IT'S A WRAP! | Designer Deena Tearney, warmly wrapped in a handmade scarf from her mother, is ready for holiday travels.

What do you love most about the holiday season?

To me, the Christmas Spirit is what makes this the most wonderful time of the year.  When people smile more, share holiday greetings to passing strangers, and help each other out in small ways, there is an overall feeling of cheer in the air.  It’s the best.

You’ve lived in a few different places—not to mention that you travel quite a bit. How is it for you spending the season in the tropics?

It doesn’t exactly feel like the Holidays in the traditional sense, but O‘ahu has a lot to offer.  We have a bit of a Holiday routine:  We listen to “Mele Kalikimaka” about a thousand times, visit all the Christmas trees in the Waikīkī hotels, request Christmas songs at Lewers Lounge, and check out Honolulu City Lights.  Then, we head off to Kentucky and spend Christmas with my husband’s family on their horse farm, hoping for a white Christmas.  We are truly blessed.

LOVE IN | UMEE Honolulu's From Hawaii with Love Tee

 
Speaking of living in the islands, what’s so refreshing about UMEE Honolulu is that it’s is at once island-inspired but cosmopolitan—making it perfect for a Sunday stroll or a weekend jaunt to the West Coast. Which of your pieces would recommend as a gift for that sophisticated island girl who likes to get up and go?

Our new “from Hawaii with love” tee is a really great gift for all those sophisticated gals on your Christmas list.  For my city look in San Francisco, I wear it under a blazer with a long necklace and pants.  When I’m back on the island, it’s super cute with a denim mini or shorts.  I’m also really digging our kimono headbands and think they make unique and stylish gifts or stocking stuffers. There is nothing quite like this accessory.

SIMPLE CHIC | UMEE Honolulu's Kimono Headband

Our black silk strapless dress is my Holiday must-have.  It’s a great dress to style for Holiday parties or New Year’s celebrations and is a perfect way to compliment all the amazing accessory options this season – lace tights, fur bag, fur scarf… Can you say “wow?!”  This season, I’ll be doing something special and wearing mine with a sparkly white lace knit scarf my Mom made for me.

NEW LOOK | UMEE Honolulu's sleeveless black dress

We are in the middle of purchasing a condo, so we’ll be back on the island for New Year’s.  I hope to be welcoming 2012 sipping champagne in our new condo, thick firework smoke outside (it shouldn’t be there but we know it will be!), and surrounded by boxes.

As for 2012, I’m super excited about the launch of our next collection and all the friends we’ll make along the way.
 

HOLIDAY PICKS FROM UMEE HONOLULU

‘from Hawaii with love’ tee, $23
Kimono headbands, $12
Black silk strapless dress

Available online at UMEE Honolulu. Pieces from UMEE’s current collection are also available at Therapy and The Kahala Hotel and Resort. 

While it’s hard to beat a bottle of Champagne in our books, the economic crisis has made us think twice before shelling out for imported bubbly.  During our recent runs to Tamura’s and R. Field, we’ve been putting a particualrly fine Californian sparkler into our basket instead.  While many Californian sparkling wines have left us feeling less than enthusiastic – especially since they’re priced higher than comparable but more satisfying offerings from Spain and Italy – J Cuvée 20 Brut has renewed our faith in domestic sparkling wines. It’s an elegant blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier with notes of Fuji apple and honeysuckle – a perfect way to wrap up a long work week without breaking the piggy bank.

WHERE TO BUY

J Cuvée 20 Brut is available in Honolulu from two of our favorite wine purveyors:

Tamura’s Fine Wine and Liquors

3496 Waiʻalae Avenue, 808 735 7100

R. Field Wine Company

At Foodland, 460 South Beretania Street, 808 596 9463

Those who prefer alcohol to come to them can have a case of J Cuvée 20 Brut shipped directly by Wine.com.

MORE ON J CUVÉE 20

Learn more about this great sparkling wine from J. Vineyards and Winery.