More to Waikiki than the Beach!

When I mention Hawaii, people automatically jump to.... WAIKIKI!!!!!! In your head, alot of you are probably imagining the beach, it's waves, surfing and the blueness of it all..... BUT hold up, that is not all Waikiki has to offer..... and like I said in my previous post, the Waikiki beach is not one of the best in Oahu island or in Hawaii, probably one of the worst because it is overpopulated by tourists!


But.. what you can do on Waikiki is alot more than that. I deem it as the Rodeo Drive of Honolulu because it has many high end stores and it is a strip where people can find alot of branded stuff and also trinkets! A good combination to shop for yourself and friends as well.......


Before you head there, I have prepared a special tour for you......

The beginning of Kalakaua Avenue which is already the Waikiki area. It's a beautiful walk at night because of the trees lining the streets with the lights all around it...

You know you are at the beginning of the avenue when you see this statue.

The Rodeo Drive of Honolulu... whole street has branded stores from LV, to Prada, to Gucci, and the list goes on....

For tourists, you definitely want to check out the DFS Galleria.... You get taxes off already discounted items..who doesn't want that?

Besides shopping, it's nice to walk on Waikiki because you see many street performers along the way....Like this band here played amazing music! I think they should definitely cut an album soon...Many people also use Waikiki to showcase their talent...maybe hoping to get spotted???

While walking, you will see a grove of coconut trees in front of a mall called the Royal Hawaiian which is new... Not only is there alot of stores there but they also provide information on the history of some parts of Hawaii in their video room..

Go get a picture at their stage area because it gives you the feeling that you are in the land of paradise! If I am not mistaken, they have performances(e.g. hula dance) there every week! Catch it if you can instead of paying to go see a Luau(I know...dam cheapskate tactic *blushes*)

They have a huge Forever 21 there that sells all types of clothes....three whole levels! I know many of my friends will go crazy in there.... The prices here are much cheaper too.,...

 

When I said many stores, I really meant it, the mall even has Marciano, Juicy couture, Apple and Ferrari(for the boys)! Couples and families can enjoy shopping there together.... Just don't burn a whole in your wallet like I did...eeepppsss(My dad will probably kill me when he reads this)!!

On to the cheaper stuff....The International Marketplace is where you can get trinkets for your friends...many souvenir shops too! Love to browse around inside because it is a world apart from what you see on Kalakaua Avenue...more like a flea market!

More street performances... showing his talent playing the violin...If you think they are good, be kind and drop a dollar in there aight?

This woman was impressive, all the portraits she drew were exactly like the person! ZOMG!

Even had balloon artists which attracted the kids..

You can get around the whole of Waikiki area using the Trolley. If you are have a JCB card, it is free...and for those who don't, use the pink line one where you can hope on and off by paying two dollars..

Have to highlight my favourite ice cream parlour...Cold Stone!

Why it's special? Because you get to create your own combinations or get their signature ones... It's not just ice cream because they blend a special type of ice cream with all types of other toppings...the best part is that it holds together..

Get what I mean when I say blending the ice cream with toppings..more like mashing it..

Ta-da...my own creation..I know it looks abit gooey...but it tastes "Oh so Good"!!!!!If you tip them, they even sing for you...hahahaha... pretty cute!

At the end of Waikiki, you will see another statue of a one of the best surfers in Honolulu.... His statue is surrounded by fire lamps...you won't miss it! The beach is right behind the statue...

Waikiki beach during the day....See what I mean when I say it's overpopulated?

In Honolulu, one of my favourits spots would definitely be Waikiki because it is vibrant, cooling, and you basically get an "all in one" experience...from performances, history, both cheap and expensive shopping, and great food if you know how to find!Don't miss out the opportunity to stroll along Kalakaua Avenue at night..... And dont tell me I did not warn you on how much you will tend to shop:P

xoxo

Meiz

For Those Who LOOVVEE Victoria's Secret!!

