End of detox

I finish my five-day detox with chicken-kale soup, just in time for new year, new start.

Day 1 of detox

My meals for the day, first of five days of Blue Tree Cafe's "Renew" juice cleanse.

Birdie Christmas

Merry Christmas!

Pop

Dinner with Japan pop star Shinjiro Atae at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki after the UGG grand opening celebration Oct. 24. He's checking out his new UGG loafers. Just found out we have the share the same November birthday. Small world!

Fall Fashion Event 2013

Shows of designs by Caché and Pepsi-inspired garments by the Honolulu Community College All-Stars, including Ari South, were among several fashion shows taking place during Ala Moana Center's Fall Fashion Event.

'The Art of Fashion'

At "The Art of Fashion," one of the signature events of Hawai'i Fashion Month, a show of evening and bridal wear by local designers, taking place at the Hawai'i State Art Museum. Rain didn't prevent the show from going on.

HFM: Inaugural OUTFIT trade show opens

OUTFIT, the trade show compenent of Hawai'i Fashion Month opened at Ward Village, in the space beneath TJ Maxx. Blogger Wendy Nguyen of Wendy's Lookbook was among the presenters on opening day. Off stage, she posed for a photo with Jenny Cao-Wu and I.
Among Hawaii designers with booths was Sherry Holt, who shot to fame in the 1970s with her bold prints. She shows a 1970s designs, while wearing one of her new creations for Spring 2014, with tiki print and mesh sleeves for those who want to stay cool without baring arms.

Hawai'i Fashion Month opens

Models for Japan textile artist Akihiko Izukura, who had the opening show at the launch of Hawai'i Fashion Month at Ward Village.

Mr. & Miss Polynesia competition

Caught the Mr & Miss Polynesia Pacific competition at Leeward Community College. Here, winners George Tuitele-Martin and Auli'i Tagupa pose with pageant creators Ralph Malani and Chris Duldulao, right. In the bottom photo, Keola Kaluhiokalani brought the spirit of Don Ho back to life for the fantasy segment of the competition, before launching into the  more contemporary "Gangnam Style" with his backup dancers.

'Esprit Dior' at MoCa Shanghai

Caught the stunning "Esprit Dior" exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Shanghai.

Sedona Spa in Ubud, Bali

At Sedona Spa in Ubud, Bali. A coconut and yogurt massage is followed by a soak in a petal-filled bathtub. Like many a family warung, the spa is tucked away behind rice paddies. At the front of the spa was an offering table featuring many of the ingredients in the spa treatments, including chocolate, cinnamon, salt, coconut, and more.

House blessing in Bali

A Bali house blessing followed by a small ceremony for my late husband Christopher Neil.

At The Fashion Festival Bali 2013

At the Fashion Festival Bali 2013. Design by Foxxy of Jakarta, hair by Rob Peetoom, and Bali fashionistas.

Checked into Villa Bodhi

Staying at Villa Bodhi just outside Ubud in Bali, Indonesia. This compound of four cottages was built by my friend Amos Kotomori over one acre.

The infinity pool.

Part of the ground floor of the cottage where I am staying. I like space but I feel like it's too much for l'il ole me.

Lion wears blessing of marigolds. Everything is blessed here.

Panya reopens

At the grand reopening preview of Panya Bistro & Bakery at Hokua earlier today, a selection of desserts awaited at the end of a meal of dumplings, fried rice, crab crostini, salmon sandwiches and laksa.

Opening day at The Face Shop, Waimalu

Nail enamels on opening day of The Face Shop, Waimalu Plaza.

Sushi by rail at Genki

It was fun to see the new magnetic rail sushi delivery system installed at Genki Sushi Ala Moana, the first such system in the United States. It's been in use in Japan for three years.

Tearing down the old press room

Tearing down the pressroom at my former haunt at the old Honolulu Advertiser building. A condo will take its place. It's uncertain what the front, historic building will become. That is the beautiful half.

Inside Pearlridge Center's Butterfly Pavilion

A peek at the fashion shoot for the Star-Advertiser at Pearlridge Center's "Flutter: A Green Experience" Butterfly Pavilion, which is open through July 14, 2013. With models Khrystyn Phillips, top, and Uthpala Walpola. Our photographer Craig T. Kojima also picked up a stowaway.

Lucoral Museum hosts a pearl party

At a pearl party at Lucoral Museum in Waikiki, from left, Lynn Cook, Susan Sunderland and I were able to string our own pearl jewelry and model them. The museum is at 2414 Kuhio Ave., and in addition to displays of Hawaiian minerals and ocean treasures, complete with walk-in cave, there is a retail shop for taking home pearl and gemstone jewelry.

Rob Lowe at Neiman Marcus

After interviewing Rob Lowe's wife, jewelry designer Sheryl Lowe, at Neiman Marcus Ala Moana, heard the actor was shopping in the menswear department and was told I should try to get a look at him. It felt stalkerish, but I figured it would be OK if I kept my distance. He was on his way down as I was on my way up, so I stopped him to chat about his wife's jewelry. He just so happened to have some on hand—with tags on—saying he'd borrowed them because he hadn't worn any on this trip. I asked him for a photo, and he graciously posed. Later on when I went downstairs, all eyes were on him as he shopped the Kiehl's and Tom Ford counters.

Pigeon toes

Spotted this pigeon, with feet like a cochin chicken twice at Hawaii State Art Museum. It's a tumbler pigeon and a security guard said it was from a group of performing pigeons, but while the rest returned home, this one stayed. Who could resist the museum's garden setting? The feathered feet are muffs. This bird is friendly and follows people around. I had to keep moving to stay ahead of it.

Spa day

Got worked over at Korean-style Herbal Spa & Saunas, but had a chance to decompress afterward in the Himalayan salt cave sauna.