[ki-ele] summer sale

coney island lei * coral/turquoise-in-a-bottle

occasionally, a deal is too good to wait until friday and the [ki-ele] grand summer sale that kicks off today certainly qualifies. for one week only, all of designer marylea conrad's lovely seaside inspired jewelry can be yours for 45% off!

this time around the collection is composed of cascades of tiny shells, dainty beach charms, silky strands, and delicately hand hammered adornment making them the perfect companions for your favorite summertime outfits!

tri-pinepple charm * little puka

scallop petal * scallop by the sea * tahiti starfish

if a style is on your wishlist, definitely act quickly since the stock is limited and already starting to sell out. and, happy news, all orders placed during the sale will ship for free!

click over to [ki-ele]'s online shop to take a peek at all the pretty offerings!

• secret code: kielesummer45
• expires: wed, jun 30th

etsy scout: peppermint cloud

bachio

is it possible that anyone one else is a bit wistful that etsy's indie emporium filled with pretty yet affordable details arrived after her wedding day? with so many handmade delights to be found online, i find myself swooning repeatedly and, on occasion, share them with my mister who, to his credit, nods sympathetically and sweetly consoles me that our wedding cakes were fabulous even without the world's cutest topper.

so it should come as no surprise that the romantic loveliness offered by honolulu's peppermint cloud found a fan after my first peek of the charming creamsicle boutonniere. upon discovering that all this dreaminess was made in hawaii only added to my happiness . . . what luck for modern day island brides who now have a sweet dose of sartorial wonder in their backyard. hooray!

creator litton ludwig began crafting the designs that would eventually populate peppermint cloud's collection during her days as a diy bride-to-be. her bridal hair fascinators are simply stunning and harken back to 1940's movie stars gliding across the silver screen with a gardenia blossom pinned in her hair. each one is carefully constructed of layers of soft feathers or silk petals and occasionally accented with restrained sparkle, delicate lace or topped off with a cap of tulle.

and, if you really want to embrace your glamorous side, take a peek at the two piece pesca made with silk organdy coaxed into gorgeous ruffles. even if your wedding 'do is not meant for one of peppermint cloud's fascinators, just know that it can also be attached to straps and sashes to add extra ooh la la to your gown.

grooms typically have few options to inject a little whimsy into their outfit but happily peppermint cloud is to the rescue. wouldn't you love to be invited to a wedding where the groomsmen have nixed the standard issue floral boutonniere and replaced them with cheery handcut fabric petals mixed with ribbon, buttons, twigs and other flair to brighten up their lapels?

everybody loves creamsicle boutonniere

pesca * neti

amarena * turtle dove

the gorgeous photos only add to the romance and are quite possibly the loveliest etsy product shots ever shared on h|h. credit goes to mr. peppermint cloud who just happens to spend his days snapping photographs side by side with his missus.

litton is also happy to create a fascinator just for you while boutonnieres (which are offered in grownup and keiki sizes) can also be made to complement your wedding palette. since each piece is made to order, turnaround time ranges from one to three weeks and up to six weeks for large custom orders. 

currently, the etsy shop is the exclusive source for peppermint cloud goods so click over and take a peek at the entire collection!

{photo credit: stephen ludwig}

new peeks: misa journey collection

steps

as soon as i caught a glimpse of misa jewelry's recently debuted journey collection, i was instantly transported to the worldly adventures to thai jungles and african grasslands that inspired this modern update of global glam. despite a personal connection to her newest offerings, misa intended journey to be free of pre-scripted storylines allowing interpretations of each piece's origin to shift from wearer to wearer who are delighted to make a design connection based on her own faraway wanderings.

even those of us who have yet to enjoy travels to exotic locales must agree that the stunning steps pendant has a gorgeous tribal glow about it. and the simply knotted leather wrap, which intermingles with burnished metal links, seems ideal for globetrotting holidays and restricted luggage requirements by doubling as either a minimalist strand or layered around your wrist for unexpected sparkle.

leather wrap bracelet & necklace

oval ring

rope

all designs are available in sterling silver or 14k gold vermeil and are priced from $130 to $285.

no online shop yet so click over to the stockist list or simply get in touch with misa to order. the lovely mini shima featured up in the banner was customized just for me so i know firsthand that misa is an absolute delight to work with.

so, dear readers, which piece is calling your name?

