new peeks: fighting eel spring 2012

bora bora * moorea * poipu

ahoy mateys! stripes continue to woo closets of all sizes and fighting eel's spring 2012 collection is filled with the prettiest nods to this delightful nautical trend. demure ruffles, girly racerbacks, and the oh-so-stylish cutaway hem (just a few of the variations on offer this season) combine with cheery colors to make a convincing argument that stripes are the new style staple.

if the mere thought of welcoming stripes aboard your look makes you shudder, do consider that modern day interpretations offer thoughtful placements designed to highlight your favorite features.

oh, and many of fe's gorgeous spring styles can also be yours in solids for those not quite ready to commit to stripes just yet.

shop spring 2012 online + in-store. (have a peek and share which spring look made your wishlist!)

p.s. windward lovelies no longer need to cross the pali and can now shop at fe's recently opened kailua outpost. the bright and airy space (just a few doors down from lily lotus and the soon-to-open whole foods) is filled with pretties from fe and a handful of local & faraway labels along with a tiny nook devoted to keiki cuteness.

beach reads: the descendants (& a giveaway!)

my mister and i finally escaped to our neighborhood movie house to watch the descendants on what turned into a blustery winter day here on the mainland. dear hawaii, your breathtaking beauty certainly shined on the big screen . . . a lush love note to our island home!

the story, if you have yet to page through the debut novel by kaui hart hemmings, juxtaposes two life changing scenarios - the impending sale of a land trust inherited by the ancestors of a hawaiian princess and her banker husband while the 21st century branch of the king 'ohana (a.k.a. the clooney clan if the movie trailer is your only introduction to this unconventional tale) deals with the agonizing wait of losing their adventure-seeking first lady who traded her heart to a secret sweetheart.

cue sticky predicaments.

read on for more love for the descendants + giveaway details after the jump!

Click to read more ...

island crush: deja-view

the mister and i rarely find ourselves on the north shore when home, but one of my favorite island moments is when you begin to coast down the hill by the pineapple fields and are greeted by the most breathtaking panaromic view stretching from the skies to the sea.

north shore artist christie shinn captured this swoon-worthy setting exquisitely with her paintbrush, no?

$35+ online.

p.s. if you haven't met christie yet, read more about her right here.

'oiwi ocean gear: friends & family sale

i was about to wait until week's end to share 'oiwi ocean gear's f&f sale then realized faraway friends would miss out on having your order delivered for free!

we can't have that now, can we?

'oiwi's modern spin on ocean inspired designs continues to make me smile (my mister's pueo tee from years ago is still in constant rotation . . . hooray!) so i suspect the only trouble you will encounter finding something to wear or share is narrowing down your wishlist. will it be the simple beauty of the hoe hawai'i paddles or the most melodic swells wooing you this year?

anyhoo, whether you are part of the 'oiwi 'ohana or just know the right girl, everything is now 20% off at the kailua flagship and in the online shop (secret code: earlybird)!

sale details after the jump!

Click to read more ...

shop toast: tiny tins dart set

the first of the holiday gifting guides debut next week, but i had to share this delightful creation by shop toast since the pre-order deadline is just days away. the tiny tins dart set is the ultimate secret santa gift - instant gratification from the snack size portions of arare which sit atop a dartboard base that promises endless hours of future amusement.

the shop toast elves will only be making a handful of sets so, if this catches your fancy, be sure to pre-order by mon, nov 14th for early december pickup/shipping.