First signs of Christmas arrive

GREER WYLDER

The Christmas Company, a four-day shopping extravaganza presented by

the Junior League of Orange County, returns to the Orange County Fair

and Exposition Center in Costa Mesa from Sunday to Wednesday.

More than 90 specialty boutiques from all over the U.S. will

travel here to participate, bringing jewelry, home and holiday decor,

apparel, fashion accessories, children’s apparel, books and more.

General admission tickets are $7.

Each day, special events are scheduled, including a “Breakfast at

Tiffany’s” shopping event on Sunday at 8 a.m. (shopping from 8:30 to

10 a.m.) Tickets cost $25.

On Tuesday, attend a luncheon at 12:30 p.m. hosted by Erin Cole of

Erin Cole Couture Bridal Salon. Tickets cost $30 and include a lunch

catered by Urban Bake and a fashion show. Cole, along with her

business partner Karin Schroeder, will share her fabulous bridal

gowns and present a spectacular bridal cake and beautiful floral

arrangements. Erin Cole Design is a premier bridal salon that offers

exquisite tiaras, handbags, veils, as well as hair wraps, jewelry,

shawls and shoes.

On Sunday and Monday, the American Girl Fashion Show returns with

a breakfast, lunch and an early dinner. The clothing includes

daywear, sleepwear and special-occasion styles, similar to those that

American Girl’s dolls wear.

On Sunday, there’s a continental breakfast at 10 a.m., a catered

lunch at 1 p.m. and a late lunch at 4 p.m. On Monday, there’s an

early catered dinner at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $25 and include a meal

and fashion show. Shopping hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday; 10 a.m.

to 9 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Wednesday. (949) 261-0823.

PANCAKES FOR PROGRESS

Don’t miss the children’s Halloween extravaganza, Pumpkins &

Pancakes, at South Coast Plaza from 8 to 11 a.m. on Oct. 24. The

morning of family fun includes a gourmet pancake breakfast,

cappuccino bar, balloon artists, a live animal show,

trick-or-treating and arts and crafts. Live music and entertainment

are provided by Radio Disney. Proceeds from the annual event benefit

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a group that helps break

the destructive cycle of child abuse by training volunteers to speak

up for abused children and direct them into an environment where they

can flourish. Tickets cost $20 per person prior to the event and $25

per person at the door. At South Coast Plaza’s Crate and

Barrel/Macy’s Home Store Wing. (714) 435-2171.

TIME TO THINK PINK

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and local merchants will

present specials to raise funds for the breast cancer research.

Benchley Luggage & Gifts at Fashion Island hosts “Think Pink Too”

with Brighton. Customers can purchase a Brighton “Think Pink Too”

bracelet for $40. For every bracelet sold, Benchley and Brighton will

donate $5 each to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Benchley Luggage & Gifts is located in Bloomingdale’s Courtyard.

(949) 759-9101.

Bloomingdale’s at Fashion Island and Pink Wasabi at Crystal Cove

Promenade are offering a limited-edition Lily Pulitzer Scarf.

White House/Black Market at Corona del Mar Plaza is selling a

lovely pink necklace for breast cancer research.

South Coast Plaza shops are also offering specials for breast

cancer awareness.

At Jimmy Choo, there are beautiful pink ribbon satin shoes with

15% of the profits going to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

It’s the same shoe Elizabeth Hurley and Evelyn Lauder wore on TV to

kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink ribbons will also be

available in the store. (714) 327-0644.

Burberry is participating in the cause by donating 30% of the

profits from Heraldic trench coat purchases to the Breast Cancer

Research Foundation. (714) 556-8110.

Salvatore Ferragamo offers a “Breast Cancer Pink” leather photo

keychain, with 15% of the $135 price going to the Komen Foundation.

(714) 979-7654.

Paradise Pen Co. is selling a Susan G. Komen Pen from Retro 51

with 15% of the $15 price going to the Komen Foundation. (714)

556-0643.

Saks Fifth Avenue is offering a limited-edition Marc Jacobs

designed T-shirt. A portion of the profits will benefit Key to the

Cure. (714) 540-3233.

Tumi Boutique created a gray wool tote with a pouch and computer

sleeve in pink nylon. A portion of proceeds goes to breast cancer

research. Prices range from $34 for the small pouch to $250 for the

large tote. (714) 429-0997.

Wolford Boutique has sexy “Pink Ribbon Tights.” The semi-opaque

tights have a pink back seam and pink ribbon symbol. (714) 556-7900.

Black, Starr & Frost is carrying an exclusive Aaron Basha breast

cancer awareness baby shoe. The shoe, complete with a diamond strap,

comes in 18-karat yellow or white gold. (714) 549-2522.

SIGN YOUR NAME

Robinsons-May at Fashion Island hosts a rare appearance by

porcelain designer Juan Vicente Lladro on Wednesday. He’ll sign

Lladro’s pieces from 6 to 8 p.m. on the first level of the store.

Robinsons-May at (949) 644-2800.

* 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.