May 18 
oh, the power of a perfectly named design! the warm wooden glow of ginger13's puka necklace already had me at hello . . . but the little local wink at its negative space charms me even more.
available in dark ebony and light bayong wood.
$56 online. (fyi: spend $100 and score complimentary shipping with secret code: freeship100.)
May 11 
the hawaiiana fashion house alfred shaheen has been enjoying a bit of a revival over the past few years with reissues of their vintage textiles making the home decor rounds. isla from soh inspired! recently shared the news that indoor and outdoor spaces wistfully waiting for lovely yet resilient island style can now be prettified with patterns from the designer's surf 'n sand label. duralee welcomed more alfred shaheen goodness last month with the introduction of the copacabana collection (loving the sophisticated motifs which remain quite modern!), and i spied a few tropical delights hiding in the abbey road and big sur offerings.
while admiring the fabric swatches, i noticed that the archives have also been opened to seascape lamps where you can illuminate your nest with a selection of shaheen shades. do have a peek if your home loves a retro luau look! since not everyone is well versed in mid-century aloha wear, i whipped up a fun diversion to capture the essence of the iconic honolulu label with a vintage outfit vs. modern design goods faceoff!
peek a few of my favorite fashion and design twins after the jump.
the three tier mini mum garden ($290) meets its a-line doppleganger in this strapless lovely ($300).
love the handdrawn nature of the kona tapa design ($210). and the graphic sensibility of this darling surf 'n sand playsuit ($105) remains au courant with rompers all the rage these days.
jackpot! i discovered the ladylike regina asian blossoms lamp ($210) has a deadringer in this très jolie cocktail dress ($69.95).
hooray for etsy where i truly lucked out sourcing coordinating vintage looks. the prices some styles are fetching are certainly incentive to go hunting through the closets of your fashionable mamas and aunties!
and, stay on the lookout for hawaii's alfred shaheen: fabric to fashion, a traveling retrospective which the star-advertiser reported is expected to stop in maui this fall.
p.s. surf & sand fabric sources include johnny mango at the gentry design center and housefabric.com which woos with discounted yardage (but beware high shipping charges to the islands).
{update: hancock's of paducah seems to be a better bet for online orders to hawaii. although a smaller selection of surf 'n sand patterns is offered, half yard orders can be placed & shipping via usps is an option.}
alfred shaheen, aloha wear, design, hawaiiana, home sweet home, style dressing room, studio May 5 
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}
Apr 29 
i suspect most mamas would prefer a carefree day spent together filled with stories, hugs and laughter because making memories is simply priceless. that said, it is still hard to resist treating your number one fan in life to something unexpected as a small way to say mahalo for all she does for you.
first up . . . handmade adornment gathered up from around the islands!
1 - show some love for the islands with maui jewelry designer erica wissmar's i love hawaii bangle and necklace. {$50 to $60}
2 - rockabella jewels treats mama & keiki to matching puka bangles (baby sized too!) in sterling silver or 14k gold fill. {reduced to $55/set 'til sun, may 8th}
3 - quartz drops mingle with a slice of earthy agate in maui jeweler debra mack's mystical gaia necklace. {$140}
4 - honolulu's padma & pickles donates 20% of jewelry sales, including this pretty watermelon tourmaline ring, to help care for abandoned animals. {secret code hapahale saves you 30% on the entire collection during the month of may!}
5 - cabin no. 7 helps mom represent her hometown with custom handstamped jewelry. {$66; contact drift to order}
6 - [ki-ele] offers a sterling style getaway in the form of tahitian-inspired moorea bungalow earrings. {$56}
more possibilities next week!
