Many wishes on the Christmas list

Dear Santa,

The last time I wrote you a letter I was 7 and my list included a

banana-seat Schwinn bike, Twister, Clue, a David Cassidy photo and

anything Marsha wore on “The Brady Bunch.”

Today, of course, I want the same things money can’t buy that most

people want for Christmas (i.e. world peace, Al Qaeda and Saddam

Hussein to disappear, a cure for cancer, an AIDS vaccine, etc.), but

since I’m a shopping columnist -- and not a political or medical

columnist -- my list is about the things money can buy. The problem

is I can’t afford my taste, so I’ll let you take care of that.

Since I spend more time than I care to admit looking at

merchandise, I’ve seen it all and know exactly what I want this year.

Are you ready?

BRING THE TOOL BOX

Have you seen the Christmas trees at Roger’s Gardens? There’s one

that stands out. You can’t miss it.

It’s entirely decorated with red lights and red ornaments. Ever

since I saw it, I can’t stop thinking about that tree. I love the

whole thing, even the stars and miniature strands of red garland

attached to the ceiling.

I want you to carefully dismantle the tree and reassemble it in my

family room. Roger’s Gardens is at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road,

Newport Beach. (949) 640-5800. www.rogersgardens.com.

NEW JUMPING FURNITURE

And while your sleigh is out front, I’d love most of the

hand-me-down furniture taken out of my house -- the faded sofas my

four boys (and their friends) have been jumping on and climbing more

than for 14 years; the custom-made alder wood dining room table

that’s supposed to sit eight and barely seats six; and the

hodge-podge of contemporary and traditional chairs, desks, beds and

end tables. I wouldn’t miss them.

I love the Barbara Barry collection from Baker Furniture that’s at

Von Hemert Interiors and Glabman’s Furniture -- both in Costa Mesa. I

love Barry’s style, the clean lines and simple designs. I could tire

of having the same look throughout my house, but that’s something I’d

learn to get used to. Von Hemert Interiors is at 1595 Newport Blvd.,

Costa Mesa. (949) 642-2050. Glabman’s Furniture is at 3089 Bristol

St., Costa Mesa. (714) 540-3822. www.barbaraberry.com.

BUILT TO FIT

I love my new faded Seven Jeans. They fit perfectly. They’re so

comfortable and I want them in all shades of denim and corduroy.

At Erica Dee’s Boutique in Corona del Mar, they sell for $105 to

$155. I’m also patiently waiting for the super cool Habitual jeans

(about $156) that Erica promises will arrive in January. They’re hard

to find; I’ve only seen them at Barney’s New York. For denim freaks,

the styling is the best. 2919 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. (949)

673-9333.

READY TO RUN

NikeTown has the best running apparel. I love the Dri-FIT line,

designed for comfort in all weather. I’d want the Long-Sleeve Basket

Weave Dimension Top ($50) in black and red, and the Dri-FIT Seamless

Athletic Tank in black and white ($36). Both tops are so flattering;

they comfortable hug your body and have knit-in hemlines and

princess-seam lines. 1875 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. (949) 642-6363.

www.niketown.com.

ADD TO THE SHEET COUNT

I love luxury linens, and my favorite company is Frette. The

Frette store at South Coast Plaza has the most beautiful linens. I

know that some consider Pratesi and Yves De Lorme to be the ultimate,

but Frette is it for me. I love the hotel linen line, especially the

white linens with black piping. A king set, flat and fitted sheet set

with pillow cases is about $400. Frette has a 250- to 600 thread

count. Second level, in the Nordstrom wing. (714) 556-7080.

www.frette.com.

BUY A CHOO

I don’t own a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes, but that’s not because I

don’t want to. They’re just so expensive.

I did splurge for one pair of Manolo Blahnik’s, which I consider

as special, but no Choo’s. They’re beautiful and so sexy. The strappy

high heels are my dream shoe; it’s no wonder celebrities favor them.

Prices range from $375 to $1014. First level, near Macy’s at South

Coast Plaza. (714) 327-0644. www.jimmychoo.com.

TRY THESE ON

Some of my favorite clothes are from Rozae Nichols, a young

L.A.-based designer. The way she combines fabrics and textures is so

unique. She mixes leather, suede, tulle, satins and stretch fabrics.

Beautiful, long and mid-length dresses, tops and skirts.

A-list celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Salma Hayak and Lauren

Hutton are also Nichol’s fans. I have about five of her pieces, but I

could easily make room in my closet for more. Nichol’s clothes are at

A’Maree’s in Newport Beach, (949) 642-4423; Neiman Marcus at Fashion

Island, (949) 759-1900; Saks Fifth Avenue at South Coast Plaza, (714)

540-3233; and Flora Hills in Corona del Mar, (949) 675-4516.

www.rozaenichols.com.

A BIT PRICEY, BUT WORTH IT

It might seem strange to ask for bras for Christmas, but then

again, you’ve probably never seen a La Perla bra. I’d consider them

couture.

They’re so feminine, with great styling. Exquisitely designed in

Italy. Exorbitant prices, too. Bras range from $128 to $400. If you

want to, you can throw in a few pairs of matching panties. When I

walk by the window display at the La Perla Boutique at South Coast

Plaza, suddenly I want to run out and by a lottery ticket. Second

level, next to Versace at South Coast Plaza. (714) 754-7500.

www.laperla.com.

CRANK IT UP

I love music (except country) and Bang & Olufsen makes a

state-of-art CD player in Denmark that is visually stunning. Its

BeoSound 9000 stores six CDs; it has a radio and plays digital music.

You won’t want to hide this sleek design in a closet. It can be

placed on a wall or on a stand, in any position -- vertical,

horizontal, upright or lying down. The Besound 9000 is $4,300. Don’t

be shocked, Santa, but the matching speakers are a la carte; they

start at $1,200 and go up to $7,500. Second level, in the

Robinsons-May wing at South Coast Plaza. (714) 751-2300.

www.bang-olufsen.

BLEND IT IN

Santa, have you tried Peet’s Coffee & Tea? It’s my favorite. The

only problem is Peet’s isn’t on every corner in town. I love their

special blend -- Major Dickason’s -- espresso and French roast, and

I’m dying to try the rare Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee that’s one of

their reserve coffees. It’s only available in the winter -- at $40

per half-pound. It’s so extravagant. 894 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach.

Corona del Mar Plaza (949) 640-6377.

I know I’m leaving something out. Oh well, I’ll let you know next

year. Merry Christmas, Santa, and thanks in advance. Yours truly,

Greer.

* BEST BUYS appears Mondays and Fridays. Send information to

Greer Wylder at [email protected]; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa,

CA 92627; or by fax at (949) 646-4170.