the bella project

autumn is being spent decluttering my space and finding new homes for no longer loved goods so news that the bella project will be spending saturdays at alliway for a month long dress donation drive means a match has finally been made for a cocktail dress too pretty to be dispatched to goodwill.

the oahu non-profit collects gently worn party frocks, accessories, and cosmetics (brand new, please) year-round and opens a fully stocked pop-up shop every spring. local high school students are invited to enjoy a boutique experience complete with personal shopper for a prom princess makeover no matter their family budget.

donation guidelines request dresses be on trend, in good condition, and fresh from the cleaners. nothing to share? volunteers are also needed to staff events, be bella boutique personal shoppers, and donated salon services to assist with prom day primping are also welcome.

in exchange for your donation, alliway will gift you with a 20% off coupon so you can treat yourself to a new lovely.

• when: sat @ 1p to 4p - sep 19/26 & oct 3/10/17/24
• where: alliway, ward warehouse

p.s. off-island? mail-in donations are also appreciated. click here for more details.

weekly sales sheet

mu'umu'u heaven * roberta oaks

stop by the the hawaii woman expo this weekend and meet the peeps behind ali'i kula lavender, alliway, allison izu denim, fashionista's market, ginger13, hifi, midori jewelry & many more.

• when: fri, sep 11th - 5p to 10p & sat, sep 12th & sun, sep 13th - 10a to 6p
• where: blaisdell center
• tix: $3 (free admission for keiki under 7)

aloha japan! mu'umu'u heaven opens up its first international outpost this weekend stocked with reconstructed vintage aloha wear and photography by clark little.

• where: 3-1-7 shichirigahama, kamakura, japan
• shop hours: mon to sun, 11a to 7p

online, shop roberta oaks' line of lovely frocks and enjoy 15% off your entire order.

• secret code: nines
• expires: sun, sep 13th

{update} fighting eel has extended their labor day special which means you have a few more days to save 15% off in the online shop!

• secret code: oops
• expires: mon, sep 14th
• fyi: all sales final

have a happy weekend!

the return of mr. ushiro

if you call la home or find yourself in so/cal in the next few weeks, hele over to lebasse projects which is hosting a new solo exhibit from maui-born artist edwin ushiro. since his artwork was featured last summer, edwin's fan base has continued to flourish with appearances at comic-con and art amsterdam filling his 2009 schedule.

one of the reasons to crush on edwin's artwork is his fascinating perspective of growing up in hawaii which he continues to explore in softly encompassing the womb. the mixed media moments from childhood skip from ethereal reflections of sweeter memories to reconstructed obake tales that hint of a more ominous side of the islands unfamiliar to tourists on holiday but whispered on playgrounds and across kama'aina campfires since small kid time.

time therefore remained idle

after its given all you wanted

i drift away silently

while hawaii continues to wait for an exhibit of its own, all are welcome to the opening reception tomorrow evening in la which will also feature the work of japanese artist ryuichi ogino. hope to see you there!

• when: sat, sep 12th - 7p to 10p
• where: lebasse projects, 6023 washington blvd, culver city
• show dates: sat, sep 12th to sat, oct 3rd
• gallery hours: wed to sat, 11a to 6p

p.s. click over to daily du jour at 3p pst (12p hst) today for a live streaming interview with edwin.

etsy scout: studio five-0

today's etsy find is handmade in the o.c. by studio five-0 designer anna marie who, after a frustrating search for island home goods with a more modern spin turned up empty, set about designing her own line. an interior design degree from fidm came in handy followed by a move to oahu to study architecture at u.h. where the principles of good design championed by one mentor became especially influential in her work.

it was upon returning to the mainland (with her maui-born hubby) when anna marie realized that affordable modern island decor was practically non-existent. with that discovery, the architect turned designer spent the past two years researching textile design, experimenting with screen printing, and perfecting samples for the launch of studio five-0.

plumeria + torch ginger coasters

while only a handful of designs are currently on offer, the first round from studio five-0 consists of totes and small accessories in addition to lovely reversible coasters ($12/set) printed with water-based inks in a fresh mix of tropical botanicals.

happily, pillows, linens and other home goods plus the introduction of more eco-friendly textiles are also on the drawing board.

until then, click over to studio five-0's etsy shop to take a peek at the debut collection!

rockabella jewels fall 2009

kristel from rockabella jewels continues to push the edge with her fall 09 collection of maui made adornment. when friends returned from a diving trip with spent bullet shells recovered from the bottom of the pacific (which, may i say, is beyond disturbing to me . . . who jumps into the ocean strapped?), kristel got to work in her studio fitting healing gemstones and seashells into the unusual findings. the vibe of the shoots line is best described as rock 'n roll meets age of aquarius - gritty and pretty with an unexpected twist on upcycling discarded materials.

rockabella's other fall offerings include a lineup of carefully constructed bubbles - a playful look that finds kristel coaxing molten metals into an effervescent design with a handful of pieces crafted with recycled gold. and, kristel continues to find new things to dip in 14k gold with petite bamboo shoots receiving the royal treatment this season.

bubbles + bamboo

stockists for fall 09 include pink by nature in makawao (shoots pendants) and tamara catz in paia (recycled tiny bubbles), or click over to rockabella's online shop to take a peek and enjoy 10% off your order.

• secret code: mauinokaoi
• expires: tbd
• fyi: sale items excluded