Mar 08 2008
Out and About
Today, Joyce and I ventured to Ala Moana Shopping Center for some retail therapy and to check out the newly opened Nordstrom department store.
Our first stop was Shirokiya, where we had an early lunch before the crowds came and filled the cafeteria-style dining area. Joyce enjoyed a misoyaki butterfish bento while I munched on a small serving of sekihan and boiled soybeans. While my appetite is slowly returning during the early daytime hours, my stomach still seems to prefer bland fare for now.
We then made a beeline for Nordstrom, peering into the windows of the new shops that opened along the way. Once inside Nordstrom, the apparel reminded me of fashions found in Neiman Marcus: expensive and not my style. The store itself was shiny, happy and beautiful, as expected. But, the real action was found on the second floor, where throngs of people were trying on shoes and getting make-overs. We were nearly out the door, before a Shiseido lady stopped us and offered a free facial massage. I looked at Joyce and we said, “sure, why not?”
An hour or so later, we left with a rejuvenated face with a make-over, and a Nordstrom package. Heck, and you have to take advantage of the “free gift with purchase of 2 items,” right? Of course.
While Joyce was signing up at the Customer Service Center for the $10,000 New York Shopping Spree giveaway, we discovered that another freebie was due to us. With purchase of $75 or more, you get a free Shop a Lea mini tote. I love free stuff!
Last stop was Shirokiya, where I bought some Japanese goodies for Hubby including a Sapporo Arles chocolate roll cake, maccha manju with tsubushi-an, yakitori bento, and Hubby’s favorite pancake/azuki thingie (which I don’t know the name for). With a bubble drink for the road, we left Ala Moana Shopping Center feeling a little lighter in the pocketbook, but with happy hearts for being able to spend a carefree day with a good friend.
This photo is for April, who requested a preggie picture of me. I’m wearing my maternity clothes today, which makes me look a little bigger in the waist than I actually am but it is oh-so-comfortable! And, check out the color! Friends who know me in real life know that I rarely stray from the dark color palette (black, brown, gray), so my maternity wardrobe will be a shock to some. My strategy is this: if I blind you with color, you might not notice how fat I’m getting!
A 30-something Christian girl, blissfully wedded to her perfect match (the yang to her yin) of 14 years. A new mom to her miracle baby, born on October 4, 2008. Living life in Hawaii, less than 5 miles from her hometown, a slave to her mortgage payment, but seeking balance in her pursuit of family, faith, recreation, and rest.
Man, I really miss Ala Moana shopping center!! The best mall in the world…imho
For me, those would be pretty mild colors…
oh man, i almost didn’t recognize you in that last pic. dunno if it was the color, the hair or what. did you lose a lot of weight? But in any case, you look really good! Cute clothes too. =) i hope you’re enjoying your pregnancy. i’m also really jealous you went shopping at alamoana & nordstrom. i wonder when i’ll get to see the new shops. =P
“Free?” What did you get that was free? Sounds like you spent a fortune for that free stuff!
Fat?!? Oh give me a break. You look fine - plus those maternity tops are apparently the latest fad for teenage girls. BUT my 13-yr. old daughter better not come home in one - not unless she wants to see her Dad have a coronary. I forgot the store at Pearlridge where she was looking longingly at one of those tops.
Wow, I give you guys credit for braving the crowds! I was there opening day b/c I had some returns, but didn’t go anywhere near the area ‘cuz I figured it’d be busy.
I love your outfit, btw….and I think this pic really shows of your motherly “glow”!
Yey for color! I guess I never thought of the “blind you with color so you don’t see how fat I really am” moto. I associated that with dark colors, since black will never make you look fat! Regardless, you do not look horribly huge, and those “un-Donna-like” colors do flatter you!
You look happy and pregnant! Actually glowing…
Looks like you gals had fun at Ala Moana but no trip to the Apple Store?
I think the name of the treat (pancake/azuki) is called taiyaki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiyaki) which is shaped like a fish or the Imagawayaki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagawayaki). I’m a fan of both too. 
you look beautiful, donna!
yay!
you look great!!!
xoxo
Super cute outfit and super cute photo! =)
You look radiant! The colors look great on you and you looks so happy! Yay retail therapy!
oh so cute !!!!!! pregnancy becomes you!!!
GIRL!!!
Donna is a preggie…Donna is a preggie!!!
WOW oh WEEEEEEE!!!
I haven’t been to your site for ever….
Congratulations to you and Hubby.
I wish you guys all the happiness in the world!
I just said a quick prayer for you, Hubby and baby.
Did you feel it?