September 9, 2016
I have fond memories of shopping at wholesale clubs with my mom when I was little. I remember spending what felt like entire days, going up and down every aisle, dreaming up the possibilities for various foods, or skimming the…
September 4, 2016
We often entertain on our lanai and, until recently, relied on candles to illuminate the table when the sun went down. The problem was that when trades blew, the candles went out. It was time to invest a better solution:…
August 28, 2016
A couple of years ago, my friend Jenny asked if I would take care of her staghorn ferns while she was out of town. She had two plants, which she had mounted on pieces of wood. They hung from the…
August 21, 2016
With all of the rain we have been having lately, it is hard to imagine that we would need to conserve. Rainwater catchment systems at home can go a long way to conserving our water here in Hawaii. Patricia Macomber,…
August 14, 2016
More than a decade ago, while my husband Scott and I were “just dating,” we introduced his little brother to my little cousin. The two hit it off and began dating. They went their separate ways during college, but a…
August 7, 2016
The window air-conditioning unit in my master bedroom just stopped working. Perfect timing, with all the heat, humidity and lack of trades in the forecast. This wasn’t something that my husband and I could wait on. We needed a new…
July 31, 2016
A couple of months ago, we had a scare. Upon returning home from a walk with our dog, Lilo, we noticed a strange, moving shadow in our backyard. My husband, Scott, opened our back door and saw the silhouette of…
July 24, 2016
I was recently the lucky house guest of my friend, Sarah, in Los Angeles. She is one of those very caring people who always remembers to send cards for birthdays and special holidays, and adds small personal touches to all…
July 17, 2016
I recently returned from a trip to my hometown of Cleveland. Trips back home always include packed schedules. This time around was no different. I bounced from house to house, making sure to spend some time with my many family…
July 10, 2016
It seems like I am always in a constant battle to keep my home clutter-free. Yet, somehow, items keep piling up, and closet space keeps running out. To help find space elsewhere, I have been using over-the-door racks for some…
July 3, 2016
I hate to admit it, but I am one of those people who is always running just a little bit behind. I am punctual for meetings, classes and appointments, but when it comes to maintaining a schedule otherwise, I am…
June 26, 2016
My brother, Raymond, recently started using dryer balls. Dryer balls were actually a product that I’ve recommended before. I had a ton of information on the product already. What I didn’t have, however, was first-hand experience. I decided to try…
June 19, 2016
I recently purchased a second-hand upholstered chair. I found it brand new online for $300, plus the cost of shipping. I also found it locally from a woman in Ewa for less than one-third of the online cost. I immediately…
June 12, 2016
It wasn’t until I had to style my first home photo shoot that I realized how much work goes into making the images shine. The photography is a feat in and of itself, but this was something I expected, and…
June 5, 2016
While at my sister-in-law’s house recently, my niece came running into the room with a huge grass stain on her shirt. Her mother asked her to change her clothes and bring her the shirt. Soon, she was creating a quick…
May 29, 2016
I taught a class once in which we learned about Taylorism. One of the major components of Taylorism is breaking down tasks into simple segments to cut down on time to complete them. I found myself implementing Taylorism-esque lessons around…
May 22, 2016
With school out of session and the weather heating up, my eyes, ears and stomach are turning toward the outdoors. I have been paying more attention to our yard, and the sounds of the geckos and birds outside. My cravings…
May 15, 2016
My third school year as a Ph.D. student has officially come to a close. While I can finally see the light of graduation at the end of the tunnel, I also can’t help but reflect on how far my colleagues…
May 8, 2016
Whenever I get in the car, I hit the speed-dial button so I can play catch up with my mom or mother-in-law. These little chats add up and make the long distance between us seem shorter. Not only do the…
May 1, 2016
Every night, my husband Scott and I take our dog on a long walk through the neighborhood, taking note of homes, yards and fences that we like. Lately, what has been catching my eye has been the beautiful ornamental ginger…