Greer’s OC: Christmas comes to the fairgrounds
The Christmas Co., a longtime annual tradition for many Orange County shoppers, returns to the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa from Thursday through Sunday. It’s a four-day shopping extravaganza with more than 100 unique vendors to shop from, as well as daily special events to benefit the Junior League of Orange County’s supported charities.
Highlights from the special events includes Thursday morning’s Preferred Shopping, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with champagne and a savory breakfast that costs $35.
From 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Friday, soak up some inspiration and fitness tips when special guest and founder of YAS Fitness Centers, Kimberly Fowler, will share how yoga helped her recovery from brain cancer and sports-related injuries. She’ll also teach a yoga class. Cost is $45 per person.
Later on Friday night, come back for a Girl’s Night Out, from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests will enjoy libations by Gallo Family Vineyards, delicious tacos and appetizers exclusively by Rasta Taco, exclusive shopping, and pampering. And get this: The first 200 guests to arrive will receive an incredible gift bag full of treats valued at over $450. Cost is $45 per person.
On Saturday, it’s PJs and Pancakes, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Enjoy a plate of fluffy pancakes from Francesca’s OC Catering, arts and crafts, and a photo sitting with Santa.
And from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, attend a cooking demo and book signing by Zov Karamardian, owner of Zov’s Bistro, who will demonstrate the preparation of delicious dishes from her latest book “Simply Zov.” Samples will be served with wine pairings by Gallo Family Vineyards. Cost is $35 per person.
Lastly, on Sunday, attend the Fancy Nancy Tea Party from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 2:30 to 4 p.m. Don your frilliest tutu and shiniest tiara at this English tea party for moms and children aged 3 and up.
Author Jane O’Connor and illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser will read their latest book in the “Fancy Nancy” series, and guests will take home a special edition “Fancy Nancy” book and other treats. Cost is $28 per adult, and $39 per child.
General admission tickets good for multiday entry for shopping at the Christmas Co. cost $10 and will be available at the door and online at https://www.ShopTCC.com. Special event tickets can also be purchased at the door or online.
The OC Fair & Event Center is at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.
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Troy Lee in Laguna Beach
For the past 30 years, Troy Lee has created helmets for everyone from the world’s fastest racers to Notre Dame’s Shamrock Series football helmets, which players wore in last Saturday’s game.
Now, all motorsport enthusiasts can shop from the iconic Troy Lee Designs at its flagship boutique and design center in Laguna Beach. It features the Troy Lee Designs sportswear line, premium tees, jeans, and the higher-end Steve McQueen line. The shop also offers Troy Lee Design’s bicycle wear and racing history’s favorite motorcycle memorabilia.
Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, the store is at 380 Glenneyre St., Suite A. For more information, call (949) 715-8142 or visit https://www.troyleedesigns.com.
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New terminal at JWA open
John Wayne Airport has officially opened Terminal C.
We love the seamless open-air design that mimics the existing terminal, the colorful “Flight of Ideas” floating sculpture by artist Beth Nybeck depicting aeronautical charts and wingspans of birds, and the art exhibits (especially “In Plane View” from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum). And we appreciate the free Wi-Fi.
Yet what we’re most excited will take several more weeks to open: New concessions will bring hungry travelers even better dining choices. Look out for the first runway view restaurant, the Anaheim Ducks Breakaway Bar & Grill, order a charbroiled burger at Carl’s Jr., or a hot dog from Jerry’s Wood Fired Dogs that has the first wood-fired grill in an airport.
Ruby’s Diner will serve breakfast to burgers; and award-winning chef Zov Karamardian will offer contemporary Eastern Mediterranean foods at Zov’s Bistro and Zov’s Grab & Go. Javier’s, a local phenom Mexican eatery, will open Javi’s, which serves fresh seafood to premium beef, as well as specialty margaritas like cucumber, jalapeño and tamarindo.
The first Hobie Sand Bar, a surf culture-themed eatery, will serve breakfast classics to Hobie’s Beach Road Tacos, including beef barbacoa, surfin’ chipotle chicken, or mahi-mahi fish tacos. Fro-yo fans can get their fix at the soon-to-open Pinkberry.
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A lovely day at the spa
Consider a spa day getaway to the ocean view Pacific Edge Hotel in Laguna Beach.
It’s rolling out a private spa cabana package that’s ideal for spa enthusiasts. The package takes pampering to a whole new level — when beachfront cabanas turn into a private day spa with a choice of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments.
The package costs $499 (for up to eight) and includes a full-day cabana rental from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. with valet, cabana host and spa day menu including cucumber sandwiches, smoothies and a veggie platter. The cabana includes air conditioning, private bathrooms with showers, lounge chairs and daybeds on the deck, a flat-screen TV and sound system.
The property boasts incredible ocean views and is within walking distance to chic boutiques, arts and restaurants in Laguna Beach. The hotel is at 647 S. Coast Hwy. For more information, call (949) 281-5709 or visit https://www.pacificedgehotel.com.
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St. Regis tree-lighting ceremony
Join the St. Regis Monarch Beach at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27, as it welcomes the holiday season with special guest host Elisabeth Rohm at the 11th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Sand Sculpture Dedication.
The celebration begins with warm cider, holiday desserts, pictures with Santa, performances by the Dana Hills High School Choir and ends with fabulous raffle prizes. Admission is complimentary with the suggested donation of a nonperishable food item in support of the Orange County Second Harvest Food Bank.
You can also experience the wonders of the holidays season with a stay with at the St. Regis through Jan. 2. Room rates start at $375 per night and include complimentary daily breakfast, inclusive dining for children 12 and under, and valet parking. The St. Regis is at One Monarch Beach Resort. Reservations can me made at (800) 722-1543.
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.com and she can be contacted at greer@greersoc.com.