GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

Best Buys reader Nancy Christiano says that last year, she saw an

advertisement in the Daily Pilot for a trial sample of preservative skin

care products from Fancl for $12.99. Christiano says she was hooked from

the start because the results were so rewarding. Recently, Christiano and

her husband sold their hotel in Montana and decided to invest in the

Fancl company because she shared it with so many of her friends and spoke

so highly of their products. At that time, they had no idea that Fancl

already had 3 million customers in Japan as well as 75 retail stores.

“Since my money is not what they needed, I convinced them they needed me

as their ‘American woman connecting with other American women,”’

Christiano said. Eventually, the company hired Christiano as their

marketing coordinator. “Fortunately, Fancl is very respectful of my

desire to continue as ‘my kids’ mom,’ so I am able to get home just

before my children return from school.” Currently, Fancl products can be

purchased only through its Web site -- o7 fancl.comf7 -- or by phone

at (949) 476-5091. Fancl is offering the same trial kit that Christiano

bought a year ago to Best Buys readers free of charge ($5 shipping and

handling) if you mention this column. Fancl products include Fancl green

tea, Fancl washing powder, Fancl milk, Fancl lotion, and more. The

three-step skin care products are available in two formulas designed for

normal to dry skin, and one for oily skin.

Magasin 209 is having a spring sale with selected women’s clothing up to

60% off. Recent arrivals include bright and colorful summer clothes as

well as great accessories from Kate Spade and Helen Kaminsky. In the

Balboa Island Kids Clothing side of the store, there are some great

bargains on the adorable Baby Lulu line and some other very popular

designer infant and girls’ clothing. Magasin 209 and Balboa Island Kids

Clothing are at 209 Marine Ave., on Balboa Island. For information, call

(949) 673-5542.

The 17th annual Easter Egg Hunt at Eastbluff Park starts today at 10 a.m.

to 1 p.m. After the egg hunt, there will be a spring sidewalk sale at the

Eastbluff Village Center with face painting, pictures with the Easter

Bunny and entertainment for the children. The Easter egg hunt starting

times are 10 a.m. for 2- and 3-year-olds; 10:15 a.m. for 4- and

5-year-olds; 10:30 a.m. for 6- and 7-year-olds; 10:45 a.m. for 8- and

9-year-olds; and 11 a.m. for 10- to 12-year-olds. Eastbluff Park is at

the corner of Vista del Oro and Vista del Sol in Newport Beach. For more

information, call (949) 644-3151.

Nick Nack Gifts, Your Neighborhood Gift Store and Little Women’s

Victorian Dress-Up Tea Parties are celebrating their third anniversary

with a big selection of unique and handmade gifts. Owner Pamela Campos

says the selection includes Victorian treasures for less than $6,

pashima-like wraps in pastels for $40, trendy multi-strand crystal

bracelets with an antique coin for $9, popular power bracelets for $3,

hand-decorated Easter baskets for less than $9 and lots of accessories to

fill them with for less than $4. There are handmade, delicious white

chocolate-covered pretzels, honeycomb and peanuts for $2. And there are

Earth Elements home scents in citrus, tree, terra cotta and pear grass.

Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s at

191 E. 16th St. in Costa Mesa.

Top-of-the-line Brown Jordan furniture is on sale at the annual Brown

Jordan special-order event at Steven Michaels’ Trend House. The patio

furniture comes in aluminum, teak and resin frames. There are lots of

cushion fabrics and finishes to choose from. The special-order sale lasts

through May 15. The store is at 3406 Via Lido in Newport Beach. For

information, call (949) 723-5335.

Where’s The Party is packed with Easter decorations and Easter basket

items. The store carries really cute paper plates, napkins, stuffed

animal Easter bunnies, Easter pinwheels and all kinds of Easter grasses

for baskets in pastels. It’s at 270 E. 17th St. in Costa Mesa. For

information, call (949) 722-1803.

* BEST BUYS appears on Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa 92627; or via fax at (949) 646-4170.