Traveling in Winter (from Hawaii)

When you fly to the mainland, does your nose dry out, do your eyes get red, and hurt? You start coughing because your throat is dry? Even catch a cold every time you travel?

Traveling to the US Mainland from Hawaii, many of us need to make the adjustment to a climate with much less humidity. Our eyes and noses especially, suffer from drying air. Also the air in the plane cabin is very dry and re-circulated (no such thing as fresh air up there). Dry eyes and noses are perfect places for cold bacteria and viruses to enter your body. This is because the nasal passages dry out and can crack (slight nosebleeds?) and you rub your eyes because it feels itchy or gritty and your hands have touched so many surfaces; who knows what’s on there?

As a former business traveler, I had to arrive fresh and ready to work so I created this and also made myself as comfortable as possible for those 8 hours to Tokyo.

My cousin’s family hates traveling because they are so uncomfortable and always come home with a cold. They refuse to go on vacations that require air travel. Rather difficult to avoid air travel when you live in Hawaii. So, I made up a little kit for her.

The solution was given to me by a couple of Doctors:
Carry a small Prevention Kit with you on the plane.
Saline nasal spray, Bacitracin or Neosporin or any other clear antibiotic ointment, moisturizing eye drops (not allergy drops), lip balm, & optional soft foam ear plugs. All are available at any drugstore. If traveling as a family, each person should have their own for hygienic reasons.
How to use:
Use saline spray often throughout the flight. Keep your nose hydrated. Saline spray is not a decongestant and can be used as often as needed.
Same with eye drops; use often to keep your eyes hydrated. If your nose feels ticklish, use the eye drops, yes, the eye drops. You’ll feel a difference in your nose!
The lip balm also keeps you comfortable.
The ear plugs are use-as-needed. I love them because they shut out the plane’s engine noise and other cabin chatter. This allows me to read and listen to music in peace.

Upon arriving, leave this Kit on the nightstand in your room.
At night, before going to sleep, dab a bit of the antibiotic ointment into your nose. As it melts with your body heat, it will bathe your nasal passages and keep them moist. You will avoid the dry-nose irritation. Also keep a bottle of water near you, drink as needed. The heated room air is very dry.

Also, this kit is not just for the winter time. Air conditioned hotel rooms in the summer also cause dryness.

For additional comfort:
I have always traveled with a small cold vapor humidifier, on ski trips. It makes sleeping a lot easier and you don’t wake feeling like the Mojave desert.
The cold vapor is safe because it’s not heated so will not burn. Even the small travel size ones will run about 8 hours on a single fill.

Where to find a Humidifier in Hawaii? Not usually found in stores so plan ahead and check out QVC.com, Walmart.com, or websites catering to allergy suffers.

Happy traveling!

Dog Beauty Salon?

Have been thinking about taking my dog Kimo (poi) to be groomed. Always thought this was an indulgence of AKC show breeds. Well, much to my delight, and Kimo's enjoyment, Apple Puppy Dog Beauty Salon in Kaimuki was a great experience. Yuri and Sally are two young ladies with much experience in dog grooming.

It was my first experience too, and not knowing what to expect, I asked for them to show me what they do and how they groom. I left feeling comfortable and knowing Kimo would be in good hands.

He was washed, trimmed, nails clipped, glands expressed and tummy shaved--turning out a clean-cut, good looking dog. They do not rush or overbook and it was a quiet environment (except when Kimo found a friend to play with). So the 3 hours Kimo spent there was well-worth the very reasonable price.

Great location and parking lot! 1126 12th Ave. suite 201. 808-734-8282

A Hidden Day Spa with Super Kamaaina Rates

Ville de Coco, in the Luana Hotel at the edge of Waikiki. Don't let the thought of driving into Waikiki stop you, there is free parking in the building and it's at the edge of Waikiki, just across the statue of Kalakaua.
Coco's pedicure is like nothing I have ever experienced, even at fancy resort spas. Here attention to detail is apparent as soon as you walk in the door. It's not Hawaii, it's serene, quiet, soothing like I thought a spa should be. Soft music, candlelight enhance the sunlit entrance. Gentle water features calm and relax me at once. I'm greeted, seated and asked to choose from three aromatherapy scents; these will be used as a scrub and massage in the pedicure. I feel like a queen seated on a raised banquette with my feet in a specially designed bath. Then the magic begins. As Coco works on my feet (won't go into details of my toes) the stress drains from my body and I relax back into the comfy pillows and almost fall asleep thru the cleaning, massage, and painting. My friend goes for the bling-bling crystals on her toes! She has very lovely feet!

Coco is famed for her nail art--please watch the video in the reception area, it's amazing! Most of these styles, she has developed herself and won awards for creativity and technique. Best of all, you will be thrilled with the very reasonable Kamaaina rates. (pls tell them when making appointment, that you are a resident and heard about her from me). Coco is a stunning, tall Japanese lady who has built a fabulous spa that is hidden and still undiscovered....
http://www.villedecoco.com/
2045 Kalakaua Ave # M150
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 941-3732

Need a new hair style/stylist?

It's about updating, not fearing change. Asked a friend for a recommendation and was very pleased with the results. No, nothing radical, still rather conservative, but then this was the first visit.

