shop peek: owens & co.

one of my favorite boutiques to visit whenever i find myself back on the island is the always delightful owens & co., the sweet design shop located in the most gorgeous corner space in the chinatown arts district. the cheery chevron curtains framing the windows instantly brighten my day and the curated collection of local and faraway finds are a design geek's dream come true.

something fabulous is always waiting to woo me whenever i pop by to to say hello - stacks of decorating/gardening/cooking & craft books, handmade sparkle and carryalls, playful domestic wares, pretty paper goods, and a selection of buzzy indie goods being swooned over on pinterest (hello washi tape, anthology magazine, and leather baggu pouches!).

missy, the shop's lovely proprietor (who shares my house hunters internationale obsession), is constantly on the lookout for charming discoveries to indulge our latest design obsessions as well as little delights perfect for every gifting occasion.

enjoy a peek of new summer arrivals after the jump!

scents & stacks

a.wattz * fortune

summer arrivals

in addition to elusive merch you have been crushing on compliments of your favorite design blogs (and ever so difficult to find in hawaii), owens & co. happily stocks goods from local makers including jewelry by justine, meleana handbags, so'mace tableware, and saffron james (did you spy the just introduced monoi/tamanu/coconut body oils up above?).

even if the shop is closed it's always fun to peek through the window, but do plan to stop in and wander about when honolulu's delightful indie emporium is open for business (note: missy's hubby jeff steps behind the counter when errands call her away from the shop).

• where: 1152 nu'uanu avenue, chinatown
• shop hours: mon to fri, 10a to 6p & sat, 11a to 4p

p.s. missy & jeff generously filled my shop tote with bars of nuuanu & pauahi soap (created in collaboration with the human imagination, a few doors down the block) on my last two visits, and i would love to share them with a few lucky readers. send me a note by the fourth of july and you might find a summer surprise in your mailbox!

kokua japan - take two

while the world delights in the royal wedding today, a smaller celebration is taking place at greenroom hawaii which is marking the first anniversary of their surf art gallery-slash-boutique with a love for japan silent auction this weekend (more details in today's scoop). some of our favorite island artists have donated artwork including oahu illustrator kat reeder who created an especially lovely poster which embodies our islands' aloha for japan with quiet sweetness.

if venturing to waikiki on saturday night is not in the stars, kat's online shop just stocked up on her aloha for japan print ($25) which benefits the red cross's relief efforts in japan.

since the first kokua japan roundup, kinohi designs has released more love for japan plus our friends at owens & co., so'mace, and the wedding café have made cute new tote bags to help the cause. peek all the new designs after the jump!

love & hope by kinohi designs

if you have been waiting for the next round of help heal japan goodness by kinohi designs, two new offerings have joined designer jennifer tanabe's heal button. the hope design will benefit unicef while proceeds from the love tee will also help the red cross. an etsy shop will be launching soon, but in the meantime send jen a note to place an order.

{$20 online}

help heal japan tote

occasionally, there is a silver lining to being cursed with procrastinating ways. first the wedding café 'ohana sent over a peek the other day of their new help heal japan tote bag mixing sister shop eden in love's birdie motif with japan's rising sun. understated in the most delightful way with 100% of tote proceeds donated to the american red cross.

{$20 eden in love + the wedding café}

then a note from isla at so'mace arrived yesterday with news of a design fundraiser with missy at owens & co. (chinatown's lovely new design & home goods shop). the graphic collaboration is printed on recycled cotton and available in two cheery hues with proceeds benefiting direct relief international. add $5 for shipping if you wish to rock an aqua or bright pink tote on the neighbor islands or mainland.

{$30 owens & co. + so'mace}

have you happened across any new local prettiness to help our friends in japan?