introducing lovely clusters

today is usually reserved for etsy finds but instead i wanted to introduce you to lovely clusters, the recently launched, curated indie marketplace hosted by rachel of design lovely (based on maui) and vicki from simply hue. the idea for lovely clusters was the natural evolution of rachel's blog which is devoted to sharing a sweet fix of charming romantic finds (think anthropologie) discovered during her online wanderings.

as etsy and the many other online emporiums become crowded with sellers, it can be quite a time sap to click through page after page of possibilities searching for the perfect gem. luckily for those of us who swoon over pretty little things, lovely clusters edits out all the noise down to the most delightful handmade and vintage treasures. even better, you also have the option to fine tune your search by color or category which is how i found all of these lovely clusters-approved, island-inspired offerings.

designers interested in signing up will want to take a peek at the guidelines for more details. there is a limited complimentary listing plus a more expansive shop listing available for a small monthly fee. it does help to have an online shop, but if you need assistance setting one up, send a note to rachel who just happens to design websites during her day job.

p.s. be sure to click over to the design lovely etsy shop which is stocked with handmade note cards made by rachel.

new peeks: maui thing

wailuku bridge

maui thing, the designer collective offering screenprinted "clothing with a conscience", has become a favorite of maui residents since its launch and just marked the one year anniversary of its flagship shop this summer.

happily, the line continues to hatch community-minded missives wrapped in fresh island design that distills local culture, environmental thoughts, and playful branded looks into stylish and reasonably priced wearables for the modern 'ohana.

more peeks below . . .

kopiko * crane * apapane

honu

drive aloha * clean oceans

hele over to the mt boutique (shown above) to scoop up the latest designs and say hello, or hit the online shop which offers complimentary shipping on all orders shipped to a maui mailbox.

• where: 7 north market street, wailuku
• shop hours: mon to fri, 10a to 6p & sat, 10a to 4p

sneak peek: made in hawaii 2009

the made in hawaii festival kicks off tomorrow so here's my annual sneak peek of fresh island goodness ready to woo you at the blaisdell this weekend!

1 - new label one hula girl transforms everyday style staples with a little razzle dazzle.

2. delight both little ones and their mod mamas & papas with personalized blankets, burp cloths and onesies handmade by it's mine baby.

3 - designer janine spalding of mahina pearls crafts lovely compositions to conjure your inner sea goddess.

4 - lather up with kona natural soap's calorie-free cocoa bars handcrafted with chocolate grown on its big island farm.

5- artist joseph dwight recreates island scenes out of stained glass which are the perfect complement for any modern surf shack.

6 - the traditional tapa aloha shirt receives a delightfully graphic update with tutuvi's handprinted textiles.

7 - hawaii island gourmet products continues to make atebara potato chips from the original 1930's recipe while sourcing 'ulu, taro, sweet potatoes and ginger from local farms for their line of salty and sweet snacks.

8 - umi blends offers up their secret island style ingredient for a perfectly seasoned teri burger.

9 - nibble your way to do-gooder status with the yummy treats (furikake lavosh, anyone?) made by rainbow falls connection since 100% of sales fund programs to lift big island kama'ainas out of poverty.

10 - the north shore's old sugar mill brand sweetens your day with chocolate confections harvested from its back yard.

11 - everything tastes better with butter especially when it's the artisanal offerings by waianae's naked cow dairy (be sure to sample the macadamia nut honey & toasted coconut).

p.s. be back later with a special mih sales scoop!

new peeks: indah summer 2009

summertime may be on the wane but i couldn't resist sharing peeks from indah's summer 09 lookbook which is filled with gorgeous on-the-street fashion shots reminiscent of a dreamy stylish travelogue (complete with foolproof hair and makeup plus professional touchups, natch). more proof that a fetching frock should be required packing for a delightful island adventure.

the summer offering by bali-based designer libby de santis is quite extensive with prints ranging from muted batik repeats to punchy tropical patterns. in addition to a host of pretty dresses offered in hemlines that go from mini to maxi, you'll find lots of mix & match separates plus a collection of saucy swimwear designed for balmy days near the equator.

more peeks below . . .

lele

maximo tank + kola shorts

oba

fahna

an official online shop is still in the works so until then support your neighborhood stockist or click over to swell which is freshly stocked with a handful of summer arrivals or planet blue which has a good selection of past season styles.

new peeks: fighting eel fall 2009

mimi

lan chung and rona bennett, the stylish duo behind honolulu-based label fighting eel, have a more structured look in mind for fall 09. word is many of the upcoming season's sophisticated silhouettes were made possible by a more substantial knit, and the new looks (absolutely lovely paired with tights) seem perfectly suitable for work and play.

autumn colorways include a deep navy blue, bold lipstick red, warm olive green, and, my favorite, gorgeous neutral gray.

more peeks below . . .

lily

badu

becks

the fall looks are already waiting on the racks at fe's network of neighborhood stockists and should be arriving in the online shop next week. and, of course, a visit to the label's showroom is always a must stop when you find yourself in chinatown.

• where: 47 north hotel street
• shop hours: mon to sat, 10a to 5p
• fyi: cash or credit only