Best Buys -- Greer Wylder

Old Newport Boulevard has really come around since the arrival of

antiques stores, home and garden accessories stores and a great frame

shop. The former Frame Shop of Joanie Raymond has changed names and added

a new business partner. Steven and Joanie Holt have renamed their

business the Old Newport Frame Gallery. It still offers some of the best

in framing, and there’s no limit to what they can frame. Old Newport

Frame Gallery has frames, mirrors and shadow boxes, and there are

hundreds of moldings to choose from for custom frames. It’s open from 10

a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It’s

at 357 Old Newport Blvd., Newport Beach. (949) 650-5984.

Feathers for Home and Garden carries all kinds of home accessories,

including lighting, furniture, florals and gifts. It’s a great place to

find gifts for the home and garden. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday and 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It’s a few

doors down from the Old Newport Frame Gallery at 359 Old Newport Blvd.,

Newport Beach. (949) 722-0244.

Garden of Miniatures is a specialty store for dollhouses. It has an

extensive selection of fine-quality dollhouses, furniture and

accessories. It also offers repair services and assembly and electrical

work on dollhouses. It’s open from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m. to

6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. It is

at 353 Old Newport Blvd., Newport Beach. (949) 722-1132.

BJ’s Antiques Inc. opened a year ago on Old Newport Boulevard; it

specializes in French antiques and decor. Inside you’ll find chandeliers,

French quilts, French paper mache, vintage art, accessories, jewelry,

French furniture and hand-painted vintage furniture. It’s open from 11

a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It’s at 333 Old Newport Blvd.,

Newport Beach. (949) 631-2029.

Antonio’s Bella Casa specializes in 17th to 20th century Italian and

French antiques. There are some great pieces in this new store, including

mirrors, art, furniture and garden accessories. It’s open from 10:30 a.m.

to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It’s at 322 Old Newport Blvd.,

Newport Beach. (949) 631-3416.

Nobili Antiques moved from the Cannery Village to a new location on

Old Newport Boulevard next to Antonio’s Bella Casa. It carries beautiful

French and English antiques from the 18th and 19th centuries. The owner,

Leah Fuller, has her store filled with decorative accessories and

furniture for the home and garden. It’s at 318 Old Newport Blvd., Newport

Beach. (949) 642-8402.

The Southern California Spring Garden Show is happening this weekend

at South Coast Plaza. The garden event brings in 80,000 garden

enthusiasts who want to see the best in gardening and attend workshops

and seminars. Children will love the miniature gardens, crafts and animal

shows. There are almost 100 garden vendors selling garden-related items.

Competition gardens are created by top landscape architects and designers

with the theme, “California Outdoor Living.” For information on all of

the informative seminars and workshop, you may call (714) 435-2160, or visit www.southcoastplaza.com. The event is free, and will be on all

three levels of the Carte & Barrel/Macy’s Home Store wing.

Wherehouse Music offers a trade-in program every Tuesday on CDs and

DVDs. If you bring in five CDs or three DVDs, you’ll get a new one free.

The catch is that the CDs must be undamaged, full-length and in their

original packaging to receive a new CD priced at $18.99 or less. The DVDs

must also be undamaged, full-length and in their original packaging to

receive a new DVD priced at $24.99 or less. Wherehouse Music has two

locations in Costa Mesa, one at 2320 Harbor Blvd. and the other at 401 E.

17th St.

* 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.