The summer issue of your favorite fashion and lifestyle magazine, U, is easier than ever to get hold of today — it's in this newspaper.

U is full of great stories: what to wear to the beach and beyond, 10 great things to do on O'ahu this summer, how to put on a posh picnic, what to stash in a beach bag and much more.

For additional copies, go to your neighborhood Starbucks.

URBAN FLAVA OPENS IN PEARLRIDGE

Island entrepreneurs Michelle and Tony Sproat recently expanded from Waipahu, opening a second Urban Flava store at Pearlridge Center Uptown, on the first level. The store carries a full range of hip-hop clothing and accessories, including Baby Phat, Phat Farm, Ecko Unlimited, G-Unit, Sean John, Apple Bottoms, Roca Wear and Coogi. The store is Hawai'i's exclusive retailer of Def Jam recording artist Young Jeezy's streetwear lines, Eight 732 and Gino Green Glo-bal.

Urban Flava is offering a range of clothing to fit men, women, juniors, plus-sizes, and big and tall, as well as children and infants.

SPIFF UP YOUR SEWING SKILLS

In this day of ready-made clothing, sold everywhere from big-box stores to department stores, it seems the only way to get a truly creative garment (without paying couture prices) is to sew your own. However, a lot of people's sewing skills leave something to be desired, and the result of all that work can lack the polish of a garment you will actually wear.

Enter Daryl Lancaster, a fiber artist known for her pieced garments and sophisticated approach to the art of sewing. Lancaster will be conducting a three-day workshop, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 15 to 17 in the Academy Art Center at Linekona. The workshop is sponsored by the Hawai'i Handweavers' Hui.

Lancaster's workshop on garment construction and finishing techniques will cover basic construction, piecing, fit and finishing. Creative seam finishes, buttonholes, closures, lining and embellishment will also be explored. The workshop is designed for those who want polished and professional results in their hand-sewn garments. Skills will be taught using samples, handouts, storyboards and demonstrations. Creativity and innovative techniques are the focus.

The three-day workshop costs $190 plus a $25 materials fee. To register, mail a check to Hawai'i Handweavers' Hui, P.O. Box 11808, Honolulu, HI 96828.

Lancaster will also present a free public lecture, "Color and Inspiration," at 6 p.m. Aug. 16, in the Academy Art Center at Linekona. She will present methods for translating color, mood and theme into a garment.

SHASA EMPORIUM HOSTS INDAH TRUNK SHOW

Shasa Emporium in Kahala Mall hosts a trunk show of Indah's summer 2008 collection from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, with a live DJ, refreshments and a store-wide sale. Indah designer and owner Libby De Santis left her hometown of Hanalei, Kaua'i, and moved to Bali to begin her company. Indah is known for comfortable clothes in cottons, silks and Lycra that are interesting, fun and sexy.

The shopping party will also introduce Shasa's new Private Label clothing and accessories line. The tops and dresses are easy to wear and mostly machine washable. Designs range from ruffle-sleeve tops and printed tunics to ombre-dyed strapless dresses. An affordable line, most pieces sell for under $50.

MORE AT ALA MOANA

The shopping opportunities at Ala Moana Center just keep expanding. The latest fashion-related store opening is Aldo Accessories, on the street level next to Crazy Shirts. Aldo offers leather goods and accessories, including handbags, jewelry, belts, hats and sunglasses that stay on trend.

In July, there will be three stores opening: Forever 21, Jeans Warehouse and Stuart Weitzman.