Boom Boom Bikinis' skimpy little numbers, dreamed up by Big Island designer Elena Merritt, are designed to show off the goods. Merritt's company has been on the scene for about a year now, and she's currently on her third line. "I started designing while traveling through Indonesia. I realized that I was in the position to create and shape my world any way I wanted it to be," she relates.

Merritt designs her suits in styles for every ocean or beach activity, from tanning to surfing. “I like to use a lot of bright colors and funky prints,” she says. The Brazilian-inspired cut provides minimal coverage, with a tight-fitting bottom that never sags and keeps tan lines tiny. Find them online at www.boomboomhawaii.com.

— Lacy Matsumoto

FIERO IN THE MIX WITH OLDE IVORY

There's more than movie stars being made in Los Angeles: some of the hottest DJs around are based there. Take the Fiero DJ crew, made up of Nicky Savage (yep, he's in town), Jeremy Giovinazzo and Sam Chavez. Nicky's roots go back to a friendship with Honolulu-based designer and magazine publisher Race Skelton, so when the idea of doing a collaborative mixtape came up, it was only natural the team would put together something upbeat and hip — combining the energy of live shows with their technical expertise. "We truly enjoy the music that we play live, and it's totally different than producing. When we produce, we're trying to evoke emotion, but when we DJ, we get to live and see that emotion firsthand," he says. The crew's mixtapes include collaborations with Dubfrequency, Contrast Magazine and now the Hawaiian clothing company Olde Ivory. Scoop the Olde Ivory mix FREE at www.blog.oldeivory.com/2009/11/yatch-traffic-mixtape-by-fiero.

— L.M.

— Lacy Matsumoto

WHAT'S ON MY IPOD

Super CW, blogger/scenester

1. "Better Things," Passion Pit

2. "Family Reunion," Kid Sister

3. "Fascination Street," The Cure

4. "Human Nature," Michael Jackson

5. "Keep the Car Running," Arcade Fire

IT'S A SUPER CW PARTY

If Hawai'i had a celebrity scene, Super CW — aka Christa Wittmier — would be the center of it. Whether in the spotlight or creating it, CW has been a staple of Honolulu's nightlife since 1997 with her blog www.supercw.com. "It wasn't called a blog until like 2004, because that was a term that became the norm for sites like mine. My site precedes the whole blog thing, in my opinion," says Wittmier. "I started blogging to keep in touch with everyone ... all at one time, I can share what I've been up to."

Over time, Wittmier has earned the title of nightlife guru, always knowing what's in and out, and capturing it with a click of a camera. She's going to celebrate the year in nightlife and her own birthday with a massive party featuring live music, DJs and a slide show of her photos from the past year. If you want to be seen, or at least see what it's all about, check out Super CW's "Hey, a PARTY!" with performances by live bands The Girlfriends, The Jump Offs and The Deadbeats, and a DJ set by Nicky Savage, Friday at Fresh Cafe Warehouse, 831 Queen St.; $5; 21 and over; www.supercw.com.

— L.M.

SALES & BARGAINS

As I prepare to move on from the world of Sales & Bargains — I'm taking a new job in Portland, Ore. — a look back at the last couple of years reminded me of my favorite go-to places to score chic deals. Check it out:

• For trendy jewelry and clothes: Until H&M opens a store on this side of the Pacific, we'll take Forever 21. It's full of wild pieces we would only wear if we lost a game of chance, but there are always a few gems in the mix, too. Right now, sparkle and sequins galore make perfect holiday outfit add-ons. Forever 21, Ala Moana Center (941-0033) and Pearlridge Center; www.forever21.com.

• For pieces you'll want to keep forever: Aloha Rag and Neiman Marcus are best bets. While these players aren't known for their bargains, keep an eye out for their sales, which can really be incredible, especially on spring/summer items. I still grab for the funky designer pieces that we've scored in seasons past. It does pay to have quality pieces in your wardrobe, even if just one or two! Aloha Rag, 1221 Kapi'olani Blvd., Suite 115; 589-2050, www.aloharag.com. Neiman Marcus, Ala Moana Center; 951-8887, www.neimanmarcus.com.

