morning crush: heather brown x matsumoto

happy anniversary!

i'll take one rainbow with ice cream, please! for all the matsumoto shave ice fans, the iconic haleiwa landmark recently enlisted artist heather brown to design their super cute 60th anniversary tees.

m's and w's styles offered in a handful of colors.

$17 online + in-store.

aloha rag spring/summer 2011

w's m65 jacket * baker cargo pants

with fashion week in full swing, it seemed only appropriate to gather up a few looks from aloha rag's spring/summer 2011 collection. tatsuga yoda, aloha rag founder and creative director of the house label, tailor made each piece for happy-go-lucky days in the sun and sand complete with vintage americana details like a whimsical jacket lining constructed of the iconic paisley bandana.

you may notice that a few styles overlap in the m's and w's collections, but the unisex looks have been carefully refitted to compliment a feminine silhouette. and happy news! this season the ladies score their very own edition of the popular m65 military jacket with playful custom designed pink zippers.

isn't it lovely?

more mellow memories after the jump . . .

crewneck sweatshirt * hooded parka

m's seersucker jacket

paisley buttondown & arhi tee

aloha rag's denim line also debuted this past winter and features classic silhouettes made in the always coveted japanese denim.

all styles are made in japan with the price tag for ss11 starting at $215. and, if you fancy high style for less, most fall 2010 looks are currently on sale.

hit the online shop for the complete 411 on the new m's & w's collections, or hele down to the honolulu and nyc storefronts:

• hnl: 1221 kapiolani blvd, suite 115
• shop hours: mon to sat, 11a to 8p & sun, 11a to 6p

• nyc: 505 greenwich street, soho
• shop hours: mon to thu & sat 11a to 7p | fri 11a to 8p | sun 12p to 6:30p

do you have any pieces from aloha rag tucked inside your closet?

rainforest love

love is in the air which can only mean the valentine's day flower hunt is heating up. if you swoon for the artfully arranged blooms featured in the dreamiest weddings, yet ever elusive at the corner florist, do have a peek at rainforest if you call oahu home. floral designer and shop proprietor michael miyashiro creates the most lush bouquets and just happens to be one of the very first eco-sensitive florists in the islands.

now you know why michael was chosen to style all the flowers required on my wedding day. he is truly an artiste and his lei designs, reknowned far beyond the islands for their intricate beauty, are what first led me to his shop. our moms absolutely adored the lei they were given on our wedding day and raved about their exquisite craftsmanship. high praise considering the many lei they have worn over the years! our wedding maile (which we exchanged in place of rings) were each beautifully wrapped in a pu'olo, as instructed by our kahus, and remains the loveliest maile lei we have been lucky enough to wear.

but let's allow the flowers to speak for themselves . . .

a lovely pu'olo

protea pretties

ti leaf wrapped gardenias

ravishing spring blossoms

i also love that michael looks to the stars to create birthday flowers inspired by your zodiac sign, and designs arrangements tailor made for your fella.

the rainforest 'ohana will be busy playing cupid this valentine's weekend so just know that pre-orders and pickups are welcome, and oahu deliveries are available for a fee. lei can also be shipped to the mainland.

• where: kilohana square, 1016 kapahulu avenue
• valentine's hours: fri to sun, 7a to 7p & mon, 6a to 7p
• shop hours: mon to sat, 7a to 5p

have you discovered any more eco-friendly, indie florist shops around the islands? if so, please share!

p.s. if you are searching for more valentine's ideas, wander through the blossoms to find the perfect petals.

{photo credit: rainforest}

sweet nothings 2011 - take three

because sometimes the sweetest thing is a locally made, sugary confection . . .

1 - between its gorgeous bars, 'ono flavor profiles, and committment to fair trade & locally produced chocolate, my sweet tooth is already swooning over madre chocolate. no online shop yet but follow madre on twitter for the 411 on valentine flash sales happening around oahu this week! or find at sweet paradise chocolatier's kailua & lahaina outposts. {via honolulu magazine}

2 -  the order deadline for bliss! cake pops is just hours away (6p hst) if you hope to play cupid and share the chocolate or red velvet mini dipped delights with your favorite work mates on valentine's day. {$27/dozen with a two dozen minimum order. $20 delivery fee or free pickup.}

3 - cupcake love maui bakes up petite treats from tiramisu to carrot cake with the most delightfully decorated flourish. {$36/dozen with a one dozen minimum order. $10 delivery fee or find at maui ocean grill in kahului.}

4 - the hamakua fudge company in honoka'a mixes in local fixings like coconut, kona coffee, mango and lilikoi for their sinfully layered gourmet fudge. {$9.95 with a one pound minimum for online orders. complimentary shipping over $50.}

p.s. today is the deadline to order the always 'ono and exquisitely packaged boxed treats from big island candies for valentine's day delivery!

rona marie jewelry

if you happened by fighting eel's charming new boutique in chinatown since its doors opened last fall, it's quite possible you found yourself instantly smitten with the display of jewelry surrounding the checkout stand as you waited to pay for your purchases. what you may not have realized is amongst the sparkle is a side line of adornment made by fe co-founder & designer rona bennett.

constructed in her off-time as a diversion from the demands of running a fashion label, the naturally gorgeous glam features geometric gemstones and tumbled crystals intuitively combined in the most modern arrangements. the stones are curated from around the globe with rona mixing and mingling elements until each piece feels just right.

the quartz and agate amulets are an especially lovely antidote to the daily stresses of life, wouldn't you agree?

druzy earrings

druzy ring

i pined for a few pieces when i popped into fe while home before the holidays, and only just discovered that most of the sparkle is one of a kind . . . never to be made in the exact same way again. an occasional exception is made for a handful of earring designs which may, at the discretion of the designer, be repeated. good to know, no?

remember that tip if you plan on heading down to first friday tomorrow night when the fighting eel flagship, the exclusive stockist of rona marie jewelry, hosts a trunk show of her newest concoctions. local psychic nichole myers will also be offering angel card readings if you seek a peek into your future.

• when: fri, feb 4th - 6:30p to 9:30p
• where: fighting eel, 1133 bethel street, chinatown

p.s. jewelry is priced from $24 to $154, however the collection is not offered online so faraway friends should consider contacting the shop directly to order.