hawaiian vanilla company

it's the secret ingredient at some of the most notable restaurants in the islands so, if you love to bake, you may want to stock up on premium vanilla beans & extract from the big island's hawaiian vanilla company which has the distinction of being the one and only vanilla farm in the states.

even if you're not into cooking, hawaiian vanilla has partnered up with other local companies so your tastebuds will be the happy recipient of estate grown 100% hawaiian vanilla coffee, roselani ice cream, and other goodies.

you can even take a culinary tour and discover all things vanilla at an upcountry tea, luncheon or tasting (reservations required) at hawaiian vanilla's vineyard on the hamakua coast.

big mahalos

i just wanted to say *aloha* to everyone who has been stopping by from hawaiirama! alex wrote a very nice post about l'il ol' h|h so do share the love and click over to find out everything that's island fresh, served daily.

also, my very tardy thanks to jeela at quadmag who summed up h|h much better than i did. i am now going to describe myself to everyone i meet as an "island girl abroad" and invite all "homesick hipsters" to join the fun!

hidden jools

the september issue of lucky gave some love to jools, a jewelry line created by island girl and current l.a. resident sybil shimazu. her romantic victorian bohemian collection is just the thing for fall with its lacy filigree designs in unexpected jet black (gothy and fabulous, wouldn't you say?).

if you simply cannot live without a splash of color, jools has many pretty and bejeweled pieces to adorn you like these lovely dark blue quartz earrings and this seriously show stopping coral/olive quartz/peridot pendant. fair warning: you may experience sticker shock but in a very good way.

oaks hawaii fall/winter 2006

woo hoo. there are a lot of cute designs to look forward to in the fall/winter collection for oaks hawaii. i'm all over the stripe patch tee (love the peace sign and the not quite half sleeves) and have started to wonder if it is possible to covet all the tops in the new collection?

mo hoodie

i am particularly fond of the mo hoodie which would hit a nice balance on cooler autumn days when it's a bit too warm for a long sleeve but your arms will freeze if they are too exposed. the detail on the cuff is simply lovely. and don't forget to take a peek at the latest fabulous boho deconstructed skirts that oaks is known for (and featured earlier this summer).

surf's up

spotted at athleta today: the dawn patrol rash guard has hit the clearance section and is now 40% off. at that price, wouldn't you agree it's a good time to embrace your girly side and add a little island style when you hit the surf?