Yurman opens at South Coast Plaza

David Yurman recently opened at South Coast Plaza. The success

story of Sybil and David Yurman, who started David Yurman in 1979 --

America’s leading luxury jewelry designer -- began with a background

of 20 years experience in sculpture and design.

Their signature cable bracelet took off in 1983 -- a twisted helix

in sterling silver and 18 karat gold with gemstones on its finials --

and has spawned an entire Cable Collection. The designs are timeless;

a jewelry piece purchased years ago can easily be worn with a new

piece.

Timepieces are also sought. The Thoroughbred Watch Collection has

grown to include 25 styles.

David Yurman is on Level Two, the Nordstrom wing. Call (714)

444-1080.

PUZZLE ZOO FOR YOU

Children and adults of all ages will find toys to collectibles at

Puzzle Zoo, a new specialty store at South Coast Plaza. The Santa

Monica-based toy store can special order just about anything you’re

looking for.

High-end chess sets, hard-to-find toys and puzzles with tens of

thousands of pieces are available. This location also specializes in

action figures: G.I. Joe, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Todd

McFarlane.

Puzzle Zoo is on Level One, in the Carousel Court. Call (714)

662-1600 or check out www.puzzlezoo.com.

RON HERMAN, ANYONE?

The best in American and European designers for women are at Ron

Herman. Since 1976, he has filled this specialty store with

trend-setting fashions.

See the latest designs from Earl Jeans, Juicy Couture, Theory,

Habitual, More by Ron Herman, Marc by Marc Jacobs and high-end

collections from Chloe, Veronique, Toilette, Loyanford, James

Coviello, Development and Koi. Handbags, jewelry, a small selection

of shoes and lingerie are coming soon.

Ron Herman is on Level Two of South Coast Plaza, near J.Crew. Call

(714) 540-9870.

HOLIDAY METAMORPHOSIS

Don’t have time to decorate for the holidays? Metamorphosis, a

local interior redesign company, offers holiday design. To help

reduce your holiday stress they’ll do it all, from decorating your

tree to hanging up your stockings. Call (949) 887-8347.

RESTORE THAT PAINTING

Italian-born Ardenia Capannelli is a conservation and restoration

specialist who’s had extensive training outside Florence restoring

oil paintings for museums.

Through her training, working with colors on canvas and wood,

she’s managed to expand her restoration service to include porcelain,

ceramics, wood, jade and alabaster. She can take broken pieces handed

down from generation to generation and make them look new again.

A ton of patience is required, details can take hours. To clean an

oil painting, she works in square inches.

“Solvents must be applied carefully; otherwise the value can be

diminished,” says Capannelli.

She doesn’t mind. “My work is so much fun. It never feels like

work, it feels like a hobby.”

Capannelli also imports antiques from Italy; through her contacts

she’s able to sell them at a good price. Most items are oil

paintings, wood carvings, religious items, sconces, black and white

transfer ware, and Staffordshire bone china. Call (949) 675-3962 for

store hours. Capannelli is at 430 31st St. in Newport Beach. She is

on the Web at www.conservefineart.com.

HOME DECOR

Living Creations is changing from a holiday decor store to

focusing on home accessories, gifts and collectibles. Owner Pamela

Plotkin has discounted a lot of the decor at 40%, including Christmas

ornaments and Halloween items.

Plotkin tries to carry items that other stores don’t have. Vintage

dishes from the ‘40s and ‘50s, furniture, lamps, ceramics, stuffed

animals, doll and bear clothing, and red, white and blue themed items

are among her offerings.

Store hours are 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Living Creations is at

509 W. 31st St. in Newport Beach. Call (949) 673-4847 or check out

www.goodtimegifts.com.

GO URBAN

The oldest store at the Lab Anti-mall is Urban Outfitters.

Catering to the MTV generation, it stocks everything -- women’s and

men’s clothing, accessories and house wares.

Manager Stephen Suto says more mature customers shop for clothing

comparable to Gap basics, hip hop customers want Triple Five Soul

apparel and athletic wear from Nike and Adidas, teenagers love Diesel

clothing, and punk customers want the as-is or re-vamped vintage

clothing.

House ware includes affordable rugs, pillows, window covers and

shower curtains. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through

Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Urban Outfitters is at 2930

Bristol St. in Costa Mesa. Call (714) 966-1666.

* BEST BUYS appears Mondays and Fridays. Send information to

Greer Wylder at greerwylder@yahoo.com.