chocolate lab

easy chocolate truffles + champagne truffles

this time of year has a way of bringing out one's inner martha determined to do whatever it takes to whip up a handmade sugarplum wonderland. if holiday plans call for testing your truffle making skills, do click over to the big island's cocoa outlet which is the source for professional confectioners and just happens to have an online shop open to the public.

you'll find everything you need from fine european chocolates (callebaut & valrhona, natch) to cake decorations and cool contraptions like textured rolling pins that embellish fondants with pretty patterns. and, if you really want to up your pastry game, the cocoa outlet offers the occasional class to expand every dreamy cake designer's repertoire of sweet techniques.

bon appétit!

{photo credit: martha stewart living}

free rice

since rice is such a staple in island homes, here's a little diversion that has been making the rounds online. test your wordsmith skills at free rice and, for every word you get correct, 10 grains of rice will be donated to the united nations world food program (3 billion grains of rice have been donated since the game kicked off last month).

happy thanksgiving!

weekly sales sheet - holiday edition

mu'umu'u heaven * meleana * kicks/hi x sig zane

before you stuff yourself with thanksgiving goodness, take a peek at the black friday sales sheet!

mu'umu'u heaven is putting an eco-twist on the traditional post-holiday sale and making it a green friday instead. there will be in-store specials throughout the day, and stop by in the evening to nosh on pupus while checking out the latest in-house styles, new handbags from meleana, and the ongoing photo exhibit of jyoti mau's work.

• when: fri, nov 23rd - 6p to 8:30p
• where: 767 kailua road, suite 100

while on the windward side, stop by 'oiwi ocean gear to score 25% off storewide at the brick and mortar shop. not sure if that sale will extend to the website, but online holiday orders will receive $5 flat shipping until sun, dec 2nd. 

• when: fri, nov 23rd to sun, nov 25th
• where: 130 kailua road, suite 109

over in town, everything at bamboo sky will be on sale anywhere from 10% to 50% off. roberta oaks & ginger13 will also be in the house with 35% off their respective collections between 10a to 2p (fyi - that sale lasts until tue, nov 27th.

• when: fri, nov 23rd
• where: 401 kamakee street 

Click to read more ...

kokua auction - round two!

congratulations to the winning bidder of the first kokua auction lot who scored a sweet deal!

the second lot of the kokua auction includes nona beamer's keiki book pua polu: the pretty blue hawaiian flower featuring the artwork of caren loebel-fried and an audio cd with music composed by keola beamer.

100% of the proceeds will be donated to aloha harvest.

kokua lot no. 2 (est. retail value: $75):

• 1 pua polu children's book compliments of caren loebel-fried
• 1 letterpress note card set (3 cards) and gift tag set (8) from miemiko atelier
• 1 note card set (6 cards) from big island artist caren loebel-fried
• 1 coconut lip balm from north shore soap factory
• 1 ola hawaii lilikoi face wash & 1 kalo face mask from hawaiian body products
• 4 handmade gift tags (panda/hippo/pig/lion) from downtown general store
• 1 package of pat's pineapple salsa

the opening bid is under $25 and remember shipping is on me if you live in the states (international bidders pay a flat shipping rate of $5 usd).

mahalo for your kokua!

kokua auction reminder

just a quick reminder that the first kokua auction filled with goodies from miemiko, downtown general store, caren loebel-fried & more ends later today. remember 100% of the winning bid will be donated to charity so click over asap to get your bid in (fyi - beware the last minute sniper!).

and, check back later tonight for details on lot no. 2.