Answers for body, mind and soul

After long summer days of fun in the sun, Southern California

shoppers searching for the perfect place to cool their heels and pick

up a hot new look to show off that summer tan need look no further

than South Coast Plaza. There’s no more delightful way to spend an

afternoon or evening than strolling South Coast Plaza to find that

perfect something for body, mind and soul.

BODY

Nothing shows off that summer tan like white. And no one does the

white blouse like Anne Fontaine. This hot, young French designer has

made the simple, expertly styled white shirt or blouse the definitive

“casual chic” fashion statement. Shoppers are snapping up the styles

-- short sleeves, long sleeves, tanks and more -- in sexy, slimming

Tactel, a synthetic stretch knit made by DuPont. Super-comfortable

and easy-to-care for, it’s like a second skin, and the ideal choice

for late summer fashion. To complete the look, Traffic is a must

stop. This hot new store features the latest looks from top designers

like Jean Paul Gaultier, Barbara Bui, Rozae Nichols, Rebecca Taylor

and more. Their stone-washed denim jeans from Chloe (also available

as super-sexy hot pants style) have us all excited. If the occasion

calls for a dress, be sure to stop in at trend-setting Club Monaco,

where they’ve got several versions of the little black dress that are

to die for. We especially like the open-backed sheath tube, available

with straight straps or their “carpenter style” with the straps

crossing in the back for a super-sexy departure. Club Monaco has

stylish looks for men, so he can look (and feel) cool on hot summer

nights.

MIND

Whether you’re in pursuit of one more decadent “beach read”

paperback or ready to get serious with a classic biography, Book Soup

has it. (The shop’s West Hollywood location has been the celebrity

book-buying haunt for almost 30 years.) Jam-packed with more than

45,000 titles, including all the bestsellers, plus an eclectic

selection of books on art, photography, film and music (and

hard-to-find books), this popular independent bookshop is your smart

South Coast Plaza summer stop.

SOUL

Correction -- make that “Sole.” From the red carpets of Hollywood

to “Sex and the City,” Jimmy Choo is the name on every fashionable

woman’s lips. And on her feet. The rich, famous and style conscious

love to slip into Jimmy Choo’s super sexy heels. Get ready for fall

with a pair of boots from Jimmy Choo’s Autumn/Winter line, which

celebrates classic, lady-like femininity with Victorian accents like

buckles and leather-covered buttons, in rich hues from burgundy to

smoky blue to black velvet. Jimmy Choo unveils its exquisitely

appointed boutique in mid-September at South Coast Plaza. If great

shoes alone won’t get your soul sparkling, a girl’s best bet is a

girl’s best friend: diamonds. Since 1906, Van Cleef & Arpels has

served a dazzling clientele -- including Princess Grace, Madonna and

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The shop’s exclusive Orange County

location at South Coast Plaza offers a breath-taking array of fine

jewelry, from the classics -- like that perfect pair of diamond studs

(we favor a demure square cut) -- to innovatively designed necklaces

and bracelets.

Now that you have found peace with the body, mind and soul for

summer -- may you find fulfillment with this year’s new fall

fashions.

Until next time . . .

* Article provided by South Coast Plaza officials.