shop toast hula kokeshi

the cuteness that is shop toast's newly launched hula kokeshi makes for a sweet peek on this beautiful aloha friday. the petite wooden heart stump containers are the canvas for delightful details - tiny grass skirts, flower lei, and a ribbon haku - for happy smiles all around.

and, the wee noggins open up to hide a small present for your lucky recipient.

available in boy and girl editions for a limited time online & in-store:

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

p.s. scoop one up during tonight's kickoff of third fridays kaimuki (6p to 9p) when neighborhood merchants (including shop toast, drift, town, and so many more) welcome you with art, music, food and one night shop specials.

shop peek: owens & co.

one of my favorite boutiques to visit whenever i find myself back on the island is the always delightful owens & co., the sweet design shop located in the most gorgeous corner space in the chinatown arts district. the cheery chevron curtains framing the windows instantly brighten my day and the curated collection of local and faraway finds are a design geek's dream come true.

something fabulous is always waiting to woo me whenever i pop by to to say hello - stacks of decorating/gardening/cooking & craft books, handmade sparkle and carryalls, playful domestic wares, pretty paper goods, and a selection of buzzy indie goods being swooned over on pinterest (hello washi tape, anthology magazine, and leather baggu pouches!).

missy, the shop's lovely proprietor (who shares my house hunters internationale obsession), is constantly on the lookout for charming discoveries to indulge our latest design obsessions as well as little delights perfect for every gifting occasion.

enjoy a peek of new summer arrivals after the jump!

scents & stacks

a.wattz * fortune

summer arrivals

in addition to elusive merch you have been crushing on compliments of your favorite design blogs (and ever so difficult to find in hawaii), owens & co. happily stocks goods from local makers including jewelry by justine, meleana handbags, so'mace tableware, and saffron james (did you spy the just introduced monoi/tamanu/coconut body oils up above?).

even if the shop is closed it's always fun to peek through the window, but do plan to stop in and wander about when honolulu's delightful indie emporium is open for business (note: missy's hubby jeff steps behind the counter when errands call her away from the shop).

• where: 1152 nu'uanu avenue, chinatown
• shop hours: mon to fri, 10a to 6p & sat, 11a to 4p

p.s. missy & jeff generously filled my shop tote with bars of nuuanu & pauahi soap (created in collaboration with the human imagination, a few doors down the block) on my last two visits, and i would love to share them with a few lucky readers. send me a note by the fourth of july and you might find a summer surprise in your mailbox!

shop toast: festive flags

an island graduation is an iconic rite of passage from friends and family showering the newly minted graduate with lovely lei and party invites booking summer social calendars with carport celebrations, beach picnics, and resort receptions.

if you still have a few weeks before the big party, our friends at shop toast recently introduced candy-filled festive flag favors in school colors to cheer on your grad's scholarly accomplishments.

with cap & gown season already upon us, do hele if you hope to festoon your festivities with tiny banners since a custom design (starring your grad's photo perhaps?) requires a three week turnaround. you are welcome to send along your own artwork or hire shop toast to whip up something special to make your grad smile (for an additional fee, natch).

order online or pop by the kaimuki studio for more details.

a so'mace summer

ocean collection

our friends at so'mace have had quite a year so far between the local design house's debut at the ny int'l gift fair, welcoming pretty pacific-inspired tableware to the collection, and a spring move to a new showroom space.

if you adore designer kaypee soh's modern take on island style, the whimsical laminated linen trays and bowls will surely find a place in your home. the smallest sizes are perfect for keeping little pretties tidy while their larger mates make for carefree displays and will certainly charm guests when pressed into service.

the new rug collection caught my fancy as soon as the lovely isla (who pens the official so'mace blog) first shared sneak peeks last year. the designs are already making me sigh from afar and while preparing this post i discovered my favorite motifs (chevrons! sea urchins! fish scales!) will say hello in the summer 2012 flat-weave collection. hooray!

urchins * scales

asymmetric chevrons

be still my heart . . . and offered in the exact colorways of our future bedroom makeover. hand-knotted rugs made of wool &/or silk can also be yours (including my beloved fan coral first featured in kaypee's pillow collection) in custom colors and sizes. and, so'mace rugs score extra credit for earning goodweave certification which ensures that no child labor is involved during the production process (an exploitative practice to remember should you be wooed by bargain price tags).

say hello to the so'mace 'ohana over at kilohana square (neighbors include rainforest and south coast paperie, the paper goods boutique opened by bradley & lily) or send a love note to inquire about mail orders.

• where: 1016 kapahulu avenue, suite 100
• shop hours: mon to fri, 10a to 6p & sat, 10a to 3p

shop toast: bunny kokeshi

something sweet for easter baskets in search of handmade cuteness . . . shop toast's new bunny kokeshi! the delightful facade, crafted of aspen wood, opens up to hide away a few favorite spring treats then tucks inside a matching fabric bag for instant gift giving.

find online or at shop toast's kaimuki studio.

p.s. the wedding café at ward warehouse now hosts a mini shop toast stocked year-round with favors and delights.