Mahalo seastar 8.4.23

Aloha

I have been working here at seastar 8.4.23 for a year and nine months.  I can't believe time passes so fast.  

seastar 8.4.23 did its successful run as a pop-up store for three years in Hawai'i and now is moving to NYC.  I know that it is suposed to be a happy thing, but to tell you the truth I felt mix of emotions.   It's because I got used to working at the boutique and I felt good team work, because Nana always stresses us that we should work as a team, not individually!  I remember writing a blog about when I first got hired here, talking about how happy I am working at seastar 8.4.23 in Hawaii.  (titled:  "Dream come true")  It's really too bad that I won't be working at this location anymore, but the fact that seastar 8.4.23 moving to the fashion mecca, NYC is nothing but GREAT NEWS!!

 

I had the chance to meet many wonderful people at seastar 8.4.23.  - Many customers who shopped at the store and with our online shop, many repeaters and the crew of fashion magazines and guide books.  I enjoyed learning about fashion and small business although it was my first time working in U.S.A. and working in the fashion industry.  The experience certainly will become my knowledge and treasure.  It's no exaggeration to say that the working experience here at seastar 8.4.23 gave me a cleared understanding in which directions I want to move on in my life.  seastar 8.4.23 & the owner, Nana Fujisé's way of running a small business made me realize that I shouldn't give up on my dream and that I should keep on chasing my dream.

 

 

Although seastar 8.4.23 will be moving to NYC from Hawaii, we shall remain the same.  And we thank you for your continued support in advance.  Stay connected with us via social media so that you will know our progress in NYC.

Last but not least, thank you very much for loving seastar 8.4.23 here in Hawaii :)

And to our owner Nana, thank you very much for giving me such a great oppotunity!!

mahalo

- akiko ♡

 

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Reblog

Take A Walk In My Shoes: My Experience As a seastar 8.4.23 Employee

Aloha everyone~

As you all know, seastar 8.4.23 is moving to the place where dreams come true - New York! The big move is bittersweet for me: on the one hand, I am excited for the store to flourish somewhere new and get a real change of pace. On the other hand, I will no longer be able to work at the new location and will lose an amazing job.

I have to admit, when I first got hired here, I was pleasantly surprised. I was an 18 year old freshman who had just moved to Hawaii for school with next to no retail experience. Why would such a trendy, high-end boutique hire little old me?! But Nana, the store owner, saw something in me, and I have never been more grateful. She and Akiko took time out of their busy schedules to prepare and train me (granted, I am still learning something new every day) so that I understood how to work retail and work with customers. And believe me, training me was no easy feat. One day, Akiko took one look at my folding techniques and started giggling. "Don't worry, you'll learn quickly," she told me with a sympathetic and honest smile. They helped me learn about different designers like LNA, Townsen, and Nation LTD, and also taught me how to work with customers and keep organized.

Whether it was cleaning, receiving packages, adjusting the inventory, or even browsing the cute clothes myself, there was never a dull moment at seastar. Slow days were relaxing, and busy days were hectic, but I always left work feeling happy and fulfilled. I have never learned so much from a part-time job before, and I am so proud and appreciative for all that I have accomplished. Working here has given me a better sense of what I want my career to be; maybe one day I'll even run a business of my own!

Learning about designers, trends, fashion, and running a business has been so much fun for me. I cannot thank my boss and the other employees at seastar for making it so much fun to be an employee here. Although I won't be working here in a short couple of weeks, I will always be a part of the seastar team and will definitely remain a loyal supporter of the store. I know it will flourish even further and I look forward to seeing its' success in the city that never sleeps!

 

Mahalo~

Hannah :)

Mannequin Look 1/6/13

Aloha!  Have you had a chance to buy something from the store lately?  We are having a "Moving to the Big Apple" sale and everything is 40% off!  I chose to dress the mannequin in bright colors to celebrate this upcoming change. 

I paired the outfit with a neon colored bracelet and left out the shoes because this outfit seems very carefree, as if the mannequin was dancing and running along on the sand.

LnA - Tulum Tank

Kite & Butterfly - Cupid Mini Skirt

The Ropes - Portland Bracelet

-rachel.

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We are Moving to the Big Apple!!

