GREER’S BEST BUYS:

On one of the biggest shopping days of the year, enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Its spectacular 115-foot Christmas tree is adorned in more than 17,000 lights and ornaments in Bloomingdale’s Courtyard. Santa Claus arrived at Santa’s village on the Atrium Lawn. Traditional carolers entertain from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. For details, go to www.shopfashionisalnd.com or call (949) 721.2000.

See reindeer carousel

South Coast Plaza’s holiday shoppers can enjoy extra holiday festivities with the addition of Santa visits and photos, Santa’s Express Train, strolling Dickens Carolers and the newly transformed carousel featuring Santa’s reindeer. Children can ride these magical animals for $1. Santa Photos are available in Carousel Court and the Macy’s Home Store Wing on Level 1. Santa’s Express Train rides cost $1, or free with any Santa photo purchase. Santa’s Village is in Carousel Court. For more information, visit www.southcoastplaza.com or call (714) 435-2034.

Patina gives discount

Patina Boutique offers an early-bird sale today through Sunday. Shop from 8 a.m. to noon today and receive 20% off your entire purchase (10% after noon); shop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday and receive 20% off your entire purchase (10% off after noon); and shop Sunday and save 10% all day. Patina Boutique is a must-shop boutique for hip apparel, jewelry, and accessories. Owner and jewelry designer, Jenny Johnson has a knack for finding eclectic fashions you won’t find at department stores. It carries local jewelry designers, handmade shoes, great tee’s, sweaters, denim and more.

The boutique, 178 Wells Place, Costa Mesa, is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For details, call (949) 548-1930.

Erica Dee’s sale

At Erica Dee’s “day after Thanksgiving weekend sale” enjoy savings up to 70% off at all three boutiques in Corona del Mar: Erica Dee, Erica Dee Men and Erica Dee Kids. And save an additional 10% off today only. Erica Dee’s stores carry women’s and men’s cutting-edge fashions; as well as stylish kids and maternity apparel. Erica Dee’s is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For details, Erica Dee, 3435 E. Coast Hwy., (949) 673-9333; Erica Dee Men, 3429 E. Coast Hwy., (949) 673-9333; Erica Dee Kids, 2919 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, (949) 673-5533.

Hurry for Bridget

No Rest for Bridget features the latest affordable, but spectacular fashions for teens to women in their 40s. Its niche is providing affordable pieces that can be mixed with expensive designer apparel or just worn on their own. Stopping by often is the key to shopping at its two locations in Costa Mesa and more recently at Bella Terra in Huntington Beach. No Rest For Bridget doesn’t rely on sale events. New merchandise arrives weekly and moves quickly. Choose from tops, dresses, denim, sweaters, basics, accessories and more. “Every Wednesday is what we call ‘assembly line’ where new merchandise is priced and customers get a first peek,” co-owner Mas Hayakawa says.

“By Thursday morning, everything is ready and merchandised.” In Costa Mesa, the store, 250 E. 17th St., is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. For details, (949) 645-3026. In Huntington Beach’s Bella Terra Shopping Center, 7777 Edinger Ave., the store is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. For details, call (714) 890.6579, or got to www.norestforbridget.com.

Eat for March of Dimes

Indulge in a wonderful culinary experience at the Palm Garden (inside the Island Hotel) in Newport Beach Nov. 30. Sixteen of Southern California’s most prominent chefs will serve their signature dishes, along with wine stations at the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction. You can meet and chat with the chefs. The silent auction takes place during the tasting portion of the event. After the tasting, guests sit down to enjoy a fabulous array of miniature desserts prepared by The Island’s pastry chef, Michael Owens. A spirited live auction starts with each chef serving as the focal point of an exclusive package. Tickets cost $250 per person. Proceeds from the event support the mission of the March of Dimes: to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Enjoy chef samplings, cocktails and silent auction from 7 to 8:30 p.m; and dessert and live auction from 8:30 to 10 p.m.

The Palm Garden at the Island Hotel is in Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 263-1100 or go to www.marchofdimes.com.

 Greer Wylder writes Best Buys for the Daily Pilot each Friday. She’s the founder and president of greersoc.com, a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining and trends.