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?

toast cheerful giveaway

cheerful gift crate

ah, sweet memories . . . remember this cheerful gift crate featured last week during the toast-y spring goodness roundup? one lucky oahu reader will be gifted with a medium ready-to-go design (retail: $45) stocked with a pre-filled mix of sweet and savory mini pops compliments of the toast 'ohana!

pickup will be at toast's kaimuki studio so please take a peek at the fine print:

• click here to send your name *and* current hometown by thu, apr 29th
• please put toast cheerful giveaway in the subject
• one entry per person/household
• oahu readers only, please

p.s. the lucky reader will be announced this friday. good luck!

{update: winner list posted}

shop toast spring goodness

happy children's day!

i finally stopped by toast's studio in kaimuki while home which, in addition to being stocked with a complete selection of design delights, is a brilliant lesson in how to display wares in what may be the tiniest storefront square footage on the island. my little visit was filled with happy chatter about upcoming releases which have just begun to pop up in my in-box.

first up, toast adds a new screenprinted fabric wrap to their offerings strategically twisted into cheery koi ($6) which unbundle to reveal yummy tomoe ame rice candy. the design riffs on the abundant koi banners flying above island homes in celebration of boy's day and the all-enclusive children's day (may 5th - mark your calendar!). alas, due to small parts these are meant for older keiki (ages eight and up) so best to keep away from little hands.

woodland creatures were originally introduced last summer and have returned with a technicolor edition ($5) which are quite possibly even more charming. and, for those who want to sweeten up surprises, get ready to be charmed by the brand new cheerful gift crates ($45 medium & $75 large) meant to be personalized with happy or sorry emoticons, a custom message, and stocked with an assortment of mini pops.

please note gift crates have a minimum five day order turnaround and mini pop fillings may vary depending on availability.

all of the new designs can be ordered in toast's online shop or pop into the kaimuki studio to stock up and say hello to jeremy and michelle!

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

bunny love

my favorite part of easter growing up was the little chocolate bunny tucked into my easter basket . . . although i always felt a bit guilty when it came time to say goodbye to its sweet little face. happily, no such dilemma presents itself with toast's newest creation - the delightful cotton tail which features a custom printed handkerchief that has been magically coaxed into a bunny shape with perfectly placed twists and ties.

hidden inside the bunny's belly are a mix of chocolate confections in the form of kit-kats, mini cadbury eggs and reese's pieces (yum!). as an added bonus, once your sweet tooth is satisfied the hanky remains as a cheerful reminder of your little buddy.

toast's charming cotton tails are available in three hues of bunny pink and can be ordered in the online shop or scooped up at toast's studio:

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

p.s. toast recently debuted an in-store mini pop bar where you can mix and match sweet and savory bottles and scoop up preprinted labels whenever you require just a handful of favor fun.

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!}