Greer’s OC: Produce, jewelry, rugs, art
Shop local and organic in Huntington Beach at the Farmer’s Market and Art A-Fair Fridays from noon to 5 p.m. Choose from the best in certified California grown produce, as well as hand-made jewelry, surf-inspired wall décor, rugs, gifts, original art and much more.
Typically, up to 100 crafters will be selling their wares at Pier Plaza next to the Huntington Beach Pier. The market is at Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street adjacent to the pier and city beach Sixth Street parking lot.
For more information, visit https://www.huntingtonbeachevents.com/farmers-market-huntington-beach.html.
Blues and barbecue
Looking for an affordable evening of entertainment for the family? Join Blues & BBQ at Pete’s Sunset Grill at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa every Saturday at 6 p.m. through Sept. 4.
Some of the hottest blues performers in SoCal will be performing, and you can enjoy a Southern-style picnic feast that includes ribs and smoked meats as well as summer side dishes such as baked beans, corn-on-the-cob and coleslaw as well as mixed greens, potato and macaroni salads. For dessert, choose from an array of home-cooked pies, fruit cobbler, assorted cookies or sliced watermelon.
Cost is $21.95 for adults and $12.95 for children ages 5 to 12. The hotel is at 21500 Pacific Coast Hwy. in Huntington Beach. Call (714) 845-4775 for reservations or visit huntingtonbeach.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp.
Sexy bandage dress and more
Ready-to-wear doesn’t get much more sexy than when it’s designed by Herve Leger. And now South Coast Plaza has opened a Herve Leger by Max Azria boutique that’s an exclusive to Orange County. The iconic bandage dress that’s possibly the best statement in sculpting the female silhouette is a mainstay of the collection.
The Herve Leger store opens today and carries the complete ready-to-wear collection including shoes, boots, handbags and swim. The store is on Level 1 of the Saks Fifth Avenue wing at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.
For more information, call (714) 549.5932 or visit https://www.herveleger.com/spring2010/index.php.
Lightly worn designer clothes
How much do you love to save on a coveted designer item, especially in this economy? The little-known secret in O.C. (until now) is that Aris on the Coast has a high-end rolling rack like no other – Louboutins, Hermès Birkin bags, Manolo Blahniks, Chanel, you name it – at great discounts.
Owner Trey Russell is the go-to man for dropping off high-end designer apparel that has been lightly (or sometimes never) worn. And on any given day, stop by Aris on the Coast for apparel, stylish and special home accessories, jewelry, fragrance and garden accessories. It’s the only store in OC to carry the fashionista favorite line L’Agence, exclusively available at Ron Herman and Barneys New York in LA. Also choose from SALT and Barton Perreira sunglasses, Vitamin A swimwear, Majestic Cotton apparel, Henry Beguelin handbags and shoes, vintage and organic Diane Cotton jewelry.
And mention Greer’s OC for this special: Spend $100 or more at Aris on the Coast and receive a mini Diptyque candle and mint almonds! The store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at 1155 North Coast Hwy. in Laguna Beach. For more information, call (949) 497-8300.
Crocheted bracelets
I’ve found the perfect summer accessory that’s affordable and way chic. The Knaughty Summer by Cleeo Collection jewelry are hand-crocheted black nylon and silk bracelets with matte black seed beads, vintage clear rhinestone, sterling silver clasps, charms and more (prices range from $30 to $40). Costa Mesa-based designer Lori Epner says she draws inspiration for the bracelets from her girlfriends (each bracelet is named after one) and that every woman has a little bit of naughtiness in them. The bracelets can be worn solo or paired with your own jewelry to make it more personal. The Cleeo Collection represents what is near and dear to Lori’s heart: her friends, family, fashion, vintage and classic glamour. Her one-of-a-kind pieces are often repurposed from rhinestone necklaces, oxidized chains, base metals, brooches and earrings. Shop online at cleeocollection.com/.
Cruise for a cure
Elke Day, a Newport Beach native, lost her mother, Gisela Burmeister on July 4, 2009 to acute lymphocytic leukemia. Gisela was well known in the community as a real estate broker and as the founder of Torch Lighters, a fundraising group for the California Special Olympics.
In her memory, Elke is hosting Gisela’s Cruise for a Cure on the Spirit of Newport (www.spiritofnewport.net/index3.htm), an award-winning chartered yacht, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday on behalf of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The special evening will include a harbor cruise, dinner, dancing and a raffle to raise funds to advance cures for blood cancers to improve the quality of lives of patients and their families.
Tickets cost $100. To purchase tickets or make a donation, contact Elke Day at (714) 553-6012 or elkeday4@gmail.com. The Spirit of Newport is docked at 2901 W. Coast Hwy. in Newport Beach.
GREER WYLDER writes Greer’s OC for the Huntington Beach Independent each Thursday and the Daily Pilot and Coastline Pilot each Friday. She’s the founder and president of greersoc.com, a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining, music, events and trends. Her blog can be viewed https://www.greersoc.com and she can be contacted at greer@greersoc.com.