We are moving our flagship store located in Waikiki, Hawai'i to the Big Apple!  It's been a great three year pop-up run for seastar 8.4.23, but time has come to say our farewell to the beaches and hello to the hustle & bustle of NYC, where the owner is originally from.  Our online shop www.seastar8423.com will be revamped in a couple of weeks (we are expecting no downtime during the changes) for all of our seastar 8.4.23 fans to shop from anywhere in the world!  Everything is 40% off in-store & online.  Items that are already on sale will receive an addtional 40% off!!  No need for a checkout code, 40% off is already applied if you shop between 1/3-1/10/13. 

Stay in touch with us via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram to get the updates as always & see our changes! 

 

 

 

 

Mannequin Look 12/30/12

Aloha!

Even here in Hawaii, it's cold at night time.  This week, our mannequin is wearing beautiful color T-shirt from Narion LTD, warm fur vest from JET By John Eshaya and high waist denim from Raven denim!  She looks urban chic! 

 

 

This look goes well with town, shoping, dinner & everywhere else!!

Nation LTD - Scoop neck Tee  

JET by John Eshaya - Faux Fur Vest  

Raven Denim - Orly High Waist  

 

mahalo,

akiko

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Introducing Giles & Brother

Aloha! Today I am proud to introduce to you Giles & Brother, the seasonal collection of costume and sterling silver jewelry.

 

Phillip Crangi, designer

 

Meet Phillip, the brand's co-creator and designer, who started the brand with his sister Courtney. After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design, they began creating unique jewelry from their New York studio in 2001. The duo continue to draw inspiration from everything: from classic estate jewelry to the textiles of Africa and beyond. In regards to his design aesthetic, Crangi says "I would describe my aesthetic as one of contrast in material, color, and mood".  Not only is he a 2007 CDFA/Vogue Fashion Fund award winner and one of the only jewelry designers on the board of directors for the CDFA (Council of Fashion Designers of America), but his work is also featured in many world renown magazines like Vogue, W, Bazaar, and InStyle.

 

Top left: Skinny Cortina Cuff, top right: Brass Ox Skinny Archer Cuff, bottom left: Hook Wrap Bracelet, bottom right: Skinny Railroad Spike Cuff

 

Here at seastar, we carry GB's Brass Ox Skinny Archer Cuff, Hook Wrap Bracelet, Skinny Cortina Cuff, and Skinny Railroad Spike Cuff. Stop by to check them out in person, or you can shop the products online here.

 

mahalo!

-hannah

 

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Mannequin Look 12/27/12

Aloha!

I hope everyone had a great time during the holidays :-).  For this week's mannequin I chose two sparkly fabrics for a festive feel.

 

I love Karina Grimaldi, and this is one of my favorite dresses, the Florence Mini.  I then layered the Nation Eugene cardigan, which has a similar shimmer effect on the fabric.  The Shashi nugget bracelet matched the color scheme perfectly, and Trove Tkees in Smoke complete the look.

Karina Grimaldi - Florence Mini Dress

Nation LTD - Eugene Cardigan

Shashi - Nugget Bracelet Multi

Trove Tkees - Liners

-r.

 

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Mannequin Look 12/17/12

Aloha

This week's mannequin style looks cool!  I put the button down shirt from Arnold Zimberg with the leggings from LNA.  The legging and the shoes from Matt Bernson go well, because the shirt has black color.  Now then, Let's get our holiday shopping done in style!

 

Arnold Zimberg - Woven Shirts  

LNA - Low Rise Legging  

Matt Bernson - Quilted Sahara 

 

mahalo,

-akiko

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Hannah's Guide to Holiday Gift-Giving: seastar 8.4.23 Edition

Aloha, everyone!

It's that time of year again...the holidays are right around the corner and stress levels are at an all-time high. Between getting the whole family together, preparing a mouth-watering meal, and, of course, picking out the perfect outfit, finding the right gifts for the right people can be a terrifying task. Well have no fear, ladies and gentleman, for I am here to help you figure out the perfect ways to show your gratitude and appreciation for your loved ones during this lovely holiday season.

