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Hip happening

Shop "The Hip Event" tomorrow and Saturday at Neiman Marcus, and take home a Laundry sari-fabric tote bag for the exotic look of spring with your purchase of $350 or more, which is all too easy to spend when eyeing the latest in Women's Contemporary Sportswear as worn by models moving to deejay beats.

Designer gifts, while supplies last -- in fact, don't wait till Saturday, because your shopaholic cousin will beat you to it -- might include Marc by Marc Jacobs and Citizens of Humanity tanks and T's, plus cosmetic, fragrance and gift items from Etro Beauty, Juicy Couture, Theory, Cynthia Steffe, DKNY, Laura Mercier and BCBG Max Azria.

There will also be a goodie bag for guys purchasing $350 or more in Men's Contemporary Sportswear.

While there, check out looks by Prada and Miu Miu, and on Saturday wee ones will be treated to their own children's fashion show at 11 a.m. in Kids, Level Two.

Everything spring

There'll be blooms and butterflies in the air when Kahala Mall presents its free third annual spring garden and fashion event, "Nouveau: Every Thing Spring," beginning this weekend, starting with a noon fashion show tomorrow in Center Court.

On view will be clothing and accessories featured at mall retailers, with something for everyone from Reyn's, Gap Kids, Eyewear Hawaii, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Calista, Shasa Emporium, T&C Surf and more, with hair and makeup by Marsha Nadalin Salon & Spa.

Stay for the Butterfly Flight House, with the opportunity to meet butterfly whisperer Springs Romano, and view her 200 butterflies. The butterflies, on view through April 3, are raised by Island Rhythms, an organization specializing in the breeding and releasing of monarch butterflies.

Also on view will be garden displays staged by several landscape designers. See tomorrow's edition for a list of garden events.

Naturally beautiful

Looking good starts with a healthy outlook on life. A short "Naturally Beautiful" workshop by Milica Barjaktarovic will offer tips for busy people in need of self-care. Topics to be discussed include nutrition, exercise, self-shiatsu, natural skin care, relaxation and creating a harmonious inner and outward environment.

The event takes place 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Art-Tea-Sun at 2131-2141 Kaumana St. behind Palolo Laundromat. The cost is $10. Call 351-0848 for more information.

UH sneak peek

The Apparel Product Design and Merchandising Department at the University of Hawaii at Manoa is hosting a fund-raising pre-show benefit beginning at 10 p.m. Sunday at Reign Nightclub.

The fund-raiser will help support the school's annual senior fashion show, this year themed "Menagerie: A Collection."

Admission is $10, for 18 and older. Reign is at 1220 Kona St. Call 486-1702 for more information about the show.

In case you've made other plans, a second pre-show event will take place beginning 10 p.m. March 26 at Longhi's restaurant at Ala Moana Center, where admission is also $10 for a 21-and-older crowd.

Oh, mama!

Oahu's newest maternity store, Hot Mama, is now open at 3435 Waialae Ave., Suite 106-A, in Kaimuki.

The boutique carries designs by Maternal America, Ripe Maternity and Posh Baby, encompassing everything from swim and activewear to evening wear. A number of skin-care lines, including Tummy Honey from Mother's Intuition, and a locally produced body butter, promise to keep unwanted marks to a minimum.

For more information, call 737-2737.

Shop for community

Tickets are on sale for Macy's Community Shopping Day March 31, which gives nonprofit organizations an opportunity to raise funds by offering savings to participating Macy's shoppers.

The $10 tickets can be purchased from nonprofits or Macy's registers and redeemed at any Macy's Oahu store, or on Maui at the Kaahumanu store, and entitle shoppers to 10 to 20 percent discounts on almost all purchases made on the 31st. Shoppers can also "pre-shop" two weeks in advance by pre-selecting merchandise and picking it up on the 31st.

While shopping, customers will also enjoy a gift with purchase in selected departments, as well as guest appearances, cosmetics demonstrations, entertainment and a chance to win a $500 Macy's shopping spree.

The 38 nonprofits get to keep 100 percent of the proceeds of direct ticket sales, and a share of in-store ticket sale proceeds.

The Oahu nonprofits are the Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer Society, Ballet Hawaii, Children's Alliance, Boys & Girls Club, Drug Addiction Services, Drill Team Hawaii Booster Club, Hawaii Children's Discovery Center, Hawaii Foodbank, Hawaii Nature Center, Hawaii Youth Symphony Association, Hawaiian Humane Society, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, Honolulu Symphony Associates, Jammers Volleyball Club, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, Junior Achievement of Hawaii, MADD Hawaii, March of Dimes, Life Foundation, Movement Center, Pacific Aviation Museum, Pacific Health Ministry, PBS Hawaii, Prevent Child Abuse, Responsive Caregivers, Ronald McDonald House, Sea of Dreams Foundation, Sisters Offering Support and Soroptimist International.

The Maui nonprofits are Boys & Girls Club, Hawaii Nature Center, Ka Lima O Maui, Maui AIDS Foundation, Maui Foodbank, Maui Humane Society, Maui United Way, and Maui Youth and Family Services.

For more information, call 945-5894.

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