Greer’s OC: Discover healthy holiday desserts

Join the new Whole Foods Market at Bella Terra on Thursday for a holiday dessert makeover from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Healthy eating specialist Adriana Lopez will be preparing delicious and healthy holiday desserts without added oils or sweeteners: lemon squares, a raw apple crisp, forbidden rice pudding and dark chocolate coconut sauce with fresh fruit.

And on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., join Whole Foods for holiday cider-tasting. Taste four delicious craft ciders from Wandering Aengus ciders and sample Gouda Parrano and Salem Bleu cheese for just $5 per person.

Whole Foods is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at 7881 Edinger Ave. in Huntington Beach. Please RSVP to the events at (657) 200-4200 or e-mail [email protected].

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Perse Pop-Up Shop

It’s not often that a sought-after designer opens a temp shop at South Coast Plaza, but luckily for us, James Perse has opened a pop-up shop for the holidays. (Hurry in, it’s closing on an undisclosed date after Christmas.)

L.A.-based James Perse, the must-have brand for luxurious tees, tanks, scarves, sweaters, hoodies and other basics, is selling last season’s and overstock items that you’ll adore at various discounts. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to save some extra cash during the holidays and come home with understated chic James Perse clothing. His clothes are easy to wear and can be dressed up or down for casual or elegant events.

The store is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday on the lower level, Bloomingdale’s Wing at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714) 754-7671 or visit https://www.jamesperse.com.

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CD would make a great gift

Heading to Best Buy for some holiday shopping? Don’t forget to pick up a copy of the 2010 OC Music Awards “Best of Orange County” compilation proudly displayed in support of local music at each checkout register. It makes a great stocking-stuffer or under-the-tree item.

The compilation features 14 tracks from 2010 Award recipients including Sugar Ray, Atreyu, Thrice, Free the Robots, Dusty Rhodes and The River Band and Blok, to name a few. A portion of sales from the compilation benefit Music for a Cure, (https://www.musicforacure.org) the awards’ official charity, furthering their efforts to provide music therapy programs at children’s hospitals. You can also download the compilation online at https://www.facebook.com/ocmusicawards.

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EuroCar gala for the children

EuroCar, Orange County’s pre-owned luxury and exotic automotive dealership, is opening its doors to host its fourth annual holiday gala benefiting Childhelp (https://www.childhelp.org) and the Joyful Foundation (https://www.joyfulfoundation.org) on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. EuroCar’s black-tie affair includes live music from Modern Gypsy and professional dance performances by Dance Asylum’s team of international ballroom dancers.

Guests can enjoy food, hosted cocktails and a couture cupcake bar designed by Ditzie Cakes while shopping at designer trunk shows and silent auction where 100% of the proceeds will benefit charity.

Admission is free with the donation of a new unwrapped toy for the children at Childhelp’s three Costa Mesa group homes. Each person who donates a gift will be entered to win a “Night on the Town” in a EuroCar, including a personal driver, with the winner drawn at the evening’s conclusion. RSVP to [email protected]. EuroCar is at 2920 Red Hill Ave. in Costa Mesa. For more information, visit https://www.eurocaroc.com.

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Gifts to benefit diabetes research

Shop at Studio Chameleon in Newport Beach, where you can find perfect accessories and furnishings for every room in your home or perfect gifts for family and friends.

On Saturday, 15% of proceeds will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and there’s a free Guys Gift Wrapping Workshop happening from 11 a.m. to noon. You can bring gifts in to be wrapped or buy something wonderful. Great refreshments will be provided, too!

The store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at 1733 Westcliff Drive in Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 650-7979 or visit https://www.chameleondesignoc.com.

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One-stop shop for spices

Never again will you fear the day when you’re about to try a new recipe but can’t find kaffir lime leaves, cardaman pods or za’atar seasoning. To the rescue is a cook’s paradise, the Savory Spice Shop, which just opened its first SoCal store at Corona del Mar Plaza.

This is your one-stop spice emporium where you can find a wide array of hand-blended spices freshly ground weekly. With more than 400 spices and more than 140 original blends, the gourmet shop’s unique concept allows you to smell, taste and purchase fresh spices from around the world in customized amounts starting at a half ounce.

Savory Spice Shop also has unique extracts, salt-free options, sauces, organics, smoke flavoring, dehydrated mushrooms, unique gift boxes and more, appealing to everyone from the professional chef to weekend barbecuer.

The shop is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday in between Three Dog Bakery and Sprinkles Cupcakes at 928 Avocado Ave in Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 717-7776 or visit https://www.savoryspiceshop.com.

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Book resort for your party

Surf & Sand Resort is the place for the perfect holiday party. With a variety of oceanfront spaces that hold anywhere from 10 to 250 people and menus that are customized to your exact specifications, Surf & Sand can make your holiday party recipes come to life this season.

Surf & Sand can create a magical evening, lunch or day you and your guests won’t soon forget. The resort is at 1555 South Coast Hwy. in Laguna Beach. To find out more about the many options Surf & Sand has to offer, visit https://www.surfandsandresort.com or call (800) 664-7873.

GREER WYLDER writes Greer’s OC for the Huntington Beach Independent each Thursday and the Daily Pilot and Coastline Pilot each Friday. She’s the founder and president of greersoc.com, a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining, music, events and trends. Her blog can be viewed https://www.greersoc.com and she can be contacted at [email protected].