BEST BUYS -- greer wylder

The newly remodeled Stuart Moore Gallery, at Fashion Island, has an

impressive background. As one of the first upscale boutiques to become a

resident of New York City’s SoHo more than a dozen years ago, gallery

owner and jewelry designer Stuart Moore is known for his creativity and

style.

The Stuart Moore Galleries have been referred to as SoHo in SoCal and

SoHo in NoCal (the San Francisco gallery opened two years ago) as much

for the cutting-edge architecture and minimalism of the store and

furnishings as for the unusual, avant-garde and architectural jewelry.

Most of the jewelry is by German designers exclusive to Stuart Moore in

Manhattan, San Francisco and Orange County, with the remainder designed

by Moore.

The majority of Stuart Moore jewelry is platinum, which is known for

being the purest, strongest and most precious of all metals. Because of

his platinum jewelry designs, Stuart Moore has developed a close

relationship with The Platinum Guild International, USA, and its

president/founder, Ms. Laurie Hudson. “We have such an appreciation of

Stuart Moore and his jewelry. His own platinum designs and those of his

designers are audacious yet glamorous without being pretentious or

old-fashioned. Stuart has a creative sense and style that is the

antithesis of the usual jewelry store,” says Hudson. “Platinum and Stuart

Moore both appeal to an audience, which ranging in age, income and style,

are looking for diversification from the ordinary.”

For more information, call (949) 644-0501.

The owners of Balboa Eyewear, Claire and Jachin Loi, would like Best Buys

readers to know about the unbelievable deal going on in their store.

“Yves Saint Laurent sunglasses have a very rich look design with high

optical quality made in Italy. The regular prices range from $125 to

$165, and now we sell them at $35 to $45,” says Claire Loi. “If you see

the quality and designs, you’ll want to grab a few pairs. The designs are

especially great for mature ladies.”

Balboa Eyewear sells most of the top-of-the-line designer frames,

including Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Giorgio Armani. Persol, Gucci,

Nautica, Modo, Oakley, Guess? and Maui Jim-polarized lenses. Balboa

Eyewear, which can be reached at (949) 723-0783, is at 710 E. Balboa

Blvd. in Newport Beach.

Topiaries, a local topiary plant specialty business, is having a

liquidation sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. to 1

p.m. on Saturday. It’s at 500 Narcissus Ave. in Corona del Mar; the phone

number is (949) 640-7843. The sale is ideal for purchasing early holiday

gifts. On sale will be topiaries, pottery and garden accessories at

one-third off the regular price; some are reduced more. The owner of

Topiaries is now coordinating weddings as Barbara Wallace Weddings.

Wallace specializes in etiquette and she’s an expert in Asian American

cross-cultural weddings.

Chocolate lovers are in luck. Every October leading up to Halloween,

Helen Grace Chocolates has a special sale of factory boo-boo’s. They are

still the top-quality, fine, assorted chocolates that you’re used to

buying at Helen Grace, but not every chocolate comes out of the factory

exactly perfect -- maybe its shape is a little odd, or the design is

quite symmetrical. Rather than discarding the fine chocolates, they are

bagged and sold as Helen Grace Factory boo-boo’s during the month of

October. There are perfect as Halloween party favors, or to bring a bag

or two to the office. Helen herself says don’t be scared of our factory

boo-boo’s. “Take advantage of our mistakes and enjoy fine chocolates at a

greatly reduced price,” she said. At $7.95 for two pounds, with no limit

to the number of bags you buy, it’s a great deal. Helen Grace Chocolates,

is in the Westcliff Plaza shopping center at 1124 Irvine Ave. in Newport

Beach. For more information, call (949) 631-8700.

The Automobile Club of Southern California has recently published a

complete travel guidebook, “San Diego, Where to Go -- From Locals Who

Know!” The travel reference book uncovers the best bistros, restaurants,

nightspots, AAA-approved hotels and local attractions. Other topics

covered are a list of the 15 must-see attractions called “greatest hits,”

“fun side trips,” and dozens of the Auto Club’s detailed maps. Bargain

hunters will love the highlights called “instant natives” that offer hot

tips, like where to get half-price tickets to San Diego’s best concerts

and shows. The book is organized by region: specifically detailing areas

such as Coronado, downtown San Diego, La Jolla/Del Mar, Mission Bay and

Beaches, Old Town, Mission Valley and Point Loma. The book sells for

$13.95 at bookstores and at Auto Club locations, including Costa Mesa at

3350 Harbor Blvd., and Newport Beach at 3880 Birch St. Auto Club members

pay a reduced price of $10.95 at Auto Club offices and at the Web site at

o7 www.aaa-calif.com.f7

Bow Danglers would like Best Buys readers to know that the very popular

fall Flax by Angelheart has arrived in a silk douppioni, which is

washable. If you mention this Best Buys column you’ll receive a surprise.

Bow Danglers is at 369 E. 17th St. on the corner of Tustin Avenue and

17th Street. Call (949) 642-5459.

According to Halloween costume experts, this year’s most popular young

kid’s costume is the Pokemon costume. Although in some stores they are

hard to find, they’re available at Zany Brainy in the Corona del Mar

Plaza in Newport Beach. There’s a sale on the two styles through Sunday.

The Pikachu and Charmeleon costumes are each $19.99, reduced from $24.99.

The two body suits come with masks and are sized for kids ages 4 to 10.

If you’re planning a trip to LegoLand California in Carlsbad, you’ll want

to buy tickets at Ralphs using a Ralphs Club card. Beginning Monday and

running through Oct. 31, LegoLand will transform into a Halloween fantasy

for young kids. Tickets sold at Ralphs are $5 off the regular price at

LegoLand. Adult tickets are $27; kids are $20. Tickets can be used now

through Dec. 31. Ralphs grocery stores are in Newport Beach at 2660 San

Miguel Drive and in Costa Mesa at 380 E. 17th St.

Kristen’s for Lingerie, Loungewear and Gifts has brought back its bra and

panty sale. For a limited time, you can buy any two bras and get the

third one free, or buy two panties and get the third one free. Kristen’s

is at Westcliff Court at 1719 Westcliff Drive in Newport Beach.

* BEST BUYS is published Thursdays and Saturdays. If you know of a good

buy, send a fax to (949) 646-4170 or write to: Daily Pilot, Best Buys,

330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa 92627.