rockabella jewels sparkle sale!

dreamcatcher by melea matthews

the holidays have begun beckoning for our attention and with it the possibilities of new year's dreaming of fresh starts and happy adventures. for those who may need a mesmerizing reminder, maui jewelry designer melea matthews has crafted show-stopping dream catchers intermingling feathers and gold coaxed to catch your subconscious wishes.

it's one of the many gorgeous new arrivals to rockabella jewels' online shop which recently launched a featured artists series to introduce up-and-coming maui makers to your radar. (also in the mix: contemporary photographer alex merk.) rockabella fans waiting for a shop update will be delighted that kristel has returned to crafting ravishing bits of glow, in between moments tending to her tiniest little one, with fresh takes on old favorites alongside new designs.

rockabella custom coins & organic glow

. . . and bubbles & sunrise

if a featured style is not stocked in the online shop, just send kristel a note to inquire about availability. there may be a little wait since each piece is handmade but an exclusive 25% off storewide deal (just for the h|h 'ohana!) seems like a sweet exchange for patience at the mailbox.

• secret code: hapahale2010
• expires: wed, dec 1st

{mahalo kristel!}

introducing vakker blomst

considering my styling skills are woeful at best, the throwback hair pieces created by vakker blomst are wooing me with the possibility of adorning my strands with an old world, romantic reminder of the age of innocence. curious about the origins of hair fascinators, a quick google revealed that they began as an alternative to the fancy and pricey offerings of milliners with variations of feathered ornamentation decorating the hair of ladies through the centuries from royal courtesans to flirty flappers before falling out of favor with the arrival of the beat generation.

lucky for the modern island coquette, april, the maui stylist who launched vakker blomst on a whim, began making tropical confections for herself and friends after finding herself underwhelmed by the selection of available accoutrements. before long strangers were approaching her in hopes of purchasing the plumage straight off her head. with ladylike fashion making a comeback of late, the addition of a few strategically placed feathers, seashells, and petals seem like the most delightful way to dress up an artfully askew, thoughtfully mussed side 'do.

or perhaps it's the influence of the one new show deemed worthy enough to be added to my watch list this fall.

each design is handmade from pieces to pin in your hair to extravagant feathered headbands to slip on when you find yourself in a style pinch. pieces are priced from $20-$50 for ready-to-wear looks while custom styles embellished with fancy jewels can go up to $350.

the latest offerings can be found in the online shop while maui readers can find vakker blomst stocked at karina in lahaina and sophia grace at the grand wailea (and opening soon in paia).

p.s. click over to vb's facebook to see fascinators styled on devoted fans.

{via sophia grace maui}

first peeks: one stone jewelry

gray diamond & herkimer ring

today's post will be short and sweet since my mister finally has some downtime after a grueling season, and this is our chance to spend some time together before a new production woos all his attention.

i happened upon the simply gorgeous jewelry of one stone after a mention on pacific bride guide. designer shane yamane grew up in the islands and is now based in nyc where he handcrafts the most lovely adornment out of 100% recycled metal, conflict-free diamonds, and ethically sourced gemstones. if that's not enough to make you instantly smitten, one stone's glowing organic shapes, especially the subdued gray diamonds, seem absolutely modern all while being meticulously produced piece by piece in the age-old style of an artisan jeweler.

wave stacking ring

curved cuff

rough diamond earrings

sapphire pendant trio

a few of the featured pieces are from the style archives, however custom orders are welcome so be sure to inquire if a design is no longer stocked.

the online shop is still under construction so click over to one stone's etsy shop for a peek at current offerings from shane's atelier.

p.s. you can discover more about shane in his featured seller interview on etsy.

modern philosophy 101

eat, pray, love & believe

honolulu jewelry designer lisa gouveia of modern philosophy recently shared her minimalist, karmic wrist wraps which i became quite smitten with after my first peek (inevitable really when the mystical scorpio is your zodiac sign). the beginnings of the line started in college when lisa, who grew up on maui, crafted bracelets to be worn as a reminder to seek out calmer moments in between stressful study sessions.

a post-college spiritual journey through asia inspired the budding designer to further explore teachings on meditation and the healing properties of power gemstones. along the way, her own life and design philosophy began to take root, and upon returning to the islands the collection of gemstones sourced during her travels became interwoven with the lessons learned overseas to create pieces designed to give the energies of its wearers a positive boost.

the simplicity of the leather wrapped design creates layers of boho glam promising to heal your heart, strengthen your intuition, or help you find clarity (among many other possibilities). a lovely and tantalizing proposition, no?

always a silver lining

mini meditation

multi color moonstone

as you may notice, i was instantly drawn to stones with paler hues which seem like a fresh and pretty restorative after a summer of gray on my side of the pacific. darker shades are also offered, and, if you have a specific area to address, lisa is happy to design a custom combination to bring balance back into your life.

a quick check in modern philosophy's etsy shop revealed designs priced from under $20 for an evil eye bracelet to just over $100 for pieces in the luxe collection. take note that in addition to being wrapped around your wrist, some strands can also double as a belt or headband depending on its length.

and, mark your calendars for october 1st when lisa will be kicking off a twitter giveaway for a chance to win one of five $50 gift certificates!

sneak peek: made in hawaii 2010

the made in hawaii festival opens on friday and, after many many clicks, i have compiled a little cheat sheet filled with island vendors to investigate if you plan on strolling the blaisdell this weekend.

1 - honolulu's be aloha transitions from custom alohawear for the japanese market to retro resort looks with the launch of its to kei label. {booth 372}

2 - rock simple koa hoops crafted of local wood gathered on mauna kea by woodworker jeff gomes. {hui 'ike ku'una section}

3 - north shore jewelry designer nilma hunter coaxes recycled sterling silver into puka shell bangles and other budget-friendly pretties. {booth 91}

4 - a member of the sig zane designs 'ohana has left the nest to launch punawai's line of delicate silk chiffon scarves and shawls printed with natural motifs inspired by the big island. {hui 'ike ku'una section}

5 - pretty up your everyday wardrobe with lovely screenprinted tops by noe clothing of oahu. {booth 294/295}

6 - kula-made pala'au's therapeutic skincare nurtures and detoxifies with medicinal hawaiian botanicals. {booth 366}

7 - tuck an everlasting flower in your hair with handmade enameled headbands by geisha fabulous of maui. {booth 386}

8 - uh hilo's kulanui product line offers beauty balms and kitchen deliciousness formulated with ingredients grown by local farmers. {booth 452/453}

9 - designer paula nurse of the big island constructs one-of-a-kind pieces composed of semi-precious, vibrational gemstones from topazes to tourmalines. {booth 94}

10 - tropilicious will be scooping up handcrafted ice cream with 'ono flavors like hawaiian mocha and toasted coconut. {booth 397}

11 - kona paradise candies' description of their chocolate dipped senbei is already tempting my sweet tooth. (order online at pat's island delights.) {booth 63}

12 - salty wahine mixes up gourmet seasoning blends but gets a mention simply for the kaua'i company's cheeky name and lovely logo. {booth 458}

13 - taste the freshly churned butters whipped up by waianae's naked cow dairy and remember to thank me later. {booth 461}

p.s. click back tomorrow for a roundup of festival news from our favorite designers!