Treat Yourself Giveaway - Pie from Anna Miller's Restaurant #HMBTreatYourself

Treat yourself to pie from Anna Miller's Restaurant!

About Anna Miller's Restaurant

Anna Miller's 24-hr Restaurant has been an island tradition since 1973. One of Hawaii's most popular restaurants, Anna Miller's is known for its friendly service, great food, and homemade pies. 

Renowned for our 31 varieties of homemade pies baked fresh daily on the premises, our signature fresh strawberry pie is famous throughout the state of Hawaii.

Anna Miller's Restaurant has always been a fave of mine for breakfast 24/7, and the strawberry pie is indeed a must-try!

Win: One lucky winner will receive a free pie of choice from Anna Miller's!

• To enter, comment on what type of pie you'd get from Anna Miller's.  
  
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
• 1)Follow Hawaii Mom Blog on Bloglovin ("new" and "existing" followers eligible)
• 2)Subscribe to my feed via RSS or email ("new" and "existing" subscribers eligible)
• 3)Follow Hawaii Mom Blog on Instagram ("new" and "existing" followers eligible; leave your user name in your comment)
• 4)Follow Hawaii Mom Blog on Twitter ("new" and "existing" followers eligible; leave your Twitter name in your comment)
• 5)Like Hawaii Mom Blog on Facebook ("new" and "existing" "likers" eligible; leave your user name in your comment)
• 6) Follow Anna Miller's Restaurant on Instagram ("new" and "existing" followers eligible; leave your user name in your comment)
• 7)Follow Anna Miller's Restaurant on Twitter ("new" and "existing" followers eligible; leave your Twitter name in your comment)
• 8)Like Anna Miller's Restaurant Facebook ("new" and "existing" "likers" eligible; leave your user name in your comment)
• The deadline for entries is May 24, 2019 12noon HST.
• If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on or about May 24, 2019 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) and will have 2 days to respond.
Valid for US addresses only. 
• By entering this contest, you agree to a complete release of Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Anna Miller's Restaurant, and Hawaii Mom Blog from any or all liability in connection with this contest.
• By entering in this contest, you have read and agreed to Hawaii Mom Blog's Terms of Use.
  Good luck!

Thank you to the sponsor for providing the product for giveaway free of charge. Click here for my disclosure policy.

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First Visit to the New Baby Expo

Disclosure: Complimentary product was received for review purposes. All opinions are entirely my own.  

Today Baby and I took Grandma on an excursion to the New Baby Expo. This was our first time attending (because #firstbaby) so didn’t know what to expect but we were pleasantly surprised by the number of local vendors and informational booths.

We expected to shop up a storm and boy did we ever. Baby was quite pleased with his haul of cute onesies, tees, swaddles, blankets and more from old and new favorite vendors like Hapa Maui, Hopscotch, The Keiki Dept, and Just Kiddies. We also found several fun gifts for some of his baby friends!  

And of course we paid a visit to the CYBEX and got to meet some of their sales reps who helped explain some of the features of his CYBEX stroller. I had never tried out the lie-flat feature of the Cloud Q Plus but was told it was one of its biggest selling points. Baby was taking a nap at the time but when we made the car seat flat, he totally smiled and looked much more comfy. You can use this feature when strolling or even at home after taking the baby out of the car if they’re asleep since lying flat on the back makes it safer for baby. I’m not going to lie, we frequently take the baby out of the car and just leave him his seat for an hour or more while he naps so using this will give us greater peace of mind.

The 22^nd Annual New Baby Expo wraps up tomorrow at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center. General admission for the Expo is $5.50 while children ages five and under are free.

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Treat Yourself Giveaway - $20 Gift Card to ONO2GUYS #HMBTreatYourself

Treat yourself to Korean-style baked treats at ONO2GUYS!

About ONO2GUYS

Kaneohe’s Newest Bakery.
Delicious Korean-inspired pastries, cupcakes, and more.

Visit ONO2GUYS, and there is no doubt you will see how much the owners truly love what they do.  They bake items fresh daily, and they are great to kids!

Win: One lucky winner will receive a $20 Gift Card to ONO2GUYS!

• To enter, comment on what you'd get at ONO2GUYS!
  
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
• 1)Follow Hawaii Mom Blog on Bloglovin ("new" and "existing" followers eligible)
• 2)Subscribe to my feed via RSS or email ("new" and "existing" subscribers eligible)
• 3)Follow Hawaii Mom Blog on Instagram ("new" and "existing" followers eligible; leave your user name in your comment)
• 4)Follow Hawaii Mom Blog on Twitter ("new" and "existing" followers eligible; leave your Twitter name in your comment)
• 5)Like Hawaii Mom Blog on Facebook ("new" and "existing" "likers" eligible; leave your user name in your comment)
• 6) Follow ONO2GUYS on Instagram ("new" and "existing" followers eligible; leave your user name in your comment)
• 7)Like ONO2GUYS on Facebook ("new" and "existing" "likers" eligible; leave your user name in your comment)
• The deadline for entries is May 23, 2019 12noon HST.
• If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on or about May 23, 2019 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) and will have 2 days to respond.
Valid for US addresses only. 
• By entering this contest, you agree to a complete release of Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, ONO2GUYS, and Hawaii Mom Blog from any or all liability in connection with this contest.
• By entering in this contest, you have read and agreed to Hawaii Mom Blog's Terms of Use.
  Good luck!

