1. As if malasadas and bread pudding aren’t indulgent enough on their own, Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery in Kaimuki layers pieces of its popular malasadas with cinnamon, sugar, butter and more and bakes them into 3-inch bricks of Malasada Bread Pudding ($3.25). So moist and delicious. The only question is why everyone’s not making bread pudding with malasadas.
Pipeline Bakeshop & Creamery is at 3632 Waialae Ave. Call 738-8200.
— Donica Kaneshiro, Star-Advertiser
2. I love dropping in to see what’s new at Diamond Head Beach House, in its own tiny cottage at 3128-B Monsarrat Ave. Swimwear, cover-ups, reversible waterproof bags and hats sport breezy Hawaii motifs in a range of prices.
Neat ribbon hair ties ($3 each) hold your hair securely without “denting” it, in black and hot colors embossed with gilded shells, pineapples, palm trees and aloha. A sweatshirt that says “Shoots” on a warm, super-soft cotton ($90) comes in medium gray (shown), charcoal and navy blue, in small, medium and large.
My advice? Get a large for him and borrow it. Call 737-8667.
— Mindy Pennybacker, Star-Advertiser
3. On a recent search for a ceramic pot for my jade plant, I stumbled upon some delightful yet affordable selections with the earthy vibe that I like at Ginger13, next door to the Arts at Marks Garage in Chinatown.
Cindy Yokoyama, a jewelry designer and fine-arts major at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, opened the boutique, which has a Zen feel and an assortment of unique gift items, including a varied selection of ceramics. The fluted blue pot with succulents and geodes is $40.
Ginger13 is at 22 S. Pauahi St.; call 531-5311, visit ginger13.com and find @ginger13hawaii on Instagram.
— Nina Wu, Star-Advertiser
4. A gratitude journal — a record of things I am thankful for — is something I’ve loosely maintained over the years. I recently decided to make it a daily practice. It’s the perfect way to end the day and head off to dreamland with happy thoughts.
At Ocean Queen in Haleiwa, I recently came across a journal made from recycled rice paper and featuring Ganesha, a Hindu deity known to be a remover of obstacles and god of success. At just 4 by 6 inches, it’s small enough to toss in my purse, so if I’m feeling negative or stressed, I can open it up and be reminded of all my blessings.
It was $9 at Ocean Queen, 66-208 Kamehameha Highway.
— Nancy Arcayna, Star-Advertiser
5. An isolated village in Arizona a few miles north of the Mexican border is wiped out in a single night. The only survivor is an illegal alien, Francisco Salazar, who is found covered in blood and almost catatonic. Suspected of the slaughter, he is rushed to trial and sentenced to death, but — spoiler alert! — a documentary filmmaker finds a roll of 35 mm film that shows what really happened.
That’s the plot of “Savageland,” an imaginatively crafted, low-budget “mockumentary” that combines a straightforward horror story with a timely political statement about hostility toward people who are in the United States illegally. The grainy photographs of the horrific attack transcend politics.
After two years on the film festival circuit, “Savageland” — written and directed by Phil Guidry, Simon Herbert and David Whelan — is now widely available to rent or buy on iTunes, Vudu, Amazon, Google Play and most other on-demand streaming services for about $5 and $10, respectively.
— John Berger, Star-Advertiser
“5 Things We Love” is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. Please keep in mind that featured products may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary. Tell us what you are loving by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.