Looking for luxury? Cartier has collections for you

Cartier’s collections are timeless. It’s world-renowned for luxury

jewelry and watches since 1847, even worn by royalty.

My favorite is Cartier’s signature trinity ring. The rolling ring

of three colored 18-karat gold bands was launched in 1924. It

symbolizes love (pink), friendship (yellow) and fidelity (white). Can

be worn by men and women and comes in three widths. It’s also a

popular wedding band, and there’s a diamond version.

Another perennial favorite is the Love Collection, introduced in

1974. It’s a screw-fastening bracelet and matching ring in 18-karat

white or yellow gold.

Cartier’s latest jewelry collection, Le Baiser du Dragon, launched

in May 2003, is Asian and art deco inspired: pendants, rings,

bracelets and earrings designed with Fen Ling (wind chimes), wish

knots, stones, padlocks and dragon motifs.

The store has the latest watch collections: the Roadster for men,

with interchangeable steel bracelets and calfskin straps; and Tank

Divan, worn by men and women derived from the classic Tank watch

introduced in 1917. There’s also a line of perfumes, pens, lighters,

purses, sunglasses and more.

It’s open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; from 10 a.m. to

8 p.m. Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Level 2, at

South Coast Plaza. (714) 540- 8231. www.cartier.

com.

LOOK GOOD WHILE YOU’RE LOOKING

Looking for hard-to-find luxury eyewear designers? Go to the

Optical Shop of Aspen. It specializes in cutting edge styles and also

has a few popular lines such as Gucci and Chanel. Hollywood-based

Chrome Hearts is considered jewelry for the face. The frames have

wood and leather detailing, sterling silver touches and jewels with a

Celtic and gothic look. Prices range from $295 for plastics to $3,000

for jeweled frames. World renown designer, Barry Kieselstein-Cord

whose works are at the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum of Art,

also has an eyewear collection here. His hand-cast frames incorporate

sterling silver, special tooling and wonderful sculpted touches.

Kieselstein-Cord’s favors alligator, frog and celestial figures,

repeatedly using them on his designs. Prices range from $250 to $650.

Other lines available are Oliver Peoples, Matsuda, Face A Face and

Lunor. OSA fills all prescriptions, and has a lab on the premises.

Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Fashion Island in

Newport Beach. (949) 640-8230.

MEET THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE OVER DINNER

8 on a Date is a dating company featured on KTLA-TV news. “We

arrange dinner parties for four single men and four single women with

similar interests,” Lorrie Meyer said. “It’s a fun, casual way to

meet new people.” The L.A.-based company has July events at Bayside

Restaurant and the Cannery. Since the concept appeals to women, 8 on

a Date is offering men a two-for-one deal -- two events for $30.

www.8onadate.com.

SO YOU NEED SHOES

New York-based Steve Madden, a prolific and cutting edge shoe

designer, offers 150 styles appealing to teenagers on up at his South

Coast Plaza boutique. Affordable casual and evening styles include

slippers, flip-flops, heels, platforms and boots. Only women’s styles

are at this store. The men’s line can be ordered. Promotional sales

almost monthly and end-of-season sales. Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday to Friday; from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and from 11 a.m.

to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Level 2, at South Coast Plaza. (714) 241-7055.

www.stevenmadden.com.

TWO WAYS TO GET MUSIC -- NAPSTER’S NOT ONE OF THEM

Sam Goody has two stores at South Coast Plaza. In the Sear’s wing,

Sam Goody offers music and more. It also carries DVD’s, videos, Game

Boy Advance, Nintendo Game Cube and PlayStation games, action

figures, sunglasses, and rock ‘n’ roll themed T-shirts. The Sam Goody

near Macy’s Home Store is three times as big -- more of everything,

even guitars. Both stores are promoting the Virgin Mobile pay as you

go phone. Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; from 10 a.m.

to 8 p.m. Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Level 2, in

the Sear’s wing (714) 751-2768 and on Level 3, near Macy’s Home Store

(714) 641-1156. www.samgoody.com.

* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays. Send information to Greer Wylder at

greerwylder@yahoo.com; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; or by

fax at (949) 646-4170.