Expanding my shoe collection

I admit, when it comes to fashion, my sense is not all there. I am not much of a fashionista, but lately for whatever reason, I have been making sure to look somewhat decent and pulled together. I blame it on the hubs who spoiled me with this bag (thanks honey for such a generous 3 year anniversary present). My logic is this, how can I carry such a fabulous bag if I am looking like such a slob? So- I got hit with the shopping bug- BAD. It seems like ever since we came home from Maui in mid October, I haven't stopped shopping! Even though I took full advantage of the 30% off friends and family promotion from Old Navy/Gap/ Banana Republic, my heart still was not content! Last week I purchased these boots in taupe and I've been wearing them nonstop:

Image via cathyjeansshoes.com

Not to mention these Jessica Simpson boots and also the ones below the weekend we got back from Maui. I haven't worn the Jessica Simpson boots yet, partly I'm in love with anything flat (even though I'm short) because they're so comfortable that I can wear them all day! I am thinking of returning the Jessica Simpson boots, because I probably will never wear them. We'll see though..

image via stevemadden.com

Then yesterday, while partaking in the Black Friday madness for the first time, I scored these babies!

3 images above via aldoshoes.com

Too bad the Aldo store in Mission Viejo didn't have my size, so I have to wait for them to arrive! I can't wait!

Today, I am staying put at home, I will not be perusing items for sale online... maybe we will go for a hike (it's beautiful out!) or I will put up Christmas stuff to distract me from my current obsession- shopping.

Oh how I miss Maui!

After such a stressful month of September, our vacation to Maui in October was a welcomed treat. We had such a good time re-visiting our favorite spots on the island and exploring some new ones. We snorkeled, hiked some, shopped, but mostly we spent the majority of our time at chillaxing at a different (sometimes a couple) beach(es) every day. We come back to the islands time and time again to rest and to get away from the daily grind. We miss Maui and can't wait to be back at the place where our souls are healed and rejuvenated.

Without further adieu, here are (some) of the pictures!

Snorkeling in Molokini

Po'olenalena Beach in South Maui

One of the many honu we swam with during a snorkeling trip in Oluwalu

Hiking in Iao Valley

Fantastic Ka'anapali Beach

Hiking to Honolua Bay. While the bay itself is open to the public, the land that fronts it is privately owned. The owner is more than generous enough to allow tourists (such as ourselves) to open his land so that everyone can enjoy the bay. Once we got there, we saw that the water wasn't clear that day and heeded the landowner's warning about tiger sharks lurking in the water when the water is murky.

At the Old Lahaina Luau

Snorkeling in Oluwalu

Keawakapu Beach

Oh yes, they shared a cocktail..

RIP Papa

On Wednesday, September 23rd, Papa Felix joined the Lord in heaven.

He was vivacious & so full of life and love. Our hearts are heavy and we are so saddened by his passing. We love you Papa, you will be forever missed...

Amazing sunset and hiking pics

On Friday, we took Kona on a walk and brought along our new camera to test it out. Boy weren't we glad we did because we were able to capture these AMAZING sunset pictures! It was so great that random people were pulling over and taking pictures! We even got one of them to take a picture of us :-)

On another note, this summer we have been spending a lot of time outdoors. I have been hiking with a few friends and Fulbert has been riding on the trails around our house. Today, Fulbert and I took Kona on a new trail that he did a couple of weeks ago. We had a good time exploring and the views were superb. We only did a short 2 1/2 mile hike, but it was worth it. Hopefully this weekend, we can go a little longer and explore some more!

Viva Las Vegas!

I finally got around to uploading and sorting through our pictures from Vegas!

We had such a great time- we ate a lot, drank a few cocktails, walked around a lot, people watched and even sneaked in a Cirque Du Soleil show. We definitely enjoyed our quality time together.


Margaritas anyone?

Here's a toast to a fun weekend getaway!

Drool- waiting in line at the Mirage buffet

Waiting for the show ("O") to begin

The Strip in the evening

Blurry pic of us, but I don't care!

We love this view!

Edamame with sea salt and chili garlic sauce- it was yummy!

Inside the Bellagio's indoor garden

Here we are again at our fave spot

Our fave spot during the day time... it's so much prettier at night!

Camping in Reds Meadow Mammoth

So my camera's battery took a dive the first hour we got to Mammoth, but I was able to get some pics from my cousins and looking back at the pictures, it made me smile :-)

We had such a great time and we wish we have the time to go back another time before winter. I am already looking forward to next summer's trip- hopefully we can go up to the Sierras more than once!

What's for dinner? Freshly caught fish- fried using fish fry batter, roasted peppers, camp fire baked potatoes,

and camp fire roasted onions. Yum...I am salivating just thinking of it!

Dinner- up close...

My brother Jonel fishing at Rainbow Falls. He caught most of the fish we ate that weekend!

Me and Kona at Rainbow Falls. I swear that dog did not stop "smiling"

the whole time we were on the hike!

I caught my first fish up in the Sierras! I was so excited!

Kona during our hike to Rainbow Falls. He happily trotted ahead of us careful not to go no more than a few feet ahead,

Of course he was off-leash so that probably had something to do with it! :-)

During our first night, Cameron and Matt caught some crawfish and brought it back to camp.

We cooked it and they feasted on it! They said it tasted just like lobster!

Matt & Cam showing off their

"miniature lobsters"

It took me and my cousin Glenda at least 15 minutes trying to figure out how to use this small can opener!

Next time, bring a regular can opener, it doesn't take up that much room!

Me and the hubs setting up our air mattress in our tent. We are such city slickers!

Fulbert, my brother Joe, Cameron and Matthew enjoyed the trails Mammoth has to offer

iPhone Blogging: Pretty sky

Hubs and I took Kona for a walk along Serrano Creek and as we finished
our walk, the sky turned a beautiful yellow and orange color.

Stay tuned- we're leaving for Mammoth tomorrow night for camping.
Expect lotsa awesome pics! I want to do nothing but hike, fish, sit by
the camp fire and hike some more. Hopefully the weather will
cooperate. Mammoth is supposed to get a little a bit of snow Thursday
nite into Friday morning!