Today's outfit really reminded me of summer and the sunsets I see here in Hawaii.  It's time for Summer, my eldest finishing up his last week of school before summer vacation and while it still seems kind of like Spring here, to me - it is technically Summer Months.  

My Tangerine Orange dress from Old Navy was the perfect fit for today.  It was not only cool but allowed me to be comfortable and still manage to get all of my errands done without fussing with hot clothing layers.   It's a basic high wasted flared dress with eyelet lace detailing.  It is super fun and very flirty.   The dress itself is similar to my Yellow one that I wore in my "You Fill My Heart with Sunshine" Look - but the pattern 
is different in the dress eyelet itself.  I wished I had grabbed all the colors, 
because these are becoming favorites of mine to wear.

For accessories today, I kept with a Gold theme - to match with my Tangerine Orange Dress.  
My accessories for today included:

LOVE Dog Collar Bracelet (Cream and Gold) from ShopLately
Blue Goldstone Bangle from HoneyXO
Rose Bud Wire Bangle from HoneyXO
Princess Cut Amethyst 14K Gold Ring - Gift from my Hubby
Invicta Divers Watch in Gold and Silver - Gift from Hubby
Chunky Chain Necklace from Forever21
Plumeria 14K Gold Stud Earrings - Gift from Hubby

For my footwear - I pulled out my Marco Santi 5 inche Wedges in black.  These are probably one of my favorite sandals I own because they are super comfortable, have a zipper closure on the heel and they are very easy to walk in.  I love that they are so simple in design and go with pretty much any type of ensemble I put together.
I got these wedges from Sole Society a year or two ago and they still remain one of my favorites.

Just like with my other photos - my eldest son captured today's Outfit pics for me.  
He is definitely my little professional photog.  I am super impressed with the images that he 
has been able to capture of me since he started.   This post is a little more pic heavy than most of my OOTD's and that's because I am so proud of the photos he took, I just couldn't choose a few so I put them all. :)

"There's a difference between being confident and being cocky.  I consider myself Confident... because I am proud of my hard work and accomplishments and the road that it is taking me on!" ~ Honey

I think this look of the day really shows a more confident side of me.   The poses came natural and I felt really good about myself - super proud of the weight I'm continuing to lose and the healthier side of me.  I think this post over all the rest definitely shows that off a little more and I'm not trying to be a show-off, I'm just really confident and excited for my journey ahead of me and the one parts that I have overcome so far.

I hope you like today's Outfit Post.  The video embedded below - or click here to watch directly on YouTube has lower resolution images but I thought it was cute to include the slideshow.  You can also see the slideshow below that for all the images. :)

So - I decided yesterday I would try on the Red/Black dress because I had gone out earlier in the day and noticed that my shorts that are usually snug were way too big for me.  I had to use a belt and even tightened my belt an extra notch (hole) to make it fit right.  I was super excited to come home and try on the red/black dress to see if it fit.   To my surprise and happiness the dress not only fit but it was comfortable.  I could bend and move in it without worry and while it hugged my curves, I looked really good in it.  #YAYME!

I took the photo on the left (salmon/white) on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013.   The photo on the Right (black/white) was taken on 5/15/13.  While some may argue that they are two different colors and black is slimmer than any other color, you can totally tell by the shape of my hips that my body is starting to have more definition.  Both dresses are size 2x - though, when I took the photo of the Black and White one a few days ago - I had to tighten my shoulder straps so that it would fit properly.   The dress also hung on me a lot better than the Salmon colored one which was pretty fitted the first time I actually wore it (in the photo pictured on the left).  

