Indulge your sweetheart’s desire

GREER WYLDER

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, South Coast Plaza is playing host

to the 25th annual Fascination of Orchids International Show and

Sale, starting today and running through Sunday.

The show features more than 100 orchid exhibitors and more than 60

vendors from around the world. All three levels of South Coast

Plaza’s Crate & Barrel/Macy’s Home Store wing will be transformed

into a tropical paradise, featuring hundreds of thousands of orchids.

Orchid lovers can attend seminars, workshops and demonstrations

hosted by orchid experts. Free admission and parking.

OPEN UP A REAL TREAT

Godiva Chocolatier at South Coast Plaza offers a fantastic

Valentine’s Day giveaway for shoe lovers. Inside a specially marked

Godiva Valentine’s Day gift box is a certificate that says

“congratulations.” The recipient of this box will win a grand prize

shopping spree at the Manolo Blahnik Boutique in New York City and

can choose up to 52 pairs of shoes.

The prize includes airfare, hotel and ground transportation for

the winner and a guest. Approximate retail value is $30,000. Level 2

at South Coast Plaza. (714) 556-9055.

THE SOUTH COAST SELECTION

South Coast Plaza’s merchants offer a number of great Valentine’s

Day gift ideas.

Gifts for her include:

* ICE Accessories: The Cathy Waterman Love Bracelet -- a handmade

two band platinum bracelet along with diamonds that connect to a

circle with the word “Love” spelled out in diamonds ($13,000).

* Tiffany & Co.: The Elsa Peretti Open Heart Necklace -- in

platinum, 18K gold or lustrous sterling silver -- the 18K gold open

heart pendant has pave diamonds set in platinum with an 18-inch silk

red cord ($7,200); The Elsa Peretti Continuous Open Heart Bracelet is

available in sterling silver ($1,295) and in 18K gold ($4,700).

* BVLGARI: The Concentrica Collection features a white gold

necklace and ring with a closed circle in the diamond center --

necklace ($4,650) and matching ring ($3,850).

* Judith Leiber: Choose from crystal heart handbags, pillboxes,

necklaces and bracelets ($1,995 to $250).

* Mikimoto: There’s a heart pendant and earrings ($470 to $4,500).

Mikimoto also has a new Fire from the Elements of Life collection; it

features a stunning variety of necklaces, bracelets, rings and

earrings with Tahitian cultured pearls and graduated color pink

sapphires set in 18K white gold.

* Black, Starr & Frost: An invisible set diamond heart pendant or

a black and white diamond heart pendant ($1,200 to $4,000).

* Wolford Boutique: The Amour Collection includes sexy and lacy

bras ($175 to $190), panties ($88 to $98) and stocking belts ($175),

all available in pink or black.

* Smith & Hawken: The Cupid Tulip Garden is a crate with nearly

four-dozen premium tulip bulbs ($69).

Gifts for him include:

* Cartier: The Santos 100 Watch features a steel case, 18K yellow

gold bezel, brown alligator strap with 18K yellow gold and steel

clasp, mechanical movement with automatic winding system and is water

resistant ($4,250).

* BVLGARI: The Ergon Watch has a steel and crocodile strap, a

black dial and wide hands. It’s available in two sizes -- 35 or 40

millimeter -- at $2,600. There’s also AQVA, BVLGARI’s latest men’s

fragrance ($68).

* Black, Starr & Frost: The 18K rose gold cuff links ($1,900).

* The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Cufflinks, ties, books and

sculptures.

* ICE Accessories: A roulette set, packaged in a luxurious leather

case ($120).

VISIT THE ISLAND

Fashion Island merchants also carry great Valentine’s Day gifts.

* Haagen-Dazs sells delicious, all occasion ice cream cakes,

including heart-shaped cakes covered with rich Belgian chocolate that

serve 4 to 6 people ($11.99).

* Jules Allen offers personalized cashmere scarves.

* Rich truffles from Teuscher Chocolates & Cafe make great gifts;

its signature chocolate is the champagne truffle with a Dom Perignon

center.

* Scented candles or pampering skin and body care products can be

found at various stores including L’Occitane, Bath & Body Works, The

Body Shop, Caswell-Massey and Anthropologie.

* The new boutique Lola Rouge also has candles and cosmetics in

its apothecary, as well as feminine accessories.

* Yours Only also has a large selection of items that can be

engraved with initials or romantic sentiment for personalized

Valentine’s Day gifts.

* Diamond and platinum jewelry are timeless favorites for

Valentine’s Day, a variety of stunning pieces can be found at Stuart

Moore and Traditional Jewelers.

CRYSTAL CLEAR

More Valentine’s Day gifts can be found at Crystal Cove Promenade

on the Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Coast.

* For gifts that sparkle, stop by Eric Hanan Jewels. Hanan is a

prominent, fourth-generation jeweler who offers his innovative and

original designs.

* Another great option for finding Valentine’s Day gifts is

Cassis, which features luxurious French and Italian lingerie from

Aubade, Cosabella and Love Tanjane. Cassis also offers candles,

eclectic jewelry and designer beaded handbags from J. Lhauillier.

* Place an order for traditional roses or a fragrant arrangement

of exotic florals from Urban Gardener, a well-known florist at

Crystal Cove Promenade.

COMING FULL CIRCLE

Merchants at Corona del Mar Plaza also carry romantic gifts.

* Lingerie et Chocolat specializes in fine European lingerie. It

offers casual day looks and loungewear, as well as sexy and elegant

lingerie for evenings. Italian and French lines include Lise Charmel,

Argentovivo, Princess Tam Tam, Ritratti. Lingerie et Chocolat also

offers gourmet chocolate gifts presented in beautiful boxes, and

other specialty items.

* Jewels by Joseph carries designer jewelry, and just in time for

Valentine’s Day select items reduced 50%.

* For a romantic dinner at home, Bristol Farms offers a take-home

dinner for two, with a choice of filet mignon or salmon wrapped in

puff pastry, complete with gourmet side dishes and a heart shaped

dessert for two.

* 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.