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.
Pumpkin delights
Pumpkin flavors just burst out everywhere in the fall. Sure, there’s Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte and Via Gelato’s Pumpkin Crunch, but I’m totally digging Cake Works’ Pumpkin Spice French macaron. The light, chewy outer shell contains a fluffy cream center with the perfect blend of pumpkin and cinnamon flavors. At $2 apiece, this delightful bite-size dessert will get you in the holiday mood. Cake Works: 2820 S. King St., 946-4333. — Jermel-Lynn Quillopo, honolulupulse.com blogger
Straub serves up hearty chili
I don’t usually look forward to going to the doctor, unless my appointment is at Straub Clinic & Hospital at 888 S. King St. While the medical staff is always friendly and professional, it’s the hearty chili served up in the ground-floor cafe that makes me feel all better. The dish satisfies with big chunks of lean ground beef, kidney beans and cayenne-seasoned tomato sauce. It’s a bargain at $2.69 for a small bowl and $3.09 for large (brown or white rice optional). The Straub cafe, open to the public, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Weekly menus are posted at www.straubhealth.org. — Christie Wilson
Flour-sack towels keep the kitchen dry
These oversize flour-sack towels, found at the Downtown General Store booth at craft fairs for $6, are soft and practical. The Egyptian cotton towels dry fast, too. Owner Penny Kiyabu says the designs are created by her sons Sky and Cody and hand-screened by husband Les. Visit downtowngeneralstore.com to find out where they’ll be next. — Nancy Arcayna
ID bracelet offers peace of mind
My favorite thing is the Road ID bracelet I ordered for my husband. The bracelets are worn by runners, cyclists, walkers and others who are active. If they should have an accident or sudden illness, they can be easily identified and their families notified. The Road IDs come in different sizes, colors and widths, depending on the number of contacts you choose to list. My husband’s bracelet lists four names and phone numbers and gives us much peace of mind. It was $19.99 at www.roadid.com or call 800-345-6336. Road ID also would be great for anyone with a "wandering mind," such as those with dementia who need monitoring. — Gerre Scott, Honolulu
Compact cakes fit for small parties
If your family is like mine, you buy a cake to celebrate each birthday, eat a few pieces, then a week later end up throwing away the remaining half of dried-out cake. It would be more cost-effective to buy just a few slices, but who wants to stick candles into a pre-sliced cake? It’s not very festive. Napoleon’s Bakery solved that dilemma when it started selling 6-inch Dobash cakes a few weeks ago for $8.95 (the original 8-inch cakes are $13.25). Although miniature in size, each one is still coated with the bakery’s delicious chocolate pudding frosting and topped with a maraschino cherry. — Donica Kaneshiro