petal pusher

eco lotus loveliness

may day's shower of flowers will soon be upon us so it seems the perfect time to share a charming twist on floral accompaniments for springtime. mililani designer anela ota established lei chartru, her small line of "curious finds", after being bestowed with a box of upholstery remnants to play with. nel cheerfully accepted the crafty challenge and eventually happened upon a subtle yet gorgeous formula of upcycling the leather castoffs into a fresh and flirty accessories collection.

the leather loveliness is carefully constructed and embossed with delicate designs and embellished with swarovski crystals creating an unexpected dose of ooh la la combined with a hint of modern sensibility. the lightweight looks are a fetching holiday for fatigued earlobes while leather blossom clips are a sweet upgrade to your favorite outfit, handbag or hairdo.

you can find the eco lotus collection along with handmade paper bouquets and naughty and nice convo pebbles stocked exclusively in nel's etsy shop with complimentary shipping on all orders placed by june 1st.

oahu readers also have a chance to meet nel during this weekend's mililani town association's mother's day craft fair:

• when: sat, may 1st - 9a to 2p
• where: mililani rec center 5, 95-1101 ainamakua drive

p.s. nel happily accepts custom orders and offers complimentary consultations if you need a design whim brought to life.

sierra dew spring 2010

kalo hippie mini * ginger leggings

after cruising around funky paia town while visiting maui last month, capturing the essence of the bustling beachside neighborhood has eluded me since my trip. and then it hit me: paia is like a hawaii version of venice (city of angels edition, natch) with its mix of cosmpolitan boutiques, indie eateries, and the occasional tourist trap squeezed along the rambling walkways of the former plantation town turned soulful hippie hotspot.

it turns out that little paia is the hometown of designer sierra dew who traded life on the neighbor island for the chance to explore the world of fiber arts at uh manoa. after a few years in honolulu, she opted to continue her design education in italy and nyc before returning home to paia to establish her own label. now based in kaneohe, her small collection of contemporary wearables feature screenprinted looks on a modern assortment of readymade garments that have been finished with handmade details ranging from organic lace embellishments to recycled fabric belts.

the little activist in me also loves how a simple t-shirt occasionally becomes sierra's canvas to juxtapose provocative designs which shine the spotlight on issues like genetically modified food crops (an ongoing debate for the islands' agricultural lands) on an unexpectedly flirty silhouette.

happily, sierra is committed to offering eco-friendly goods and produces her designs on organic & sweatshop-free blanks, and made the transition to screenprinting from custom stencils only after sourcing non-toxic printing inks. and, to complete the look, sierra also crafts a collection of beachy bohemian sparkle featuring handpicked seashells mingling with metals and exotic feathers.

dragonfish trapeze w/ recycled fabric belt * bad corn tunic

cowrie shell diamond * egyptian amulet * stripe feather hoop

opihi ring & cuff * seaweed ring

i thought it would be fun to give readers a chance to get to know sierra in her own words, and she kindly agreed to take part in the debut of h|h's q&a:

{designer notes}

how has growing up in hawai'i influenced your design process?
it has made me realize that i don't want to be a part of the "rat race". growing up in hawai'i we are naturally more relaxed; i let my designs evolve and take me on a journey. growing up here has also given me a design purpose to protect the beauty of my birthplace which has lead to more of my political artwork.

what is your definition of good design?
perfect chaos and intentional meaning. i love an exciting mix of color, print, and details. i think it is very important to begin with a concept. with the fashion industry being so "disposable" i think it is important to convey meaning, provoke thought, and create energy with every new design.

little moments of bliss that recharge your soul?
dancing, picking shells, my dad's cooking.

local delights that are a must in your beach picnic basket?
when i'm back on maui i live at my parents store mana foods and at baldwin beach. i love the raw food peppermint patties and the gluten-free "lizzie" cookies.

daily soundtrack:
goapele, loreena mckennit, matisyahu, nellie mckay, orishas, manu chau

pay it forward with a few words of wisdom . . .
remember to be young in your heart and to get out of your comfort zone!

mahalo sierra!

styles from spring 2010 are starting to find their way into the online shop as well as local stockists (fyi shop owners: sierra is currently on the lookout for new boutiques). custom design inquiries are also welcome.

this weekend brings your next chance to meet sierra who will be stenciling tees & bags during keiki earth day at baby aWEARness (which will also be stocking sd styles in their kokua festival booth next weekend).

• when: sat, apr 17th - 11a to 3p
• where: baby aWEARness, manoa marketplace

take a peek at the collection and remember to report back with your favorite designs!