Getting back into good health

GREER WYLDER

Pilates For Your Back specializes in alleviating back and neck pain.

Jamie Taylor, a registered physical therapist, operates a quiet and

tranquil studio in Corona del Mar, where she specializes in postural

alignment and simple exercises to balance and elongate the spine.

“Most of us know someone who is in constant discomfort or pain

from prolonged sitting at a desk or from driving or both,� Taylor

said. “Everyone can improve their appearance by correctly elongating

the spine in standing.�

Pilates For Your Back also helps “those who have back and neck

pain from prolonged sitting and standing and for others who have

limitations and need to learn to exercise safely,� Taylor added.

One private session at $70 covers instruction for optimal

alignment in sitting. Four sessions are suggested to cover sitting,

standing, and core activation for functional activities ($260). A

semi-private session costs $35, although Taylor recommends that

clients have one to two private sessions first. The studio is located

at 2711 E. Coast Highway #205 in Corona del Mar, next to Sherman

Library and Gardens. (949) 338-3304.

FOREVER BLUE

Upscale linens are on sale through January at Blue Springs Home.

The sale includes Bella Notte adult and baby bedding at 20% off;

House Inc. adult and baby bedding reduced 20%; and select furniture,

art, mirrors and antiques reduced 20% to 50%. There is also a table

filled with sale items reduced up to 75%.

Since 1998, owner Susan Ellison has carefully selected home

furnishings and luxury bedding for this specialty shop. Blue Springs

has grown to carry exclusive and hard-to-find luxury bedding lines.

Collections include handsewn Elsa C. linens from Paris; and a new

masculine bedding line -- in a very feminine store -- that’s great

for boys, the National Geographic home collection.

Established bedding lines include Bella Notte, which offers

exquisite linens, velvets and satins; as well as the feminine floral

line House Inc. that’s favored by girls. Blue Springs also carries

new and antique items that include lamps and custom shades,

chandeliers, mirrors, area rugs, architectural pieces and paintings.

Ellison travels to Europe, back East and takes side trips to the

South to purchase one-of-a-kind pieces for her store. Open 10 a.m. to

6 p.m. Monday to Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. 369 E. 17th St.

in Costa Mesa. (949) 642-3632. www.bluespringshome.com

SKIN TIGHT

Wolford Boutique specializes in top of the line hosiery and body

wear. It’s having a sale with select merchandise reduced 30% to 50%.

Wolford’s factory in Austria produces bold designs and graphics on

hosiery and is a leader in innovative fabrics.

A few of its best collections include: Logic, hosiery that grips

the hips with no gouging waistbands; Pure Energy compression hosiery,

good for circulation and helps prevent swelling; and Sheer 15

Non-Slipping with transparent silicon print on soles to prevent

slipping. There are also merino wool, cotton velvets, tiny elegant

gage to updated fishnets and invisible control-top styles.

Wolford also designs flattering body wear, lingerie and swimwear

collections. Collaborations with top designers including Vivienne

Westwood and Karl Lagerfeld add to Wolford’s appeal. Open 10 a.m. to

9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6:30

p.m. Sunday. Level Two at South Coast Plaza. (714) 556-7900.

www.wolford.com

AN OLIVE ANOINTING

Oliviers & Co., from Provence, offers an extensive assortment of

extra virgin olive oils from France, Italy, Spain, Greece and

Lebanon. It also sells Mediterranean specialty foods such as

vinegars, herbs, spices, pastas and jams.

Visit the Fashion Island store through Jan. 15 and find select

olive oils, gourmet foods, and kitchen accessories reduced up to 75%.

At Oliviers & Co., customers can visit the tasting table, where staff

members guide them through the company’s products. They also share

recipes and cooking tips.

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. Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

(949) 219-0495. www.oliviers-co.com

SIGN IT OVER

Sports Consignment offers used treadmills, elliptical trainers,

stair-steppers and recumbent exercise bikes. The prices are just a

fraction of what new equipment costs. Top brands available include

Precor, Vision Fitness, Pacemaster, LifeFitness, Stairmaster, Cybex,

Tectrix and Schwinn. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday; and 10

a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. 670 W. 17th St., G-1 in Costa Mesa, just

west of Trader Joe’s. (949) 548-0660.

IF YOU DON’T LOOK GOOD ...

Vidal Sassoon specializes in high-end haircuts and color. Its team

of stylists falls into two categories: artists and directors, based

on advanced training and years spent on the floor. Services include

specialized color and highlights, custom deep conditioning

treatments, nail treatment, makeup applications and esthetician

services.

The Vidal Sassoon salon is exclusively in Orange County at South

Coast Plaza. Level 1, Saks Fifth Avenue wing. (714) 556-5673.

* 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.