shop toast hula kokeshi

the cuteness that is shop toast's newly launched hula kokeshi makes for a sweet peek on this beautiful aloha friday. the petite wooden heart stump containers are the canvas for delightful details - tiny grass skirts, flower lei, and a ribbon haku - for happy smiles all around.

and, the wee noggins open up to hide a small present for your lucky recipient.

available in boy and girl editions for a limited time online & in-store:

• where: 3434 waialae avenue, suite 3, kaimuki
• shop hours: m / w / f / sat - 12p to 6p

p.s. scoop one up during tonight's kickoff of third fridays kaimuki (6p to 9p) when neighborhood merchants (including shop toast, drift, town, and so many more) welcome you with art, music, food and one night shop specials.

island crush: gold dipped glam

while flipping through my notes searching for something exceptionally crushworthy, i re-spotted these gorgeous gold dipped wood rings by rockabella jewels. the juxtaposition of warm wood with molten metal dripping down the sides is unexpectedly glam, no?

the one of a kind designs, inspired by the rivulets of water left behind when ocean waves crash onto rocky shorelines, are offered in a mix of woods, shapes, and occasionally an extra glimmer of sparkle.

$120 online.

p.s. rockabella fans who call oahu home have a chance to spy and save 15% off the maui made collection when designer kristel bandisch hops over for a trunk show this weekend!

• when: sat, sep 22nd - 11a to 4p
• where: cottage by the sea, ward warehouse

paper peeks: hour of nine

liliha * napoleon

while catching up with the summer arrivals by hour of nine, the letterpress studio of nyc-based designer lehua chong, a trio of new notecard collections was waiting to charm me. this time around the pretty patterns are distilled from wooden tiki carvings, a circle island tour of oahu's sunny beaches, and the cheeky cult flick heathers.

how very!

{and so so timely since there are whispers of my most beloved and watched movie during high school possibly getting a reboot on bravo next year . . . shudder.}

shall we have a peek?

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aloha sunday supply co.

it should come as no surprise that so many mainland-bound kama'aina settle in san diego when making a new home across the pacific. after spending my college years and early grownup life in america's finest city, i am happy to confirm that the transition to mainland living is a little less jarring when surrounded by sd's gorgeous coastline, (mostly) balmy weather, sizable islander population, and mom & pop spots dishing up plate lunches to satisfy cravings in between trips home.

although the mister and i make the trip down the freeway a few times a year to visit friends we left behind and get our fix of homestyle mexican food (woefully lacking the farther one finds herself from the border), a chance to venture to north park to pop into aloha sunday supply co. has yet to present itself. however, online peeks of its collection of modern day goods made for land and sea have proved to be quite intriguing . . . particularly the jfk-inspired swim collection which i suspect will be a welcome change for those weary of slipping on the same boardshorts as little groms.

the hawaii connection comes by way of co-owner kahana kalama, the fashion forward pro surfer from kailua with a passion for making life better for new friends encountered while surfing faraway shores. the shop and its line of in-house goods is an evolution of the islands' end-of-week celebration moved up five days to encourage customers to begin their week with the same enthusiasm when greeting the weekend.

isn't that the most lovely idea?

arnaz * parker * parkman * manitou

boards & bags

in addition to aloha sunday's lineup of tees (handscreened behind the shop) and boardshorts (produced in california), you can expect to find stylish collaborations with indie design friends stocked alongside handpicked selections by kahana and fellow proprietor billy wickens, vintage finds curated by the missus, a handful of loveliness for the ladies, and made-just-for-them boards in both the brick and mortar & online shop.

• where: 3118 university avenue, north park (near balboa park for those who have visited but are unfamiliar with san diego's collection of neighborhoods)
• shop hours: tue to sat, 11a to 7p + sun, 12p to 5p

p.s. discover new arrivals along with fascinating brand stories and surf adventures on the shop blog.

aloha friday scoop

since it has been eons since the last scoop, i am keeping it light today while i decide whether it is a keeper, needs a shakeup, or if early retirement is calling its name as the time required to gather up scoop-worthy items has become quite daunting.

sooo . . . if you have missed the scoop, please click away, comment, like & share to show your love.

{first friday highlights}

• jewelry by justine stops by owens & company to show off her latest handmade sparkle. {6p to 9p; 1152 nu'uanu avenue}

• scooping up posh pua bikinis for a steal scores you a 10% off storewide discount at florencia arias.{5p to 10p; 1161 nu'uanu avenue}

• save 50% on photo sessions ($150 for one night only) when you say hello to photographer rita coury during her annual mahalo showcase. {5:30p to 8p; plaza club, 900 fort street mall, 21st floor}

• sing along with the lovely sabrina when the local singer/songwriter returns home to join a lineup of past and present na hoku nominees for a free alt.rock concert celebrating the hawaii theatre's 90th anniversary. {7:30p; 1130 bethel street}

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