Regardless of anyone's opinion - the fact is that I'm down 11 lbs, 2 dress sizes and also down 1.5 pant sizes... super proud that I need a belt or my pants are too loose.  Again... #YAYME!  It's not an easy journey - but definitely one I am working towards and one I am proud I am taking.  If you decide to join me... use hastag #getfitwithhoney and lets have some fun together.

xoxo
Honey

I had the awesome opportunity to work with a long time friend and her family yesterday.  In total there were 22 people that showed up and they were so much fun to work with.  Since I come from a very large family it is always such a joy to see other families come together.  I definitely had a blast. :)

Thank you Berna to you and your family for working with me.  I had so much fun and really enjoyed it.  Wishing you all a lifetime of happiness! ~ xoxo Honey

I go over all of the ingredients in the video embedded or you can watch it here on YouTube.  But here is a list of what I used:

Spinach - a handful
Kale - about 2 branches, just about a cup
Strawberries
Cucumbers
Celery
Raw Almonds
Whey Protein
Distilled Water
Coconut Oil

If you try this - definitely let me know or if you post a pic on Instagram use hash tag: #getfitwithhoney

I have been told time and time again that stripes, especially black and white ones, are not a good choice for a plus sized gal like me when it comes to clothing.  At one time, I completely agreed with that notion and didn't even dare look at a black & white striped outfit or clothing item in years.  But, over the last few years - I have learned that clothes do not make the person, the person makes the clothes.

I had a full day of errands to run yesterday and I had to be comfortable.  Hawai'i has been experiencing a mix between heat wave and rain down pour - so since yesterday was super sunny and hot, this was a perfect choice to wear to allow me to be comfortable and still cool.

What I'm Wearing:
Forever 21 Black / White Striped Hi-Low Maxi Dress
Old Navy Glittery Jelly Flip flops

Makeup: 
Starlooks Lash Primer - lashes
Too Faced Lashgasm Mascara - lashes
L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara - lashes
Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Wink - Lips

There were two little guys that wanted to take a photo with me.  They were in the yard playing and cooling off so they jumped in the photo just before their big brother captured the shot.

So - my darling lovelies... Smile and know that you are beautiful and wear those clothes with pride.  I hope you liked this Outfit post.  Have a wonderful week and a fabulous weekend to come.
xoxo
Honey

So for now... that is what has been keeping me busy.  I have been testing out products for reviews for one of my favorite Beauty Websites and have been busy with that as well as my normal reviews.  And, I have also been made ShopLately blogger, which means you will be definitely seeing more OOTD and LOTD posts from me.  I'm always hoping to do one every 2 weeks if I'm lucky.  I'm super stoked because my eldest son has been the one to help me out with my photos for those posts - he makes me so proud... as a Photographer, I am so humbled that he can take such awesome images :)

Alright - I think that I have done enough updating lately.  I am going to be working out a schedule to balance out work and personal life since I'm back in the grind once again.  Now - not only do I have HoneyXO, but Ho'onani Photography and of course, HoneygirlsWorld.  Busy Busy Busy!

Wishing you all well and thanks so much again for your continued support.

xoxo
Honey

As many of you know - I am a huge body butter and lotion lover.  I have a few of my favorite brands and turn to those when I am not softening my skin with my favorite all natural moisturizer - coconut oil. 

About 2 months ago I was sent some products by My Natural Addiction's owner - Breanna.  She is super sweet and as a huge supporter of small indie and homemade/natural companies - I am very proud to see how far her company has grown since it started less than a year ago.  The company is unique in that it offers All Natural Products for all skin types.

I have been trying the JuJu Cream from My Natural Addiction for over a month and I am very impressed with the moisture it offers.  There are a few things that did not work for me - but like all products, I think there are always pros and cons and I am still very much impressed with Breanna and her business.  

