Aloha to the world of blogging Today

Aloha to the world of blogging Today

As a nod to summer and my very first blog post, I've decided to get into the Hawaiian spirit of things. Because we can't go on a tropical vacation this summer due to the fact my husband is chained to his desk 24/7 (he's a first-year associate at a hotsy totsy law firm) and I'm currently in search of job number seven (but who's counting), I'm bringing the steamy, Plumeria-scented days and nights to the World Wide Web.

Fanciful hibiscus sequin pieces from revolutionary Indian label, Ashish, are embellished with my favorite 80's adornment, the metal spike (pictured above). Emporio Armani's Lycra sandals are on my splurge list as they combine the classic Hawaiian shirt print with modern sophistication, becoming the perfect shoe for an evening of Waikiki shopping. And, newly released swimsuits from one of my bodacious blond girl crushes, Tori Praver, are unique, colorful and totally wearable. These selections are all inspired by a single page I spotted and fell head over heels in love with in this month's Elle.

All my besties know I would've walked down the aisle in a couture, custom-made Vera Wang bikini with matching sky-high wedges. Therefore, I think my first go at this blog "thing" is very fitting. So, light up a fruity candle and enjoy the fashions you're about to see while trying out one of my favorite childhood recipes for Pineapple upside down cake (see recipe below). If you're not a fan of this old-time favorite, you will be after seeing how easy it is to make and how buttery it tastes for breakfast, brunch or even a midnight snack. Acting as a dinnertime dessert is really not its strength; that's why you've probably turned your nose up at it in the past. 

The Aloha shirt is a style of dress shirt originating in Hawaii. It is currently the premier textile export of the Hawaii manufacturing industry. The shirts are printed, mostly short-sleeved, and collared. They usually have buttons, sometimes as a complete button-down shirt, and sometimes just down to the chest (pullover). Aloha shirts usually have a left chest pocket sewn in, often with attention to ensure the printed pattern remains continuous. Aloha shirts may be worn by men or women; women aloha shirts usually have a lower-cut, v-neck style. The lower hem is straight, as the shirts are not meant to be tucked in.

Aloha shirts exported to the mainland United States and elsewhere are called Hawaiian shirts Polynesian motifs and are worn as casual, informal wear. and often brilliantly colored with floral patterns or generic

Traditional men aloha shirts manufactured for local Hawaiian residents are usually adorned with traditional Hawaiian quilt designs, tapa designs, and simple floral patterns in more muted colors. Contemporary aloha shirts may have prints that do not feature any traditional Hawaiian quilt or floral designs and instead may have such elements as automobiles, drinks, sports team logos, or other elements arranged in the same pattern as a traditional aloha shirt.

Aloha shirts manufactured for local consumption are considered formal wear in business and government, and thus are regarded as equivalent to a shirt, coat, and tie (generally impractical in the warmer climate of Hawaii) in all but the most formal of settings. Malahini (newcomers) and tourists (visitors) often wear designs of many bright colors while Kamaaina (or those who have been living in the islands for a long time) seem to prefer less busy patterns. These shirts often are printed on the interior, resulting in the muted color on the exterior, and are called "reverse print". For those not familiar, it may appear to be a defect in manufacturing as the shirt appears to be sewn together inside-out.

The related concept of "Aloha Attire" stems from the Aloha shirt. Semi-formal functions such as weddings, birthday parties, and dinners are often designated as "Aloha Attire", meaning that men wear Aloha shirts and women wear muumuu or other tropical prints. Because Hawaii tends to be more casual, it is rarely appropriate to attend such functions in full evening wear like on the mainland; instead, Aloha Attire is seen as the happy medium between excessive formality and casual wear. "Aloha Friday," a now-common tradition of celebrating the end of the workweek by wearing more casual attire on Fridays, initially grew out of an effort to promote aloha shirts. Although not uncommon to see professional women participating in Aloha Friday, it is more common to see men dressing this way.