5 Things We Love

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.

Lantern adds an exotic glow to home

With intricate metal cut-out designs and colored glass, this hanging lantern would add an exotic glow to your home or garden. All you need is a tealight candle. It was $5.99 at Ross, where a variety of styles at different prices were available. — Nancy Arcayna

French singer Indila mesmerizes on her debut album

I discovered French singer Indila and her international hit “Derniére Danse” when Tony Pisculli used the song in his production of “Much Ado About Nothing” at the Hawaii Shakespeare Festival in August. The song was so intriguing that I searched out a copy of Indila’s debut album, “Mini World,” on eBay to hear more.

Since I don’t “parlez-vous francais,” I can only guess what she is singing about, but her voice is mesmerizing. Two songs with reggae rhythms stand out as having “island music” appeal. Indila’s use of English words and phrases make a song titled “Run Run” stand out as well. As for “Derniére Danse,” Indila’s voice and the song’s dark orchestral arrangement make it as provocative now as it was the first time I heard it.

Take note that there are two versions of the album. You want “Mini World: Delux Edition” with its three bonus tracks. For more information go to www.indila.com. — John Berger

Prints share the nostalgia of old Hawaii

Local folks will love the website northshorephotohawaii.com, which offers prints of more than 500 nostalgic photos of old Hawaii at affordable prices. Choose from surfers, waves, historic places, people, planes, trains and buildings. Prices range from $15 for an 8-by-10-inch photo to $100 for a 20-by-30-inch print through the eBay store Nostalgic Photos Hawaii. — Bill Owens, Haleiwa

Sleep tight and light with cotton quilts

One of the challenges of getting a good night’s sleep in Hawaii is finding climate-appropriate bedding. I recently bought a sophisticated ensemble that looks fabulous but is like sleeping in plastic wrap. It starts out all nice and cozy but then you wake up drenched in sweat and spend the rest of the night in an on-again, off-again tussle with your comforter. Say what you will about domesticity diva Martha Stewart, but her machine-washable cotton quilts are the perfect weight for island shut-eye and come in patterns reminiscent of traditional Hawaiian quilts. Now every bed in the house has one. Regularly priced at $160 to $400, they’re almost always 50 percent off at Macy’s, with additional coupon discounts available. (If you’re not too picky about the pattern, you can sometimes find them in the clearance bin for even more savings!) — Christie Wilson

Lipstick, gloss allow for perfect red shade

I’ve always thought of red as the official color of the holidays. But it’s not easy finding the right shade to complement your complexion and wardrobe. My advice for picking red lipstick: Buy matte lipstick in dark red and lip gloss in a brighter shade of red. This allows you to dial the color up or down depending on the outfit. My favorites are MAC’s Chili lipstick ($16) and Russian Red tinted Lipglass ($15). Find the MACCosmetics store in the Ewa wing of Ala Moana Center and at Macy’s. Call 955-0356. — Jermel-Lynn Quillopo, hono­lulu­pulse.com blogger