Happy 5th of July!

It could have been the fireworks, or just the extra-long weekend that inspired these sparkly designs, but truth be told, my jewelry forum friends have been the inspiration for "A Year of Jewelry" challenge to make at least one piece per week. Starting off with a bang, I knocked out a few... easy-peasy. As the weeks wore on, it was beginning to feel more of real challenge to have the discipline to think of something new each week. I fell behind, and am still playing 'catch-up,' but these have me nearly up to date. They're even available on my website already! Click on the title of this post to get there. Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend, I did! ~alohabc

Time for Change!

Healthcare... finances... global warming... this blog certainly isn't going to solve these issues. However, a bit of fun, food and low cost entertainment might just be what the doctor should order for some of us to reduce the stress of these trying times. This is a peek at my Rx for all of the above, Alohabc's Deconstructed Brownies. Here's the recipe: One box Brownies, on sale at Long's prepared as directed. Cut to serving size. Add nuts, fresh and/or dried fruits, shredded coconut to serving dish. Take one small strainer and sieve powdered sugar in a large pile ontop and around brownie. Take one pinch of S&B Curry Powder (also at Long's Hawai`i, or Asian section of grocery store), and sprinkle ontop of brownie. The one pinch curry is all you need for a bit of color and fragrance, or try cayenne pepper, if you dare. There you have it... healthful anti-oxidants, low cost, one-stop shopping and fun when you serve this elegant treat. Enjoy! ~alohabc

Bread & Jam, etc.

How did it get to be mid-May already?!? A flurry of proms, performances, award banquets, commencements, grad party planning... that's what our household has been up to lately. I suppose that's why "simple" is what my inner-being is craving right now. It's times like these when a certain childhood jingle creeps into my brain about the joys of jam and bread. Jewel-toned marmalades, berry preserves and rich fruit jams are what I reach for first, often from the farmer's market. Then comes the bread... local bakeries with Japanese or German style loaves are my favorite sources. They are usually sliced on the thick side to toast golden brown, with enough body to hold up to swoops of jam all the way to the edges. A folded papertowel goes underneath from toaster to table, to wipe blops of jam, catch crumbs and swipe the table clean... saving water and time from washing an extra dish. I have had a few moments to apply this simple craving to my jewelry, too. These hand-formed earrings are hammered gold filled wire and beads. Simple pleasures sometimes make all the difference in an otherwise hectic day. What are yours?!? ~alohabc

Fat Tuesday Reprise

I once heard an uncredited quote, "When a child sees something for the first time, they will aways see it again." This rang true working with Head Start kids and my own toddlers seeing a butterfly or a flower for the first time, then lighting up with delight upon each new encounter. My own experiences and explorations brings this concept full-circle. A brief visit to New Orleans made me acutely aware of the significance of the colors purple, green and gold... fluer de lis... plastic beads... chicory-blend lattes... and the virtues of ANYthing fried, served piping hot. Then an unexpected encounter with a Mardi Gras celebration in Honolulu last night was a very sweet treat. With all the elements of "carnaval" up and down Nu`uanu Avenue, I almost felt transported back to my first encounter with NOLA charm!
Fat Tuesday in Hawai`i is celebrated with Portuguese donuts, Malasadas, with a generous dusting of sparkling sugar that ends up everywhere. Something akin to Beignets. It's not the only occasion they're eaten, and Mardi Gras isn't the only time you'll find celebration going on downtown. Checkout the event listings in the sidebar to the right, and you'll see upcoming events, restaurant reviews and other resources for entertainment in Honolulu and islandwide. BTW, you can find Cafe Du Monde at Tamura's Market in Wahiawa and grocery stores in Chinatown, for an authentic chickory-blend latte. ~alohabc

Classic Comforts

Basic Black, the Little Black Dress (LBD), flats, pumps and cardigans... are the fashionista's "comfort foods" for the stylish soul. Personalized with accessories, the LBD can fill a seat at your next interview or take a turn on the dance floor. I've been challenged to think of all this beyond my own fetish for Basic Black, because a friend's employer requires an all-black wardrobe for their staff.


