The Fragrance Shop makes scents

BEST BUYS

With two successful stores on the Riverwalk in New Orleans and the

gem of Lincoln Road in South Beach Miami, The Fragrance Shop is now

open in Laguna. It’s a specialty perfume store that sells pure oil

perfumes. More than 400 fragrance oils are here, including oils of

famous men’s and women’s brand name scents, musks, aromatherapy oils,

house blends and domestic oils. Co-owner Lee Rasmussen says that

fragrances and smells can’t be patented, so The Fragrance Shop can

sell pure oils of famous fragrances. Rasmussen says that most

perfumes contain 80% alcohol and fillers. The perfume oils are a

better buy. They contain no alcohol and their shelf life is longer.

The Fragrance Shop can custom blend fragrances and can even duplicate

any scent for a nominal fee. Many customers bring in nearly-empty

perfume bottles and within a few weeks they can have a new bottle.

The shop will keep a “recipe card” for refills. Ideal for Valentine’s

Day gift giving are the one-of-a-kind hand-blown perfume bottles and

customized bath and body products. Open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday

through Thursday; from noon to 6 p.m. Friday; and from 11 a.m. to 7

p.m. Saturday at Panno Plaza at 490 S. Coast Highway, No. 7.

Information: (949) 494-2114.

UNUSUAL ITEMS BACKSTAGE

Backstage is a new clothing boutique that carries exclusive items

for men and women. Its goal is to offer a unique mix and a shopping

environment that’s atypical for Orange County. Owners Troy Muller and

Chris Long proudly designed and installed the store’s interior. They

chose a midnight blue calf-suede patchwork curtain, a chain-suspended

steel channel-beam clothing rack, white cinder block walls and a

polished concrete floor. Among the unique items are vintage couture

pieces, and A & G cashmere, leather and sterling silver jewelry,

Chromestar leather and high quality T-shirts, and collection from

Barcelona including Divinas Palabras, Nomad and Cannibal. The store

is at 967 Glenneyre St. Call for store hours. Information: (949)

49-STYLE.

VALENTINE’S BLOCK PARTY

On Saturday, there’s a Valentine’s Day shopping block party for

neighboring stores of Backstage. There will be music, food provided

by Adolfos and Natraj, Stems Fabulous Flowers will give free delivery

on orders, Backstage is offering free gift wrap, and the Great

Exchange Consignment is offering specials.

TAKE HOME A LOCAL ARTIST

Looking for a gift for your valentine? Check out Artisance

Gallery. You can find sophisticated and unique gifts for both men and

women. Artisance supports local artists, including Caleb Seimon,

Sonja Bradley and Loren Chapman. Seimon is a glassblower born in

Newport Beach. His vases are works of art. Seimon is a contributor to

the Orange County Museum of Art and his work is shown in galleries

across the country. Bradley is a jewelry designer with a distinctive

style. Chapman makes glass vases and bowls and has been featured at

the Sawdust Festival for more than 20 years. The selection of gifts

includes beautiful heart shaped jewelry boxes, picture frames in

stingray, crystal champagne glasses, gardenia scented soap petals and

specialty Tocca candles. There are fabulous wine glasses and a

beautiful decanter; hand blown and signed by artist Juluska. Open by

appointment on Monday; from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through

Wednesday; and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday at 278

Beach. Information: (949) 494-0687.

* 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.