escape to muumuu heaven

big congratulations to deb & eric of mu'umu'u heaven who opened the doors to their new showroom in kailua last week! from the slideshow posted online, it looks like the charming boutique was created with a lot of love combined with a crafty reuse of recycled goodies found in the streets.

the collection is expanding beyond muumuu heaven's lovely skirts created from vintage muumuus to pretty island style halter & wrap dresses (the latter made of bamboo! it is so nice to see more local designers embracing sustainable fibers in their work). and if you want to accessorize, the shop also stocks handbags from denise tjarks, a fellow muumuu deconstructionist from kauai.

the only downside is that the hangers are currently bare in the online shop so, for the time being, you will have to make your way to kailua (or email) to add a little muumuu heaven to your closet.

click here for store hours & directions.

marqet: bringing the green to waikiki

 

one of my new favorite shops is smack dab in the heart of waikiki stocked with some of the coolest organic style around. if you are trying to go green, you must stop by marqet which is filled with hard to find eco-chic labels like loomstate, stewart+brown, livity and the islands' own oaks hawaii.

they even have a house brand green collection with tees benefiting the hawaii audubon society, hawaii organic farmers association & jack johnson's kokua foundation. for travelers searching for a different kind of memento to take home, marqet's green tees are a refreshing reinvention of the souvenir that not only does a little good in the islands but also makes a little less impact on the earth with its use of organic cotton fabric and vegetable & plant dyes.

audubon society * organic farmers * kokua foundation

there is limited shopping on their website or just stop by the shop (across the street from the duty free galleria. click here for a map) the next time you are in waikiki for the full marqet experience.   

a tardy kung hee fat choy

even though i didn't have a chance to revel in the chinese new year festivities while home, it seemed that everywhere we went last weekend we crossed paths with a troupe preparing to perform the celebratory dragon dance. that kind of thing just doesn't happen in my mainland neighborhood which is one more reason you are lucky you live hawaii.

anyhoo, if this is your year to shine (1911, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995 - double check if your birthday falls on the jan/feb cusp), you just may want to sport a sig zane tee featuring the pua'a'ehu'ehu print to honor the year of the pig/boar.

tees are available in both adult and keiki sizes.

stylus honolulu

 

on this last trip home, i was finally able to stop by stylus honolulu which is a small but sweet resource for those on a budget. stylus is one part recycled clothing boutique plus one part used record shop featuring an edited mix of vintage & gently worn clothing and a few new finds (including tees from threadless). let's just say if buffalo exchange and jelly's had a baby stylus would be its name.

the styles are geared to the young & hip so prices are super reasonable with most items under $10. if you go, stylus is just across the street from puck's alley so the location is convenient for all those starving college students at uh. and they validate which is good news if you must drive & park.

take a peek inside the shop on youtube.

{update | jan 2010: in-store stock updates can be found at the stylus blog}

pink ladies

underglam babydoll & wings hawaii chemise

a few pretty little things just in time for valentine's day. underglam has everything from camisoles to lounge pants in their oh so pretty hibiscus print (do a search for "hawaiian" to see the entire collection).

of course, the cute screenprinted goodies from the girls at wings hawaii are absolutely irresistible. make your own valentine's set with a wings chemise and those sweet boy shorts featured last year.

hey sister! pj's & bedhead robe

no worries if you are shopping for a shy valentine. new zealand's hey sister! pj set is a sweet alternative without being too bare. figleaves stocks their tropical chocbiscus print in pj trousers, matching camisole & even a bra (hubba hubba).

red envelope has this luxe robe in an exotic floral pattern by bedhead. there's also a matching asian style pj set if you plan on splurging (in which case, do click here to score free shipping on orders over $75 - exp feb 14th).

and, last but not least, if you're in the market for more racy unmentionables, pualani is breaking out of swimwear and has one single item befitting valentine's day in their lingerie section.