martinique resort 2008

with complimentary checked luggage starting to go the way of free in-flight meals, following the lead of frequent fliers and packing a simple carry-on bag is looking ever more alluring. the trick, of course, is figuring out how to fit all you need during your holiday into such a teeny space. enter martinique, a new resort wear line created by kailua designer jodi salmonson.

jodi, who graduated from the uh fashion program, paid her dues as a pattern maker and designer for a local company before branching out on her own with karijane threads a few years ago. the idea for martinique was to create a collection that was comfy enough for everyday yet stylish enough no matter where your getaway may take you.

the pretty and packable collection features gorgeous silk chiffon prints mixed with breezy bamboo jersey, and, as the photos below show, a handful of thoughtfully designed pieces can go from the beach to a dinner date with a few simple adjustments.

alas, there are no plans for an online shop and the stockist list is still under construction, however the collection (which will be priced from $75 to $240) can be found at lilikoi grove boutique in kapa'a and pacific cabana at aloha tower when martinique arrives in stores this august.

martinique is also made in hawaii so kudos to jodi for keeping it local!

pau hana clicks

• another foodie lesson from kat of our adventures in japan - homemade kakimochi!

• stop by share your table for dishy insights on the island foodie scene. {via hawaiirama}

• loving this photo series of everyday moments around the island snapped by honozooloo.

• missed oahu dancer mark kanemura on sytycd this week? take a peek at what happened during week one of the competition (hint: mia michaels meets tim burton).

have a happy weekend!

weekly sales sheet

head up to uh manoa on saturday for a kealopiko liquidation sale. not only will you score up to 40% off designs from previous collections but you will be among the first to scoop up pieces from the summer 2008 ku line.

• when: sat, jun 14th - 10a to 3p
• where: room 207, kamakakuokalani bldg, uh
• fyi: street parking available on dole street (garage parking $3)

click over to hawaiian body products' online shop and save 10% off the pampering bath & body treats from their ola hawaii line.

• secret code: summer08
• expires: sun, aug 31st

what a wonderful whittle world

shave ice

oh my, how adorable are these wee handmade creations from whittle world? these are such a cute alternative to the plastic little people sets found in many childhood playrooms and you have to love the local twist of shave ice stands and surfers.

a host of whittles are ready to populate your little one's playtime compliments of nikole, the sahm who crafts each and every whittle, who started making the miniatures for her son and, with encouragement from friends and family, began selling them at island craft shows. the sets are made to order (with each painted detail done by hand) and have a sweet homespun charm missing from most mass manufactured toys.

 leilani's lei stand

little surfer

as someone who has blown out a few candles atop a star wars birthday cake (or two) back in the day, the mini r2-d2 and friends (crafted by special request for her son's sw collection and, alas, not for sale) definitely bring back memories of princess leia halloween costumes and standing in the endless queue winding around the cinerama waiting to behold the empire strikes back.

you can take a peek at all the wooden wonders inside the whittle world etsy shop, and, if you have a sweet spot for sesame street, be sure to click over to puppets and pals, nikole's other etsy outpost which is devoted to the world of puppetry.

p.s. there's also a whittle world blog to keep fans updated on all the latest (and one of a kind) creations.

hello momo!

whenever kama'ainas go off island, be it on holiday or a move to the mainland for one of the oft-discussed trifecta of better opportunities (college/job/housing), the locales that make the destination list are predictable: las vegas, southern california, the bay area, and the pacific northwest. (the latter three choices are understandable but the first one, to be honest, has always perplexed me.)

if you happen to call seattle your home away from home or plan on hitting the emerald city on your next trip, be sure to add a side trip to japantown to your shopping list. the revitalized neighborhood, filled with noodle shops and tea houses, happens to be the home of momo, the east meets west boutique of oahu girl and seattle resident lei ann shiramizu.

the freelance writer, who grew up in moanalua, and her husband opened the doors of momo late last year to much acclaim for its mix of style and design finds from around the world. the stock list is long and intriguing including french fashion (cop.copine), finnish decor (iittalia), reclaimed leather handbags (bronsino), and vintage asian accessories gathered up at local estate sales.

visits home double as buying trips which mean you can scoop up select finds from the islands from a tin of timana tea to an aloha shirt from iolani sport. and, with father's day just around the corner, momo will be throwing a hawaiian shirt show tomorrow evening featuring styles flown in from IO sport just for the occasion plus handmade aloha shirts for your little one.

• when: thu, jun 12th - 5p to 7p
• where: 600 south jackson street, seattle
• fyi: pupus & light beverages will be served

take a peek inside momo here and here.