Finding Mandee

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Finding Mandee 🇺🇸 finding adventure at every duty station
🏠 thrifted home decor & diy makeovers
✨ helping military families make every house feel like home

finding adventure at every duty station
🏠 obsessing over second-hand home decor
🔨 amateur crafter & refurbisher
📍Oahu, Hawaii
👇🏻i blog about it

🌴 If you’ve ever planned a trip to Oahu, you’ve probably heard people talk about the “Windward Side” and “Leeward Side.”...
09/09/2026

🌴 If you’ve ever planned a trip to Oahu, you’ve probably heard people talk about the “Windward Side” and “Leeward Side.”

But…what exactly does that mean? 🤔

It’s basically how people refer to the different sides of the island based on their relationship to the prevailing trade winds—and the two sides can feel VERY different.

🌺 Windward = generally wetter and lush
☀️ Leeward = generally drier and sunnier

Which side of Oahu is your favorite?

🚦 Have you ever seen a BLUE stop sign?If you’ve spent much time in Hawai’i, you may have noticed these unusual blue STOP...
08/09/2026

🚦 Have you ever seen a BLUE stop sign?

If you’ve spent much time in Hawai’i, you may have noticed these unusual blue STOP signs—and they definitely make you do a double take! 😂

They’re especially common in Hawai’i, and there’s actually a reason they’re blue. These signs are typically found on private property, where the rules surrounding official traffic signage are different.

And yes… BLUE still means STOP! 😂 Don’t let the color fool you!

I had never seen one before moving to Hawai’i. It’s one of those little things you probably wouldn’t think twice about until you realize, “Wait… stop signs are supposed to be RED!”

Have you ever seen a blue stop sign? 👇

One of our very first furniture flips! We took an old dresser and gave it a whole new life as a buffet at our house in N...
08/09/2026

One of our very first furniture flips!

We took an old dresser and gave it a whole new life as a buffet at our house in North Carolina. At the time, we thought we had found the perfect use for it, but in Texas, it became our TV stand!

I love furniture that can evolve with our different homes instead of getting tossed when needs change. ❤️

This one has definitely gotten its money’s worth and is still going strong 💪🏻

🌴 Okay, but why are palm leaves in Hawaii SO BIG?!You don’t really appreciate how huge they are when they’re way up at t...
05/09/2026

🌴 Okay, but why are palm leaves in Hawaii SO BIG?!

You don’t really appreciate how huge they are when they’re way up at the top of a palm tree. Then one falls to the ground and suddenly you realize just how massive they actually are. 😂

This one was from one of the really tall palm trees on Hickam, and just the base of the leaf was way bigger than my 12-year-old!

🌴➡️👧🏻

Have you ever noticed how huge these things are?

🍔 Wait…are these still around?!One of the most random things we’ve discovered in Hawaii: a McDonald’s with these hamburg...
05/09/2026

🍔 Wait…are these still around?!

One of the most random things we’ve discovered in Hawaii: a McDonald’s with these hamburger stools! 😂

They look like something straight out of an old-school McDonald’s from decades ago, and I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw anything like them on the mainland.

Did your McDonald’s have hamburger stools like these when you were a kid? 🍔👇

🌿 Is Manoa Falls worth adding to your Oahu itinerary?This is one of those hikes that gets recommended constantly and for...
05/09/2026

🌿 Is Manoa Falls worth adding to your Oahu itinerary?

This is one of those hikes that gets recommended constantly and for good reason!

The jungle, the waterfall, the peaceful vibes…it’s all wonderful 🥰

Have you hiked Manoa Falls? 🌿

Aloha Friday is upon us again 🧡We have a weekend full of projects ahead of us & I’m not mad about it ☺️ But maybe I’ll m...
04/09/2026

Aloha Friday is upon us again 🧡

We have a weekend full of projects ahead of us & I’m not mad about it ☺️ But maybe I’ll make the time to sneak off to the beach if the weather cooperates.

When I saw this BIG, brass, trophy-base lamp at the thrift store for $14.99 I knew it was coming home with me 🥰Even with...
04/09/2026

When I saw this BIG, brass, trophy-base lamp at the thrift store for $14.99 I knew it was coming home with me 🥰

Even with its ugly, 1970s brown lamp shade, I knew I could make it pretty. After a little fabric, glue, and frustration it fits my decor perfectly now ❤️

And the tutorial for covering the lamp shade is up on the blog!

🥾 One of the best views on Oahu’s North Shore is at the end of this hike. 🌴The Ehukai Pillbox Hike is a relatively short...
03/09/2026

🥾 One of the best views on Oahu’s North Shore is at the end of this hike. 🌴

The Ehukai Pillbox Hike is a relatively short hike, but it gets you up above the North Shore for some pretty incredible views.

And if you’re visiting during big surf season, you can sometimes see just how powerful the waves are from up here. 🌊

Would you add the Ehukai Pillbox Hike to your Oahu itinerary? 👇

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