big island pride

the resort collection from j.crew can always be counted on featuring a few pieces reminiscent of the islands, and 2007 is no exception with a super cute tissue tee with a sketch of the big island and the dreamy musings that you would expect to find jotted down on the pages in a traveler's journal.

since the photo online doesn't do the tee justice, in the name of research i stopped by j.crew yesterday to engage in a covert-op to snap a close-up of the graphic. if you dig the big island tee just remember that this design is only available in vivid lime or classic navy (the other colors depict other holiday hot spots around the world).

{update | jan 19th, 2007: if you had your eye on j.crew's big island tee make sure you hit the sale section to snap it up since it is now on final clearance}

lily lotus goes online

momi from lily lotus shared some good news last week - the launch of her online shop! perfect timing with the end of the holiday crunch and the beginning of the new year (resolutions, anyone?). anyhoo, you have got to love the multi-functionality of the collection since all the pieces can go from yoga & pilates to running around town & lounging at home.

and here's a little motivation to get you going . . . free shipping through 2007!

• secret code: ship07 (enter at checkout)
• expires: dec 31st, 2007

mahalo momi!

5-0 magazine roundup

here's one last ditch effort to save you from the madness that will be the mall this weekend with a few magazine subscription ideas for the style mavens & surfers on your gift list.

smart made its debut a few years ago as a lifestyle glossie for island fashionistas. flip through its pages to find out what's hot in hawaii and get the scoop on the local designers & shop proprietors on a mission to bring more style to the islands.

it's truly surprising that even though hawaii is the birthplace of surfing that not one surf magazine called hawaii home until nalu hit the newsstands a few years back. it's filled with tons of slick photos with an emphasis on local surfers who are making waves around the world.

and you gotta love how both publishers show a little island pride on the covers of their magazines!

{update | jan 2010: smart magazine folded in 2009 and nalu underground stopped publishing in 2008}

tropical kicks

i'm trying to kick a winter cold before leaving for the holidays, but i couldn't resist posting a little something for all the sneaker freaks out there who may want to get their hands on a collaboration between island snow, slick & gravis.

only 250 pairs of the limited edition na ali'i will be cobbled together and, even though they won't be ready until the end of january, a pre-order click will reserve your very own pair of island inspired kicks before they sell out.

{mahalo jungle life!}

ohana style at manuheali'i

yes virginia, there is a difference between tacky outdated alohawear and cool vintage island threads. the fresh botanical prints from manuheali'i will no doubt fall into the latter category one day and their website is the perfect one stop shop to pick up gifts for the entire family. and since they ship via priority mail your order just may squeak by the postmaster's holiday deadline.

take a peek at manuheali'i's hibiscus collection which has everything from the cute ailana dress & boys' aloha shirts (shown above) to stylish shirts for grownups and lovely fabric lined lauhala handbags for the ladies.