Last week I jetted off across the Pacific to the beautiful island of Maui! I had never been to HI before and it did not disappoint. Maui is a quiet, laid-back island where anything goes and you will encounter anything but the ordinary and expected. Miles of pristine coastline and white sandy beaches, gorgeous turquoise waters and lush rainforest. I met up with my two great girl friends Rachelle and Kim, we lounged on a variety of gorgeous beaches, attempted the road to Hana (car sickness got the best of us), scuba’d and snorkeled, shopped, laughed at ourselves floundering in the waves while boogie boarding (waves 1 girls 0) and ate waaay to much tasty pineapple. While I was there I also covered a wedding for Mike + Jenn Flaman, my first destination wedding! hurray! More on that later : ) I loved Maui, really really I did. I will go back, next time I’ll take m. Christmas too early?!
For now I leave you with my top five must’s of Maui + some photos!
1. Big Beach outside of Wailea, big waves big fun. Not for the kiddies!
2. Paia town – dont miss Sophie Grace Maui island inspired jewelry. I picked up a dainty little stamped silver bracelet. Customized with ” m + e ” stamped on the small silver medallion. Other bracelets were stamped “loved”, “twins”, “blessed”, “pray” cute! I also couldn’t resist a pair of earring that shop owner and artist Jamie Shepherd was wearing. Vintage coral, with pyrite and turquoise on twisted gold hoops. I loved them so much I bought them right out of her ears!!
3. Cheeseburger Paradise (obviously) in Lahina + Coconuts fish cafe – best fish tacos Kihei
4. Snorkling with the local sea turtles
5. The smell of the fragrant island air, take a deep breath as soon as you get out of that airplane…amazing – ocean mixed with plumeria + hibiscus florals
we spotted this sunset wedding…awe.
SURPRISE GIVEAWAY! - Jamie from Sophie Grace is the sweetest lady around she’s giving away a piece of custom jewelery to one of my blog readers!
Here’s what you need to do to WIN!
1. Friend Sophie Grace Maui on facebook by clicking on this link HERE
2. Like Element Photography on facebook by clicking on this link HERE
3. Once you’ve done both those things, and picked out your favorite jewels…Tell me about it! Leave a comment here on the element blog and a winner will be selected on October 25 2011.
easy peasy!
Aloha! Find element photography on facebook, see where we go next!
Erika! Beautiful photos, as always… and I love the pink Hawaiian coral necklaces that Sophie Grace makes! Nice new connection you made
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Woohoo! The photos look awesome! Great stuff, Erika!! I LOVE the Smokey Quartz Starfish. The gold rocks my world and starfish have a special place in my heart.
Oh Erika! I am soo excited for our 2nd trip to Maui, esp since seeing your awesome pics!!! I LOVE the starfish necklaces but can’t wait to check out her shop in Paia!!! Maybe pick up sometime for my babes too
Love all the pieces, and can’t wait to check out the shop in 9 days!! I have been to Paia before, but not to this shop, so super excited to check it out! Love the gold longer necklace, with pink stones It reminds me most of Hawaii, very colorful and calming. As you described the smell of the air , it’s true! Sweet morning Maui air is amazing!
PS love the bracelet you had done!
oh my goodness erika, your pics of maui are gorgeous. it truly is paradise- i was lucky enough to go when i was 14 and have dreamed of it ever since!
for now i’m hoping to win my little girl a sophie grace necklace! i can see why you wanted those earrings! Oh, i LOVE a sweet contest on a tuesday!
kyah as been such an angel this year, with all the craziness of planning the wedding and now prepping for baby #2, she has sacrificed a lot of “fun time” to help out. even before baby has come she has proven that she is an awesome big sister and i’d love to be able to give her a necklace that says so!
i LOVE LOVE LOVE the custom stamped jewelry!
I LOVE the smokey quartz charm bracelet. It’s beautiful and very classy!! Something I could deffinately wear to work, on a date, or on a night out with friends.
Your pictures never cease to amaze me! I’m glad you had a good time. Maui looks incredible!!
Thank you for this amazing opportunity!
Hey Erika!
Your trip looks like it was fabulous! Bright colours, fun people, sunshine… aaaaahhhh the good life eh?
Sophie’s Jewelry looks gorgeous so make sure you put me in for that draw!
Toodles!
We were in Maui last November and I simply loved it!!! Warm days, nice beach, great water – loved the road to Hana and we went to Paia several times. I loved the natural fod store there – so much fun!!! We missed Sophie Grace but the jewellry looks so cool. What did you buy??? As always, love your pictures!!!
Love the pics as always! Looks like a fab time! Love the bracelet you had done, such love!
Beautiful photos Erika! I want to see Hawaii!
Love your photos of Maui…I know where I’m going on vacation next! My favorite from Sophie Grace is the Cooper Necklace in Pink. But I love the pink coral bangle too! Glad you had a great trip! (minus the car sickness
Love the starfish necklaces, ah I should have bought it!! Next time!!
oooh ooooh i vant vone i vant vone…. I Love it.. and you too… i did both the ‘entry’ requirements to count me in babe! Love it
Hey Erika,
. I certainly plan to go back. But in the meantime, I have ordered a few more pieces online from Jaime. Can’t get enough 
. Each piece is prettier than the next, too hard to pick just one lol. Though I did fall in love with those hoop earrings you got. I think I need to place an order 
.
I was in Maui in May for the 1st time also. Fell in love with it and Sophie Grace jewelry. Jaime has a spot @ the Grand Wailea, where i was staying, and i discovered her creations
You took beautiful pix. I took many also. Every where you look is a picture of paradise!
Hey lady, looks like the trip is awesome. Checked out Sophie Grace Jewlery as well. She does such beautiful things with jewelry, tres jealous. Love the necklace on her profile pic right now but all of her earrings are amazing as well. See you around Osoyoos soon.
LOVE these! Definitely makes me want to go there!
Hi Erika
As usual amazing photo’s, and Sophie’s jewelry is also fabulous .. hmm what is my favourite maybe Jeff in gold or Sally in the green no the blue…decisions decisions
third try. fingers crossed this one gets posted.
amazing work as usual. i’m very fortunate to work along side a beautiful and talented photographer, and have the pleasure of having you as a friend. i’m not surprised that you would meet an amazing jewelery maker in your travels. hint hint… love the tiana!
I sent a friend request, liked your page, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE her star necklace! It’s beautiful!
omgoodness…love all the pieces, especially the shark tooth stuff…oh and the Kacey earrings in blue!!! being an okanagan girl they remind me of the water and the beaches:))) amazing shots
Erika – Gorgeous photos – I love the way you see and capture the world! Beautiful jewellry – my favourite would be a custom necklace – with a stamped piece with the name of each of my children. Been looking at them for awhile – so glad to know about this amazing artisan – thanks for sharing!
Love all the pieces and will be happy with whatever I would win ,as this would be a first win.