make it a sig zane summer

punahoa coin purse

sig zane's online shop has been restocked with fresh goods for summer. i'm loving the sz punahoa coin purse which is such a pretty way to keep all the little things in your bag in one place. and it's a virtual steal at only $12.

hilo one bag

sig zane's latest take on the breadfruit can be seen on this season's hilo one bag with its lovely uluwehi keaukaha design. the warm orange sorbet colorway adds a juicy splash to your accessory closet that will easily transition when autumn rolls around. plus, the ability to wear it messenger bag style means you can get up & go with all the essentials at your side.

summertime goodness

sam, melody & becky of wings hawaii have been busy bees lately what with their new boutique opening in haiku, an expanded keiki line, and a new tee just for the fellas. the shop is located in the pauwela cannery and stocked with all the delightful goodness that has made wings a staple of island girls everywhere.

vintage heart charms + ti leaf bangles

and don't forget to take a peek of designer samantha howard's ocean worthy jewelry line filled with pieces like these vintage charm necklaces and organic ti leaf bangles.

{update | jan 2010: find your way to paia which is the new home of the wings hawaii flagship boutique}

downtown general store

cheap

if you grew up in the islands, the general store probably evokes memories of time spent wandering the cramped aisles of arakawas back in the day. instead of palaka shirts, the modern day downtown general store trades in tees with a clever take on cute minimalist icons that will definitely start a few conversations.

the mom & pop business started 25 years ago as a creative outlet for owners penny & les and, with the help of their sons, the tee collection has been expanding beyond their very popular katakana collection with fresh designs like this hippo tee (a fun reminder of happy days spent at the honolulu zoo during small kid time).

slow poke

hungry hungry hippo

all the tees are priced right at $14 which means you can snap up all your favorite designs without breaking the bank. and, keep in mind, there is no brick & mortar outpost since the downtown general store is strictly online only with the exception of a few appearances sprinkled throughout the year at local craft shows (the next one will be in august at the made in hawaii festival).

tahiti imports

canoe pa'u

it seems like pretty prints are everywhere this season which reminded me of the fabulously swingy pa'u hula skirts from tahiti imports. this is the place to go if you are ready to take one of the most traditional styles of the pacific to the streets this summer. in addition to ready to wear skirts, pieces can be custom made from the shop's vast selection of fabric (many of which are exclusive to ti) used to make their popular pareos.

if you prefer something even more bold in design take a peek at this tatau inspired tiki pattern pa'u in the very au courant black & white colorway.

and, here's a juicy pop culture connection: don severson, who along with his wife betty lou owns tahiti imports, is credited with introducing the tahitian style bikini to the islands back in the 60's when stopping by the shop during its halcyon days at the international marketplace was a must for everyone from supermodel veruschka to jackie o.

hula girl tee + monstera poho bag

the honolulu shop is a favorite resource of local quilters who love the graphic punch the fabrics bring to their projects. the website is constantly updated with new designs and, of course, stocks everything from tahiti imports' famous pareos, pa'u skirts & monoi soap straight from the south pacific to fabric by the yard for you crafty types.

pupus and party dresses

speaking of lanikai, muumuu heaven will be throwing their doors open on saturday evening for a little shindig to celebrate everybody's mother . . . earth, that is. pupus, champagne and massages are promised while you check out the latest creations from designer deb mascia.

details:

• when: sat, may 12th from 6 to 9pm
• where: muumuu heaven's kailua shop
• rsvp required via love [at] muumuuheaven [dot] com