BUSY BEE= My time is VALUABLE.

Hi, Fashionsistas!

Sorry, have not posted anything lately.  "Da Lumpia Lady" has really taken off!  I am sooo busy with that, I barely have time to post anything on the blog.  Don't get me wrong, I am ecstatic that everyone on Maui has embraced our lumpias!  

We have even gotten to the point where we are SELLING our sauce!  

Anyway, I recently received an email from a Mother of a 3 month baby asking where I find the time to run my 2 businesses, take care of my 2 babies, and throw in a workout.  Let me tell ya, it is not easy.

My time is VALUABLE and I adhere to some sort of a schedule to get through the day.

An example of my day would be something like this:

5am- Wake up, Answer Tiel emails and pack items, pump milk

7am- Run/workout

8am- Babies are up.  Feed, change, etc.

10am-3pm= I am either at the "Da Lumpia Lady" food truck with Kailea, or in the commercial kitchen getting lumpia together

3pm- Running errands

5pm- Take Kiana to the park in our neighborhood

6/7pm- Make dinner

That is just a broad example of how my day is. 

 Not to mention, while the kids are eating- throwing a load of laundry in.  When they are sleeping, cleaning the kitchen, etc...  I also have to throw in eating and the occasional bathroom break- FOR ME, too!  I do not have much of a social life and I don't even know the last time I watched something on TV that was NOT a cartoon show.  But it's okay, I LOVE what I do.

My advice to moms would be- if you do not love it, don't do it.  Then it will just get monotonous and you will not want to do it.  It is HARD work.  Super hard.  Sometimes I get frustrated- but at the end of the day, I love lumpia and have a passion for fashion... so it COMPLETES me.  Not saying my babies don't complete me, but my businesses put a smile on my face.  It is not for everyone- I am a workaholic.  Between my businesses and my babies- I don't really get out much.  But I do know that once the kids are in school, I will have LOTS of time during the day.  Now is the time to be the best mom possible and set myself up for success.  I do wish I started my businesses before I had kids, but this will make a good story later!  

However, I also encourage Moms to follow your dreams.  Just because you are a "Mom" now does not mean your dreams/goals have to go on the back burner.  You always hear how when kids leave for school/college, the Moms are always wondering what to do with their newfound time... well, take that time to do what you have always dreamed of!  Or if you have babies, make it a point to get that workout in or take 1 class a semester or read a book when you are breastfeeding, etc.. you get the idea. It's hard work but in the end it makes it soo much more rewarding once you have accomplished it.  

You will not be a "bad" mom if you are not constantly staring at your baby!  Make your baby your first priority but make sure to schedule in YOUR time.  

We have just hired our VERY first employee so my time will "free" up a little to the point where I can BLOG a little more.  For me, "blogging" is therapeutic, I love to write.  My grammer sucks, but lets blame that on my babies sucking my brain cells out! HAHA! KWIM?!?! My ultimate goal would be to be a published writer, but I have WAY too much on my plate now so that will have to be later on down the road.  

"Da Lumpia Lady" is now open!

Yesterday was our FIRST day of being open!  Our hours are Monday- Saturday from 10am-3pm.  Anyway, our very FIRST customer ever- came a few minutes before 10 because she saw on Facebook we were open.  She said she just got done with her "Zumba" class and wanted to try it.  

That is MR. Lumpia in the picture with her! LOL

We have 2 types on the menu: "Hapa"- a mixture of beef, potatoe, beans, carrots, and special seasonings.  "Local"- a mixture of pork, beans, carrots, and beans sprouts!  All come with our house sauce!  By 2pm- we sold out of the "Hapa" and at 3pm we sold out of "Local!" 

Our lumpias are FRESH.  Meaning, not frozen and rolled THAT morning.  Yup, slaving away to bring Maui the best lumpia eva. Period. Ha! 

While, it may not be a big deal to some, to me- its a huge deal!  The recipes are MY own recipes, not passed down or anything.  I am a lumpia fanatic so I tweaked everything until I got what I wanted to eat.  So to me, the fact that we sold out- meant that everyone liked it!  Which means they like MY recipe!  If you are a cook, you know the feeling.  Nothing worse than people NOT liking your cooking/recipe.  KWIM?!  

