By Nadine Kam

The postcard from Valerie Joseph speaks for itself. Call  942-5258 for more information.

If you want to beat the Black Friday crowds, better start your holiday shopping early. Here are some spots to check out:

Things Japanese Sale:
At Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays through Dec. 5. Find all things Japanese, including kimono and obi for display or wear, ningyō (dolls), antique tea and dish sets that were made in Japan, and vintage accessories that were donated for this annual sale. Cultural Center members who can wait will receive 50 percent off selected items from Dec. 1 through 5. Funds raised will go toward educational programs and cultural activities presented throughout the year. Admission is free.

Play.savvycircle.com
If you’re looking for deals on meals and entertainment, this site offers restaurant and spa vouchers and entertainment tickets at a discount. The way it works is that a certain amount of vouchers/tickets are offered, with a minimum number of people needed to sign up to get the deal. If the minimum is met, everyone who signs up before and thereafter get the deal. If not, no one gets it. The site has currently reserved 500 of the best seats in Hawaii Theatre for the New Year’s Eve show of “STOMP,” at 40 percent off. A minimum of 50 need to sign up to get the deal. The $55 tickets are being offered for $33.

Pearlridge
If you haven’t been to the shopping center in a while, Blazin’ Steaks offers one more place to sit down for lunch or dinner in the Downtown, third level, and three retail tenants opened in November, offering seasonal merchandise:

Calendar Club (Downtown, second level). Temporary holiday store in the former Rave location features calendars and related 2010 seasonal merchandise.

My Pillow Pets (Uptown, first level) opened near the American Savings Bank Convenience Center. The kiosk features 38 plush animals that combine the comfort of a chenille pillow with the cuddliness of a high-quality stuffed animal. My Pillow Pets are safe for little ones and have won Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Product award, iParenting Hot Award and the Mr. Dad Seal of Approval.

Santa’s Pen (Downtown, second level) opened as a temporary holiday store in the former Hobby Company space. The holiday specialist features personalized Christmas ornaments and other gift items, holiday stockings and stocking stuffers, island-style ornaments and other home accessories.

Ki-ele jewelry personalized with initials.

Shasa Emporium
The Kahala Mall boutique is hosting the Ki-ele Holiday 2009 collection designed by Marylea Conrad, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 21. Customers can personalize one of the necklace designs with an initial, for themselves or as a gift for someone special. Call 735-5122 for more information.

Shop Toast
Among other things, the little shop is offering Envirosax designer eco-totes that can be used to bag your gifts to eco-conscious friends and family. The bags, in pouch, measure 4-by-1.5 inches. Unrolled, they open to 19.5-by-16.5 inches and have a capacity for holding 44 pounds. There are several designs to choose from, at $10. Neat, eh? Shop Toast is at 3434 Waialae Ave. #3, open noon to 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays or by appointment at 447-9233. Or look for them at Season’s Best Craft & Gift Fair at Aliiolani School Dec. 5; Hawaii’s “Bigger & Better” Gift & Craft Fair at the TOPA Financial Center, Fort Street Mall, Dec. 9 and 10; or Moanalua High School Winter Craft Fair Dec. 12. Click on this link and go to the bottom of the page for a coupon for a free tote with $50 purchase, good through Dec. 31, 2009, while supplies last: http://www.hsblinks.com/1cv

So Good Jewelry:

By Nadine Kam

Hmm, I wonder what’s in the gift bag. It might be worthwhile to stop by Custo Barcelona at Ala Moana Center store to find out. Who doesn’t like a surprise?

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Nars is presenting 15 iconic looks on some of his fashionable friends to celebrate its 15th anniversary and the launch of a limited-edition book, “NARS 15X15,” of 15 celebrity portraits inspired by one of his products. Here, model Dayle Haddon is made up to look like Elizabeth Taylor. I enjoyed seeing all the images at the Nars counter.

The Cosmetics Trend Event, a makeup road show, returned to Nordstrom on Saturday. This time, I slept through the 8 a.m. event, figuring I’d just head in later to see what’s new on the floor.

