merrymaking goes upcountry

while the economic slump has everyone fretting about their holiday budget, the upside may be a little less commercially manufactured cheer and more appreciation for handmade goodness, festive moments with family and friends, and dazzling displays of twinkling lights.

one way to celebrate the season without dreading the arrival of the post-holiday bill collector is to kick off a new tradition with the help of ali'i kula lavender which is hosting weekly wreath workshops on its maui farm.

the hour long session includes materials and instruction, you just need to bring a little craft moxie to deck your space with a fancy wreath for a fraction of the cost.

• when: every fri, sat & sun (until dec 21st) - 10am
• where: akl, 1100 waipoli road, kula
• fee: $30
• fyi: reservations required

ali'i kula lavender says i do

if your heart swoons for the lavender fields of provence but your other half insists on a beachside ceremony, it's time to click over to ali'i kula lavender which has opened up its maui farm to woo island brides and grooms with a dreamy alternative straight out of a jane austen novel.

the upcountry locale is suited for intimate weddings (50 to 120 guests) and the ten acre site offers both privacy and panoramic views all the way down to the pacific. it's a romantic compromise which all your guests are sure to remember and one that will make for a lovely backdrop for the official photographic record of your big day. 

the royal gazebo or estate lookout can be booked à la carte or via one of akl's wedding packages which includes a helping hand to coordinate all the details.

p.s. save 10% on wedding packages booked before june! contact akl for details.

an affair to remember

haiku mill

one glimpse at the pua le'a estate and i fell in love all over again. the setting is dreamy . . . an abandoned sugar mill in haiku restored with both earthly delights and vintage finds scavenged from paris flea markets by an owner inspired by the love of his life. it's like hawaii's very own taj mahal hidden in the hills of maui.

within the sugar mill's walls, a pergola constructed of glass creates a swoony setting for dancing under the stars. also on the grounds, a shabby chic plantation style cottage filled with sparkly chandeliers, whitewashed furniture, and more vintage treasures. the cottage doubles as a changing room for wedding parties as well as a post-bash escape for newlyweds.

for more details on booking a private event, click over to white orchid weddings where you can also take a peek at the slideshow.

summertime goodness

sam, melody & becky of wings hawaii have been busy bees lately what with their new boutique opening in haiku, an expanded keiki line, and a new tee just for the fellas. the shop is located in the pauwela cannery and stocked with all the delightful goodness that has made wings a staple of island girls everywhere.

vintage heart charms + ti leaf bangles

and don't forget to take a peek of designer samantha howard's ocean worthy jewelry line filled with pieces like these vintage charm necklaces and organic ti leaf bangles.

{update | jan 2010: find your way to paia which is the new home of the wings hawaii flagship boutique}

the old church house

i may wax on and on about modern but i have a soft spot for rustic when it's done right. at first glance, the old church house in upcountry maui appears to have been lovingly restored, but the reality is that it was really built from the ground up not quite as long ago as the dwelling's architecture would have you believe.

the one bedroom has a charming cottage style which is difficult to find in the islands (as previously noted dated thrift store tropical seems to be the favored style of most vacation rental owners). details like wood floors, exposed beams, an antique chest transformed into the kitchen sink, and an ocean view porch make it seem like this island getaway belongs in the pages of a pottery barn catalog (but with 21st century touches like wi-fi, an ipod ready stereo & stainless steel appliances).

the picturesque property is between makawao and haiku and located off a private road with an expansive lawn to loll about complete with larry the horse and a family of happy little ducks in residence.

rates start at $185 with a minimum of 3 nights.

island style holiday

protea mini wreath + teardrop garland

now that the holiday season is officially upon us it's time to transform your home into a winter wonderland. don't let the fact that snow can only be found on the peaks of mauna kea stop your merrymaking plans. go with what you've got and work the tropical angle by ditching the evergreens and picking up a festive protea wreath from danielle's tropical flowers.

proteas may look a bit prehistoric but the nice thing is they can last for quite some time so you get a bit more bang for your buck. danielle creates her lovely garland swags and the adorable mini wreath (shown above) in her upcountry maui workshop, and since maui just happens to be the hot spot for protea farms you know that you will be receiving flowers fresh from the fields.

goats make good cheese

there's even more to love about upcountry maui with the award winning goat cheese from surfing goat dairy where owners thomas & eva-marie kafsack have been whipping up a mouth watering variety of cheeses since setting up shop a few years ago.

serious foodies will want to add the shark bite line, which features gourmet ingredients like truffles and gold flakes, to their wish list while cheese lovers on a budget can savor aloha chèvre cheeses enhanced with maui lavender, mangos & more.

if you want to learn more about the cheese making process, check out one of the many tours available where you can try your hand at herding or milking the goats that make all this cheesy goodness possible.