BEST BUYS -- Greer Wylder

The biggest shopping day of the year is Friday, and The Orange County

Market Place will open early (7 a.m. to 4 p.m.) for shoppers. Admission

is free Friday, and there will be hundreds of vendors offering thousands

of gift ideas. The swap meet will continue every weekend during November

and December, including an additional shopping day Dec. 21. A toy drive

for Project Cuddle, a local charity for abandoned children, will be on

Saturday and continue every weekend through Dec 9. If you bring an

unwrapped toy or clothing item for infants to teenage children (valued at

$5 or more), you’ll receive free admission to the swap meet. Other

upcoming events include the second annual Holiday Classic Car Show and

Pedal Car Invitational from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 1, in the Automotive

Road of Dreams area.

New Directions Travel is a small travel agency specializing in

personal service in Corona del Mar. Most of its employees have been with

the agency since it opened 23 years ago. “We are experts in custom

European vacations, as well as Mexico, Hawaii and the South Pacific,”

says owner Gretchen Anderson. “We also have extensive cruise experience.

A new field, which we are eager to promote, is adventure travel. One

staff member has trekked the jungles of Central America, hiked Patagonia

and joined an Antarctic expedition.” Other staff members have traveled to

Tibet, experienced the wilds of Tasmania and snorkeled along the Great

Barrier Reef. New Directions Travel is at 2435 E. Coast Highway, Corona

del Mar. (949) 675-5000.

Blue Springs, Ala. has a great sale through November on all Shabby

Chic in-stock merchandise reduced 30%. It includes bedding, lampshades

and fabric. Also, all mirrors are reduced 20%. Blue Springs, Ala. is at

369 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, behind Jack in The Box. It’s open from 10

a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. (949) 642-3632.

Local makeup artist Richard Stevens is offering a makeup special at

his Newport Beach studio. “Women can come into my studio and have a full

makeup lesson with follow-ups included for the price of $60 (regularly

$85),” says Stevens. “Following her session, she will be able to choose

$40 worth of makeup absolutely free. She can also come back for a

follow-up to see how she is doing.” Stevens says learning how to apply

makeup properly can take five to 10 years off a person’s look without

cosmetic surgery. “The simplest of techniques, easy to do will make her

have a whole new persona about how she looks and feels,” says Stevens.

“Some women fall into the same redundant makeup habits and as time

marches on, a woman should take a look at and work with a professional

regarding how she applies her makeup.” The makeup lesson is called the

60/40 makeup special with Richard Stevens. It’s at 2650 Avon St., Newport

Beach. (949) 646-1394.

Treasures on Consignment is filled with holiday bargains for both

antique collectors and decorators. The showroom has many estate pieces,

and other consigned items are crystal goblets, wineglasses and sets of

dishes. English bone china teacups at $20 and up. Christmas Bing &

Grondahl blue and white collectors’ plates, $20 each. Large and small

Royal Doulton Toby jugs, $60 to $100. An older pattern Haviland tureen

and cover for $245, and a matching tray for $140. An International

silver-plate coffee, tea, creamer and sugar plus matching tray for $200.

Four antique wooden chairs for $400. A 7-foot-wide trim sofa at $425,

with a matching love seat for $395. A large, 8-foot-high, carved, dark

wood armoire with mirrored doors and shelves, $3,000. An English

breakfast table, $3,200. A pair of velvet antique chairs for $1,000. It’s

open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturdays. Treasures on Consignment is at 2220 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa.

(949) 645-5477.

Agnes B. is having a rare 50%-off sale on selected autumn merchandise.

The women’s apparel boutique has some pieces you won’t find elsewhere.

It’s on the second level of South Coast Plaza. (714) 241-5928.

* 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.