Xoelle's handmade, upcycled bow ties

Take a Bow

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. They're great. Really, we love them. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Fantastic. Seriously.

Though we wouldn't dare question the wise and wonderful Julie Andrews, she did leave something off her list: Xoelle's adorable upcycled bow ties, lovingly handmade by Wahiawa resident Laura Plouzek.

The mom of two (soon to be three!) started collecting neckties for her future groom in high school. But when she actually met Prints Charming, she realized he was more of a bow tie man and fell head over heels for the accessories as well.

Forget brown paper packages tied up with string. Plouzek uses her expert thrifting skills to root out cool, printed fabric from secondhand items or dead stock and turns them into quirky, small batch, to-tie-for bows. The results aren't just reserved for ganders. Her creations are so retro-cute (think perky plaids, saucy stripes, even elephants!), they'd also make punchy additions to any gal's button-down blouse or collared dress. With a custom order, an entire wedding party can add pizzazz to formal suits and sheaths. Talk about our favorite things.

So, when the dog bites, when the bee stings… well, bow ties won't help with that. But go ahead and throw one on anyway.

And then you won't feel so bad.

Shop Xoelle this Saturday, 6-11 p.m., at Honolulu Night Market's Pinch of Salt warehouse, 683 Auahi St., or anytime on Etsy.