introducing posh pua

floral bikini + monokini

posh pua, the new handmade clothing line created by maui designer julie stone, is further evidence that the islands' emerging style scene is inspiring more kama'ainas to take the plunge into fashion design. upon moving to maui a few years ago, julie took notice of the success of homegrown labels tamara catz and letarte which eventually prompted the kailua-raised designer to turn her sewing hobby into an indie biz.

this past spring, posh pua quietly launched its debut collection which features a handful of patterns designed for flirty days on the sand and simple coverups that easily transition from the beach to the streets. what sets posh pua apart is julie's commitment to creating a sustainable swimwear/resort line by incorporating eco-friendly fibers like bamboo and organic cotton plus the occasional vintage textile appearance.

plaid bikini

a gathering dress * pua o papaete romper * beach bloomers

all designs are made to order in julie's upcountry studio and custom requests are also welcome should you require a little assistance to find the perfect fit.

preview the collection on the official website and then click over to the etsy shop to scoop up the latest offerings.

you can also find posh pua at beauty & the beach's online emporium and sassy 2nds, a new to you consignment boutique that julie and her sister-in-law recently opened in paia.

sytycd x hi - take two

the new season of so you think you can dance is in full swing and for the second year in a row hawaii is well represented with kailua dancer kuponohi'iwoi aweau. last night the kamehameha alum and his partner ashley performed a delightfully quirky choreography featuring two dancing crash test dummies.

yes, crash test dummies. gotta love wade robson.

we'll find out tonight if the islands lit up enough phone lines to keep kupono in for another round.

p.s. click over to the star-bulletin which reveals kupono's connection to season 4 favorite mark kanemura.

stacia one day sale

if you have been coveting the spacedye knitwear from la-based label stacia but the price tag was a bit over your budget, time to click over to ideeli which is hosting a one day sale with big savings on spring 09 styles (everything is under $100).

the website is for members only so you must get on the list before you can take a peek.

• sale ends: thu, jun 11th at 8p pst
• fyi: returns are for credit only so shop smart

new peeks: kealopiko

ahole banded tank

it's been far too long since the lovely designs of kealopiko made an appearance, and a quick click revealed a number of new looks plus the welcome addition of organic styles to the mix. kealopiko continues to educate wearers via hand screened tees which always offer up a lesson into hawaii's past and present by honoring all of its many inhabitants.

no matter how long you have called the islands home, there is always something new to learn and i love reading the descriptions of how each kealopiko design came to be. now wisdom once passed down from generation to generation can be found thoughtfully splashed across a simple t-shirt be it a closer examination of the history of a popular surf break to a quick study in island botany.

more peeks below . . .

moon phase dress * lanikuuwaa * ke'elikolani

manu o ku * kalehuawehe * moi

find all the featured styles over in the online shop (be sure to take a peek at the sale section for discontinued designs) or support your neighborhood stockist which now includes whole foods in kahala mall, na mea hawaii / native books at ward warehouse, and the imiloa astronomy center on the big island.

uncommon envelope giveaway

maggie from uncommon envelope generously fired up her letterpress machine to make a mahalo edition of her elegant monstera thank you cards just for one lucky h|h reader! a little letterpress alchemy creates an embossed effect which allows the leaf detail to pop off the paper and is sure to impress fellow stationery enthusiasts.

follow the directions below for a chance to pretty up your outgoing mail with this lovely and limited edition set (retail: $22):

• email your name & current hometown to: aloha [at] hapahale [dot] com by thu, june 11th
• please put uncommon envelope giveaway in the subject
• one entry per person/household

click back on friday to find out if you are the lucky winner.

{update: winner list posted}