The Juju Cream is $4.50 for a 1.15oz container.  You can choose from 8 or more different scents to add to your lotion.  Now, I have seen photos where this product has worked for others - especially those with eczema.  So - it may be an awesome product for most with eczema or dry skin problems.  The cost of the product is awesome - definitely affordable and the formulation is not oily or sticky as some companies may offer.  I love that it smooths on very easily and I hate sticky lotions, so the formulation and texture of the Juju Cream is great.   While the scent did not last long on my body or in the jar and reminded me of an unscented lotion - it still moisturized well.  The one thing however, was that the moisture capabilities did not last me an entire day as other brands' lotions normally do (or my coconut oil for that matter).  I lost the moisture in my skin after a few hours and had to reapply.  But - I am still happy that I didn't have any funky residue or oiliness left on my skin after application.  The cream is Paraben Free and offers a wide range of oils and that are good for the body so again, at that price - you really can't beat what you are getting for its affordability.

As a business woman and someone who wears many hats - I am very proud to see her business flourish and it's wonderful to see so many woman empowering themselves for better futures.

Please be sure to watch the video (embedded above) or click here to watch via YouTube.  I have gone into complete detail of how the product worked for me and so forth.

Thank you so much Breanna for giving me the opportunity to try your products and most importantly for thinking about me and my eczema and taking the initiative to try and help - it truly means a lot to me.  From the bottom of my heart - I wish you much success.

xoxo
Honey


FTC: The items/products I discussed in this video/post were sent to me complimentary by the company (My Natural Addiction formerly dba My Pretty Little Addiction) for review and consideration. My thoughts and review was my own, unbiased and 100% honest. I was not paid to provide this review for MNA.

Thoughts of You make all the Gray Skies Blue!  Yesterday's Outfit of the Day includes a couple of special guests, so click on the "Read More" button below and see who joined in on the fun with me.

It amazed me so when I went to bed on Sunday night to rain drops on my roof and woke up to an overcast, drizzle and down pour filled day.  Knowing that I was going to be doing some heavy duty grocery and food shopping yesterday, I dressed for comfort and wanted to be warm but in layers in case the day warmed up.  Let's face it - living in Hawai'i, it can rain one minute and the sun can shine super bright and warm the next so I didn't want to be caught off guard.

I was super duper proud of myself.  If you have been watching my vlogs you may know that I have changed my diet up a bit and because of that and a lot of exercise, I have trimmed down and lost some weight.   A few months ago - I could not fit in these skinny jeans, they were super snug and didn't fit well at all.  Yesterday, they not only fit - but were much looser than what I was used to and because of this I had to use a belt.   YAY ME! 

Sweater - Poncho style sweater from Old Navy
Purple V-Neck Tee from Old Navy
Dark Wash Skinny Jeans from Z-Cavaricci from Torrid.com
 Z. Cavaricci Black Suede Slouchy Buckle Boots - 3 inch heel from Torrid.com

I consider this Outfit of the Day a huge success.  Why, you may be asking?  Well, I have been struggling to get my OOTD's photographed for over a year now.  My hubby's schedule for work is crazy - so it has been hard for him to take my photos and it drives me nuts that as I photographer, no matter how you set the camera up - it never seems to work out when taking self full body shots.  But - you will be seeing much more Outfit posts moving forward because I have a little photographer in training.  All the images taken (with exception to the one of the boys) were taken by my eldest son Kevin (Ka'eo).   It's in his blood and if this is the career choice he wants to take in the future, I'm so happy that he will have the skills needed to start.  I am loving the photos he takes... What do you think?

THE BOYS

• Isaiah (left) is using a Plaid long sleeve button up from Faded Glory with drawstring Cargo Shorts from Old Navy in Black.  He is sporting his blue rubber boots that are very popular and a fun thing to wear for Hawai'i kiddos.
  
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• Luke (right) is using a Plaid long sleeve button up from Faded Glory with drawstring Cargo Shorts from Old Navy in Smoke Gray.  He is sporting his dark blue rubber boots that are very popular and a fun thing to wear for Hawai'i Kiddos.
  
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• Kevin aka Ka'eo (middle) is using a Olive Green Ninjago T-shirt with dark wash denim cargo style shorts.  For his footwear, he chose to use his Shaq Kicks.