Lotions, potions, bubbles and gels

BEST BUYS

Sniff the Elixer Bar is a new specialty shop for custom lotions

and potions. Essential and fragrance oils can be custom blended and

then added to bubble bath, shower gels, massage oils and more.

There are also homemade soaps, select candles, Borotalco baby

power from Italy and an incense line from New Mexico made of

hand-dipped resins. Packages and baskets filled with Sniff products

make great gifts. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through

Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at 332 Forest Ave.

Information: (949) 494-8711 or snifflb@yahoo.com.

GIFTS FOR THE HOME

Owner Randy Boyd of Thurston/Boyd and Co. Antiques and Gifts for

the Home is an established interior designer with more than 20 years

experience. Boyd restored this 1920s cottage as a showroom of his

European antiques and unique gifts.

The store is a natural spin-off from taking clients to Europe on

buying trips. He wanted a store of his own. All of the large

furniture pieces are from Europe, and the small gift items are from

local artists, a plein air artist and ceramist, and specialty

companies. A 90-year-old food line from Sierra Madre features

preserves, condiments and Spanish olive oils. Prints, chandeliers,

garden statuary and jewelry made from semi- precious stones are

available. Open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday;

from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at

1524 S. Coast Highway. Information: (949) 376-0477.

CLOTHES FOR THE HIPSTERS

Saffron is the place to buy super chic hip clothing, accessories

and shoes. It’s currently having a 30% to 50% off the entire store

sale. Teenagers to 70-year-olds stop here for the latest looks and

basics.

Owner Roberta Kansteiner selects hard-to-find cutting edge styles

that even draws Santa Monica shoppers looking for new lines. Saffron

carries the Dickies girl line; Koisiuko jeans, chosen as the No. 1

denim by the international denim awards; Christina Cord vintage Ts in

the summer and cashmere Ts in the winter; and the made-to-order

collection from Riley. Also pieces from Coco Kliks, G Sus, Great

Antics, Reminiscence and Rebecca Beeson. There are always 60 styles

of shoes to choose from and handmade jewelry, too. All price ranges.

T-shirts are $10 to $120, jackets are $20 to $300. Open from 11 a.m.

to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

at 1705 S. Coast Highway, No. C. Information: (949) 497-5935.

FLOWERS ANY TIME

Browne’s Flowers has great prices on fresh flowers and also has a

certified balloonist service. Roses are their best bargain. A dozen

roses cost $5.95 all year except Valentine’s Day, when a dozen costs

$13 to $15. Beautiful in-season flowers available include Gerbera

daisies, Casablanca lilies, hydrangeas, stargazer lilies, freesia and

delphiniums. Tropical selections include ginger, birds of paradise,

queen protea, pincushions, coffee beans and tea leaves. Browne’s is a

full-service florist. Open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through

Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at 2094 1/2 S. Coast

Highway. Information: (949) 497-2489.

LAST-MINUTE PARTY

If you’re having a party tonight, you can pick up fresh hors

d’oeuvres, salads, entrees and fabulous desserts for an instant party

at A La Carte Take Away Gourmet. It’s sustained all of the economic

ups and downs for the past 17 years and is still a success. New

owners Sue Chick and Mary Flynn are continuing the theme of the

restaurant. Chick says the remarkable concept, where you can stop in

for party take-out food or a gourmet meal, is much like Marks and

Spencer in London, a favorite spot of the late Princess Diana. Chick

says favorites on the menu are the barbecue meatloaf, smoked turkey,

Rajin Cajun sandwiches and chicken Caesar salads.

“Someone would stab me if I took the grilled eggplant or Rajin

Cajun sandwich off the menu,” Chick said. “And a lot of people who

live alone buy meals here. You can buy one appetizer or 101.”

Reading the extensive menu is easy. All of the items that are

marked with an orange dot are in stock that day. A la Carte can

provide a full range of party services from servers, valet parking

and entertainment to decor. Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday

through Friday; from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6

p.m. Sunday at 1915 S. Coast Highway. Information: (949) 497-4927.

* 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.