Gotta give the visiting makeup artists a lot of credit for always waking up early to put on energetic and entertaining shows to introduce the new season, no matter how jet lagged they might feel.

Here are a couple of videos with Smahsbox’s Hank Hoffman, and ZO Skin Health’s Dr. Zein Obagi. Obagi had a lot of startling things to say, such as challenging the wisdom of using moisturizer, and that it can be better to no nothing than do the wrong thing.

After Hoffman’s presentation, a woman lamented that she—meaning older women and women without classically beautiful features—could never look as good as the model.

That must be frustrating for any makeup artist to hear, because they repeat themselves over and over, and all the information is out there in newspapers, magazines and online, but women still have misconceptions about what makeup can and cannot do.

True, if you didn’t win the genetic lottery, you will never have classically beautiful features without surgical chiseling, and for older women less is more, but the point is to work with what you have and learn to play up your best features to put your best face forward. That’s all. If women don’t want to wear makeup, they shouldn’t have to, but no one should use the excuse that there’s no point in doing so because she’ll never look like a model. Few people do, but most still want to try to look their best.

M.A.C’s holiday palette

This was the gift tote with sample goodies for those who paid $15 (applicable toward the cost of cosmetics purchased that day) to attend the event. I couldn’t wake up before 8 a.m. on a Saturday, so missed out.

The cosmetics department happens to be right next door to the women’s shoe department, so I found myself wandering over there after spotting the season’s thigh-high boots. Wonder who will be the first to wear them. Not me. I’d be swallowed up by those.

The first window display of the season’s boots was in New York in September, with a showing of Louis Vuitton footwear at Sak’s Fifth Avenue. I thought I had taken a photo, but I guess I only photographed the shoes, coming up later in this post.

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By Nadine Kam

Shaesby
Shaesby Scott’s bridal jewelry collection is on view at Neiman Marcus.

Jewelry designer Shaesby Scott is in Hawaii to introduce his first bridal collection, already an award winner in the Bridal Boutique category of the Platinum Guild International Couture Style Challenge.

The designer was at Neiman Marcus last night, and will be in the store until 5 p.m. today to help customers with their selections.

He said his clients have long requested bridal pieces, but he took his time coming up with the collection to create pieces that would be simultaneously contemporary, classic and timeless.

Nadine Kam photos
Shaesby Scott at Neiman Marcus, where, in the background, women examine his jewelry.

Pieces on view feature Shaesby’s signature satin texture, marquis diamonds and organic lines, reflecting an Art Deco sensibility. Each band is handcrafted in Shaesby’s Austin studio so that no two are alike, and they can be customized with the option of 18k yellow gold or platinum with rubies, sapphires and black or yellow diamonds in addition to the traditional white diamonds.

Shaesby’s pieces possess a delicate beauty. 

Rings are designed to be stackable for combinations unique to every bride, so that even if they are meant to be worn for eternity, they can be arranged and recombined to look different from day to day.

I was told that those who spend $500 or more today on Shaesby’s jewelry on an NM card during the Be Jeweled event will receive a NM gift card, a choice of a Shaesby gift necklace or earrings, and a Roxanne Assoulin for Lee Angel necklace.

The Be Jeweled Event continues through Sunday with gift card offers and the Lee Angel gift necklace available with purchases from other Designer and Precious Jewelry collections as well.

Lee Angel necklace that is a gift with a purchase of $500 or more.

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Trying on the Elizabeth & James leather jacket. Love the red but it’s still pretty hot outside.

While I was there, the store was offering a 40 percent sale on most of the Contemporary Women’s apparel, so of course I had to check it out. The thing is, I look at sale offers from online marketers like Shopittome and Gilt Group all the time and never want anything so I feel immune to most clothes with standard shapes. Things have to be a little “out there” to catch my eye.

I gravitated toward a red leather jacket from Elizabeth & James, then two things that were not on sale.

