shop toast pop-in-a-box

my mister's hiatus has begun, the trader joe's omiyage is packed, and we are about to make our way home to celebrate my cousin's wedding. before i sign off, the shop toast 'ohana recently shared the news that a new mini pop gift set has arrived on the shelves of their kaimuki storefront. each pop in a box comes with five petite bottles which can be filled in-store with local-style yummies. add a little sticker, tie on a coordinating ribbon, and you can be out the door in a snap with a sweet and savory surprise made for gifting.

you can scoop one up for just $20 through the end of the month *or* if you are lucky to live on oahu jeremy and michelle are hosting another of toast's fabulous giveaways!

remember you must call oahu home since the pop in a box is for local pickup only. follow the fine print posted below and good luck!

• click here to send your name *and* current hometown by thu, aug 26th
• please put toast pop in a box giveaway in the subject
• one entry per person/household
• oahu readers only, please

the plan is to announce the winner on friday* . . . unless island time tinkers with my schedule. sending wishes your way for a happy and delightful week.

sales scoop: made in hawaii 2010

roberta oaks * ginger13 * midori jewelry

before you pop by the made in hawaii festival, be sure to glance over the list of h|h favorites who will be setting up shop and filling their weekend space with new looks and one time only deals. enjoy!

ali'i kula lavender introduces a lavender-infused pet lineup from shampoo to peanut butter doggie biscuits. {booth 175/176}

cindy from ginger13 will be showing off her 2010 collection (starting at $20), offering up to 75% off all jewelry designs, and setting up a $5 bin to further tempt you. {booth 322}

make a beeline to the lily lotus sales rack to score past season yoga basics for $20. {booth 316}

more mih news after the jump!

Click to read more ...

sneak peek: made in hawaii 2010

the made in hawaii festival opens on friday and, after many many clicks, i have compiled a little cheat sheet filled with island vendors to investigate if you plan on strolling the blaisdell this weekend.

1 - honolulu's be aloha transitions from custom alohawear for the japanese market to retro resort looks with the launch of its to kei label. {booth 372}

2 - rock simple koa hoops crafted of local wood gathered on mauna kea by woodworker jeff gomes. {hui 'ike ku'una section}

3 - north shore jewelry designer nilma hunter coaxes recycled sterling silver into puka shell bangles and other budget-friendly pretties. {booth 91}

4 - a member of the sig zane designs 'ohana has left the nest to launch punawai's line of delicate silk chiffon scarves and shawls printed with natural motifs inspired by the big island. {hui 'ike ku'una section}

5 - pretty up your everyday wardrobe with lovely screenprinted tops by noe clothing of oahu. {booth 294/295}

6 - kula-made pala'au's therapeutic skincare nurtures and detoxifies with medicinal hawaiian botanicals. {booth 366}

7 - tuck an everlasting flower in your hair with handmade enameled headbands by geisha fabulous of maui. {booth 386}

8 - uh hilo's kulanui product line offers beauty balms and kitchen deliciousness formulated with ingredients grown by local farmers. {booth 452/453}

9 - designer paula nurse of the big island constructs one-of-a-kind pieces composed of semi-precious, vibrational gemstones from topazes to tourmalines. {booth 94}

10 - tropilicious will be scooping up handcrafted ice cream with 'ono flavors like hawaiian mocha and toasted coconut. {booth 397}

11 - kona paradise candies' description of their chocolate dipped senbei is already tempting my sweet tooth. (order online at pat's island delights.) {booth 63}

12 - salty wahine mixes up gourmet seasoning blends but gets a mention simply for the kaua'i company's cheeky name and lovely logo. {booth 458}

13 - taste the freshly churned butters whipped up by waianae's naked cow dairy and remember to thank me later. {booth 461}

p.s. click back tomorrow for a roundup of festival news from our favorite designers!

boutique week: kai

boutique week is wrapping up and i hope you have discovered a few new brick and mortar gems so far! today, we have been invited to enjoy a sneak preview of kai which officially opens its doors in lovely kailua town this weekend. the vibe is all about effortless yet chic island style with an edited offering of jersey separates, flirty resortwear, and handcrafted jewelry from local designers to complete the look. 

the shelves are also stocked with eco-friendly beauty goods to perfect your tropical glow and gorgeous whimsy from the roost design collective to outfit your home.

if you shudder at the thought of shopping for a new outfit or are short on time, the additional services offered in-store will be much appreciated. shop proprietors bev binney and shannon schubert are happy to pull looks just for you and offer styling advice so your shopping bag is only filled with purchases you absolutely adore.

in addition to local finds from alora ambiance, hinu jewelry, [ki-ele] and letarte, kai offers designs from bhati beads, coolchange resortwear, poupette jewelry, rachel pally, and t los angeles plus beauty treats from coola sunscreen, glo minerals & pure fiji.

say hello to the kai 'ohana during saturday's grand opening and enjoy 10% off storewide along with pupus, wine and dj spins while you shop.

• where: 776 kailua road, kailua (above kimo's surf hut)
• grand opening: sat, aug 14th - 6p to 9p
• shop hours: mon to sat, 11a to 5p

 p.s. more peeks can be found over on kai's facebook.

{update | may 2011: kai has shuttered its kailua road location with plans to re-open nearby later this summer.}

{update | sep 2011: the new location has opened its doors and kai can now be found at 319 hahani plaza}

boutique week: drift

drift inside . . .

photos from drift have just arrived and i am delighted to post some of the first peeks inside the kaimuki boutique which just happens to be the new neighbor of our friends at shop toast! drift debuted last weekend after many years of retail daydreaming by bff's and newly minted shop proprietors ale klein and laura ivy who, with help from family and friends, modernized the interior with rehabbed castoffs and lucky discoveries to create a bright and airy space to showcase island designers and artists.

one of drift's shop exclusives are urgentina's super cute canvas totes appliquéd with sweet pledges of allegiance to town or country (neighborhood declarations can also be made for kaimuki and kailua). priced at $40, i predict these to be quite popular and cheerfully demand more neighborhood options, please! or, perhaps a two sided tote for those of us who heart both sides of the island.

in addition to their shop duties, ale and laura design an in-house jewelry line ($35 and under) along with a slipper collection embellished with seashells. and, with many of us watching our budgets these days, you will be happy to know that most of the merch is priced under $100.

local labels stocked at drift include d'angelo designs, khush, indigenous soap, sierra dew, tiare teiti, urgentina bikinis, vers hawaii; jewelry by lance gentry (who handpicks sunrise shells from haleiwa's shores) and stoney seas; plus artwork by vers creators matt ortiz and roxanne chasle and photography by taueva fa'otuista.

next time you find yourself in the area, do pop in to say hello and welcome the drift 'ohana to the neighborhood!

• where: 3434 waialae avenue, suite 4, kaimuki
• shop hours: mon to sun, 1p to 7p

p.s. a few finishing touches remain on the official website so click over to drift's facebook for shop updates.