You see my introduction?  And the bottom, I mention how I want to start a lumpia truck.  Anyway- I kept saying how I wanted one to my husband.. and within a 3 week time frame we got one made, permits done, and secured a permanent spot!  Yes, in 3 weeks!!! Sometimes in life, you just gotta do it! Initially, I was nervous.  "What happens if noone comes?" "what happens if they don't like it?"  Plus, what are we gonna do with the babies?  We enrolled Kiana in the BEST daycare I found on Maui, (they are like a mini "school" and she even acts "older" now, it is crazy) and I decided to just take Kailea with us!  

She helped me take the orders and Walt cooked!

As you can see, if you believe in a dream/product, nothing should stop you.  It is hard work, let me tell you.  Every morning I have to get up and make the lumpia at a commercial kitchen, and make sure all my Tiel work is pau.  Why do I do it?  Because I believe in myself.  I believe that my lumpia is awesome and I believe in having great fashion at affordable prices.  PLUS I think I am a workaholic.  LOL.  I LOVE to be busy.  Bye, Bye already non-existent social life.  Teehee!

By the way, I am helping 2 other people achieve their dreams/goals right now.  In fact, I will share their stories on a later time.  Due to my husband's urging (again, super BLESSED he supports me in everything), I am starting my own consultant group.  "Spangler Consultant Group" at your services!  In a few months, the website will be up so you can see what we offer.  Basically, because I have an idea on all the ins and outs of starting a business, including the tax side- I wanted to HELP others achieve success as well.  I don't care what your dream/goal is.  As long as you want to do it and believe in it, everyone should at least try.  You know?  What's the worse that can happen?  You try and it does not work out, OR you spend the rest of your life NOT knowing.  And I think that is worse.  

If you have an idea/product that you need help with, feel free to email me at SpanglerCG@yahoo.com! Yes- between the Ohana, Tiel, WOM and Da Lumpia Lady; SCG is it.  That is the last of my services! BUT I am starting a PRODUCT now. LOL You know it!  Keep a lookout!

SIDENOTES

1- Pau= means "finish", to be "done"

2- Ohana= means family.  But you already knew this! LOL

First Family 5k and "WOM"

Well, I did it! Ran my FIRST race with both the girls.  Let me tell ya, it was not easy but it was not too hard, either.  We ran the "Run til You Are Green" 5k, yesterday!  My unoffical time was 27:03!  Yes, with both girls!  Of course, my husband came in third overall!

  Man, pushing a double BOB is tough when you are just running, but in a race- that's a different story!  You have to make sure you aren't in anyone's way and you have to be able
to have room for the stroller when you pass people.  I started in the back, so I would like to think that my time is actually faster! LoL.  I also like to think that since I could not pass people- I was in the back, that it affected my time as well! (Haha!! Anything to make me feel like I was faster! KWIM?!)
  I bet you are wondering why I pushed the double BOB and not my husband?? Well, my husband is VERY fast.  He came in 3rd with an unofficial time of 16:30.  HE is THE runner of the family.  Cause he is fast as sh*t!!  He always wants to win his races and because he probably could, I told him, "Don't worry about the kids- I will run with them."  My husband supports my crazy ideas, the least I could do is support his passion!  I got tired of not having a babysitter to watch his races, so I said, "Screw it! I am going to run with them!"
Although, my husband is the fastest one in the family, he is not the only runner.  We did meet on the same track team in 6th grade!  He takes running a bit more seriously/competitively than I do.  On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the extreme), he is probably a 15 when it comes to running, while I am a 6/7.  However, my husband is bringing my competitive side out!  I mean, I am a Capricorn and all! LoL!  If I am going to run with a double stroller- I am going to be the fastest runner with a stroller!  Ha!

Before my husband came into my life, My running background consisted of a few runs in college.  I guess you could say I was the runner out of my friends.  We all lived close to each other, and I would just run to their house.  I did make it a point to run because it is just what I do.  I feel so much better after a run! KWIM?  I wish I did more races- because I think I was wayyy faster then than now!  I remember my friends and I decided a WEEK before to do the "Great Aloha Run" (8.1 miles) and we allll went out the night before.  I remember we were all hanging in the car and puking right before the race! Haha! Oh man, I miss college and days like that!  As you can see, I did not do that bad, considering I stopped to puke in the bushes a couple of times! HAHA!  After that, I did one more race- graduated from UH and moved to Vegas (2007).  I did not do any more races until I (re)met my husband and we did a 5k togethor (2009). I am not that fast, but with my husband winning left and right- it makes me want to be faster!

