GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

One of the best local shops for eyeglasses is Balboa Eyewear, 710 E.

Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach.

It’s having a special on Yves Saint Laurent frames. Regularly priced

from $145 to $175, they are on sale from $35 to $45. Other specials

include Hobie polarized frames; some are half-price.

Balboa Eyewear has a great selection of frames for the entire family,

including Gucci, Persol, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, DKNY, Fendi,

Moschino, Ralph Lauren, Ray Ban, Quiksilver and Black Flys.

If you like polarized lenses, choose from Oakley, Nautica or Maui Jim.

The younger set likes Roxy, Guess?, Black Flys, Arnette and Revo.

Information: (949) 723-0783.

A furniture clearance sale will continue through Friday at Miner

Mistakes Designer Outlet, 2925 Airway Ave., Costa Mesa.

Sale merchandise is marked down 25% to 35%. The furniture is already

priced low, and new merchandise arrives daily.

There are new and discontinued items and one-of-a-kind pieces.

Information: (949) 979-6679.

If you’re already preparing for Halloween, Where’s the Party? is a

Halloween headquarters with all kinds of Halloween decor and

party-related items.

The store is at 270 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa.

Information: (949) 722-1803.

A back-to-school savings special on select game tables, reduced $500

to $1,000, is underway at Triangle’s Gameroom Gallery, 1844 Newport

Blvd., Costa Mesa.

The store specializes in billiard tables, dart boards and accessories,

foosball, jukeboxes and shuffle boards. There also is a good selection of

billiard tables to fit many decorating styles.

Triangle’s Gameroom Gallery has a special featuring a free, deluxe

accessory package, including a set of Belgium premier balls, six supreme

cues, a bridge stick, a two-piece deluxe wall rack, wood triangle, bed

brush, rule book and bridge head.

Information: (949) 574-0041.

A’Maree’s has several upcoming trunk shows in Westcliff Court at 1649

Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach.

Continuing through Saturday is a Maxfield Parrish trunk show with the

latest suedes and leathers from London available for purchase and special

orders.

On Friday and Saturday, jewelry designer Susan Roden’s latest

collection of gold and silver handmade jewelry will be featured.

There also will be cashmere pieces by Hawick Cashmere from Scotland,

which produces for Chanel and Celine. Hawick Cashmere is by special order

only for delivery before Christmas.

Information: (949) 642-4423.

One of the best local cooking supply and cooking class shops is Sur La

Table at Corona del Mar Plaza, 832 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach.

It’s especially in demand since the closure of Home Chef Kitchen Store

and Cooking School at Fashion Island.

Sur La Table offers every cooking accessory you could ever need,

cookbooks, napkins, place mats, dishes and glasses.

It’s definitely the best place to find basic cooking tools for

beginners and involved tools and supplies for advanced cooks.

Sur La Table also offers great cooking classes and recently came out

with its September through January class schedule.

Among the classes offered this month are “Pad Thai Party,” “Chicken

and Fish at Their Best,” “Lunch and Learn: Autumn Feast,” “East/West

Grazing Menu for Holiday Entertaining,” “Playing with Chocolate: Hands-On

Techniques” and “Superb Desserts.”

Each class is taught by a professional visiting chef. The cost is

about $40 to $100 per class. There is a class size limit. When you sign

up for a class, you will receive a 10% discount certificate for

merchandise purchased within one week of the class.

You will also receive a Peet’s Coffee & Tea coupon for a free half

pound of coffee with the purchase of a half-pound and a discount coupon

good at Bristol Farms.

Sur La Table also offers free cooking demonstrations. Mark your

calendar for complimentary classes introducing new gourmet foods, recipes

and techniques.

Taught by chefs on the staff at Sur La Table, the classes, all held

from 2 to 3 p.m., include “Cooking in a Wok” on Oct. 8, “Winter Soups” on

Oct 22, “Fondue Magic” on Nov. 5 and “Holiday Cookies” on Dec. 3.

Information: (949) 640-0200.