of the beauty at my favorite local market. 

Fremont Market

How darling is this dog?  I had to snap his photo when I realized he was being ferried around in a stroller!  I am fairly sure he was posing for me.

Happy Weekend, Friends

Fresh from the Farm Chicks

My Mom and I had the best time ever at this year's Farm Chicks Antique Show.  The event was filled to the gills. Here's one of two lines to get in-- after the show had already been open for an hour!

As soon as we entered the event, we saw this amazing display.  It's a giant "cake" made out of... well... I actually don't know but it was cool.  It was there as an advertisement for a bakery named (you guessed it) "Cake" in neighboring Cheney.

Here are some of the lovely sights I saw and the names of the vendors to go with them:

From JOHNbob

From Heather Bullard

From Orange Crush

More from Orange Crush

And then a special treat. Jo Packham from Where Women Create was there, signing her book and copies of her stunning magazine.  You don't have to be into antiques or crafting to get a lot out of these publications.  The messages are inspiration, encouragement, community and believing in yourself.  Oh and there's lots of eye candy and fodder for daydreaming.  Here's Jo with Serena... THE Farm Chick!

And here's yours truly... with some scary "I've been driving straight for five hours straight" hair and makeup.  That semi-wild look in my eye is happiness because the show was so good!

Since I was on "Special Assignment" hee hee from Vintage Indie Magazine, I took the opportunity to ask Jo what advice she has for women who have a creative stirring but feel afraid to act on it:

Jo was about the warmest person you could ever hope to meet.  She has that "lit from within" quality people have when they are living a life they love.  As for the Farm Chicks Show-- I'm just getting warmed up.  I have a lot more to share with you this week.  I'm also contributing more FC stuff over at Vintage Indie Magazine.  Let me leave you with some sweet words Jo wrote inside my "Where Women Create" book:

Believe in guardian angels,

Unexpected miracles,

The power of hard work,

The love of a forever friend,

And the magic of a four leaf clover!