Polished mineral hearts engage the eye and offer mystical benefits

Polished mineral hearts engage the eye and offer mystical benefits

The Pearl City shop Where Crystals Rock is filled with jewelry, lamps, clocks and other decorative items crafted from rocks, minerals, fossils and crystals, but it was these beautiful 3- to 4-inch polished hearts that demanded my attention. My favorite is crafted from pyrite, or fool’s gold, which is said to enhance vitality ($130). The amethyst heart ($128), a close second, fosters inspiration. A rose quartz heart for attracting love is a mere $38, and for protection, the iridescent gemstone labradorite is $60.

Small 1-inch hearts of semiprecious gemstones start at $6. The store is at Harbor Center, 98-025 Hekaha St. Visit wherecrystalsrock.com or call 426-3585. — Nancy Arcayna

Italian-linen dress is next best thing to a Roman vacation

We couldn’t make it to Italy for our anniversary, but my wonderful husband surprised me with an Italian dress. Sleeveless in gray natural linen (available in other shades), it flares gently from a slightly fitted bodice over the hips to the ankles. Subtle piecework adds mobility and shape. Best of all, it has pockets. I feel cool and “molto elegante” in my dress, made in Italy by Inizio and sold at Echo & Atlas in downtown Honolulu. This versatile, seasonless stunner will be the first thing I pack when we finally head for Rome.

Find Inizio dresses from $148 to $158 at Echo & Atlas, 1 North Hotel St.; call 536-7435. — Mindy Pennybacker

Cover up cuts and scrapes with Hawaiian-print bandages

I’m not a clumsy person, but every once in a while I do need a bandage. The Honolulu company Aloha Aid sells a 21-piece box of three-quarter-inch bandages with three Hawaiian-print designs. They’re stylish and great for friends and family on the mainland — sending them a little aloha when they’re hurt. Downtown GifThings in Ward Centre sells Aloha Aid bandages for $4.95 a box; call 596-4966; or order online at alohaaid.com for $4.79 with free shipping for purchases over $5. — Michelle Ramos

Chocolate and bacon treats provide balance

One had hazelnuts and the other had bacon; both caught my eye on a recent mainland pilgrimage to Trader Joe’s for omiyage. The Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies were crisp and light, made from ground hazelnuts and dusted with powdered sugar. They crumble in your mouth, revealing a creamy chocolate hazelnut center ($3.99 for a 10-ounce box). An Uncured Bacon Ganache Bar combined bacon bits with 70 percent cacao dark-chocolate ganache and a hint of smoked salt — just the right balance of indulgences. You can taste the bacon but it doesn’t overwhelm the chocolate ($1.99 for 3-ounce bar).

Buy them on your next trip or at Traderjoes.com. — Nina Wu

Mini-Packs are an affordable option for Wahine volleyball fans

My husband is an unabashed Rainbow Wahine volleyball fanboy (favorite player: senior All-American hitter Nikki Taylor, pictured at right). The guy even watches match reruns on TV, no matter how stale. While living on Maui, he had to admire the Wahine from afar, but with our recent move to Honolulu, he can be in the stands on a regular basis.

I like volleyball, too, but season tickets seem like too much of a commitment. That’s why we’re picking up Wahine volleyball Mini-Packs that allow fans to attend six regular-season home matches of their choosing, starting at just $60 (not including fees) — a $30 savings over the price of individual game tickets. Seating is in the upper level of the Stan Sheriff Center, but that’s plenty close enough for me.

Buy your six-pack now at ETicketHawaii.com before the Wahine open their season Friday against Wisconsin in the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational. — Christie Wilson