aloha friday scoop

one of my foodie resolutions has finally been crossed off my list - learn to make flour tortillas from scratch - hooray! after one too many of my favorite fresh tortillas from san diego were forgotten about in the fridge, i set out to discover how to make them at home if only to avoid those awful packaged tortillas when we eventually move back to the islands. recipe no. 2 was the winner - easy, delicious & addictive! (fyi: i replaced the lard with organic shortening.) now to find the perfect tortilla press . . .

shake off your summertime blues during ARTafterDARK's whisky-a-go-go complete with 60's style shimmying, body painting, and mid-century menu revivals by town and downtown (shake 'n bake chicken avec ruffles, anyone?)

• when: fri, aug 26th - 6p to 9p
• where: academy of arts, 900 south beretania street
• tix: free for academy members; $10 non-members

meet [ki-ele] designer marylea conrad and peek exclusive new sparkle (hello sunrise shells!) & place a custom order during her debut trunk show at nordy's.

• when: sat, aug 27th - 10a to 5p
• where: fashion jewelry, level 2, nordstrom ala moana

on the north shore, artist heather brown stops by surf 'n sea for a poster signing and to debut styles from her rip curl collection (including shop exclusives). plus, bid away during a silent auction to benefit the tsunami disaster relief effort in japan.

• when: sat, aug 27th - 3p to 6p
• where: 62-595 kam hwy, haleiwa

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hey mama! 2011 sparkle guide

i suspect most mamas would prefer a carefree day spent together filled with stories, hugs and laughter because making memories is simply priceless. that said, it is still hard to resist treating your number one fan in life to something unexpected as a small way to say mahalo for all she does for you.

first up . . . handmade adornment gathered up from around the islands!

1 - show some love for the islands with maui jewelry designer erica wissmar's i love hawaii bangle and necklace. {$50 to $60}

2 - rockabella jewels treats mama & keiki to matching puka bangles (baby sized too!) in sterling silver or 14k gold fill. {reduced to $55/set 'til sun, may 8th}

3 - quartz drops mingle with a slice of earthy agate in maui jeweler debra mack's mystical gaia necklace. {$140}

4 - honolulu's padma & pickles donates 20% of jewelry sales, including this pretty watermelon tourmaline ring, to help care for abandoned animals. {secret code hapahale saves you 30% on the entire collection during the month of may!}

5 - cabin no. 7 helps mom represent her hometown with custom handstamped jewelry. {$66; contact drift to order}

6 - [ki-ele] offers a sterling style getaway in the form of tahitian-inspired moorea bungalow earrings. {$56}

more possibilities next week!

[ki-ele] summer sale

coney island lei * coral/turquoise-in-a-bottle

occasionally, a deal is too good to wait until friday and the [ki-ele] grand summer sale that kicks off today certainly qualifies. for one week only, all of designer marylea conrad's lovely seaside inspired jewelry can be yours for 45% off!

this time around the collection is composed of cascades of tiny shells, dainty beach charms, silky strands, and delicately hand hammered adornment making them the perfect companions for your favorite summertime outfits!

tri-pinepple charm * little puka

scallop petal * scallop by the sea * tahiti starfish

if a style is on your wishlist, definitely act quickly since the stock is limited and already starting to sell out. and, happy news, all orders placed during the sale will ship for free!

click over to [ki-ele]'s online shop to take a peek at all the pretty offerings!

• secret code: kielesummer45
• expires: wed, jun 30th

[ki-ele] introduction - take two

cherry sea earrings + layering bracelets

a few weeks back, i mistakenly linked to the incorrect website when [ki-ele] stopped by alliway to celebrate the local jewelry line's first birthday. since readers who stay updated via rss or the daily-ish email may have missed the last minute correction, i thought it only appropriate to post a few peeks so everyone can get better acquainted with [ki-ele] which, for obvious reasons, deserves a second look.

longtime readers will recall that the islands were first introduced to the style skills of [ki-ele] designer marylea conrad with the debut of melia conrad, the retro glamorous swimwear label that launched back in 2007 (currently on vacation while marylea focuses on [ki-ele] which continues the tradition of naming lines after her little ones).

lovelies who swoon for mermaid chic will adore the sweetly styled pieces with its splashy mix-ins of tropically hued gemstones, brilliant beads and eclectic findings which combine with seashore discoveries to create a refined recollection of sunshine, sand castles, and enchanting moments spent beachside.

seahorse treasure

alas, [ki-ele] is still ironing out the details for its online shop so marylea kindly sent along a sneak peak of her upcoming holiday collection (shown above). many pieces are under $40 which makes for a friendlier price tag in an era of friday furloughs, looming layoffs, and other budgetary constraints.

also, take note that the initiale designs featured in the soon shell be found offering can be customized with your favorite letter adding a quiet hint of personal flair to holiday gifting.

be among the first to scoop up the new looks when marylea stops by shasa emporium for a pre-holiday trunk show this weekend during which every [ki-ele] purchase will go home with a pretty surprise!

• when: sat, nov 21st - 11a to 3p
• where: shasa emporium, kahala mall

p.s. other [ki-ele] stockists include alliway, into, split obsession and, for all the leeward peeps who want to avoid a trip to town, plantation home decor in kapolei.