Not a mixed bag of appeal

Patina Boutique offers a fun and funky mix of apparel, jewelry and

accessories carefully selected by owner and jewelry designer Jenny

Johnson. She’s known for her vintage pendants with semi-precious

stones. The shabby cottage behind Washington Mutual Bank at East 17th

Street and Orange Avenue is a showcase of designer clothing, shoes,

bathing suits, antiques and baby items. Local art includes tropical

and beach paintings and tiles by Susan McKibbin; vintage fabric

pillows by Leslie of Nikki Twigs; custom florals by M. designs; art

on fabric handbags by Alexander Muller; jewelry designs by Cynthia

Morehouse; photo cards and photo-print T-shirts by Michelle James;

and hand-illustrated note cards by Girl Friday Studios. Open from 10

a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday; from noon to 5 p.m. Friday; and

from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. 178 Wells Place in Costa Mesa. (949)

548-1930.

ROUND AND ROUND IT GOES

Opening this summer at Fashion Island is a new Mediterranean-theme

carousel in the courtyard outside Robinsons-May. The carousel

features fanciful animals created from molds of original antique

woodcarvings, Venetian scenes and alternating faces of a male

gondolier and a female in a Carnevale costume. Carousels

traditionally feature male faces; this is only one of two carousels

known in the world with female faces. Gustav Dentzel, a famous

carousel maker, created most of the carvings. Thirty-eight feet in

diameter, the carousel will be illuminated at night by 1,200 white

lights. Other outdoor enhancements at Fashion Island will be new

plants and trees, outdoor furniture, signs and lighting.

VAN’S, OLD-SCHOOL STYLE

Van’s Tennis Shoes has received limited edition Classic Old Skools

and Slip-Ons in crazy color combinations. The shoes can only be

special ordered in the store and then sent to your home. Color

combinations include black/pink, charcoal/black and royal

purple/black, and there are 14 others. Available in boys/men’s and

women’s sizes. Ladies interested in Van’s Classics can wear the

boys’/men’s sizes. There is a 1.5 difference between boys/men’s and

women’s sizes. If you are a women’s 8.5, then you would be a boys

7.0. A women’s size 10 would be a men’s 8.5. Open from 10 a.m. to 8

p.m. Monday to Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. 1666

Newport Blvd. in Newport Beach. (949) 642-5753.

NO-FRILLS SKIN CARE

The only skin care line I’ll use, Kiehl’s, now has a retail store

at South Coast Plaza. I couldn’t live without Creme d’Elegance

Repairateur, Panthenol Protein Moisturizing Face Cream, Ultra Facial

Moisturizer and Lip Balm No. 1. Kiehl’s started out in 1851 as an

apothecary in New York’s East Village. It offers a blend of preserved

formulations from pharmaceutical, herbal and medicinal backgrounds.

Kiehl’s is known for its no-frills packaging and for a no-advertising

policy to keep the cost down and focus on making the best products.

Kiehl’s generously offers samples so customers can test products, and

it offers a 100% money back guarantee on all purchases. Kiehl’s

offers lines for body, hair, men’s, sun protection, alcohol-free

fragrances, babies and children, lips and even grooming products for

horses and ponies. 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.

Level 2, Macy’s wing, across from Gucci. (714) 427-0998.

MORE THAN A MAKEOVER

Stila has an upcoming makeover event on Friday from noon to 7:30

p.m. Stila’s global makeup artist Brett Borman can select colors

especially appealing for you. A Stila artist will help you with the

cosmetics. This Stila Boutique claims to offer the world’s first

cosmetic vending machines. 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. Level 2, across from ICE Accessories. Book your

appointment by calling (714) 540-4960.

A MARKETPLACE OF PRODUCTS

Don’t miss the new Farmer’s Market happening the second Saturday

of every month. The next Farmer’s Market is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

June 14. Coinciding with the outdoor marketplace will be specials by

participating merchants. Triangle Square’s tenants include Niketown,

Virgin Megastore, the Gap, Barnes & Noble, Color Me Mine, Nordic

Track, GNC, Edwards Theater, Upper Crust Pizza, Bon Bon Sticky

Fingers, FUGU, Yardhouse, Zen Sushi, Humphrey Yogart and the Closet.

1870 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa. www.trianglesquare.com.

* BEST BUYS appears Mondays and Fridays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at [email protected]; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA

92627; or by fax at (949) 646-4170.