Are you ready for Black Friday?

Nadine Kam photos
Michelle Fujii, left, and Eden in Love owner Tanna Dang wear and show a couple of the boutique’s bestsellers during a preview of their Black Friday sale.

Black Friday is creeping into Thursday as more and more stores are going the blockbuster movie route in starting the Christmas run at midnight, which set off a round of grumbling among early morning Black Friday shoppers in our office because everybody knows that in years past, doors opening at 5 a.m. or 6 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving didn’t mean getting there at 5 or 6 a.m. It meant camping out from midnight or earlier. So will that mean people will actually cut their dinner time short to line up long begore midnight? I guess we’ll find out overnight.

As much as I don’t like the retail intrusion on Thanksgiving Day, it doesn’t affect me because I don’t like to shop in crowds. Maybe some people are super-organized and can keep their wits under duress, but I’m not one of them.

Meanwhile, Eden in Love, at Ward Warehouse, gave 50 of its VIP customers a jumpstart on Black Friday, hosting a preview of its Black Friday sale. (Don’t worry, 50 women didn’t make a dent in the number of items available, which includes clothing, scarves, hats, handbags, jewelry, etc.)

Eden in Love photo
I bought this Eden in Love lace mesh dress in green.

Black Friday is so good for the boutique, that instead of taking up one of the second-floor conference rooms at the center, this year they’ve taken two to contend with the crush of shoppers, with one room for the registers, and a Disney-like line setup so there’s no confusion as to who’s first in line.

As in past years, tomorrow’s early birds will get the biggest discount. From 9 to 10 a.m., customers will receive a 40 percent discount. With dresses prieed at about $48, for instance, I picked up four dresses for a little more than $100.

The discount will decrease every hour, with shoppers receiving 30 percent off everything from 10 to 11 a.m., 25 percent off from 11 a.m. to noon and 20 percent off until 9 p.m. Early birds also can enjoy a free breakfast bar, and there will be a “comfy zone” for guys who prefer to sit it out.

A smaller room is devoted to jewelry and hats, below, as well as sticky bras.

>>>>><<<<< 

OFFERINGS ELSEWHERE

Allison Izu
The local denim designer is offering an online sale at shopallisonizu.com from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. Take 30 percent off your $100 purchase with the code “BLACK30.” Spend $250 and get a 40 percent discount with the code “BLACK40,” or get 50 percent off your purchase of $350 ore more with the code “BLACK 50.”

Aveda
In what may be the best offering of the day, Aveda Experience Center will be providing shoppeers with respite from the day’s madness by offering your choice of complimentary stress relieving ritual that include a scalp and shoulder ritual, neck and shoulder ritual, hand ritual, makeup finishing touch or hairstyling ritual. Also, enjoy a complimentary cup of Aveda Comforting Tea, a 100 percent certified organic herbal infusion of licorice root and peppermint to ease mind and body, with free refills! The services will be offered from Black Friday through Sunday.
Of course, you can browse their wares as well, including eight limited-edition gift sets.

Mu’umu’u Heaven
For its eco purposes, the boutique has redubbed Black Friday, “Green Friday,” and are marking the occasion by offering up to 70 percent of merchandise from 10 a.m., as well as presenting a 4 to 7 p.m. trunk show by Big Island designer Jenn Eng of Aloha Friday sunglasses, with live music, pupu and refreshments. The boutique is at 767 Kailua Road.

Roberta Oaks
The designer has 30 free dresses to offer to the first shoppers who make a $50 purchase. She’s offering a 40 percent off storewide sale from 8 to 9 a.m., 30 percent off from 9 a.m. to noon, and 20 percent off all RO men’s and women’s apparel from noon to 6 p.m. The showroom is at 19 N. Pauahi St.

Victoria’s Secret
Offering a free tote with $65 purchase, while totes last. Inside the tote are VS Fantasies “Sheer Love” Hydrating Body Lotion (4.2 oz.), Victoria’s Secret “Bombshell” Body Mist (2.5 oz), VS PRO Airbrush FX Face Primer SPF 20 (.14 oz.) and Victoria’s Secret “Angel” Eau de Parfum (.05 oz.). One per person, and gift card purchases do not count. If you don’t want to deal with the crowds, you can also purchase online. Enter offer code “FRIDAY” at checkout.

A taste of the new at Made in Hawaii

Roberta Oaks photo
Roberta Oaks Country Romper is one of her new designs for Fall 2011.

Among vendors at the Made in Hawaii Festival today is Roberta Oaks, who'll be offering discounts to earlybirds who stop by her booth, #204.

The deals through 1 p.m. today, Aug. 19, include two racks of two for $110 items, 20 percent off her new fall designs, and a $30 dress bin. She'll be showing her men's designs as well.

The event at the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall continues to 9 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 20, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 21.

Also at the show, long-lived juice co. Hawaiian Sun is on a branding mission for a new era, coming up with a limited-edition T-shirt inspired by favorite local flavors.

The powder drink mixes are vitamin C-enriched, sweetened with natural cane sugar and without artificial colorings or flavors. Each pouch makes a quart-sized serving.

While there, check out their line of powdered drinks, all three days. Now that college students are headed back to school, the powders make it easier for those away from home to get a taste of flavors they grew up with and miss. Hawaiian Sun is in booths 407 and 408.

Flavors include Natural Iced Tea with Lemon, Pass-O-Guava Nectar and Pineapple Orange Nectar. e Vitamin C-enriched, sweetened with natural cane sugar and 100%-natural, without artificial colorings or flavors. Each pouch is ready-to-mix into water for refreshing quart-sized servings.