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POSTED: Thursday, November 20, 2008
               

     

 

 

TO OUR READERS         Why are you thankful? Let us know         Thanksgiving began as a ceremony giving thanks, for a bountiful crop and friendships between English colonists and American Indians. It has remained a truly traditional holiday, a time we set aside to count our blessings and begin our celebration of the holiday season.         Even in these difficult economic times, we all have reasons to be thankful. What will you think about and be thankful for throughout next Thursday while preparing and sitting down to your Thanksgiving meal?         Please take a few minutes to tell us. We would like to share your thoughts with readers on Thanksgiving—and perhaps your thoughts will remind others that they have things to be thankful for, too.         E-mail your comments to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and include your name and area where you live.

STYLE FILE

'ECOSTYLE Hawaii' sets the tone for shopping

Learn more ways to go green at “;ECOSTYLE Hawaii,”; an exposition and fashion show taking place 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Pacific Home, 420 Ward Ave.

The event will feature food from Wahoo's, beverages, entertainment, door prizes and an opportunity to learn more about green initiatives by vendors such as Pure&True; Hinu jewelry's green-inspired pieces; Soozou's unique bags and accessories made from recycled ship sails and handmade through a women's development project in collaboration with the Kokua Kalihi Valley Community Center; and reclaimed teak furniture from Pacific Home.

There also will be a green fashion show at

7 p.m. featuring designs from Organik, Muumuu Heaven, recycled clothing from Mechakawa Vintage; and Modern Pacific Weddings' eco-couture wedding gowns from designer Adele Wechsler, utilizing organic silk blends, plant-based dyes, and using fair trade labor.

Event-goers will receive a membership to ecostylehawaii.com, green goodie bags, and an EcoChoice card providing shoppers with discounts and benefits that support local, green businesses. Call 596-9338.

Bridal event includes discounts

It's a busy week for Modern Pacific Weddings, which is also presenting couture bridal and jewelry trunk shows tomorrow through Sunday at its location at 3620 Waialae Ave.

View the latest gowns from bridal couturier Adele Wechsler's Classic Collection, Hello Africa line, and Eco Couture Collection.

Also featured will be a jewelry trunk show featuring hand-crafted bridal accessories and jewelry by Tiger Lilly (inset), available at a 15 percent discount during the event.

Brides will receive a 15 percent discount off all Adele Wechsler gowns purchased during the event, and they will also be eligible for a complimentary veil or custom gown sizing. Call 737-0638 or visit www.modwed.com.

 

Express debuts at Ala Moana

Hawaii gets its first Express, when the boutique, one of the most widely recognized brands in the country, opens its doors at Ala Moana Center tomorrow with looks for men and women, including tailored work pieces, the latest in denim, and holiday party wear.

To celebrate, the store will host an “;Evening of Style”; from 5 to 8 p.m., with a holiday dressing trend presentation from Express style expert Kevin Matthews, followed by complimentary one-on-one style consultations. Trends include tuxedo dressing for men and women, little black dresses, sexy tops and faux fur and leather jackets.

Guests also will be able to pick up a “;Passport of Savings,”; which includes multiple exclusive Express offers to be redeemed throughout the holiday shopping season, including a 25 percent off offer, a free gift with purchase, and more.

Express will donate 15 percent of sales from the evening to YWCA of Oahu's Dress for Success Honolulu program.

 

Swap and shop

The Rock Shop and Swap returns from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at thirtynine hotel with an opportunity to shop for yourself and for Christmas, while swapping your old clothes.

Goods up for grabs include $30 Vestal watches and Electric sunglasses, $5 Gravis shoes, and a blowout sale on APB's stock for the guys.

Isidra's Custom Cut T-shirts also will be featured, as well as jewelry by Michele Leong and Oiwi paddle and surf wear.

Admission is free.

 

Nemu wear on sale

For those who follow the adventures of the adorable pups Nemu and Anpan through the Webcomic nemu*nemu, creators Audra Furuichi and Scott Yoshinaga are hosting a holiday sale through Dec. 12, allowing fans to stock up on merch, from signed comic-strip prints to books and T-shirts.

Examples include the “;Nemu Can Has Grilld Cheez Pleez”; woman's cut fitted T-shirt, $12, marked down from $18, and Anpan's “;OMP!”; (that's short for “;Oh, my pizza!”;) unisex T-shirt.

Once the items are sold out, they will be retired to make way for new Nemu “;shtuff.”;

Go to www.nemu-nemu.com, or, if you're not Web savvy, look for Nemu on tour Nov. 29 and 30 at the Hawaii United Okinawan Association craft fair.

Hail surfing chief

History was made when Barack Obama was elected president, the first we know of to hit the waves as a surfer and body boarder.

To commemorate the moment, Crazy Shirts is honoring the Hawaii-born President elect with the release of its “;Obama Surfs”; white crew-neck T-shirt, available at select retail stores in Hawaii, Laguna Beach and San Diego, as well as online at crazyshirts.com.

The front of the new “;Obama Surfs”; T-shirt reads “;Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, President Obama 2009,”; alongside a wave-riding bodysurfer and the Hawaiian Island chain, while “;Obama Surfs”; over a barreling wave graces the back.

The shirts are available in adult sizes and retail for $25.

Shop happy hour

Happy Hours aren't just for restaurants and bars. Beginning today, Valerie Joseph, on the lower level of Ala Moana Center, will be offering happy hour discounts of up to 40 percent off from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursdays.

This week, meet Aloha Bottle Cap Earrings designer Sarah Herrington, who will help to customize your eco-friendly holiday gifts. Call 942-5258.

 

Brewer at Kahala

Legendary surfboard shaper Dick Brewer will appear at the Kahala Sportswear store 6 to 8 p.m. today as part of the free Kahala Talk Story Series of in-store events featuring the icons of the waterman lifestyle.

The shaping guru will talk story about his path in life as a master shaper. On display will be a rare vintage Brewer Buzzy Trent model surfboard, #22; Brewer is believed to have made only 88 of these boards.

With the purchase of the exclusive new Kahala “;Shaping Room”; shirt, which features Brewer's hand-drawn shapes of boards he created for champion riders like Jock Sutherland, Fred Hemmings and Gerry Lopez, attendees will receive a commemorative booklet full of Dick Brewer history, lore and vintage photos—a perfect canvas for an autograph.

The event will also feature complimentary wines by The Wine Stop, Primo beer, and pupu; as well as Hawaiian steel guitar music by Buck Giles.