Jan 7 
if you have been very good and haven't blown all your holiday cash yet, click over to oaks hawaii for a huge new year's clearance sale. the entire fall/winter 2006 collection is 50-80% off which means you can scoop up screen printed tees for $20 and oaks' signature handmade skirts for as low as $35!
fyi - sizes and styles are limited so stop by sooner rather than later to guarantee your favorites are still available.
Jan 5 
you never know where a few clicks will take you in the vast world of the internet. one link leads to another and eventually you happen upon a lovely site like fishtales. you might not think that the combination of the 19th century art form of gyotaku and keiki clothing would work but it does and it is absolutely adorable.
the kaneohe company silkscreens by hand original gyotaku images on everything from onesies to dresses for little ones of all sizes. this is definitely going on my list of potential baby booty if the coconut wire ever brings tidings of a new addition to the family of my newlywed cousin who grew up fishing in the deep seas of the pacific.
{mahalo cliostreet!}
Jan 4 
this is one for all the brides-to-be desperate to find the perfect way to present those ubiquitous jordan almonds to their wedding guests. the neverending search filling your lunch break/late night googles and commiserations on the knot ends with a quick click to honolulu's tropic essentials, a one stop online shop stocked with everything crafty brides need to create modern island style favors.
the prices are reasonable and you will find inspiration in spades on how to transform a basic lauhala box into something spectacular. now that you have found favor nirvana, get ready for endless discussions on whether to go with sleek metal window tins or ethereal sinamay pouches. decisions, decisions . . . maybe it's time to elope.
{update | jan 2010: tropic essentials shuttered its online shop a few years ago so click over to creations by you, hawaiian wedding shop, or pacific weddings magazine for island style favor supplies}
Jan 3 okay, so this may not be the absolute lowest the airfare wars have gone but the extra dollar and change still makes for a fabulous deal to fly to the neighbor islands. yep, $20.07 for a o/w ticket is a sweet deal indeed.
details:
fly, fly, fly: aloha airlines | go! | hawaiian airlines
Jan 2 
i am always in awe of people who are uber-crafty and these adorable crocheted fortune cookies from puka shell creative designs are too delightful for words. gather a bunch together for a sweet centerpiece for your chinese new year celebration next month or customize the fortune inside to create one-of-a-kind party & wedding favors.
crafter extraordinaire april hiraki-morris (who also runs the so/cal plate lunch connection) expresses her love for all things kawaii with her whimsical "incredible inedibles" collection filled with everything from cupcakes to sushi. take a peek at the full line of goodies at the puka shell etsy shop. bon appétit!
