GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

Local chef Mila Graves has released her first cookbook -- called

“Dressing The Undressed” -- for gourmet salads, vinaigrettes and

dressings. Graves is a certified chef who has worked at the Ritz Carlton

in Laguna Niguel for four years. Lately she’s had her own personal chef

service and cooks in the Trader Joe’s stores in Costa Mesa and Irvine.

Hundreds of customers have tried her dishes, and she’s always happy to

explain how to make her samplings. The recipes in her new book are

uncomplicated and delicious. There are 37 salad and vinaigrette recipes

in the book. Graves also has a Web site where she posts new recipes every

month at https://www.chefmila.com. The book is available at Trader Joe’s

in Costa Mesa on West 17th Street.

The much-anticipated half-yearly sale for men is going on at Nordstrom

in South Coast Plaza. Inside you’ll find savings on clothing, sportswear,

furnishings and shoes that have been greatly reduced. Examples of savings

include Italian leather oxfords in black or burgundy at a 40% discount, a

selection of sport and dress shirts at a 25% to 40% discount, a selection

of sweaters at a 25% to 33% discount, and a selection of sport coats,

suits and trousers at a 20% to 40% discount. Information: (714) 972-2020.

Bloomingdale’s is having an after-Christmas sale throughout the store.

Merchandise is marked down 20% to 50%. Women’s sale merchandise includes

pashmina wraps, down-filled jackets, leather coats, cashmere coats,

cashmere sweaters, career suits, evening dresses, handbags, jewelry,

sunglasses, lingerie and shoes. Men’s sale merchandise includes leather

jackets, cashmere sweaters, fall sweaters, shirts, ties, designer pants,

Calvin Klein underwear and knit shirts. The Bloomingdale’s Home Store

also has many bargains, including 50% off holiday food, candy, baskets,

ceramics, candles, holiday cards and wrap. There are also discounts on

flatware patterns, dinnerware sets, cookware sets, linens, towels, Ralph

Lauren bedding and quilts. Bloomingdale’s is at Fashion Island in Newport

Beach.

At-Ease is giving away a free stadium blanket with the purchase of any

suede or leather jacket. At-Ease is carrying the Robert Comstock

collection of leather jackets. The store is at Fashion Island in Newport

Beach. Information: (949) 759-7979.

Strouds is having an after-Christmas sale throughout the store. There

are 50% discounts on holiday motif items. There are also discounts of up

to 60% on luxury towels, white goose down comforters, Sheridan Australia

bedding, Croscill bedding, quilts, sheets and pillows. Strouds is in the

Costa Mesa Courtyards.

Bucks Clock Shoppe is having a 40% off sale on Howard Miller

grandfather clocks. The specialty clock shop carries the best in wall and

mantel clocks. It also has a restoration and repair service. It’s in the

Westcliff Court at 1735 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach. Information:

(949) 631-3215.

Circuit City is having a year-end clearance sale on selected

merchandise today. On sale are selected televisions by RCA, Sony,

Panasonic, Zenith and Philips; selected digital/high definition

televisions and projection televisions; DVDs; home theater systems; car

audio and car security units; CD burners by Aiwa; cordless phones;

computer games; computers; printers; cameras priced at less than $200;

digital camcorders; and walkie-talkies. Circuit City is in Fashion Island

in Newport Beach. Information: (949) 720-9223.

There will be a children’s portrait special at Yuen Lui starting

Tuesday. This popular special is for one color 8-by-10-inch photograph

for $19.95; it’s regularly priced at $52. You’ll be able to select from

six color proofs, and it is an additional $5 for two or more children.

Yuen Lui is on the second level of South Coast Plaza in the Crate &

Barrel wing. Information: (714) 545-8845.

Ermenegildo Zegna is having an end of season sale on Italian men’s

designer clothing and accessories. Merchandise is marked down 40% to 50%.

Ermenegildo Zegna is in South Coast Plaza. Information: (714) 444-1534.

* 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.