Oahu's Outer Reaches

[trip style = beach + sun]

A few weeks ago I jetted to Honolulu with Trip Styler Sis, aka Ms. Fashion Friday. Clearly, two months of summer wasn't enough, so we extended it! Seriously though, we did not take it easy and settle into island time, but rather researched and explored like we were on The Amazing Race, only pausing for sunsets. Our mission was two-fold: hone in on Honolulu and wander outside Waikiki.

For six days we drove leeward and windward to Oahu's outer reaches. Our conclusion: Oahu's outlying areas are overlooked, and while day-tripping is well worth it, it does not do the postcard-perfect landscape justice. Secluded beaches, small towns and a tortoise-slow pace of life abound.

Trip Styler Tip :: Back-to-school is a great time to visit Oahu. Flight fares are low---between $350 and $450 return out of SEA or YVR---and crowds are sparse.

Here's where we'd suggest lingering on Oahu's outer reaches:

North Shore Distance from Waikiki: 30 minutes The North Shore is another world---a world I wish I could teleport into daily. Tropical jungles and pastures kiss the beach. Acai bowl stands line the road. Surfers ride bikes barefoot. Locals masterfully and casually change from beachwear to workwear on the roadside {a skill I want to learn}. Humble abodes sit beside surf mansions. Sudden and quick downpours provide a quick break from the heat.

Trip Styler Tip :: Skip the beach parking lots and park {respectfully} on the roadside. Paths like this are everywhere.

Candid shot while beachcombing on the North Shore.

Banzai Pipeline on a calm day.

Chocolate haupia {coconut} pie at Ted's Bakery, a local staple for 50+ years.

Turtle Bay Beach, a protected bay where turtles wander as if we humans aren't around.

Surf scene beside Turtle Bay Resort, the only major hotel on the North Shore aside from Keiki Beach Bungalows, a small inn oriented around sunset and ocean views.

Kailua Distance from Waikiki: half an hour I first came across Kailua by way of a restaurant. While there, I found modern muumuus, ridiculously good shave ice and a gorgeous beach. Oh, it's also where Obama stays when he spends Christmas in Hawaii.

The drive to Kailua from Honolulu; I literally pulled over to take this photo.

Cinnamon's: an Oahu breakfast institution since the mid-80's. Pl-ease order the red velvet pancakes {and then swim a mile at the beach}.

Island Snow: Obama's favorite shave ice served in the back of a surf shop. It's my fave too. Do yourself a favor and order one with the $0.50 cream on top {one block from Kailua Beach}.

Kailua Beach. Calm waters make it ideal for swimming.

Stay: Paradise Bay Resort, a big B&B perched on Kaneohe Bay offering one- to four-bedroom units.

Ko Olina Distance from Waikiki: one hour Ko Olina is a 642-acre master-planned resort anchored by Disney's Aluani, two mega Marriotts and vacation villas. Beyond the gates, there are beaches, grocery stores and a growing local community.

My friend, an Oahu local, told me I had to surf with firemen. Obviously, yes! Not surprisingly, the off-duty firefighter team at Hawaiian Fire operate the safest surf school on the island. Safety first; they use foam boards and base their lessons outside the island's hustle and bustle on a near-deserted beach in Ko Olina with perfect beginner-height waves. I got up on my third try and caught every consecutive wave thereafter. Next stop: Mavericks! Just kidding. After a safety and dry-land surf lesson, we took to the waves.

Surf's up.

I was famished after my surf lesson, so the Hawaiian Fire staff suggested I fuel up at Island Vintage Coffee, where they have macadamia nut-flavored coffee and giant breakfast sandwiches.

Hawaii Kai Distance from Waikiki: 20 minutes Hawaii Kai is a residential community south-west of Honolulu. Many tourists pass it en route to Hanauma Bay. I'm obsessed with it for three reasons: 1} Lt. Commander Steve McGarrett's house from Hawaii Five-O is there, 2} you can buy natural shave ice, and 3} you can hike up a railroad.

