GREER’S BEST BUYS:Fifty years of fine jewelry

Blackman Ltd. Jewelers in the Lido Marina Village in Newport Beach celebrates its 50th anniversary with special promotions and trunk shows. And best of all, customers can still enjoy personal service by original owners Bruce and Patricia Blackman. On any given day you can watch Bruce meticulously restore a Rolex, clean an antique clock, make custom jewelry, or engage in the art of goldsmithing. Blackman Ltd. Jewelers isn’t just a traditional jewelry store. It’s one of the few jewelry stores that offers hand-engraving on the premises, and it’s an authorized service department for Rolex.

The store specializes in fine jewelry — conservative and contemporary designs, along with expert repairs on jewelry, watches and grandfather clocks. Blackman’s gift section includes classic collectible such as Baccarat crystal, Royal Copenhagen porcelains, Limoges boxes from Rochard and Chamart, Georg Jensen silver and Chelsea clocks. Local artist Brian Arthur’s bronze pelicans and dolphins are a perennial favorite as well as fine art glass from Orient & Flume. Honesty, fair prices and attention to details are standards at Blackman’s, which is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Blackman’s is at 3408-1 Via Oporto. For more information, call (949) 673-9334.

GETTING HOT

La Perla at South Coast Plaza offers the ultimate in sexy lingerie and swimwear. Its exquisite, hand-finished Leavers lace lingerie is made on ancient looms in Calais, France. Four lace collections, from couture to moderately priced pieces, are available. And its beautiful swimwear is like no other. Who could forget Halle Berry in her La Perla suits as the Bond girl in “Die Another Day?” Conventional wisdom is that La Perla swimsuits are for when you want to kick back and look hot all day. (They’re not for swimming laps.) Prices range from $300 to $600.

Other luxurious lines available include sexy ready-to-wear with built-in bras, bustiers, garters, T-shirts, body suits, seamless underwear and cotton wear. And don’t miss the best men’s underwear money can buy: Grigio Perla.

La Perla’s fall ready-to-wear is 60% off, which include bustiers, dresses, lingerie and some swimsuits. La Perla, on Level 1 at South Coast Plaza, is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (714) 754-7500.

TAKE 5

Shop at 5 Seas on Balboa Island for the latest boutique labels for women. Owner Callie Hamilton named 5 Seas after her sisters. “There were five girls in my family, and our names all started with a C, and we grew up loving the beach,” Hamilton said. “It’s a cute, cheesy name.”

Her store is far from cheesy. It’s painted in Tiffany blue with mahogany accents, and leopard-print carpeting. Hamilton expertly displays the latest fashions, including Tracy Reese, Milly, Ella Moss, Zoom, Joie, Diane Von Furstenberg and Alice & Trixie. And shoppers in the know come here for Rachel Pally’s shirts and dresses, Knitwit cashmere tees, and T-Bags; 5 Seas carries a nice selection of denim too. Find the latest styles from True Religion, Rock N Republic, and Citizens of Humanity.

Hamilton is constantly on the hunt for the latest and greatest fashions. 5 Seas, 224 Marine Ave., Balboa Island, opens at 9 a.m. daily. The store closes between 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Call ahead at (949) 673-1955 for exact closing times.

ACTIVE FASHION

The Martin and Osa store at Fashion Island in Newport Beach just received its new spring line. Choose from jeans and chinos in a variety of lengths, Bermuda shorts, cotton tops, sheer layered looks, polos and more. The stylish grown-up brand from American Eagle Outfitters specializes in classic, denim and active-outdoor sportswear for men and women.

Martin and Osa was named after Martin and Osa Johnson, a married couple from Kansas who led an adventurous life. The photographers, explorers, naturalists and authors traveled to remote areas of the world during the 1920s. Their inspiring spirit is the attitude of the brand. Clothes that can go anywhere, wear well, and for people who lead an active life.

The emphasis is on classic, sport and denim wear, as well as fine knits-cashmere, merino wool and cotton. Martin and Osa is a dog-friendly store (check out the dog water bowl) and encourages customers to play a game of ping-pong on the weekends too.

Martin and Osa, near Iris Fountain across from Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For information, call (949) 718-0291 or visit www.martinandosa.com .

PAINT IT BLANK

Blankstyle at the Camp in Costa Mesa takes a fresh look at men’s and women’s fashions. No logos, initials and visible labels. Formerly an Internet retailer at www.blankstyle.com that supplied companies with fashionable blank apparel for their own printing designs. The owners — Luke Kupersmith, Jared Fisher and Brad Johnson, a trio of Orange County locals — received a high demand for their logo-less apparel to be worn as is. That’s when Blankstyle the retail store was born.

Blankstyle stresses individuality with its timeless apparel never beholden to logos. Blankstyle carries an assortment of vintage, soft T-shirts, dresses, denim, hoodies, tanks, yoga pants, and accessories from popular brands such as American Apparel, Alternative Apparel, Gorrin Headwear, Harveys, J-Fold Wallets, Melting Pot, J Brand and Salt Works Jeans.

Blankstyle, 2937 Bristol St., Suite A101B, Costa Mesa, is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (714) 549-0744 or visit www.blankstyle.com .

writes Best Buys, which runs Fridays. She’s the founder and president of www.greersoc.com , a free, daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining and trends.