posh pua spring/summer 2010

hinahina

a year has zipped by since posh pua was first introduced on h|h and the maui label's spring/summer 2010 collection is a bit overdue for a peek. julie from posh pua sent word about the new lineup while i was deep undercover finishing up h|h's makeover and i finally had a chance to click over to the website and found the new convertible hinahina bikini top too cute not to share. with some simple remanuevering, hinahina can go from strapless to a halter style and offers a sweet surprise around the back with its darling knotted tie.

all in all, there are quite a few new additions to the swim line with five mix-and-match styles on offer this season. while swimwear production has moved off maui to keep up with demand, julie continues to make the everyday staples sewn with eco-friendly textiles including new additions like racerback tanks and bamboo/organic cotton leggings to pair with your favorite tunics and dresses all year round.

lola

metallic racerback tunic * bamboo leggings

the lovely patterned textiles found in the swim collection are limited edition and gone for good once they sell out (aloha sweet hearts pattern!). your best bet is to check in with julie prior to ordering and inquire about the current selection which typically includes three solids and three patterns.

you can scoop up all the featured styles via posh pua's etsy shop as well as the official online shop where the hard-to-fit can order up a bikini with custom measurements. or support your neighborhood stockists and make your way to wings hawaii in paia and guava shop in haleiwa.

new peeks: kealopiko ku collection

ke aloha aina

the lovely ladies behind kealopiko are definitely to be admired for their dedication in sharing the hawaiian culture with the modern world and their commitment to good design. i like to think of the descriptions that accompany all of their designs as continuing education . . . little histories which help folks (re)connect with their ancestry while clueing in kama'aina and others who may not have been immersed in all things hawaiian learn more about hawaii's native culture. more knowledge is always a good thing!

happily, kealopiko recently introduced their ku collection for spring 2010 and are showing more love for our 'aina by expanding the number of designs printed on organic cotton and eco-friendly fibers. one of the most striking designs is the ke aloha aina tee which mixes a variety of typefaces and serves as a printed reminder of the wearer's "deep love of the land":

"aloha aina is a very old concept . . . although it may change and adapt, it is a part of us that will never go away. we remain kupa‘a in our love for our place, which is challenged all the time by things that are not in the interest of the land or the people. more than a century of occupation may have produced a lot of confusion, but it can never break our aloha aina. so no matter what our different political persuasions might be, wherever we are on our journeys of learning, or wherever we find ourselves in the struggle, we must never forget our common bond of aloha aina."

in addition to tees and tops, pretty strapless dresses are now being offered which i suspect will be very popular this summertime. and, the kealopiko 'ohana also kindly shared a few of the custom looks created for one of the lucky wedding parties who have walked down the aisle wearing some of the most gorgeous designs for an island wedding.

aeo

lehua makanoe * lau amau & palai a kamapuaa

are you sharing my swoon over these lovely wedding looks from lauren and mason's wedding? the muted colorways are so pretty and this is certainly one of the most stylish ways to share the aloha spirit on such a happy day.

if you would love to order a custom design, be advised that kealopiko suggests a minimum of 8 weeks notice to conjure up something made just for you.

the ku collection is currently stocked in the online shop and you can find select styles at boutiques around the islands. oahu readers can also say hello to the kealopiko 'ohana during this weekend's e malama i ke kai festival:

• when: sat, may 15th - 10a to 3p
• where: kapiolani park bandstand, waikiki

{photo credit | lauren & mason's wedding: joanna tano photography}

heather brown summer 2010

heather brown for rip curl girl

since kaua'i artist heather brown was first featured two years ago, the artwork that makes so many of us swoon has taken her across the pacific to establish a gallery of her own in japan and, more recently, inspired a collaboration with rip curl. yep, you can now hit the surf wrapped in those gorgeous glassy waves that have become one of heather's delightful motifs. proof that following your heart and doing what you love can only lead to good things.

the summer 2010 collection is part of the surf label's "artist of the search" series in europe which means, alas, only select styles are available here in the states. continuing on with yesterday's eco theme, many of the looks are made of organic cotton (or "coton bio" as described on the european website . . . ooh la la!) with the swimwear made of a recycled poly blend. in addition to dresses, tops and hoodies, our lucky friends in europe also get to take their pick of a range of accessories and petite tees for little wahines.

word is that more of the collection should be arriving stateside this winter so, until then, let's console ourselves with a few peeks so you can jot down your favorites on your xmas wish list.

your best bet to scoop up the handful of styles available outside of europe is at hic and surf 'n sea in haleiwa as well as mainland stockists. you may also want to try your luck online where i managed to track down the organic tee (here) as well as the bikinis and slippers (here) that round out the collection.

{mahalo chelsea & spencer!}

{photo credit: ted grambeau for rip curl}

new peeks: organik 2010

m's squid tee

the organik 'ohana kindly sent along peeks of the label's 2010 collection with riffs on kona sunsets and tidepool discoveries along with a few cheeky plays on sustainable philosophies working their way into this year's look book. mixed in is organik's first dip into everyday basics with introductory offerings including certified organic cotton, micromodal jersey and recycled poly blend (spun from soda pop bottles) editions of the iconic wrap dress, tees, tanks, hoodies and polos.

happy news for readers who may shy away from screenprinted designs or for anyone who shares my efforts to replace unwearables with eco-friendly choices (i am, in fact, typing this now while dressed in my favorite stewart+brown organic tee layered over an organic cotton cami). after countless shopping expeditions, i know first hand how difficult it can be to source pretty sustainable pieces made in the good ol' u.s. of a. that do not elicit sticker shock so i am definitely excited about the upcoming possibilities. hooray!

eye chart * free range

w's driftwood tee

w's wrap dress * recycled slub tank

the newest organik arrivals are starting to find their way to the line's network of stockists around hawaii and the mainland. if a neighborhood shopping experience is not in the cards, keep an eye on the online shop or try your luck at organik's green room where you can scoop up past season looks for a song and which will be hosting a preview of the summer collection this weekend:

• when: sat, may 8th - 6p to 9p
• where: the green room, 73-5580 maiau street, kailua-kona (near costco)
• fyi: shop hours vary; call ahead to confirm the doors will be open for your shopping trip

p.s. you can currently save 30% off select styles in the online shop with complimentary shipping on us orders!

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?