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.
1. Rings and other fetching things
At the monthly Art & Flea vendors’ gathering, I ran across these charming "Aloha" rings from Shanda’s Hawaiian Designs. At $15 they’re suitable for gifts, and you can’t argue with the sentiment. Shanda also makes earrings and necklaces with island flair, many including shells or charms. See more at facebook.com/ShandasHawaiianDesigns or etsy.com/shop/shandahawaiiandesign.
—Elizabeth Kieszkowski
2. New magazine sells culture, style
The debut issue of Abstract magazine immediately captures the eye with its stylish, neon-green, embossed cover. Calling itself "a new lifestyle and culture magazine for Honolulu," the quarterly is the successor to editor James Charisma’s 808 Scene Zine. Abstract’s polished look is thanks to Inkubator, a print and design studio housed in the HonBlue information management facility in Iwilei. With Chinatown’s First Friday as its inaugural theme, the publication boasts imaginative layouts and solid writing on the history of the area, the origins of the popular monthly event and challenges of small businesses operating in the sometimes sketchy area. Find free copies of Abstract at Bar35, the ARTS at Marks Garage, bambuTwo, Brasserie du Vin, Glazers Coffee Shop, the Honolulu Museum of Art School at Linekona, CoffeeTalk, Whole Foods Kahala and Morning Brew Cafe. www.facebook.com/abstracthawaii.
—Gary Chun
3. Get your dose of grisly on NBC
You might not have the stomach for a prime-time series about a serial killer, but if you try NBC’s "Hannibal" at 9 p.m. Thursdays, you’ll discover the most interesting "bromance" on television, between evil forensic psychologist/cannibal Hannibal Lecter and FBI special agent Will Graham. The casting for the Thomas Harris characters is perfect: Lecter is played with deadpan menace by Mads Mikkelsen, the Danish actor you might best remember from "Casino Royale," and Graham — who is every bit as weird as Lecter — comes to life in British actor Hugh Dancy. The series, launched in April, takes place well before Lecter’s vile lifestyle lands him in prison, and their exchanges are always tense because we know the endgame. The season ends June 20, and NBC will soon announce whether "Hannibal" continues next season or is served with a side order of fava beans and a nice Chianti. In the meantime, catch up on past episodes at www.nbc.com/hannibal/ or Oceanic Time-Warner’s Primetime on Demand.
—Mike Gordon
4. Stash cash for grads in wood
With grad party season upon us, how do you make your envelope of cash stand out from the rest? By taking the cash out of the envelope and nestling it in one of Shop Toast’s adorable wooden dolls. The figures are available in a variety of styles from hula girls and boys to kimono-clad kokeshi ($12,;simpler styles start at $4). Untie the ribbon to expose a hidden compartment for stashing a note of congratulations and a monetary gift. The handmade dolls are crafted by shopkeepers Jeremy Shoda and Michelle Kaneko. Shop Toast, 3434 Waialae Ave., is open from noon to 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Call 447-9233 or see www.shoptoast.com.
—Donica Kaneshiro
5. Puns, palaka dress neck ornaments
The ladies of Wabi-Sabi in Kaimuki are back with palaka and aloha-print "Lei-nyards" in school colors for the class of 2013. Attached are snack packs of li hing mui, iso peanuts and other local-kine goodies with matching messages such as "Most Likely to Suck Seed " and "I-so Happy for You" for $10 each. A giant fortune cookie containing a congratulatory note — or insert your own words of wisdom — is $13.50. Order at least two days in advance at 734-3693. Wabi-Sabi is at 1223 Koko Head Ave.
—Christie Wilson