Tag: life

“Godmothered” – A bippity boppity fun and heartful film review

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I absolutely love fairy tales….and princesses and true love’s kiss and happily ever afters. I’m never going to grow out of it, no matter how old I get. I believe that there is magic everywhere.

Which brings me to talk about the newly released, and oh-so-wonderful, feel-good Disney film Godmothered starring Jillian Bell and Isla Fisher.

Jillian Bell plays Eleanor, a naïve fairy-godmother-in-training from the enchanted world of The Motherland. Eleanor is taught to only know of the three-step-formula that leads to happy endings. Eleanor finds a letter from 10-year-old Mackenzie wishing for a happily ever after, and she travels far, far, away to Boston to grant Mackenzie her wish! In the real world, there’s now the adult Mackenzie Walsh, played by Isla Fisher- a 40-year-old single mother, distant to both of her daughters and with a career spiraling downward. At this point in her life, she doesn’t believe in magic and she is certainly skeptical of the concept of happily ever after.

I won’t spoil the movie for you but there’s quite a few humorous references to fairy tale classics, silly, misunderstanding of modern-day technicalities (from Eleanor’s point of view), the comedic timing and chemistry of the actors will make you laugh out loud and smile from ear to ear. Although in the end it gives us a new perspective of what it means to have a happy ending.

“We think that love needs to work a certain way. We’re trapped in a fairytale when the real world is full of so much more. Instead of telling people what true love is supposed to look like, maybe we should let them tell us.” – Eleanor

– GODMOTHERED, DISNEY+

Godmothered teaches us about never giving up, always believing in ourselves, and that not all happily ever afters have to be the same for everyone.

This modern fairy-tale is a must-see this holiday season. Trailer below.

On the fashion side of things, I absolutely loved Eleanor’s pink fairy godmother gown. She never takes it off throughout her time in the real world, but adds to the outfit, making it even more stylish. I mean, not everyone can rock a beanie and winter jacket over a full corset and gown, right?

“Forget ever after, just live happily.” – Eleanor

GODMOTHERED, DISNEY+

<3,

Honey

The Magical World of Ghibli

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Our next Japan trip is only three months away.   As we plan to revisit the magical world of Ghibli, it inspired me to create a quick post to share with you some of my most favorite quotes from Hayao Miyazaki’s creative masterpieces.

 

Not but not least, wise words from the legendary man himself…

Hayao Miyazaki Quote

Sharing with you a shot outside of Studio Ghibli Museum on our last visit to Tokyo in 2018.  Luckily, we were able to book tickets in advance through JTB USA. Can’t wait to go back!

Studio Ghibli Mitaka Honey Aubrey

❤

H

Hello MMXX!!!

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In just a couple of days, we will be ringing in 2020!  What a grand celebration as Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 marks the first day of a new decade, the 20th year of the 21st century and the 20th year of the 3rd millennium!  Not to mention that 2020 is also a leap year!  For ladies wanting to propose to the love of your life, you can do so this year as do the Irish  😉

Most of us go through thoughts of New Years resolutions.  Whether it’s a new diet, fitness program, hobby or personal development, beginning the new year starting fresh always seems like the best time to do so. Sometimes we follow them, most times we break them.

The past few years I have quit on the NY resolutions as I have learned to just be grateful for every single day.  The one thing though, that I consistently have to do is to learn something new.  Never stop learning.  Every day I want to learn something new.  It doesn’t matter about what it is, or who it’s about.  It may or may not even be relevant to my life at the moment, because for all I know it might be useful for something later.  My mind is reminding me every day to “learn something, Honey.”  Growth and continuous education keeps me motivated.  Learning allows the mind to be knowledgeable but still curious, and always wanting more…

Here’s some inspirational quotes to encourage you this upcoming year to go beyond what you know.

Learning_LoveHoney

  • “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” – Socrates
  • “What we have to learn to do, we learn by doing.” – Aristotle
  • “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” – Henry Ford
  • “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
  • “If you are not willing to learn no one can help you. If you are determined to learn no one can stop you.” – Zig Ziglar
  • “Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.” – Confucius
  • “Don’t gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver or gold.” – Bob Marley
  • “Learning never exhausts the mind.” – Leonardo da Vinci
  • “When you know better you do better.” – Maya Angelou
  • “Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” – Albert Einstein

BTW, fun fact I just learned: for those of us born in the 80’s, did you know we would have already experienced living in  four decades (80’s, 90’s, 00’s, 10’s) going into a fifth and we have yet to reach the age of 40?!  That is amazingly mind-boggling when you think about it.

Wishing you a wiser and fabulous, Happy New Year!!!