My 2 races in college! HA! Bottom is the "Great Aloha Run." It is pretty popular here in Hawaii.

And that would be my FIRST run with my husband!  Athlinks.com is pretty cool!  You can see all your race times.

After moving to Washiongton state (2011), I wanted to start getting into races with my husband.  It is just sooo cold before summer time hits, that you don't have the motivation to go outside and run.  And I hate running on a treadmill!  I still did as much as I could because I don't like not running.  I eat like a teenage boy, so If I don't run the little mileage I do- I would prob be 500 pounds.  Seriously, if you knew how much I ate- you would be surpised too!  I plan my day around my meals! "Nope, we can't go there during that time.  Why? Because it is lunchtime.  Speaking of- what are we eating for lunch?" Yup.  All the time.
Anyway, long story short- my husband had to get deployed; so I decided to go home to Maui and figured "Hey, why not do the Great Aloha Race while I am there?" So I started training and then found out I was pregnant! Oh, the irony.  However, that did not stop me!  I read articles on pregnant people doing marathons (that's a little too much for me pregnant or not), and figured if those women can do it, than I can run an 8 mile race.  Sooo I ended up running that BETTER than when I ran it- not pregnant.  I was about 5 months pregnant with Kiana at that time.  I also did a 5k race before and 10k after.  10k was not as good as I wanted because I was BACK in Tacoma and it was raining.  I can assure you, running in the rain sucks and I don't ever want to that again. Period. Haha!

Isn't that crazy? I ran the "Great Aloha Run" in 2012 better when I was pregnant, as opposed to above picture that showed my time in 2007!  Well, I was not hanging that time! Teehee!

I did not do any races after my daughter and then, ironically, when I started running again- guess who was pregnant?? AGAIN??  I tried to run as much as I could, but was not able to do any races pregnant with Kailea.

Now that we are back on Maui and the sun wakes me up at 7am, I have been making it a point to go running with the girls every morning (okay, maybe not EVERY morning- but most! LOL).  No excuses!! I may have 2 babies, but that will not stop me! I love my beer! LOL  Initially, I was scared to run a race with them but after doing it- I realize its not that bad.

So what's the moral to this story?
I get emails all the time from other women saying that they can't believe I have 2 babies.  While I feel good about it, it is also hard work!  Trust me.  I have to make sure I do some kind of HARD physical activity OR I would have to get carted everywhere!  I hope that I can encourage all those other woman out there to get motivated!  I gave a little back ground on my running history because I want to encourage those to practice being healthy even when you are pregnant.  DON'T PUSH IT, but keep active.

If I can make time in my day- to get a run in or do some pushups, etc.. YOU can, too!  I have 2 babies and 2 business but I always try to make time for it! NO EXCUSES! I don't have a babysitter- so the girls come running with me or I do exercises with them.

Also, if you follow our instagram @shoptiel- I post workout tips or a healthy meal recipe every now and then.  It is something that I like to do.  When I ran in pageants (ha, yes! I did a few.. back in 2002 and 2004)- my platform was, "Living A Healthier Lifestyle!"  So I guess you could say being healthy is a passion of mine.  Notice how I said HEALTHY and not skinny?!?! Do not get the 2 words misconstrued.  You don't have to be a size 2- to be healthy.  Remember that.

Anyway, I am actually on my way to getting a personal trainer certificate!  YES!  But in the meantime- those that LIVE on Maui, you can join me for "WOM!"  That is right!  A spin on "WOD."  "WOM" means- "Work Out Mom."  I am planning on doing some runs and workouts at Keopulani Park in the mornings, WITH your kids.  I want to show you that you can get a workout in, even without a babysitter!  Plus, the park is there so after you can let your kids play, too!  If you are interested in attending one- please email me at tiel808@yahoo.com.  I will bring weights, too.  Think of it as a mini boot camp with your kids!  And yes, we will be running the LONG trail! LOL

DA LUMPIA LADY

FashionSISTAS!!  I did it!  This is the project I have been eating, breathing, and sleeping on for weeks.  If you check out my "intro" to this blog- in the last line, I stated that a personal dream of mine would be a lumpia food truck......