Thank you to the sponsor for providing the product for giveaway free of charge. Click here for my disclosure policy.

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A Dog's Journey Review

A Dog's Journey (Rated PG)
Some friendships transcend lifetimes. In A Dog’s Journey, the sequel to the heartwarming global hit A Dog’s Purpose, beloved dog Bailey finds his new destiny and forms an unbreakable bond that will lead him, and the people he loves, to places they never imagined.

Bailey (voiced again by Josh Gad) is living the good life on the Michigan farm of his “boy,” Ethan (Dennis Quaid) and Ethan’s wife Hannah (Marg Helgenberger). He even has a new playmate: Ethan and Hannah’s baby granddaughter, CJ. The problem is that CJ’s mom, Gloria (Betty Gilpin), decides to take CJ away. As Bailey’s soul prepares to leave this life for a new one, he makes a promise to Ethan to find CJ and protect her at any cost.

Thus begins Bailey’s adventure through multiple lives filled with love, friendship and devotion as he, CJ (Kathryn Prescott), and CJ’s best friend Trent (Henry Lau) experience joy and heartbreak, music and laughter, and few really good belly rubs.

Hawaii Dad Blog Review

The movie begins with Bailey living on a Michigan farm with Ethan and his wife, Hannah. Also living with them are their toddler granddaughter, CJ, and their daughter-in-law, the recently widowed, Gloria (Hannah's son died just before CJ was born). Gloria feels Ethan and Hannah see her as an unfit mother (she is one), and even accuses them of wanting to take CJ away from her to get the money from an insurance payout. Eventually, Gloria leaves for Chicago, taking CJ with her in a heartbreaking scene. Bailey is a source of comfort for the grieving couple until he needs to be put down due to a medical condition. Ethan holds the dog in his final moments and tells Bailey's that his purpose is to always look after CJ.

Throughout the remainder of the movie, Bailey's spirit moves in and out of the bodies of several dogs over their respective life spans. 

Each dog will seek out and find CJ as she grows and deals with an alcoholic and neglectful mother, an abusive boyfriend,and a case of stage fright which hampers her burgeoning music career.

Although there are several different "dog bodies," the spirit of Bailey is consistent and we, the viewer, know this because Bailey's thoughts are voiced by the same actor, Josh Gadd. He provides comedic relief by seeing situations as, I'd imagine, a dog would. Sometimes his commentary would balance out an intense scene, and other times it would show a dog's intuition, such as when he thinks that Gloria smells strong (because she's drunk) or when he senses that Hannah is upset (because she was losing her granddaughter).

A Dog's Journey is a sequel to A Dog's Purpose, but if you did not see the first movie, you will still enjoy the second one.

A Dog's Journey really knows how to pull at the heartstrings.  My son enjoyed the movie because of the cute dogs and poop jokes, but overall, it is a great family movie - perfect for dog-lovers and anyone who enjoys a heartwarming tale. 

I may look at dogs different now, as I wonder if my long gone Pomeranian is trying to find me...

Mahalo to the sponsor for the complimentary tickets.

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Treat Yourself Giveaway - $25 Gift Card to Five Guys #HMBTreatYourself

Treat yourself to a burger at Five Guys!

About Five Guys

Five Guys has been a Washington, DC area favorite since 1986 when Jerry and Janie Murrell offered sage advice to the four young Murrell brothers:"Start a business or go to college.” The business route won and the Murrell family opened a carry-out burger joint in Arlington Virginia. 

Under the guidance of Jerry and Janie the Murrell family served only hand-formed burgers cooked to perfection on a grill along with fresh-cut fries cooked in pure peanut oil.

I first heard of Five Guys when Nat posted about visiting a New York location nearly seven years ago.  My first experience at a Five Guys was four years ago in Phoenix. And I was excited when they opened up in Mililani! Be sure to get your burger "all the way!"

Win: One lucky winner will receive a $25 Gift Card Five Guys!

• To enter, comment on your favorite burger topping at Five Guys!
  
