ROOTS AND RELICS COFFEE FROM KONA AT FRESH CAFE IN KAKA'AKO

If you can't live without your daily dose of caffeine and that taste of freshly roasted coffee, don't worry — you are not alone. There's a brand-new local outlet for your jones: Fresh Cafe in Kaka'ako, an add-on to We Sell Things For You.

Owner Tiffany Tanaka is serving her father's Roots and Relics brand of coffee, grown locally in Kona. With cups of coffee starting at $1.50, and extras for only 50 cents, you really can't beat the price. More great features: free wireless and newspapers, and various magazines to browse through. With modern lighting and interior design, it's a perfect hangout for the downtowner, hipster or student on a tight budget. Fresh Cafe, 531 Queen St., Kaka'ako; 591-8701.

— Lacy Matsumoto

USED BOOKS AND DVDS A BARGAIN AT RAINBOW

You saved a few dollars with a home-packed lunch, but that doesn't mean you can blow your savings on entertainment. With movie theaters charging $10 a ticket, leisure activities can add up quickly. A great budgeting option is visiting your neighborhood used books and DVD store.

Rainbows Books and Records in Mo'ili'ili offers thousands of books and movies at bargain prices. Each item is hand selected for quality, and you can't beat the price. Rainbow Books and Records, 1010 University Ave.; www.rainbowbookshawaii.com, 955-7994.

— L.M.

BAGGING SOME L.A. ATTITUDE

We all know the "it" bag is out. Now there's an anti-it bag, and it's hot in Honolulu.

Designed by Jessica Kaplan Cushman, this slightly sarcastic collection of non-Fendi, non-Chanel, non-designer bags comes in two sizes ($42 and $70). Find them at Hawaiian South Shore, which specializes in fun L.A.-style clothing and accessories, such as Kitson, JUNKFOOD and Dirtee Ts ("Strangers with Benefits," "Rehab is the New Black," "L.A. has Gone Hollywood"). Hawaiian South Shore, 320 Ward Ave.; 597-9055, www.hawaiiansouthshore.com.

— Paula Rath

REUSABLE LUNCH BAGS AT SOHA

Whether you're budgeting for that much-needed staycation or just need to pinch a few pennies, one of the best ways to save money is by bringing a homemade lunch to work. From leftovers to sandwiches, you can forget about those boring brown paper bags. At SoHa Living, pick up the Oilcloth Ditty, a reusable lunch bag that comes in patterns and eyecatching colors, and is plastic-coated for easy cleanup. Each lunchbag costs $14.80. Sacrifice a takeout lunch or two and you can justify throwing in a matching coozie for $5.80. Home food has never been so hip. SoHa Living, Kahala Mall; 591-9777, www.sohaliving.com.

— L.M.

SALES & BARGAINS

• This week's tip: A free event that will make your Wednesday into a hip happening. Not all art shows in town are everything you hoped for, but we're betting this is one you won't want to miss: "RVDV: HI" an exhibition of large drawings by Antwerp artist Rinus Van De Velde. Interisland Terminal, a group poised to transform arts and culture in Honolulu with an international program of contemporary art, film and design, is putting on a free public opening from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at 3583 Wai'alae Ave., in the heart of Kaimuki. This bit of avant-garde euro art chic, like all good things, is available only for a limited time; noon-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon-4:30 p.m. Sundays through July 26; www.interislandterminal.org.

• Still in recovery mode, and getting ready for more — sales, that is! Every year, Nordstrom offers fall merch on sale before the season kicks into full gear. Special anniversary deals include Nordstrom exclusive makeup and fragrance sets, specials on shoes, clothes and practically everything. The best deals are on shoes and bags you know you want that probably will never reach the after-season sales (or at least not in your size). Nordstrom, Ala Moana Center; 953-6100, www.Nordstrom.com.

• The Gap has had its up and downs through the years, but right now we like its summer play clothes and have always liked its body wear. A sweet deal for you: shop online and enter "FRIEND" at checkout for 20 percent off regular priced goods. Sweet. www.gap.com.

• The J. Crew on the Island Final Sale got our attention last year, and continues to keep us on our toes: Take an extra 20 percent off all sale items. The sale continues in store longer than on the Mainland or online, because goods don't get shipped back to the Mainland from Hawai'i; instead they're on sale till they're gone. We love the convertible strapless jersey dress for just $29.99 before the extra discount. It doubles as a date/beach/evening dress, depending how you accessorize it. J. Crew on the Island, Ala Moana Center; 949-5252.

• Cole Haan offers an extra 20 percent-off sale too. A great way to show off our summer pedicure at a good price. Cole Haan, Ala Moana Center; www.colehaan.com, 941-1270.

— Pualana Lemelle

RELEASES

TERRITORIAL ABOUT LOVE

Former Cardigan Nina Persson's bewitching new record, "Colonia," with her latest band, A Camp, is an album-length musing on a distinct idea — that historical colonialism is driven by an almost sexual desire, and that love has a power dynamic not entirely unlike adventuring nations.

"When it comes to lust, you have the same drive as a colonizer," Persson said. "And on the other end, you let people do all kinds of things to hurt you."

On such tracks as "Stronger Than Jesus," she slyly moves between the two themes. "We're the Belgians burning in the Congo sun," she sings. "So bring it on, wars and diseases / Don't you know love can do you like a shotgun."

"Colonia" is also an ace pop album, with shimmering melodies worthy of Randy Newman, and a spate of guests, including Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse and Nicolai Dunger.

The centerpiece might be "My America," a vintage girl-group ballad that feels almost turn-of-the-century in the earnest way that Persson uses America as a metaphor for a hopeful new love. It's both sweet-tempered and a bit tawdry — at one point, she sings, "Lay your big dirty hands on my innocence," and it's equally sexy and hilarious.

But as Obama's America slowly begins to regain some international goodwill, Persson is one European happy to receive its advances.

"I live in Harlem and I'm having a real crush on New York right now," she said. "I'm enjoying being America's victim."

— August Brown, Los Angeles Times

WHAT’S ON YOUR IPOD?

DJ Mindgame (at the Love Festival, July 18)

1. "We Used To Party," DJ Heather

2. "Saturday Night Sessions," DJ Reza

3. "Something to Live For," John O'Callaghan

4. "Put That Record Back On," DJ Dan

5. "Baby," David Pike