Becker’s a surfboard expert

Phil Becker is a legend in the surf world. Rumor has it that he’s

shaped 100,000 boards since the 1960s and he still shapes 11 boards a

day. A lot of the big surf companies have computer-shaped boards.

Becker Surf & Sport carries surfboards, skate gear and a large

selection of girls’, boys’, men’s and women’s apparel. Its most

popular line is the limited edition OP apparel -- a reissuing of

original 1970s designs. Other apparel lines are Becker, Quiksilver,

Volcom, Roxy, Hurley and Stussy. Look for the five-day annual 23% off

sale the second week of August. Everything goes on sale (excluding

boards). Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.

to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. 3140 E. Coast Highway,

Corona del Mar. (949) 720-0533.

BURBERRY MOVES ON

Every season it looks like Burberry is moving farther away from

its signature check fabric. A lot of the collections are now done in

classic solids with a check accent. The company has intense trademark

rules to keep counterfeiters from copying the Burberry check used

since 1924, but somehow similar patterns have saturated the apparel

industry. The red, camel, black and white check was initially used as

a lining in trench coats, and now it’s on everything from bikinis,

thong underwear, shoes, strollers, surfboards, and men’s and women’s

apparel. It’s open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.

to 7 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. (714) 556-8110.

CELEBRITIES LOVE ZEGNA

Ermenegildo Zegna is a European traditional luxury men’s apparel

and accessories boutique. It caters to professionals who love their

made-to-measure suits, pants and shirts made in Italy. There are also

shoes, ties, belts, cufflinks, suits and pants. Athletes and

celebrities are regular fans of Zegna’s apparel. Seen in South Coast

Plaza’s store is New York Giants’ Jason Sehorn and Denzel Washington.

It’s open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. (714) 444.1534.

CHOCOLATE MAKES GREAT GIFTS

Belgium’s Godiva Chocolatier is famous for assorted truffles --

with classic milk, ivory and dark chocolate flavors -- and

not-so-classic flavors -- raspberry, honey roasted almond, coconut

macadamia, mango and espresso. The sea-theme chocolates -- oysters,

starfish and scallop shells -- are popular. For gift giving, there

are custom and pre-packaged baskets and birthday chocolates wrapped

in astrological papers with personalized gift cards. Chocolates are

$33 per pound, or priced individually. It’s open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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

Sunday. (714) 556-9055.

HUGO IS BOSS FOR JEANS

Hugo Boss specializes in contemporary to ultra modern clothing and

accessories for men. All ages shop at this mid-range priced German

designer store. There isn’t competition in the mall for value and

style. Look for their three label system: orange is sport, black is

classic and white is their highest quality Baldessarini label. The

white label is almost couture -- shirts and knits are handmade. Jeans

and casual sportswear are Hugo Boss’s biggest seller, yet they carry

head-to-toe casual and dress clothing. It’s open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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

Sunday. (714) 641.8661.

GET STYLE AND PRODUCTS

Jose Eber Atelier isn’t just a hair salon. It’s also a great place

to buy hair care products. It carries my favorite Bumble and Bumble

hair care line. Regular clients can’t live without the Biolure daily

conditioner at $19.50, and Kerastase Masquintense at $33 -- a

once-a-week treatment for color clients who love the way it makes

hair stay in good shape. Jose Eber Atelier also specializes in nails,

waxing, skin treatments and makeup. It’s open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6:30

p.m. Sunday. (714) 556-5673.

GET SKIN CARE HELP

Georgette Klinger is the self-proclaimed world’s best face care

salon. It’s famous for its nine-step signature facial at $85; it can

take up to an hour and a half. There’s also a popular three-step

anti-acne teen plan. Georgette Klinger opened her first skin care

clinic in New York in the 1940s because her teen acne experience led

to an interest in skin care. Georgette Klinger is also a full-service

hair, nail and skin care salon. It’s open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

and Monday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. (714) 850-1212.

www.georgetteklinger.com.

* BEST BUYS appears Mondays and Fridays. Send information to

Greer Wylder at [email protected] or 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa,

CA 92627, or via fax at (949) 646-4170.