Stay Like a Local on the Big Island of Hawaii: Island Spirit Spa

Island Spirit Spa in Kealakekua on the Big Island of Hawaii is whole heartedly dedicated to all natural botanical remedies. In fact, Mandi, the ethstetician, goes so far as to say, "If you can't put it in your mouth, you shouldn't put it on your skin." She points out that your skin absorbs chemicals and sends them straight into the bloodstream just as if we were eating them.

My friend Lisa and I recently enjoyed a very decadent pedicure there. The all herbal experience is starkly different from what you get at the typical nail salon. Where you are accustomed to strong chemical smells, florescent lights and aggressive callous removal with all sorts of medical looking instruments, this was all about gentleness, the subtle scents of real plant products and a calm, soothing atmosphere. Mandi warns that the results are different too, but also points out they are more sustainable because they work with your body, instead of fighting against it. We were willing to give it a go.

The treatment begins with a salt and mustard foot soak. Mandi carefully explained what each of the herbs does and why she's chosen them specifically for you.

Freshly squeezed guava juice doesn't hurt either! We nibbled away the nuts before I could snap a picture.

Beautiful leaves and coffee berries plucked from the jungle just outside the door made us feel like Hawaiian princesses.
A sugar scrub and massage help exfoliate and rejuvenate tired feet.

Another of Mandi's special blends. She also offers workshops where you can learn how to create spa quality treatments with the things you have in your cupboards and garden.

Here we are afterward, thoroughly pampered and relaxed! I am looking forward to my next splurge at this lovely spa, and I've already begun experimenting with making my own beauty concoctions at home.

Do you have a favorite spa splurge?

An Anniversary at Home: Silly Facial Hair, Lobster, Champagne and Baked Alaska

Eric and I decided to celebrate our anniversary at home again this year. (It's been Five Years!) Spending an evening at home could easily be dull, but Eric and I had a lot of fun making the extra effort to make it extraordinary.

We spent the whole day cleaning, cooking, and decorating together. It was so nice to spend the day preparing together, making a special effort to create something memorable for each other. And there is a lovely intimacy that comes from spending a whole day together this way that one would never get at a fancy restaurant with a waiter hovering over you and violinists circling around waiting for a tip. Instead, it was just the two of us, quiet happy preparations and some Tropicalismo on Pandora.

I made this pretty centerpiece with grocery store roses and leaves snipped from around our tropical home. I'll show you how to get the same look in another post.


The blown glass candlesticks were a thrift shop score- $2 a piece! The candles I had on hand were a little small for them, so I used an old trick of my Mom's and filled them with rice to hold the candles in place. Don't they look dramatic? The damask linens were scored on ebay and all the pretty china and crystal came along with our furnished rental apartment.


After the food and atmosphere were ready, I got good and gussied up. I wore these crazy long false eyelashes just for fun. (They have a leopard pattern on them and matched my hair quite nicely!) I did a bouffant sixties hair do and wore a pretty blue silk chiffon swing dress, heels and eccentric cocktail earrings of my own making. Eric shaved his beard but left a silly Frenchie Foo Foo mustache just to make me laugh.

For dinner, I made a simple spinach salad to start with and Eric made delicious cheddar bay biscuits (with a super decadent butter sauce!) and grilled lobster tails. There was plenty of iced champagne of course!

The crowning touch to our feast at home was this Baked Alaska. I used Martha's recipe for the most part, but substituted boxed cake mix for the fancy from scratch cake she made for the bottom. Browning the meringue with a blow torch at the table was a fun and dramatic way to finish a spectacular meal.



Afterwards, we read our vows to each other in the candle light (thanks Momma D and Daddy G!) and talked about the moments we remember from our five years of married life. Then we snuggled up to watch The Princess Bride, which is extra special to us since my Dad gave us a copy on our wedding day and reminded us to tell each other "As You Wish" whenever possible.

We're still learning, but I know how blessed I am to share my life with my best friend.

Stay Like a Local on The Big Island of Hawaii at Veltris' Ohana!

