island crush: tree hugger sparkle

the first day of fall has officially arrived which is happy news if you happen to be a scorpio who adores cozy cardigans, endless mugs of hot chocolate, and the technicolor show starring the changing of the leaves (if only from afar).

which makes me just a little sweet for the tree hugger design by lily lotus. i especially love the tiny heart hidden amongst the sparkle.

a lovely reminder to set aside a moment to find your balance as we settle into autumn.

$54 online + in-store.

island crush: aloha sea bags

summer may be slipping away but year-round adventures cannot help but adore becca beach's newest arrival. the aloha totes by sea bags are constructed of sturdy recycled sailcloth and made especially for the kahala boutique by the maine label who first introduced stylish carryalls crafted from retired sails to the states.

i see beach dates, island hops, and quite a few trips to the farmers market in its future.

available in disco fabulous metallic leather (gold or silver) and carefree sailcloth (pink or navy) letters.

$210 to $231 in-store (phone & email orders welcome).

wimini hawaii: tee-lightful!

the other day i was delighted to discover that one of the cutest indie tee makers had reemerged with a fresh collection of cheery island inspired designs. the playful line by wimini hawaii, the label formerly known as lunchbox clothing, is filled with organic tops for the entire 'ohana and is guaranteed to share a twinkle of happiness wherever you go.

from its early beginnings, designer yutaka chino has harnessed the power of hawaii's tropical sunshine to burn each and every screenprint responsible for making the tees in the collection. the line originally started out when the 'aina haina fishing guide began offering souvenir t-shirts so faraway friends could take home a sweet reminder of their island holiday.

since we last checked in, the collection has welcomed tiny tees for keiki. if only we could issue the adorable monk seal tee to visitors at every shore break where the endangered cuties like to nap.

peek more designs that charmed my heart after the jump!

do the happy graphics make you smile too? even more delightful, all the tees are made in the usa of organic cotton and handprinted with water-based inks. hooray for me!

alas, most of the designs are offered in mini sizes only so grownups must be content with a smaller selection for now.

p.s. an online shop is in the works so do say hello to your neighborhood stockist to stock up on your favorite design.

island crush: summer lily

as the mercury rises, i find myself wishing for more lightweight pieces to magically appear in my closet. one possibility on my style radar: the lily short by florencia arias with a festive swirl of color, comfy wide waistband, and silky modal jersey.

paired with a breezy top, the relaxed summer staple seems just right for a carefree day around town while also pulling double duty when lounging about the house.

$68 online.

milliner matchmaker: camille design

considering how the world was abuzz over the whimsical toppers worn by royal wedding guests, it seems a shame that, with the exception of the red hat society and the occasional hipster revival, most folks these days seem content to cover their crown with an unassuming baseball cap. once upon a time the hat was a necessary accessory. the finishing note for most any outfit be it a delightfully feathered confection made to woo a sweetheart or a felted fedora that doubled as an impromptu disguise while investigating noir-ish plots.

those of us who adore the fashion possibilities of a hat (more than just a handy rescue on a bad hair day, dear readers) will be charmed to meet designer camille winet who moved her millinery studio from the bay area to the big island a few years ago. since settling in hawi, her handmade collection of sweet fedoras, chic berets, and wide brimmed beauties have welcomed fetching sun hats constructed to shade your face from the sizzling hawaiian sunshine.

depending on your mood, you can slip on personas from contemporary gamine to ladylike enigma with a simple hat switch. an instant makeover without investing in a brand new wardrobe . . . j'adore!

more peeks from camille design's spring/summer lookbook after the jump . . .

veronica portrait * anita newsboy * josephine beret

mommy & me sun hats

i should also mention that camille's pretty accompaniments are one-of-a-kind and incorporate vintage fabric and trimmings. styles are available in standard sizes via her ready-to-wear line, and the collection also offers keiki-sized coverups for little kama'aina plus tailored hats for the gent set.

hard to fit heads will rejoice in the possibility of a custom chapeau made just for you. do note the additional 20% charge and 2 to 3 week turnaround time, however a worthwhile expense if you have ever suffered from the pinch of a too tight topper.

rtw prices start at $96 and the s/s 2011 silhouettes can be ordered in the online shop.