popping in with tardy new year wishes for happy everyday moments and delightful adventures be it nearby or faraway!

only a few days remain on my winter holiday filled with much needed sunshine and smiles. alas, an island hop is not in the stars this time around, but the lovely canvas & leather luggage collection designed by sig zane would certainly add a dash of aloha to crowded tsa queues and cramped overhead airplane bins.

three styles. gorgeous prints. made in japan.

$145 & up in-store + online.

if you are on the hunt for a fresh start in the new year, fishcake is on the lookout for a sales/marketing manager and maui rose needs a january intern.

buy 2, get 1 free at the butik is happy news for last minute holiday shoppers on budget.

p.s. off islands friends can save 15% in the online shop (stocked with fighting eel and wishing bridge jewelry) with secret code butikmas.

• when: now to sat, dec 24th
• where: 1067 kapiolani blvd, suite a-3

family sunday at the academy of arts celebrates the holidays with snow globe making, xmas jingles, and a visit from santa!

p.s. be a food bank elf and bring a few yummies to donate to the canned food drive.

• when: sun, dec 18th - 11a to 5p
• where: 900 south beretania street
• tix: free! (donations welcome)

lily lotus will treat you to a $20 in-store gift card for every $100 of yoga loveliness in your shopping basket.

• when: now to sun, dec 18th
• where: 609 kailua road, kailua

Click to read more ...

a freelance deadline kept me unexpectedly away this week, but i am delighted to be back to prove that gifting can still be pretty even on a budget!

let's have a peek at 2011's most fabulous presents under $40 . . .

1 - every girl will want to make a date with gypsy's newest underpinning. {$34; save 20% off sitewide with secret code gypsylovesyou. offer ends mon, dec 19th.}

2 - malie organics' roll-on perfumes will delight eco lovelies with scents reminiscent of paradise. {$29; spend $200 and receive a complimentary scent and free shipping with your order. offer ends sat, dec 17th.}

3 - bikini loving beach goddesses will adore a kini pouch by acacia which is sewn of the same gorgeous fabric that lines their flirty collection. {$30; find in-store at i heart hanalei.}

more possibilities for your gift list after the jump!

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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

Click to read more ...

the mister and i rarely find ourselves on the north shore when home, but one of my favorite island moments is when you begin to coast down the hill by the pineapple fields and are greeted by the most breathtaking panaromic view stretching from the skies to the sea.

north shore artist christie shinn captured this swoon-worthy setting exquisitely with her paintbrush, no?

$35+ online.

p.s. if you haven't met christie yet, read more about her right here.

a few whimsical possibilities to dress up your december with a little island inspired holiday cheer!

1 - xmas greetings get modern with hour of nine's merry letterpress notes. {$18; enter secret code hapahale in the special instruction