5 Things We Love is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. What are you loving this week? Send a brief description of your latest favorite thing, where to find it and how much it costs, along with your name and contact info to features@staradvertiser.com.
Display your keepsakes in unique glass containers
Whenever I drop by Martin & MacArthur, there are always new and surprising discoveries, not all of them fashioned from rich koa wood. My latest find is Island Keepers glass jars by Jeanne Graham for $32. The lids are made with hand-cut pieces of colored glass that are melted together. A small glass charm and shell are tied around the neck of the 3-inch containers, which are perfect for preserving sand from Mom’s favorite beach, bits of beach glass or puka shells, a lock of baby’s hair and other keepsakes. Find store locations at www.martinandmacarthur.com. — Christie Wilson
A blossom from a box? Darling!
Flowers are always a nice gift for Mother’s Day, but a BloemBox is a gift that keeps on giving. The tiny boxes are decorated with delicate cloth bouquets, but it’s what inside that counts: premium seeds embedded in biodegradeable tissue paper. Just plant them, paper and all, and you’ll grow real flowers like the ones on the box. Included are sowing and watering instructions. Magnolia, a gift shop at the Kahala Mall, has started carrying many of the flower ensembles, selling white miniature hanging rose for $10 and organic sachet, cabbage pink rose and lavender for $23. Bloembox also sells heirloom tomatoes, sweet peppers and similar products via its website, www.bloembox.com. — Steven Mark
Sit with mother and enjoy a gentle movie
If you’re like me, you can thank Mom for your taste in movies. In our case, that would be musicals, black-and-white classics and tear-jerkers. One such fave is "Steel Magnolias," the 1989 comedy-drama starring Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Dolly Parton, Olympia Dukakis, Daryl Hannah and a pre-"Pretty Woman" Julia Roberts. It’s one of those films that’ll make you laugh and cry as it examines not only the friendship between these Southern women, but also the complicated mother-daughter relationship between Field’s and Roberts’ characters. The movie is available via instant streaming on Netflix or for $12.99 in HD on iTunes and Amazon Instant Video.
Whether it’s this film or other shared favorites, watching a special flick and spending quality time with Mom makes for a great Mother’s Day. — Stefanie Nakasone
Trays and cutting boards made of reclaimed wood
Jennifer Homcy grew up collecting driftwood on the beaches in Florida with her father, who turned them into cutting boards back in the ’70s. More than three decades later, the North Shore resident is continuing her late father’s work, using reclaimed wood — untreated lumber from trees that have been removed for development — to create one-of-a-kind cutting boards and serving trays that are not only beautiful, but also functional. Heart-shaped boards, starting at $30, are her best-sellers; other designs include reef fish and abstract shapes. Homcy will be at the Haleiwa Farmers Market at Waimea Valley from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday and the Kakaako Farmers Market at Ward Centers from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Her pieces are also sold at Owen & Co. at 1152 Nuuanu Ave., Noelani Studios in Haleiwa, Nohea Gallery at Ward Warehouse, the WaterShed at Turtle Bay, and Halele‘a in Koloa, Kauai. Visit www.foundwoodworking.com. — Catherine Toth, Honolulu
Cut Loose line can keep Mom in style
Moms may juggle many duties, but we want to be stylish all the while. To achieve this tastefully, our bodies require clothing designed to skim rather than cling to accentuate the positives. My wardrobe must be comfortable and versatile, something that can go from the office to dinner and also do weekend duty. It’s a tall order, I suppose, but the Cut Loose clothing line delivers. For an extensive selection, I head to Tapestries by Hauoli at Ala Moana Center (973-0566), where manager Carmen shares her vast knowledge of fabric, color and fit — she recommended this coral top for my skin tone ($58). Plus, she’s fun. A bonus: Cut Loose is 15 percent off through Mother’s Day. Tapestries is also at Pearlridge Center (483-0810). — Joleen Oshiro
