new peeks: kealopiko ku collection

ke aloha aina

the lovely ladies behind kealopiko are definitely to be admired for their dedication in sharing the hawaiian culture with the modern world and their commitment to good design. i like to think of the descriptions that accompany all of their designs as continuing education . . . little histories which help folks (re)connect with their ancestry while clueing in kama'aina and others who may not have been immersed in all things hawaiian learn more about hawaii's native culture. more knowledge is always a good thing!

happily, kealopiko recently introduced their ku collection for spring 2010 and are showing more love for our 'aina by expanding the number of designs printed on organic cotton and eco-friendly fibers. one of the most striking designs is the ke aloha aina tee which mixes a variety of typefaces and serves as a printed reminder of the wearer's "deep love of the land":

"aloha aina is a very old concept . . . although it may change and adapt, it is a part of us that will never go away. we remain kupa‘a in our love for our place, which is challenged all the time by things that are not in the interest of the land or the people. more than a century of occupation may have produced a lot of confusion, but it can never break our aloha aina. so no matter what our different political persuasions might be, wherever we are on our journeys of learning, or wherever we find ourselves in the struggle, we must never forget our common bond of aloha aina."

in addition to tees and tops, pretty strapless dresses are now being offered which i suspect will be very popular this summertime. and, the kealopiko 'ohana also kindly shared a few of the custom looks created for one of the lucky wedding parties who have walked down the aisle wearing some of the most gorgeous designs for an island wedding.

aeo

lehua makanoe * lau amau & palai a kamapuaa

are you sharing my swoon over these lovely wedding looks from lauren and mason's wedding? the muted colorways are so pretty and this is certainly one of the most stylish ways to share the aloha spirit on such a happy day.

if you would love to order a custom design, be advised that kealopiko suggests a minimum of 8 weeks notice to conjure up something made just for you.

the ku collection is currently stocked in the online shop and you can find select styles at boutiques around the islands. oahu readers can also say hello to the kealopiko 'ohana during this weekend's e malama i ke kai festival:

• when: sat, may 15th - 10a to 3p
• where: kapiolani park bandstand, waikiki

{photo credit | lauren & mason's wedding: joanna tano photography}

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!

and the winner is . . .

koi crush

chelsea from honolulu who scooped up one of toast's super sweet cheerful gift crates which seem to be quite adored by readers all around oahu.

and, happy news, our fabulous friends at toast (and one of h|h's lovely sponsors) just released an updated jelly bean-filled koinobori flag favor earlier this week and have paired it with one of their new koi fabric wraps for another lucky reader. hooray!

with children's day arriving next wednesday, consider this your sweet reward for peeking into h|h this weekend. plus, our friends across the islands and around the mainland are welcome to enter so long as you don't mind the possibility of the package arriving after may 5th. oahu readers, as always, are invited to stop by toast's kaimuki studio for pickup to surprise your little one with koi goodies in time for the keiki celebration.

here's the scoop on how to enter:

• click here to send your name *and* current hometown by sun, may 2nd (12p hst)
• please put toast keiki koi giveaway in the subject
• one entry per person/household

winner will be announced on monday . . . good luck!

congratulations chelsea!

{mahalo nui loa to the toast 'ohana for sharing more cheer!}

{update: winner list posted}

shop toast spring goodness

happy children's day!

i finally stopped by toast's studio in kaimuki while home which, in addition to being stocked with a complete selection of design delights, is a brilliant lesson in how to display wares in what may be the tiniest storefront square footage on the island. my little visit was filled with happy chatter about upcoming releases which have just begun to pop up in my in-box.

first up, toast adds a new screenprinted fabric wrap to their offerings strategically twisted into cheery koi ($6) which unbundle to reveal yummy tomoe ame rice candy. the design riffs on the abundant koi banners flying above island homes in celebration of boy's day and the all-enclusive children's day (may 5th - mark your calendar!). alas, due to small parts these are meant for older keiki (ages eight and up) so best to keep away from little hands.

woodland creatures were originally introduced last summer and have returned with a technicolor edition ($5) which are quite possibly even more charming. and, for those who want to sweeten up surprises, get ready to be charmed by the brand new cheerful gift crates ($45 medium & $75 large) meant to be personalized with happy or sorry emoticons, a custom message, and stocked with an assortment of mini pops.

please note gift crates have a minimum five day order turnaround and mini pop fillings may vary depending on availability.

all of the new designs can be ordered in toast's online shop or pop into the kaimuki studio to stock up and say hello to jeremy and michelle!

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

introducing sugar fresh

the counting peacock * mister numbers

hopefully, you are all pau with the tax man and have a moment to enjoy today's etsy find - sugar fresh from the big island! one peek at the cheery prints is sure to tickle the imagination of keiki and grown-ups with the line's fresh and delightful designs. basics like the alphabet and counting numbers earn a gold star for their simply charming take on learning posters and are just a few of sugar fresh's happy offerings.

lindsay, sugar fresh's creator, moved to hilo with her husband a few years ago and dusted off her graphic design chops when she decided to stay home with her baby daughter. when decorating the nursery walls proved to be a challenge, she began designing artwork that would both brighten the walls and grow along with keiki.

anyone else think the all a flutter print (shown below) with its cascade of sweet butterflies would be just as suitable on grown-up walls?

all a flutter * now i know my abc's

sugar fresh just recently opened up shop on etsy where you can find the debut collection of 8x10 acid-free giclée prints. and, if you are hoping to coordinate with your decor, a handful of designs can also be customized in size and color.

p.s. find out what inspires lindsay over on the official sugar fresh blog.