GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

Toni Bruner of New & Recycled Romances says she has both good and bad

news. The bad news is that they have closed their Long Beach store

because parking was such a hassle. Bruner says she even got parking

tickets while unloading books, and she’s the owner.

“The good news is we have acquired the flower shop next door to our Costa

Mesa shop, so we will have a bigger selection of romance books, and more

series,” says Bruner. “Even more good news is we will be open on Mondays

for the summer, starting this month until Labor Day. So if you need a

beach book that you don’t mind getting suntan oil on, we will be here.”

New & Recycled Romances is at 143 Broadway in Costa Mesa. For

information, call (949) 645-0529.

Fitigues carries ultra-comfortable clothing for men, women and children

and it’s having a 30% off spring collection sale through Tuesday. The

store is making room for its new summer collection that is arriving next

week. The sale includes everything except gym merchandise. Fitigues is at

Fashion Island in Newport Beach. For information, call (949) 644-6485.

HomeChef Kitchen Store & Cooking School will offer a fun cooking class,

which is ideal for Mother’s Day. The Mother’s Day Tea, at 3 p.m. May 20,

costs $25 and makes a great gift. The class features sampling of three

teas, as well as shortbread, green onion scones with smoked salmon

spread, tea sandwiches and lemon polenta pound cake with blueberries.

HomeChef is also giving a free Mother’s Day gift with any class

registration by May 14. Upcoming classes include: a condensed six-week

essential cooking series that focuses on stocks and classic sauces;

braising and poaching; short pastries and breads; grilling, sauteing and

frying; roasting and baking; and souffles and cakes. Also, there is an

advanced techniques series on breads; legumes and composed salads; plated

desserts and puff pastry; sauces; meats; and menu planning and

presentation. There are three-part series on vegetarian cooking, grilling

and seafood cooking. There are also hands-on workshops that include

lessons on tamales, knife skills, ravioli and filled pasta, sushi and

pastry.

Huggs & Kissez Scrapbooking & More is celebrating its one-year

anniversary this week. Saturday is national scrapbooking day and Huggs &

Kissez will be having giveaways, contests, prizes and more. It’s at 270

E. 17th St., Costa Mesa. For information, call (949) 650-4802.

T.J. Maxx ‘N More is having a big sale on the latest in sportswear from a

famous American designer. Clothing is reduced 40% to 50% on styles and

colors that can be found at major department stores. There’s also a sale

on knits, T-shirts, pants, capris, pedal pushers and shorts priced from

$14.99 to $29.99. T.J. Maxx ‘N More is in the Harbor Center on Harbor

Boulevard in Costa Mesa. For information, call (949) 574-9051.

Via Lido Drugs is offering a 10% discount on custom floral arrangements

designed by Pam if you mention the Daily Pilot. Inside the store, there

is a section called Seaside Gardens that’s known for carrying the best

silk floral arrangements in Newport Beach. There is also a big selection

of gifts, candles and decorative accessories for the home. It’s at 3445

Via Lido in Newport Beach. For information, call (949) 723-5858.

Spa Gregories has all kinds of spa treatments that make great gifts for

Mother’s Day. Gift certificates are available for almost an unlimited

amount of treatments, including facials; massages; hydrotherapy; manicure

and pedicure; steam room; body wraps and scrubs; waxing; electrolysis;

peels; and mother-to-be packages. It’s also giving away a free Mother’s

Day gift with a $75 purchase. Spa Gregories is at 200 Newport Center

Drive in Newport Beach. For information, call (949) 644-6672.

* 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.