etsy scout: bitty bambu

dahlia * abstract wave

during my elementary days, i was absolutely content with my almost everyday pairing of a snoopy tee and dove shorts (not the same ones, mind you, my stock ran deep in both departments). mr. freud would make the obvious connection that my early rejection of being dolled up was due to having a mom who had a career in fashion, but bitty bambu's appliquéd offerings just may have tempted me to upgrade a few threads.

taryn, the kula mom-turned-designer behind the label, often translates her background in landscape architecture into cheerful petals and cute garden inhabitants along with whimsical ocean discoveries to the delight of keiki. each design features pieces of fabric cut by hand then assembled and sewn into a playful creation perfect for school days and outdoor adventures.

colorful lotus * seahorse

whales * dawn patrol

wee wearables like tops and dresses are on the way while adorable burp cloths and pillow cases round out the current collection. custom designs are also welcome and typically require a week's turnaround depending on the supplies on hand. and, happy news, taryn plans to offer more organic options in the future.

the price tag is reasonable (averaging $20 a tee) considering the handmade nature of each design, and since most pieces are made to order can be adjusted to fit babies, toddlers and younger keiki (up to size 7).

click over to bitty bambu's etsy shop to take a peek at the all the designs!

new peeks: kealopiko ku collection

ke aloha aina

the lovely ladies behind kealopiko are definitely to be admired for their dedication in sharing the hawaiian culture with the modern world and their commitment to good design. i like to think of the descriptions that accompany all of their designs as continuing education . . . little histories which help folks (re)connect with their ancestry while clueing in kama'aina and others who may not have been immersed in all things hawaiian learn more about hawaii's native culture. more knowledge is always a good thing!

happily, kealopiko recently introduced their ku collection for spring 2010 and are showing more love for our 'aina by expanding the number of designs printed on organic cotton and eco-friendly fibers. one of the most striking designs is the ke aloha aina tee which mixes a variety of typefaces and serves as a printed reminder of the wearer's "deep love of the land":

"aloha aina is a very old concept . . . although it may change and adapt, it is a part of us that will never go away. we remain kupa‘a in our love for our place, which is challenged all the time by things that are not in the interest of the land or the people. more than a century of occupation may have produced a lot of confusion, but it can never break our aloha aina. so no matter what our different political persuasions might be, wherever we are on our journeys of learning, or wherever we find ourselves in the struggle, we must never forget our common bond of aloha aina."

in addition to tees and tops, pretty strapless dresses are now being offered which i suspect will be very popular this summertime. and, the kealopiko 'ohana also kindly shared a few of the custom looks created for one of the lucky wedding parties who have walked down the aisle wearing some of the most gorgeous designs for an island wedding.

aeo

lehua makanoe * lau amau & palai a kamapuaa

are you sharing my swoon over these lovely wedding looks from lauren and mason's wedding? the muted colorways are so pretty and this is certainly one of the most stylish ways to share the aloha spirit on such a happy day.

if you would love to order a custom design, be advised that kealopiko suggests a minimum of 8 weeks notice to conjure up something made just for you.

the ku collection is currently stocked in the online shop and you can find select styles at boutiques around the islands. oahu readers can also say hello to the kealopiko 'ohana during this weekend's e malama i ke kai festival:

• when: sat, may 15th - 10a to 3p
• where: kapiolani park bandstand, waikiki

{photo credit | lauren & mason's wedding: joanna tano photography}

and the winners are . . .

juanita from ma'ili who gets to surprise her little one with toast's koi treats crafted just for children's day! although your chance for the weekend giveaway was over in a flash, the online shop is open 24/7 and oahu friends can hele over to the toast storefront tomorrow to scoop up delicious delights for your favorite keiki:

• where: 3434 waialae avenue, suite 3, kaimuki
• shop hours: m / w / f / sat - 12p to 6p

congratulations juanita!

{mahalo jeremy & michelle!}

p.s. kat from japan was the lucky winner of the letarte sarong from last month's talk story challenge. it was so much fun to discover which designs make you do the happy dance and i hope everyone will continue to post about their favorite finds shared on h|h. congratulations kat!

and the winner is . . .

koi crush

chelsea from honolulu who scooped up one of toast's super sweet cheerful gift crates which seem to be quite adored by readers all around oahu.

and, happy news, our fabulous friends at toast (and one of h|h's lovely sponsors) just released an updated jelly bean-filled koinobori flag favor earlier this week and have paired it with one of their new koi fabric wraps for another lucky reader. hooray!

with children's day arriving next wednesday, consider this your sweet reward for peeking into h|h this weekend. plus, our friends across the islands and around the mainland are welcome to enter so long as you don't mind the possibility of the package arriving after may 5th. oahu readers, as always, are invited to stop by toast's kaimuki studio for pickup to surprise your little one with koi goodies in time for the keiki celebration.

here's the scoop on how to enter:

• click here to send your name *and* current hometown by sun, may 2nd (12p hst)
• please put toast keiki koi giveaway in the subject
• one entry per person/household

winner will be announced on monday . . . good luck!

congratulations chelsea!

{mahalo nui loa to the toast 'ohana for sharing more cheer!}

{update: winner list posted}

shop toast spring goodness

happy children's day!

i finally stopped by toast's studio in kaimuki while home which, in addition to being stocked with a complete selection of design delights, is a brilliant lesson in how to display wares in what may be the tiniest storefront square footage on the island. my little visit was filled with happy chatter about upcoming releases which have just begun to pop up in my in-box.

first up, toast adds a new screenprinted fabric wrap to their offerings strategically twisted into cheery koi ($6) which unbundle to reveal yummy tomoe ame rice candy. the design riffs on the abundant koi banners flying above island homes in celebration of boy's day and the all-enclusive children's day (may 5th - mark your calendar!). alas, due to small parts these are meant for older keiki (ages eight and up) so best to keep away from little hands.

woodland creatures were originally introduced last summer and have returned with a technicolor edition ($5) which are quite possibly even more charming. and, for those who want to sweeten up surprises, get ready to be charmed by the brand new cheerful gift crates ($45 medium & $75 large) meant to be personalized with happy or sorry emoticons, a custom message, and stocked with an assortment of mini pops.

please note gift crates have a minimum five day order turnaround and mini pop fillings may vary depending on availability.

all of the new designs can be ordered in toast's online shop or pop into the kaimuki studio to stock up and say hello to jeremy and michelle!

• where: 3434 waialae avenue, suite 3, kaimuki
• shop hours: m / w / f / sat - 12p to 6p