Behold- "Da Lumpia Lady" food wagon!!!  

What is lumpia?  If you follow my instagram,  I posted this mouth-watering picture of the lumpia I made for my Auntie's party a few weeks ago.

Lumpia is a thin rice paper wrapped over filling and then fried.  Typically, these are known as "egg-rolls."  Lumpia is pretty much a party in your mouth.  A taste of heaven, if you will.  The best thing you will ever eat.  Period.  

I am OBSESSED with lumpia.  My instagram name is @lumpialuva because... well, it's self explanatory.  My family would always make sure lumpia would be served at all family events- because if not, I would not go! LOL Just kidding.  But if you tell me lumpia is being served, I am there an hour early! Haha!  Anyway, it is always hard to find lumpia.  And to find GOOD lumpia.  I want lumpia fresh and fried right when I order it.  It is like french fries, only good fresh or if you wait too long to eat it- it becomes soggy.  AND you HAVE to have the right sauce with it!  That is key. Not sweet and sour or ketchup or tabasco- or whatever sauce.. it has to be the Filipino style sauce: vinegar, minced garlic, and chilli peppa!  And it can't just be vegetables inside.  If I am going to eat something DEEP FRIED- lets make it worth it! KWIM?!?! (I am not a complete health food freak, but I am aware of what I eat.  If I am going to eat something deep fried- it better be something sooo delicious that I don't mind the extra workout! LOL)

Anyway, with all that being said- my husband, who absolutely LOVES my lumpia recipe, helped propel my idea of JUST selling lumpia- into a reality.  (My husband is great.  I hope everyone has a partner who supports everything you want to do and helps you achieve your dreams!) I have always said I wanted to open a restaurant that just serves a million different types of lumpia. Just lumpia.  Plain and simple.  So we are doing it!

We figured out all the paperwork, permits, etc.. to get a lumpia food trailer going!  It was a lot of hard work.  We literally started from the bottom.  Having never opened any type of food establishment, we researched everything and got a trailer made!  

We hired an amazing builder (email me if you want his information), and he worked with our vision!  The colors are obviously my idea! LOL Don't they look familiar?? That's right- it is the color of "Tiel Boutique!"

After a few weeks of busting a$$ to get this going- we are READY!! We should be opening up next week!  Unfortunately, it is only here on Maui.  If we get bigger, I hope to open up in a city near you!  Oahu will be the next place and then the wooorrrllld!! LOL 

Where will we be at???  You know the food truck area by Costco on Maui?  That will be our PERMANENT spot!  We are shooting to be open Monday at 10am-2pm.  Follow our instagram @dalumpialady and our facebook page, "Da Lumpia Lady" to see when we will open!! 

PS- We also cater for parties.  Email us at dalumpialady@yahoo.com for more information!

What is ALOHA? And how does one "spread it?"

If this is your first time visiting my blog, "Welcome!"
OR as we would say in Hawaii, "E KOMO MAI!"
 Obviously, I am from the gorgeous islands of Hawaii- Maui to be exact.  

After moving away after college, and living in the "Mainland" for a few years, it is nice to be home again!  It's really true how much you appreciate something when you don't have it anymore.  Now that I am home- I am always like:  "look at that sunset," "the water looks so peaceful today," "that flower looks soo pretty," etc.. Things that when I lived here before- I never really took the time to look and admire it.  And now I have a much  more deep rooted appreciation for my islands.

I also appreciate our culture more.  Especially the "ALOHA."  If you are an avid follower on our instagram @shoptiel, you would see I sometimes use #aloha or #spreadthealoha hashtags.  

What is ALOHA??

According to Wikipedia (I use this for everything. LOL):  Aloha in the Hawaiian language means affection, peace, compassion and mercy.  
In Hawaii, we also use the word "Aloha" to say "Hi" and "Goodbye."  
It is also used in reference to how one should live. 

