Aulani: a Tropical Wonderland

September 25, 2015 Nina Penalosa4 Comments

Going though all the snapshots I took while in Hawaii, I realized that I failed to take pictures of my hotel room. EPIC FAIL because that place was sooo nice. Auntie Nelly booked a villa for us that could fit a total of 9 people, but really there were only 6 of us: Auntie Nelly, myself, my sister, her boyfriend, my cousin Brian and his wife. Originally, I had booked us (myself, Auntie Nelly, sister, and Ryan) to stay at the Courtyard Marriott, but Auntie was like, “Babe, there’s no pool. It’s not a resort! I want to be able to relax on my vacation.” She mentioned how she wanted to stay at Aulani for at least 2 or 3 days, and my sister and I were foaming at the mouth about it. We knew that we at least wanted to book a spa appointment and go to a character breakfast if we weren’t going to stay there.

But then bippity-boppity-boo, we were suddenly booked to stay at Aulani for a whole week!!! I couldn’t stop smiling and my sister and I kept texting back and forth about how excited we were! Real talk, Auntie Nelly is my fairy godmother. I wouldn’t have more than half of the things I own, or be able to experience more than half of the things I do without her guidance and support. And my love of Disney comes from Auntie Nelly too. I am so beyond grateful for her (#blesses). I aspire to be an independent baller like her one day, but I’m still trying to figure out how to do that.

Anyhow… upon arrival to Aulani we were greeted with a warm “Aloha” and given leis. Not fake flower ones that you can pick up at any ‘ol gift shop on the island, but a legit one made out of real orchids. I later learned that men were given black kukui nut leis. Fancy schmancy stuff, but I expect no less from Disney. They’re always on their A-game!

Our room was MASSIVE. Here’s a layout of what it looked like:

I shared the master suite with Auntie Nelly and the bed was SO huge that the middle section of it always looked immaculate and untouched every morning. We also had a shower with an enormous shower head that just rains on you, and huge bathtub with jets!! I was determined to find a Lush store to buy a bubble bar to make use of the bathtub. We also had a nice kitchen and a washer and dryer. It was like living in a super swanky condo for a whole week.

Aulani has a fantastic pool area with a lazy river, a coral reef snorkeling area, pools designated for guests 18+, and a private beach where you can paddle board. I only went to the lazy river and beach, but Auntie Nelly rented a cabana for a day and a bunch of my family just hung out there. There’s also a few food places around the pool area including a place where you can get Dole Whip for $4. For one thing, that’s the price of a churro at Disneyland, but the kicker is that you get a cup and you can fill it up with as much Dole Whip as your heart desires. AND they have a swirl option so you can have a Dole Whip creamsicle.

WHY ISN’T THIS AT DISNEYLAND?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Aulani also has a gym that’s open 24/7. I only got to use it twice, but I mean… twice is pretty good considering that I was on vacation. And their spa, Laniwai, was probably my favorite part of the resort! They have you show up an hour before your appointment so you can enjoy the amenities such as their outdoor hot tubs (there’s one specifically for women, one that has jets, and one that’s just just a small pool filled with water at 105°), multiple shower heads (that poor hot water all over you), and a little pool filled water at 45°… apparently that’s good for circulation and recommended to take a dip in before a massage. I just had a facial done because I’m too ticklish for a full body massage.

The facial was FANTASTIC. The woman was like, “If you put your hair down, I can massage your scalp” and I like, “Awwww yiisssss, mother flippin’ scalp massage!” I didn’t say that out loud, but I think my noggin is the only place where I enjoy getting massaged. She also massaged my shoulders which felt nice too, so I guess I don’t mind that either. For the facial, she asked if I had any concerns with my skin and I mentioned the pesky blackheads on my nose. So she shined a bright light on my face to examine it and proceeded to do an extraction. Have any of you ever had an extraction done? If you haven’t, it feels like someone is digging their fingernail into your skin really, really, hard. That was the least relaxing bit, but I loved everything else about it. Like, getting your face and chest wrapped in a hot towel felt soooo good and my face felt so fresh and so clean. Afterwards, I just hung around until the place closed to get more use of the amenities, like the steam room and sauna. Hanging out in a steam room with a cold towel on your face is something I highly recommend.

