Lighting up the tree and the season

GREER WYLDER

Fashion Island’s festive tree lighting ceremony will take place today

and Saturday at 6 p.m. The 115-foot tree will light up at the end of

“Celebrate the Season,” a song and dance performance by students from

the Orange County High School of the Arts.

Immediately after the ceremony, Santa will be at his house for

photos and visits on Fashion Island’s Atrium Lawn.

Mondays through Wednesdays from Dec. 1 through 17, visitors can receive $2 off Santa photos with a carousel pass. A portion of

proceeds from Santa photos will be donated to HomeAid Orange County,

a nonprofit organization that builds shelters for the temporarily

homeless.

Fashion Island’s white fir comes from Mt. Shasta.

FLOWERS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Select beautiful, simple arrangements or striking flowers designed

for formal weddings at French Buckets. Co-owner Sussanna Davidson

divides her time between Fashion Island and her original Santa Fe

Springs location. Her degree in fine arts enhances her creativity.

She specializes in European style arrangements (compact, without

greens); and old-fashioned wrap bouquets tied with tissue paper and

beautiful ribbon. Davidson is drawn to vintage looks -- she stocks

galvanized French flower buckets, unusual urns and chooses

hard-to-find flowers. Gifts items available include hand-blown glass

vases from all around the world, botanical soaps, preserved

arrangements and photographs of Paris taken by a local photographer

who lives in Paris part-time. French Buckets is open from 10 a.m. to

9 p.m. weekdays; from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to

6 p.m. Sunday. It’s in the Atrium Court in Fashion Island in Newport

Beach. Call (800) 652-9551.

DECORATIVE WALLS

Brett Blackman is a talented muralist who mostly paints in

high-end residences, but he can work with all budgets. Blackman

paints murals and provides decorative painting in homes from Los

Angeles to San Diego. He’s been working on several beautiful murals

in a mausoleum at Loma Vista Memorial in Fullerton. The style is

reminiscent of Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine Chapel. “I’ve

gotten to know the people who come in there daily, to visit loved

ones long gone, and it’s nice to make the space more beautiful for

them,” Blackman said. He was chosen to design the T-shirt and poster

for the 2004 Corona del Mar 5K in June. “That has been a very

exciting process, working with the CDM chamber,” Blackman said.

Clients can e-mail Blackman and he’ll send examples of his work. Call

(949) 637-6981 or send e-mai to bblackman@integrity.com.

MEN’S STYLE

Atkinson’s Men’s Clothing and Furnishings, established in 1947,

has just received the latest Polo Ralph Lauren cruise and fall

collections. There are also beautiful new Southwick and Corbin

collections to choose from. Free validated parking is available

behind the store. Atkinson’s is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It’s

at 3430 Via Lido in Lido Marina Village. Call (949) 673-0653.

VALUE AND LOOKS

Forever 21 offers a brand of value-conscious trends for women.

Fashions arrive daily. This phenomenally successful shopping concept

was conceived by a young couple, Don and Jin Sook Chang. Together,

they’ve created one of the fastest growing apparel companies; more

than 150 stores have opened in the U.S. and Canada. The range of

fashions varies from casual, to dressy. There’s even a lingerie

collection. Accessories include handbags, select makeup, shoes and

scarves. Call (949) 719-6621 or visit https://www.forever21.com.

BARGAINS ABOUND

Miner Mistakes Designer Outlet is a 7,500-square-foot showroom of

home furnishings and accessories sold at bargain prices. Scheduled

sales include: mirrors and artwork reduced 40%; on Saturday, every

chair will be reduced 30%; and next week, Christmas items will be

reduced. The showroom houses lamps and dining, living and bedroom

furniture. Miner Mistakes is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday

through Saturday. It’s at 2925 Airway Ave. in Costa Mesa. Call (714)

979-6679.

SURF STYLE

The Frog House, established in 1962, can’t compete with stylish,

cutting-edge surf shops, but what it lacks in modern design it makes

up for in old-fashioned charm. It’s one of Newport’s most treasured

surf shops. The Frog House stays true to surf, strictly offering

top-quality boards and wetsuits. Top brands come from Quiksilver,

Hurley, Rusty, Ripcurl, O’Neill and more. There’s just a small

selection of apparel. It’s also one of the few shops that repairs

wetsuits. The service extends the life of many suits. The Frog House

is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; from 8 a.m. to 6

p.m. Saturday; and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. It’s at 6908 W.

Coast Highway in Newport Beach. Call (949) 642-5690.

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

greerwylder@yahoo.com; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; or by

fax at (949) 646-4170.