• For work: J.Crew-on-the-Island and Ann Taylor. Quality pieces in colors you want to sport are in good supply here. Take the drab out of work, wear something fun and flirty but still within dress code! Take the chill off the a/c with printed scarves, breathable wool pants and great sheaths. J.Crew stands out with vintage-inspired chunky jewelry — not gaudy, but you have to want to strut your stuff to pull much of it off. J.Crew-on-the-Island, Ala Moana Center, 949-5252, www.jcrew.com; Ann Taylor, Ala Moana Center, 949-7260, www.anntaylor.com.

• Lingerie: Whether it's a T-shirt bra or late-night-worthy bedroom ensemble, we always find what we need at both Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack, and at very reasonable prices. Cheap knockoffs stay back; we go for quality undies. Nordstrom, Ala Moana Center, 953-6100; Nordstrom Rack, Ward Centre, 589-2060; www.nordstrom.com.

• Vintage pieces and unique gifts: Catherine's Closet. We just love everything at her little boutique, which feels like a large walk-in closet. Specializing in hats, jewelry, clothes and purses, there's got to be something you just can't walk out of the store without. New holiday dress arrivals make now an especially good time to shop. Catherine's Closet, 2733 E. Mänoa Road, Suite 204; 386-2746.

• Consignment: You just never know what you'll find at Pzazz, and we like it that way. You might come across Chanel, Louboutin, Cole Haan or Diane von Furstenberg — and we like that! Drop off what you're tired of, and use that credit to enhance your closet with something new to you. It's the ultimate way to recycle in style. Pzazz, 3057 Wai'alae Ave., 732-5900.

• Locally owned boutiques not to be missed: Guava Shop, The Butik, Fighting Eel, Cloth, Rock Shop, Roberta Oaks and etown. These are great places with style to spare, with designer clothing and accessories inspired by our Island surroundings. We want so much of what we find inside their doors, it's dangerous. And there are sale and bargain bins, so it pays to return again and again.

• Alterations: This is a personal recommendation — the best we've found is Salva Elazegui at Nordstrom Rack, who we'd trust with any garment, no matter how expensive; 589-2060.

• Brows: Don't let the beasts go untamed. For great shape at a so very reasonable price, go to our girl Jodi Matsumura-Lam at Macy's Premier Salon, Ala Moana Center; 945-6511. Another great option: Lena Hanson of Lena's Fab Brows, whose gentle touch, amazing shape and list of celebrity clients leave us smiling. Lena's Fab Brows, 372-3480, www.lenasfabbrows.com.

• Hair: Don't be intimidated by the sleek black interior and stunning looks of the staff — J Salon is affordable and worth the visit. Their junior stylists offer options starting at just $45. For an edgy but totally glam and proper hair cut, I recommend Joy Shibata. At $75, we don't consider her cuts a bargain, but with her skill level (recent jaunts include time at Vidal Sassoon in London) and as lead stylist under owner Joe Randazzo, she's a steal! J Salon, 1240 Ala Moana Blvd.; 550-4441, www.jsalon.com.

• Makeup: Toss that old mascara and refresh with classics by L'Oreal and Maybelline. Invest your $$ in eye shadows or The Multiple by Nars, loved by editors and models alike. The creams and powders are easy to apply and blend, and Nars' hint of slight glimmer (not glitter!) is prettiest. You'll have everyone oohing and awing at your "glow"; www.narscosmetics.com.

• Nails: Nails La Vie and Nail Room both offer great service in pleasant, clean surroundings. Nails La Vie, 3198 Wai'alae Ave., Kähala; 734-1957. Nail Room, 1209 10th Ave., Kaimukí; 738-5400.

— Pualana Lemelle

Editor's note: Watch this space next week for the debut of a new Sales & Bargain columnist.