Be prepared for picnic season — and brown-bag or takeout lunches — with a reusable utensil set in a sturdy sea-blue pouch made from recycled PET plastic bottles. Made by To-Go Ware and sold for $13 by Kokua Hawai‘i Foundation as part of its Plastic Free Hawai‘i program, the set includes elegant, nonsplintery bamboo chopsticks, spoon, knife, fork and stainless-steel straw. A carabiner allows you to clip it securely to the handle or key ring of your tote so it’s always there, freeing you from reaching for disposable utensils in a clutch.

Somehow, food just tastes better with bamboo, and it doesn’t melt in hot food. Visit kokuahawaiifoundation.org/store. — Mindy Pennybacker

Blushing dessert refreshes palate without heaviness

Although I am not usually a dessert person, I do appreciate a delicious treat. I am in love with the house-made Raspberry-Lychee-Rosewater Sorbet ($3 to $7) at Fete restaurant, 2 N. Hotel St. It makes me feel so feminine and romantic eating the light, pink dessert! This refreshing treat is perfect for the warm summer months. Call 369-1390 for reservations. — Florence Fukutomi, Honolulu

Spread scents of aloha with elegant diffusers

Malie Organics at Ala Moana Center is a beautiful new store showcasing a variety of products featuring the scents of our beautiful state. I have found Malie’s reed diffusers to be great gifts for those who moved away — better than mac nuts and other local treats, as they have zero calories. The fragrant — not stinky — diffusers would surely be welcome gifts for locals, too. Available in a variety of scents and in two sizes, 2 ounces for $29.25 or 8 ounces for $73. — Mae Kanazawa, Honolulu

Liven up your eyelashes with minimal fuss or muss

Fashionable people already know about this and many other mysterious things. This is not for them. This is for women like me for whom a ponytail is a hairdo. I recently got my eyelashes tinted for the first time. I now have mascara 24/7 with no effort, and I can wipe the sweat off my face without it smearing. The experience was surprisingly relaxing thanks to the skills of Elizabeth ­Uehara at BeautiGoddess studio in Kaimuki, 3221 Waialae Ave. No. 305. Treatments cost $25 and last six to eight weeks. Visit beautigoddess.com or call 469-8066. — Stephanie Kendrick

Kicky election gear shows off your party pride

With the GOP national convention opening Monday in Cleveland and the Democrats to follow July 25 in Philly, it’s time to pick your party. Make a joint fashion and political statement with Toms’ canvas slip-ons in elephant or donkey prints ($55). The patriotic footwear has an elastic gore upper for an easy fit, a removable antimicrobial sock liner and an EVA rubber sole for traction. The Election Collection includes men’s sneakers ($59) and brogues ($119), canvas totes ($58), flip-flops ($39) and fun strappy wedges with party charms ($79). And for every pair purchased, Toms provides new shoes to a child in need.

Find Toms at Raging Isle in the North Shore Marketplace in Haleiwa, 637-7797, or shop online at toms.com. — Christie Wilson

WHAT ARE YOU LOVING? Tell us what you are loving this week by emailing features@staradvertiser.com. Please keep in mind that featured products may be in short supply and may not be available at all store locations; prices may vary