Best Buys -- Greer Wylder

South Coast Plaza is having a “Mother’s Day Sweepstakes” today and

Sunday for the chance to win a two-night stay in a suite at the Westin

South Coast Plaza hotels, a day of pampering at the Spa at South Coast

Plaza, a crystal vase, “Dampierre” from Lalique, and a silk scarf and

leather handbag from Bulagari. There will also be free activities and

events, including Mother’s Day crafts, family photographs, carousel

rides, train rides, balloon artists and live music.

Today at Crane & Co. Paper Makers, calligraphy artist Janet Takahashi

will personalize, at no charge, Mother’s Day cards that are purchased at

the store from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crane & Co. is on the lower level of

South Coast Plaza, across from Guess?, between Macy’s and the carousel.

(714) 979-1828.

My favorite outdoor photographer, Kim Brennan, who has the Traditions

Natural Setting Family Photography business in Newport Beach, is already

scheduling sittings for holiday photos. Families may choose their

favorite month now for photos. Brennan offers color, black and white, and

special effects, including tinting, sepia and water coloring. She also

has beautiful environmental and wildlife photographs, and teaches

individual or small group photography classes. You can call Brennan at

(949) 722-4784 and pick a day that works well with your schedule.

Teddy Bears and Tea Cups has added new features to its teddy bear and

collectible dolls store. The store has always been a specialty teddy bear

collectible shop featuring high-end bears and dolls, collectibles,

miniature tea pots and dollhouses. It’s recently added the Eloise doll

and all of her paraphernalia, and the Madeline doll, both from the

popular children’s storybooks. There is also a tea room that serves

Victorian teas on Wednesdays, specific teas for upcoming days such as

Mother’s Day, American Girl Day, Daisy Day and Teddy Bear Day. For girls’

birthday parties, there is a “tea” birthday party with four themes to

choose from: Victorian, Mommy and Me, Teddy Bear party (for 3- and

4-year-olds), and Rock and Sock Hop ‘50s theme party (for 7 to 13 years

olds). At each child’s party, the kids will have hats to dress up in for

a group photo, a first course of teas and scones, games and gifts, lunch,

dessert, and a present opening time. The cost of the party is $300 for

eight guests and $25 for each additional guest. It’s at 225 Marine Ave.,

Balboa Island. (949) 673-7204.

Garys Island at Fashion Island will host an art show from noon to 6

p.m. today. The artwork will be on display in front of Garys Island and

Garys Island Home Furnishings. Artists featured include Bob Bonn with

original acrylics, Dana Ridenour with original oils, Patrick Tobin with

original oils and computer-aided prints, Susan King with original

watercolors, Jude Taylor with glass etchings, Geri Medway with original

watercolors and prints, Linda Pirri with hand-painted silk, and Carol

Zimmerman with limited-edition computer-aided prints. (949) 640-2371.

Last-minute Mother’s Day shopping is easy at Roger’s Gardens. It has

two gift ideas: the Rogers Mini-Rose Garden Basket at $49.99 and Mothers’

Day Elegance at $99.99. The mini-rose garden basket comes with roses

planted with variegated ivy in a window basket. The “Mother’s Day

Elegance” is a woven basket filled with roses, calla lilies, hydrangeas,

English ivy and Stargazer lilies adorned with birch branches, taffeta

ribbon, and mood moss. Delivery is available in Orange County for a $14

charge. Roger’s Gardens is at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Newport Beach.

(949) 640-5800.

Santa Monica Seafood carries the best fresh seafood and has weekly

specials that are really reasonable. Examples of current specials are

fresh oysters at 65 cents each, fresh albacore tuna fillet at $6.95 per

pound, fresh bay shrimp at $4.25 per pound and tiger shrimp at $6.95 per

pound. There are also lunch specials available, including sushi, fish

tacos, fish and chips, grilled seafood, sandwiches and clam chowder.

Santa Monica Seafood is at 154 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa. (949) 762-3663.

* 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.