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?

the good table

a friend recently shared a tip about the good table, oahu's first "synchronized dining event" hosted at over 50 restaurants around the island to benefit lanakila's meals on wheels program. gather up friends and family to fill tables of 4 to 6 to nibble on prix fixe menus whipped up by some of the hottest kitchens favored by local foodies.

take a peek at the list of participating restaurants and book your reservation by oct 6th to reserve a table. prices tag starts at $120 for casual spots like j.j. dolans and go up to $2500 for more fancy eats.

• when: thu, oct 22nd - 6p
• fyi: a portion of the meal is tax-deductible

p.s. other ways to support lanakila include the adopt-a-senior program, donating everyday necessities, and ordering handmade leis from the kupuna wellness center. indie biz owners may also want to explore the social enterprises service which offers screenprinting, embroidery, product packaging & more via its vocational program.

the bella project

autumn is being spent decluttering my space and finding new homes for no longer loved goods so news that the bella project will be spending saturdays at alliway for a month long dress donation drive means a match has finally been made for a cocktail dress too pretty to be dispatched to goodwill.

the oahu non-profit collects gently worn party frocks, accessories, and cosmetics (brand new, please) year-round and opens a fully stocked pop-up shop every spring. local high school students are invited to enjoy a boutique experience complete with personal shopper for a prom princess makeover no matter their family budget.

donation guidelines request dresses be on trend, in good condition, and fresh from the cleaners. nothing to share? volunteers are also needed to staff events, be bella boutique personal shoppers, and donated salon services to assist with prom day primping are also welcome.

in exchange for your donation, alliway will gift you with a 20% off coupon so you can treat yourself to a new lovely.

• when: sat @ 1p to 4p - sep 19/26 & oct 3/10/17/24
• where: alliway, ward warehouse

p.s. off-island? mail-in donations are also appreciated. click here for more details.

live aloha campaign

 

if you are one of the growing number of kama'aina concerned about creating a more sustainable future for the islands, meet up with like minded souls during this weekend's live aloha campaign hosted by kanu hawaii. the (almost) island-wide event is filled with projects to help "brighten our communities" on the big island, kauai and oahu.

volunteers can choose to donate sweat equity on an affordable housing build (kauai), help public housing residents with beautification projects (all islands), or share their arts & crafts talent with moms and keiki at a local women's shelter (oahu).

sign-up details are posted on kanu's website.

• when: sat, jun 20th
• fyi: lunch will be provided at all events

p.s. oahu volunteers who recruit five friends will also score a kanu tee for their kokua.

portraits with a purpose

honolulu photojournalist david murphey, who splits his days between assignments for modern luxury hawaii and capturing island weddings, is donating his time and talent for the first ever portraits with a purpose, a photography project to benefit the hawaii chidren's cancer foundation.

in exchange for a tax-deductible $30 donation (which, fyi, is significantly reduced from david's standard sitting fee), you can book an hour-long session with the freelance lensman to snap a senior portrait, family photo, or professional head shot. you will also receive a 5x7 print for your kokua, however take note that additional prints will cost extra.

spots are limited so hele over to the reservation page for more details.

{via seasons of life}