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.
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