Deanna Flows: First Friday

Last Friday, I met up with Monika and Dawanvin for dinner at Brasserie Du Vin in Chinatown. We each ordered a glass of wine and chatted away in the sultry French restaurant. The atmosphere featured a dim setting, exuded positive vibes, and felt all around relaxing. For dinner, I had the Blue Crab Cakes served with Nalo greens and Sriracha aioli. The dish was delicious, I let the ladies try some too and they were truly impressed. Monika and Dawnavin both had the Baked Brie which had pecans and dried cranberries stuffed in a warm pastry puff, and drizzled with Dr. Kliks Manoa honey. They also received a side order of sweet, green grapes and apples, a perfect combo to eat with the dish. The ladies let me try some of theirs as well, speechless was how I was feeling, that is how good it tasted! Monika joked that it was like sex in your mouth. (lol) She is right though, the taste was simply sensational. The ladies and I loved Du Vin, we definitely will return again.

Red Wine

Blue Crab Cakes

Baked Brie

Dawnavin, me, Monika

I look so serious in this picture that Monika took of me. (lol)

Meet Monika, she is my honey from Norway. Over Christmas break she sprained her neck, and now she has to wear a neck brace for the next couple of months. While she is healing, she can't be active in her normal hobbies, like surfing and running. I love how even though she has to wear her brace, she still rocks it in public with natural beauty and confidence. Monika and her boyfriend are such a cute, power couple, they both surf, travel the World, and plan to run the Honolulu Marathon together next year! There are times when I am running and I feel like I just want to stop, but then I think of her and all the others in the World who can't run, but would love to. She and all of them inspire me to keep going.

After dinner, we went to the The Gypsy Night Market art event. There where colorful booths of various art lined against the the brick walls. One of the booths we stopped by to show support and love was at Lisa Coleman's She Grooves Photography. I was so surprised to see a large framed photo of me displayed on the very top of the display. The photo is Lisa's favorite shot of me from my Universal Lush photo shoot (she loves my tattoo in this photo and the vibrant contrast of the colors, I agree!)

Holly and Lisa

Our next stop was upstairs at Barrio Vintage. Dawnavin's friends, Bradley and Jonathan own this trendy shop. They are so sweet, I love how they encourage everyone to play dress up. Barrio Vintage is like walking into one big treasure chest, it is filled with so many good deals for unique, good quality, vintage clothing and accessories. I bought two chic vintage blouses for only thirty dollars total! I can't wait to come back there for the next First Friday!

displays and racks of vintage beauty

Bradley and Jonathan

ceiling fan art

After vintage shopping, we went into Sergio's artist loft. Sergio is a talented artist from Columbia who creates recycled art. (I love making recycled art!) His artistic visuals are strongly intense, abstract, and amazing. Check out his art blog at: http://sergiogarzoncafe.blogspot.com/.

made with real hair, skin, and finger and toe nails

stunning, love the flow

Sergio was explaining to us how this painting is made with real urine, menstrual blood, and wax.

My girl, Jolita posing with the canvas. This is so random but everyone always thinks Jo is my boyfriend! (LOL) When really it is the opposite, he is gay and I am straight. But since we can't be together, we know we can keep each other forever.