When Eric & I finally arrived back in Hawaii after our European Summer, we ended up crashing with our dear friends Dan & Lisa. Not knowing how long our house hunt would take, we decided to get a short term vacation rental so we wouldn't cramp their style for more than a few days. Eric scoured Craigslist to find something clean, affordable and centrally located and found Sharon & Frank Veltris' Ohana. It was everything we needed for a home base while we looked, but I think it would be a lovely place for a vacation too.

It was clean, tastefully decorated, and well appointed with a living area, giant closet, partial kitchen (a stove, grill, mini fridge & micro oven)...

A lovely view from the spacious wraparound lanai where we enjoyed watching the sunset each evening...



And a two person jacuzzi tub complete with seascape mural & candles. So nice to soak with a glass of wine after looking at dismal studio apartments all day!

King size bed & cable T.V too- all for $40 a night? I had to tell all of you about it so you can come and see what life in Hawaii is like! You will need a car at this location in the hills above the elementary school, but you'd need one anyway to see all The Big Island has to offer. Sharon & Frank were so friendly and laid back- they made us feel right at home as we hunted for the perfect place. That's real Aloha. Please contact Sharon if you are planning a vacation on The Big Island. Get in touch with her at threespeakATaolDOTcom

Mahalo Veltris!

Moving Day. (Thank Goodness.)

Newlin Chesterfield Sofa from Anthropologie

Today is moving day. At last. After looking at 16 different set ups in eight days, (on the heels of eight weeks of solid travel) we finally found the one. I scared Eric a little by going into dangerous convulsions of laughter & tears after we saw it. I guess I'm ready to set up camp again.

I'm looking forward to unpacking all my treasures and making this beautiful but rather neutral space into our home. You can see photos of our new digs here if you're interested. I'll be posting about my sprucing in the next few weeks.

I am grateful that our new place is furnished, so all we're doing today is hauling in boxes. But I fantasize about the day I will select my own furniture. I wonder if I'll find it as overwhelming and unpleasant as house hunting? (Will I even know what I like after all this time living in furnished places?)

What was the first piece of furniture you bought? Do you still have it? Do you still love it?

A Guiding Light (house carafe)

We have crash landed back in Hawaii and plunged head first into a sea of craigslist ads and dissapointing apartment showings. This little lighthouse carafe was featured in the giant stack of magazines (and SO much junk mail) that piled up while we were gone. It's inspired me to remember that I will be guided safely ashore and unpack all my nautical themed trinkets on dry land soon enough.

More vacation posts to follow. Thanks for coming along on my adventures.

Eat Like a Local on the Big Island: The Coffee Shack

The Coffee Shack is one of those places that no visit to the Big Island is complete without. Every guest we've had ends up having at least one meal here. The Coffee Shack is a bit outside of Kona, but it's right on the way to Honaunau and Kealakekua, gorgeous places you'll want to visit and snorkel anyway. They do all their own baking on premesis, including several varieties of incredible breads, a selection of decadent pies and cheesecakes and muffins.

It's directly off the highway and parking can be an issue. Make sure you don't park in front of the neighbors' gate- it's a sure way to get towed. My four criteria for Big Island Restaurants are food quality, ambiance, service and value. This place gets four stars no question.

The food quality here is wonderful. Everything is made with care and attention to detail and you can taste it. They use local sources whenever possible. Eric and I love to split their Eggs Benedict- it's plenty for two small folks like us! The holindaise is sublime- light, airy and with a lemony twang all poured over the most lovingly poached eggs you've ever tasted. They often do a version with a fresh catch of the day and you can't beat the flavor and texture of fish straight from the ocean and on to your plate.

When my Mom visited, I took her down to Honaunau for a bit of snorkeling and dolphin watching and we stopped off for lunch afterwards. I had a delightful Ham and Turkey sandwich (halfway gone before I remembered to snap a pic for y'all!) That freshly baked bread MADE the thing.

Mum had the Papaya Special. I used to think I didn't care for papaya, and then I moved to Hawaii. I had just never had one properly ripened. This one is topped with lime, yogurt and toasted coconut. Heaven.

