1. A Hawaiian quilt motif based on the purple crown flower, one of Queen Lili’uokalani’s favorites, adorns a well-cut women’s tank top ($35) by Leihekili, a new label from young local designers Harry Davis and Travis Greenleaf.
For men, they offer a soft black T-shirt ($40) printed with a subtle lei of kupee shells, and the phrase “Stand in the Night,” from a proverb about the kupees’ nocturnal wakefulness. Both tops are printed with reflective inks that reveal special effects in bright lights.
The line, including pins stating “onipaa” in honor of the queen’s motto, “E onipaa i ka imi naauao” (Be steadfast in the seeking of knowledge), commemorates Lili’uokalani’s 180th birthday, Sept. 2, and will be featured through the end of the month at the Hawaii State Art Museum Gallery Shop, 250 S. Hotel St., shophisam.com. And be sure to check out the museum’s new “Men” exhibit upstairs.
— Mindy Pennybacker, Star-Advertiser
2. Brick Fire Tavern is a temple of Neapolitan pizza-making, but the dedication of owners Matteo Resich and Inthira Marks to the craft doesn’t prevent them from creating unique pies.
Inspired by the garlic shrimp served on Oahu’s North Shore, the Shrimp Truck Pizza ($19) earns raves. Eat it right out of Brick Fire Tavern’s imported brick oven, Naples style, and savor the shrimp’s subtle taste of the ocean, the balanced use of roasted garlic, the classic white sauce and the fresh citrus burst of lemon — not to mention Brick Fire Tavern’s ideal crust, made from imported Italian flour.
Try one at the Chinatown restaurant, 16 N. Hotel St. Find out more at brickfiretavern.com or call 369-2444.
— Elizabeth Kieszkowski, Star-Advertiser
3. If your family or your workplace is a center of, shall we say, high emotions, you might wish you could show up in a T-shirt that orders everyone to relax.
This “No Drama” llama shirt — in soft, soothing gray cotton — would be the perfect uniform for a group of people who have a tendency to make huge mountains out of tiny molehills. Of course, everyone would also need a sense of humor.
It’s $14.99 at Old Navy stores.
— Betty Shimabukuro, Star-Advertiser
4. I love roses, but their fleeting beauty makes them an impractical indulgence. I’ve never been a huge fan of artificial flowers but Saaya Rose preserves real Ecuadorian roses and hydrangea into boxed arrangements that can be shipped to your door. If you can follow directions and resist the urge to touch them, the delicate flowers can last 365 days (or longer) without water.
Surprisingly, the lovely scent is unharmed in the preservation process. A four-rose box is $80, which is still an indulgence, but at least I know these beauties will be with me for far longer than a week. A variety of arrangements are available at saayarose.com.
— Donica Kaneshiro, Star-Advertiser
5. As I get older, my daily routine consists of little or no-hassle makeup. So after months of looking at Instagram pictures and videos of LipSense distributors with perfectly colored pouts, I finally gave in and purchased the lipstick that promises to stay on all day.
The product costs $25 through a local distributor and is more like a lip stain, tingling when first applied. The lipstick must be sealed with a $20 gloss to keep the color intact. (Even though the gloss rubs off, the lip color surprisingly remains for most of the day). Distributors sell a special remover, but you can also use Neutrogena’s glycerin bar soap to do the trick.
My favorite part is mixing the different colors and creating my own shades depending on my mood. Find a local distributor at 808ne.ws/LipSense.
— Kristen Consillio, Star-Advertiser
Please keep in mind that featured products may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary. The information presented represents the authors’ opinions and experiences; your results may vary. Tell us what you are loving this week by emailing features@staradvertiser.com.
