The magic of Christmas is already here

GREER WYLDER

Paris To The Moon has opened a holiday annex store called Noel

Magique, next to the boutique on Santa Ana Avenue in Costa Mesa.

A celebration for the Christmas store’s opening will be Friday

from 7 to 9 p.m. with a live performance by Hollienea, a vocalist and

Celtic harp musician. Noel Magique specializes in enchanting, festive

holiday decor made by paper artists, floral designers and visual

artists. Much of the decor is whimsical and vintage-inspired.

Treasures include artistic gift tags, party hats, Victorian cones,

ornaments and handcrafted paper art. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to

Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. 1720 Santa Ana Ave. in Costa

Mesa. (949) 642-0942.

MIX YOUR MESSAGES

Couture Flowers Design Studio has moved to a larger West Newport

location. The upscale floral shop designs beautiful arrangements.

“I don’t do country or sweet,” owner Andrew Gromuck said. “Pink is

my least favorite color.”

Couture Flowers sophisticated color combos include mixed media:

copper air-conditioning coils, feathers and artichokes.

“It’s the marriage of fashion and flowers,” Gromuck said. “We’re

maximists and minimalists. And we only use premium ingredients.”

Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and Saturdays by

appointment. 887 W. 16th St. in Newport Beach. (949) 650-1067.

A HEADY BLEND

Kiehl’s fabulous Original Musk Blend No. 1 makes a great gift.

This fragrance, thought to be created at the turn of the 19th

century, has been reintroduced and modernized. It’s now available in

eau de toilette, 1.7 oz. ($37) and 3.4 oz. ($55). It’s even made its

way into the Smithsonian Museum’s permanent collection of historic

pharmaceutical items. Kiehl’s Original Musk combines subtle scents of

bergamot, orange blossom, lily and white patchouli, among other

complimentary fragrances.

Kiehl’s started as an apothecary in New York’s East Village. Its

preserved formulations come from pharmaceutical, herbal and medicinal

backgrounds. It has a no-frills packaging and no advertising policy.

Kiehl’s generously offers samples to test its products and offers

a 100% money back guarantee. It has the best alcohol-free fragrances

and body, hair, men’s, babies’ and children’s lines. Products are

unisex. It even has grooming products for horses and ponies! Open 10

a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11

a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. South Coast Plaza Level Two. (714)

427-0998. https://www.kiehls.com

NOW YOU’LL SEE HIM ...

Martin Lawrence Gallery at Fashion Island will host a special

showing of renowned pop illusionist Philippe Bertho’s work on Friday

and Saturday. Bertho will make a rare personal appearance on Friday

from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. (949) 759-0134.

LIVING BY THE CREED

Since 1760, the House of Creed has passed down fragrances from

father to son. Its scents have been worn by royals, celebrities and

those seeking the world’s finest fragrances. Original Vetiver is the

latest fragrance created by master perfumer Olivier Creed and his

son, Erwin. Exquisite botanicals and essences went into this

fragrance. It’s sold exclusively at Neiman Marcus. Open 10 a.m. to 8

p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m.

Sunday. Fashion Island in Newport Beach. (949) 759-1900.

https://www.neimanmarcus.com.

BAJA SESSIONS

The Automobile Club of Southern California has released the latest

edition of “Baja California: The U.S. Border to Cabo San Lucas,” an

excellent Baja guidebook. Travel writer and Baja California expert

David Brackney wrote the last three editions. It offers up-to-date

information on travel on major highways, campgrounds, hotels,

beaches, shopping, dining, nightlife, recreation and more. The book

sells for $18.95 at Barnes and Noble Booksellers and Borders, as well

as book and map stores throughout the Southwest. AAA members can buy

the book for just $13.95 at a local Auto Club office.

MARK OF THE CROSS

St. Croix just introduced its annual limited-edition art sweater

for men. Only 700 sweaters were made. The sweaters inspired by

Georges Braque’s “Violin et Palette” are made of cotton microfiber

and cost $375. St. Croix is located in the Atrium Court at Fashion

Island. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. (949) 760-8191.

* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays. Send information to Greer Wylder at

[email protected]; at 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626;

or by fax at (714) 966-4679.