Nothing Like A Wedding in Hawaii

Three days that seemed like ten, and all the months of preparation that went into it. Beautiful views of the Ko'olaus, the blue Pacific and the valley in Maunawili. An extraordinairly handsome couple -- all added up to a fairytale wedding weekend. The weather was perfect --blue skies and gentle trades, and the various parties full of aloha.

Not just because the gorgeous groom is a family member, but partly because -- we gave bridesmaids gifts of Mango Coconut Lotion and Body Wash (at the bride's request) and Pohaku Toner and Lotion to the groomsmen. Each of the guests at the rehearsal dinner got a yummy all natural soap, and at the wedding reception --sweets for the sweethearts from our friends at Hawaiian Host Chocolates.

Whether you live in Hawaii or not, Lanikai Bath and Body products make a great gift for the special people who help make your wedding (or any event)a success.

LeBron Needs Peppermint Footcream

Even though the Cavaliers didn't win the NBA championship, if I knew them I would give them some of our peppermint footscrub and peppermint foot cream. For that matter, I would give some to Tim, Manu, Bruce, Robert and Michael Findley.

I can't imagine anyone whose feet must hurt as much as these guys', after the Eastern finals and the NBA Championship. Our Peppermint foot scrub would make their feet feel really great --- and then peppermint foot cream would finish the job, with its super gentle tingly feeling.

You,too, would like our peppermint foot cream, even if you aren't a championship basketball player. my feet hurt at the end of almost every day. You can buy it at the shop, or online at www.lanikaibathandbody.com.

An Aqua Velva Man

If my Dad were alive today, I'd give him Pohaku toner for Father's Day. And he might use it, because it's from our store and because he'd be proud of me for having a store in the first place.
But then again, he might not. Not because it's not a great product, but because my Dad was an Aqua Velva Man.

According to Wikipedia, Williams' Aqua Velva originally began as an alcohol-based aftershave for men but has since expanded into a full line of men's grooming products marketed worldwide by Combe Incorporated. Aqua Velva products include classic Ice Blue, Ice Sport, Musk, and new Ice Balm aftershave. You probably wouldn't find my Dad buying any of the new products produced by Combe Incorporated. Just Aqua Velva.

My parents were big on cleanliness, but not much on added scents, like we are today. Mother used Jergens lotion, as I have said before, because of Elizabeth Taylor, and her only foray into the world of cosmetic smells was Elizabeth Arden's Bluegrass Lotion. Dad, on the other hand, was a soap and water, and aqua velva, man.

His morning routine, which I watched as a child (perched on the toilet seat) included an electric shave, his razor plugged into the wall (no fancy chargers in the 50s), and then a brisk slap-pat of his face with Aqua Velva. All of this was done under a sun lamp, which I think was the reason behind the whole routine in the first place (he had to have something to do while standing under the sun lamp). He was shirtless, fresh from the shower, and in jockey shorts.

This routine lasted into his 80s, and he always had the most beautiful tan. By then, the medical world was warning us about sun lamps, but nothing deterred my Dad. Not the least bit vain about the way he smelled, but perhaps just a bit about the way he looked.

(BTW, our Pohaku line for men is terrific!)

The Magic of Lanikai

Dr. K the Magician, aka Brad Kerwin, packed 'em in on the lawn in front of Lanikai Bath and Body this Sunday (June 10). Little ones and big ones alike loved Dr. K's humor and his magic tricks. Tradewinds kept him from doing the burning book thing, but all in all, we were amazed and delighted. Dave, Brook and Mark handled the popcorn and cotton candy machines, which were popping and flossing the entire afternoon. A great time was had by all, and we want to thank Dr. K, and his Punahou Magic Club, the balloonatics. The day ended with patient 5th graders, Dr. K. and Jenna Lui crafting crazy hats and balloons on demand for the many who stuck around to chat.

Weddings Everywhere!

June is the month for weddings, we all know. Sixty years ago, a young Princess Elizabeth married the Duke of Edinbugh -- not in June, but in November. Still, it's worth mentioning because at Buckingham Palace, from July 28 to September 25th, an exhibition that celebrates their marriage will feature not only her dress but some of her wedding gifts. President Truman gave the couple an engraved Steuben bowl, while the class act of all time, Ghandi, gave them a piece of lace he had woven by hand.

If you're not into weaving lace, and can't afford Steuben crystal, we highly recommend a wedding set of our Naupaka for your favorite couples. For both Kane and Wahine, Naupaka ~ we say ~ is for lovers. The coconut lime verbena scented line is named after the Naupaka, and the myth of Hawaii's legendary lovers that sought to explain the plant's half flower at the beach with its companion growing in the mountains.

It is said that a young princess and her commoner lover were separated forever by her angry father ~ she banished to live in the mountains and he at the sea. On parting, they split a flower, the Naupaka, which has remained a beautiful but lonely symbol of their lost love. At Lanikai Bath and Body, we like to think that our Naupaka scent brings the lovers back together.

A beautiful set of lotion, body butter, body wash, shampoo, body scrub and body salt makes the perfect gift for any newly wedded couple. We offer complimentary gift wrapping to make yours the prettiest gift on the wedding table. Order online at www.lanikaibathandbody.com ,call the store at 808-262-3260, or stop by in person.

We're happy to ship your gift as well.

The Magic of Lanikai

Lanikai is magical ... I think we've made that point, and millions of others appreciate it too. One of the great things about Hawaii is that the beaches are protected up to the high water mark for the public, and public access roads to the beach have to be provided in private neighborhoods. So that's good for us, the general public. But one of our friends decided to move out of Lanikai when a stranger came to his house to use the restroom... not a good idea.

To celebrate the Magic of Lanikai, we're having a real magic show on the lawn in front of Lanikai Bath and Body on June 10. We're officially kicking off summer with a show by our friend and magnificent magician, Dr. Brad Kerwin. Brad is a member of the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood and one of Hawaii's most well known magicians. Kids love him, and so do grown ups. June 10 is also Kailua's Second Sunday Artwalk, so there will be plenty to do in Kailua. If the Magic of Dr. Kerwin isn't enough, we'll have Magic Popcorn and Magic Cotton Candy, too! Beginning at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, June 10 at Lanikai Bath and Body. Be there. Or be elsewhere.

Coconut Combos

The arrival of summer always heralds the arrival of suntan lotions and the amazing smell of coconut. Everyone we know associates the smell of coconut with going to the beach, and most people associate it with Hawaii. We do, too, and that's why we have coconut oil in many of our products, and feature it as a primary scent in three of our favorite combinations. The first is Mango Coconut, which is one of the most popular scents we have. We offer Mango Coconut in lotion, body butter, shampoo, conditioner, salt and body scrub. Another favorite is our Coconut Lime Verbena product, which we call Naupaka. The Naupaka line is as extensive as the Mango Cocount product, and both are appreciated by men and women ~ or as we say in Hawaii~ kane and wahine ~ alike. Naupaka is named for legendary Hawaiian lovers -- but that is a story for another day.

Finally, in our coconut combinations, we have recently introduced Pineapple Coconut as a permanent part of our line. Customers loved it when we sampled it in the fall, and now here it is --- just in time for summer. So if you love Coconut, you'll love our coconut combinations! Hope you visit us soon.