deal alert: 25% off at fighting eel!

hello, hello . . . decided to play hooky with my fella and escaped to san diego for a few days. during my time away, fighting eel announced a pre-thanksgiving sale in both their chinatown showroom and, happy news for off-island fans, the fe online shop.

skip the black friday crowds and shop now to save 25% off styles from the summer 08 collection, accessories, and sale items from past seasons!

• when: now to thu, nov 27th
• where: 47 north hotel street
• holiday hours: mon - sat, 10a to 5p
• fyi - all sales final on sale items

p.s. fighting eel now offers a wish list service in-store and will email holiday hints of designs you covet to your peeps.

weekly sales sheet

allison izu * east coast tropics * jo.jah.jae

the first ever soirée à la mode takes over the cupola theatre at the honolulu design center tonight for a holiday shopping event to benefit the juvenile diabetes research foundation. join cupcake boutique, indigenous soap company, jewelry designer katrina cordova, lily lotus, makana mother & baby, paradisus & many more local favorites!

• when: fri, nov 14th - 4p to 8p
• where: 1250 kapiolani blvd

on saturday, get your farmers market fix and then swing by kaimuki for a sneak peek at the latest creations from jewelry designers justine jones & jojo ponciano (shown above).

• when: sat, nov 15th - 10a to 2p
• where: coffee talk, 3601 waialae avenue, kaimuki

the wedding café celebrates the one year birthday of its ward outpost treating customers to a free tote bag with purchase (while supplies last) & complimentary pumpkin crunch if you stop in for a bite.

• secret code: happy birthday wedding café!
• when: sat, nov 15th - 10a to 9p
• where: twc, ward warehouse

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kapuanani designs

hawaiian holiday

you may remember portland-based graphic designer amy antonio when she was featured this past spring, and i am happy to report new designs have been stocked in kapuanani designs' newly relocated etsy shop!

if you are on the hunt for holiday greetings, take a peek at amy's cheery new card set which is printed on recycled paper and combines traditional mele kalikimaka wishes with an infusion of modern style. even better, coordinating gift tags and stickers are available to brighten up your holiday gifting.

m's let's hula tee

w's kukui tunic

amy is also branching out beyond paper goods with new offerings including screenprinted tops featuring designs celebrating the hawaiian culture along with a small selection of lauhala accessories.

everything from cards to tees are appealingly priced ($2 to $32) and a stylish way to stick to your holiday budget.

click over to the etsy shop to take a peek at kapuanani designs' handcrafted collection.

sugar cane sweetie

anyone who has planned a wedding in recent years is familiar with the gift bag bestowed on guests who make the journey to celebrate your big day. it's a fun way to share your favorite hometown finds with out of town pals - in fact, i still remember strolling the aisles of costco & local shops scooping up hawaiian style goodies days before our first wave of guests arrived in the islands.

if you are short on time but big on budget, you may want to click over to sugar cane sweetie, a new gifting service based on maui. partners jen martin and liz mcgain started their company to offer corporate events a fresh take on the tropical welcome basket trading standard issue mac nuts and sweets for gourmet goodies, luxe spa treats, and other delights evocative of paradise.

many h|h favorites made the cut including letarte coverups, malie kauai potions & maui beach sheets plus your picks can be gifted in a simple lauhala basket or a stylish meleana tote bag.

jen and liz are happy to work with weddings and private parties (minimum quantity required - contact scs for details) and offer an à la carte selection for those who prefer to customize gift options. delivery is available on maui and the neighbor islands plus gifts can also be dispatched to the mainland to set the mood for your guests' upcoming tropical getaway.

click over to the website to take a peek at the sugar cane sweetie selection (price tag is $40 and up).

{update | feb 2010: sugar cane sweetie has closed its website}

merrymaking goes upcountry

while the economic slump has everyone fretting about their holiday budget, the upside may be a little less commercially manufactured cheer and more appreciation for handmade goodness, festive moments with family and friends, and dazzling displays of twinkling lights.

one way to celebrate the season without dreading the arrival of the post-holiday bill collector is to kick off a new tradition with the help of ali'i kula lavender which is hosting weekly wreath workshops on its maui farm.

the hour long session includes materials and instruction, you just need to bring a little craft moxie to deck your space with a fancy wreath for a fraction of the cost.

• when: every fri, sat & sun (until dec 21st) - 10am
• where: akl, 1100 waipoli road, kula
• fee: $30
• fyi: reservations required