Mark this weather with tropical plants

Green Systems Nursery celebrates the tropical summer weather with a

sale on beautiful Hawaiian dendrobium orchids and plumerias. A large

selection of tropical plants is also discounted 20%. All plants in

the nursery are treated with a special blend of Ejax Magnesium water

and Peter’s triple 20 fertilizers to give them an extra boost. This

special plant-loving mixture is free. Also, bring in your own

container for the mixture, or buy one here.

A free orchid potting workshop is offered at 2 p.m. Saturday. Ask

questions and learn potting techniques.

The nursery is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. 20362 Birch

St., Newport Beach. (949) 756-1211.

PREP FOR THE INFANTS

Bellini specializes in high-end children’s designer furniture and

accessories. Exclusive collections of Italian- and Canadian-crafted

furniture can be used for infants to teens. Changing tables convert

to bookcases or dressers, and cribs convert to toddler beds. Linens

can be custom made, and special orders are available for high chairs

and strollers. It’s the ultimate in cribs, twin to full beds,

bedding, chests, and darling furnishings. A rare 20% to 50% off sale

runs through Sunday. Bellini is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday

to Saturday; and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. 1822 Newport Blvd.,

Costa Mesa. Call (949) 631-2229 or visit www.bellini.com.

ADD MORE TO THE HOME

Riviera Collections just opened at Newport Hills Shopping Center.

It specializes in chic home accessories and gifts for men, women and

children. Decor and home accents include lamps, Italian Murano glass,

cashmere throws, pillows, silk plants, candles and picture frames.

Select furniture comes from Palacek. Entertaining items include

barware, crystal by Hoya and specialty foods including Moonstruck

chocolate, olive oil and pestos. Gifts include chic purses by Kiki

Pearl and Christiana, Bedhead pajamas, golf accessories, flasks,

books and desk accessories. Baby items include clothes, books,

nursery decor and the soft baby blankets. Stationery, greeting, cards

and gift wrap are also available. Riviera Collections is open from 10

a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday at San Miguel Drive and Ford Road in Newport Beach. Call

(949) 640-4433.

A GOOD TIME FOR STATIONERY

Papyrus, an upscale stationery store, offers a wonderful mix of

personalized invitations, handmade fine stationery, cards and

beautiful gift wrap and trim. It offers the most attractive gift

wrapping service in the mall. Unique gift items found here include

wedding books, picture frames, photo albums, journals and special

baby books. First-year journals and memory books come in artsy styles

from Marcel Schurman and from Molly West handbound books with velvet,

cotton and silk fabric covers. The biggest sales happen in July to

August and after Christmas. Papyrus is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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

a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday on Level Two of the Robinsons-May wing at

South Coast Plaza. Call (714) 545-1124 or visit

www.papyrusonline.com.

ONE WORD: CHOCOLATE

Family-owned Bodega Chocolates, Orange County’s premier

chocolatier, uses third-generation Spanish recipes. All chocolates

are hand dipped, cut and wrapped -- well known for their rich flavors

and creamy textures. Bodega’s Fudge Truffle Bars (mentioned in Bon

Appetit Magazine’s January 2003 issue) and World’s Greatest Chocolate

Sauce have won awards. Wedding and party favors can be specially

ordered with printed labels. A full coffee bar features its coffees

and some fresh pastries are available. Its line of low-fat chocolate

was endorsed by Shape Magazine. Products from its grocery line,

Habana Chocolates, are available here, too. Kosher products only.

Bodega Chocolates in on Level Two of the Robinsons-May wing at South

Coast Plaza. Call (714) 429-1057 or visit www.bodegachocolates.net.

WORTH THE TRIP

Crane & Co., established in 1801, has supplied the currency paper

for U.S. Treasury since 1879. The deal was cemented when Zena Crane

developed an innovative technique embedding silk threads in its bank

note paper. That made counterfeiting difficult; an authentic bill had

one thread per dollar, visible when held up to the light. (A printed

security thread has replaced silk). All Crane papers are made of 100%

cotton fibers in Dalton, Mass. It has the finest in personal and

business correspondence. Collections include greeting cards,

children’s cards, Christmas cards, entertainment, wedding and

announcements. Engraved services available. Gift items available

include beautiful frames, paperweights, pens, cardholders, books and

journals. An after-Christmas card sale and anniversary sale in June,

discontinued items reduced 50%. Crane & Co. is open from 10 a.m. to 9

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

11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday on Level One at South Coast Plaza. (714)

979-1828. www.crane.com.

KEEP THAT PILLOW FRESH

Scandia Down offers a cleaning and restoration service for pillows

and down comforters. Restoration services include adding or removing

down and replacing ticking. Prices vary depending on item. Scandia

Down is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 10

a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday on

Level Two of South Coast Plaza’s Crate and Barrel wing. (714)

549-9046.

* 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.