Another Great Norfolk Sunset

Landed in Norfolk, Virginia to enjoy my Black Friday.  It’s no secret I’ve been pinching pennies so shopping this year is pretty much out of the question.  So when I got to the hotel in Norfolk, I already knew what to expect.  Decided to take a walk along the shore and grabbed these shots along the way. Norfolk is a real Navy city. Everywhere you turn, there’s something about the Navy and it’s nice to see. On a future visit I may actually try and visit the Battleship USS Wisconsin (photo above). Putting that on the to do bucket list. 

Believe it or not, as anti-shopping as I was, I did manage to find the mall on this visit.  Thought about going in just to see the frenzy but I figured it would just be way too much temptation to spend money on things I didn’t need.  I opted to watch the priceless sunset instead.  Thank you Norfolk for another great sunset.

Turkey Day in Indianapolis

Landed in Indianapolis, Indiana on Thanksgiving Day.  Not a whole lot to see. Did manage to grab a couple of photos while on a walk in the crisp cool air. Sharing them here.  Otherwise it was very uneventful and that’s probably a good thing. 

Being away from family is something I’ve gotten very used to over the years. I grew up away from my extended family so we didn’t travel much to see them on holidays because of the cost. I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve ever been at one of my own family holiday gatherings. Over the years, I’ve always joined friends or boyfriends at their family gatherings if I’m invited but when you’re single and have no children, I realize holidays really don’t carry too much meaning. I’ve always welcomed just being at work and this year really wasn’t much different. I was thankful to find my way to Indianapolis.

Happy Cyber Monday!!

Still looking for that perfect holiday gift? Why not try something handmade? As a reminder my entire Etsy store is ON SALE.  As an added bonus for today only I’ve activated a new coupon code.  Upon checkout use coupon code 10MORE and get an extra 10% off the already reduced prices. I don’t normally put things in my shop on sale so now is a great time to dive in and get that piece you’ve always wanted and spring for something else for that loved one.  As always you can visit my etsy shop directly at www.LuvAlisa.com   The necklace I’m wearing in this photo is currently on sale and available as well.  It’s my bronze Peace, Faith and Love charm Necklace which features pink crystal accent and rose quartz beads.  Perfect gift for someone who loves a little meaning behind their jewelry. So why not take a peek into my online jewelry box?  You might just find that perfect treasure you’ve been looking for.  Hope to see you stop in soon!!  Happy shopping! Happy savings!!

Hello Shopping Season!! Hello SAVINGS!! Hello Etsy!!

Welcome to the Holiday madness.  Last year I don’t recall even having a sale on my items.  This year I have a special treat. Pay close attention.  So I’m running a sale in my etsy shop (www.LuvAlisa.com).  All items in store are discounted at 10% Off.  WAIT there’s more.  For 1 week only, you can save an additional 5% off your entire order with the coupon code 5MORE.  Just make sure you place it in the coupon code box at checkout to take advantage of that extra savings.  Coupon expires on 12/2/2015.  So if you’re thinking of picking something up for yourself or a loved one, do it now. With the extra coupon code you will have a total of 15% Off.  Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.  As usual, I can’t wait for you to explore my jewelry box for that special find.  Stop in at www.LuvAlisa.com.  Thanks!!!

Peace and Love Handmade Jewelry!

I’ve been so busy traveling that I haven’t had an opportunity to share my most recent pieces that are available in my etsy shop found at www.LuvAlisa.com.  I’ve been wanting to share these pieces for quite some time. When I sat down recently to create some new pieces, it was at the time that the world watched the horrific events unfold in Paris. Like many others; those events plagued my mind and my heart ached for what those involved went through. As many can agree the world needs more Peace and more love and I wanted to create a piece that would reflect just that.  As I sifted through my inventory of charms, I came across an old dove with an olive branch. I’ve had this charm for quite some time but never found a use for it. Knowing that it is a symbol of peace, I couldn’t think of a better time to put it to use.  I paired the dove with a heart accented by a pink crystal and rose quartz, thus the necklace of Peace and Love was born.  I have it available in both silver tone and bronze tone. 

I also made a version for those of faith who wished to have a cross charm included for the complete message of Peace, Faith and Love.  These new necklaces and many more are currently available in my etsy shop.  Please feel free to stop in to take a look around.  

First Snow in Des Moines, Iowa!!