This place also gets a star for ambiance. Though humble from the outside, (it's not called "Shack" for nothing!) the view is spectacular- every seat comes with a sparkling blue view of Kealakekua bay and acres of world famous Kona Coffee plantations. There is also a breathtakingly tall Haas Avacado tree- Eric and I always speculate on how they manage to harvest it's perfect dark green fruits from so far below. We can't really imagine it but it's too awful to think all those perfect avocados go to waste.

The staff also leave little tins of jam out for the ubiquitous Day Geckos to feast on. It certainly makes a good photo op, even though these fellows are non-native species. You'll have plenty of opportunities to make insurance salesman jokes.

The Coffee Shack earns another star for service. There are no world wearied waitresses here. Each member of the staff brings kindness and enthusiasm to her work- something you don't see much in downtown Kona. I always enjoy their attentive and genuine service.

And of course, all of those stars add up to another star for value. This is one place I never hesitate to send my guests to visit, and the only one I'll beg for a chance to tag along!

What is your favorite restaurant in your neck of the woods?

Chocolate Oblivion Cake for the End of the World

My lovely friend Lisa recently celebrated her birthday and her sweet boyfriend threw her a surprise party! He entrusted me with the cake, requesting something chocolate and raspberry. I combed the internet to find a suitably decadent recipe. This Chocolate Oblivion Cake seemed like the perfect way to celebrate- especially since The End of the World As We Know It was scheduled for the next day! (Better indulge before THE END, right?)

With only three ingredients (four if you add a bit of sugar to the eggs) you know this recipe is all about the process. I was a bit nervous about attempting this, especially with $20 worth of gorgeous Scharffen Berger chocolate at stake. But in the end, my careful attention triumphed. It was a plate of the richest, creamiest, densest, chocolatiest mousse you've ever tasted. And it looked quite pretty too. Mine wasn't as mirror smooth as Heidi's (I blame the Hawaiian humidity) so I let it come to room temperature and smoothed the chocolate with a knife to give a little pattern to the surface. I know Cake Boss' thing is all the rage, but I rather prefer a cake that looks like a cake. No inhumanly perfect fondant surfaces for this girl.

Raspberries, mint from my garden and a little Birthday pick completed the big moment. I used tall skinny candles, but these are really extraordinary. They have a two hour burn time! I think I'll try 'em at my next soiree.

What is your favorite birthday cake recipe? Did you see this cake story in the last Real Simple? I thought it was a great primer. Cakes aren't as hard as they look. 

On Moving and Manifesting

Blythe Chair from Anthropologie

I've begun packing up our house and yesterday morning we began another househunt. Just ten days left and I'm feeling shockingly relaxed about this move, mostly because it doesn't involve getting our things across an ocean. I don't have to get rid of anything I don't want to, I can just calmly pack it up and take it to the next place.

What is interesting is that after all these years of living together, I still marvel at my husband every time we do this. My mind is constantly altering things to make it into the thing I really want. (Could I paint that wall? Bring in different knobs for the cupboards?)But his mind is able to wait calmly for the thing that is perfect just as it is. He has this ability to center himself and have faith that the picture in his mind will become real. It is a marvelous thing to watch and I notice it most of all when we are looking for houses.

Yesterday, we drove out into coffee country and down the winding mountain to an idyllic spot where all you could hear were the rustling of palm leaves. There was a tennis court on the property and an old restored Model T with a pack of wild chickens pecking about on the gravel drive. The house itself was a charming little jewel box of a place, tiny, but adorable.

I began mentally moving in immediately. It wasn't perfect. The kitchen was dark and cramped and the living room was a tiny slash next to it. I ignored this and began putting dishes away and stocking the pantry in my head.

But Eric turned to me and quietly said, "It's not quite right. I can't picture us here." And he was right. I could move in, but not imagine a life there. I aspire to learn to manifest my imagination the way that he does, and another move seems like a good way to practice.

What are you like during a househunt? Is it fun for you, stressful or both? It's sort of like trying on a life, isn't it?

