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.
Cute animal doughnuts are good for you, tasty and, well, cute!
Sure, Floresta Nature Doughnuts sells itself for using good-for-you ingredients like wheat flour and organic cane sugar and soy milk. But I’m going to be honest: I love Floresta simply for its charming animal doughnuts. Started in Nara, Japan, in 2002, Floresta made its way to Hawaii earlier this year and has been selling its "kawaii doubutsu" (cute animal) doughnuts at Kansai Yamato at the Ala Moana Center Makai Market food court, Pearlridge Center Downtown and Moanalua 99 in Mapunapuna. The doughnuts themselves are not very sweet; they taste more like andagi with icing to add sweetness and flavor. But you can’t judge these by taste alone, not when they come in such cute forms as a frog (green tea), pig (strawberry), bear (chocolate or coffee) and cat (white chocolate) for $2.25 each. And just a heads-up: It’s cash only at Kansai Yamato. — Stefanie Nakasone
Chip-bag clips prove durable
While searching for some chip-bag clips, I came across this set of six adorable monsters at Bed Bath & Beyond, located in Ward Centre and Pearlridge. The durable plastic Kikkerland clips ($4.99 for the set) are almost 2 inches long, which also makes them perfect for clipping papers together. — Nancy Arcayna
Jewelry handmade of polymer clay
I find handmade items especially alluring because they are the embodiment of creative effort. So when I happened upon the work of budding crafter Franchelle White, I was riveted. The 20-year-old Waianae resident recently began experimenting with polymer clay to create unique beads that she designs into jewelry. Because White mixes colors and shapes them all by hand, none of her beads — and by extension her jewelry — are exactly alike. Most of White’s long necklaces start at about $35; she also has a small selection of earrings and chokers. Email her at Fran221@hawaii.rr.com. — Joleen Oshiro
Jimi Hendrix stamp honors guitar pioneer
For stamp collectors like myself, each new U.S. Postal Service issue is "something to love," but this recently released "forever" stamp honoring rock superstar Jimi Hendrix has broader appeal. It’s premature to say that Hendrix is the greatest guitarist of all time, but there’s no question he was one of the most innovative and influential guitarists of the 20th century. That’s reason enough to love this stamp.
The design suggests Hendrix’s pioneering work in using the guitar as a source of sounds very far removed from those created by a traditional electric guitar. The back of the sheet has a different portrait of Hendrix surrounded by images referring to the psychedelic elements of his music.
Collectors will want at least two copies of the Hendrix sheet: one to show the front with the 16 stamps, a second to show the artwork on the back — and maybe a third to actually use as postage. Buy the sheets for $7.84 at any post office. — John Berger
Crank this gadget and provide light
When I was younger, I was terribly afraid of the dark. If only I had light on demand without the tyranny of batteries, that walk down the dark hallway to the bathroom wouldn’t have been so full of dread. I may have conquered my fear, but that doesn’t make Ikea’s hand-cranked LJUSA flashlight any less of a dynamo. It looks and operates like a pepper mill and is made of sturdy plastic suitable for ages 3 and up. There are three white LEDs that produce a focused, bright beam. Wind it 30 times to charge its capacitor for 90 seconds of light. I’m keeping mine in my car. The 63⁄4-inch-long flashlight is available at Ikea stores when you’re visiting the mainland or from ikea.com for $4.99. — Christina Chun
