Architecture of an Outfit: Doing the Splits over Lace

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Mae

Testing out split back blouses. Going bananas over how comfortable lace shorts are. (No, seriously, they are so comfy.) Discovering my inner explorer with tribal print platform summer heels. And piling on the jewelry to the point of being excessive (as always). This is a portrait of…

{ Architecture of an Outfit } Doing the Splits: Split Back Blouse, Lace Shorts, Tribal Print Platform Heels and My First Kate Spade jewelry bauble!

Aloha kakou, Kittens!

It’s been awhile, yeah?

Fallen in love with breezy cotton shirts with built-in vents like this cotton-blend split back top. The best combo? Dressing comfortably doesn’t have to mean it can’t pack a punch. Crochet lace shorts are impactful with low effort, because, you know what? they are sooooo darn comfortable. Love them. Pile on the gold armswag/armparty/armstack/armcandy (whatever you wanna call it), and you got my new uniform in the Land of Eternal Summer.

split back blouse, jewelmint birdcage bangle, lace shorts, Hawaii Street Style

I can’t talk about how crazy and good–or just plain dang CRAZY GOOD–my life has gotten. Funemployment will be coming to an end this summer (more on that later), and I’ve been running around town like a chicken that faced the guillotine, busy with our out of town guests guests, furnishing the new place, and all manner of insanity to pamper myself like a queen for my dirty Thirtieth birthday in a couple of weeks. It’s a rough life, living in Hawaii, I tell ya.

But I’ve missed you. LOADS.

split back blouse, jewelmint birdcage bangle, lace shorts, Hawaii Street Style
Hawaii Street Style, Kate Spade Ooh La La Necklace

OUTFIT ARCHITECTURE / DETAILS
TOP: split back cotton blouse, Mahina Maui *LOCAL!*
OUTERWEAR: cropped acid wash denim jacket, Moda (defunct San Diego Boutique)
BOTTOMS: crochet lace shorts, Hong Kong online wholesale site, gifted by Joey at Everyday Outfits. THANKS, Joey! xx
SHOES: tribal print platform summer sandal, Matisse via Piperlime
ACCESSORIES: Necklaces–gold ooh-la-la necklace, Kate Spade; gold-tone circles necklace, UO. Armstack–Jewelmint Gold Birdcage Bangle; vintage gold bangles, gold screw bangle, CC Skye.

split back blouse, jewelmint birdcage bangle, lace shorts, Hawaii Street Style

ALTERNATIVES / GET
TOP: ASOS split back blouse (high end). Open back tee, Rebecca Taylor via Zappos.Criss cross plunge back tee, ShopBop.
OUTERWEAR: Cropped denim jacket, J Brand via ShopBop. Distressed denim jacket, Paige Denim via Nordstrom.
BOTTOMS: Crochet lace shorts, Free People (MOST SIMILAR). Scallop lace shorts, Free People.
SHOES: Tribal python print platform sandal, Matisse via Zappos. (EXACT SAME PAIR.)
ACCESSORIES: Kate Spade Say Yes ‘Spike the Punch’ necklace OR Kate Spade Say Yes ‘Bon Voyage’ necklace. Gold circle pendant necklace, Zappos. JewelMint Birdcage Bangle (must subscribe, then waitlist item). Embossed gold bangles (set of 9), Endless. Gold snake embossed square bangle, Endless. Gold metal screw bangle, CC Skye (EXACT SAME). Gold tone watch, NineWest via Endless.

Hawaii Street Style, Tribal Print Platform, Tribal summer sandal

*FTC: CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. NOT A SPONSORED POST.
*DISCLOSURE: Not intended to spur consumerism, just details for those interested in similar pieces. Remember to gild your heart with happiness and kindness. A genuine attitude and smile is the best accessory you can ever have.

Is your life crazy good lately? I surely hope and pray so! My life is da bes kine right now. I’m so happy.

me ke aloha, Mae
//thereafterish.com

Honi, me ke aloha ~ xo, with love,
Mae

Architecture of an Outfit: Speak Less. Speechless.

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Mae

Color Blocking in Aqua.