Must-do: the Koko Head Crater trail, a black diamond-level vertical climb on an abandoned railway track. I gleaned this travel tip from Hawaii Five-O, my favorite way to armchair travel on Oahu. Note: it’s quite the climb, so wear the right gear and go early to avoid the heat.

Healthiest {and friendliest} shave ice on Oahu: Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha, the perfect accompaniment to a heart-pounding assent. The frosty flavors pictured above were an all-natural concoction of kale-spinach-apple, guava and lilikoi. I'm 99% certain I burned off the treat's calories just lifting my spoon from the cup to my mouth.

Don't Miss 11 Honolulu Hints Spotlight: Oahu's North Shore

[photos by @tripstyler + @heatherlovesit]

Feast Portland, The Sophomore Year

[trip style = foodie + urban]

Fall is packed with a ton of food festivals. Feast Portland is one of them. In case you don't get Bon Appetit on your doorstep or iPad monthly, Portland's food scene is a REALLY big deal, winning more awards than it knows what to do with. Though, in true Portland form, you'd never see said awards displayed---that would be too showy for PDX's earthy tastes.

I went to Feast last September for its inaugural year, and loved it like a just-baked chocolate chip cookie, so when I was invited back for the sophomore showing this past weekend, I grabbed my apron and hightailed it south. Truth be told, you don't actually have to bring an apron, but it does add to your street cred.

For those of you unfamiliar with food festivals, the gastrono-weekend dishes out ingredients from down the road and chefs from across the US---many of whom are PDX based. The schedule runs from Thursday to Sunday and is packed with casual galas, dinner and brunch collaborations between top chefs, tasting panels, speaker series, plus a few free events.

Talking to my fellow Feast-ers, I learned they devoured as much or as little of the weekend’s festivities as their palates could handle. Some chose to take in two or three events, while others packed the weekend tighter than a roast beef. My Feast tendencies fell somewhere in between. After all, to fully understand Feast, you have to stick your fingers into Portland's honeypot {aka the cafes and restaurants around town}.

Trip Styler Tip :: With so many foodies in town, eating out during Feast can get busy, so go to restaurants at off times---think early lunch or late dinner---to avoid waits.

My last night in Portland, I went to one of the marquee events, High Comfort at the Nines, an evening of cocktail dresses and canapés. While daintily nibbling my way through each station at the stand-up affair, I met Jason French, the chef of local restaurant Ned Ludd. Beside the terrarium and driftwood vignette he'd placed on his table, topped with plates of creamed smoked salmon over brioche soldiers, I learned he moved to Portland from the East Coast because it matched his value system. He wanted fresh, he wanted local, he wanted authentic. True to the move, his restaurant's menu changes weekly.

That's the Portland I know. Officially it Feasts in the third weekend of September, unofficially it's all the time.

Know This - Feast takes place the third weekend of September. Dates for 2014 will likely be Sept 18 - 21. - Tickets for the gourmet line-up start as low as $10, and can be purchased in singles or as a package. - Once the 2014 schedule is set, book early to get your prime picks, as many events sell out. - The weekend also has some free events, which are noted in the schedule. - Feel good about feasting; net proceeds go to two Oregon charities. - My top-pick events: the Sandwich Invitational, the Night Market, the dinner and brunch collaborations, the speaker series and the tasting panels.

A Taste of Feast The Thursday evening kick-off event: the Sandwich Invitational.

The scene at the Sandwich Invitational.

Food at the Sandwich Invitational: Portland's Roman Candle Baking Co. served up brioche sliders with peanut ice cream.

Food at the Sandwich Invitational: Duff Goldman of Baltimore's Charm City Cakes offered PB, jelly and bacon.

Food at the Sandwich Invitational: Portland's Lardo created a porchetta sandwich topped with shaved truffles.

Thursday night: Feast dinner collaboration between Aaron Barnett of St. Jack in Portland and Thomas McMaughton of Flour + Water in San Francisco. This salmon crudo is the first course in a six-course meal.

