6 Ways to Shop and Play Your Woes Away

Lei Chic’s guide to the weekend’s best events.

March 20, 2015

Natalie Schack,

SHOP

Blogged Down

What: Need to brush up on your styling skills? Look to the best this weekend at Neiman Marcus, where three of Honolulu’s most stylish ladies, fashion bloggers Emma Wo, Lindsey Higa and Summer Shiigi, have each been asked to style a suite of three mannequins in spring trends: “Mix, Don’t Match,” “Spice Market” and “The New Bohemian.” Vote for your favorite ensembles, and then join the tastemakers at 2 p.m. for a fashion chat as they present their looks. This is serious stuff: The winning blogger and a winning customer will each score a $500 Neiman Marcus gift card! And even if you don’t get the gift card, you can take advantage of the complimentary makeovers by Laura Mercier makeup artists. Win all around.
When: Voting concludes on Saturday, March 22, 2 p.m.
Where: Level One, Neiman Marcus, Ala Moana Center
Details: And don’t forget the swag. Get an exclusive Christophe Sauvat crossbody bag with a regular-priced purchase of $350 or more on Level One. Plus, receive $50 off when you spend $500 or more.

SHOP

A Kini Eye

What: Kini Zamora rose to fame as an adorable crowd fave on Project Runway, but it was at last November’s too-cool, monochrome fashion show that he stole our hearts. If you’re aching to grab the designer’s latest release (and duh, who isn’t), which a includes a loose, local-style tunics, and dresses with a dramatic, sweeping nautilus print, this Saturday you’ll have your chance this weekend at his Kapolei pop-up. You'll also be able to shop for beauty products from Younique, check out creations from Pa‘aha‘ana Wood Designs, and snack on goodies from Aloha Crepes.
When: Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: 91-224 Puanohu Place
Details: Call Tiare at 520-1415 for more information.

CREATE

Bloom Shaka Laka

What: Some people call Paiko a plant shop. We call it our happy place. Especially when they have their fun flower workshops and give us even more reasons to shop. A prime example is this week’s Boom and Bloom lineup. First of all, Bikini Bird will be there with a curated pop-up of swimmy must-haves and summer wardrobe goodness. But the icing on this shoptastic cake is the Hippy Flower Crowns workshop station, which will be open until 9 p.m. Not that you need a reason to spend your Friday night with flowers, but the Paiko team has also set up free drinks and music by Gnaraly and Sierra Blax.
When: Friday, March 20, 2–9 p.m.
Where: Paiko, 675 Auahi St.
Details: Call 988-2165 for more information.

SHOP

Let It Le‘a

What: You’re probably already neck-deep in the annual shop-a-thon that is Shop A Le‘a at Ala Moana Center, but just in case you’re not in the know, here are the deets. There are over 200 offers from stores (Think 20 percent off at 7 For All Mankind, complimentary refreshments at Ann Taylor, 15 percent off at Bath and Body Works, and 30 percent off at Banana Republic), so clear out space in your closets. There will also be live entertainment to check out throughout the weekend, and don’t forget to throw your name into the Staycation Sweepstakes to win a mini-vacay at The Modern.
When: Through Sunday, March 22
Where: Ala Moana Center
Details: You’ll also get a Samantha Thavasa tote, designed exclusively for the event, with $300 or more in Ala Moana Center receipts. Score!

WATCH

Show Us Up

What: Girl meets man. Man throws girl into apocalyptic cult’s underground bunker. Girl gets rescued 15 years later and moves to New York City. Sure, at first glance, the premise for the new Netflix comedy The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, starring Elle Kemper, seems totally cliché (lol, jk). Sure, the fact that Jane Krakowski’s privileged character is supposed to be Native American makes us super uncomfortable. Sure, Community is back on and you have, like, zero time to be starting a new show. But consider this: Jon Hamm plays a cult leader, Tina Fey wrote this and the trailer alone made us both laugh out loud and tear up. In other words: You need this hilarious, girl-power, survivor story about refusing to be the victim in your weekend.
Where: netflix.com
Details: Sure, everyone remembers Kemper’s adorable naiveté in Bridesmaids, but our favorite Kemper cameo is as the ditzy teacher in 21 Jump Street. Always good for a LOL.

SHOP

Wholesome Beauty

What: The prepared foods bar and the cheese section are really all the excuses you need to go to Whole Foods. But just to up the ante even more, the chain is launching its first-ever national Beauty Week this week. You’ll be able to score facial care products at 25 percent off, but what we’re most excited about are the workshops. The smoky eye workshop on Saturday between 5 and 7 p.m. will help you achieve that coveted makeup look. Score free beauty makeovers and mini-facials from Juice beauty brand, which uses organic fruit juices in its products.
When: Through Sunday, March 22
Where: Whole Foods, Kāhala Mall
Details: Psst—take this opportunity to purchase the special Hello, Beauty! Bag, filled with six exclusive beauty and personal care products samples. It’s valued at $60, but you can get it for $18.