the machine stops here

custom denim button belt

machine machine is yet another fresh etsy find - this time from the island of kauai. the relatively new clothing line from indie designer shannon hiramoto made its debut earlier this year and is filled with a mix of deconstructed pieces ranging from strapless minis to personalized belts sure to be adored by anyone with an independent streak.

and, may i say, it's hard resist the creations of an island girl who shares intriguing philosophical musings like the following:

"machine machine is simple clothing for complicated times. i am akin to the idea of making/wearing one of a kind things as a method for liberating oneself from the machineries which often dominate independent thought."

mini dress

pupule clutch

even if your mini days are but a faint memory, machine machine's abbreviated dresses pair nicely with your favorite jeans. don't forget to take a peek in the aptly described pouchey department to add a little deconstructed love to your accessory closet.

get inside the mind of mm's creator via her blog and stop by the etsy shop to take stock of the current collection (or to contact shannon about custom work).

big island style finds

today is etsy day! one of the newest finds is the budget friendly collection from big island jewelry designer heather anne nelson. primarily self taught, heather's work can be defined by its delicate wire work combined with the clean, organic shapes of the natural stones that are the focus of many of her designs.

custom orders are always welcome as are requests to recreate pieces that have already been snapped up. when on the big island, drop by heather's booth at the kailua village farmers market every wed through sun or stop by her etsy shop 24/7.

free shipping at timana tea

with mother's day fast approaching, timana tea is offering complimentary shipping on us orders of $50 or more. if gifting your mom with all the fixings for her very own island style tea party sounds like a plan, you best hele on over to timana's online shop as the deal ends on tue, may 1st.

{update | jan 2010: the company rebranded the line after this was published and is now known as tealani tea}

organic sweets from hawaiian host

as further evidence of the mainstreaming of green, hawaiian host introduced their very own certified organic line called pure aloha earlier this year. the organic goodies have finally been stocked in hh's online shop which means eco conscious foodies (and the people who love them. hint, hint.) can now enjoy the organic version of one of the islands' most popular treats.

in addition to the standard milk chocolate option, health conscious folks can nosh on antioxidant rich dark chocolate covered mac nuts which, when combined with the omega-3 power house that is the macadamia nut, means you can enjoy each tasty nugget guilt free (at least that's the lie i tell myself so i can sleep at night). some may find the packages light for the price with only eight pieces alloted to a box (portion control, perhaps?) so plan your purchase accordingly.

also, unadulterated organic macadamia nuts seasoned with sea salt are available when that salty craving wins the battle with your sweet tooth.

spring blossoms at manuheali'i

ka'ili li'i + monstera kaimana

there are so many new styles for spring at manuheali'i that a mini virtual fashion show seems to be in order. the lovely ka'ili li'i dress defines versatility with its ability to convert to three different bodice styles, a length which allows it to double as a tunic, and hidden handy dandy pockets.

and it's hard to resist the fresh spring colors on the updated monstera kaimana dress which is too pretty for words.

the first thing that came to mind upon spotting the kat top was, of course, fellow island blogger kat of our adventures in japan. unless design is your trade, it's not often you have a chance to fill your closet with your very own eponymous top which can also be had in a fabulous mix of manuheali'i patterns.

kukui li'i + kukui nui kat

meleana bag

my bet is owners of manuheali'i's new meleana bag (not sure if there is a connection to handbag designer meleana blaich) will get stopped on the street by passersby who cannot help but notice its eye catching graphics. sturdy canvas fabric is emblazoned with traditional hawaiian designs like 'ulu and 'awapuhi while raffia details echo the natural world.

shop manuheali'i online or stop by their boutiques in kailua and punahou to take a peek at the full collection.