aloha friday scoop

if you happened to notice my absence this week, our home is in the midst of a major spring cleaning which is disrupting my writing time. my hope is to reclaim all the nooks and crannies so that our space is only filled with things which we absolutely adore (along with the necessities, natch). it promises to be a lengthy process but the eventual prize will be a little makeover for our wee beach flat. perhaps by writing it down for all the world to see our little endeavor will be a success!

first friday highlights:

• get your sugar rush at the newly opened let them eat cupcakes with a menu filled with red velvet & li hing mango baked goods. {35 south beretania street; mahalo isla!}
• maoli arts month and a roster of native hawaiian contemporary artists arrive at the arts at marks garage. {1159 nu'uanu avenue}
• owens & co. reveals a new collection of prints by maui artist noa emberson. {1152 nu'uanu avenue}
• buy a spring/summer 2011 style from roberta oaks and enjoy 40% off off the second look. clearance items too! {19 north pauahi street}

our friends at so'mace are hosting a kama'aina sale with 10-to-20% off gorgeous design thrills including designer kaypee soh's in-house collection of pillows and furniture.

• when: now to mon, may 9th
• where: 1115 young street
• shop hours: mon to fri, 10a to 6p & sat, 10a to 3p

Click to read more ...

hey mama! 2011 gifting guide

popping in to share a few last minute possibilities . . .

1 - the just launched orchid collection from malie organics will delight moms who love tending to the elegant petals. {$25 and up}

2 - hardy succulents look quite refined when potted in porcelain by lanikai pot & plant. {$32.95 at owens & co.}

3 - the kala'e wallet is one of the anticipated new arrivals to sig zane's coveted line of leather goods featuring the hilo designer's signature prints. {$175}

4 - locavores will savor a fresh brewed cup of first flush green tea harvested from the slopes of the mauna kea tea farm. {$19}

5 - vintage rope salvaged from the falls of clyde keep mana pods' handblown recycled glass terrariums aloft so the petite plantings can capture some island sunshine. {$40; also stocked at super citizen in chinatown}

6 - waimea chocolate company produces artisanal chocolate macadamia nuts from ingredients grown in hawaii with varieties ranging from milk to dark and fixings like hawaiian chili pepper and black lava salt. {$8 to $21; find at sweet paradise chocolatier in wailea}