weekly sales sheet

stop by the toast showroom for the first ever sample sale filled with delicious deals (up to 50% off) on their fabulous favors.

• when: now 'til the stock runs out
• where: 3434 waialae avenue, kaimuki
• shop hours: m/w/f/sat - 12p to 6p

fans of allison izu's line of premium petite denim can save 50% off the fall 08 basics line during the one day secret sale.

• when: sat, mar 14th - 2p to 6p
• where: ala moana hotel (exact location tba)
• fyi: text ultimateshop jeans to 32862 to get on the list

spring brides can score 50% off their trial session when booking a maleana senior stylist for their big day.

• when: wedding dates through may 24th, 2009
• fyi: new bookings only

Click to read more ...

willy-nilly waterlily

blushing blooming cactus

it has been cloudy and gray in my part of the world so it was off to etsy to find something cheery to brighten my day. enter the crafty fabulousness of willy-nilly waterlily, an island crafter who, in her own words, has "dedicated my life to the scientific study of cute".

the delightful offerings that leave the little lab devoted to all things cute cannot help but put a smile on your face, and it is obvious that rima, willy-nilly's creator, puts a lot of love into the sweet soft goods crafted with a mix of crochet and carefully chosen fabrics.

little owl * ami bunnies * happy cupcakes

the etsy shop is currently low on inventory however custom orders are welcome so, if you have a crush on the handmade amigurumi bunnies, you best hop to it if you wish to tuck one into an easter basket.

p.s. click over to the willy-nilly waterlily blog for a glimpse behind-the-scenes.

st. paddy's ravenchase

hilary from ravenchase recently sent word that oahu readers are invited to test their skills during the st. patrick's day race taking place this weekend.

grab up to five of your best code breakers, human navigators, and treasure hunters and your team just may find a virtual pot o' gold waiting at the end of the rainbow.

• when: sat, mar 14th - 7p
• where: tba
• tix: $35 per person
• fyi: after party to follow

the write stuff

one of my favorite things about my neighborhood is the mom & pop stationery shop which kindly supports my habit, first nurtured at hopaco, of doodling with ink to determine if the advertised extra fine point tip is up to snuff. my latest fancy, prompted by a little green guilt, is a refillable writing instrument to fill the space left when the last throwaway pen leaves its final mark.

so it was happy serendipity when my fella spotted a display filled with acme pens on a recent outing. it turns out the maui-based design studio is considered the swatch of the pen world offering up a dizzying selection of whimsically styled pens sure to be mourned if it were to meet the unfortunate fate of the lost and found box.

with graduation around the corner, the pens (plus coordinating card cases and other accessories) would make a lovely gift for grads who swoon over design stars slash acme collaborators eva zeisel, karim rashid, shepard fairey & richard meier (among others).

alas, the stockist list is incomplete, however you can find a good selection of acme studio's collection over at unica home.

wings hawaii spring fling

a quick click over to wings hawaii revealed a number of new jewelry designs have arrived in the online shop. the talented wings team has been playing with puka shells turning the seaside findings into glamorous puka diamond rings, bezel set pendants, and double puka ti leaf bangles with a lovely organic shape that results when gold filled wire is wrapped around a ti leaf stalk and hand hammered to coax out its curves.

be sure to take a peek at the fabulous spinning ring design which adds a playful twist to rocking multiple bands on your digit(s).

alas, not much new to report in the wardrobe department, however a handful of hand screened styles, like the sweet angel wings hoodie (made with a blend of organic cotton and recycled poly), are marked down 25% off.

three ways to shop: online / stockists / showroom:

• where: 375 west kuiaha road, haiku
• shop hours: mon to fri, 9a to 4p & sat/sun, 9a to 1p

{update | feb 2011: wings moved its flagship shop to lovely little paia town last year and can now be found at 71 baldwin avenue}