tabletop luau

a quick roundup of fun design finds which will add a little tropical spark to your thanksgiving table.

1/6 - floral and tiki summer melamine plates from target keep disposable serveware out of the trash and can be used season after season.

2 - napastyle's pig bowl is made of reclaimed wood for a one of a kind luau centerpiece.

3 -  italian ceramic hibiscus bowls add a pop of color for condiments and crudités.

4 - vessel's rechargeable luau lamp lets you take the party wherever you please.

5 - no worries about guests losing track of their drink with these reusable tropicalia clinqs.

greatest show on earth

winter storm

the first time i saw christie shinn's winter storm, a memory pulled up to the surface . . . not a specific one per se, but something about it was evocative of times spent on the beach when the sun skipped behind the clouds and the whole world seemed to stop for just a moment.

you might not expect that a self-taught artist from canada, who caught her first true wave while on a visit to england, would become one of the emerging artists documenting life on the north shore. during her hopscotch journey around the world, christie eventually found her second home in the islands where being both an insider and outsider allows her to catch the small moments that slip by unnoticed by most folks.

it is these glimpses of everyday life, be it an after school surf session or an informal gathering on the shore, in the world's most renowned surf spot that christie artfully captures on canvas in a way that seems familiar if you have spent any time on hawaii's beaches

greatest show on earth

yellow board

christie's work is expanding beyond the traditional confines of the art world with her colorful graphics popping up on everything from tees to skateboard decks. you can take a peek at her artwork at deep ecology on the north shore as well as wyland's haleiwa outpost which is hosting the second annual surf art show next month as part of the festivities surrounding the vans triple crown.

• when: sat, nov 24th - 6p to 10p
• where: 66-250 kam hwy (north shore marketplace)

trick, treat or toast?

toast, known for their sparky party favors, just released these cute boo!zu boys for halloween. the limited edition goodies are toast's take on japanese teru teru bozu charms which are believed to ward away a rainy day. boo!zu boys are sure to charm your favorite trick-or-treater especially once they discover childhood favorites like rice krispie treats and pez hidden within their spooky exteriors.

there's even more fun stocked in toast's online shop. new arrivals include party starters like these playful alphabet candles and ceramic ice cream cup set.

learn more about all things toast right here.

golden gecko

wall decals of every stripe and color have been a popular pick on design blogs for the past two years or so. while i count myself in the camp who shrieks and points at the wall until someone other than myself courageously guides the offender back to the natural world, those of you who see nothing but cuteness in the little creatures just may be delighted with these gecko wall graphics from elly nelly.

the vinyl stickers are removable which is a very good thing if you tend to move or redecorate whenever the mood strikes. and no need to stick with gecko green since you can take your pick from the rainbow of colors stocked in elly nelly's etsy shop.

{via apartment therapy}

make space for area

woo hoo! honolulu is now home to its very own mecca of mid-century goodness. if you can spot an eames a mile away, i will wager that [area] will become your new favorite space in town. the latest addition to the chinatown arts district is a time and budget crunched design lover's dream, but without the hours spent scavenging through thrift stores, curiosity shops, and craigslist ads in hopes of furnishing your place with a fabulous vintage find.

area's owners, who have a love of mid-century classics, do all the work for you by scouting the islands and mainland to uncover jilted gems that long for a little tlc. the result is a curated collection with each piece restored as close as possible to its original luster. and, if you need to add a small spark to your space, area also stocks an edited selection of one of a kind conversation pieces (loving the very cool industrial spotlight).

it's only a matter of time until one of area's offspring is spotted by lost's set designer to play background in a flashback scene.

thonet + russell wire chairs

retro phone + spotlight

the [area] showroom (indigo adjacent) is open by appointment only, however all are welcome to stop by on first friday starting with tomorrow night's grand opening kick off (hopefully with peeks of area's own in-house collection):

• when: fri, oct 5th - 5p to 10p
• where: 1111 nu'uanu avenue, no. 210

{mahalo tara!}

{update | 2011: [area] shuttered in 2009 and recently reopened as hound & quail}