hey mama!

i suspect new mamas would adore some alone time while empty nest mamas would love nothing more than some face time with her offspring, but here are a few ideas for those on the hunt for something to gift their number one fan in life.

1 - the new it bag: aloha rag's signature tote rocks the honolulu boutique's skull and monogram design ($24).

2 - mother's day brunch meet ecohashi, on-the-go reusable chopsticks ($12) accompanied by a lovely organic cotton storage bag made on the north shore. available online & at select island stockists (including red pineapple at ward).

3 - treat a leeward garden to succulent blooms from lanikai pot & plant and enjoy a complimentary notecard set when you purchase three small arrangements or one large arrangement. please email mary pat to order and arrange an appointment for local pickup. {via soh inspired!}

4 - malie mixes up an organic anti-aging elixir ($54) from hawaiian coffee fruit extract reported to repair and protect skin with its antioxidant rich formula.

5 - big island candies offers the sig zane designed lei 'ahinaahina box ($48) which hides an 'ono assortment of shortbread, biscotti, brownies and petite sweets inside its pretty package.

6 - the 'iwa birds will make mom smile but the message of 'oiwi's culture wahine jersey ($46) will be a happy reminder of why she loves to paddle.

7 - de-stress with ola hawaii's face lomi kit ($60) complete with lomi stone and guava stick for a pampering at home spa treatment.

8 - adopt-a-nene ($30+) from the friends of haleakala and help protect the 300 state birds that call the maui crater home.

reader mamas . . . what is on your wish list for mother's day?

earth day roundup

h|h hearts an eco-friendly home . . .

longtime readers know that i believe that every day is earth day, but since the collective world is more mindful of mother earth today i thought it would be nice to share some of my favorite eco-friendly finds that are good for our 'aina, you and your 'ohana.

we do our best to choose sustainable products whenever possible, but after many many years of trial and error i know that green, alas, does not always mean effective or quality goods. these products have become my gold standard which means they are better than conventional offerings, and, rest assured, you would definitely find my top 10 around my home if you ever peeked into my cabinets.

read the full scoop on my favorite home and beauty goods after the jump!

Click to read more ...

sneak peek: made in hawaii 2009

the made in hawaii festival kicks off tomorrow so here's my annual sneak peek of fresh island goodness ready to woo you at the blaisdell this weekend!

1 - new label one hula girl transforms everyday style staples with a little razzle dazzle.

2. delight both little ones and their mod mamas & papas with personalized blankets, burp cloths and onesies handmade by it's mine baby.

3 - designer janine spalding of mahina pearls crafts lovely compositions to conjure your inner sea goddess.

4 - lather up with kona natural soap's calorie-free cocoa bars handcrafted with chocolate grown on its big island farm.

5- artist joseph dwight recreates island scenes out of stained glass which are the perfect complement for any modern surf shack.

6 - the traditional tapa aloha shirt receives a delightfully graphic update with tutuvi's handprinted textiles.

7 - hawaii island gourmet products continues to make atebara potato chips from the original 1930's recipe while sourcing 'ulu, taro, sweet potatoes and ginger from local farms for their line of salty and sweet snacks.

8 - umi blends offers up their secret island style ingredient for a perfectly seasoned teri burger.

9 - nibble your way to do-gooder status with the yummy treats (furikake lavosh, anyone?) made by rainbow falls connection since 100% of sales fund programs to lift big island kama'ainas out of poverty.

10 - the north shore's old sugar mill brand sweetens your day with chocolate confections harvested from its back yard.

11 - everything tastes better with butter especially when it's the artisanal offerings by waianae's naked cow dairy (be sure to sample the macadamia nut honey & toasted coconut).

p.s. be back later with a special mih sales scoop!

family affair

a little last minute mother's day gift idea inspired by a sweetly scented potion crafted by two keiki and a fresh alternative in a world filled with factory made fragrances. while many readers will be wooed by maoli perfumes' fragrant promise of a "spray of sunshine" conveniently packaged in a glass bottle, the story of how this wee perfumery came to be may prove even more irresistible.

let's rewind to 2007 when the hughes 'ohana left hawaii for the rainy northwest and the resulting homesickness of sons kai and kalani who instantly missed the islands and its distinctive blend of sandy surf, tropical blossoms, and all around hawaiian goodness. mom mari decided to utilize her aromatherapy background to introduce her sons to the science of scent via a home study assignment exploring the formulation of natural perfumes.

two budding alchemists were quickly revealed and, after a few attempts, the brothers concocted a balmy elixir with notes of mexican wild lime, orange blossoms, pikake, ka'u gold oranges, and vanilla. the lesson book had barely closed when mainland friends began inquiring about the sweet scent worn by the brothers as a reminder of their island home, and so, quite unexpectedly, their next assignment was hatched.

fast forward to the present and the family has redefined homework with kai and kalani mixing and labeling batches of their island blend while dad helps out with the graphics/website and mom keeps everything running behind-the-scenes from ordering supplies to bottling, shipping, and marketing maoli's keiki-inspired scent.

although maoli's first offering, colonia dulce (a nod to mari's spanish heritage), was originally created with a younger audience in mind, sensitive grownup noses will appreciate that the eau de cologne is blended with certified organic essential oils, is free of synthetic components, and tested on humans not animals.

even better, the project includes a lesson in paying it forward with a portion of purchases donated to organizations like malama hawaii, heifer international, the shea project, and women for women international.

currently, maoli perfumes can only be found in its online shop so click over and enjoy free shipping on your order!

p.s. request a complimentary sample here.

and the winners are . . .

luana from south dakota and molly from michigan! yep, the mainland swept the pampering coco gift set giveaway from 'ohana organics . . . definitely a welcome treat during the remaining chilly days of spring.

many mahalos to everyone who took a moment from their day to enter! click over to the online shop to scoop up some handcrafted beauty goods of your own or take a peek at the stockist list (fyi - devocean on the north shore is currently the only island purveyor of 'ohana organics goodness).

congratulations, luana & molly!

[mahalo tara!]

p.s. the organic tattoo butter is now available in the online shop.