Trendy Aria dresses up nicely

House of Aria celebrated its grand opening Saturday, having graduated from the at-home party circuit.

The trendy clothing boutique opened at Waiau Center (home of Genki Sushi and Zippy’s) in Pearl City on July 3, carrying women’s apparel and accessories, including local brands such as Indah and Ginger 13.

Owner Melody Domingo, whose day job has been as a full-time registered nurse, scaled back to part-time status to run her boutique. But in consideration of all her nurse friends, she carries fun scrubs from koi, a fast-growing Santa Monica-based company founded by Hawaii designer Kathy Takamoto Peterson.

She may be putting in more hours now, but at least opening the boutique should cut down on all the fashion emergencies Domingo had to handle while running her business on the side. That’s when people want something for a special occasion NOW, and would call and ask to go over to her house right away to look at clothes options.

"It’s all been at my house, and not really put out properly. They’re just on rolling racks in my garage, and it was just awkward and embarrassing," she said. — By Nadine Kam

STYLE FILE

Trash yields treasure

TEMARI is hosting a 9 a.m. Saturday call for new artists and collectors of Asian and Pacific folk arts to participate in its 29th Trash & Treasure (T&T) fair taking place Nov. 1 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. Artists interested in participating should bring samples and a price list to TEMARI’s headquarters at 1754 Lusitana St. on Saturday, with the selection panel making its decision by 10 a.m.

The T&T event started 29 years ago as a way for TEMARI’s faculty to clean their studios. The idea of one person’s trash being another’s treasure held true when the artists found a source of workable materials in each others’ remnants, odds and ends.

New art works eventually became the focus, but the "Trash" section — with its donations of textiles, collectibles, handmade wares and offbeat treasures — maintains the heart of the event.

Call 536-4566 for more information.

First Friday shops, bops

"Shop, Bop, & Grind!" returns with First Friday, from 6 to 9 p.m. tomorrow in Chaplain Lane at the corner of Bethel Street.

The monthly outdoor bazaar features food from Hole in the Wall, music by DJ Jet Boy and shopping for unique threads, accessories, toys and artwork from about a dozen vendors, including Sassy Lassy, MiSH MaSH, Kisa Kosmos, Nova LUna, Catwings Couture, Vamos Threads, Jozo Prints! and more.

It’s always free to look.

BEAUTY SPOT

Neiman Marcus has beauty event

Neiman Marcus is home to the Beauty Obsessions Event today through Saturday, with an opportunity to learn about the latest products and tools.

Purchase $100 or more in cosmetics or fragrance and receive an NM logo beach towel, limited to one per customer, while supplies last.

The event, in Cosmetics on Level One, coincides with the Estee Lauder Dream Event, continuing through Wednesday. Those who purchase $55 or more in Estee Lauder merchandise will receive a tote filled with deluxe skin and color samples.