• You’ll get one extra entry each if you do any of the following (be sure to leave a comment for each “entry”):
• 1)Follow Hawaii Mom Blog on Bloglovin ("new" and "existing" followers eligible)
• 2)Subscribe to my feed via RSS or email ("new" and "existing" subscribers eligible)
• 3)Follow Hawaii Mom Blog on Instagram ("new" and "existing" followers eligible; leave your user name in your comment)
• 4)Follow Hawaii Mom Blog on Twitter ("new" and "existing" followers eligible; leave your Twitter name in your comment)
• 5)Like Hawaii Mom Blog on Facebook ("new" and "existing" "likers" eligible; leave your user name in your comment)
• 6) Follow Five Guys on Instagram ("new" and "existing" followers eligible; leave your user name in your comment)
• 7)Like Five Guys on Facebook ("new" and "existing" "likers" eligible; leave your user name in your comment)
• 8)Follow Five Guys on Twitter ("new" and "existing" followers eligible; leave your Twitter name in your comment)
• The deadline for entries is May 22, 2019 12noon HST.
• If you submitted an eligible entry and it is chosen by random.org as the winner, you will be notified via email on or about May 22, 2019 (make sure your email address is in your profile or comment and be sure to check your junk/spam, etc. folders) and will have 2 days to respond.
Valid for US addresses only. 
• By entering this contest, you agree to a complete release of Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Five Guys, and Hawaii Mom Blog from any or all liability in connection with this contest.
• By entering in this contest, you have read and agreed to Hawaii Mom Blog's Terms of Use.
  Good luck!

Thank you to the sponsor for providing the product for giveaway free of charge. Click here for my disclosure policy.

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Lunch at Koko Head Cafe & Via Gelato

Everything happens for a reason!

Gem and I had planned to meet for lunch at one particular restaurant in Kaimuki. However, as I was looking for parking, I received a text from Gem that the restaurant was closed, so let's meet at Koko Head Cafe instead.

I was a little disappointed because I was really looking forward to eating a particular dish at the restaurant we had originally planned to meet at, but what can one do when the place is closed. But, it didn't take long for my mood to lighten up once my plate of Cornflake French Toast with billionaire's bacon, black pepper maple and frosted flake gelato arrived at our table!

 Gem's protein-packed Don Buri Chen looked really good!

We also shared the Dumplings of the Day - it's hard to pass this up when the owner wrote a book on dumplings!

We each packed up half of our entrees to-go, because Gem wanted to have dessert at nearby Via Gelato. I had wanted to go somewhere else for dessert, but this turned out to be the best decision ever.

The keiki size bowl with fierce chocolate and haupia gelato, topped with mochi hit the spot!

And here's why I began this post with the saying "everything happens for a reason"....

As we were taking pics of our gelato, I spied 3 time World Surfing League champion Carissa Moore outside of the shop, and she eventually came in to buy some gelato with her mom! Of course I had to ask her to take a pic with me, and she was nice enough to say YES! Good luck on the WSL Tour Carissa! 

Thanks Gem, for making us go to Via Gelato - otherwise I would have never have met one of my idols! 

KOKO HEAD CAFE

1145c 12th Ave

(808) 732-8920

VIA GELATO

1142 12th Ave

(808) 732-2800

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Aloha Maui: Lineage

Earlier this year I dined at Lineage, and had a great dining experience.

During our Aloha Maui trip, we visited Lineage, and this visit was made even more special because we actually had a chance to "talk story" with Chef Sheldon Simeon himself, as well as Chef de Cuisine Robert Ramshur. 

Chef Sheldon Simeon

Chef Robert Ramshur

We indulged in a variety of dishes:

Kimchi Dip

Boiled Peanuts

Pipkaula

Chicharon with Chili Pepper Water

Poi Mochi

Musubi

Cold Ginger Chicken

Bottom of the Plate Lunch

Hoppin Juan's

Charred Broccolini

Smoke Meat

Katsu Curry

Squid Luau

Huli Huli

The faves I had from my first visit were still faves - the Katsu Curry, Kimchi Dip, and Musubi.  But I also have more new faves from this visit!

I LOVED the Smoke Meat, which had a nice sweetness from guava jelly, as well as the Huli Huli chicken.  I'm not usually a fan of typical Huli Huli chicken, but Lineage's interpretation was fantastic.  The chicken was so tender and juicy!

Another dish I surpisingly loved was the Chicharons with Chili Pepper Water.  What made this dish even more meaningful was when Chef Sheldon told us the story behind the Chili Pepper Water (and his new company, SLAB).  You can watch his story on my Instagram here.

The Chicharons and Chili Pepper Water would not have been something I would have thought to order, but after hearing Chef Sheldon's story, I was so eager to "drink" the Chili Pepper while eating the Chicharons. 

I was addicted.  In fact, several of us could not stop drinking the Chili Pepper Water, and we ended up taking 1/2 case of Chili Pepper Water home with us!

For dessert, we got to try out everything on the menu.

Chocolate

Filipino Cereal

Tapioca Pudding

Seasonal Sherbet

Fig Mui

The Chocolate was presented with different elements and in a different format than the last time I visited, but it was still good. The fave amongst the group was the Filipino Cereal - Avocaod, Creme Cracker Milk, Saloon Pilot. So simple, yet so delish!

At the end of the meal, we were treated to last bites of Fig Mui made by Chef Robert.

We had the best time at Lineage!

If you haven't visited Lineage yet, what are you waiting for?

 Lineage Maui
The Shops at Wailea
3750 Wailea Alanui Dr

Wailea, HI 96753

(808) 879-8800

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