As I begin rounds of more shopping ads for Honolulu SHOPS Magazine, I just wanted to take the time to lament the Spring season. Perhaps it's all of my allergies that are making me a hater, but I just don't really see myself as a Spring person. Oh well. Nothing like shopping to pick you up right? *achoooo*

Oliver Peoples, Smythson, Luis Morais and Neil Barrett at Mr. Porter
C. Dellstrand at C. Dellstrand E-Store
Saint Laurent Paris at SSENSE
R13 Denim at Aloha Rag

I'm gonna test the theory of positive thinking today. So what better way to kick off a great day than with a new shirt? I got this Saturdays NYC button-up at Aloha Rag a couple weeks back, but wanted to save it for a "rainy day". Today is that kind of day. Let's do this!

I hope everyone has an amazing day as well. C'mon positive thinking!

As I just turned 23 last year I had in mind a couple of wardrobe essentials that I would need in order to get through the following year...one of those essentials being a tailored and high quality suit. I've always fantasized about wearing an immaculate suit that was equally statement making and still understated, though finding anything that fit me properly is always a challenge. Knowing AR Brand's aesthetic and general fit helped me in making the decision to buy one of their suits. The sizing runs from XS (roughly 34-36 chest and 27-29 Waist) to XL (roughly 46 chest and 38 waist) and is built for guys on the trimmer side. I picked up the XS, took my suit to the tailor, made sure every measurement was just for my proportions, and am now head-over-heels in love with it! I even took the suit for a "test-drive" to run some errands and already got compliments on it. With a suit made in Japan that has a luxe lining with a light wool/nylon mix, I'd say it's a good bet to invest in one of these guys!

Anyway, learn more about AR Brand's Serious Suit here...
CLICK HERE to see the current S/S '13 suit
CLICK HERE for AR BRAND's website

Wind? Check. Rain? Check. Leather? Check. 

Yes I know leather jackets aren't the norm for Hawaii...but any chance I get the "winter chill" is the time to whip out my leather. It's been so windy and a bit chilly that I've gotten a couple times to bust out my AR Brand leather jacket (from its first collection in 2010). This entire week has been spent running errands and planning for two photoshoots that are happening back-to-back next week. Semi-stressful, but exciting! Can't wait to show you some new editorials and behind-the-scenes stuff :)

Purchased two things recently at Oliver on Friday including this Roark 'Fear the Sea' tee along with a Scotch & Soda leather iPhone case. Also scored this free tote with purchase so...I feel like I got 3 things instead of just two!

Follow Oliver on instagram @olliverhawaii for all the latest news/arrivals

I'll be 23 next week Tuesday so in preparation of my aging, I stumbled upon this little leather baby. Created by none other than Proenza Schouler the 'pochette' is in the style of the luxe PS1 satchel, but scaled down to a loveable hand-carry size. I've been wanting a small pouch type of item for awhile so I think it's a match made in Proenza heaven. 

Interesting fact for the day: In Japan, men would refer this is a "second bag". A "second bag" is a small to medium sized bag that carries the tinier items (keys, phone, book, cards, etc) you need throughout the day that wouldn't fill a larger tote. The more you know...!

To view more 'pochette's, visit the following:
proenzaschouler.com

Thank you Julia Chu at La Muse (in the heart of Chinatown) for this beautiful piece of jewelry. The studs are interchangeable and come in such nice shades of gold, silver, and black. This convertible piece starts at just $65 (prices may vary depending on how many studs you want) and is a steal since you can simply screw on a different stud to match your mood. I have a soft spot for the black stud, but today I mixed my metals with the silver ring paired to the gold stud.

I'm going to stop by La Muse again soon to take a deeper look into Julia Chu's in-house jewelry line as well as more of the other contemporary designer labels she carries. She's also been instagramming a bunch of great new ready-to-wear clothing and accessories coming soon next Spring! So excited!

To purchase this ring or to learn more about La Muse:
Address: 1156 Nuuanu Ave || Honolulu. HI. 96817
Ph: 808.536.0818

Modern Basics || Nothing feels more comfortable for me to wear than something a little black and white. It's even better when I was able to find something that looked new/fresh without being too overdone by trends; Case and point 3.1 Phillip Lim's Combo shirt. I blogged about it HERE a month ago, but didn't find time to wear it till now. Pairs perfectly with skinny jeans to juxtapose the longer/boxier proportion and cuban heels for that added Beatles-esque flare!

Met with superb photographer, Jeremy Snell to go through a bunch of images he took on Monday's photoshoot. I'm so pleased with the way everything's coming together and I'll be able to reveal all of that soon. Also, I've been preparing/shooting things for Honolulu Magazine and Honolulu SHOPS Waikiki which should be coming out in the following months + I've yet to reveal the fashion show that I'll be styling in November. 

Wait and see! But till then, have fun looking at my beautifulness. 

Two years ago I purchased this Billykirk bag that I had been lusting over the course a year. It has everything going for it: practicality, expert craftsmanship (most of the leather goods and canvas bags are made by in-house artisans or by Amish folk in Pennsylvania), and timeless value. Created on the basis of offering quality leather, Billy Kirk leather products truly get better with age.

There's sort of a cult-following within the Billykirk community. Oftentimes clients will send in images of their 10+ year old bags, belts, card holders to owners Chris and Kirk Bray praising how amazingly well what they purchased has gotten better with time. I took it out for a spin today and it felt like I had just bought it! So clean and classic...I'll never give it up.

Check out a fun story on how I purchased my bag (it was actually sold out when I sent over my order, but Chris Bray went the extra mile to see if there was one hiding somewhere) and images taken from their website AFTER the jump.

My love affair with basic-but-not-too-basic wardrobe staples never ends. I'm all about flipping the script on the standard which is the case and point for my crisp and clean white shirt. Created by Phillip Lim, the shirt has an interesting panel towards the bottom hem. Proportionally, it reminds me something by Céline.

If you're interested to see more of 3.1 Phillip Lim's F/W 12, you're able to find his line at the one and only Aloha Rag (domo-arigato Tomo)!