1. Working in a staid, formal environment doesn’t have to stifle a man’s sense of island style. Tori Richard, known for upscale alohawear for men and women, offers an assortment of socks that can add a small measure of local panache to a guy’s wardrobe without going overboard. The socks, made in a cotton-nylon knit with a touch of elastane to hold their shape, are $24 a pair at Tori Richard stores and toririchard.com. — Christie Wilson, Star-Advertiser
‘When natural disasters happen, presidents respond in different ways. Some presidents wonder how they can help. … Some presidents wonder whose boat that is.”
2. So reads the jacket text of the best-selling “Whose Boat Is This Boat? Comments That Don’t Help in the Aftermath of a Hurricane” (2018, hardcover, Simon & Schuster, $14.99), unwittingly penned by our 45th U.S. president and illustrated with lively, whimsical images by Andro Buneta and John Henry.
Like so many citizens overwhelmed by the current political landscape, I find solace in humor, and “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” provides much comfort. Colbert’s nightly monologues, fueled by Donald Trump’s dismaying tweets and quotes, never fail to spotlight the humor in the president’s communications, turning frowns upside-down, if only for a moment. Trump’s comments on Sept. 19 in the wake of Hurricane Florence were no different.
So when “The Late Show” team came up with the genius plan to turn the comments into a picture book, I was all in. With 100 percent of the book’s proceeds going to hurricane relief, it was a rare opportunity for like-minded folks to help spin straw into gold — with the bonus of a chuckle each time they open the cover. Find the book at Barnes & Noble and online at barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com. — Joleen Oshiro, Star-Advertiser
3. What to get for a baseball-loving boyfriend or spouse? One can only buy so many hats. Dugout mugs (starting at $49.99) are 10-inch wooden mugs carved into part of a baseball bat. Officially licensed by Major League Baseball, they come engraved in a choice of team logos and can be customized with a name, date, whatever you desire. The mugs are admittedly not the easiest vessel to drink from, but they sure look cool on a shelf next to a signed baseball or other treasured memorabilia. Find out more at dugoutmugs.com. — Donica Kaneshiro, Star-Advertiser
4. I recently discovered a stash of Elizabeth Mott’s Lash Cards hidden away in my medicine cabinet. I had forgotten how awesome they are. They help separate your lashes before applying mascara and allow for smudge-free reapplication. Each disposable card, made of thick recycled paper, has two different-sized curves on either end. Pick the side that best fits your eye shape, place the card just above (or below for lower lashes) your lash line and gently lift the card. Your lashes will lay against the card as you brush on mascara easily. No mascara mess lands on your eyelid! So simple, yet so brilliant. A pack of 10 cards is $7.
Pair the cards with the Honolulu-based, Korean-inspired makeup brand’s It’s So Big volumizing mascara and you’ve got yourself some long, lush lashes. I love that this cruelty-free mascara lasts all day without giving me the dreaded raccoon look (it’s primarily because of a special flexible polymer that coats each lash, making it water resistant). It’s super easy to remove by rubbing gently with just warm water. A 10-milliliter tube is $20. Find these products, along with a list of local retailers, at elizabethmott.com. Other online outlets include amazon.com and ipsy.com. — E. Clarke Reilly, 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 creilly@staradvertiser.com.