a shop toast holiday

ocean in my pocket calendar

before dashing off for the holidays, i wanted to share the small delights that jeremy and michelle from shop toast have been busy crafting in their handmade workshop. we all know the toast team is an essential source for whimsical gifting all year long, but this year's playful selection of elf-approved xmas goods made me smile from the wood veneer ocean in my pocket desk calendar ($8) to furoshiki-wrapped boxes filled with gourmet cookies ($5).

there's even the brand new and super cute tiny tin's grocery store where you are welcome to mix and match sweet treats and tasty snacks ($3 to $8 each) cleverly concealed in pint sized packages to create a yummy yet one-of-a-kind gift basket. even nicer is that a portion of tiny tin sales will benefit the hawaii food bank.

more peeks after the jump!

while it may be too late for mail order, oahu friends still have time to pop by and scoop up last minute gifts during the kaimuki storefront's extended holiday hours:

• when: thu, dec 23rd - 12p to 6p & fri, dec 24th - 12p to 4p
• where: 3434 waialae avenue, suite 3, kaimuki

p.s. the scoop will be on hiatus this week. happy wishes for a very mele kalikimaka to you & your 'ohana!

happy hale*days 2010: budget edition

because in the last minute holiday frenzy, it can be easy to forget that a good gift does not have to make your bank account shudder:

1 - big island peeps will delight in penning notes to friends and 'ohana on sig zane's hilo one greeting cards. ($15/set; shop online or in-store at the hilo boutique)

2 - joie studio's limited edition 2011 exotic calendar is letterpressed with love on bamboo paper. ($20; online only)

3 - spend $15 to gift an organik SMARTdeal and your favorite someone can scoop up $30 worth of eco-friendly style. (purchase online by fri, dec 24th, spend in-store by mar 31st)

4 - charm homesick jetsetters with a vintage hawaiian passport holder made by mu'umu'u heaven. ($12; available at the kailua flagship)

happy hale*days 2010: beauty edition

because everyone has at least one beauty junkie on their gift list:

1 - letarte recently introduced two skincare formulas to pamper parched skin - vanille polynesia blends shea butter, vanilla and sugar into a sweet scented lotion while 'alia hinu mixes argan and coconut oils to hydrate thirsty skin. ($54; shop online w/ free 2-day shipping on continental u.s. orders placed by wed, dec 22nd or in-store at the paia flagship)

2 - cleanse & moisturize your locks with ola's pure shampoo & conditioner formulated with coconut milk, kukui nut oil, and taro extract. ($19; shop online or search for a local stockist)

3 - soap fans will love maui soap company's gorgeous handmade bars made with certified organic oils and essential oils. ($6.49; online only shop online or find at mana foods in paia & whole foods on oahu)

4 - lanikai bath & body mixes green tea leaves and hawaiian sea salt to create its botanical body scrub. ($22.50; shop online & at the kailua flagship)

5 - mini roll-on perfumes from saffron james come in five intoxicating scents inspired by the islands. ($35; shop online or find at soha living in kahala & select anthropologie shops)

happy hale*days 2010: foodie edition

a handful of holiday discoveries for your favorite foodie's pantry!

1 - charming appliquéd towels from honolulu's coco and bee add a touch of whimsy when prepping in the kitchen. ($17/set; online only) {via cupcake boutique}

2 - a spicy hint of cinnamon brings a little xmas cheer to big island bee's fragrant organic lehua blossom honey. ($29/3 jars; shop online or email for local stockists)

3 - big island candies' chocolate dipped shortbread are legendary but who can resist the temptation of the ultimate chocolate chip cookie? ($13.50; shop online or in-store if you call hilo home)

4 - chef alan wong traces the inspiration of his 'ono hawaii regional dishes in the blue tomato. ($40; officially releases in jan 2011 but can be purchased at both of aw's oahu restaurants or online at books hawaii before the holidays)

check back tomorrow for more last minute ideas!

happy hale*days 2010: sparkle edition

my winter cold remains my constant companion with sleepless nights and a stuffy head making writing all but impossible over the weekend (take your favorite preventative remedies & wash your hands to avoid my continuing misery, please!).

with shipping deadlines looming and the official countdown to xmas in the single digits, it seems the last remaining gifting guides will be best for those procrastinators willing to bear expedited mailing costs or negotiate the in-store crush of last minute shoppers.

without any further ado, a few pretty trinkets for your shopping list:

1 - surprise your sweetheart with wings hawaii's full moon necklace which mixes hammered hoops of 14k gold with delicate cone seashells. ($500; coordinating earrings also available. shop online or at the paia flagship)

2 - midori jewelry's 16k gold-plated labrynth links paired with faceted labradorite are a lovely discovery. ($45; shop online or find your neighborhood stockist)

3 - for the indie spirit: the burnished sunburst cuff by nina kuna designs is handcast on maui and a stylish reminder of sunny island days. ($95; shop online or hele over to your local stockist)

4 - gold plated nuggets are strung on a blackened sterling chain by la-based jools. ($44; shop online or find your nearest stockist)

5 - manoa's green tea jewels specializes in pretty minimal designs priced under $30. (online only; buy 2 styles and save 10% off your holiday order)