    
  "Spread the Aloha"- 
is a saying that we use a lot here in the islands.  It is a way of life for us.  It means: to show compassion for others, always lend a helping hand, be mindful of one another's feelings, take care of the land, treat everyone with respect, do unto others as you would have them do unto you, be kind, show respect, etc.. etc..  You get the picture.  Those 3 simple words- explain a lot of the Hawaiian culture.  

Hawaii is truly the "Land of Aloha."  

Since I reach such a broad range of people from California to Florida, all the states in between, AND even overseas- I feel like it is my duty to share ALOHA and our culture with you all.  
Alot of the items I sell on our website (www.shoptiel.com), reflect the way we dress here in the islands.   I am also aiming to share a little of our culture with ya'll as well.  Maybe throw in some recipes, pictures of beautiful beaches, recommendations on where to go, etc.. just because I want to.  I mean, I just want to "Spread the Aloha" with everyone!! 

Not everyone is lucky enough to get to visit Hawaii.  Let alone Maui- the best island! LOL  Hopefully, through me, everyone will get a taste of the "Aloha" spirit!!! 

Pinterest Experiment #1- Long lashes

Hey FashionSISTAS!  Hope ya'll are having a great week so far.  It is almost the weekend.. almost! LOL!  But as other Moms can vouch, what is the weekend?  I mean, it's just pretty much another day for us.  KWIM?!  

Well, a few weeks ago- I posted on Instagram, a picture I found on Pinterest, about a "natural" way to grow your eyelashes.  If you are married to a man like my husband, who has eyelashes for daaayyysss (I mean, really.  It is not fair!)- you would start to get a little self- conscious about how short your lashes are, too.  I can only hope that our baby girls get their dad's genes in that area!  So when I saw that Pinterest tip on growing eyelashes, I thought I would share with everyone else!  The Pinterest picture simply said to "add 1 drop of lavender oil to your mascara to promote growth."  What?!  That's it!?!  I am on top of it, Rose!   

So I did it.

I got my oil from "Whole Foods" and the mascara is one of my favorites- that probably had half of it left.  Okay, here is where I think I messed up.  Instead of adding just ONE drop, I thought "the more lavender oil, the better"... right?? WRONG.  LOL  I will touch base on that later.
I added about 4-6 drops, shook it, and applied to my eyes that night.  I woke up and rushed to the bathroom mirror to see if my shorties could rival my husband's!  Nope.  Needless to say, it does not work overnight.  Anyway, I would use the mascara sporadically... because I would forget to use it everyday.  (I am not sure if ya'll have heard about the "pregnancy brain syndrome"- but when you are pregnant you tend to be forgetful and lose things.  I can assure you, I was like that before my pregnancies, but during AND after it was/is 10x worse!  Even 5 months after my 2nd baby- I still suffer from this "disease." LOL)

Well, I noticed that sometimes after I would apply the mascara, I would feel kinda sleepy.  It took me awhile to put the two together.  I was like "Wow, I just woke up- but I feel like I need a nap already."  Once I concluded it was on the days that I applied the special mascara- I figured, I better see what else lavender oil is "suppose" to do.  Ummm, hello!  According to Wikipedia, lavender oil aides in relaxation!  HAHA!  So by putting MORE drops than needed- I was actually making myself feel more relaxed and sleepy! So if YOU want to try this- PLEASE only add one drop!

Now for the question everyone wants to know:  "Did it work?"  Honestly, I don't know.  I did not use it everyday.  And I barely use it now since, as mentioned above, I tend to get sleepy.  I would LIKE to think it works.  As far as the length of lashes, No- I have not seen any change.  If anyone else tries it, and applies it everyday (for a month)- let me know what your thoughts are.  However, I still do use it from time to time- because what do I have to lose??

I do know one thing.  If you need help sleeping, apply lavender oil to your pillow.  Thank me later.  I am now an advocate on essential oils.  Once I realized just how well lavender oil worked in making me relax and sleepy- I just had to find out about all the other "essential oils!" Needless to say, I now make my own bug repellent spray (my daughter, Kiana, gets EATEN ALIVE by misquitos)- of which I will give the recipe in a later blog when I write about all my essential oil uses!

