aloha friday scoop

and, just like that it's time for december's first friday highlights:

• fashionista's market welcomes local jewelry maker allison liddle of lynn jean designs. (5p to 9p; 1185 bethel street)

• fighting eel offers gift bag specials priced from $26 to $60. (1133 bethel street)

• find mu'umu'u heaven lovelies at the hi'ialoakuapapa sustainable markplace of the pacific. (5p to 8p; 925 bethel street)

• scoop up local label lovelessizm at roberta oaks. (19 north pauahi street)

• check out hurley & contrast magazine's the anti-canvas boardshort art show featuring contributions by clark little, daeja fallas, kamea hadar, sig zane, salomon enos and more. bid on your favorite design during the silent auction with all proceeds benefitting local charities. (5p to 9p; soho mixed media bar, 80 south pauahi street)

flash your reusable tote at lei chartru's weekend holiday fairs and score a set of mele mele gift tags (featured in yesterday's gifting guide) with your purchase of handmade, upcycled accessories.

• when: sat, dec 4th - 10a to 4p
• where: kalama beach club, 280 north kalaheo avenue, kailua

• when: sun, dec 5th - 9a to 1p
• where: kawaiha'o plaza, 567 south king street (behind church)

Click to read more ...

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.

petal pusher

eco lotus loveliness

may day's shower of flowers will soon be upon us so it seems the perfect time to share a charming twist on floral accompaniments for springtime. mililani designer anela ota established lei chartru, her small line of "curious finds", after being bestowed with a box of upholstery remnants to play with. nel cheerfully accepted the crafty challenge and eventually happened upon a subtle yet gorgeous formula of upcycling the leather castoffs into a fresh and flirty accessories collection.

the leather loveliness is carefully constructed and embossed with delicate designs and embellished with swarovski crystals creating an unexpected dose of ooh la la combined with a hint of modern sensibility. the lightweight looks are a fetching holiday for fatigued earlobes while leather blossom clips are a sweet upgrade to your favorite outfit, handbag or hairdo.

you can find the eco lotus collection along with handmade paper bouquets and naughty and nice convo pebbles stocked exclusively in nel's etsy shop with complimentary shipping on all orders placed by june 1st.

oahu readers also have a chance to meet nel during this weekend's mililani town association's mother's day craft fair:

• when: sat, may 1st - 9a to 2p
• where: mililani rec center 5, 95-1101 ainamakua drive

p.s. nel happily accepts custom orders and offers complimentary consultations if you need a design whim brought to life.