{ Architecture of an Outfit / OOTD } Aqua Color Block, Drape Blazer, Sequin Shorts and a Furry Easter Bear

Aloha a‘uinala kakou ~ Afternoon, guys.

I’ve been pretty speechless lately. A series of flu and cold-like symptoms sprouted up in my body whilst my mother-in-law came to visit O‘ahu for the first time in thirty plus years. Our first sleepover visitor. The ensuing sight-seeing, driving and constant go-go-go was enough to sideline my blogging schedule and batter my already weak immune system.

I’m starting to feel better now, but I’m still really under the weather. Here are scenes from our Easter Brunch at Turtle Bay resort and a coastal tour of the North and East O‘ahu Shores.

Hipstamatic Portrait, Turtle Bay Resort, Hawaii Living

Hawaii Style, Turtle Bay Resort, Hawaii Living

It was majorly windy, so we were squinting.

Hawaii Style, North Shore, Hawaii Living

{ OUTFIT ARCHITECTURE / DETAILS }

OOTD, Hawaii Street Style, Sequin Shorts, Aqua Color Blocking

Gold Arm Swag, Gold Arm Candy, Gold Arm Party, Spike Bracelet

BLAZER: chiffon waterfall blazer, Causeway Mall.com (no longer available)
TANK: polyester racerback tank, Mahina Maui — SUPPORT LOCAL!
SHORTS: silver sequin shorts, Bamboo Sky (In Store only) — SUPPORT LOCAL!
SHOES: nude ruffle t-strap heels, Jeffrey Campbell (circa 2009)
ARM STACK: gold spike bangle, Bamboo Sky. gold mini spike bangle & screw lock gold bracelet, CC Skye. gold tone boyfriend watch, Target.
BAG: Tokidoki x LeSport Sac handbag (circa 2007).

{ ALTERNATIVES / GET }
BLAZER: Drape Blazer, silk draped blazer (Free People).
TANK: Silk racerback tank (Kady). turquoise knit racerback tank (Forever21).
SHORTS: Grey sequin shorts (French Connection). black sequin hot pant shorts (DJP).
SHOES: Nude t-strap platform sandal (MOST SIMILAR). Nude suede t-strap platform heel (Steve Madden).
ARM STACK: Gold cone spike bracelet, CC Skye. Gold mini spike bangle, CC Skye (EXACT SAME). Gold screw bangle, CC Skye (EXACT SAME). Gold tone boyfriend watch, Guess.
BAG: Tokidoki tall handbag.

Photo Credit: All photos taken/edited by N Luzod, except which mirror & Armstack photos. Shot on iPhone 4S with Camera App and Hipstamatic App with additional editing by N Luzod and myself.

Let’s go see something glorious today, yeah?

Honi, me ke aloha ~ xo, with love,
Mae

Hello, Hawaii Kai!

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Mae

Aloha auinalā kakou!

A week ago we moved to the neighborhood of Mariners Ridge in Hawaii Kai, a yuppie bedroom community to Honolulu (or, as locals refer to as “Town”). We love the new home. It’s cozy (ie., tighter, less bathroom and bedroom space), but it already feels like home. It’s got an eternity “treadmill” pool, a killer view and mountain trails within a five minute walk. We’re over the moon.

Here are some pics of the house so far. More to come as we settle in.

Our kitchen.

Our open flow dining room and living room with their epic view.

The robot picture wedding present that welcomes us to our bedroom hangs in the entrance to the room.

The extinct volcano, Koko Crater looms glorious in our living room window.

The sunrises here are absolutely divine, and bright if you have no curtains like we don’t.

Hope your Easter was amazing! Will post pictures soon. Off to buy more furniture and curtains now!

Do something that brings you happiness today. Xx

Honi, me ke aloha ~ xo, with love,
Mae

Architecture of an Outfit: Hawaii Style, Maxis, Hallways and Sweet Friends

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Mae

Seeing sweet Sharon and stylish Eli of Elisharon. Yet another dinner at Kona Brewing Company and a walk around the marina of our new neighborhood, Hawaii Kai. Stripes from Fighting Eel, blue green color blocking, and a polyester silken maxi from Bamboo Sky, and killer spiked shoes… All in all, what you call a good night.

