domesticity

I really love the simplicity of these porcelain Roost tropical leaf bowls. The bowls come in both small and medium sizes with either a white or black matte glaze.

Happy Memorial Day! Spent today running errands... woke up early and headed over to Ikea for their tax-free Memorial Day sale. We got there right after the store opened and the aisles were already packed with people! Luckily, we knew exactly what we wanted... a new bookcase for my new craft studio area... my summer project. While we were there, we also picked up other goodies, including storage baskets for the bookshelf and a spöka nightlight for late night kitchen raids in green (we already have one for the bedroom in blue). After Ikea, we stopped by Salty’s for chowder and fries. Yum! This long weekend has been so relaxing that I am definitely not in a rush to go back to the office tomorrow.

I love the design of these index chopping boards from MoMA. The four color-coded boards are designed to prevent foodborne illness from cross-contamination when preparing raw meat, vegetables, poultry, and seafood. The boards also come with a plastic filing unit for easy storage. Clever and stylish!

We’re back in Honolulu and I miss my parents already. I wish we could have spent more time on the Big Island... actually I wish we had more time on this vacation home!

Spent some time running errands today and picking up more goodies to take back to Seattle. One of the places we love to frequent is Don Quijote. The store aisles are always packed to the hilt with products ranging from groceries to electronics. I can always find everything I need and more in their Kaheka location.

I also made sure to stop by Hakubundo while I was in the area to browse the Japanese craft books. I had planned to visit their downtown location, but I think it may have closed!

Image courtesy of donki.com.

I met one of my friends for lunch today at the television station where we used to work togther. She still works there and it gave me a chance to see some of my old coworkers and catch up with them.

We then headed over to Ala Moana Center for lunch at the new Nordstrom Cafe to share a blue cheese and pear salad and margherita pizza. I have to come back to try the kalua pork and lomi tomato pizza. Yum! After lunch, we spent another hour or so shopping and talking story. We email each other at least once a week, but it is always so much nicer to be able to get together in person!

Image courtesy of alamoana.com

I stopped by Ala Moana Center to wander around the mall’s ongoing expansion project. I didn’t venture into the recently opened Nordstorm since I am planning to meet a friend for lunch at the Nordstorm Cafe on Monday, but I did get a chance to check out many of the other new retail stores. I also visited Ward Centers. I can’t believe how much has changed since the last time I was home!

Image courtesy of alamoana.com

These Rand McNally fabMaps are fun microfiber maps that can help you find your way in more than 20 U.S. cities. The handkerchief-size maps are tear-proof, wrinkle-proof, and waterproof. I’m checking out the Chicago Magnificent Mile version since I am hoping to travel there someday soon.

These chalkboard storage trugs from Smith & Hawken are perfect for organizing miscellany around the house. The containers come in three sizes and are constructed of solid pine with cut-out handles for easy transport.

Headed over to Cost Plus World Market today to do a little shopping. While there, I spotted this yummy smelling White Tea Stacked Vase Potpourri. I also picked up this pandan magazine basket in natural. I love shopping for household goodies!

I don’t think you can ever be too old to play with Lego. And I’m definitely not too old to add this Lego Creator Beach House set to my shopping wish list. Three different structures can be built from the same set of bricks, including this beach house complete with skylights, barbecue grill with chicken, and satellite dish.