1. The first thing that caught my eye about Jenna Wellein’s artwork is that it leaps off the canvas. Wellein, who lives in Ewa Beach with her family, captures the movement of the ocean in her acrylic and oil paintings.
Vibrant, deep blues and textures are the hallmarks of her work. Her 8-by-8-inch canvas entitled “Wave” has a gorgeous texture, making it seem as if the swell is rolling. It would be perfect for a little nook in your house that needs a little something to brighten up the space.
The acrylic painting is $260 at Island Treasures Art Gallery, which carries her works in an array of sizes and prices. At 602 Kailua Road.
2. Around our house, charcuterie plates are not just for the holidays. Granted, my husband works in the wine business so we often host gatherings and wine pairings at our home. But during the holidays it’s safe to say a lot of people are trying their hand at new and fun ways to spice up a snack plate.
Cinnamon Pear Balsamic Vinegar from Island Olive Oil Co. in Kailua is the perfect twist for the holidays. Warm up your palate by drizzling it on cheese and meats to add a little traditional holiday flavor. Insider tip, this balsamic goes great with baked fruit! The shop has several other interesting flavors of balsamic vinegars and olive oils, including blood orange, bacon, black mission fig and key lime.
A 200-milliliter bottle is $17.95 at Island Olive Oil, Kailua Town Center, 609 Kailua Road.
3. It may be a little rainy on the Windward side over the holidays, but on days when the sun peeks through we are all going to want to get in some beach time with friends and loved ones.
If you are looking for a cute bathing suit with a pop of color, might I suggest Onia’s cherry print one-piece swimsuit at Kailua Moon Boutique? The fabric is so soft and the large-scale cherry print makes for a pretty statement piece.
The store aims to stock pieces that cater to the needs of local women, rather than tourists. Stop in for something for holiday beach trips or parties.
The swimsuit is $100 at the boutique, Kailua Shopping Center, 539 Kailua Road.
4. I’m always on the lookout for a unique aloha print. I love it when designers take the traditional format and give it a modern spin, so I was instantly taken with this pink-and-red aloha shirt by Te Aito.
The “Vainui” style has traditional Polynesian lines and curves, but with a distinctly modern bent. My husband (thankfully) is always up for wearing pink, and red and pink is one of the coolest but underused combinations, in my opinion. It takes a strong personality to wear this shirt — its boldness guarantees you will not be a wallflower at your next holiday party.
Find the shirt ($84) at Coco’s Trading Post, which carries men and women’s apparel, artwork and stand-out items for your home. At Kailua Square Shopping Center, 600 Kailua Road.
5. Confession: I have been obsessed with face masks lately. Meant to refresh tired eyes and skin that have taken a hit in our busy lives (and even busier holiday season), I find they really do provide a quick pick-me-up.
An array of masks is on the market and with the launch of Ulta Beauty in Kailua, we have a major supply right here on the Windward side.
My pick for the best deal is this Mask Mashup six-pack by Peter Thomas Roth. These assorted masks come highly recommended and at $25, you can’t beat the price. The set has all the go-to, face-fixing favorites including 24K gold, Irish Moor Mud, Cucumber Gel and Pumpkin Enzyme.
At Kailua Town Center, 609 Kailua Road.
