Best Buys -- Greer Wylder

If you’re having trouble selling a condo or a home, Eye Appeal can

help. Ruth Lynch and Kathy Pontrelli, who know how to improve the looks

of a home for buyer appeal, run the local business. They can make

improvements on your home’s interior and exterior. Eye Appeal starts with

a home consultation fee of $100, which is applicable to services

rendered. Pontrelli says improvements are often as simple as moving

furniture and clearing away stuff. They are popular with both home

sellers and Realtors. Information: (949) 548-3611.

The 109th Orange County Fair has special bargain days for kids, teens,

seniors and carnival rides. Kids days are on Fridays. Free admission is

good for kids 12 and younger. Children 5 and younger are admitted free

daily. On Monday, it’s teen days. Teens from 13 to 17 are admitted for

$5. On Thursday, seniors 55 and older are admitted for $4 and receive

free Ferris wheel and merry-go-round rides. The best bargain for rides

are on Monday because you can buy a $20 wristband and you’ll receive

unlimited adult and kids rides from noon to midnight. On Tuesday through

Thursday, you can purchase a $10 wristband and ride 10 rides of your choice. Information: (714) 708-FAIR.

One of the most popular sales of the year is happening at Neiman

Marcus. The Last Call sale is the specialty store’s biggest sale of the

season with markdowns of 50% on already reduced merchandise throughout

the store. The savings is up to 75% off original prices. The sale will

end Sunday. Neiman Marcus is at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

Information: (949) 759-1900.

Bloomingdale’s is having a trunk show that introduces the fine jewelry

designs of Bruno Montaldi from Italy from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. In

addition to the trunk show, the fine jewelry department will feature

loose diamonds; colored gems in all shapes and sizes, including rubies,

sapphires and emeralds; semi-mountings to accent precious stones; and

traditional and contemporary styles in pure platinum, 14-karat and

18-karat. Custom designers will be available to answer questions and

offer assistance. Bloomingdale’s is at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

Fashion conscious experts and fashion victims alike can be outfitted

in the current fall styles available at South Coast Plaza. The new looks

for fall are dark denim, cashmere, deep V-neck blouses and dresses, the

bohemian look, the ‘60s mod look, romance and ruffles, the cowgirl look,

leather and suede, designer rain hats, and oversized handbags. The

“must-haves” are available at Prada, where you can find dark denim jeans,

Versace’s denim Duffle bag, and Guess features its G Brand of Dirty Wash

jeans and matching jacket. Deep V-neck blouses and dresses are at Louis

Vuitton, and Gianni Versace has a plunge-neck jumpsuit. The Bohemian look

features fringe, leather and lace, and is well-represented at D&G; Dolce &

Gabbana because it carries a Bohemian Line complete with T-shirts laced

up the side, skirts with leather strands and sheer tulle dresses with

knit scarf. SoHo also has Bohemian-style clothing and accessories. And at

Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, there’s a leather boot with woven tie by

Tom Ford. The ‘60s mod look can be found at Giorgio Armani with the

man-tailored jacket, at Fendi there’s a mini-dress, and Prada has capes.

For ‘60s footwear, there’s Gucci’s over-the-knee black leather boot

(remember Jane Fonda in Barbarella?) and Louis Vuitton’s black side-laced

knee high boot. The romance and ruffles look is gypsy-inspired and can be

found at Giorgio Armani with its evening look lacy dresses, and Gucci’s

pink-ruffled baby doll tops. The cowgirl look is back according to W

magazine. Western wear is big at Laundry with its cowgirl got the blues

horse and rider sleeveless tee, techy pant with belt and red leather

western blazer. Christian Dior has red and black cowboy boots, and Tod’s

carries a cowboy-inspired, low-heeled Carnaby Boot. Leather and suede is

easy to find. At ICE Accessories, there are one-of-a-kind abalone,

leather and resin belts, and Donna Karan’s boutique has a new body

jersey, back-wrap skirt with leather ties that go well with Karan’s black

suede ankle boots. Designer rain hats can be found at Burberry, and Gucci

carries one in the sometimes-popular GG-print. Fall’s hottest handbag,

the oversized bag, is available at Burberry, Fendi and Hermes.

* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, or via fax at (949)

646-4170.