happy hale*days 09: gifting edition

little wonders

hopefully, everyone has been busy with their holiday preparations and failed to notice my unintended absence this week. alas, between tending to a lovely new project, nursing the mister back to health over the weekend, and hurriedly finishing up all the little holiday details, this year's gifting guide got pushed (and pushed) to the back burner.

anyhoo, please enjoy this tardy roundup of last minute stocking stuffers scouted around the islands and beyond!

for the play date: the delightfully handcrafted emma the alien. ($45 | cuddle with aloha)

for the sumo baby: a wee onesie in sizes from 3m to 18m. ($15 | sweet dumplings)

for the keiki: adorable teddies and stockings made with fabric remnants. (mu'umu'u heaven; in-store only)

for the future picasso: sketch away with mini twig pencils in a rainbow of colors. ($8/dozen | available at toast).

for the tidy tot: handmade art roll featuring a fab orla kiely pattern. ($17 | tasha bags & baby)

design geek loveliness

for the frugalista: help her save her pennies with a pretty piggy bank. ($26 | not neutral)

for the not-so-green thumb: water-sipping succulents blossom in a living vase. (1st look exteriors)

for the office mate: rock that return address with a custom peacock rubber stamp. ($21.95 | for yoo)

for the saimin connoisseur: slurping ramen is tastier in a kitschy ceramic noodle cup. ($12.99 | available at think geek)

for the coffee lover: enjoy each sip with the blue flora coffee service. ($64 | not neutral)

for the front door: modernist mainlanders will appreciate an understated remove shoes plaque. ($32 | rae dunn)

beachy goodness

for the teacher: ecolicious canvas totes featuring waves, butterflies, flowers and fishes. ($24 | ecolicious)

for the treehugger: tread lighter on the 'aina with eco-friendly slippers made from natural rubber. ($30 | organik)

for the armchair adventurer: slip under the waves with the shorebreak art of clark little coffee table book. ($100 | clark little)

for the surfing 'ohana : a custom surfboard sign for the hale. ($40 | three ladybugz)

style makeover

for the indie spirit: wearables for the entire 'ohana (w's pom circles shown above) plus new arkotyke goods for the little hipster. ($22 | arkotec)

for the beauty queen: sweet solid scents made to linger with a blend of shea butter, vanilla bean extract, and essential oils. ($22 - $9 off and free shipping with secret code birthday | maoli perfumes)

for the surfer girl: handpainted star pendants add a little whimsy to the waves. ($30 | christie shinn)

for the water warrior: paddle in style with a lovely tiare jersey. ($40 | 'oiwi ocean gear)

for the mister: represent the 808 with an embroidered tiki crew sweatshirt. ($70 | kicks hawaii)

for the ironman: triathlon and honolulu marathon-inspired charms. ($50 | fly jewelry)

for the local boy: limited edition hi life warrior cap. ($40 | available at butigroove)

p.s. be back on friday with the final sales sheet before santa lands on your rooftop!

arkotec design lab

 manatee lab

if you haven't stopped into [area] lately, you may have missed one of the most promising design lines homegrown in hawaii of late. arkotec founder christian hastings recently returned home to the islands to pursue his lifelong dream of opening up a multidisciplinary design house via a fusion of old school production ways and modern meets sustainable design concepts.

in a world where far too much is outsourced to faraway lands, the big island-born designer (who currently calls honolulu home) is happily reviving the cottage industry one product at a time. first by producing a tee collection with thought provoking graphics and most recently with the introduction of arkotec's products for people line (sewn by christian's talented wife shandra).

take a peek at arkotec's latest offerings . . . delightfully green pillows, handbags and plush toys handmade with fabric reclaimed from the thrift shop mixed with new textiles for a totally one-of-a-kind look:

quasi

currently, the arkotec line is exclusively stocked at [area], the fab mid-century modern showroom in chinatown, with plans to open up an online shop of its own later this year (off-island readers are welcome to email christian to place an order).

click over to the arkotec website to learn more!

{update | feb 2010: arkotec recently opened up an online shop stocked with all of the featured designs shown above!}