Whether monochromatic or a "wake-up" call in multicolors, jewelry can set your tone for this year's return to classics. You'll find these pieces at AGJ Classics & Convertible Collection. ~alohabc

Tigers Rock! (Zoo, Part 2)

We adopted this little guy last night. How could my hubby say 'no' to Miss and Mrs. Hawai`i peddling these cute little cubs?!? Our evening under the big tent and stars flew by as we enjoyed classic & fruity martinis, sips of wine, delicious hot & cold pupu and chocolate sauce drizzled over fresh fruits and cake. Couples bopped (some danced) to live jazz and shared tables with new found friends all around. We almost forgot to check-in to our tour, but learned the r-rated mating habits of African porcupines and Indian elephants from the experts. Judging from the smiling crowd, which didn't dwindle until the band closed with "My Funny Valentine," the evening was a grand success. Now we want to return soon in the daylight to get a peek at the new tiger cubs on exhibit, we feel like we're part of the `ohana now! ~alohabc

It's a Zoo Here!

Happy Valentine's Day! I don't know about you, but I'm going to the Honolulu Zoo! Guided night tours, martinis & heavy pupu, included. Come walk on the wild side... click on the title of this post for an invitation to an adults-only event, February 14th. See you there! ~alohabc

Classics & Comfort Food

Ever have a craving for hot dogs, but end up with half a package of stale Costco hot dog buns or dozens of bread ends in your freezer?!? I had an abundance of both, so this is a recipe I came up with the other night... Hot Dog Bread Pudding! Most recipes call for stale French bread, but I found the texture of these buns and stale potato bread (I'm sure Challah egg bread or Portuguese Sweet Bread would be a nice substitution.) was perfect for a light, moist pudding. All the recipes I came across online called for an outrageous amount of sugar or syrups, so this is a lowered sugar/fat version. With one cup of raw sugar, this piece was plenty sweet for me... some recipes called for up to three cups! I'm all for substitutions and creativity, so those are cranberries instead of traditional raisins, but I wished I had some rum to soak them in before the baking. Once again, I forgot to put in chopped nuts, so that's why you see the pecans here. Now, before we all forget why AGJ News & Weather was created, this is my newest jewelry, a pair of classic sterling silver hammered hoops, with a bit of embellishment. In these times, we all need a bit of simple comfort, don't we?!? The recipe for Hot Dog Bread Pudding will be found in my new newsletter, AGJ Quarterly, and these 1" hoops will be a Subscriber Special Offer. Click on the title to this post to subsribe. ~alohabc

Chinese Fusion in Kaneohe

A holiday staff party at a local Chinese restaurant most of us had never been to, turned out to be a gourmet extravaganza of unexpected delights this weekend! Besides the opportunity to meet significant others, distant coworkers and talkstory outside of the office setting, we were treated to a one-of-a-kind meal that's worth sharing here. Lots of photos, so let's get down to business...

Roast Duck & Mashed Taro/Potato Guacamole Nachos:

Crispy Honey Walnut, Spinach & Ka`u Orange Salad:

Sea Bass, Shiitake Mushroom & Baby-Baby Bok Choi (so cute!):

Flourless Wonton Soup (surprise filling inside eggwhite wrapper):

Spicy Diver Scallops & Crispy Spinach (like toasted nori!):

(We ate our Pepper Beef Rolls on Asparagus Spears, before I could take a pic!)

Minute Chicken Cake Noodle (perfection of a classic!):

Non-dairy Panacotta, Fresh Mango Sorbet, Rasperry & Mango Sauces:

There you go! Oh wait... there are some details you'll need to find a meal like this, isn't there?!? Take note, this is a classic neighborhood Chinese Restaurant from all indications, inside and out (note the stainless steel teapot and Aloha Shoyu in the first pic) with an extensive classic menu in print. It is behind the scenes that these fusion delicacies are conceived and created by owner, Raymond Siu, and his family staff.

1. Plan a party; eight or more would be about right.
2. Take note of allergies, preferences, favorites, but be open-minded.
3. Decide on how much per person in your budget.
4. Call in advance and make arrangements: 235- 4505
5. Name of restaurant: Pah Ke's Chinese Restaurant, Kaneohe

Chef Siu works hard to find the freshest local ingredients and prepares all his meals with health in mind. Of course, you can always stop in for a wonderful classic meal when you're ono for good food and great service, but believe me, your next party will be memorable at Pah Ke's. Kung Hei Fat Choi! ~alohabc

Disposable Jewelry?!?

"Going green" has gone mainstream and upscale, while at the same time fashionistas are being blasted with "cheap chic" trends. Call me a snob, but when it comes to "cheap" jewelry, there are no real bargains! Why sell ourselves short with rhinstones and goldtone from a celebrity designer or mass market products that will fall apart, turn your skin green or flake off on your fingers? Would you ever throw $20 bills into a landfill?