BEST BUYS -- Greer Wylder

There are best buys to be found at Rag Baby’s semiannual summer

blowout sale happening through Sunday at its Fashion Island location.

Everything in the store is discounted 40%, with some items reduced up to

60%. Rag Baby’s carries multicolored hand-batik clothing and accessories

for children. Information: (949) 644-6369.

Santa Monica Seafood will host an outdoor barbecue Friday through

Sunday. There will be fresh grilling demonstrations with seafood samples

to taste. If you’ve always wanted to know the proper way to grill

seafood, there will be grilling experts who will share cooking tips. Many

types of seafood will be prepared, from Hawaiian opah, North Atlantic

salmon, Chilean sea bass and Mexican shrimp. The barbecue is scheduled

for from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, and 2 to 5 p.m.

Sunday. Santa Monica Seafood is on East 17th Street in Costa Mesa. It’s

open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Information: (949) 515-7746.

If you’re looking for best buys on flowers, stop by the Flower

Warehouse in Costa Mesa. Every week, there are specials such as tuberose

at 99 cents each, gladioli at 99 cents each, Oriental lilies at $2.99

each, Dendrobium orchids at 99 cents each, imported roses at 99 cents

each and carnations at $5 per bunch. The Flower Warehouse also has a

design department that specializes in rose topiaries at $19.99 and

sunflower topiaries at $15.99. The Flower Warehouse is at 1308 Logan

Ave., Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 545-0310.

Mikimoto, known for the world’s finest cultured pearls and pearl

jewelry, now has its Princess Grace Collection. The collection was

designed with the inspiration of the late princess. “Pearls were the

signature gems of Princess Grace, both on and off screen,” said

Kikuichiro Ishii, president and chief executive of Mikimoto Co. “Her

uniquely elegant persona embodied the demure and classic beauty of a

pearl. Considering the importance of classic and vintage influences in

fashion today, it seemed only natural for Mikimoto to make this

connection through this special collection.” The Princess Grace limited

edition series is made of high-quality akoya, South Sea and Tahitian

cultured pearl necklaces and earrings all bearing a signature floral

clasp. The clasp is made of 24-karat gold with a diamond accent and was

modeled after the Princess de Monaco rose, named in tribute to the

American-born princess. Necklaces from the collection will be placed in a

navy blue leather and velvet box with a “Grace de Monaco” signature

plate. The current collection is similar in popularity to Mikimoto’s

Marilyn Monroe collection from a few years ago. Mikimoto is on the lower

level of South Coast Plaza, between Macy’s and Nordstrom, across from Vie

de France. Information: (714) 424-5440.

At-Ease is having its annual summer sale. The traditional men’s store

has savings from 30% to 70% on popular clothing lines, including Zanella,

Ike Behar, Bobby Jones, Cutter & Buck, Corbin, Reyn Spooner, Barry

Bricken, Axis, Riscotto, Starrington, Mezlan and Johnnie Walker. Examples

of current reductions are dress slacks priced from $79.88, ties from

$9.88, short-sleeve knits from $19.88, sport shirts from $29.88,

Hawaiian-print shirts from $29.88, sweaters from $39.88 and sport coats

from $99.88. At-Ease is at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Information:

(949) 759-7979.

The Newport Design Center has extended its lease through the end of

July and is planning an auction on the remaining antiques. The

going-out-of-business sale has all merchandise marked down up to 75%.

Items on sale include furniture, antiques, art, bronzes, estate jewelry

and Persian rugs. The short-lived store is at 353 E. Coast Highway,

Newport Beach. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday

and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Information: (949) 723-6100.

* 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.