A fine opportunity to pick up some art

GREER WYLDER

On Saturday and Sunday, the Orange County Fine Arts Assn. will

celebrate the opening of its Artist Studio with a Fall Festival of

the Arts exhibit and open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Orange County Fine Arts Assn. opened the studio space next to

its Showcase Gallery, so artists can have exhibit space as well as

working space in the studio. Showcase Gallery, a co-op art gallery

for association members, will also be open for the event. Member

artists are juried into the gallery and participate in exhibits,

which change every two months.

Guests can meet the artists, watch them work and buy art directly

from them. Buyers can choose from oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel,

mixed media, sculpture, glass, ceramics and jewelry works. Prices are

affordable -- for less than $50, you can buy originals and

reproductions.

Children can participate in “Monet for the Day,” in which they can

interact with artists and create original art. Their work will hang

in the Artist Studio for a week.

Open Tuesday to Sunday. The Artist Studio and Showcase Gallery are

located at 3851 S. Bear St., A-15 and B-15, in the South Coast

Village Plaza next to Room and Board Furnishings.

THE ‘MORE AND MERRIER’

Neiman Marcus kicks off the holiday season with a “More and

Merrier” shopping event on Friday and Saturday. The store has been

transformed into a glamorous theme of red and white. During the

event, the new holiday edition of The Book, which includes holiday

gift ideas for everyone on your list and the highly coveted holiday

gift bag, will be available. It’s also the only opportunity to

purchase this year’s exclusive holiday ornament (a replica of the

2004 Neiman Marcus holiday shopping bag) for just $20 with a minimum

purchase of $150.

Neiman Marcus is in Fashion Island in Newport Beach, at the corner

of Coast Highway and Newport Center Drive. (949) 759-1900.

PUTTING THINGS TO BED

Mitchell Gold Co., a manufacturer of quality upholstered

furniture, has opened its first Orange County retail store at the

Crystal Cove Promenade. The home-furnishings line is modern and

stylish, as well as classic in design. The collection features

leather, tailored upholstered and slipcovered furniture pieces,

including sofas, sectionals, beds, daybeds, ottomans, benches,

recliners and dining chairs. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to

Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. 7932 E. Coast Highway in Newport

Coast. (949) 376-0303. https://www.mitchellgold.com

NEW THINGS FOR JILLS

J. Jill is a specialty retailer of comfortable and stylish women’s

apparel, accessories and footwear that has opened a new store at

South Coast Plaza. It’s the first Orange County location to feature

an extended J.Jill Petites shop. J.Jill features relaxed career,

weekend and casual eveningwear. The brand offers a wide range of

sizes, and it’s geared toward women ages 35 to 55. Open 10 a.m. to 9

p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6:30

p.m. Sunday, Level 2, Crate & Barrel/Macy’s Home Store wing. (714)

540-5355; https://www.jjill.com.

EVERYTHING MUST GO

Bella Mare Women’s Fashion Boutique will close at the end of the

month. It’s having a liquidation sale on apparel, jewelry and

accessories. During Thanksgiving weekend, it will have 99-cent

bargains. The boutique is in the Newport North Shopping Center at

1280 Bison St. in Newport Beach. (949) 644-4477.

BACK UP THE TRUCK

At Ease at Fashion Island will host a Jhane Barnes truck show

Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A Jhane Barnes expert will show the

current and spring collections of this renowned American menswear

designer. For the holidays, special-order suits and made-to-measure

apparel can be ordered, with delivery available in four to five

weeks. Refreshments will be served. (949) 759-7979.

BACK IN BUSINESS

Just in time for the holidays, Benchley Luggage & Gifts has

reopened after an expansion and remodel at Fashion Island. Since

opening at Fashion Island in 1977, it’s been known for offering

unique gifts, games and luggage. Now it has even more selections to

choose from.

Benchley carries top-quality brands including Mont Blanc, Brighton

and Tumi, as well as many exclusive items. The store offers fine

luggage collections by Hartmann, Briggs & Riley, Swiss Army, Travel

Pro and more. Shoppers can find an array of gift items such as

clocks, travel games, business cases, globes and more. Services

include complimentary monogramming on leather items, free gift wrap

and shipping anywhere in the U.S. Benchley Luggage & Gifts is located

at the Bloomingdale’s Courtyard. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to

Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. (949)

759-9101.

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

greerwylder@yahoo.com; at 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626;

or by fax at (714) 966-4679.