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}

aloha friday scoop

my mister's hiatus got bumped up a week (yay!) which explains why my posts played hooky over the past few days (boo!). and, a feedburner snafu seemed to delay the last email update so please do check out the one love photo feature if it missed your inbox.

on to the scoop . . .

celebrate the year of the rabbit with all the cool kids during tonight's ARTafterDARK show me the bunny edition. after the lion dance showers you with luck, rediscover 18th century chinese art stars and sample monk's food served by town.

• when: fri, jan 28th - 6p to 9p
• where: academy of arts, 900 south beretania street
• tix: free for academy members; $10 non-members

pop by the january sale at fashionista's market and save 10% off new arrivals, 20% off remaining store merch, and an extra 50% off the sale rack.

• when: fri, jan 28th to thu, feb 3rd
• where: 1185 bethel street, chinatown
• shop hours: mon to sat, 10:30a to 6:30p
• fyi: one hour validated parking at kukui plaza (behind longs)

online, a few days remain to surprise your favorite sweethearts with malie organics' island-scented treats for 35% off!

• secret code: lucky1
• expires: mon, jan 31st

and, only a few hours left to scoop up this week's SMARTdeal - $50 for $100 at mu'umu'u heaven (purchase by 12p hst *today*).

p.s. fighting eel is accepting resumes for f/t and p/t shopgirls at the chinatown flagship. more details here.

enjoy your weekend!

and the winners are . . .

eileen from vallejo, lehua from waimea & merissa from honolulu! malie organics' pikake body polish will be on its way to all three lucky ladies to bliss out over the sweetly scented spa treat.

mahalo to all who tried their luck and for all the delightful notes that accompanied your entries. since pikake is beloved by so many, i thought i would post a glimpse of the full pikake collection so you can preview all the possibilities for your malie wishlist.

on that note, you can find the collection online (priced from $28 to $69) and at malie's flagship boutique on kaua'i and its california outpost in the lovely seaside town of san clemente.

• kaua'i shop: 2-2560 kaumuali'i hwy, kalaheo
• shop hours: mon to fri, 9a to 4p & sat, 9a to 2p

• cali shop: 1448 north el camino real, san clemente
• shop hours: mon to fri, 9a to 5p

and, of course, at malie's extensive network of island, mainland and international stockists. japan friends also have their very own online shop.

congratulations eileen, lehua & merissa!

p.s. the star-advertiser just shared tips on growing pikake in this week's garden section. not only was pikake princess kaiulani's favorite flower, it is also drought-resistant and ideal for leeward gardens just in case you have a nice, sunny spot to plant the petite blossoms.

{mahalo dana, lindsey & the malie 'ohana!}

malie organics pikake giveaway

pikake is one of my all time favorite scents and instantly transports me home whenever a hint of its lovely blossom is nearby. back in the day when family and friends could still wish you farewell at the airport gate, my pikake lei would console me on the trip back to the mainland and slowly wither away around a door knob until its enchanting perfume faded away.

happily, our friends at malie organics on kaua'i have always understood just how prized the delicate flower is to both kama'aina and far away friends. over the summer, the malie 'ohana launched their organic pikake collection, and to celebrate malie is gifting three (yes, three!) lucky readers with a luxurious, organic pikake body polish (retail: $45) starring hawaiian sugar; organic jojoba, castor and extra virgin coconut oils; and vitamin e to reveal your skin's hidden glow.

label readers will also appreciate malie's commitment to organic and wildcrafted ingredients, plus the body polish is free of parabens and other synthetic surprises.

giveaway details after the jump!

Click to read more ...

aloha friday scoop

just a reminder that tonight's ARTafterDARK's spanish-infused event will be filled with a picasso-inspired scavenger hunt, flamenco dancers, a dj spinning ibiza-style tunes, and tapas and sangria served by town.

• when: fri, jul 30th - 6p to 9p
• where: academy of arts, 900 south beretania street

indulge your design crush at reed space honolulu, interisland terminal's summer pop-up book shop stocked with curated stacks of art, design and arcitecture titles.

p.s. all bookstore sales will support upcoming interisland terminal programs.

• when: now to aug, 8th
• where: waikiki parc hotel, 2233 helumoa road
• shop hours: mon to sun, 10:30a to 7:30p
• fyi: free validated parking at hotel

next week, the contemporary museum's august moon benefit for its keiki art programs will showcase impromptu drawings by local artists including solomon enos, harinane orme and h|h friend melissa rivera torres moir of unleash studio. guests will also enjoy wine tastings, local bites, and raffle prizes.

• when: sat, aug 7th - 7p to 10p
• where: the edge, sheraton waikiki, 2255 kalakaua avenue
• tix: $75

Click to read more ...