aloha friday scoop

december has ushered in winter chills in my part of cali (brrrrr) so hooray for this fab video featuring 25 ways to wear a scarf making the rounds on the interweb.

if the kcc farmers market is on your saturday to-do's, look for the ali'i kula lavender elves who are flying over from maui to help fill oahu xmas stockings.

• when: sat, dec 10th - 7:30a to 11a
• where: kcc, 4303 diamond head road (parking lot c)
• fyi: peek this week's market tip sheet before you go

baby aWEARness hosts its first annual handmade holiday market filled with delightful keiki finds by local mama-preneurs.

• when: sat, dec 10th - 11a to 4p
• where: manoa marketplace, 2752 woodlawn drive (second floor)

save yourself the postage and fill your gift basket with chocolate-dipped shortbread from the big island candies holiday pop-up shop!

• shop hours: mon to sat, 9:30a to 9p & sun, 10a to 7p
• where: ala moana, level 2 (by macy's)
• fyi: pop-up closes after we ring in the new year

Click to read more ...

happy hale*days 2010: foodie edition

a handful of holiday discoveries for your favorite foodie's pantry!

1 - charming appliquéd towels from honolulu's coco and bee add a touch of whimsy when prepping in the kitchen. ($17/set; online only) {via cupcake boutique}

2 - a spicy hint of cinnamon brings a little xmas cheer to big island bee's fragrant organic lehua blossom honey. ($29/3 jars; shop online or email for local stockists)

3 - big island candies' chocolate dipped shortbread are legendary but who can resist the temptation of the ultimate chocolate chip cookie? ($13.50; shop online or in-store if you call hilo home)

4 - chef alan wong traces the inspiration of his 'ono hawaii regional dishes in the blue tomato. ($40; officially releases in jan 2011 but can be purchased at both of aw's oahu restaurants or online at books hawaii before the holidays)

check back tomorrow for more last minute ideas!

hey mama!

i suspect new mamas would adore some alone time while empty nest mamas would love nothing more than some face time with her offspring, but here are a few ideas for those on the hunt for something to gift their number one fan in life.

1 - the new it bag: aloha rag's signature tote rocks the honolulu boutique's skull and monogram design ($24).

2 - mother's day brunch meet ecohashi, on-the-go reusable chopsticks ($12) accompanied by a lovely organic cotton storage bag made on the north shore. available online & at select island stockists (including red pineapple at ward).

3 - treat a leeward garden to succulent blooms from lanikai pot & plant and enjoy a complimentary notecard set when you purchase three small arrangements or one large arrangement. please email mary pat to order and arrange an appointment for local pickup. {via soh inspired!}

4 - malie mixes up an organic anti-aging elixir ($54) from hawaiian coffee fruit extract reported to repair and protect skin with its antioxidant rich formula.

5 - big island candies offers the sig zane designed lei 'ahinaahina box ($48) which hides an 'ono assortment of shortbread, biscotti, brownies and petite sweets inside its pretty package.

6 - the 'iwa birds will make mom smile but the message of 'oiwi's culture wahine jersey ($46) will be a happy reminder of why she loves to paddle.

7 - de-stress with ola hawaii's face lomi kit ($60) complete with lomi stone and guava stick for a pampering at home spa treatment.

8 - adopt-a-nene ($30+) from the friends of haleakala and help protect the 300 state birds that call the maui crater home.

reader mamas . . . what is on your wish list for mother's day?

bunny love

after dying eggs with my cousins in my aunty's kitchen, chocolate bunnies were, hands down, my favorite part of the holiday so enjoy this impromptu roundup of easter finds for both little ones and the young at heart:

1 - hokulani bakeshop's iced animal cookies are almost too cute to eat.

2 - scoop up handcrafted sweetness like this felt bunny pin in berrysprite's etsy shop.

3 - your keiki will love gathering up eggs in a peter cotton tail bucket. you will secretly enjoy the accompanying chocolate dipped treats from big island candies (i won't tell if you won't tell).

4 - these adorable not a chocolate easter bunny toys from kailua dollmaker denise mollison have proved to be a popular pick this easter season. the last batch of bunnies are on hold so drop denise a note to add yourself to the waitlist.

sweet nothings - take three

1 - once a year, big island candies bakes up heart shaped versions of their yummy chocolate dipped macadamia nut shortbread cookies. 

2 - flowers are a valentine's standby so mix it up and send your sweetie an organic bouquet this year. upcountry protea specializes in the prehistoric bloom grown the way mother nature intended (fyi - valentine order deadline is mon, feb 11th. pick up the phone to score a 10% kama'aina discount).

3 - island grown chocolate is the secret ingredient of sweet paradise chocolatier. indulge your love with a sweet offering of mango mojito and kona cafe mocha truffles and discover why the big island chocolate maker won a blue ribbon at the 2007 kona chocolate festival.

4 - sometimes a simple message says it best à la joie studio's letterpress love note (fyi - these have been selling out so you may need to convo tina to place an order).