I Smell Something. . . different.

Am I the only one that didn’t know that Victoria’s Secret scent “Very Sexy Now” changed every year? I fell in love with the Brazilian tones of the scent last year, went to buy more last month and it smelled completely different! That’s when the sales associate informed me that it’s all about what’s sexy now, not what was sexy last year.

Humph.

It was my beach scent, Hawaiian scent,
my happy scent and not-too-heavy-scent.

A luscious combination of:

 Papaya zest, exotic Orchid and creamy Coconut milk. 
How could it not smell amazing?

Which leads me to my dilemma:

What do I get to replace it?

Suggestions?

images from: fragrantica.com

Jam

***EDIT***

I just wanted to mention that I was very intimidated when I decided to try making jam for the first time.  But you know what?  It was SO easy!  Maybe some recipes are a bit harder, but this one was extremely simple and it's a freezer jam so you don't have to mess with the canning process.

***end edit***

We are currently in the middle of Rhubarb season (or at least those in the Midwest are) so I decided to throw on my apron and be adventurous!  This weekend I had my first experience with making jam and I have to admit, I was pretty happy with the results!  So happy in fact, it was all documented and is now ready to be shared with the world!
 (Or at least with the 25 people that actually ready my blog.) 

So without further adieu, I present you with. . .

** drumroll please**

Strawberry Rhubarb Jam 
so that you may make this sweet goodness for yourselves!

Hawaii - Part 2

Yes, I've been back on mainland soil for 3.5 months already, but a piece of my heart stayed firmly planted in Maui.  Here are more glimpses of the loveliness of the Island.

Beautiful flowers and Hawaiian blessings were left on my pillow each day.

This lovely waterfall was on the grounds of our Resort.

We passed this gorgeous Hibiscus bush on our way to breakfast each morning.

Longhi's was our favorite restaurant and you could find us

there most mornings before starting our daily adventures.

This particular morning we lingered over French Press coffee

and a warm-from-the-oven blueberry scone. 

What they failed to mention when we ordered

our coffee that it was $15.  Yes, a Bodum of coffee,

holding appox 3 cups worth was $15. 

Have I been living under a rock?

In the town of Lahaina we went on a 2 hour whale-watch and afterwards our guide

said we saw a weeks-worth of humpback whales in that single outing!

Also in Lahaina we stumbled across the Banyan Tree -- so cool!

The perfect ending to any warm day in Hawaii is Shaved Ice.

Soooo delicious!

On this trip I became an Island Girl 

 

and forever fell in Love with the beautiful Island of Maui.

Aloha,