You Can Always ADD a Little Color to Your Life...

     While growing up I didn't have many girlfriends (I was a bit of a tomboy) and never got to experience the thrill and danger of experimenting with my hair color while in high school...

     Thanks to my good friend Erika that is one thing I can cross off my bucket list! (loves you boo!)

Sally's

   
     We stopped at Sally's in Pearl City to stock up on all necessary items. First, we needed a bleaching kit (oh boy!), then I picked my color (PURPLE!), and thankfully she already had the Coconut Oil at home.

     We were ready and I was extremely excited!!!

     Erika aspires to know all that she can about beauty and hair and was eager to help! (I might have seen her rubbing her hands together like a Disney Villain but that could have been the fumes!)

   
     This evolution was a labor of love and I'm grateful and happy that Erika was with me every step of the way...

     As Erika continued to bleach my hair I could feel the burn and new that the product was working its way through my hair...SEE?

     O.K.! I was definitely blonder (not a good look for me) but a necessity if I wanted to add color to my hair.

     Erika tried to put on the cap that the bleaching kit brought after she added purple to my hair...I don't think it fits my big head!! (HA!) What do you think?

     LOL! Erika let me stew in the much smaller cap for all of 2 minutes and walked away laughing...

     Then she brought me one that actually fit! Thank you girl!

     We waited about 45 minutes and then washed the color right out of my hair! (you sang that last part didn't you?)

     Erika assured me the color was there and I could sorta see it but I was excited when she got her hair dryer out! Woohoo!

     Will you look at that! I've got PURPLE in my hair! YES! Erika definitely did her thing and it came out beautifully!

     It's subtle enough when I part my hair and I can bring my hair up and you can truly see the color throughout my lovely locks!

     But the MOST amazing part was when I put my hair up (like I normally do for my everyday look) and ALL you can see is PURPLE!! (I'm soooo happy!)

     Thank you so much Erika! I have fulfilled a long time wish of doing my hair with a girlfriend. I believe that it is a part of growing up that I missed on and I'm happy we were able to accomplish it together!

It's My Birthday...Italian Style!

     ...so it was my BIRTHDAY last week (August 2nd) and I had a blast!

     For me, birthdays have a double standard. It's a way of celebrating life but I don't feel we should break the bank trying to reaffirm that we're still here...(ha!)

     But that still doesn't mean we don't try new things and adventure out...especially on a birthday!!

     That's how The Husband (Joe) and I ended up at Bucca di Peppo at the Ward Village Shops!

 

     Joe and I are humongous foodies (Master Chef and Tasty) so we had always wanted to dine in a Chef's Table at a restaurant!

     Bucca di Peppo has one Chef's Table and we were able to reserve it for my birthday! 

     It was incredible! We got an amazing behind the scenes look at an authentic Italian kitchen!

     We (and by "we" I mean "I") started our meal with a Mozzarella and Tomato Insalata! Which of course is my favorite Italian style salad.

     The Mozzarella tasted like it had been made in that kitchen and the Tomatoes were off the vine fresh!

Linguine Frutti di Mare

     The Husband chose the Linguine Frutti di Mare! I think he picked it so that I couldn't share it with him!!! (HA!) I'm highly allergic to seafood...(sigh)

     This pasta looked so good! It was filled with shrimp, baby clams, mussels and calamari in spicy red clam sauce. (I did want a bite! YUM!)

     Joe was impressed by all the lovely seafood. He said that it was plentiful and the clams were nice and smooth...no grit whatsoever!

Penne San Remo

     I picked the Penne San Remo! How can you go wrong with a chicken breast, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes in a white wine cream sauce? (I told them to hold the peas!)

     This pasta was soooo creamy! I was in heaven! My only critique is that I like the chicken to have a bit more kick before submerging it into the saucy goodness...

     Sometimes when meats don't have enough seasoning, for me, it can get lost when a sauce is added to them and I find it a bit bland.

     Joe and I had great fun watching the hard work and camaraderie that the employees at Bucca di Peppo share.

     There were many moments that their culinary ballet could have ended tragically but...

     The kitchen was in sync and in full swing!

     Finally! The best part of the meal had finally come! The yummiest Cannollis this side of the Pacific are here in Bucca di Peppo!

     I have a full on love for these light crispy pastries filled with Cannoli cream and chocolate chips! I always ask for no chocolate sauce though...it has a cleaner taste for me without the sauce...(I know I'm difficult).

Cannolli

     Chef Kent had been a big part of our adventure sitting at the Chef's Table and we thanked him for hanging out with us whenever he had a moment (kitchen is always running!).

     As the night came to a close (Bucca di Peppo closes at 10pm) Chef Kent came by one last time and asked if we had a good night?

Chef Kent & Me!

      Bucca di Peppo Chef's Table was a unique gift for me and I'm ever filled with the love Joe shares with me everyday of our lives...Happy Birthday to ME!

     Oh! Yeah! We also went to see the new Star Trek: Beyond at Consolidated Ward Theatres before dinner! It was great fun...

     Ironically, the two people who don't drink alcohol got to see the new Star Trek in the "Adult Theatre" section...lol...(there was a police officer and everything!) but that might need another blog post in the future...