Friday morning: quick stop at Portland's See See Motor Coffee Co.

Friday late morning: early lunch at Luce, a recent Portland dining institution named as one of the 10 best new restaurants in America by Bon Appetit in 2012.

Food at Luce: crostinis with fig and goat cheese mousse.

Food at Luce: garganelli with cherry tomato and chili.

Friday's Night Market.

Night Market bites: rabbit three ways by Portland's Boke Bowl.

Night Market bites: tomato churumuri by Portland's Bollywood Theater.

Saturday: Whole Foods Market Best Butcher Competition and Fishmonger Face-Off.

Saturday Night: High Comfort at the Nines. Food: Oregon berry and sweet corn pavlova garnished in Jacobsen sea salt and honey popcorn candy by Portland's Maurice.

Late Saturday night: Dinner at Ava Gene's, named one of the 2013 top 10 new restaurants in America by Bon Appetit.

Sunday morning: Feast brunch collaboration between Portland's Bar Avignon and Seattle's The Whale Wins.

Sunday brunch: oyster shucking station.

[Photos by @TripStyler, except ava gene's]

Packing 3.0 - List It!

[trip style = any]

I interrupt this month's Oahu and Lanai programming to share a simple packing epiphany: make a list THEN assemble your "wears". Before you close this page in search of more important internet insights, hear me out; this trick can save you hours and a heavy load.

Packing is life for me this fall, so I'm having to be more efficient than usual. Instead of my right-brained approach standing in front of my closet waiting for a flash of fashion inspiration, I've become more calculated. Inserting my little left brain into the mix has saved a ton of time.

1/ Up to three days before my trip, I consider my trip style {ie. urban, tropical, etc.}, the destination and its weather. Then I list my days away, as well as clothing potentials in major categories like "pants," "jackets" or "tops".

2/ I give myself time to craft this list to allow for inspiration and refinement. For me, inspiration comes from fashion blogs and magazines. When I see a classic or on-trend look I like, I incorporate an element of it into my trip fashion. As far as refinement, seeing my list from a bird's eye perspective allows me to spot outfit repeat opportunities, and mix 'n match possibilities.

3/ Then I pack, confident that my approach has eliminated any need for frantic, last-minute editions, which always seem to tip my suitcase scale from collected to crazy.

For example, I'm headed to Portland this weekend for the second-annual Feast food festival {see my 2012 coverage here}. Knowing I'll be learning about food, exploring the town's tastes and going to odd after-party, I'm bringing a mix of denim, plaid---it IS Portland after all---my faux-leather pants and easy-to-walk-in booties. Here's what I'm channeling:

PS. I packed for Portland in 20 minutes.

[photos via google images]

Digging Into Vancouver

[trip style = foodie + staycation]

I recently wrote an article for the Expedia Viewfinder about the cafes and restaurants I repeatedly visit when I'm not on the road, noting: "When I'm not afar, Vancouver is my nearest and dearest; in other words it’s my hometown, and my chow-town where fresh is always in season. ...Here, the noshing norm is as high as the peaks towering over the city. Don't take it from me, when renowned chef Jean Georges Vongerichten visited, he said it best, “Everyone is a foodie here. I love it."

A decade ago, Vancity's dining scene only went after one differentiator: fresh. Fast forward to 2013 and we've realized we can offer a lot more than fresh-to-fork---evidenced by the weekly new restaurant openings I can barely keep straight.

I've included my repeat visit list below and paraphrased the copy for brevity {read the whole article here}. There are SO many more foodspots I could write about, so feel free to comment with your faves.