I WANT TO GO BACK. Stick around the blog, because I’m not done talking about Hawaii yet!

Single Riders Line

August 22, 2015 Nina Penalosa8 Comments

I was able to go to my home away from home last weekend before my Annual Pass expires next Friday. I had no plans to renew it, but now with all the Star Wars stuff that’s going to be happening at the park, like Season of the Force, I’m definitely reconsidering. I wish I knew how to quit you, Disneyland!

Anyhow, my sister and I got to go on Saturday and for a few hours on Sunday together, but she left after our cousin’s wedding shower so I ended up going to Disneyland solo on Sunday night. I figured I might as well take advantage of the fact that I still had access to both parks (and discounts!).

I realize that walking around Disneyland by yourself sounds a bit depressing. I did it once before when I went with my former boyfriend and his then girlfriend and her little brother — I know that seems weird, but they invited me and who says no to Disneyland? I was the only one that had a Magic Morning pass that allowed me to go to the park an hour early, so I ditched them… actually, I ditched them a few times and walked around by myself. While alone, I went on Space Mountain, the Haunted Mansion, and the Winnie the Pooh ride where the cast member actually let me and the grandpa/grandson duo I shared a beehive shaped vehicle with go on the ride twice in a row! I was fine alone for those few hours because I at least knew I would be hanging out with my friends again later on in the day.

Disneyland is one of those places where you go with family or friends to have fun and create special memories with them. But you know what? I was fine on my own last Sunday knowing that I wouldn’t be accompanied later on. There were a few moments where I’d see a couple walk past me holding hands and I felt a bit sad since I didn’t have anyone to keep me company. And HOLY CRAP, I was literally surrounded by couples hugging each other in the stretching room at the Haunted Mansion. I’m not even exaggerating. And while I was walking around the park, which was oddly humid for a Sunday night, I started thinking, “Why are you all holding hands? Why are you standing so close to each other? IT IS SUPER MUGGY RIGHT NOW. Do you not feel it? Are you not affected?! UGH.” So I might be a bit of a hypocrite, because I once was one of those people you’d see with their boyfriend looking disgustingly sweet. And yeah, sometimes we held hands when it was unbearably hot outside. But I digress…

Just walking around by myself, I started thinking about how great it is to be single. I can be selfish and focus on my wants and needs without having to consider someone else’s (does that sound harsh?). No sharing food (actually, that comes in handy when I’m not that hungry). No compromises. No feeling judged for wanting to buy certain items (like a My Little Pony dress (former boyfriend wasn’t crazy about it) or a Duffy Bear purse… which I totally bought and rocked at the park on Sunday morning), and no feeling bad for talking about how I want certain material possessions.

Yeah, I like material things! I love fashion. I love clothes and accessories and cute geeky toys and books. I’m a fashion blogger and a geek. I am living in a material world and baby, I am a material girl. DEAL WITH IT.

Whooaaa… okay, got a little carried away and self-righteous there for a minute, but you know what I mean, right? Being single just makes me feel more free. Not that I ever felt constricted in my last relationship, but I’m finding that I can do things that I truly want to do, and I have more time to devote to myself which is very important. Before my last ex, I only ever had one boyfriend and we didn’t last very long. So after that, I spent a good amount of time pining for love. I just wanted to be wanted and also be able to reciprocate those feelings. I never appreciated singledom until now. So although I did truly love my ex more than anything, I’m finally starting to honestly feel good about life as a single lady and learning how to enjoy my own company.

Okay, enough of the sentimental stuff.

In case you’re wondering, “What does one do while they’re on their lonesome at the Happiest Place on Earth?” Well, I got to hit the Little Mermaid and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree at California Adventure, and when I got to Disneyland the parade was just ending and they were getting ready for fireworks so I just headed to the Disney Gallery to look at some art and watched Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln, walked to Fantasyland only to find that every ride was closed, and then went on the Haunted Mansion and ended the night with the Jungle Cruise. I wanted my farewell ride to be on King Arthur’s Carrousel, but at that point it was already 11pm and I just wanted to go back to the hotel and eat. So that was my fun solo date at Disneyland.

