summertime stationery giveaway

aloha friends! alas, back to back family emergencies have pulled me away for the past few weeks, but i wanted to pop in to announce a small summer giveaway.

my mister and i have had two reminders in less than a month's time about how suddenly and unexpectedly loved ones can be lost, and, since we will always have regrets about a missed visit or phone call, i would love to share a trio of letterpress note cards so one lucky reader can fill a few favorite mailboxes with postal cheer.

because sometimes a handwritten note to say hello can be the sweetest way to send a smile to faraway family and friends . . . and letterpress goodness by hour of nine, joie studio (featuring a shop toast design) & miemiko atelier make for even more delightful tidings.

more details on how to enter after the jump.

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uncle clay's house of pure aloha

hopa sunshine & coconut * strawberry & li hing

happy saturday! popping in this weekend to share the story of how uncle clay's house of pure aloha came to be which just might make your heart melt . . .

once upon a time a boy's childhood dream is to become the proprietor of his neighborhood sweet shop. fast forward four decades later when uncle clay finally acquires his coveted storefront then skip forward a few years more when, with the help of nephew bronson and crowdfunding from around the world, a makeover transforms the old timey space into the nicest shave ice shop in the islands.

the handcrafted syrups featuring locally sourced ingredients and the shop's modern decor are what tempted me and the mister to make a detour to 'aina haina after grazing our way through the kcc farmers market. and, oh my, our first hopa encounter was a very pleasant surprise. (in fact, we made two visits during our winter trip just so photos could be snapped for this post.)

the menu features all the tropical fruity favorites kama'aina love along with flavors for more adventurous palates (sweet potato or kalespin, a blend of earthy greens, anyone?). the li hing perfectly balances salty and sweet, the green tea delicate and nuanced, and the lightly sweetened coconut made a fan of your girl reporter who refuses most coconutty offerings.

extra fixings are also on the menu including tropical dreams ice cream (made in small batches on the big island & so 'ono!), homemade mochi, and ono pops li hing powder.

peek inside plus find out how you can help hopa's 1st anniversary pop-up project after the jump!

the hopa 'ohana welcomes every customer with a smile and uncle clay can best be described as an ambassador of aloha who took time to talk story and introduce us to fellow customers before eventually sending us on our way with a hug. it was truly one of the most delightful and inspiring moments during our trip home.

and, since my inner treehugger cringes every time a plastic monstrosity is whipped out upon ordering shave ice (oh for the days when a paper cone would do), hopa scores bonus points for presenting their frozen delights in biodegradable bowls accompanied by compostable spoons.

the next time you crave something sweet you simply must find your way to hopa for a cup of cheer:

• where: 'aina haina shopping center (just a few doors down from cake couture)
• shop hours: mon to thu, 11a to 6p & fri to sun, 10:30a to 8p

treats from local producers, including madre chocolate bars, can also be scooped up in the shop.

p.s. share hopa forward celebrates the shop's 1st anniversary by inviting one and all to help fund a future pop-up which hopes to gift 2,012 cups of shave ice to the community with an extra serving of pure aloha.

florencia arias summer 2012

stella * lucille

the flourishing chinatown arts district has become the neighborhood that often woos me for an afternoon of indie shopping when i hop home for a visit. during my winter holiday, i popped into florencia arias's flagship boutique and was delighted to find the softspoken argentinean designer tending to shop tasks behind the counter.

florencia was happy to share more on the making of her shop, which opened its doors last fall (lots of tlc including the most gorgeous cursive sign handmade by her architect hubby), and her design process revealing that longer hemlines were on the way in response to repeated requests by island lovelies (who, quelle surprise!, are a bit more modest than their south american counterparts).

and so, while summer 2012 continues to mix solids and patterns in a flirty yet wearable way, you can expect to find a convertible maxi skirt featured among the color-blocked dresses, pleated pops of color, and fresh editions of last summer's crush.

more to adore after the jump (including tardy spring 2012 peeks)!

daisy

dahlia * tulip

a peek inside the shop . . .

florencia remains committed to producing her label in hawaii (hooray!) so please do pop by the shop and say hello. the sun-drenched space is also stocked with local & argentina pretties from handmade jewelry to posh pua bikinis.

summer 2012 looks will be arriving next week at the flagship boutique, your neighborhood stockist, and the online shop. spring 2012 offerings are beginning to dwindle so hele over now for a peek of remaining styles.

• where: 1161 nu'uanu avenue, chinatown (just around the corner from marks garage)
• shop hours: wed to sat, 11a to 5p (open til 6p on thu & fri)

p.s. tomorrow's first friday fun (5p to 10p) includes 10-to-50% off florencia arias designs, 20% off jewelry, and an additional discount for purchases tallying over $100.

dream weaver

the stacks by my bedside have become overwhelmed with books on energy medicine delving into the chakras, reiki, and acupuncture with a few pages on quantum physics thrown in for good measure. with the turn of every page, my high school crush on mystical gemstones becomes ever more reignited so it should come as no surprise that vega jewelry's fatty leather wrapped crystal has become quite coveted on my wishlist.

(perhaps the zen-like tranquility of a quartz paired with wooden beads is calling your name?)

design inspiration kisses victoria kray, the maui-slash-nyc alchemist behind the collection, while wandering beneath the stars, in the waves, and across the desert. i just love how each piece balances energy with edginess . . . . channeling ancient notions and mingling in modern elements to woo lovelies who coexist in both worlds.

and, what should i discover while peeking the official facebook page? a weeklong 40% off sale on leather sparkle which kicked off only hours ago! (secret code: leather2012)

kismet seems to be smiling down upon me today.

island air

kauai boogie boarders

have you ever gazed upon the mediterranean seaside snapshots by massimo vitali and wished for a hawaii edition? luckily, la-based photographer gray malin started the new year by booking a helicopter to fly over poipu beach where he captured aerial shots of the island's turquoise blue waters dotted with happy beachgoers.

while the à la plage, à la piscine series can be found in the official online shop, for the next few days you can scoop up flash sale priced photographs on one king's lane. (fyi: you do need to register for a okl account to access the sale which ends fri, may 25th @ 5a hst.)

let's hope waikiki beach (or makaha!) is next up on gray's shot list.