happy hale*days 2010: beauty edition

because everyone has at least one beauty junkie on their gift list:

1 - letarte recently introduced two skincare formulas to pamper parched skin - vanille polynesia blends shea butter, vanilla and sugar into a sweet scented lotion while 'alia hinu mixes argan and coconut oils to hydrate thirsty skin. ($54; shop online w/ free 2-day shipping on continental u.s. orders placed by wed, dec 22nd or in-store at the paia flagship)

2 - cleanse & moisturize your locks with ola's pure shampoo & conditioner formulated with coconut milk, kukui nut oil, and taro extract. ($19; shop online or search for a local stockist)

3 - soap fans will love maui soap company's gorgeous handmade bars made with certified organic oils and essential oils. ($6.49; online only shop online or find at mana foods in paia & whole foods on oahu)

4 - lanikai bath & body mixes green tea leaves and hawaiian sea salt to create its botanical body scrub. ($22.50; shop online & at the kailua flagship)

5 - mini roll-on perfumes from saffron james come in five intoxicating scents inspired by the islands. ($35; shop online or find at soha living in kahala & select anthropologie shops)

happy hale*days 2010: foodie edition

a handful of holiday discoveries for your favorite foodie's pantry!

1 - charming appliquéd towels from honolulu's coco and bee add a touch of whimsy when prepping in the kitchen. ($17/set; online only) {via cupcake boutique}

2 - a spicy hint of cinnamon brings a little xmas cheer to big island bee's fragrant organic lehua blossom honey. ($29/3 jars; shop online or email for local stockists)

3 - big island candies' chocolate dipped shortbread are legendary but who can resist the temptation of the ultimate chocolate chip cookie? ($13.50; shop online or in-store if you call hilo home)

4 - chef alan wong traces the inspiration of his 'ono hawaii regional dishes in the blue tomato. ($40; officially releases in jan 2011 but can be purchased at both of aw's oahu restaurants or online at books hawaii before the holidays)

check back tomorrow for more last minute ideas!

happy hale*days 2010: keiki edition

the islands are beckoning me back home so posting will be in limbo for the next few days. in the meantime, please enjoy a few adorable possibilities for the tiny stockings on your gift list:

1 - let's go fishing with an adorable wooden play set by korean designer jae keun song {$36; limited quantities available at super citizen}

2 - test your hawaiian vocabulary with hulo!, an island style puzzle game for ages 5 and up. {$12; via lovely clusters}

3 - storytime fans will want to gather round for the lovely legend of the gourd translated by kaliko beamer-trapp and illustrated by big island artist caren loebel-fried. {$16.95 - ring bishop museum's shop pacifica to order}

4 - little dew drops handpaints tiny scenes of aloha on its line of organic keiki togs. {$25 and up; personalization available for $3}

5 - playtime kitchens will be delighted to serve berrysprite's crocheted sushi set complete with wasabi and ginger.

6 - handmade baby blankies from cuddle with aloha reverses to a very cozy fleece minky. {$35}

happy hale*days 2010: mele edition

the interweb crashed on me earlier today so it's nice to finally be back online to kick off the first gifting edition! of all the guides, the mele roundup is the one i look forward to most since it gives me an excuse to wander my favorite design haunts in search of festive holiday happiness. it's also my rare fix of xmas delight until i walk into the winter wonderland that is my mom's home.

here's the scoop on my current holiday crushes:

1 - three cheers for the bold contemporary graphics of mozaic papers' charming i'iwi greeting cards! ($11/6 cards or $14/box)

2 - kinohi designs whips up playful photo cards for a modern family portrait. (fyi: i am a tinyprint affiliate so my piggy bank will be filled if you shop via this link)

3 - la belle vie's hula girl silhouette may be made in texas but it will definitely brighten up mailboxes near and far from the the islands. ($18/box)

more festive finds after the jump!

4 - tiny tags from shop toast share the sweetest sentiment with simple perfection. ($2/set)

5 - lei chartru's mele mele kalikimaka tags offers up a modern monstera pattern for a pop of xmas happiness. ($7.50/set)

6 - anthropologie's darling iced whale ornament has already sold out online, but check your neighborhood outpost for a possible xmas score. ($16)

7 - blushing pearl's pearly shell gift tags letterpressed in seaspray blue will live on in the new year as a pretty reminder/bookmark. ($10/set)

8 - treat your tree to a handmade candy cane ornament by honolulu glass artist jessica landau. ($25)

9 - only lucky readers who shop kealopiko's holiday market (details in tomorrow's scoop) will have a chance to purchase the gorgeous screenprinted wrap featuring local motifs.

10 - the ukulele monkey gift wrap from sf's hello lucky! just may be too cute for keiki to tear off their presents on xmas morning. ($5.75/roll)

11 - gussy up some kraft paper with japanese washi paper tape imported by cute tape. ($16/set)

12 - gift surprises big or small in a kealopiko pareu which doubles as lovely furoshiki wrapping cloth. ($35; akoakoa pattern shown)

did you discover anything new to love amongst these twelve things for xmas?

p.s. click back to the past for more ideas on sharing a little modern island cheer this xmas.

shop toast: tricks & treats

jax treat bags

does anyone else feel like 2010 is slipping away faster than you can say boo? with halloween lurking around the corner, how about we take a peek into the shop toast workshop to see the newest treats designed to add a little cuteness to next weekend's creepy costumed celebration.

if you are feeling particularly crunched on time, skip the line at longs and scoop up a few jax treat bags, wee pumpkin colored muslin delights pre-filled with an assortment of sweets for just $1.50 a pop. the halloween edition boo!zu boys have also returned (currently on clearance for $2) and have brought along a few friends to help scare away the rain on a daily basis.

toast's woodland warriors have proven to be popular and have welcomed a few new additions to its 'ohana from birch wood postcards ($4) to cotton totes ($15) with five different greetings and designs to choose from.

woodland warriors postcards & totes

and, lovebirds and holiday hostesses have a pretty new semi-custom favor option with the arrival of the diy tying the knot fabric wrap bags. the cotton hanky sets are a simple way to doll up those tokens of appreciation and can be ordered in rainbow of colors to coordinate with your bash's decor.

you can find all the new goods both in-store and stocked in the online shop. and, if you are hoping to wish away the drizzle with the latest boo!zu boys weather charm ($6; available in 7 colors), remember to mention h|h and the shop toast 'ohana will knock $2 off the going price!

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

{mahalo jeremy & michelle!}