The Curious Professor Z's Homework Assignment : Spring!

Spring! It's here! Happy Spring Equinox! The Professor's homework assignment this month is spring and when I think of spring I think Tiki....then again I always think Tiki. Teehee! I think about the snow melting (yes, in Buffalo there is often still snow on the ground), the birds chirping and starting to shed the winter apparel and slipping into my most tacky of Tiki outfits. 

I <3 fake palm trees! 

Oh yes, Tiki is the way I get my inner colorful tacky out. I love the colors, the Mu-Mu's, the tropical themes and tribal designs, it all makes my little gothy heart smile with pure joy! I'm more into the 60s/70s barkcloth vintage styles, but I do appreciate the lovely 50s loungewear fashions. I also love vintage Tiki decor and mugs, surf and lounge music. I really enjoy Tiki culture, I'm mad for that Polynesian Pop!

Derek and I get saucy by Mr. Moai

Photos: 2011 

Though most people associate Tiki with the rockabilly scene, it's not exclusive to any one type of person stylistically and/or subculture. I like to think of Tiki as something that anyone can enjoy regardless of the way you look (or dress), grab a drink and let's hula! I haven't met too many people who can't crack a smile while sipping on a tasty tropical libation.

Derek is clearly demonstrating his Aloha spirit!

So yes, Spring has sprung, so pass me a pineapple filled with a Mai Tai and don't hold back on the kitschy drink decor. *Wink*

Thank you for reading!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Aloha! : Ohana 2012 Part 2

My Tiki skull mug. One from our vast collection

Alllllllright! Ohana part 2! Did I mention how much rum we drank? A LOT! I'm detoxing this week as I think I may have turned into a partial pineapple (a rum infused one). Friday continued on with the room crawl in the evening in which attendee's volunteer to host a event in their room, basically they make drinks for everyone! Each room may or may not have a theme, yet they mix up tropical libations to share the aloha spirit. Mmmmmmmmmmm! Before we embarked on the slow stumble to the designated rooms, we put on our B.U.T.T fez's!

Ok, what is up with the fez's? Well fez's are something that a lot of people will wear in the Tiki/lounge culture or like the F.O.M who organized the Ohana event. Basically the first Ohana we attended I inquired about how to become part of the F.O.M and was met with a scoff and told that they don't just let anyone join (don't get me wrong they are all really nice people!) Well, as our little Buffalo Tiki group grew we all decided to get fez's and call ourselves, Buffalo United Tiki Talk or B.U.T.T for short.....we're really mature. *Wink*

We're still working on the official design, but it's all in the spirit of humor and well, drinking. Our group gets together now and again and we're planning on taking some more Tiki related trips together, Tiki roadtrip!?

Drunk B.U.T.T's between rooms at the room crawl

One of my personal favorite rooms was the headhunter themed room, I have to admit I don't remember what drink they served or what was really going on as it was 11pm and we had been steadily drinking for almost 12 hours *hiccup*. 

Headhunter!!!

They also had an cauldron which was an awesome photo opp, apparently Derek is enjoying being boiled alive. Hahahahaa!!!

I laugh every time I look at this picture!

Did I mention we drank a lot? Well, this girl right here woke up with a slight hangover, yet there is no time to lay in bed all day at Ohana! Perhaps a lot of coffee, a starchy breakfast and some hair of the dog helped me to bounce back! Saturday afternoon was filled with; shopping at the vendor tent, silent auction, (insert a nap), making friends (I met Deidre and Andy from Sourpuss and they are AWESOME!), and swimming. In the evening all the B.U.T.T's changed into our matching outfits for the luau dinner and Polynesian show.

Looks like I pee'd myself with excitement

All in our matching outfits while in line to get the luau feast

Sunday was spent packing up and then heading on the road to make the journey home. Mahalo Lake George, NY for providing the perfect back drop to a wonderful summer adventure.

Thanks for reading!
XOXO-Meagan Kyla

Cocktail Friday : Luau At The Lake, Now With Photos!

My husband and I joke that there are two seasons in our household, Tiki season and Halloween season. We are in Tiki season currently as I am always dreaming of tropical beaches and summer nights during the cold winter months in Western NY. Grant it, I'm not a huge fan of baking in the hot sun as I like my pale pallor and use many tools to keep it that way! Tiki is just another part of my quirky and kitsch-lovin' personality, I always joke that it allows my inner tacky to come out.....then again a girl who covers herself in bats, spiders, and other various creepy things is pretty tacky. *Wink*

Warning: photos of copious amounts of Tiki gear, kitschy prints and LOTS of tacky vintage fashion.

Oops! They spelled my name wrong!
The husband also didn't realize Makahiki means
Christmas, LOL!

Another photo from 2010 in Lake George, NY
Luau At The Lake event

Yes my dear friends, we join other Tikiphiles at an annual event called Luau at the Lake which takes place in Lake George, NY. The event is held at the Tiki Resort hotel for a weekend of drinking, socializing and enjoying a luau dinner and Polynesian show. Though the Tiki shirts, mu-mu's and tropical hair adornments are optional, my husband and I enjoy hunting for vintage Hawaiian fashions and letting our inner tacky run a-muck! It's something we love to do together and often share our love of everything Tiki with a small group of friends here in Buffalo.

More pictures?! Don't mind if I do!

Luau at the Lake 2011. Enjoying a cocktail outside our hotel room

We were the most matched table at the luau! The hubster got cut off :(

One of the cocktails we tried at the Tiki Resort's bar was Trader Vic's Grog. Here is a recipe I looked up on the interwebz. This one is super yummy, but I'm a sucker for anything with passionfruit juice as one of the ingredients.

Recipe:

2 oz. Jamaican Rum

1 oz. Pineapple Juice

1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice 

1 oz. Passionfruit Juice

Dash of Angostura Bitters

Shake and pour into 16-ounce or old-fashioned glass (or Tiki mug!) filled with shaved ice. Garnish with a cherry and serve with a straw.

Aloha friends!!

XOXO-Meagan Kyla