aloha friday scoop

pop into fighting eel hq to save 25% off one style (fyi, in-store coupon expires sat) or click over to the online shop and save 15% off your entire order!

• when: now to sat, may 8th - 10a to 5p
• where: 47 north hotel street, chinatown

• secret code: moms
• expires: sun, may 9th - midnight hst
• fyi: all sales final

first friday hosts maoli arts month with chinatown galleries featuring the work of native hawaiian artists and artisans.

• when: fri, may 7th - 5p
• where: chinatown arts district

the ladies of cloth hawaii and rock shop preview lions n tigers, their new style collaboration, plus another chance to fill-a-bag with vintage pieces for $20.

• when: fri, may 7th - 5p to 9p
• where: coral loft, 1033a smith street, chinatown

Click to read more ...

heather brown summer 2010

heather brown for rip curl girl

since kaua'i artist heather brown was first featured two years ago, the artwork that makes so many of us swoon has taken her across the pacific to establish a gallery of her own in japan and, more recently, inspired a collaboration with rip curl. yep, you can now hit the surf wrapped in those gorgeous glassy waves that have become one of heather's delightful motifs. proof that following your heart and doing what you love can only lead to good things.

the summer 2010 collection is part of the surf label's "artist of the search" series in europe which means, alas, only select styles are available here in the states. continuing on with yesterday's eco theme, many of the looks are made of organic cotton (or "coton bio" as described on the european website . . . ooh la la!) with the swimwear made of a recycled poly blend. in addition to dresses, tops and hoodies, our lucky friends in europe also get to take their pick of a range of accessories and petite tees for little wahines.

word is that more of the collection should be arriving stateside this winter so, until then, let's console ourselves with a few peeks so you can jot down your favorites on your xmas wish list.

your best bet to scoop up the handful of styles available outside of europe is at hic and surf 'n sea in haleiwa as well as mainland stockists. you may also want to try your luck online where i managed to track down the organic tee (here) as well as the bikinis and slippers (here) that round out the collection.

{mahalo chelsea & spencer!}

{photo credit: ted grambeau for rip curl}

new peeks: organik 2010

m's squid tee

the organik 'ohana kindly sent along peeks of the label's 2010 collection with riffs on kona sunsets and tidepool discoveries along with a few cheeky plays on sustainable philosophies working their way into this year's look book. mixed in is organik's first dip into everyday basics with introductory offerings including certified organic cotton, micromodal jersey and recycled poly blend (spun from soda pop bottles) editions of the iconic wrap dress, tees, tanks, hoodies and polos.

happy news for readers who may shy away from screenprinted designs or for anyone who shares my efforts to replace unwearables with eco-friendly choices (i am, in fact, typing this now while dressed in my favorite stewart+brown organic tee layered over an organic cotton cami). after countless shopping expeditions, i know first hand how difficult it can be to source pretty sustainable pieces made in the good ol' u.s. of a. that do not elicit sticker shock so i am definitely excited about the upcoming possibilities. hooray!

eye chart * free range

w's driftwood tee

w's wrap dress * recycled slub tank

the newest organik arrivals are starting to find their way to the line's network of stockists around hawaii and the mainland. if a neighborhood shopping experience is not in the cards, keep an eye on the online shop or try your luck at organik's green room where you can scoop up past season looks for a song and which will be hosting a preview of the summer collection this weekend:

• when: sat, may 8th - 6p to 9p
• where: the green room, 73-5580 maiau street, kailua-kona (near costco)
• fyi: shop hours vary; call ahead to confirm the doors will be open for your shopping trip

p.s. you can currently save 30% off select styles in the online shop with complimentary shipping on us orders!

pop star

hope everyone enjoyed a lovely weekend filled with the sweet scent of springtime blossoms and may day festivities! with spring in bloom, it seems the perfect time to share a little eye candy from oahu illustrator kat reeder who has created an enchanting world of candy colored vintage pop starring hula girls and island lovelies.

at first glance, you can almost hear a hint of skirts swaying and beachy 'dos being swept aside by the trade winds, but dig a little deeper and you will discover layers of sketches mixing with digital brushstrokes and handpainted details to create the fresh now-meets-then charm of kat's illustrations.

happily, kat was kind enough to share a peek into her world and i discovered that her roots (born in peru and raised in miami before arriving in hawaii) add a bright, latin-influence while her love of art nouveau, tropicalia and retro packaging from bygone eras are the top notes inspiring her cosmopolitan coquettes. don't you just love all those luscious locks befitting 70's starlets and crime-fighting angels?

sally's song

hawaiian girls

2009 w's triple crown * this dream of mine

{designer notes}

how has living in hawaii influenced your work?
i've lived many places, but my senses have never been aroused like in hawai'i. i am bombarded by natural beauty and color. the skies are the bluest blues. the flowers are unapologetic in their vibrance. the intensity in my work palette is richer since moving here. i can't help it. i'm surrounded by beautiful things.

what is your definition of good design?
good design stays with you for a long time. it tickles your intellect and makes you feel something real. designers love to dissect grids, layouts, and fonts but all that means nothing to someone who's mesmerized by packaging. good design smacks you in the face. good design you keep in a shoe box, under your bed, with all your sketches.

little moments of bliss that recharge your soul?
discussing art with my husband, who is also my best friend. making up funny songs about my dog lola. opening a fresh jar of nutella.

local delights that are a must in your beach picnic basket?
chicken empanadas from valerio's bakery, ube roll from golden coin, and a six-pack of inka kola (peru's national soda) from the latin market on s. beretania.

pay it forward with a few words of wisdom that were passed on to you:
the best advice given to me recently was by wonderful local artist mark swanson. i was feeling insecure about hawaii embracing me as a digital artist. he told me i had to ultimately create art for myself and everything else would fall into place. he was right.

mahalo kat! (ditto on the nutella)

kat's artwork has already graced the coveted w's triple crown poster and has gained the notice of a growing list of local galleries. upcoming projects include an official calendar for 2011 but, until then, you can order up prints and more in the online shop.

p.s. personal commissions are also welcome!

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!