Love,
Honey

Hello 2017

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Another year, another set of new year’s resolution for most people.  But then again, it’s perfectly okay to not have a specific list for a change.  After all you don’t want to go through feeling like a failure after missing spinning class, or taking a bite out of that delicious-looking brownie midway through Day 3!

How about just some words of wisdom from great minds and big hearts?

Below are some of my fave quotes on celebrating and appreciating another new year…

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR, DARLINGS!
LET’S MAKE 2017 ANOTHER FABULOUS ONE!

Secret Tips to Combat Aging After 30

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Well here I am.

After talking about it for years, months, weeks, days…. I’m finally here.  And yes, for those who have heard my daily rant counting down to this momentous event, this may be the last time I publicly acknowledge it.  I however am not making any promises, haha! 😉

Anywho, in a haze of fabulous shoes, career changes, bridesmaids dresses, blessed godchildren, familial bonding and getting hitched…I managed to somehow get here.  As of yesterday, Dec. 27th, 2016 I reached the point of true adulthood.

A crowned thirty-year-old.

That’s three decades.  360 months. 1565 weeks. 10,957 days.

Oh, and thank you to my wonderful friends and family who greeted and celebrated with me on this fabulous day! Hugs & Kisses!

Amazing how time goes by faster than you know it.  The goal is to age gracefully, yes? Soon enough I’ll be in my sixties, older, wiser, grumpier, wrinklier.  Although at that point of my life, I would love to still feel (and look) like I’m in my thirties, (it doesn’t feel that bad at this moment, kind of glamorous almost) hence this blog post.

To look and feel healthy and young for as long as the hands of time allows can indeed, be possible.

Let’s unveil some secrets to fight off the not-so-glamorous signs of aging.

stopaging

WATER
Water is essential to all living things, making up 2/3 of the human body.  It’s not only important to life itself but also for the quality of life so make it your best friend.  Water is needed in our bodies to transport nutrients to our organs and oxygen to our cells. Water lubricate  joints and eyes and keeps skin healthy by eliminating toxins.  Did you know that when you are dehydrated your body pulls liquid from  your tissues and skin to maintain the balance in your blood?  When that happens, your eyes look sunken and your skin feels dryer, there is no elasticity, hence you look older. Make a conscious effort to drink water to keep hydrated. There is no denying water is the elixir of youth.

MEDITATION
Meditation is important to keep a stress-free life.  Without stress, life is happier!  Stress affects our bodies in more ways than you can imagine.  Our immune system, quality of sleep, our hearts and mind…. our relationship with others can be affected by stress.  Meditation can help relieve stress by focusing on being in the moment and appreciating the present. Studies show that there is an increase of melatonin in our bodies after meditating.  Melatonin energizes the immune system and slows the aging process as it has the ability to repair damaged cells.

ANTI-AGING SERUM
Serums are more lightweight than creams so they are able to penetrate deeper into the skin delivering active ingredients.  Industry fave Estée Lauder “Advanced Night Repair” serum is a must-have. The serum contains the exclusive ChronoluxCB™ Technology improving dryness and dehydration, reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles and restoring radiance.

EYE CREAM
Keep an eye on your peepers! One biggest sign of age is that thin-skinned area under and around your eyes. Crows feet dig in during this decade so commit to purchasing a high quality eye cream such as La Mer “The Illuminating Eye” Gel. Great eye creams protect against the aging effects of the environment, fatigue and stress while making eyes look youthful, energized, and awakened.

SLEEP
There is a reason why we call it beauty sleep. Our cells grow and repair while we sleep and our immune system is strengthened by sleep. The more sleep we get, the less time aging catches up to us. Be sure to get about about 8-9 hours of sleep to keep your mind and body healthy.  If you are a light sleeper grab a cute sleep mask to help you sleep faster and stay asleep.  Besides that, sleeping is absolutely free.  

TEETH CARE
Your smile is one of the first things people notice. Protect it. And keep them guessing about your age by showing those pearly whites!  Brush and floss at least twice a day or after every meal.  Basic habits can go along way.  In advanced technology, now available at your Dentist’ office is a toothbrush designed to build better oral care routines, the  Phillips Sonicare FlexCare Platinum Connected toothbrush.  You can download its coordinating app that offers in-depth tracking of your brushing habits. The toothbrush includes location, pressure, and scrubbing sensors, which allow the app to map out the areas in your mouth that need some work.  What a way to throw off a youthful look with missing, black or rotten teeth!

EXERCISE
Exercising regularly can fight aging by protecting cells and lowering the body’s level of inflammation.  Yoga, due to the extent of stretches and core exercises involved, is believed to help reverse signs of aging such as sagging skin and loss of muscle strength. Endurance activities such as running may also be able to slow down aging.  Benefits of running include a stronger heart, more efficient blood flow and a powerful immune system.  Exercise fights aging by protecting your cells from the ticking clock but make sure that you also protect your body by investing in proper attire and gear.  On a personal note, this is the best time for me to include running as part of my physical activity and to do so properly, I will need to purchase running shoes, like the  NIKE Air Max 2017.  I am in love!
They are the perfect running shoes, but can also be street casual.

