Friends decide to go shopping

GREER WYLDER

Co-owners and friends for 30 years, Colleen Greene and Jody Carr

opened their first women’s boutique earlier this week: Let’s Go

Shopping on Balboa Island. They researched other island shops and

tried to be a little different. Opening day was a big hit.

Let’s Go Shopping carries casual to dressy clothing, purses,

pashmina shawls, evening purses, candles, wine stoppers, jewelry and

even silver sets for the holidays. New merchandise is constantly

arriving, including lamps and Hawaiian theme items.

Let’s Go Shopping is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through

Sunday. It is at 114 Agate on Balboa Island. Call (949) 723-1169.

AT HOME

At Home is having a pre-Christmas sale with merchandise reduced

50%. At Home has fun gifts such as hand-painted water fountains,

outdoor art, Tommy Bahama trunks and containers, kitchen accessories,

mirrors and Christmas decor. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday

through Saturday. At Home is at 404 32nd St. in Newport Beach. Call

(949) 653-6539.

UPSCALE RETAIL

Don’t miss the National Charity League junior’s “upscale retail”

clothing available the third Thursday of every month at the

Ticktocker Thrift Shop. There’s a great selection of gently used

designer labels in adult and children sizes. Prices are hard to pass

up. Also, find bargains on quality used household items and toys. The

Ticktocker Thrift Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday

through Saturday at 540 W. 19th St. in Costa Mesa. Call (949)

646-4024.

STORY LADY

Lisa Cohen, locally known as “the Story Lady,” entertains children

at the First Page’s story hour and offers creative entertainment at

children’s parties. Themes are her specialty, including, princess,

pirates, mermaids and superheroes. Cohen can come to any location, or

children can have parties at her “birthday house.” Call (949)

645-8044 or visit https://www.creativepartiesforkids.com.

OPEN HOUSE

“Christmas in the Garden” is the theme for the annual holiday open

house at Sherman Library and Gardens from Friday through Dec. 24.

Each year, its volunteer association plans a special shopping event

in the Gift Shop. Choose from handmade needlework, tree and home

decor, beautiful holiday cards, gift wrap, tags and eclectic gifts.

You can also order top-of-the line Paul Ecke poinsettias in red,

white or Monet that will arrive in December. The Sherman Library and

Gardens is at 2647 E. Coast Highway in Corona del Mar. Call (949)

673-2261.

LUXURIOUS FABRICS

TSE (pronounced say) is a European fashion house known for its

luxurious cashmere and fine fabrics. Classic designs for women

include everyday sweaters, perfectly tailored double-faced cashmere

coats, and beautiful dresses. Famous designers contribute as creative

directors, including the incredible Narciso Rodriquez, Hussein

Chalayan and Victor Alforo. Their latest addition is Richard Chai, a

talented designer formerly at Marc Jacobs and Donna Karan. He’s

showing fabulous looks: pea coats, cropped flared pants, and wide-leg

trousers. It’s one of the few companies in the world that makes

33-gauge superfine wools (The highest gauge wool that most top

designers use is in the 20s.) Other apparel is made from cashmere

blends, silk, Lycra and incredible stretch cottons. TSE has two sales

a year: before Christmas and in June. The store is open from 10 a.m.

to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; and from

11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. It’s on Level 1 of the Nordstrom wing at

South Coast Plaza. Call (714) 540-4664.

APPRECIATING CUSTOMERS

November is customer appreciation month at Spa Gregories. Specials

will be offered from Sunday through Friday, Nov. 14.

* On Sunday, all city and county employees can receive 10% off on

services (free gifts and sample, too).

* Monday will be half-price hydro day: Book a 30-minute

hydrotherapy treatment and any other spa treatment, and receive half

off.

* On Tuesday, Veterans Day, veterans and armed forces and military

personnel will receive 10% off on services (free gifts and samples,

too).

* On Wednesday and Thursday, face ($50) and body ($60) peels will

be performed by MD Skincare from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The peels include

a $20 coupon for MD Skincare product purchases on that day. It’s a

$140 value.

* Friday will be lucky locker day. Two clients will have surprises

in their lockers, and special values and gifts with purchases will be

offered from Aromafloria, a bath and bodyline.

Spa Gregories is at 200 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach.

Call (949) 644-6672 or visit https://www.spagregories.com.

* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays. Send information to Greer Wylder at

[email protected]; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; or by

fax at (949) 646-4170.