I told Neiman Marcus’ Contemporary Sportswear Specialist Alen Ajed that “just for fun” I wanted to try on a 3.1 Phillip Lim jacket (hanging and on a model, above), and without skipping a beat, he just said, “I know which one,” and OMG he can read my mind! He came back with the correct sequined cardigan. I LOVED it, but at about $900, I think I have to wait til I finish paying off my trip.

Last piece I wanted was this hat, also not on sale. Please don’t try to imagine the hat and cardigan worn together.

By Nadine Kam

Note: This offer has been extended through Oct. 18. (Added 10/17)

G.L.A.M. Hawaii photos
Love ring, $25.

G.L.A.M. Hawaii has started a Secret VIP Sale offering 40 percent off purchases today. Visit glamhawaii.com to place your order and punch in the word “secret” during checkout to get the discount.

The sale event introduces the brand’s fall line, Dojin: Way of Love collection.

G.L.A.M. Hawaii jewelry is made in Hawaii and the women behind the brand offer the timely reminder that Christmas is around the corner. This is one way to shop at a discount, without the fuss of parking and shoving your way past other frantic shoppers. Unless, of course, you enjoy shopping as contact sport.

14K gold-filled Om bak or Buddha necklace ($55), features an aquamarine for healing or clarity.

By Nadine Kam

Nadine Kam photos
Victoria’s Secret Angel Marisa Miller will sign autographs for fans from 4 to 6 p.m. today.

I was at the opening at the Victoria’s Secret store this morning at 8 a.m. for its blessing because it’s my job to be there. What I don’t understand is why, by the time the store actually opened at 9:30 a.m., there were more than 600 people in line waiting to get in. Do they think they’re going to run out of bras? Is it a point of pride to be the very first customer? It’s not like a pop-up shop that’s going to go away overnight. Victoria’s Secret is really here to stay after we’ve patiently and agonizingly waited our turn while they opened more than 1,000 other stores around the world.

The line started at 6:30 a.m. and that’s got to make the company happy. Victoria’s Secret Angel Marisa Miller was there for photographs and interviews, and the City Managing Director Kirk Caldwell was there to welcome the store, and, filling in for our traveling mayor, to place a lei around Miller’s neck with requisite kiss. The opening, he said, is “very good news for Hawaii,” as a bright spot in our economy with such a major retailer demonstrating their confidence and commitment to the state.

If you read the story in the print edition today, you can learn about the opportunity to become the next VS Angel by entering online at VSAllAccess.com and CBS.com.

Star-Bulletin business reporter Nina Wu, in black, interviews the first people in line to get into Victoria’s Secret. The line went around the corner, between Sears and Longs, to the parking lot, and alongside Sears past Jamba Juice. As person after person entered the store, I wondered how many it could contain. (It swallowed up the former Island Snow, TheGap and Disney spaces.) They stopped the line at 500, then started admitting a few people at a time as shoppers exited.

The job is more demanding than you’d imagine, and the Angels have to have more going for them than a super body and pretty face as they also serve as ambassadors and spokesmodels for the brand. You can begin to imagine what that takes when you realize such media dynamos as Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum have served as Angels.

Kelly Boy De Lima, of Kapena, was the second person to make a purchase. Guys are quick, no-nonsense shoppers and he picked up a gift card for his daughter’s 18th birthday.

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By Nadine Kam

Tiffany.com

Tiffany hosted a party last Friday focusing on the art of layering jewelry, a showcase for a special collection of diamond fine jewelry that will be on view through Aug. 27, as well as a full selection of Tiffany Keys, based on archive designs.

The keys start at $100 in silver, and $250 for a small key in 18K gold. The most popular is the small silver key with Tiffany blue heart design ($100). I love the quatrefoil four-diamond pendant in 18k gold (shown above). Chains are sold separately to customize your look, and the different sizes, weights and lengths of chains can be layered to create interest.

I spied other things I liked, like bangles in Tiffany blue and the Paloma Picasso 20-carat pendants, but I need to wait and see how much damage New York Fashion Week brings to my credit card.