Let me make one thing straight before I start.  I hate snow and I hate cold weather. What can you expect from a gal that was born and raised in Hawaii and lived in Southern California for the last 12 years? I’ve been spoiled. This is my first year residing in Texas and I’m not a fan either. Keep telling myself I’m moving the wrong direction in the country. Anyway, though I hate snow, there is just something about that first snow that does get me excited.  I probably won’t be jumping for joy in Texas when it happens but when I landed in Des Moines, Iowa and learned it was supposed to snow that afternoon I was excited.  I think I was the only person around who was happy to see the white powder falling. It was my first time in Des Moines, so everything was new to me.  That’s actually a nice feeling - Exploring a completely new place with no expectations. What I loved most about Des Moines (and I wish all other cold cities would do this) was the fact that they have a skywalk in the the downtown area connecting buildings to each other so you don’t have to step a foot out into the cold.  How genius is that????  Anyway, I wasn’t against walking in the snow but the skywalk is so much more comfortable. Found my way down to the court district where I had some comfort food at the Court Avenue Brewing Company. Why is it that I tell myself when I enter a restaurant that I’m going to eat healthy and then end up ordering off the menu a specialty item that isn’t so healthy but oh so good? I’ll put it in writing here, if you’re wanting a hearty meal the Court Avenue Brewing Company has an awesome Meatloaf. Because it was cold outside (yes that’s MY excuse) I also got the bread pudding with ice cream.  Also recommended.  Overall experience at the Court Avenue Brewing Company was great.  No complaints. It’s one of those places I can see returning to again if I ever get back this way.

I did obviously get outside to capture the snow.  I had to.  It was fun to play in it for a bit.  I think I’ve now had my fix and winter can keep the rest of the snow.  I don’t think I’ll be so lucky though.  Have a bad bad feeling that I’ll be seeing more of this cold, wet, powder in the weeks to come...... 

It was fun Des Moines. You’re one city I won’t mind returning to. Hope to see you again one day.....

Detroit and the Perfect Cobb Salad

I’ve been to Detroit Michigan several times now.  Haven’t wandered far enough to say much about it.  I did get outside the hotel in the dark cold windy evening grabbed a shot of the street.  Not a whole lot to see.  I’m waiting for daylight to be able to actually explore an area again.  These short winter days aren’t exactly working for me.  Anyway on this visit I must say, I had the PERFECT Cobb Salad.  I know how exciting is that?  Not much to write home about but any chef might want to take note.  What I loved most about the salad was the fact that it wasn’t put together (pictured).  I could control the amounts of things I wanted to go into it.  It worked out beautifully.  Sadly that’s probably the highlight of Detroit this visit.  When I get back this way, if I decide I want a cobb salad I know where I’m going. Thanks Detroit!   

Boston Sunrise

I have yet to get into downtown Boston and really explore.  Maybe one day. Not a whole lot accomplished on this visit but I did manage to capture this shot on my way out of Boston.  It’s a capture of the sunrise sky.  Thought it was pretty enough to share here.  See you another time Boston! 

Eating my way up the Vegas Strip!

Eating my way up the Vegas Strip!!!

Yup I said it.  Vegas will get you one way or another.  I’ve been pinching my purse strings really tight lately so I’ve become a little bit more frugal in my traveling adventures.  I’m obsessed with the High Roller in Vegas and am dying to actually get on it; told myself last visit I would do it but I found myself back in Vegas and said to myself “Uhhhhh no. Not this time. Can’t afford the splurge.” So I did the next most stupid thing minus drinking and gambling with my money (though playing the penny slots did cross my mind for a minute), I ended up eating my way up part of the Vegas strip.  Aside from the fact that I should be on a diet and I should be watching what I’m eating (lately the diet has turned into a see food diet and I have to change that); I gave myself no real boundaries, that included my wallet.  

Starting point was Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel.  How did I end up there?  I honestly don’t know.  Guess luck or just being stupid enough to see a line and follow people in thinking the food would be good.  Ok maybe I’m being harsh.  I was famished. I hadn’t had dinner the night before so I was looking for a good hearty breakfast.  The waitress had recommended the Corned beef hash with poached eggs which sounded great, but I was highly disappointed when my plate arrived.  Presentation was good, but the serving size wasn’t quite what I had expected.  I had seen other dishes there with a bigger portions which was more substance.  Remember I was starving!! Scarfed down my corned beef in a few bites.  Learned that one of my poached eggs ended up being overcooked to the point of it being boiled.  Needless to say I left disappointed and wished I went around the corner to the all you can eat breakfast buffet for just a few dollars more. I know better for next time...