Oh and did you see my last instagram post on my dream book nook??  Well, being the Book Worm that I am- here is a great book to download/buy:

"Are you there, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea"- it is soooo funny!  I can't believe I have not read this book before!  I highly recommend it!  Just a fair warning- her book is NOT politically correct.  It is written the way she talks on her show.  That being said, if you don't like her explicitness- then don't get it.  LOL

SIDENOTE- 

<KWIM> = My acronym for "Knowwhatimean?'

"ELF" is not just a movie title!

Hey FashionSISTAS!  (It's like "fashionISTA- but with a spin!  You know,  fashion sister= fashionSISTA Get it?!?  French class, ha! << Name that movie!  Oh, I tend to throw in random movie quotes in my everyday life.  Just something I do.)  Here is another blog on some makeup products that I tried out for the first time this weekend.  As stated before, now that the blog is up- I am eager to "blog" away!!  Let's see how long this lasts! LOL

  Anywho- for those that follow our instagram page, I mentioned that this past weekend I got to try some ELF products!  For those of you that don't know what ELF is, it is a makeup brand that stands for Eyes, Lips, and Face!  Pretty clever, huh?  I first heard about the brand on everyone's favorite- Pinterest!  I am not sure where else to buy it, but I found these items at Target.  (Otherwise known as "tarjeet"- silent "t".)

No, we don't have a Target on Maui- I went back to Tacoma for the weekend for my good friend- Aiza's Baby Shower.  Doesn't she look great?  Babies are such a blessing.  Hard work but fun!

Sisters!  Let me tell you!  I was SHOCKED to see the prices for this brand.  All brushes are $1!! And everything else is $3!  When I say- "everything else," I mean everraayythang.  Everraaaythang?  Everrayythang!  Lipstick, foundation, blushes, concealers, etc.  All $3.  Have ya'll ever seen this brand before?  I've been to Target numerous times, not to mention their makeup section- and I have never noticed the ELF section!  

At first, the prices kind of threw me off.  A brush for $1?  Will it work?  Will I have to throw it away after I use it once?  I was hesitant, to say the least, on purchasing from their line.  Rightly so, because if you have ever bought makeup brushes- you know it is a far cry from $1!  I got 2 brushes, a makeup mist setter, red lipstick/pencil, and a blush/bronzer palette.

These are the 2 brushes I got.  

I give the foundation brush "3 stars" from a star scale of 1-5.  A "3" because it was ONLY a $1 and did a pretty decent job.  I did not like how it felt a little rough on my skin and it did not smooth the foundation out enough.  I give the Kabuki brush  "4 stars." (Remember Star Search?  I feel like Ed McMahon saying, "Our Challenger received 3 and a quarter stars!" LOL)  Again, the quality is pretty good for $1.  Also, I forgot my blush brush at home- so I used this to apply my blush and it went on pretty well!  Honestly, these brushes are pretty good for $1.  If you are on a budget but need more tools- this line is actually decent!  I mean, really!  What can you get for a $1 nowadays?? 

Below is the blush/bronzer palette I got.  I forgot which one it is exactly.  Oops.  

 Anyway, this little bad boy was $3.  Yes, $3.  It cost less for this palette than a coffee at Starbuck's and it lasts longer than a drink!  I give this "5 stars".  Yes, 5 stars.  The blush was actually a pretty color on my face.  And easy to apply.  I should have gotten more of these.  I dabble in putting makeup on other people, so these would be perfect to use on others and again, hellooo- $3!!!

I also got this makeup mist setter. 

How much you ask?  Oh ya know, just $3.  Anyway, this is to be sprayed on your face AFTER you finish applying all your makeup.  It is suppose to help set your face and your makeup stays on longer.  Kind of like hair spray for your face.  I didn't really use one before, so I don't have much to compare it to.  The initial "spray" on my face did feel good, though.  It felt cool and refreshing.  And I think  my makeup stayed on longer than usual.  I did not really check though out the nite at the Baby Shower- so I don't know for certain.  I give it "3 stars" just because I am not too sure if it really helped my "face" stay on. 

Since ya'll know I like my red lips, I got the "Rich Red" lipstick/pencil.  