Many girls have been asking me about Victoria's Secret products and basically what they have in the store. I know that many of you from Malaysia and Singapore ship the products over as they have a pretty huge selection of online products,but what you see in the store is smaller in range...There are no clothes, and definitely not as many bikinis as you see  on the website.

You would think it's better to buy from the website since they have such a wide selection but the downside is that you can't try on bra's or lingerie if you ordered it right? And once you step into the store...you will fall in LOVE with it...my auntie and cousins stayed in there for a minimum of two hours for the first time inside!!!!!

So....I have decided to give you a lil tour of my own in the biggest Victoria's secrets store in the US(if I am not mistaken), to tempt and also stop you from guessing "how it is like" and "what they have inside"...There are two stores in Victoria's secret..one fot the younger crowd which is called Pink and the other is Victoria's secret which is more sophisticated. Usually, alot of people go to both..... but the decor and appearance in products are very different.........

The entrance of Pink

AAhhhhhh!Their semi-annual sale...the whole store was 75% off! You couldn't even ply me away even if you wanted too...

The bra section in pink.. As you can tell, most bras are more colorful and playful looking

Surfboards to match the Hawaii theme

Even their panties in Pink is colorful and cute...with a huge

variety....I Love it! Plus, it's really comfy!!

And we have here the entrance of the Victoria's secret store itself which you can already tell is more sophisticated and matured...

Another SALE sign....temptation beckons..

I really like the interior of Victoria's secret more because it feels like being in La-la land with frills, ribbons, and beautiful things to see! To add to the sophistication of their trademark color pink, they add a touch of black all around....

By the way, besides lingerie..they have a few sections with bras and panties... like this is one of the sections, such as the picture on top!

In this Victoria's secret, they also sell pyjamas, workout clothes, and swimwear..that's why I say it's huge! Every girl's dream to find everything in one place!

A sneak peek into the VS dressing room... It's gorgeous(I'm not sure whether you can use that for a fitting room but that's how it looks to me!)

The waiting area with pictures of Victoria's secret model

all around you..... I am sure the guys don't mind waiting there!

A cute dresser

The walkway in between dressing rooms...didn't I tell you that you would feel like you are in fairyland..

And the dressing room all decked out in lanterns and pink color ribbons and wallpaper

One of my favourite parts which I beeline to everytime I enter the store..the skincare section...they have a huge range of lotions, body gel, creams,etc. I have ever seen in my life! To select what you like, they have testers which goes by the scent......Word is most guys go crazy once they smell these scents on a girl...like pheromones...WOW!

They have it in different colors too

Not forgetting the myriad of cosmetics they have, from foundations to lip color to eye and the list goes on................

Frankly, I have been to numerous Victoria's secret in the USA and the one in Hawaii impresses me the most. The decor is different and the store itself is BIG! For a first timer going into the place, you won't know where to begin, and probably get absorbed in the whole ambience of it......... I do wish they had VS in Malaysia though but I have not heard of their store being located anywhere else besides the USA. Thus, I decided to post a peek of the store for you girls to see and get a feel of what it is like...and so you will know what to order from your friends when they go across! hehehehehe

xoxo

Meiz

P.S. If you are going to the USA, try to aim for summer because that is when they semi-annual sales is...and not just VS is on sale..practically all stores...I am going crazy shopping!

A day on a beach in Hawaii

When you think of Hawaii? What's the first thing you think of???????

The BEACH of course...er...and for some.. "girls in bikinis, and guys with surfer bodies?" It's pretty like what you expect to see...girls walking around in bikini's, guys surfing, skateboarding, driving, and cycling with their shirts off!! very different if you come from a country that does not allow these things.. LOL

After a week in Honolulu to meet with professors and to complete some PhD work(will be here for another week), some pestering for beach photos and great response of a beach picture I posted on facebook, I've decided to hit the beach for your viewing pleasure *winks*

We headed to a  beach close to Waikiki but way quieter..which I like instead of banging your body with others in the water...UGH

 So secluded..you have to walk through beautiful houses to access the beach

The walkway...see the beach!! Getting excited there...