Eat Like a Local on the Big Island: The Strawberry Patch

I get so many nice emails from all of you asking where we locals go on the Big Island of Hawaii, so I thought I'd start sharing my favorite restaurants. I want to make sure none of you come visiting and end up paying $15 for a mediocre hamburger. (That's the opposite of Aloha!) Added bonus? I get an excuse to try every place in town.

So, in that spirit, I present my new series "Eat Like a Local on the Big Island of Hawaii!" My four criteria are food quality, ambiance, service and value. I thought I'd kick things off with a charming new bistro called The Strawberry Patch.

This sister owned restaurant is outside of Kona on the way to Kealakekua Bay (perfect since you'll want to go snorkeling with dolphins there!) It's located in a charming little building surrounded by coffee farms with a patio that (unfortunately) faces a busy road. (My tap dance class meets at The Dancing Tree right next door too!) They have done a great job cheering it up with a plethora of potted plants, succulents, urns and beautiful cloches. There are also lots of herbs and while we were there, the cook came out to snip some fresh basil for our lunch orders!

Eric had the Margareta pizza which he deemed light, crisp and delicious.

I had the Picasso Panini. It was fresh and clean tasting and the red peppers were the perfect accompaniment to the pesto and turkey. (And I'm always a sucker for potato chips and a nice pickle spear!)

I also loved the country touch of iced tea served in jelly jar glasses and wildflower arrangements in a collection of vintage milk glass containers. All told, I think the Strawberry Patch deserves 3.5 stars. It has wonderful food, thoughtful, friendly service, great value and aside from the busy highway zooming past the outdoor seating, charming ambiance as well. I definitely recommend it when you visit the Big Island!

Have you tried any great new restaurants lately?

Arranging Tropical Flowers with the Donkey Mill Art Center

Though my Dilly Lily days are but a distant memory, I still adore fresh flowers. The problem here in Hawaii has been figuring out how to arrange with the wild and exotic plants in my backyard. They are NOTHING like the dense, lush, gardeny flowers I worked with in Chicago.

They are all bold color, spikes, and drama!

So while my Mum was here I signed us up for a crash course in Floral Decadence with Scott Seymour over at the Donkey Mill Art Center. It was lots of fun and we learned a great deal about arranging with asymmetry.

One of the secrets was shaving the oasis into curving shapes that extended well beyond the container itself.

I created this trio of madness in matching silver pots to celebrate Easter.

Another secret was a "cocktail" for the cut flowers. He mixes 1 capful of vodka (as cheap a brand as you like!) with 1 gallon of cool water. Put it in a spray bottle and mist them gently as you are arranging and every day afterwards. It helps to preserve the flowers and gives them a little "lift" so to speak. (Wonderful stuff, vodka!)

Do you ever splurge on fresh flowers? What's blooming now in your neck of the woods?

Taste Test: Miracle Fruit turns Sour to Sweet!

Have you heard of Miracle Fruit? It's a tiny berry that alters your taste perception of sour and salty foods, emphasizing their sweetness instead. (One fellow hosts "flavor tripping" parties where guests can sample lemons, vinegars, mustards and dark, bitter beers!) In Eric's ongoing quest to sample all the tropical fruits of The Big Island, we gave them a whirl while my Mum was visiting. We bought five berries for $1 at our local farmer's market. (It felt like we had stepped into the fairy tale about Jack and his magic beans!)

They look quite ordinary, don't they?

We tasted the limes before, to refresh our memories of what

SOUR tastes like!

Then we tried the Miracle Fruit. You pop the tiny berry into your mouth and separate the flesh of the fruit from the seed. You swirl the flesh around your mouth and discard the seed. After a few minutes, your sense of taste is altered. The perception lasts for about 30-45 minutes.

What a fun experiment! It's not that the sour disappears, it's more as though the food's natural sweetness is heightened and emphasized. Eric thought this would make an excellent lesson on perception for his high school students. He used his Miracle Fruit to drink a glass of apple cider vinegar (an old fashioned home remedy that is supposed to work as an appetite suppressant.) You could still taste the sourness of the vinegar, but the sweetness was the first thing that hit your tongue.

Have you tried anything NEW lately?