new peeks: mu'umu'u heaven

bean bag & bear

by now i should know that posting during a visit home is like a magic 8-ball prediction - very doubtful. between bouncing between two families, a wedding, playing tour guide with out-of-town pals, and island hopping (aloha conn & john!), the days this time around flew by in a snap with half my to do list remaining untouched.

i did manage to take a peek inside mu'umu'u heaven's expanded space which now includes a home section filled with charming eco-friendly goods. two of mu'umu'u heaven's newest additions to catch my eye were the cheery bean bags ($80; cover only) and bird mobiles crafted from scraps of fabric left over from the production process of transforming no longer loved mu'umu'us into the reinvented styles stocked across the way in the boutique.

the mister and i also couldn't help stopping to admire a piece made by honolulu designer mark chai who upcycled a 55 gallon plastic barrel into a comfy lounge chair ($1500). and, the shop walls are currently filled with heather brown prints and other goodies including the brand new organic green with aloha totes which had just hit the shop floor the day of my visit.

more peeks below . . .

delightful birdie mobile

barrel chair by mark chai

alas, none of these pieces are available in the online shop so you will have to hele over to mu'umu'u heaven's kailua outpost which also happens to employ some of the nicest shopgirls on the island:

• where: 767 kailua road, kailua
• shop hours: mon to sat, 10a to 6p & sun, 11a to 4p

introducing 3rd ave shore

mermaids swirl

{just a note that i am home for a springtime visit so my posting schedule will be a bit lighter until april, but i will do my best to post sales and other fun notes over on twitter & facebook}

one of the things missing from the wall graphic trend these past few years have been designs befitting of an island home so you can imagine my delight when i happened across kailua's 3rd ave shore. i was instantly charmed by the sweet little mermaids who seem destined to find a home on more than a few walls and knew readers would be thrilled to find wall art depicting scenes from paradise.

it turns out designer samantha hardin is a doodler-at-heart and always kept a sketchbook nearby during her days as nanny. after three years, the pages were filled with possibilities and sam decided to transform her drawings from a simple sheet of paper to a grander display in the form of wall decals. these days sam personally produces each design by hand carefully transferring and dissecting each detail in her studio.

3rd ave shore's debut collection features hand drawn illustrations and bold graphics inspired by paradise and its swaying palm trees, lifeguard towers, surfer silhouettes, and rolling waves.

more peeks below . . .

a surfer after the adventure

price tag ranges from $45 to over $200 depending on the size and complexity of the design. wall decals can also be ordered in a rainbow of colors and can be made to fit your space. sam also offers personalized graphics and welcomes custom orders if you require something more specific for your space.

click over to 3rd ave shore's etsy shop to view the collection and enjoy complimentary shipping when you place your order in the next week!

• secret code: hapahale (enter in notes to seller)
• expires: thu, apr 1st
• fyi: shipping will be refunded via paypal

p.s. click over to the official website to take a peek at the installation video which shows you all the steps for a perfect application.

{mahalo sam!}

and the winner is . . .

kelly from aiea who will be rocking the year of the tiger with toast's delightful new tote!

many mahalos to all the readers who took a moment to enter the giveaway. click over to toast's online shop to order up a tote of your own or stop by toast's studio where 2010 orange love fruits are still available in limited quantities.

• where: 3434 waialae avenue, suite 3, kaimuki
• shop hours: m / w / f / sat - 12p to 6p

congratulations, kelly!

{many mahalos to jeremy & michelle of toast!}

toast tiger tote giveaway

the year of the tiger arrives on sunday and toast has created a super cute design to celebrate chinese new year! the happy tiger illustration has been paired with a handy tote which will keep your belongings tidy while charming passersby when you are on the go.

the tiger tote ($8) is also a fab gift idea for those born under the influence of this lucky cat (considered to be a courageous and generous bunch).

jeremy and michelle from toast are sharing one of their sweet new year's designs with the h|h 'ohana and have invited readers far and wide to enter for a little giveaway love!

• email your name & current hometown to: aloha [at] hapahale [dot] com by sun, feb 14th
• please put toast tiger tote giveaway in the subject
• one entry per person/household

winner will be announced next monday.

good luck!

{update: winner list posted}

lilly pulitzer home

treasure chest quilt

just popping in to post a quick peek of garnet hill's newly debuted lilly pulitzer home collection for all the readers who share my fondness for lovely linens. lilly's fabulous shifts may be inspired by life in luxe palm beach but the happy splashes of color and whimsical patterns will certainly appeal to islanders who swoon for that vintage modern beach cottage look.

the seashore-inspired palette is filled with warm corals, vibrant turquoises and leafy greens with cameos by ocean friends like fish and seashells popping up throughout the collection. my favorites are the treasure chest quilt which is reminiscent of old hawaii with its intricate design of seaside loveliness and the bucket o' goodies hooked wool rug which brings a hint of the tides to your floor.

bucket o' goodies hooked rug

definitely take a peek if you have been wanting to give your linen closet a cheery makeover to welcome the new decade!

prices range from $14 to just under $500 for a 6x9 rug.