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.
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