To Start Medina Cafe, "a Vancouver breakfast institution sprouting a queue of eager eaters every morning. I think it has something to do with the chic and compact waffles..." {instagram photo}

Nelson the Seagull "this minimalist bread and coffee cafe focuses on homemade everything, down to the in-season jams" {instagram photo}

Honorable mention: Le Marché St George + Cafe Bica

To Stop Meat & Bread "another line-up worthy feast sporting a simple lunch menu stacked in hearty staples like overnight-roasted porchetta and the best grilled cheese you’ve ever tasted (trust me!)..." {instagram photo}

Beaucoup Bakery "I love it as much as the Eiffel Tower is tall! The peanut butter sandwich cookie is my personal favorite, as well as the subject of much foodie blog love." {instagram photo}

Granville Island "one of the city’s top tourist stops, it’s a trap worth wandering way into. Locals do it every day for the just-brewed beer, just-caught fish, just-husked corn, just-made cheese, and so on. My parents started me young at Granville Island; I would munch on Lee’s Donuts, they would sip cappuccinos" {instagram photo}

Honorable mention: Bella Gelateria {owner James Coleridge won best gelato in Florence, Italy}

To Finish Farina "pocket-sized pizzeria---there's only 19 seats---in an up-and-coming part of town where the thin-crust, melt-in-your-mouth pizzas are the talk of the town" {instagram photo}

Burdock & Co "it’s not full of gastro-frou-frou, dishes are rich in taste and color" {instagram photo}

Toshi Sushi "sushi bars are more plentiful than Starbucks in Vancouver, thus, suggesting just one is near impossible. If I must, Toshi is one of the best, balancing fresh and inventive plates" {instagram photo}

Honorable Mention: La Mezcaleria + YEW restaurant {instagram photo}

[photos by @tripstyler]

Roam+Board :: Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay

[trip style = luxury + beach + sun]

What If you're an avid Trip Styler reader, you know my stays trend toward indie and petite versus branded and grand. Occasionally, though, I make exceptions for rare and iconic finds. This is one of those times when both descriptors apply, and then some.

The Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay is decidedly different. It's removed, it's unique, and it's personalized. As a guest, your needs are anticipated beyond the Four Seasons standard---an industry benchmark---because staff treat you like you're a long-lost relative visiting town.

Yesterday I lounged poolside overlooking one of Lanai's loveliest sandy beaches. While there, every attendant learned my name, and then proceeded to take pool service to the next level. I thought I'd seen it all in the realm of poolside perks until Dr. Shades---bearing a bright orange shirt with that name---offered to clean my sunglasses and tighten one of the loose arms. Next, a gentleman armed with a holster of Evian mist and a tray of cold towels popped by, as did attendants with trays of treats ranging from beet-wrapped prosciutto to banana-orange smoothies. At that moment I decided two nights wasn't nearly enough.

Spread across the ocean-plunging landscape like a fan, oversized rooms are decorated in muted tropical tones. And, in a nod to the tropics, each features a lanai upon which to savor Lanai. Orchids, beach-chic furniture and botanical-esque gardens round out the rest of the 236-room property. Trip Styler approved.

Where
Lanai is reachable by plane from most Hawaiian isles, or by 45-minute passenger ferry from Lahaina, Maui {$35 each way}.

When
Lanai boasts bathing suit and umbrella drink weather year-round, showing a mild increase in precipitation November - February. However, Manele Bay is on the southern, sun-drenched end of the island, so it stays pretty dry.

Who/Why
You like luxury, but forge a path beyond the oft-visited to get there. You're into removed resorts, the kind with natural nightlights glowing sky-high.

Cost
Rates start around $400 per night---though in low season you can probably find a multi-night deal for less---and include WiFi, in-room Nespresso and poolside perks like smoothies and Dr. Shades sunglasses service. Keiki programs are also complimentary for kiddos aged 5 - 12. And, so you stay healthy on the road, sunset yoga is also included in your room rate. Namaste.

More Roam+Board
The Templar – TorontoEncuentro Guadalupe – MexicoThe Ampersand Hotel – LondonLava Lava Beach Club – HawaiiThe Wickaninnish Inn – TofinoJumeirah Zabeel Saray – Dubai
Find more R+B hotels featured here, plus our it list of worldwide hotel picks.

[photos taken by @tripstyler while as a guest of the resort]