Photos by Nadine Kam
Tiffany Hilton wears Tiffany’s fine diamond jewelry. She was up early the next morning too, where she was helping the Hawaii Foodbank with the Can-struction event at Pearlridge Center and I was the only non-architect judge judging the creations.

Natsuko Nobeyama shows how the Tiffany Keys can be layered. She’s wearing a necklace of multiple strands of tourmalines valued at $52,000.

The invite, with artwork by Ruben Toledo.

By Nadine Kam

Dior Homme photos
Fall 2009’s ready-to-wear will debut with the launch of Dior Homme at Ala Moana Center next Wednesday.

I don’t often have news for the stylish men in town, but this one’s a biggie. Dior Homme will arrive at the Dior flagship at Ala Moana Center next Wednesday. That’s hot!

The expanded boutique will feature a full offering, covering 500 square feet, of the Dior Homme collection, beginning with fall 2009’s shoes, accessories and ready-to-wear designed by Kris Van Assche.

Midnight black and crisp white set the mood for the new men’s section, with lacquered walls and black carpet contrasting with the white carpet and polished limestone floors of the women’s sections.

By Nadine Kam

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin was there to mark the grand opening of Ala Moana Center and original tenant Foodland, and were all still here today to mark the 50th anniversary of the mall and grocery.

Ala Moana Center celebrates its landmark 50th anniversary tomorrow through Aug. 31, so you’ll want to be at Centerstage tomorrow from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. for the ceremonies, after which 1,959 chocolate bars will be distributed.

Chocolate is usually a reward in itself, but five of the oversized bars will contain Golden Tickets that can be redeemed for a $250 Ala Moana gift card. Hope I win!

Elsewhere in the center, there will be exclusive products, gifts with purchases and special offers from retailers. Here’s the list that couldn’t fit in the print edition that comes out tomorrow:

>> Aloha Hobby Shop Kiosk: Receive 25 percent off any item.

>> Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa: Spend $50 and receive a special gift.

>> Bare Escentuals: Join the BE Bonus Program and receive $10 off a purchase of $120 or more.

>> bebe: View the newest bebe collection, launching during Ala Moana Center’s 50th anniversary celebration.

>> Ben Bridge Jewelers: View the “Festival of Gems” trunk show featuring colored gemstone jewelry on Aug. 24.

>> Brontibay Paris: Receive 50 percent off cotton tote bags with any in-store purchase.

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By Nadine Kam

Rhea Lana photos
Shop for back-to-school threads at Rhea Lana Children’s Consignment Event this week and next.

For parents, it’s back-to-school shopping time, and the budget crunch isn’t helping. But this weekend, Rhea Lana Children’s Consignment Event aims to make it easier to dress young ones.

The event takes place July 25 and 26 at The Nimitz Business Center, 1130 N. Nimitz Highway, on the second level above New Eagle Cafe. It repeats as a half-price sale Aug. 1 and 2.

Rhea Lana’s Children Consignments Events is a community event that allows families to unload clothing, baby equipment, maternity and junior clothing, toys and household furniture, while purchasing others’ quality, unwanted items. On offer will be more than 5,000 items listed by more than 100 Hawaii consignors. Admission is free.

The event aims to do good on so many levels, by helping consignors to make money from their unwanted items, recycling, and helping others pick up affordable clothing and home goods. Check out www.rhealana.com

Hours are noon to 9 p.m. on the 25th, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the 26th.

Admission to a pre-sale event for consignors is 8 to 11 a.m. Aug. 1, with public invited in from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and final day hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Rhea Lana Children’s Consignment Event was started in 1997 by Rhea Lana
Riner in Conway, Arkansas. It has spread to eight states and has become the one-
stop shopping spot for moms, grandmothers, and moms-to-be for the best bargains on
children’s merchandise. For more information about this or future events, email
Terrence Iwamoto at terrence@rhealana.com.

If you missed out on the consigning this time around, the group aims to host three events annually in Honolulu.

Baby carriers, strollers and bouncers will be available to moms to be.

Parents can shop for clothes that other kids have outgrown.