I took a "selfie" because I always feel weird "posing" for pictures by myself! LOL (I mean, I do it most of the time, so that people can see how certain clothes look on- but I feel weird without other people in the pic. LOL)  Anyhow- this is the lipstick on, which is actually a stick.  When you apply this- you literally are "coloring" your lips.  For $3- I rate it "4 stars!"  I was surprised at how nice it looked on!  I love a good lipstick or lipgloss and this was pretty decent for the price.  It looks more matte-like in real life.  When I go out (which is rare), I like to bring my lipstick or lipgloss with me for a quick touch up.  Sometimes, I lose them.  So next time I go out, I won't really worry if I lose it because it was only $3!  So this is definitely a must buy next time I go to the "mainland"; since Maui does NOT have a Target! (Boo.  But it makes up for the lack of with beautiful weather and beaches!) 

Last but not least- is my review on this!

This is NOT an ELF product- but I have always wanted to try this! Behold, "Garnier's Anti Puff Eye Serum!"  For those that have babies, you know that 'sleeping in' is simply not in our vocabulary.  Remind me, again, how it feels to sleep past 8am and for more than 6-7 hours straight?  Since I feel like the bags under my eyes can be seen a MILE away- I use the "Clinique- All about Eyes Serum," which is a roll-on that is suppose to eliminate the puffiness under your eyeballs.  Bags for dayysss- lemme tell you.  Anywho, the Clinique one is about $25 from Sephora.  Recently, I saw a post on Pinterest- on how this (pictured above) is the "dupe" for it.  This was only $11 from Target.  I think it works just as good! I use the word- "think," because it could just be me wishing/hoping that it works!  Knowhatimean?  (aka-  KWIM <My acronym for that word>).  Regardless, I will be getting this from now on- since spending $11 or so sounds better than $25!  Especially, if it does the same thing!  I love saving money when I can.  Don't you?  

Well, there you have it Fashionsistas!  My review on a few ELF products and the eye serum.  I give the WHOLE line "5 stars!"  For the price of most of the items- the products were pretty adequate.  Geez, it only took me 2 days to write this! LOL  In fact, I am holding my sleeping Princess, Kailea, as I finally finish this!  I swear, the minute I sit down, my girls need something!  KWIM?? (See how I did that there? teehee.)  Perhaps, if I stand up and do work- they won't cry for Mom.  I'll experiment with this today. Ha!  The life of a Mommy.  

 <<SIDENOTE>>

-The brushes I currently use are from MAC, my foundation from MAC and Benefit, lipstick from MAC and Sephora's brand, blush from MAC, and bronzer from Benefit.  So when I "rate" these items that is what I am comparing them to.

-The "mainland" is what those that live in Hawaii, call North America.  Obviously, we are islands 'seperated' from the rest of the the 48 states by a vast ocean.  So whenever we visit the "states"- we refer to it as the "mainland."  (We tend to stock up at stores when we go to the "mainland." KWIM?!?  If you see a "brown person" buying loads of cookie butter from Trader Joe's- 9 times out of 10- they are from Hawaii! LOL)

Taming this Wild Hair

If you have hair like mine- "good" hair days are one that we really have to work hard at.  I have, what I call the "mixed girl" hair problem!  For those of you out there with beautiful and manageable hair; that check "other" when it asks your race- you are a rare breed. I am mixed with Asian (Filipino and Japanese), and white (Irish) <aka- haole.>  Also referred to as hapa.

  My mixed genes plus Hawaii's humidity is no bueno.  My hair gets soo frizzy and nappy- I hate to wear it down!  Which is unfortunate, because I love to curl my hair.  The longer my hair gets, the wavier it gets- which means the more tangles I get.  I don't even know how many brushes I have broken with my wild mess.  It is so hard to find a good brush that is not that expensive.  Trust me, I have had them all.  The cheap plastic brush that gets stuck IN your hair and the expensive wooden brushes that are made with Unicorn tears- hence the outrageous price.  The worse is when your hair air dries.  When my hair air dries, I need to constantly run a comb through it or by the time it dries- I can barely run my fingers through the knotted mess. 

