heart of the sea

we spend a lot of time out at makaha when we're home and a friend always shares the story of when he met rell sunn (aka the queen of makaha) at the beach. a few years ago, he raved about a documentary on rell called heart of the sea after it aired on independent lens on pbs. the film racked up a number of awards when it was released for its poignant take on rell's life and is a lesson in living your life with grace and how truly embodying the aloha spirit is good not only for yourself but for your community too.

unfortunately, the film is not currently on the pbs schedule (but you should still check out il which is one of my favorite programs on tv) and nowhere to be found at netflix, however the hawaii state library happens to have a vhs copy so you can put your library card to work if you still own a vcr.

dvds can be picked up at women make movies swell cinema which also has a trailer posted on their website.

fyi - rell's family has set up a non-profit which keeps the rell sunn menehune surf contest going and which also supports breast cancer research in honor of rell. click here to learn how you can help.

{update | jan 2010: dvds are now on the shelves at your local library!}

frou frou for you

yoo hoo! chearrings is currently in the midst of a big sale which means now is the time to adorn your many incarnations (romantic daydreamer, enigmatic ingénue, belle du jour) since everything in stock is currently 40% off.

• secret code: clearance (enter at checkout)

the owls are not what they seem

m's pueo tee + straw trucker hat

david from 'oiwi ocean gear sent me a sneak peek of their new designs a few months ago and i am happy to report that they are now up on their website. i love love love the pueo tee and am seriously considering making an exception to my fella's no more new t-shirts rule (he is always on the hunt for cool tees when we go home and hence the dresser drawer is about to burst).

there are also some new threads for the ladies like the kahala jersey which will add a little flower power to your paddle/surf sessions plus 'oiwi had added fresh swimwear styles like the haleiwa bikini and the pretty 'oiwi pattern which is now available in new colorways just in time for spring.

fyi - 'oiwi also does custom work so give them a buzz if your team wants to paddle in style.

map it!

glamour girl

maile fern maillot + rainbow abstract kaftan

time to dish about the newest swimwear line from the islands which made its debut at the women's closet last weekend. melia conrad mixes old hollywood glamour with modern sophistication to create a collection for those who prefer to be a bit more demure yet still turn a few heads when they hit the beach.

designer marylea conrad grew up in australia and upon arriving in the islands noticed a distinct difference on hawaii's beaches from her homeland: coverage. and so melia conrad, a collection of stylish swimwear with slightly more modest silhouettes, was born (quite literally as the line is named after her baby daughter).

there is something for everyone from flirty bikinis, pin up worthy one pieces, and glamorous cover ups that can easily go from the sand to out on the town. one of the most thoughtful features are bikini tops with removable straps which means no more tricky maneuvering to avoid the dreaded strappy tan line.

the collection is expected to arrive in april or may and will be stocked at the butik, rafael and split obsession.

learn more here and here.

skip to my loo

marimekko samovaari + west elm waves

as i dart back & forth between the computer and bathroom while waiting for the plumber to arrive to fix a leaky toilet, this morning's mini catastrophe serves as a reminder to always keep a stash of old towels around for times like today when you most certainly do not want to use your good linens to soak up the questionable water covering the floor.

since i need a mental health break from the disaster that is currently my bathroom and nothing pleases me more than pretty linens, here are a few tropical finds like these lovely marimekko samovaari towels with a pattern that may have been designed in finland but reminds me of traditional hawaiian quilts. and, you can extend the style to your bedroom with crate & barrel's matching linens.

then there is west elm's waves bath mat which manages to be beachy without being too literal. the design also has a coordinating shower curtain and bedding, the latter which echoes the cool 70's yves saint laurent linens inherited from my mom.

time to dash back to the bath . . .