Costa Azul has surf gear

BEST BUYS

Costa Azul is known for its high-quality custom-shape surfboards

and surf-related gear. Owner Rod Greenup started shaping boards in

1987 in Cabo San Lucas and relocated to Laguna in 1991. Greenup’s

expertise caught the eye of pro-surfer Chuck Patterson, whose toe-in

boards and surfboards are shaped here.

Costa Azul has its own brand of attractive apparel and also

carries skim boards, snowboards, wetsuits, travel gear and shoes.

An unadvertised service offered here is custom bamboo furnishings.

Oversized elephant bamboo is available. Costa Azul has designed

furnishings for the O’Neill corporate headquarters and Quiksilver

Boardriders.

Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at 689 S. Coast Highway. (949)

497-1423. www.costaazul.net.

LOOSE FIT IS RIGHT FIT

Visions, established in 1977, is an affordable clothing women’s

clothing store that specializes in conservative loose-fitting

clothing. It’s known for its hand-knit sweaters. Rico sweaters from

Thailand are especially popular and easy-to- care-for fabrics. Most

apparel is made from cotton, rayon or tencel, which can be machine

washed and dried and still looks good. Deena Harros designs jewelry

that coordinates with outfits. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at

711 S. Coast Highway. (949) 494-9516.

ANOTHER REASON

TO SHOP ARTISANCE

Artisance is offering a special incentive to do more shopping

through January: 10% off purchases of $100 or more, 15% off purchases

of $250 or more, and 20% off purchases of $500 or more.

Artisance is a woman’s dream apartment filled with everything a

woman would want -- except a kitchen and the perfect man. There’s a

living and dining room furnished with stylish furniture, art, mirrors

and the best closet packed with designer clothes, purses, shoes and

even sunglasses.

It’s also a miniature Barney’s New York store, the perfect place

to find upscale gifts: architecturally inspired pottery from Klein

Reed; raku vases and cylinders from Joseph Conforti;

mid-century-inspired pottery from Jonathon Adler; hand-blown glass

from Robin Mix (priced from $525 to $1,200); Tuscan candles from

Lorenzi Vildoresi, my favorite Tocca candles, Parisian boxes in

shark, eel and alligator skin, and luxury sterling condiment trays

for caviar as seen in Elle Decor.

Open by appointment from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday; from 11 a.m.

Tuesday through 11 a.m. Wednesday, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Thursday through Sunday at 278 Beach St. (949) 494-0687.

TREAT YOUR WINDOWS

The Shady Ladies is a window treatment specialty store. It offers

a big selection of fabrics for Roman and pleated shades, draperies,

slipcovers and bedding. Shutters and wood blinds can be ordered, too.

Open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by appointment.

914 S. Coast Highway. (949) 494-3345.

HALF-OFF GOURMET

Laguna Gourmet Food Gallery has discounted all Christmas items

50%. On sale are platters, trays, plates, chocolates and sequined

boxes. Laguna Gourmet offers the best in foods -- ideal for gift

baskets: a big selection of packaged pastas, sauces, marinades,

tapenades, marinades, oils, vinegars, relishes, chocolates and French

preserves. Bodega chocolates and gourmet lollipops are exclusives in

town. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; and from

11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at 424 Forest Ave. (949) 376-1615.

GREAT STORE FOR LAGUNA GEAR

Fawn Memories, established in 1974, is filled with tropical gifts

and beach-related items. Tourists love this store. They can find

Laguna Beach label items, beach towels, Hawaiian shirts, woven beach

bags, T-shirts and a huge selection of hats. Houseplants and shells

are also popular here. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at 384

Forest Ave. No. 7. (949) 494-2071.

GENERATIONS GEARS UP TO STAY

Generations, Gifts for Every Branch of Your Family Tree, is in a

transitional stage. Since the announcement of its renewed lease, the

store is now selling all of its holiday decor and gifts through

January. It will close sometime in February for a few weeks for new

carpet and paint and will reopen with a fresh look. Open from 9:30

a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at 290 Forest Ave. (949) 497-4445.

* BEST BUYS is a weekly feature of the Coastline Pilot. Send

information to Greer Wylder at greerwylder@yahoo.com or P.O. Box 248

Laguna Beach, CA 92652, or via fax at 494-8979.