A big, fat, brilliant throw pillow: Who knew I needed one until I saw Tutuvi’s 18-inch squares ruffled in contrasting prints? Designer Colleen Kimura is a genius with color and Hawaii motifs: land- and oceanscapes, flora and fauna, vessels, kapa, tools. Each bold image — hand-printed in such vibrant color combos as blue and orange, magenta and yellow, lavender and red — is a work of art. Covers alone are $40, $68 with pillow. It’s hard to choose, but hey, at this price I can buy four and skip reupholstering the couch.
Sold at the Honolulu Museum of Art store, Na Mea Hawaii and Nohea Gallery at Ward Warehouse and Na Makana at Paradise Park. — Mindy Pennybacker
Light, versatile sneaker keeps feet comfy
I quit on Skechers years ago after they came up with those silly rocker walking shoes. Then my husband convinced me to try the brand’s new superlight, cushy Goga Mat footwear, and I am walking on air — and as a triple threat (big, wide and high arches), that’s saying something. It’s no exaggeration that these casual shoes have improved the quality of my life, as they will for anyone who spends hours on their feet. The mesh fabric upper keeps your feet cool while the Goga Pillars sole provides arch support and shock absorption.
The pair pictured is $65 at the Skechers store at Ala Moana Center, but there are myriad other colors and styles, including slip-on versions. — Christie Wilson
Sleek, practical pen boasts erasable ink
You don’t often find fashionable and practical together in office products, but Mono Hawaii in Moiliili is a good place to start looking. Every busy student or office dweller would love the Craft Design Technology Frixion 3 Color Erasable Pen ($24) in black, red or blue ink. Make a mistake and, just as the name promises, the ink is erasable. How cool is that? The store is at 2013 S. King St.; call 955-1595. — Jermel-Lynn Quillopo, Honolulu
Card game ‘for horrible people’ inspires hilarious, twisted fun
If you secretly harbor a twisted nature that comes out when you drink too much, you’ll probably be very good at playing Cards Against Humanity, billed as “a party game for horrible people.” Each round requires a player to ask a question or fill-in-the-blank statement from a black card, and everyone else answers with the funniest white card in their hand. The cards often contain statements only mature adults should ask (or maybe only think), but the real fun comes with the outrageous question/answer pairings.
Here’s proof from a pairing chosen completely at random. Question: “Coming to Broadway this season, __: The Musical.” Answer: “Kanye West.”
The game is $25 on Amazon.com; expansion card packs are $10. — Mike Gordon
A haven for film cameras, accessories
Tucked away along the upper level of a low-rise building at the corner of Ward Avenue and Auahi Street, Treehouse is a haven for film-photography enthusiasts, with gear, books and rotating exhibits. It’s also a source of hidden treasure for adults and children seeking craft projects or tween gifts. A Mistprint four-pack of buttons with cute drawings of vintage cameras is an inexpensive example at $6. Treehouse is at 250 Ward Ave., Suite 233; call 597-8733 (597-TREE) or visit treehouse-shop.com — Elizabeth Kieszkowski