Jun 30 
handmade leather clutches with a hint of hibiscus or playfully reconstructed lauhala. old timey island style remade for modern day escapades.
three styles. a rainbow of colors. designed by guava shop.
swoon.
$98 to $108 online + in-store.
Jun 28 
pink coconut market tote * mokulua pouchmy first glimpse of samudra's dreamy debut rekindled happy memories of everyday and faraway seaside escapes. the picturesque collection, a collaboration between jennifer binney of kailua's hinu jewelry and sara beltrán of india's dezso, promises an endless summer with breathtaking backdrops (all snapped by the designers) decorating the line of scenic carryalls.
$25 to $50 online + in-store.
Jun 16 
although i have yet to make it to the monthly art & flea in kaka'ako, the other day i discovered one of its indie vendors on etsy. amongst soul sparrow vintage's thrifted treasures, my eye was immediately drawn to the indian summer bag constructed of lucky fabric finds which whisper of sunshine and summertime in faraway lands.
quite the steal for such a fetching carryall!
$25 online.
Jun 15 
while paging through the june issue of lucky, i was intrigued to find a summer getaway packing guide including a cheat sheet for hawai'i. all the expected fixings were featured . . . with the exception of any lucky love for local designers. to be fair, the suggestions were so travelers arrive at their destination with something suitable to wear, but my feathers remain slightly ruffled that faraway fashion editors continue to overlook all the style goodness being created in the islands.
one peek at gillia's lookbook may change their perception. every gorgeous offering is made with the pacific in mind with flirty silhouettes bound for your daily runway of playdates in the city and bonfires on the beach. style after style had me at hello courtesy of gillia's simple confections mingling bohemian details, breathtaking patterns, and a blush of color.
a stint at a waikiki boutique brought the ladies behind the label together who recently reunited when head designer saori suzuki returned from japan and reconnected with gillia co-founder mayo kawamura to launch the line. with design help from saori's sister yuko, the influence of the siblings' home country can be found throughout the restrained offerings which embrace the laidback lifestyle of the islands with a carefree cast of tropical must-haves.
get ready to sigh after the jump!
amengena robe
luxor halter dress
amengena romper
golden sands ruffle dressin-the-know island lovelies started flocking to gillia since before its official june launch so online shop selections are a bit spare at the moment.
price tag falls between $116 for a tie-dye beauty to $238 for a slinky silk frock. if you covet a pacific pretty, your best bet is to hele over to your neighborhood stockist (including becca beach, guava shop & olive boutique). mayo tipped me off that summer 2011 deliveries are making their way around the islands this week and styles are expected to sell out as quickly as they arrive on the racks.
picking just one favorite look seems impossible at the moment . . . are you most smitten with the billowy gowns, cute rompers, or fetching tunics?
Jun 14 
kama'aina * lokahi * moloa huluthis past winter, my mister insisted on rocking his slippers most weekends despite the chilly and rainy days blowing through the cali coast. slightly exasperated, i hunted down a pair of olukai's cozy shearling moloa hulu slip-ons to woo him on the occasional date when the weather gods (i.e. me) insist covered shoes would be more practical.
between the minimalist silhouettes and polynesian motifs, i found lots to love in the m's mauka collection which has been filled with stylish leather kicks for everyday since we last took a peek.
a little late for winter but perhaps something to consider for kama'aina papas this father's day?
$130 to $175 online + in-store. (fyi: my mister's moloa hulus were scooped up for 40% off here.)
p.s. since i have a tendency to run on hawaiian time, say aloha to the morning island crush which will allow my little finds to be shared in the p.m. too!