{ Architecture of an Outfit } Hawaiian Style: Bamboo Sky Silky Maxi, Blue Green Color Blocking, Fighting Eel striped cardigan and Eli’s crazy studded/spiked loafers

Aloha kakahiaka kakou ~ Good morning, all!

Bamboo Sky Maxi, Fighting Eel Stripe Cardigan, Hawaii Street Style, Elisharon

Hawaii street style, Studded Loafers, Unif Hellraiser, OOTD

OUTFIT ARCHITECTURE / DETAILS
ME
TOP: Ribbed cotton tank, H&M
CARDIGAN: Striped batwing cardigan, Fighting Eel Cardigan Moon
BELT: Gold buckle elastic belt, Bamboo Sky
SKIRT: Silky blue polyester maxi skirt, Bamboo Sky
SHOES: Nude suede wedge heels, Dolce Vita
SHARON
DRESS: Sheer batwing dress, Forever21
SHOES: Glitter platform boot, Jeffrey Campbell “Disco Lita”
ARMCANDY: Bamboo Sky
ELI
SHOES: Spiked / Studded loafers, UNIF “Hellraiser”

ALTERNATIVES / SHOP
CARDIGAN: Cashmere striped cardigan, Bergdorf’s (EXTREMELY SIMILAR). Striped batwing cardigan, Vero Moda. Striped draped cardigan, ModCloth.
BELT: Gold studded buckle, Vince Camuto. Gold metal buckle front belt, Reiss (SIMILAR, high end).
SKIRT: Crepe maxi skirt, Splendid (SIMILAR, high end). Silky pleated maxi skirt, Lastcall.
SHOES: Nude suede wedge heels, Dolce Vita (ALMOST EXACT). Nude cross strap wedge heels, Dolce Vita / Shopbop (SIMILAR).
SHARON
DRESS: Sheer batwing dress, Sentimental NY. Belted batwing sheer dress, Nordstrom.
SHOES: Glitter Lita, Jeffrey Campbell via Nasty Gal.
ELI
SHOES: Studded black loafer, Steve Madden (Black). Studded gold leather loafer, SM (Gold). (Also comes in leopard.)

FTC: Contains affiliate links, not a sponsored post. In compliance with FTC Disclaimer below.

Hawaii Living, InstagramHI, OOTD
Hawaii Living, InstagramHI, Wheaten Terrier

After two months, finally got to see Sharon and The Pirate of EliSharon again. As is beginning to trend, we spent most of the time eating, drinking and laughing that outfit shots became an afterthought… a quick “Oh wait, we forgot to take pictures” before heading off our separate ways. And again, we laughed our way through a photo session. Thankfully we had some moments of composure to get halfway decent shots. All the while, The Bear watched the hijinks.

Miss you guys already!

Hawaii Living, InstagramHI, Wheaten Terrier

Then Max the Bear tried his hand at Parkour, jumping on random benches, café tables and making adorable eyes at the camera, embracing the true, fearless Wheaten within (he’s been very timid these last four years). He’s finally coming out of his shell. Seeing as how he truly comes alive, breaks out of his somewhat anxious, enervated daily weariness whenever we drive into Hawaii Kai, we know he’ll be happier closer to town after we make our move, than he has been while in the rain forest. We will be, too.

Hawaii Living, InstagramHI, Wheaten Terrier

Finally, a “Home Sweet Home” in Hawai‘i. It brings a tender warmth to my chest at the thought of it.

Honi, me ke aloha ~ xo, with love,
Mae

Goodbye, Dharma Initiative.

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Mae

Yesterday, today and tomorrow, we were and are saying goodbye to The Cottage Dharma Initiative station.

{ Hawaii Living } Moving on Up

As I’ve mentioned before, life in Paradise and the Rain Forest is no piece of cake. It’s expensive and way more hard work to keep clean and livable than anyone could ever imagine. It might look like living a big fantasy vacation, but it so isn’t. So we gave up and decided yuppism rules us. We now live in 15 minutes outside the New York of the Mid Pacific.

Here’re some shots of our Dharma Station home that we made before we started packing up. Better resolution photos to come later–please bear with the Hipstamatics. Lots of my favorite things. Xx