Greer’s OC: Time to shop in style

When it comes to style, South Coast Plaza has it down from fine dining to luxury shopping to world-class beauty boutiques, concepts and salons. The shopping destination is now taking style to a new level as it kicks off South Coast Plaza Style, Friday through Sunday.

The shopping center is launching the highly anticipated MAC’s Posh Paradise exhibit in Jewel Court as well as holding nonstop beauty events, exclusives and promotions for the entire three days.

More than 20 stores will join the festivities, including Aveda, Aveda Richard Michael Salon, Bulgari, Bare Escentuals, Bath & Body Works, Carlton Hair International, Crabtree & Evelyn, Fresh, Jo Malone, Kiehl’s Since 1851, MAC, Make Up Forever, Molton Brown, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sasson Salon, Sephora, and Spa Nordstrom Escape.

And if your same-day receipts total $500 or more, you’ll receive a limited edition tote from South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. For more information, call (800) 782-8888, or visit https://www.southcoastplaza.com/.

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Indulge yourself

Crabtree & Evelyn just went through a major redesign at South Coast Plaza, and it’s celebrating by hosting a Day of Indulgence on Saturday. It’s the best day to experience the world of Crabtree & Evelyn by trying its new fragrances and body care, like its antioxidant rich pomegranate and argan and grapeseed oils collection.

The entire line is formulated without chemicals that health enthusiasts like to avoid, including sodium lauryl sulphate, parabens, phthlates, mineral oil and propylene glycol.

You can also indulge in a complimentary hand care ritual. Be one of the first 30 guests to arrive and you’ll receive a travel-size soap, gel or lotion. And receive a Special Hand Care Gift (a $42-value) with a $75 purchase.

The brand has a long history of focusing on natural and wellness products that elevate daily rituals. Its original fragrances are made with fruit, flower and plant essences. Also choose from fine soaps, luxurious toiletries, gourmet foods and gifts.

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (714) 546-3056, or visit https://www.crabtree-evelyn.com.

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Restless in Newport Beach

No Rest for Bridget, a budget-minded fashionista’s fave boutique for in-style apparel, just opened its third store in Orange County. Now, Newport Beach has its own No Rest for Bridget at the new Landing Shopping Center, a few doors down from Crow Burger Kitchen on the Balboa Peninsula.

It’s a place for teens or women of all ages to shop for affordable apparel including tops, dresses, denim, sweaters, basics, accessories and more. You can perfectly mix finds with expensive designer apparel or just wear pieces on their own. New merchandise arrives weekly and moves quickly.

Want the latest in fall trends? No Rest for Bridget says trends include leather, black lace, chunky knits, masculine-feminine dressing, tweeds, colored pants and utilitarian parkas.

The store, at 3121 Newport Blvd., is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday; and 11a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (949) 566-0332 or visit https://www.norestforbridget.com.

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Namaste

The Center for Living Peace and UC Irvine just announced the newest lineup for the “Living Peace Series” for 2011-12. The stellar series features international leaders who are committed to global health, sustainability and compassion.

At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13, Academy Award-winning actress Geena Davis, executive producer and filmmaker Abigail Disney and UCI Professor Roxanne Varzi will join the center’s founder, Kelly Thornton Smith, at UC Irvine for a discussion on PBS SoCal’s five-part series of documentaries titled “Women, War and Peace,” which starts airing on Oct. 11.

Davis narrates one of the films, and Disney was an executive producer. Tickets sell out quickly, but you can find them at https://www.livingpeace.uci.edu.

UCI students, faculty and staff are admitted free with reservations; general seating costs $8.

Fans of the incredible speaker series, which debuted last fall, remember that it featured Charlize Theron, Sir Richard Branson and the Dalai Lama speaking at UCI.

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SeaChange in Laguna

Join the fourth annual SeaChange Summer Party, from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday, benefiting Oceana, which is committed to protecting the world’s oceans.

The star-studded event will feature husband-and-wife actors Diane Lane and Josh Brolin at a beautiful private villa in Laguna Beach. Guests can enjoy a cocktail reception and sit-down dinner, and enjoy the spectacular gardens and expansive views of thePacific Ocean.

Since its inception 10 years ago, Oceana has raised more than $3 million for international science-based campaigns, as well as funds for Orange County ocean conservation organizations. For more information, call (949) 295-5811. To see all the items up for auction, visit seachangesummerparty.org/the-auction.

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Gluten-free menu at Pelican Hill

Considering how it seems like food allergies are so prevalent, I’m always on the lookout for menus that cater to special diets. So I just found out that Chef Luca Cesarini, at Andrea at the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach, has introduced a new gluten-free menu.

The dishes include pastas made from flour alternatives, such as corn, chickpeas, rice, soy and flax-seed bases. The items are available at lunch from Wednesday through Sunday and at dinner daily.

Gluten-free options include potato gnocchi, with butternut squash and wild mushrooms; rigatoni with roasted eggplant, tomato, basil and pine nuts; saffron spaghetti with seafood guazzetto; codfish fagottini, and heirloom tomato coulis; or gramigna, pork sausage ragout and olives. Also choose from pipette, pancetta, English peas, mascarapone sauce; and beetroot risotto with Gorgonzola fondue.

Andrea is open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday; and for dinner from 6 to 10 p.m. daily. Pelican Hill Resort is at 22701 Pelican Hill Road South. For more information, call (949)467-6800, or visit https://www.pelicanhill.com/#/dining/andrea/.

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 email service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining, music, events and trends. Her blog can be viewed https://www.greersoc.comand she can be contacted at greer@greersoc.com.