Best Buys -- Greer Wylder

Orchid enthusiasts will love the 22nd annual Fascination of Orchids

International Show and Sale today through Sunday at South Coast Plaza’s

Crate & Barrel/Macy’s Home wing. The show will feature more than 55 of

the world’s most renowned orchid growers, and 30,000 orchids will be on

display. A 30-foot centerpiece of orchids designed as a mother tiger

basking in the sun, complete with giant timber bamboo and tropical

blooms, was created by floral and parade float designer Don Davidson.

Orchid lovers can learn more about orchids at the 15 seminars hosted by

orchid experts and authors. Topics covered will be growing orchids

outdoors in coastal California, learning to grow orchids and growing tips

for specimen orchids. The latest addition to the show is a special gift

with purchase offer. If you spend $200 or more at South Coast Plaza

stores or restaurants, you’ll receive Smith & Hawken book “100 Orchids

for the American Gardener.” To receive a book, show your same-day

receipts at any South Coast Plaza Concierge Desk. Purchases from orchid

show vendors do not apply.

British perfumer and skin care expert Jo Malone will be at Neiman

Marcus from 1 to 3 p.m. today for the opening of her new boutique inside

the store. Malone will demonstrate her signature art of fragrance

combining, and guests will receive a silver perfume atomizer as a gift.

Malone’s other products include colognes, bath oils, body lotions, body

cremes, potpourri and candles. Ideal as gifts for Valentine’s Day, there

are also customized sets that are wrapped in her cream and black boxes.

Neiman Marcus is at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

Nikki Twigs is having a spring open house from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday.

Highlights of the open house will be a selection of Valentine’s Day gifts

and adornments with Nikki Twigs favorites: Beauvieux handbags; Nancy

Deline -- glass artisan Haute Rocks jewelry; Icing -- beaded wraps; Roger

& Gallet French soaps and toiletries; Shanghai Lulu -- funky pajama’s,

totes and accessories; Winky & Dutch fun retro jewelry; hand-painted

tiles; and Les Fleurs -- florals in vintage. Nikki Twigs has added a new

partner with European flair -- Marion Hartwich. The boutique is now

accepting quality consignments from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through

Saturday. Nikki Twigs is in Quonset hut 23 at 660 W. 17th St., Costa

Mesa.

Duffy Electric Boat Co. is again offering its annual pass for a

limited time through Feb. 15. If you sign up for an annual pass, there

are two options: a gold membership for $995 will give you a

seven-day-a-week pass for electric boat use -- some blackout dates apply;

or a silver membership for $495 is good for Monday through Thursday

electric boat use with some blackout dates. Duffy Electric Boat Co.

offers top of the line service and boats. The Duffy Club Card is good

through January. It’s at 2001 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. (949)

645-6812.

Nicki of Nicki’s Secret Premier Labels says that since Yves St.

Laurent announced his retirement, there’s been a big market for his

clothes and accessories. “This has caused prices to skyrocket in some

boutiques,” she said. “At Nicki’s Secret, I have more than a dozen pieces

of the highest quality, and I have not raised the prices originally

determined for each item.” The resale boutique also has a great variety

of other high-end consigned items, including Escada, Giorgio Armani, St.

John, Versace, Chanel and Valentino. Many of the pieces still have the

original price tags on them. Nicki Secret Premier Labels has a stock room

the first Saturday of each month. It’s at 177 Riverside Ave., Suite G,

Newport Beach. (949) 574-0099.

Charles H. Barr Jewelers has discounted its entire collection of

valentine-theme jewelry 25% for Valentine’s Day. Charles H. Barr is at

Westcliff Court at 1803 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 642-3310.

Hi-Time Chocolatier is a one-stop shopping destination for Valentine’s

Day. The chocolate shop, inside Hi-Time Wine Cellars, sells custom heart

boxes that can be filled with all kinds of top-quality chocolates,

including sugar-free and salt-free varieties. There are a dozen bulk

valentine candies, frames, candles and lots of gift ideas. Hi-Time is at

250 Ogle St., Costa Mesa. (949) 650-8463.

* 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.