Burlap coffee sacks get second life

If you love Hawaii-grown coffee, you’ll love the repurposed handbags made by Tanya Kearns of Hilo from burlap coffee sacks and lined in aloha-print fabric. Kearns, who runs her business as Manila Extract, donates 10 percent of her profits to charities like Compassion International. I found this zippered clutch with a kukui nut pull for $30 at Kai Ku Hale in Haleiwa but the bags, including larger totes for $40, are available at other boutiques and at www.manilaextract.com or manilaextract.esty.com. — Nina Wu

Beached glass becomes jewelry

Marlene Pettit transforms broken glass into treasures with her original jewelry designs. The sea glass in whites, greens and browns are combined with beads, silver and copper wire, crystals, shells, pearls and semi-precious stones to create beautiful earrings and pendants. A self-taught artist, Pettit collects the sea glass from beaches around Oahu. Prices start at $27. Call 861-1118 or visit www.marlenesoriginals1.etsy.com. — Nancy Arcayna

Oil-spiked lip balm is pick-me-up

The name says it all with C.O. Bigelow’s Mentha Lip Shine/Breath Freshener. The peppermint oil-spiked lip balms create lots of shine. And the minty smell is a great late afternoon pick-me-up for the user, if no one else. It is available at www.bigelowchemists.com in different flavor, tinted and sunscreen versions for $7.50 a tube, or wait until Bath and Body Works opens at Ala Moana Center in March and pick it up there. — Donica Kaneshiro

Bins make order of the chaos in your car

Know any automotive pack rats whose car seats and floors are littered with toys, newspapers, beach towels and the like? Design Club Hawaii, a local embroidery company, offers collapsible bins made of sturdy synthetic fabric. Single 12-inch cubes ($22) have a zippered lid. Double bins (12-by-24-by-14 inches, $28) are a perfect fit for the trunk. When placed inside, groceries and sports gear stay put. I bought these at a craft fair, but you can visit www.designclubhawaii.com or call 394-0026. — Joleen Oshiro

Thai comfort food

All Thai cooks can make kai yat sai, a Thai omelet, but it’s not on many menus. It’s what the cooks eat at home. Maybe they think it’s too simple — not worthy of a restaurant. Eggs fried in very hot oil are stuffed with minced pork, shallots and vegetables, with fish and/or oyster sauce. Champa Thai in Kailua, Pearl City and Kaimuki makes a fancy restaurant version of kai yat sai for $10.95. But if you ask and the chef is willing, some restaurants will make the home version ($10 at Sabai Club). Order it with prik nam pla, a Thai hot sauce with chilies, fish sauce and lime — yet another thing to love. — Craig Gima