Category Archive for Fashion
BEST MAUI LUXURY VACATION GETAWAY: WAILEA BEACH VILLAS, DESTINATION RESORTS. NANETTE LEPORE DRESS & HAIR FLOWERS.
The places I go inspire the clothes I wear. While in Maui, my personal style took on a Hawaiian flavor. Like MacGyver, I made hair pieces out of fresh local flowers!
I’m wearing a Malibu silk dress gifted by Nanette Lepore (there’s also a strapless version.) The design is too cute, with floral print and bows at the back.
I adapted my usual Japanese kawaii makeup for the tropics. The leather skull bracelet is gifted by Good Art — they have a rockin’ collection of USA-made accessories. As for the shell one… you’ll learn about it in an upcoming post!
For the first part of the press trip, my film crew and I stayed at Wailea Beach Villas (Destination Resorts). These were by far the most luxurious accommodations I’ve ever experienced. Our 3-bedroom villa had its own tropical garden and private pool.
My room had a mega walk-in closet and bathroom. As I say in the upcoming video, “The bathtub is large enough to hold a Japanese family, grandparents and all!”
I turned the dining room’s centerpiece into a crown. Don’t the flowers remind you of bunny ears?
The kitchen was fit for a professional.
Chef Joss came and cooked for everyone on the press trip. After goat cheese appetizers, we ate mahi mahi with asparagus, followed by fruit with jalapeno-flavored Greek yogurt.
The resort’s grounds were lush and flowing with waterfalls.
I filmed a segment at the adult-only pool, designed like an oasis. My sandals are by Kenneth Cole (available here.)
Excited to show you the Hawaii travel videos — professionally shot and edited by my talented team.
My only regret is that I didn’t spend more time at the private beach! Thanks to the Wailea Beach Villas team for the warm hospitality. You’ve created a very special place in Maui.
What’s the nicest hotel or resort you’ve ever stayed in? Are you a fan of tropical or beach vacations?
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MAUI, HAWAII SOCIAL MEDIA PRESS TRIP: WAILEA BEACHES, LAHAINA BANYAN TREE, HAWAIIAN SAILING CANOE & SUSHI.
“Still my favorite person in this whole wide world
Is the woman who can understand every word
And when she speaks to me she makes me see the whole world
As my favorite place: Hawaii.”
– The Strokes
And that’s a feeling I understand, after a week in Maui. The Convention Visitor’s Bureau generously invited me on a social media press trip.
My filmmakers and I made travel videos about the culture, fashion and food, especially when influenced by Japan. Here’s a visual overview of my Maui journey, with much more to come.
On the first day, we rode on a traditional and eco-friendly Hawaiian sailing canoe.
The Captain and First Mate mesmerized us with tales of Hawaii’s history, while we lounged on the sails.
Photo of my filmmaker Melissa and me, by Jason Travels (a fellow travel blogger on the press trip). I’m wearing a Hyoma top from Hong Kong that Sebastiano gave me.
We’re not the snorkeling types, but we dipped our toes in the ocean and attempted a hula dance.
The beach at Wailea. The black cat is by Blablahospital; I stole it from Seba.
Words and photos fail to describe a Maui sunset.
After dark, I could stare at the constellations for hours.
The Banyan Tree in Lahaina, planted in 1873. My filmmaker hugged it — wouldn’t you?
The branches come down and take root, forming one of the largest banyans in the US.
Since we made travel videos about Japan-influenced food, we got to eat like kings at Japengo (Hyatt Regency Maui). I’m salivating at the grilled mahi-mahi and black coconut forbidden rice, and world-class sushi and sashimi.
Hamachi with lychee bubbles made using molecular gastronomy, an elegant Korean seafood pancake, coconut creme brule and acai cheesecake. After the meal, my filmmaker groaned, “I’m about to give birth to a food baby!”
I’m obsessed with fresh local fish. While in Maui, I dined on butterfish, mahi-mahi, and mong chong. At the top-rated Nick’s Fishmarket, I tried flaming strawberries and snapper. Highly recommended.
I visited Honolulu when I was about 13 years old, and I’d say Maui is more my style. It’s smaller and laid-back, yet there’s enough on the island to keep you engaged. I felt the genuine warmth of the locals, everywhere I stopped. As The Strokes put it,
“Still my favorite attitude in this world so far
Is the friendly spirit of an iron heart
Like the way folks are in this most special place
I don’t care what happens, I’m taking a plane.”
Coming up: flowers in my hair, and ahi tuna on a stick! If you’d like to see previews of my Hawaii journey, add me on Instagram (lacarmina) and Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube, as I’ll be posting videos from the trip.
Have you been to Maui, or anywhere in Hawaii? What were your favorite memories?
PS: Thanks to Beauty Bender for interviewing me about my makeup and skincare routine. My tips for staying young: “Sleep a lot (I can do 12-14 hours), have daily fish oil and take time to relax. Those are the secrets of my Buddha-like Scottish Fold cat, Basil Farrow!”
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