Behold, the Knot Genie.  Thanks to late night informercials, I was introduced to the best brush that can get knots out!  This brush is hands down- the best one yet!  (No, I am not paid to endorse products, but if you know the maker of the Knot Genie- tell them I will market their product for free.99 because it saved my life!)  When I first saw it on an informercial I thought, "hmmm- I wonder if that works?"  I NEVER order anything off the T.V. because I don't want to start.  Know what I mean?  I don't want to be the person that orders off the T.V alll the time.  I mean, I ALREADY have an online shopping addiction! LOL.  Well, funny the way the universe works, because the very next day, I saw it as a special on a website I frequent!  (Zulily!)  It was meant to be!  Fate said so.  So I got it.  And it is the BEST hairbrush hands down!!  I can brush my hair easily after I shower, and I can AIR DRY my hair! I highly, highly recommend this bad boy if you have hair like mine.

I am always on the hunt for a GOOD conditioner for my mane.  Be it- leave in conditioner, a hair mask, or regular everyday use- I am always looking for the best kind.  I even make my own with coconut oil! (I will give the recipe on a later blog.)  

I just started to use this hair mask- and it is hands down, AMAZING!!! It smells soooo delicious and it makes my hair feel really soft.  My husband loves the way it smells, and I love the way my hair looks after I straighten it!  

I am always at the beach or outside, so my hair gets dried and "crunchy."  In fact, sometimes I like to leave in a conditioner when I go to the beach.  Hey, you gotta take care of your hair, right??  LOL.  The other day I put the mask on before we went to the beach (because I knew we were gonna be there alllll day- lucky us!), and it helped my hair to not get so tangled!  I love this thing!!  

Again, I do not get paid to endorse any products- I just want to share MY OPINION on what works for me!  Pictured below is the mask.  It is made by the popular Moroccan Oil brand.  It is kinda pricey but sooo worth it!

There you have it.  Just a few hair products that I absolutely LOVE.  What hair products    do you like to use??

SIDENOTE: Just to clarify a few words.

-Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures and nationalities. We call "mixed people"- hapa. 

-Haole: [ˈhɔule], in the Hawaiian language, is generally used to refer to an individual that fits one (or more) of the following: "White person, American, Englishman, Caucasian; American, English; formerly, any foreigner; foreign, introduced, of foreign origin"

PS- HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!! Use code- "vday" at www.shoptiel.com to get FREE SHIPPING today!!!!!!

What does "Tiel" mean?

I know many of ya'll probably pronounce our name as "teal." But it is actually pronounced as "tea- el." Not the color.  So say "tea" (like the drink) and then like Espanol when something is mascular- you say "el."  Now you know it has to mean something, right?  I mean, who has heard of the word "tiel" before?  Is that some word I just made up?  Weelll, kinda.  Here is the background on how our name, "Tiel" came to be.
Back in 2008 (wow, that seems sooo long ago!), I went to Dubai to start a bathing suit line.  Kinda random to do it in Dubai, but my dad had a business there, had contacts, and it was DUBAI!  So why not?  LOL.  I did the whole 9 yards- got my fabric and materials and designed some "trial period" suits.   Unfortunately, I did not do much with it.  It's a long story but the tailors took too long to produce 1 suit since it was their first time making bikinis and it was all trial-and-error.  I was in Dubai for about 2 months and did not get as much done as I wanted.  (I still have most of my bathing suit material, so maybbee its another project in the near future!)  By the way, everyone should try to go to Dubai.  It is a very interesting country.  I love seeing different cultures and how they live.
Anyway, when the time came to figure out MY label name- I had to think really hard about it.  I knew I wanted it to be pink, have a heart in it, and somehow tie my name into it.  My name is Tara Lee- first and middle.  But I did not want to be the typical clothing line and use my name as my brand.  Plus, how could I tie a heart into Tara Lee?  Somehow or another, I wanted the heart to "dot" the letter "i."  Tara Lee= equals the initials T.L.  Hmm, okay, T.L.  Should I just name my line "T.L?"  Perhaps put a heart in between the initials?  "T<3L"?  But what would people call it? "T heart L?"  Waitassseecond! T.L said out loud is "tea-el." If I spell it, the way it sounds with an "i", "tiel"- that looks pretty good!  AND I can dot the "i" with a heart!!!! YAHTZEE!  Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner.  I can dot the "i" with a heart, it can be pink, and it is my name- without being my name!
So there you have it!  That is how the name "Tiel," came to life!  Once I started to get my online boutique together back in 2012- I knew I would call it "Tiel."  Tara Lee= T.L.= Tiel.