sweet nothings roundup

with valentine's on the calendar for next weekend, enjoy a show and tell of lovely goods to add a little sweetness to your day!

1 - maui jewelry designer kira ferrer hand stamps a secret message in the you are loved sterling bangle.

2 - delight your keiki with the crochet cuteness of berrysprite's red velvet cupcake.

3 - simply embellish's valentine note set asks to be sealed with a kiss.

4 - champagne toasts get some extra sparkle via space moderne's handcrafted wine tote.

5 - decorate your love nest with lisa brodinski's sweetly titled photographic blossom.

6 - honolulu jewelry designer stacey lee's pink tourmaline drops dazzle with glittering gold leaves.

7 - sweet love tags by simply embellish perk up valentine treat bags.

8 - indulge in gourmet cheesecake bites without waiting to be buzzed to your table.

9 - lilikoi fruit tints honolulu cookie company's yummy chocolate dipped shortbread hearts.

10 - design lovely turns the traditional valentine into a hawaiian love note (print your own here).

11 - craft your own st. valentine's surprise with a swath of denyse schmidt's county fair fabric (the pear tulip medallion is a pretty hawaiian quilt dopplegänger).

12 - style your sweetheart in a long sleeved aloha shirt from sig zane.

13 - candy grams go gourmet compliments of sweet paradise chocolatier's handmade confections.

14 - for the family man - anje design's engraved washers keeps your 'ohana close to his heart.

15 - warm island wood inlays offset sturdy metal in hawaiian titanium rings handcrafted tribal collection.

chinatown chase 2009

the economy's continuing decline is certainly not making it easy on non-profits who rely on the kindness of others to fund their bottom line. the hawaii theatre has come up with a novel fundraiser (ticket sales, surprisingly, only account for 40% of operating costs) with its second annual chinatown chase.

teams of 10 race around the historic district deciphering clues in hopes of crossing the finish line first culminating in a celebration complete with dancing in the streets, eats, silent auction, and an after-party (if you pony up to be a kung fu fighter or barefoot buddha).

the price tag ranges from $150 to $500 per person but once you tally up the cost of a night on the town with friends combined with the warm fuzzy feeling of doing good, well, you just may consider it a worthwhile expense.

registration can be done online or in person (download entry forms on the website).

• race date: sat, feb 28th - 5:30p
• where: 1130 bethel street

p.s. take a peek at last year's race festivities here.

saltwater and feathers

beach birdies

chinatown boardroom will be hosting the opening of artist heather brown's solo show, saltwater and feathers, tonight.

heather's been on quite the roll since she was first featured last year creating the official poster for the 2008 women's triple crown and putting her twist on the iconic waikiki skyline for the cover of honolulu weekly.

• when: tonight, feb 4th - 6p to 8p
• where: 1160 nu'uanu avenue
• show dates: now to sat, feb 28th

lavender fields forever

i finally had a chance to page through a review copy of ali'i kula lavender's the maui book of lavender (one part memoir, one part growing guide & one part cookbook with a handful of herbal tips thrown in for good measure) and found it to be a quick read for anyone who fancies herself an amateur herbalist. friends who have visited the upcountry gardens rave about the

experience so it was fun to take a peek behind-the-scenes and discover the history of lavender in the islands while filing away a few kitchen tricks for my next cooking adventure.

one surprising revelation was that lavender was grown in hawaii more than a century before akl owner (and noted horticulturist) ali'i chang discovered the perennial while experimenting with drought-tolerant plants to grow on his maui farm. that was news to me and makes the current renaissance of lavender in the islands more than just a happy accident.

alas, lavender seasoning is missing from my pantry but culinary fans will enjoy sampling recipes which put a provençal twist on island favorites while those open to otc alternatives will welcome tips on how to incorporate lavender into everyday living (a few drops of lavender essential oil equals sweet dreams for me).

now it's time for the book and the lavender delights that arrived with it to find a new home which means two readers have a chance to win!

• email your name & current hometown to: aloha [at] hapahale [dot] com by thu, feb 5th
• please put akl giveaway in the subject
• fyi - note if you prefer the book or the surprise
• one entry per person/household

click back on friday to find out if lucky lavender was on your side.

p.s. email subscribers - simply hit reply and follow the instructions above for a chance to win.

{update: winner list posted}

roberta oaks spring/swim 2009

kahala

oahu designer roberta oaks shares a glimpse of what to expect when the weather warms up with her pre-spring 09 collection. fans will be happy to find updates on the label's signature silhouettes while hand screened details and sustainable textiles (organic cotton and bamboo jersey are favorites) make their mark on the latest offerings.

the new year also brings a splashy dip into the world of swimwear with a debut collection filled with mix and match sets designed with a flair for the unexpected. bold solids mingle with animal prints and vintage florals
for a bohemian look styled on flirty halters and ooh-la-la brazilian cuts.

moana + quaint

click over to the official website to shop the entire collection or to find your neighborhood stockist.

p.s. the fall & winter 08 collections are now on sale (up to 60% off) in the online shop.