Stop two: Well after wandering around in between shops I saw something magical. It was the Honolulu Cookie Company. If you don’t know I was born and raised in Hawaii and the Honolulu Cookie Company is good but not quite good as Big Island Candies. It’s a close second in my book so seeing that shop made me light up. Wandered in for some free samples and of course I had to bite the bullet and buy a few cookies for the road.  Las Vegas is what I call the second Hawaii.  The influx of local Hawaii people into Vegas is very very common, so seeing a Hawaii shop in Vegas always makes me smile.  It’s probably the closest to home I’m getting this year.  

Stop three: Yes yes yes, when I noticed Serendipity 3 on my Vegas map I went bonkers.  I had to make a stop.  I’ve seen it in movies.  I’ve seen people buzzing about it. If I’m not mistaken it’s a New York based shop but I’ve never been, so I had to stop in and have the frozen hot chocolate!!!  Stepped up to the bar and had a heated discussion with the nice bartender over what frozen hot chocolate to try.  There were quite a few of them on the menu.  I opted to go with the original, he had recommended it.  Can we say worth every calorie???? I looked over the menu and I guarantee I will be back.  The fried Twinkie Sundae sounds amazing.  I think I need to diet for a month before tackling Serendipity 3 again. It is complete danger zone.  After I downed every drop of that frozen hot chocolate I vowed that I would actually WALK back to my hotel on the other end of the strip.  I needed that hour long walk to burn off some of the calories I had inhaled.  Bartender was thoughtful enough to give me a to go cup of water for my journey. It was much appreciated.

By the time I got back to my room, it was food coma time. See you again at some point Las Vegas.....    

New Orleans Sunrise

Sometimes my stops on the road aren’t much.  This was another one of them. Nothing special but a few hours of sleep and a hotel room with no view for New Orleans, Louisiana this go around. I did however manage to catch the early morning glow of the sun before it decided to rise.  There is always a certain peace about this hour of the day. Love it.    

Another Check off my Bucket list in DC

Another trip to Washington DC.  This time another item crossed off the bucket list.  Happy to say I finally made it to the top of the Washington Monument. The price of the ticket and the ride up is well worth the price.  I would do it again in a heartbeat, much recommended.  The top of the Washington Monument has 8 viewing windows, two on each side. It’s crowded but not overbearing. They say the tour last a half hour but I took a bit longer than that taking my time along the way.  Posted a few photos from the top.

Since I was at the National Mall I decided to mosey on over to the Lincoln Memorial just to see it and say I got that done too.  Not sure what I’m going to do on my next visit to this city.  I’ve got a laundry list of things to get done and I’m sure in time I’ll manage to get them all done.  Going slow.  Checking one thing off at a time. 

Los Angeles, CA

So I’m notorious for just sitting in my hotel room and popping on my area map and looking at what’s nearby.  That’s usually how I find things to do and it’s usually on a whim. Los Angeles is a city I seem to stop in the most for some reason. No complaints, my old stomping grounds.  My home away from my real home of Hawaii.  So it’s always fun to return to this city.  On this visit I looked on a map and saw a nearby park.  Walked to the park and it was just a baseball field.  Either way here are some photos from that simple walk to the park on a typical LA morning.  

San Diego, California

Every time I come to this city it’s been a very short stop over.  Never long enough to do much and I guess that’s OK.  This is the one city that really does have a lot of personal bittersweet memories for me. I love this city and I love what it has taught me. I realize that this city and the person I think about every time I’m here has completely changed my life and transformed it into what I am living today. On this last visit the one thing I realized is that time, distance and space cannot erase from the heart people that truly matter. I don’t know what is ahead of me in my life journey but I am still grateful for the role he played in my life during the short time we shared here.....  

El Paseo, Texas

Been on the road for I don’t know how many days straight.  Here are some photos of my short time in El Paseo, Texas. Didn’t get to explore a whole lot but then again I’m not sure how much there is to see.  I did learn though Carlsbad Caverns is about 2.5 hours away.  Might have to trek down this way on a future visit just to check out those caves. Adding it to the bucketlist!