And postcard perfect scenery...we had to walk through the sand and some rocks to get to the strip of beach we wanted to chill at

The rocks we had to walk through...Kendra pointing at a lil hole with fishies!

What we didn't know was that the beach was also dog friendly....... Pretty cool to see dogs frolicking around..just that we were afraid of where we walked.... Everyone was nice to pick up the poo after anyways *thumbs up*

Kendra and John sun tanning..... Both beach bunnies!!

I sneakily took a picture of one of the houses facing the beach! OMG! It's beautiful..I wish I owned it...... One day...I WILL!

The view from where I sat...SO calm and blue and serene......... Look at the house to the corner in white...it's a beautiful house built a long time ago..... which is now a museum...if you come here..go and check it out guys!

The weather is actually pretty weird here in Hawaii, it's summer but the weather is rainy and cold! The water was cold when we went in...AAHHHHH!!!! But my advice for those who are coming here now, bring something warm for the night, you probably need a sweater.... and try going to a beach where it is more secluded and private...Waikiki is packed! You will probably hit SOMEONE not something if you go there.....BE WARNED! Just ask the locals..they are all very nice..or you can just ask me:)

xoxo

Meiz

Women of Malaysia : Latest female empowerment magazine!

They say that the past few years is a dawn of a new era.... Do you know what era it is?????

It is none other than the GOLDEN AGE OF WOMEN! You would think that sexism doesn't exist towards women anymore, with equality in the workplace, school, and such, but think again...it still does... I would have to reiterate...how often do you see women as CEO's of big companies?Even my mom who's the principal of her own company gets disrespect from men who works with her..tsk tsk!!!

To continue the movement of equality or more like the time for women to shine and be empowered...a young girl by the name of Shafiqah(she's only 19! and so Business savvy already) recently started an online magazine called Women of malaysia to create awareness to women out there that we can progress and be more enlightened, not looked at as the weaker race.....*Kudos*

I got to know her after she told me more about her visions and goals which I am in full support of. Finally met her at the shoot where she was nothing short of impressive!

I

 The photography studio that shoots for the magazine

After the shoot, snapping a picture with the ever talented Jaja Radzwan who also works in Paris! What a privilege to be made up by someone who is a make up artiste for shows in Milan!

With Shafiqah(in the middle) , Nick Dorian the photographer and her friend. Great team to work with...more efficient than a print ad team!

 One of the shots that were taken...I was given a full feature interview which you can directly access here: http://www.womenofmalaysia.net/2011/06/ameizs-by-her.html

The magazine officially launched on May 8th 2011 with a whole host of supporters and sponsors...told you Shafiqah is marvelous...

Attended the event with oscar in our pink themed attire?...see Oscar's orange and pink jacket..hehehehe

The handmade runway which I found adorable

Singing performance to kickstart events for the night...that girl in white had a voice like Rihanna!

Miss Editor of Women of Malaysia giving the opening speech, pretty in pink!

And then, the fashion show begin which had numerous outfits from stores owned by females that just started out and are trying to make a name for themselves in the fahsion industry

Even had Kebayas

Head scarves

Malay wedding gowns

To me, the editor herself who is a 19 year old girl that studies in Lim Kok Wing and now launched an online magazine who had no help, "Just asking sponsors, celebrities, and models politely with good english" that's what she said to get her sponsors for the magazine and event! This girl is a testimony to the the magazine itself which in which she envisions to be a hard copy someday. Her wish to make women stronger and believe in their rights is definitely coming true through her support to local women, their businesses, and believing in their endeavors! You go girl! And of course women out there!:)

To read about the latest fashion blogspot owners and stores in Malaysia, women's businesses, strong and successful artists, models, celebrities in Malaysia, you can just click on www.womenofmalaysia.net

xoxo

Meiz