HEALTHY EATING
Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that combat free radicals, oxygen fragments that attack cell membranes. Nutrients in fruits and vegetables can also help do everything from preventing wrinkles to killing off cancerous cells. Luckily I have had a pescatarian diet for half my life now (since age 15) so I just have to continue the greenery and fish intake.

SUNSCREEN
SPF not only prevent skin cancer, but it also prevent wrinkles.  A study conducted has proven this to be a fact.  So be motivated to SPF your skin every day. AVEENO Sunscreen with SPF 50 For Face contains sun protection while hydrating skin to keep it soft, smooth and feeling healthier than before you went in the sun.

GREEN TEA
Green tea contain powerful anti-aging and antioxidants that help slow down the skin aging process such as sagging skin, sun damage, age spots, fine lines and wrinkles. The polyphenols in green tea help neutralize harmful free radicals, which can cause significant damage to the skin.  Antioxidant properties of tea help fight off cell damage, can help revive dying skin cells, and even prevents high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Besides green tea, white tea has been shown to slow down the breakdown of elastin and collagen, which is essential in keeping skin look young and supple.

Purposefully, not mentioned in this list is HAIR CARE, which is as important as  those above. If you have time, read a couple of my favorite health and beauty posts “Locks of Youth- Secrets to Luscious Hair” and “Superfoods for Superhair”, both which goes into detail about how to keep your hair healthy and lustrous as it indicates well-being and youth.

The other unsaid secret of youth is laughter.  Lots and lots of it.  I’ll elaborate but I’ll save it for another day 😉

Love,
Honey

The Cloning of X-23

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This past weekend we attended the much anticipated Amazing Hawaii Comic Con. There were a lot of blunders and disorganization expected from a “first-time” event being held here in Hawaii, but I won’t get into that. It was a fun experience overall, and I will do it again next year, although we probably won’t invest in their so-called “VIP Package”, because it did nothing for us. Again, I will not go over that.

This post is about the making, or cloning should I say, of the character that I chose to dress up as, the superhuman, supersexy assassin X23.

X23_Cosplay_HoneyAubrey

Close enough, I guess.   This is my version, as this is the most undressed I will ever get in public.  I wore a pair of high-waisted (versus X23’s low-waist style) vegan leather leggings from Daily Look.  I paired it with a lace bralette from Victoria’s Secret, as I wanted to add a touch of femininity to it.  Lace & leather ;).  The combat boots were bought last minute our nearest Target, the belt buckle accents gave the outfit a she-is-going-to-squash-you look.  Yup, she’s wearing lace, but X23 means business.  The black “choker” was actually bra straps I took from one of my VS multi-way bras.  It proved itself to be very multiway, alright.  Hook and adjust was all it took.   The gloves were from six Halloweens ago when I dressed up as glamour Barbie.  I remember it went well with the hot pink party dress and blonde wig, and mile-high heels.  Thanks, Barbie.  The belt was not really a belt, but a removable strap from a weekender bag I got from VS a very long time ago.  Last but not least, her claws….Just like her backstory, X23’s claws came from Wolverine as well.  Scored an official Wolverine Claw toy from Amazon.  Made of styrofoam, it was very easy to just chop that middle claw, since X23 only has two claws per hand, not three.   I was missing her pendant and the X logo for the belt.  Regardless cosplayers and attendees recognized who she was.

Surprisingly, X23 was noticed more that I thought she would have.  There were so many photo opps requested from all ages, there were even little girls who swears she is their favorite character.

The best comment ever was, “You look so cool.  You are like a Disney Princess that kills people!.”

Absolutely loved it!!!

This is my favorite candid with one of her fans…  (Thank you Natalie Millon & PhotoLuxe for your pictures!)

X23_AmazingHawaiiComicCon_HoneyAubrey

As X23 I also had the opportunity to meet a talented and amazing local artist, Lynne Yoshii, who did such a commendable thing that I admired so much.  I became a fan in an instant!  X23 has not reached the same success in pop culture or in the theaters as other X-Men women characters like Rogue, Storm, Mystique or Jean Gray (just to name a few).  Her following consists of die hard fans or readers of the X-Men / Wolverine series, so I was not expecting a lot of commercial products at the con featuring X23 that I could purchase as a memorabilia.  I searched anyway.  When I was about to give up, I came across Lynne’s booth and browsed through her portfolio.  Then a few pages in,  I saw a stunning sketch of X23.   I immediately wanted to purchase it, only to be told that she was sold out and that was not for sale because she needed it for her portfolio.  I was so sad since this was the only X23 that I saw throughout the whole weekend.  Lynne then offers to give me a “misprint” version of the artprint because they had some issues with the printer on the upper part of the page.  Totally not noticeable at all.  She did not want my money.  I accepted the “misprint” with a gigantic smile on my face.  I was sooo enamored with the artprint, Lynne’s quality of work, and her quality of customer service.  I will never forget what you did for me Lynne.  You created a raving fan, who will always share this story.  I will treasure your artwork forever.

