Winter weather means high swells and lots of surfers on the North Shore, and the perfect day trip to the country. Living “downtown” Oahu is no where near as hectic as Manhattan, but it’s still a city and that means cars, construction, and lots of buildings. We needed a day of blue skies, fields of green and solitude to relax so we packed up our car and headed North for the whole day. After stopping at Guava Shop, we headed to Pipeline to watch the surfers and snack on fresh cut pineapple. It takes some time to get around, especially with only one main road through Haleiwa, so we rolled down the windows, snapped some photos and blasted The Green. I love how desolate the area feels with expansive beaches to the left, mountains to the right, and cold coconut stands throughout the way. Before heading over to Kailua to meet up with friends we popped into our favorite “original food truck” Giovanni’s for some lemon grilled shrimp and garlic rice, mmmm…

Target Hat (old, similar F21)// LAMade dress via TJMaxx/ Zinke bikini top (on sale) and bottoms// Samudra pouch// Target sneakers

As enticing as all the big brand sales are, it’s important to remember to also shop small and local this Holiday season. Many small stores depend on Holiday business and it’s often much more fun to shop in a small boutique with a friendly owner rather than just click, clicking online.

While on the North Shore last weekend, I popped into a cute boutique, Guava Shop. I’ve been following the boutique on Instagram for a few months but this was my first stop into the shop. Their store had the cutest windows with local designers like Samudra, confetti garland, and personal photos, I knew instantly it was my type of store. From more local products like Malie beauty and Gillia clothing to L*Space swimsuits, and Free People, the selection was absolutely spot on. Cozy sweaters for beach nights, maxis, minis, pouches, beach blankets, delicious island scented beauty products and candles, basically a one stop shop for anything you might want or need to curate the perfect closet. Guava Shop also has their own line of leather clutches and apparel, which as you can imagine is the epitome of beach chic.

Local girls, it’s a must stop when you’re on the North Shore. For those of you not on Oahu, they take phone orders and have a few of their own items online! In true island fashion, they’re open from “10am-6pm-ish” daily.

This week for Friday Favorites I wanted to share my five favorite things to have for the Holiday season!

1. Statement Necklaces: I’m wearing a vintage necklace but also showed a bracelet from Forever21, I love this current one, and a necklace from BaubleBar. BaubleBar is having an amazing sale for the weekend, see all their statement necklaces here.

2. Party Skirts: These two from Express were only $29 each with their 50% off sale (ends today). Metallic Jacquard skirt (in stores), and Sequin skirt online.

3. A Plaid Scarf: This blanket scarf from Zara is the perfect throw on for cold days or in replacement of a coat on the way to a party. Similar in stock at Shopbop or more affordable at UO.

4. Beaded clutch: My older brother gave me this one from Banana Republic two Christmas’ ago, but here is a current one from Banana Republic recently or a more affordable version from UO here.

5. Fun Pajamas: I’ll be rocking this ASOS lip print onesie Christmas morning.

Those are my five favorites to have for the Holiday season. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING LOVELIES. I cannot express how grateful I am to be home this Holiday. Since moving to New York in 2009 I have not spent a single Thanksgiving at home with my mom. The trip home to Hawaii, all twelve hours on the plane, was just too long of a trip for a short three day weekend. I was lucky in the few years on the East Coast to spend the Holiday with some extended family, or like in 2011, with my best friends hosting Friendsgiving.

I feel so blessed to have an amazing mother and support network around me this past year. It has been the hardest year of my life battling what can only be described as an “invisible illness.” My mom has been with me every step of the way and for her constant kindness I would like to dedicate this post and my love for her on this day of giving Thanks.

I always loved Thanksgiving as it was a day for friends and family to come together without the tie of presents such as Christmas. While the Holiday weekend may be clouded with sales and shopping, the day itself should always be spent treasuring those who provide you with the gift of friendship and love.

This Holiday will also be the first spent at home with my boyfriend’s family. I feel grateful for him and his family who have been so welcoming to me, even making me side dishes at family BBQs entirely gluten free and free from contamination. My boyfriend has been the most amazing, positive rock I could ever ask for. No matter how sick I’ve been, he always stays positive and brings me back to my goals of getting healthy. I could not ask for a more amazing partner in life.

To my brother and his fiancé on the East Coast. I am so excited for your first holiday as an engaged couple. I wish you all the happiness and love in the world and cannot wait to celebrate Christmas with you both as a family.

This Holiday will be a bit different as I am now Celiac and will have to eat gluten free. So an extra thank you must be given to those attending our dinner who are okay with eating gluten free stuffing, pumpkin pie and other new modifications to accommodate my allergy.

Happy Thanksgiving to my entire family, network of friends, my amazing readers of this passion project of a blog, and to all of your families as well.

(Image source: all from the gorgeous shop of LilyandVal).

Before we go into the holiday of giving thanks there is one more day to prep your online steals and deals. On actual Thanksgiving I do not stand in line to shop, online shop, or anything of the sort. I give thanks to friends and family and for what I currently have and what I am lucky to have. Many people will not even have a warm home and meal tomorrow so it’s important to be grateful for the gift of life and not the TV on sale at the mall. Just a quick reminder before helping you score that amazing deal this week, it might be nice to give away a few things in your own closet that you might not wear anymore to someone who needs it more…

Now onto the sales!

Top Row: GoPro Hero3 (receive a free $40 gift card with purchase) via Target // alice + olivia Jayna Lace Dress via Shopbop// Karen Walker Number One sunglasses via Shopbop

Bottom Row: Club Monaco Ela Suede Jacket// Clare Vivier Pouch via Shopbop// Target booties (buy one, get 50% off a second pair)

Club Monaco has 30% off all sale items now through November 29th. I would go straight for the cashmere like this baby blue one, or if you’re in need of a winter coat this perfect leather and tweed jacket is perfection, or for the warm weather girls this baby pink pleated front shift dress.

Otte was one of my favorite boutiques in NYC, especially after a tea date at Tea & Sympathy. They are offering 40% off already marked down merchandise with the code FRIDAYEARLY until 11/29.

My favorite online destination Shopbop is offering a range of discounts using the code BIGEVENT13 at checkout: Spend $250, receive 15% off, Spend $200, receive 20% off, and so on… into big buck land. The offer is also valid on their men’s site East Dane, both codes open until December 2nd. I’ll be using this sale time to buy gifts for my boyfriend and brother!

Sole Society is a new site for me but their adorable and affordable shoes, handbags and accessories are all worth checking out. From nude ankle booties to red leather weekenders to sparkly necklaces, depending on the day Sole Society is featuring a new deal, such as 50% necklaces! Keep checking back for their daily deal.

For you girls on a budget like me, my one stop shop is always Target! For techie types I’m obsessed with the Go Pro Hero, and it’s number one on my holiday wish list. From underwater adventures to surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding or just at a party like I was last weekend it’s the most amazing handheld camera that links straight to your phone downloading images instantly. Best part is with the purchase of one, you get a $40 Target gift card free!

Old Navy has 30% off with code PRESENT until 11/28 at 4 pm. GAP has 60% off a bunch of items plus an additional 20% off till midnight tonight using the code GAPLOVE.

Shop the post below and don’t forget to check out yesterday’s post on my picks at other Black Friday sales!