Designer Geren Lockhart, of Geren Ford fame, is traveling up a storm this autumn, and she’s decided to tell Fashionista readers all. The first installment of “Travels with Geren” takes us to Hawaii. Next week, she’s visiting New York City….

When/Where:
Honolulu, October 29-31

Why:
I love a quick getaway to Hawaii–Oahu is actually my favorite island. There are more tourists, but along with that comes a great deal more going on. Plus, it’s the capital of the state, so there’s a good bit of local fun to check in on. Oahu also has some of my favorite beaches in the world.

Best Meal:
Dinner at Town: They use mostly local ingredients and the menu that changes daily. Townkaimuki.com

Most Interesting Discovery:
I finally got to take the tour of Doris Duke’s estate Shangri-La–it’s an amazing estate and collection of Islamic artifacts. A building and grounds that will stay with me forever, I feel so lucky to have been able to see her world. It’s extremely generous of her to have willed it to the public through a foundation. It’s like my version of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. I went days ago and am still spinning creatively.

What did you buy?

• T-shirts and stickers for my friend’s son, Max, at Matsumoto’s Grocery Store, so that he can be the surf-chic kid in Chicago.

• Every book I could find on Doris Duke or Shangri-La.
• Kona coffee and Grand Cafe sauces for the wonderful people watching my pup Quinn .
• Life Black Q-Tips from Japan, they stock them at longs drugs in Hawaii but not here in the states, and I’ve searched high and low on the internet. So when I am there I clean out the shelves. They’re just so good, and chic at the same time, and only $2.99.