Do you like taking yourself on solo dates? Where do you take yourself when you go out on the town on your own? Let me know in the comments!

dress: Field Day Wearables (one of) | cardigan: Old Navy (buy similar here)
belt + undershirt: Xhileration (thrifted/old purchase) | hair flower: Icing (n/a)
shoes: deflex Comfort (buy here) | Duffy purse: Disneyland (buy here)

PS: Goofy was going in for a hug when I took a picture with him, but then he jumped back with excitement when I saw that he was on my dress! Oh, Goofy. You silly dog.

geek style

A Wish List For My Birthday

January 10, 2015 Nina Penalosa8 Comments

R2-D2 suitcase // Keiko Bonlook glasses
The Little Prince pullover // Duffy Bear purse // Totoro dress
Hansel & Gretel by Neil Gaiman //Seconds by Bryan Lee O’Malley

Hey my little ponies! My birthday is on everyone’s least favorite day of the week: Monday. But I have the day off, so it won’t be so dreadful (at least I hope it won’t)! A few of my friends and I are going to dress up and head to San Francisco to have tea at a cute little tea shop to celebrate. I’m super excited!

I threw this little wish list together for funsies, I’m not expecting to get any of these things from my friends or family. In fact, I’m probably going to buy myself that Totoro dress by Her Universe if it’s still in stock at Hot Topic when my Hot Cash becomes active. Hopefully they’ll still have my size in stock! I’ve been waiting for this dress to come out ever since I saw pictures of it at Her Universe’s fashion show at San Diego Comic-Con. 🙂

What’s on your wish list?

geek style · pup life

Huckleberry Blues

June 15, 2013 Nina Penalosa1 Comment

outfit details – skirt/shirt/belt: Mossimo (buy skirt here) // horse brooch: vintage // straw hat: H&M // backpack: don’t recall, but it’s actually for kids! // shoes: Blowfish // glasses: Derek Cardigan // Duffy Bear keychain: Disneyland (buy here)

Hello kitties!

Summer school started up at the junior college I tutor at, so I’ve been adjusting to waking up at the ass crack of dawn to make sure I get there by 8 am Monday-Thursday. So far my body has taken a liking to passing out as soon as possible once it realizes it’s at home. I forgot how amazing naps are! Except I hate when I doze off well after the sunset because I feel all kinds of discombobulated. Like, “OMG, it’s 8:15! Am I late for work?” Also, where the hell did June come from? Wasn’t it just January? What is happening? How are we at the halfpoint of 2013 already? I haven’t accomplished many the of the goals I set out for myself to achieve this year, but I figure I still have 6 more months to change a few things.

Anywho, let’s talk about my outfit! I wore this last week when I hung out with my bestest friend, Shanice. We went out for a long walk with Rory by a levy, had ice cream, and did some shopping (at Target of course. Where else would we go?). And speaking of Shanice, she’s graduating today! YAAAY!!! Unfortunately I have to work during the ceremony, so I can’t witness her workin’ the cap and gown, but we shall meet up later for ice cream. We love ice cream, okay?

I was in a bit of a Mumford & Sons mood when I threw this outfit together. Not sure if you can tell considering the fact that my backpack has Hello Kitty buttons representing my initials on them. And yes, N.P.H. are my actual initials. That’s not there for Neil Patrick Harris (even though I do love him). When I think of Mumford & Sons, I think of old, rustic, antique items. Not really sure why. So I put this newish-but-old-looking straw hat on my noggin to protect me from the sun, but it was crazy windy that day and kept flying off my head. And my skirt has engineer stripes on them, which says “old timey” and “Mumford & Sons-y” to me. I think my outfit would’ve looked cuter with a pair of brown cowboy boots, but since we were going on a walk I opted for something more practical.

The horse pin I’m wearing on my shirt is a flea market find. I remember digging through a bag full of vintage costume jewelry and had to stop myself from doing a happy dance when I found it. Gotta keep it cool at the flea market, y’know? If a seller can see you like it, they’ll most likely try to get top dollar from you! I don’t remember how much I paid for it, but I recall it was a pretty good deal considering that I got a few other things from the seller too.