K's Hair, owner, Kaoru Hanazawa is from Chiba, Japan and his technique is totally different than the familiar American style. From the reverse fitting drape/cape to the small towel to protect my face when washing my hair; I was not expecting this! Then he started cutting. We communicated in fractured English and Japanese but I left everything in his hands. He cut the silhouette edge of my wet hair with quick snips of his scissors; dried my hair and started snipping again. Having fought my super-straight Japanese paintbrush hair all my life, and trying to bend and shape waves and curls fruitlessly with hot irons and tragic perms, Kaoru told me I had natural curls--Not!? But lo and behold, as he dried my hair, bends and waves formed without aid of a brush or gel or mousse or anything!

The only product he used on my dried hair was a bit of Japanese hair cream. No, nothing greasy, just enough to scrunch and add a little tousle to my new cut. I guess Asian hair is different than Caucasian after all. wow! I am very happy and love the easy care, quick drying and no-work to this cut! Most of all I love the waves I thought I'd never have!
K's Hair Honolulu
McCully Shopping Center #202
808-951-6903
http://www.kshair.net/

For boutique shoppers--Honolulu

Honolulu has many malls that wear you down with miles of walking. Not being a mall shopper, I prefer small boutiques that reflect the personalities of their owners. Each has a unique selection and I don’t see any overlap.
That’s the fun part, if you see something you like, get it! Go visit and get to know them, the customer service is first rate and if you go on weekdays like I do, usually you’ll find the owner there. She knows her product and has a great eye for design, style and color. Fit questions? ASK! And try it on! May not look great on the hangar but it may on you. Trying on is free and please pick new and different colors to see how they look on you. You can always buy the black one, but experiment while you’re there. You gotta take your clothes off anyway, so try a few items you’d never normally choose. It’s how shopping should be.

Le Muse—on Monsarrat Ave. next to Waikiki School. In the little strip mall. Tell Lea I sent you.

Chelsea—in Manoa Marketplace. This lady is not afraid to bring in very unique and odd looking clothes. I even ask, “what is this?” Great ever-changing selection of casual to dressy. Best part; in back, there are always a couple of Sale racks with super markdowns. Try the Bamboo Ts, dresses and pants! You’ll never wear anything else again.

Lily Lotus—Mostly yoga focused clothing and accessories. But who said you couldn’t wear them everyday? Designed for comfort and also looks good. Located in Kaimuki on 12th Ave. between Waialae and Harding. Parking in pay lot.

Oogenesis—If you’re ever in Haleiwa, stop at this shop. It’s a huge mix of clothing and jewelry that will blow you away. Helga (owner) makes some wild and weird stuff and if you like irreverent styling, you’ll love her stuff!

There are many other shops in Chinatown and downtown that I never get to or even know about. Keep an eye out and go explore and share what you find!

Portland, OR: Eating and Shopping in and around NW23rd, the Trendy-third

Favorite place to stay: Inn at Northrup Station 22nd/21st & Northrup http://www.northrupstation.com/ Cute boutique hotel, all suites with working kitchen if you want to cook. Right on the Portland Streetcar line--stops outside the hotel.

Shopping on and/or near 23rd Ave: (all in walking distance of hotel)
Twist: unique artisan jewelry, home dec—artists from Pacific Northwest (pricey)

Moonstruck Chocolates: hand made in Portland. Must have the chocolate milkshake!

Nob Hill Shoes: My kind of shoe store, comfort first! Sandals in summer, covered shoes in Fall.

Trader Joe’s: on Glisan between 21st and 22nd to stock up on essentials

Stella’s on 21st.. Just a block from hotel. Funky, funny and kitschy. I must go at least twice before coming home. She always has great gift items and priced nicely too.

Dazzle: across Papa Haydn (23rd & Johnson) unique clothes

Renaissance Books: Best Metaphysical bookstore, jewelry store, music, clothing in the world! If you're into that, allow a couple of hours.

Must EAT at:
Escape from NY Pizza—this is the real stuff!
Papa Hayden—desserts wow!
Serranto’s on 21st. Great Italian. there are a lot of great little restaurants along 21st Ave.
McCormick & Schmick’s—on the Willamette Riverfront. Our favorite for seafood.
St. Cupcake 17th & Flanders—the cupcakes are worth it, dots too! Menu changes daily and who can eat just one?

Biscuits--super breakfasts, on 21st and Burnside/Couch St.s

Shopping in the Pearl District, Portland, OR

Pearl District:
See shopping http://www.shopthepearl.com/

the merchants created a great walking map with all the shops & restaurants clearly marked. Easy to follow and you don't need a car. Take the Streetcar, it's free! July was HOT! Water and a hat are a must, if you go in summer.

Check online: That July week was Sidewalk Sale week in the Pearl!
See shopping http://www.shopthepearl.com/

Monique’s has fun clothing as reasonable prices. Great mix of fun and colorful
Pearl Retriever for dogs
Dig fabulous garden shop with creative designed garden stuff; and they ship; it's worth it!
Pearl Retriever for dogs

Silk--great Pho, yes even in summer

Babette--great clothes for travel, pleated and scrunched

and many more new places....still growing and no big box retailers.

Where do you shop, now?

After hearing that question so many times, I want to share my findings and ask you, the same question. Living in a "big" city on a small island offers many options. Unfortunately the malls are filled with stores selling clothing etc. aimed at buyers of my daughter's age-25.
How do we look fashionable without looking foolish? Style vs fashion. You all know the difference, "Fashion is the current and/or seasonal trend; the 'latest'. Style lasts forever." Think Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy/Onassis.
Yes, there is style after 50, with a few honest looks in the mirror you will be quite surprised at the woman you see looking back!