the Bliss FAB 5

Lori Furoyama, Lana Nakamura, Tina Koike, Angela Choy, and me! :)

After celebrating and reflecting back on 2 years of Bliss, I thought it a fitting time to reveal the secret weapon that I've had the priviledge of using over the past 2 years. 

I still remember 2 years ago, on November 1, turning to my bffs at work and telling them guess what?  I've decided to open an online boutique.  I remember the shocked look on their faces as they tried to figure out if I was joking or not.  Since that day, Angela Choy, Lori Furoyama, Lana Nakamura, and Tina Koike have been HUGE supporters of Bliss and more importantly of ME.  They have supported me physically at pretty much every single event I've had and they've supported me emotionally as I dealt with frustrations and set backs.  They have been my back bone.

And they have been my secret weapon. :)  Shortly after the day that I shocked them with my news, they started becoming my best customers.  One thing the five of us share is that we all love to shop (and we are all super cheap shoppers too!!!), but it was interesting that we all actually had fairly different tastes in colors and styles. 

After getting stuck while buying for an event, I got a great idea to create the FAB 4.  Bliss' Fashion Advisory Board (FAB) 4 was called upon often to give advice on potential new tops, dresses, handbags, envirosax bags, gift items....you name it.  They have helped me create facebook promos, helped me plan my shopping events, and given me their feedback on my web designs.  This year, I added a new member to our FAB 4 (now called the FAB 5...lol!).  Leah Fukuyama has come aboard to lend her fashion expertise.  Having these 5 fashionistas to bounce ideas off of has helped Bliss to bring in some of the cutest, hottest selling items we've ever had.  Sometimes I don't agree with what they pick, but order it anyway.  I am humbled as I watch their pieces sell out at a live event within an hour. 

I owe them so much, and they ask for so little. Bliss didn't make it to its' 2 year birthday on its own...it was because of the support of the FAB 5...and I am truly grateful to have Angela, Lori, Lana, Tina, and Leah next to me on this Bliss journey...and I'm so honored to also call them friends...  :)

Leah Fukuyama at Nonstop Kakaako

Sip and Shop...what a night it was!

On Friday November 4th, beautiful and fabulous fashionistas gathered at the Sip and Shop shopping event in the A Little bit of Everything store in the Imperial Plaza. 

Women happily shopped through racks of Bliss clothes, a beautiful table of Gem Parfait handmade jewelry, and adorable gift items from A Little Bit of Everything. With full shopping bags in hand and content smiles on their faces, the women could now relax and enjoy the spread of great food!

Friend and caterer Subir Kole (pictured at right) created a huge array of amazing dishes including tofu tandoori, mushroom tandoori, shrimp tandoori, chicken tandoori, home made naan, and a delicious salad.  Everyone raved about his masterpieces all night!

And in case that didn't fill our guests up, there were kalua pig rolls from Valerie of A Little bit of Everything, brownies and cookies from Allison of Gem Parfait, and mini red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting from Annie Yeung of Panya Bakery. 

A beautiful and tasy array of crackers, chips, dips, and sauces were also on hand from Leah Fukuyama of Pampered Chef.  Happy women washed all the food down with some yummy margaritas.

It was a fantastic night of shopping, eating, drinking, and most of all FUN.  I think everyone who came enjoyed themselves judging by the big smiles on everyone's faces, even the men in attendance looked like they had a great time! 

For me, I felt so thankful to see great friends and loyal customers showing their constant support of Bliss.  Thank you to Subir Kole, friend and new caterer, for slaving in the kitchen all day long to cook for us.  You never cease to impress us all!  Thank you Angela Choy for always being there.  Whatever I need, you are always there...thank you for picking up the food on Friday!!

It was such an honor to meet Allison Fujita, the owner of Gem Parfait.  She is stunningly beautiful on the outside, but is even more beautiful on the inside.  Such a sweet soul and so amazingly talented too!  Finally, it is always a pleasure putting on an event with Valerie Kubota of A Little bit of Everything.  She inspires me with her unending energy, enthusiasm, and sincerity in every single thing that she does. 

Until the next event!  :)