X23_LynneYoshii

Please visit Lynne’s website to see her stunning work of art:

www.lynneyoshii.com

Frolic Hawaii also posted our group photo in front of the Amazing Hawaii Comic Con Red Carpet, featuring X23, Levi Ackerman from Attack on Titan (Bronson), Ken Kaneki from Tokyo Ghoul (Marlon) and Kikyo from Inuyasha (Kelsie).

AmazingHawaiiComicCon_Cosplay

Lastly, for for my cosplayers who are inspired to be X23 in the next Comic Con or Halloween, I created an outfit inspiration board for you, as well as some links on where to get the pieces.

X23_Outfit

Helmut Lang Stretch Leather Legging Pant
Sleeveless Scoopneck
Crop Corset
X-Men Belt Buckle
Gold Chain Belt
Black Choker
X-Men Wolverine Claws
Penny Loves Kenny “Krista” Black Riding Boot

❤

Honey

Peacocks & Paper Cranes

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These past three weeks of my free time I had spent creating beautiful accessories with special meaning and symbolism.

Earrings and pens made from beautiful and vibrant Tibetan peacock feathers symbolizing beauty, grace, enlightenment, protection, renewal and good luck…

PeacockPens_HoneyAubrey

PeacockEarrings_HoneyAubrey2

Inspired by my lucky peacock decor that hangs in my living room, I wanted to share the goodness I feel when I see it…The vibrant hues lifts up any spirit, and encourage a promising tomorrow.

I have also learned to fashion paper crane earrings created from high-quality origami yuzen paper. Various beads, gemstones and pearls are incorporated into the paper crane to create unique earrings- none of the designs are the same.

papercrane earringspapercrane earringsh

Tsuru, or paper crane is a symbol of hope, peace, happiness, loyalty, good health and yes, good luck. Legend has it is you make fold 1000 paper cranes, and you get to make a wish.

My wish in this lifetime, is to sell one thousand paper crane earrings.

Pens and earrings will be posted for sale on my Etsy within the next few days. Hope you like them! They make perfect Mother’s Day Gifts 😉

❤

H

Love & Happiness

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Are you happy?

Happiness is a choice.  Choose it.  It’s not hard.

Just live life as if everything is magnificent, a miracle.  Look beyond the imperfections, the teeny things that don’t matter because there’s bigger more important things that do.  Enjoy, seize and love every moment. In reality it’s not really what you have that makes you happy… or who or where you are, or what you’re doing….It’s what you think. If you’re in a miserable place but you think beautiful, happy thoughts, then you’re happy.  Believe that if you think it, it will be.  So if you want to be happy, there is no other way but to be.

And love?

Don’t go looking for it.  Because it will find you. I promise.

Love yourself first.  Love the world and the people around you, and everything will fall into place.

The person you are meant to be with- he/she will come around.  The secret is to know that the this person, they’re already a part of you.  And when that one day come, you will know. 

So don’t worry…be happy.

Honey Aubrey Millon

New Year, No Resolutions…New Attitude

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Merry new year my darlings!

Mahalo nui loa for all my amazing friends and family who greeted me on my 26th Birthday this past Thursday, Dec. 27th. Hugs & Kisses from yours truly!

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2013 is fast approaching and everyone is getting their New Year’s resolution lists in time to begin midnight Tuesday.

No resolutions for me, no sir. I think it’s more important to have a new way of thinking, a new attitude in the different everyday things we deal with rather than shooting for changing things and people that we can’t control.

As I slowly learn in this life, I have come to acknowledge that the only way to deal with unchanging circumstances (and people) is to change the way you relate to them. The changes you make, this new attitude you have will precipitate change in others.

Some fresh and fabulous ways of thinking to get us through the new year. When you’re feeling down, keep these thoughts in mind. Your new attitude will get you back up and moving.

Follow your heart.
Happiness is yours to take.
This is your life and you deserve the absolute best.
Be kind to yourself.
Embrace possibility.
Believe in your power.
Exceed your expectations.
Mean what you say.
Express gratitude.
Know when you did something wrong and apologize.
Never give up.
You’re beautiful and special and there is only one you!
Love your life and the people who make it worthwhile.

❤
Honey