 

Hannah's Holiday Gift Guide 2012

 

 

For Mom: Surprise mom with these adorable Roxy Wedge Sandals by Matiko. They will make her look and feel amazing - plus, you can borrow them whenever you like :)

 

Matiko's Roxy Wedge Sandal

 

 

 For Dad: Who says men don't care about smelling good, too? For this holiday season, get dad a gift that he will actually use: Love Nature NYC's Bar Soap in Lemon Verbena. It's fresh, crisp scent will start his day off right. Plus, the all-organic ingredients will do his skin some good!

 

Love Nature NYC's Bar Soap in Lemon Verbena

 

 

For your sister: Make your sister smile this holiday season with our Lovers & Friends Lovebirds Kimono Springtime Floral. She will immediately love the silky fabric and the way it ties together any outfit!

Lovers & Friends - Lovebirds Kimono Springtime Floral

 

 For distant relatives or friends of the family: You can't go wrong with Malie Organics' Island Ambiance Reed Diffuser in Orchid. The beautiful fragrance fills the room with a sweet yet subtle scent that everyone loves. If you don't want to buy gifts for the home, pick up The Urban Girl's Manifesto, the ultimate guide to women-owned businesses in Hawaii. It will give them an excuse to go out and explore the city!

Top: Crave Hawaii: The Urban Girl's Manifesto

Bottom: Malie Organics' Island Ambiance Reed Diffuser in Mango Nectar

 

 

For your girlfriends: Pick up Maptote's Natural Hawaii Grocery Tote & Bracedlets for your closest ladies. They will smile at the unique, quirky items that you can't find anywhere else. 

Top: Maptote's Natural Hawaii Grocery Tote;

Bottom: Bracedlets in Turquoise/Black

 

mahalo & happy shopping!

- hannah

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Mannequin Look 12/8/12

Aloha!

I've been wanting to show you guys this mannequin look for a while now, because I think our Double Knit Baseball Jacket by Townsen is the most adorable thing! Its' soft cotton fabric gives it a more relaxed look while still providing structure and warmth.  We paired it with a simple, neutral top: Nation LTD.'s Haiti Tank, and for bottoms we used our solid Coachella shorts by DL1961.  I wanted to add a splash of color, so I tied the look together with Soludos' Twill Stripe espadrilles.

 

Mannequin Look 12/9/12

 

You can even pair the cute fit with your favorite skinnies when it's cold out.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

 

Townsen - Double Knit Baseball Jacket

Nation LTD - Haiti Tank

DL 1961 - Coachella

Soludos - Twill Stripe

mahalo,

-hannah

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Akiko's Holiday Gift Guide 2012

Aloha! 

It's holiday season!  I think everyone is starting to think about holiday gifts.  Many Christmas decorations have been giving us excitement here in Waikiki!

I will introduce you some of the holiday gifts I chose from seastar 8.4.23.  Every items are under $100!!

 

I chose Holiday collection of  Townsen - Double Knit Top, $96. It goes well with LNA - Footed Zip Legging, $108 ( Oops! It's over $100! I'm sorry) because Double Knit Top length is under hip line.  I love the toe style ♡

Light: Townsen - Double Knit Top

Left:  LNA - Footed Zip Legging

 

I chose Will Leather Goods - Nautical CarryAll, $98.  Will Leather Goods is unisex, so It's also good present for men! 

Pouch is Maptote - Zip Pack, $16.  It's very reasonable price, so it's also good with that put some cosmetics in or any other present together.

              Top: Will Leather Goods - Nautical CarryAll                      Down: Maptote - Zip Pack

 

 

I chose Shashi - Rosanna Necklace, $87.  The color is simple, but it has impact.

I chose Soludos - Dali, $30. Black leggings and black shoes make you look more firm.  It's cool casual  style and perfect for casual coordinate because it's very right and comfortable!

 

                            Top: Shashi - Rosanna Necklace                                Down: Soludos - Dali

 

And last, I chose Love Nature NYC which is hand made and All products are made of natural & organic ingredients. 

Bar Soap is only $9, for body and it's also for hand soap at kitchen!  We have 5 different scent at seastar 8.4.23.  Bath Soak is also reasonable price $23.  Put it in the tub with hot water, then Enjoy the natural scent ♫

Top: Bath Soap  Down: Bath Soak

 

Did you find something that maybe perfect for that special someone or your girlfriends?  These items are also a good Christmas present for yourself! 

I hope you enjoy your holidays :)  

 

mahalo

-akiko  

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