Charismatic fashion worthy of Madonna

GREER WYLDER

Karizma Boutique offers the latest fashions for women. It’s one of

Corona del Mar’s newer stores. Karizma’s sales staff can help women

develop a personal style to avoid a clone look. Apparel choices vary

from casual to evening wear, shoes, accessories and arriving soon,

sexy swimsuits. Up-and-coming designers featured include one of

Madonna’s favorites, L.A.-based Louis Verdad, who creates special

pieces that can easily be dressed up or down. Other chic designers

include New Zealand native Rebecca Taylor, who avoids basic black

looks -- Taylor favors romantic fabrics in bold colors; and coming

soon, Heike Jonick, a German designer whose apparel resembles Stella

McCartney at more affordable prices. It’s one of the few places that

sells the hottest handbag -- the handmade “Botkier Trigger Bag.” The

beloved bag is both hip and functional. It features three main

compartments and hidden pockets -- it makes organizing easy. It comes

in three sizes -- medium is most popular. It’s in the $400 range. The

boutique is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday; noon to 5 p.m.

Sunday. It’s at 2908 E. Coast Highway. in Corona del Mar. Call (949)

219-0023 or visit https://www.karizmaboutique. com.

BARGAIN VEHICLES

On Saturday, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s

Administrative Office has hundreds of pre-owned vehicles for sale at

discounted prices offered by Enterprise Car sales. Members of the

Auto Club can visit the lot during sale hours, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On-site financing and auto insurance will be available. It’s easy to

get pre-approved by applying online at

https://www.aaa-calif.com/finance and have a check in hand at the

sale. Trade-ins also are welcome. Choose from high quality luxury

cars to SUVs, and there are pickup trucks, including Chevrolets,

Fords, Hondas, Toyotas and Nissans. All cars are sold at

pre-arranged, mid-Blue Book or lower. Cars come with a 12-month,

12,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and a seven-day, 1,000 mile

buy-back guarantee. Cars are in good shape. Each vehicle must pass

the Auto Club’s 86-pt. Vehicle Inspection at an Auto Club-approved

auto repair facility. The inspection -- usually offered for $89.95 --

avoids the problems that can be associated with buying a used

vehicle. It’s at 3333 Fairview Road in Costa Mesa. Enter off Susan

Street to access the site. Auto Club members may call (800) 943-0000.

SOUTH COAST PARTY

A “Block Party” featuring hot names in fashion happens Friday from

6 to 9 p.m. at South Coast Plaza. Each of the following merchants

will host parties in their stores while presenting new collections:

A/X Armani Exchange, Banana Republic, Club Monaco, DKNY, Express, The

Levi’s Store, MAX&Co.;, Tadashi, Vertigo and Wet Seal. Cocktails, DJs

and food can be enjoyed compliments of the Clubhouse Restaurant,

Yujean Kang’s Asian Bistro and Bodega Chocolates. There is no charge

to attend the party and you can enter to win one of many $500 prizes

and a $1,000 South Coast Plaza shopping spree. RSVP online at

blockparty@southcoast plaza.com. It’s in the Robinsons- May wing,

Levels 1 & 2.

BLOOMING POSSIBILITIES

On Saturday, Bloomingdale’s at Fashion Island will host a private

reception and breakfast with Perry Ellis designer Patrick Robinson

from 9 to 11 a.m. The event celebrates the launch of the Perry Ellis

women’s wear collection. You can be one of the first to see this

collection, and Robinson will provide one-on-one wardrobe

consultations. Robinson, a Newport Beach native, started his career

designing surf trunks and selling them to friends. Eventually, he

moved to New York, where he worked briefly for Giorgio Armani, Anne

Klein and Givenchy. He was hired at Perry Ellis to add new life to

the line, with rave reviews from Vogue and W, and was featured in

this month’s Bazaar as one of “fashion’s new favorites.” Reserve a

space at (949) 729-6626. Also on Saturday at Bloomingdale’s, check

out the Rock Jewelry trunk show from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rock jewelry

is one of the must-have fashion accessories. The flamboyant designs

include natural and semiprecious stones. For more information, call

(949) 729-6816 and ask for Megan Carr. It’s also “Men’s Denim Day” on

Saturday. Details magazine will offer a chance to win private

screening tickets to the new “Starsky and Hutch” movie with cast

member and former “Baywatch” star Brande Roderick on the Warner Bros.

Studio lot. If you spend $150 on premium denim collections, you’ll

receive two VIP tickets to the film, a deluxe gift bag and a movie

tee. If you spend $250 or more, you’ll receive a $25 electronic gift

card toward more purchases. Call Bloomingdale’s at (949) 729- 6732.

THAI JEWELS

Blackman Lt. Jewelers at Lido Marina Village recently added new

treasures from Thailand to its collection. New pieces include tiny,

hand-painted boxes carved from camel bone; red and black lacquer

boxes shaped like owls; and wood ducks with removable boxes. There

are also serving pieces from Spode in the Stafford Flower pattern --

oven, microwave and dishwasher safe. It’s at 3408-1 Via Oporto in

Newport Beach. Call (949) 673-9334.

* 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.