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

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aloha friday scoop

this week's thrill was the unexpected discovery that trader joe's accepts coupons. somehow this delicious fact eluded me for all these years despite being a tj's fan girl since college. mahalo interweb!

heading to the lei chic pop-up this weekend? a few of our favorite local lovelies shared a shopping preview:

• peek allison izu's fall 2011 denim collection and save 20% off pre-orders plus an extra 20% off past season looks when you spend over $98
• snap up guava shop's pretty lauhala leather clutches for 20% off
• give the wings hawaii 'ohana a big hug (truck x storefront = unhappy day) then meet honi honi & little wings
• save 20% off all umee loveliness with an even sweeter deal on the prettiest frock

after you hit the kcc farmers market, make your way to the lily lotus warehouse sale to scoop up yoga basics from unprinted styles to showroom samples plus past season jewelry.

• when: sat, sep 17th - 9a to 2p
• where: 3160 waialae avenue, kaimuki
• fyi: cash only & all sales final

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aloha friday scoop

the latest book on my nightstand is a must read if you covet fancy fashion labels with some of the most fascinating pages detailing how luxury came to dominate kalakaua avenue in the 80's. a good lesson for both designers building their brand and status shoppers coveting the now corporate-owned logos more concerned with profit margins than the handcrafted workmanship that were once the calling card of the legendary couturiers. alas.

after you shop the kcc farmers market, stop by and say hello to flower child which recently opened its second outpost filled with local favorites including florencia arias, kealopiko, organik, tiare hawaii and more!

• where: 746 kapahulu avenue
• shop hours: tue to fri, 11a to 6p & sat/sun, 11a to 5:30p

on the valley isle, make your way to wailuku town to shop for father's day and save 20% off at maui thing.

p.s. off-island peeps also score when entering secret code dad in the online shop.

• when: fri, jun 17th & sat, jun 18th
• where: 7 north market street, wailuku
• fyi: pono & jewelry excluded

then hele upcountry to tamara catz for the annual sample sale where lucky locals can save up to 70% off!

• when: sat, jun 18th - 9a to 7:30p
• where: 83 hana hwy, paia

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morning crush: ombre!

the dip dyed batik of tamara catz's new ombre dresses have become two of my favorite reminders of the color palette shift for our space which i am hoping to make by summer's end.

love love love the pale hazy hues and gorgeous depths of sky to ocean blue.

$156 to $165. online + in-store.

tamara catz 2010 sample sale

with sequins shimmying off the disco floor and onto fall 2010's must have style list, maui designer tamara catz is providing a few variations to woo closets hoping to acquire a hint of shimmer this season. new sequined arrivals include something for one and all from jaunty nautical stripes, minimalist racerbacks, and flirty minis.

although it's unlikely the new looks will pop up in this weekend's sample sale, pieces from the always lovely bridal collection will be in the mix. only in-stock merchandise is up for grabs so hele over early for first dibs!

10% of proceeds will be donated to the hawaii chapter of the susan g. komen foundation.

• when: fri, oct 29th - 9a to 7:30p | sat, oct 30th - 10a to 7:30p | sun, oct 31st - 10a to 6p
• where: 83 hana hwy, paia

tamara catz spring/summer 2010

coral loveliness

i have finally shaken off my wretched monday night malaise and am relieved to return to the land of the living. in between pages of breaking dawn, the past few days were spent peeking into the online storefronts of island designers when i realized that it has been far too long since the glamorous upcountry looks designed by maui's tamara catz appeared on h|h.

some of the most fetching styles are tamara's silky coral frocks which are simply too gorgeois not to share with you. the pattern pops up throughout the collection and is offered in whispers of color and a mix of silhouettes making the design wearable for anyone with a soft spot for the intricately woven seaside pattern. the coral is quite a becoming backdrop and i am finding myself hard pressed to pick a favorite.

other new patterns to woo you include a rainbow repeat and a fun abstract animal print. whimsical embellishments continue to add delightful boho charm especially in the playfully hand embroidered bird and tree shift, delicate crocheted necklines, and dazzling beaded accents. the wedding collection has also expanded its offerings of romantic gowns with layers of chiffon, draped bodices, and grecian details perfected for the beach goddess bride.

rainbow print * tree & bird

seahorse tote

almost all of the featured designs are stocked in the online shop, but if you find yourself in paia definitely stop by tamara's lovely boutique to browse the racks and say hello!

• where: 83 hana hwy, paia
• shop hours: sun to thu, 10a to 6p & fri/sat, 10a to 7:30p

weekly sales sheet

tamara catz * pualani * maui thing

just a few days left to scoop up tickets to the third annual closet swap hosted by fashionista's market! for the cost of admission, your closet will be purged of the unloved and unwearable while you score new-to-you threads - definitely a win-win!

entry is limited to 200 peeps and tickets are only on sale until oct 21st at the fm boutique (swap drop-off spot) plus adore, alliway, and the wedding café.

p.s. all proceeds benefit the leeward domestic abuse shelter.

• when: sat, oct 24th - 9:30a to 2:30p
• where: luana hills country club, kailua
• tix: $25 (includes champagne breakfast, giveaways & more girly fun)

guava shop invites everyone to the north shore for its birthday weekend celebrating the shop's one year anniversary. enjoy sale merch (local labels include geisha fabulous, kaila jewelry, indah, made by dawn swimwear, malie organics & more), discounted spa treatments, cupcakes, and music by johnny helm.

p.s. 10% of all proceeds will be donated to the central oahu youth services association which provides emergency shelter services for teens.

• when: sat, oct 17th - 10a to 10p
• where: 66-165 kam hwy, no. 4-4c, haleiwa

next week, tamara catz kicks off a blowout bridal sale at her maui boutique and online shop with prices marked down up to 70% off!

• when: mon, oct 19th to sun, oct 25th
• where: 83 hana hwy, paia
• shop hours: mon to sun, 10a to 6p

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