Littered with pretty shells, pillows and other perfectly placed home accents, SoHa (it stands for South of Hawai'i), has relocated from its Ward location to Kahala Mall. "I opened the store because of my love for travel and home design. I moved here from Boston and helped my sister open two clothing stores, and wanted to do something of my own. Of course there was a lot of work in between the idea and opening the store," explains president and lead designer Brooke Watson. At just 29, her ambition and creative eye have kept the store thriving for nearly eight years. Now the emphasis has shifted to accessories — from accents such as pink sparkly dice and starfish napkin rings to sleekly designed organizers.

"I felt that Kahala would be a great location for us. I knew that I wanted to segue into more home accessories and gift items. There wasn't a whole lot of that in the Kahala area, so it seemed like an obvious fit. We still offer furniture through our online store and in-store catalogs," says Watson. SoHa, Kahala Mall; 591-9777, www.sohaliving.com.

— Lacy Matsumoto

SALES & BARGAINS

• Gone is the trend (and thank goodness it is) to wear a headband across the forehead in the so not cool Paris/Nicole/L.A. fashion. While American Apparel sells headbands, and pictures them worn this way, the thick and stretchy band in its rainbow of color options is totally cute to wear the typical way. It's made from the same material as your bra strap, just thicker and way cuter, in poppy colors and metallics too (to match your gold lame hot pants ... you know you want them). A great addition to a ponytail to keep flyaways at rest, or to accent your version of a curly mess or sleek 'do. The best part: It's only $4.50, making it possible to get every color you want. Side note: check out AA's ruched bikini, available on sale online only. American Apparel, 2142 Kalakaua Ave.; 923-4554, www.americanapparel.net.

• Avoid the crazy flu that's going around and snuggle up at home with friends for a healthful make-your-own pizza dinner party. Avoid waiting and get ready-to-go-dough and desired toppings at Whole Foods (the shortcut chef section has what you need), then outfit your divine hostessness with a vintage apron from Catherine's Closet to put on the show. Aprons range in price, but Catherine's has many cute ones for less than $20. Right now, '80s vintage earrings come along with your purchase! Your friends will be happy to stay warm in the kitchen and will be talking about your fine hostess skills for weeks. Catherine's Closet, 2733 E. Manoa Road, Suite 204; 386-2746.

• Get your beauty/pamper me fix at L'Occitane with promotional packets of popular products that are now on sale. Once you've tried, you'll want the best-selling Shea Butter Hand Cream at $30 (normally $38) with an additional travel size for free. Also of note: jasmine travel perfume for $20 (normally $44) and olive branch scent home diffuser for only $10 (normally $40). The high content of essential oils makes these products better than most. Ala Moana Center and Royal Hawaiian Center; http://usa.loccitane.com.

• Sometimes you need a bargain on your fave pop music, and Wal-Mart has it. Lily Allen's new album "it's not me it's you" is only $11.99 (we know iTunes has it for just $9.99, but we're still attached to the physical purchase sometimes), while another music shop had it at $16.99! Keep yourself dancing and prancing to Allen's highly addictive tunes for cheap, and avoid the checkout nightmare by paying for your purchase in the electronics section. Wal-Mart, 700 Ke'eaumoku St.; 955-8441, www.walmart.com.

• It's spring, you're broke, and you want to look cute and still fresh as you wait longer in between haircuts. What to do? Your local drugstore has something to put a dimple in your cheek: Goody's new flower plastic hair accessories — practically knocking off Marc Jacobs' current spring accessories — are the perfect cure. We're hooked on the plastic flower attached to a hair band (wear it with your low side ponytail) for $9.99. Longs, all over the Islands; www.longs.com.

— Pualana Lemelle

CONVERSE GETS JAMS-HOT

Back in the '80s, the surf and skate scenes were dominated by acid hues and eye-popping prints, and Hawai'i's own Jams World set the style. Jams World's founder, the late Dave Rochlen, traveled the world for inspiration. "He brought back ideas that were different and way ahead of the market. Graphics and graffiti from all over the world, mixed with colors no one had seen before. There was a movement in Italy called 'Memphis' which fueled his craze for bold, fun, funky colors and designs," said his son, Pua Rochlen, who now heads up Surf Line and Jams World. The prints caught the eye of Converse shoes and a partnership ensued, with Jams' wildest prints popping off Converse sneakers.

Converse searched its archives for ideas that looked fresh again and rediscovered the eye-popping Jams styles, renewing the collaboration. For spring 2009, Converse has licensed six Jams World designs: Scrabble, Caution, Sun Fever, Trixie, Indian Rug and Memphis. The shoes are true to the '80s; even the eyelets and laces are multihued: purple, green and orange. Converse/Jams Skidgrips and All Star Specialties sell for $55 to $70 at retailers and online at www.converse.com.

— Paula Rath

HAPPY HOUR SPECIAL

Before it was The Varsity it was Magoo's; before it was Magoo's it was Mama Mia's — but it will always be the college watering hole. The indoor-outdoor dive is known for its beer and pizza — but those in the know are getting hip to its daily 4 to 9 p.m. happy hour special — a stiff "double pour" for a decent price. Want to stick to beer? They've got 80 beers on tap. The Varsity, 1015 University Ave.; 447-9244.

— L.M.

DIPS & SALSA

If you're one of the millions who watch dance competitions on TV, you oughta know enough moves by now to check out International Salsa Night at Zanzabar Nightclub. And if you still don't know what you're doing (even though you've watched hundreds of episodes), join the Hot Salsa Hawaii class at 8:15 p.m. Tuesdays — lessons are included with your cover charge. Hawai'i's longest-running salsa night, this party has everyone moving. International Salsa Night, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesdays, $5 before 10 p.m., $10 after, Zanzabar Nightclub, 2255 Kuhio Ave.; 924-3939.

— L.M.ʾ

HOT LIPS

On the heels of O-Gloss, meet O-Plump! Smashbox has a new lip gloss that goes on clear, then changes into your own custom shade of pink according to your body temperature. It generates its own heat, too, with an exclusive blend of Goji Berry-C Complex, ginger, mint, gingko biloba, and more, this gloss gives off a buzz that stimulates blood flow to the lips to get it plumping. If nothing else, it will make you one hot kisser! O-Plump, $24 at Sephora, Ala Moana Center; 944-9797.

— Melissa Chang

WHAT'S ON YOUR IPOD?

DJ Benzi
1. "Sky High," feat. Plain Pat, Kanye West
2. "Paper Route Gangstaz," feat. Benzi, Diplo
3. "The New Deal," 10 Deep
4. "Matter of Time," feat. Mike Posner, The Brain Trust
5. "The Jetsetters Mixtape," Dope Couture