Cocktail patties a party favorite

A local company called M&M’s Aloha Patties bakes and sells Jamaican cocktail patties — really delicious pupu that I’ve been serving every chance I get. They’re not exactly new (we’ve been buying these for more than a year), but my friends and family love them and I know other people will, too. They’re meat-filled pastries from Jamaica that come in five flavors. Our favorites are the jerk chicken, spicy beef and "cheezy" beef. They’re homemade and they’re so good! They come with dipping sauces (pineapple or katsu), and they’re a deal at only $10 a dozen. Every time we serve them or bring them to a party, they’re the first things to go! Visit www.alohapatties.com. — Jenny Nakagawa, Honolulu

Musubi marks memorable moment

Make sure your offering to your favorite grad doesn’t get lost in the mound of candy and flower lei piled on during post-commencement celebrations with this adorable keepsake from the crafty folks at Wabi Sabi in Kaimuki. The store’s Musubi mascot, complete with cap and diploma, comes in a clear container attached to a lanyard and ribbons in school colors. The made-to-order "Lei-N-Yard" is $17; to order call 734-3693. Wabi Sabi is at 1223 Koko Head Ave., Suite 5. — Christie Wilson

Studying ‘The Office’ staff, we see ourselves

Nothing elicits more belly laughs at my house than NBC’s "The Office." In fact, for a while we were so "Office"-crazed we talked in code, categorizing people based on the show’s characters. "She’s a Pam," or "Poor guy; he’s a Toby," we’d mutter to each other to the blank looks of everyone around us. I think the show’s charm is that its outlandish characters really do mirror facets of us all. Just as in real life, moving on without a beloved friend isn’t easy, but it was a treat to see Will Ferrell walking the halls of Scranton’s Dunder Mifflin/Sabre office as a temporary replacement for Steve Carell’s Michael Scott. There’s more to look forward to when Ricky Gervais, Ray Romano, Will Arnett, James Spader and Jim Carrey guest-star in Thursday’s one-hour season finale at 8 p.m. on KHNL. — Joleen Oshiro

Become a puppet master

When I first picked up "10-Minute Puppets," by Noel MacNeal, I thought it would be 20 different versions of the paper-sack puppet, but this book provides surprisingly simple directions for 42 extremely varied hand puppets. They range from the simple — cut out this template, color and use your fingers for the animal’s legs, trunk, etc. —to napkin bunnies and crawlin’ caterpillars on chopsticks. There’s even a chapter on making different types of stages and theaters. Perfect for the long summer months ahead. It’s $10.95 at bookstores. — Donica Kaneshiro

Slippers sweep up spills

If you’re the queen of multitasking and have plenty of spills (or slobber) to wipe off the floor, then Slipper Genie is for you. These machine-washable slippers come with detachable Velcro bottoms made of fluffy microfiber fingers good for wiping up dirt, pet hair, baby spit-up, doggy drool and all kinds of spills — without having to bend over because, after all, your hands might be full. You can glide around your home in these "glamorous" slippers and get your hardwood, laminate or tile floors clean. They come in bright-pink or lime-green versions for $12.99 at City Mill. — Nina Wu