GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

The best in orchid selections will be available at a sale from 9 a.m.

to 4 p.m. today at Green Systems International Orchid Nursery, 20362

Birch St., Newport Beach. There will be a free potting seminar from 10

a.m. to 2 p.m. to teach you how to repot an orchid that has grown too big

for its container. The sale will continue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 10

and 11, coinciding with the No. 1 orchid show in the country, the 21st

annual Fascination of Orchids International Show, which will open

Thursday and continue through Feb. 11 at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa.

Information: (949) 756-1211.

Valentine’s Day gift-giving is easy this year with the help of

merchants at South Coast Plaza. Gift-giving ideas include one-of-a-kind

red Courcheval hand-stitched garden shears for $645 and rose clippers for

$600 at Hermes; a Burberry plaid bucket hat for $95 at Burberry; a

hand-painted breakfast-in-bed tray for $115 at Dupuis; a Provencal honey

candle by Votivo Ltd. for $15 at Les Interieurs; a heart-shaped choker

for $22,000 and a heart-shaped watch for $11,000 at Chopard; a Coeur

heart-shaped pendant with rosebuds finely engraved and repolished in

crystal with matching silk lace for $140 and Coeur heart crystal earrings

for $150 at Lalique; and a cultured pearl necklace, starting at $3,990, a

matching bracelet for $1,760 and earrings for $950 at Mikimoto.

Old Navy always has the best seasonal buys for the whole family. For

Valentine’s Day, it is selling “Be Mine” heart T-shirts for women and

girls at $5 and for babies at $4. Other Valentine bargains are the

slippers for women and girls at $9.50 to $12.50, the his-and-hers heart

boxers at $6.50 to $8.50, the sleep bottoms for adults and kids at $12.50

to $16.50, the bowling bag purses at $8.50, baby sleepwear at $12.50 and

heart mugs for $3.50. Old Navy is in Metro Pointe Shopping Center, 901

South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 540-3817.

Chocoholics will love the new Bodega Fudge and Chocolates store on the

second level at South Coast Plaza, near the new Banana Republic store.

Bodega Chocolates came from a third-generation chocolate recipe that

started in Spain and Italy. The family started out making fudge truffle

bars in a small store in Europe and has passed its recipes down from

generation to generation. Three cousins recently decided to carry on the

family’s chocolate business, opening the South Coast Plaza store and

naming it Bodega, which means “a place to meet” or “corner store.” They

have kept the original recipes, and the chocolates are made from only the

finest ingredients. Bodega Chocolates always offers free samples, and

there are two collections of chocolates to choose from: the “classic

collection” and the “millennium collection.” The classic collection

consists of fudge truffle bars in flavors such as traditional,

traditional without walnuts, bittersweet, o7 caramelo, dulce de leche

f7 and rocky road. The millennium collection is its most elegant

assortment of European fudge truffle bars in gift boxes. There also are

award-winning chocolate-covered shortbread cookies, English toffee and

chocolate truffle sauce. Information: (714) 429-1057.

Art for the Soul on Balboa Island carries a wild and eclectic mix of

hand-painted jewelry, art, mirrors, home accessories and gifts. The

store, 210 Marine Ave., packs in items from more than 200 artists. If you

love whimsical decor, you will love the merchandise. Information: (949)

675-1791.

Teddy Bears & Tea Cups on Balboa Island is having special events to

celebrate Valentine’s Day. On Friday, there will be a make-your-own

valentine event for $15 per person, and on Valentine’s Day there will be

a sweetheart tea for $20 per person. Reservations are required. The

store, 225 Marine Ave., is ideal for young girls, carrying teddy bears,

dolls, furnishings and accessories, and has dress-up birthday parties. A

children’s etiquette class will be offered soon. Information: (949)

673-7204.

* BEST BUYS is published Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to

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

646-4170.