Shopping Fun (and The One Thing I Hate About Hawaii)

There's not much I can say that I dislike about living here; I love everything about my home-state; this island is beautiful beyond words, I love our simple, beach-y lifestyle, and really...that we can afford to live here is just a blessing. But if there is one thing I absolutely loathe about Hawaii, it's gotta be the bugs. Specifically, these:

{via}

Meet The Cane Spider. On average, these spiders are the size of a CAN OF TUNA FISH. I need to preface this by saying it means nothing to me that cane spiders are considered harmless and "beneficial". I have an irrational fear of spiders and the cane spider is a spider. I don't care that I am a thousand times bigger; I will never, ever, EVER be "ok" with them. Cane spiders live in cane fields but oftentimes find their way into homes and hotels because burning cane fields drive them out - I get that, but they belong in those cane fields and nowhere else. Just setting the stage here...

Sunday was a fun day for us; Phil accompanied me on a trip to the West Side Sunday morning so that I could enjoy a little self-indulgent, frivolous spending (Sephora - HOLLA! and Barnes & Noble). We made our way to the parking garage in Ka'anapali, pulled into a space and just as I was getting out of the car, movement from above caught my eye. A big-ass, CANE SPIDER was crawling about five inches from my face. MY FACE, people. I screamed (any normal person would, right?), gagged a few times and then hurled myself across the seat, on top of my husband and out of the car through his side. You think I'm kidding? I wish I was. Now standing ten feet away, I had to watch Phil "sweep" him out of the car and onto the concrete. And that freakish thing full-on sprinted across the parking lot; I seriously had no idea they were so fast. Phil knows me all too well, and while we're leaving the parking garage and he's laughing, he's also asking if I'm going to be blogging about it. Hell yeah, I am.

I know it's just a spider, but I am seriously traumatized. It's been over 24-hours and I'm still involuntary shuddering when I think about it, aaaaannnnddd, I woke up at 1:00am and could not fall back asleep for two hours because I was convinced there were spiders in our house. :( This whole incident was almost as traumatizing as the time I was shopping in Macy's and a cane spider came crawling out of a dress - no joke. The joys of living in Hawaii.

* * *

I forgot about the spider long enough to enjoy my first trip to the new Sephora store here on Maui (cue the angels). Oh, the damage that can be done! It's so easy to lose track of your spending in there, but I splurged anyway, because it's been awhile since I bought any make-up or skincare products. And also, I survived being attacked by a cane spider only moments before.

The loot (and some new loves)!:

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35

Smashbox HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder and Brush

Philosophy Mangos & Cream Duo

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel

AmorePacific Treatment Cleansing Foam

Phil was such a trouper - I was in Sephora for almost an hour while he sat at the sidelines playing on his iPhone (thank goodness for smart-phones to entertain sweet husbands), offering his opinions on make-up and fragrance when I needed it. I took pictures of him from behind displays, all creeper-style:

With my goods in tow and after Phil had to talk me into getting back into the car--because it was either that, or we take the bus--we drove to Barnes & Noble, one of my favorite pastimes. I left Phil in the magazine section while I took off to peruse new titles, poke around the gift and stationery section and pick out a new read, because as much as I love reading via Kindle, nothing beats the feeling of a book in your hands with pages to turn.

Another photo of my sweet and so-very patient husband, leafing through magazines:

'Love that guy.

* * *

And lest you all think I'm selfish and yesterday was all about me, we compromised and Phil had his much-loved time out on the water. In the afternoon, I watched and took photos while Phil surfed late-season swell near Ho'okipa. The waves were big, the sets were plenty, and there was a brief window when I watched him fall off his board and get pummeled by wave after wave after wave while I lost my ever-loving mind (fortunately, he made it out alive).

Happiest of Mondays, to you!

P.S. Phil and I carpooled into work today because I am still too afraid to get into my car. ::shudder::