and the winner is . . .

amanda of honolulu who will soon be wooed by maui soap company's pikake gift set!

alas, there was only one to share but you can sniff out your favorites at island stockists including accents at the royal hawaiian hotel & st. regis princeville, blue hawaii in ala moana, mana foods in paia, and whole foods hawaii (kahala & kahului).

for faraway friends missing hawaii, the entire lineup of luscious soap bars and moisturizing elixirs made in makawao are only a click away. plus, the online shop offers complimentary shipping when your order tallies up to $75 . . . something to remember if you are on the lookout for gently priced scented delights for your nice list this xmas.

happy congratulations amanda!

{mahalo alana & conor for treating the h|h 'ohana to your handmade bliss!}

maui soap company giveaway

once upon a time my kitchen temporarily turned into a little laboratory while formulating batch after batch in my quixotic quest for handmade beauty perfection. so i have lots of love for all the indie alchemists who magically transform everyday and exotic ingredients into pampering elixirs.

last year while scouting for holiday gift ideas, i happened across maui soap company's stunning bars which mixes a creamy base with sherbet colored slices of soapy goodness. alana and conor, the makawao sweeties behind the line, embrace an artisanal approach to soapmaking and handcraft all their offerings in small batches with a blend of soothing botanicals and opt for organic oils whenever possible. plus, ingredient list sticklers will be happy to find a paraben-free label.

to celebrate the launch of their signature gift set, one lucky reader will soon find a maui soap company moment in her mailbox featuring a trio of lotion, body butter, and soap (two bars!) plus an exfoliating sponge. seven scents are currently offered so you must peek the product page to find your favorite!

find all the giveaway details after the jump.

Click to read more ...

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)