GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

L’Occitane en Provence, one of the worlds’s leading cosmetics

companies, recently opened at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. It’s been

popular with celebrities for years, and it offers skin care, fragrances,

bath and body products, makeup, men’s products, hair products, soaps and

candles. L’Occitane was founded in 1976 by Olivier Baussan in France.

Baussan wanted to create a cosmetics company based on essential oils and

natural ingredients. It was the first company to use essential oils as

active ingredients in its products, as well as the first to use shea

butter, which is known for its moisturizing qualities derived from the

African Shea tree. L’Occitane is also an environmentally concerned

company, using recyclable silver metal tubes and brown corrugated paper

products for its packaging.

“We are delighted that L’Occitane selected Fashion Island to open its

first Orange County store,” said Frederick Evans, president of the Irvine

Co.’s retail division. “The company is known for its quality products,

humanitarian aid and environmental activism, and I know the store will be

well-received by Fashion Island’s shoppers.”

There are 111 L’Occitane stores throughout the world, including 30 in

the United States. The new store is across from Long’s Drugs.

If you’re a chocoholic, you’re going to love the new Teuscher

Chocolates store that’s scheduled to open next week at Fashion Island in

Newport Beach. It’s opening is an ideal opportunity for upcoming holiday

gift-giving. The store will sell its renowned truffles, which are flown

in weekly from Zurich, Switzerland. It will also sell fresh pastries and

assorted coffee drinks. Truffles are what Teuscher is famous for -- there

are a dozen varieties, including its house specialty, the champagne

truffle, with a cream center of Dom Perignon champagne. The company uses

no preservatives, additives or artificial flavors in its chocolates.

Teuscher’s mocha drinks also feature their own chocolate. For

gift-giving, there will be decorative boxes and an assortment of gift

baskets, perfect for individual or corporate gifts. A lot of the

decorative boxes are themed, making them ideal for party favors for a

wedding or other special occasions. There will be fantasy boxes, flower

bouquets, Santa Claus, Easter bunnies, Valentine’s hearts, clowns and

animals, all filled with chocolates. There is also the “Lake of Zurich”

box, which contains a palette of truffles and pralines. Another gift box

is the assorted praline box, with a selection of more than 40 different

treats -- marzipan, nuts, gianduja cream, fruit jellies and soft centers.

Shipping is also available. Adolf Teuscher, who became a popular

confectioner and later invented the champagne truffle, founded Teuscher

Chocolates in 1932. There are 33 Teuscher stores in nine countries.

Teuscher Chocolates will be in the former Brooks Brothers building.

Trader Joe’s is stocked with incredible holiday foods at a great

value, perfect for the upcoming holiday season. Examples include a spicy

apple cider for $1.79, imported liqueur cakes at $1.99, handmade mint and

chocolate truffles at $2.99 and authentic apple strudel at $2.29. There

are also imported British cheeses, German soft-ripened cheeses, the

world’s largest olives stuffed with pimentos at $2.99, smoked salmon from

$2.99 to $8.99, and fresh whole cranberry sauce at $1.99. Trader Joe’s is

known for its everyday low prices and for carrying such basics as milk,

eggs, pasta, flour and bottled water. It’s also known for having fresh

produce, bargain-priced flowers and plants, wines and beers, vitamins and

every gourmet food you can imagine. The store is at 640 W. 17th St. in

Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 642-5134.

Draper’s & Damon’s is having a Thanksgiving sale on women’s clothing.

The new fall markdowns include women’s sportswear, dresses and

accessories in misses and petite sizes. Draper’s & Damon’s is in the

Westcliff Plaza Shopping Center on Irvine Avenue in Newport Beach.

Information: (949) 646-5521.

Michaels is one-stop shopping for holiday decor ideas. The arts and

crafts store is packed with wreaths, ribbons, lights -- including mesh

light sets and icicle light set, ornaments, artificial Christmas trees,

bow makers, lighting accessories and pre-lighted holiday trees. Michaels

is at 610 W. 17th St. in Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 548-6053.

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.