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POSTED: Thursday, December 18, 2008

Shopping is always a difficult task of trying to balance the want-to-haves, with the need-to-haves, along with the reality check of the bank account and the knowledge that picking up one option may mean going home without another.

Whew! And that's just shopping for yourself. Shopping for another brings in those extra surprise

elements of taste and expectations, and I find the best starting point is your

recipient's favorite stores.

Options abound, often at a discount in this year of early sales and liquidations. I can't pretend to speak for those on your gift list, but if you're out of ideas this late in the buying season, these may give you the energy to renew your search.

 

FOR HER

Chocolate diamonds may be out of reach, but it's also the flavor du jour at Maui Divers Jewelry, where an 8- to 9mm chocolate Tahitian pearl, enhanced to bring out warm cafe au lait to bronze tones, is strung on a 14K yellow-gold, baby-box chain necklace for $195, or check out one of the 14K yellow gold pendants with diamonds (at right, $395). It's one way to enjoy “;dessert”; with no calories.

One palette holds all when it comes to Giorgio Armani Beauty makeup and touchups for women on the go. For the holidays, the designer has come up with a limited-edition sleek black Crystal Palette ($98) studded with Swarovski crystals on the outside. Inside is a two-tier collection of silver black, silver white, golden beige and golden pearl eye shadows, plus iridescent body powder. The mirrored compact also comes with a black velvet pouch. Available at Neiman Marcus.

Bring a bit of sunshine into someone's life with colorful flowers from Kate Spade's Petits Fours collection, which manage the difficult task of being both statement-making and dainty at the same time. The Lotus ring at top is $75 at the Kate Spade boutique at Royal Hawaiian Center. The Lotus necklace, right, is $95.

Feed her beautiful mind with dazzling illustrated books on art, decor and fashion, among the works featured in the Honolulu Academy of Arts gift shop. The collection includes subjects related to the museum's exhibitions as well as general topics for anyone interested in the pursuit of artistic excellence. Books pictured are $29.95 to $50.

She'll be calling Prada's Saffiana leather bracelet MyBracelet for a long time to come because the Nero (black), Platino (gold) and Camelia (pink) bracelets, at $130 to $160 each, can be customized to her whims by adding charms spanning the changing seasons. Charms range from Prada's signature teddy bears ($80 to $155 each) or Trick hearts ($65 to $125). At the Prada stores at Ala Moana Center and in Waikiki.

No, you can't have Sophia Bella Owen, but what mother wouldn't want to play dress up with a Mini Me version of herself. Fighting Eel has come up with a Mini Eel line for little girls who want to look just like their moms or big sisters. The dresses come in four styles in sizes 2T to 4T and are $58. Look for them at the Fighting Eel headquarters at 47 N. Hotel St. Call 524—1472 for hours.

For the stylish girl on the go, Stila's limited-edition Step Out and Shine collection features five high-glamour color products, tucked into a chic, evening-ready silver clutch. Any party girl will shine with a touch of Orchid Convertible Color, Montmartre Eye Shadow Quad, All Over Shimmer Luminizer, Multi-Effect Mascara in Black and Pomegranate Crush Lip and Cheek Stain. Products are valued at $115, but the collection is $50, exclusive to Sephora.

FOR HIM

Scent kits were once women's territory, but this year, Sephora has put together a Scent Sampler Best Sellers for Him, with 10 fragrance samples, plus a sample of Anthony's shave cream. Scents are Bulgari Aqua Pour Homme Marine, Canali Canali, Carolina Herrera 212 Sexy Men, Diesel Fuel for Life Men, Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio pour Homme, Hugo Boss Boss Pure, Jean Paul Gaultier le Male, Lacoste Essential, Prada Infusion D'Homme and Yves Saint Laurent L'Homme. The cost is $50, and the real value is in a gift voucher that can be redeemed at a Sephora store (excludes J.C. Penney locations and Canada) for a full-size bottle of any of the scents included, once he picks a favorite.

He doesn't always want to hear about your best friend's and work travails, so give him space and quiet time with the help of Bose QuietComfort 3 Acoustic Noise Canceling headphones for use at home or on the road for the magic combination of noise reduction and audio quality. They fold flat to fit in an accompanying carrying case. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery allows about 20 to 25 hours' average use per charge. Regularly $349 at the Bose store at Ward Entertainment Center, but on sale for the holidays at $314. A QuietComfort 2 model, which runs longer on a AAA battery, also is available at a sale price of $269.

He'll hit the links in style with Prada's Saffiano golf set featuring three tees, two golf ball markers and a divot fixer tucked into a sleek black calf leather travel case with red lining. It's $210 at the Prada stores at Ala Moana Center and in Waikiki.

Hawaii's crumbly asphalt makes driving a bumpy, somewhat unpleasant experience. But the car aficionado might appreciate a pair of Dunhill dark chocolate or black lambskin hand-stitched driving gloves. He might be unable to test his speedometer to its limit, but at least he won't burn his hands after any time parked under the sun. Costs $300 at the Ala Moana Center store.

Stock portfolio plunge another 5 percent? In-laws coming for dinner? No sweat. Allow him to channel stress and negative energy into a moment of contemplation and creativity via the Buddha Board. Nonmessy water is the medium for creating images on the board's surface with a calligraphy brush. The image slowly fades away as it dries, reflecting the Zen ideal of living in the moment. It's a green gift as well. Boards measure about 8 by 10 inches, $39.95 at Honolulu Academy of Arts gift shop, including base and brush. A 4-by-4-inch version is $12.95.