GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

Sandcastle is a new specialty monogram store that recently opened on

Balboa Island, next to Starbucks. It prides itself on offering one of a

kind items of the highest quality. The store monograms most items in 24

hours and many “while you wait.” There’s also a wide variety of hard to

find items available.

“For example, we have Nordic Design terry cosmetic bags, a very

popular gift for women and wedding parties,” says owner Steve Schulze.

“We carry ‘utility canvas’ out of Soho, Hemstitch Linens from England, Le

Blanc baby pillows and sachets from France, and a brand new line of

kitchen towels from Switzerland.”

Also available are many traditional items, including totes, towels,

blankets, bath pillows, luxurious spa robes and infant Christmas

stockings, tree skirts, wine bags and more.

“We monogram on site and offer dozens of fonts, designs, thread colors

and layouts to chose from,” Schulze says.

The shop is holding a grand opening special -- selected items are

reduced 10% to 30%. It’s open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sandcastle is at 226 Marine Ave. on Balboa Island. Information: (949)

723-5988.

The Volunteer Assn. of Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar is

opening its Home for the Holidays gift shop from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

today. Gift selections include handmade needlework and decorations for

the tree and home. Christmas cards, gift wrap, tags and other eclectic

gifts for the home and garden will be available. There are also beautiful

red, white or Monet Paul Ecke poinsettias sold for delivery in December.

The Sherman Library & Gardens gift shop is at 2647 E. Coast Highway in

Corona del Mar. Information: (949) 673-2261.

Santas are available for rent through the city of Newport Beach for

upcoming parties. Santa may be reserved for a minimum of half-hour visits

from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The cost is $40 for the first half-hour and $35

for each additional half-hour. The price includes candy canes for each

guest. Santa travels to Newport Beach, Corona del Mar and parts of Costa

Mesa. He is available for events from Dec. 1 through Dec. 23.

Reservations and information: (949) 644-3151.

Children ages 12 months to 12 years can learn French through classes

at the French American Academic Center in Costa Mesa. The center’s

philosophy is that children are able to pick up a second language at a

very early age, amazingly without any accent. There are classes called

“Parent and Me” for preschool-age children. There’s a French speech

communications instructor who will stimulate your child’s ability to

learn and use French as a second language. There is also a French as a

second language class for grade-school students. Native French

instructors teach French in a fun and stimulating environment. Both

10-week classes cost $300, plus books and registration. The center is at

2651 Irvine Ave., Suite 150 (above IRM) in Costa Mesa. Information:

Elisabeth at (949) 642-6424.

If you’re ever in need of lamp or lighting repair, stop by Custom

House Lighting. The shop can do just about anything, including making

custom lampshades and custom lamps, and fixes all kinds of wiring and

socket problems. The shop is at 308 N. Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach.

Information: (949) 642-4546.

Oilily, an upscale, European women and children’s clothing store at

South Coast Plaza, is having a nationwide clothing drive to benefit

homeless families. The drive will assist Help USA, the nation’s largest

provider of homes, jobs and services for homeless and low-income people,

and the Union Rescue Mission’s Give in Kind program in Los Angeles. The

clothing drive is going on now through Nov. 19. Customers who bring in

any sweater or coat will receive a 20% discount on an equal number of

items purchased. Oilily, a Dutch-based company known for its colorful,

imaginative clothing, has 39 stores in the United States. The new fall

and winter collection is now available in stores nationwide. Oilily is on

the first level, near the Carousel. Information: (714) 432-7505.

BEST BUYS appears Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, or via fax at (949)

646-4170.