Boutiques

Local jewelry designer Mimi Kim first started creating modern and stylish jewelry for herself and friends. Her classic and chic designs caught the attention of boutique owners. Now her jewelry line has exploded. Kim designs beautiful handmade necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, bridal jewelry and even Mini-Mimi designs for girls. Her delicate designs of natural gemstones, mother-of-pearl and coin pearls are hand-wrapped in sterling silver or 14-carat rolled gold. Mimi's passion for design is apparent in her eye-catching teardrop earrings, multi-faceted briolette dangle necklace and hand-wrapped pretty pink freshwater pearl ring (prices vary from $58 for earrings to $196 for a necklace)

Located on Pacific Coast Highway across from picturesque Crystal Cove State Beach, Crystal Cove Promenade has an unmatched panoramic view of the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Shoppers stroll along the promenade experiencing a unique mix of exclusive designer boutiques and well-known national retailers. Crystal Cove Promenade is also one of the hottest dining spots along the coast. Bluefin exudes an intimate ambience, with an innovative menu of Japanese cuisine and a sushi bar. Tempting diners with distinct Northern Italian fare is Modo Mio Cucina Rustica.

As the Irvine Co. begins demolition on the former Macy's women's store building in Fashion Island, the developer continues to make the Newport Beach shopping center even more attractive to shoppers. Irvine Co. spokesman Bill Rams said the company expects demolition on the 30-year-old building, which was the oldest building at the center, to take about two weeks. It began Tuesday. The construction shouldn't hinder parking or access to other shops. Construction on a new, oval-shaped piazza shopping area is expected to be finished late next year, he said.

Location: 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, at the San Diego (405) Freeway and Bristol Street. Hours: 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 Known for: The largest shopping center in California, South Coast Plaza is the Rodeo Drive of Orange County, with nearly every luxury brand in the universe under one roof. The mall has 250 boutiques and 30 restaurants. What you'll find: Almost everything you could ever want or need.

Located off Pacific Coast Highway and Avocado Ave., Corona del Mar Plaza features a splashing fountain, olive trees and Mediterranean architecture, setting the scene for a unique offering of upscale stores and restaurants that cater to the Southern California lifestyle. For a true OC experience, visit the new Jack's Surfboards, an Orange County surf institution with the hottest gear and accessories; and don't miss the hot boutiques, such as Diane's Beachwear and Bikini. Other popular stores include Three Dog Bakery, for pampered pets and their owners, and White House/Black Market, with designer fashions and looks from casual to eveningwear.

The designers at St. John Knits have been busy. Exclusive pieces designed to celebrate the company’s 45th anniversary have been shown in boutiques from New York to Costa Mesa, and its 2008 Resort/Spring collection premiered in a runway show at the Orange County Performing Arts center Tuesday. Honoring the life and achievements of founders Robert and Marie Gray, who started the company in their Newport Beach home, the show opened with a slide presentation featuring a nostalgic look back at St. John’s beginnings.

South Coast Plaza celebrated its 45th anniversary Wednesday during a private dinner in Bel-Air. Henry Segerstrom, managing partner of C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, the owner of the shopping center, gathered a few dozen close family, friends and industry experts to celebrate South Coast Plaza's achievement and influence at Hotel Bel-Air. The dinner and celebration featured a slide show of the shopping center's Fall Portfolio in the upscale hotel's outdoor court where nature, live music and guests mingled in harmony.

A screening of the hot new film "Chocolat" served as a benefit for the Orangewood Children's Foundation recently hosted by El Portal in honor of the opening of its new boutiques at South Coast Plaza. A crowd of about 400 guests attended the grand opening event, which began with the screening of the film at Edward's South Coast Village Cinema and followed by an El Portal in-store soiree featuring French hors d'oeuvres prepared and served by the staff of Pinot Provence, decadent chocolate martinis delivered by Skyy Vodka and an overflowing dessert table laden with Bodega chocolates -- just in case the guests had not had enough of the chocolate theme.

Coastline Community College will host a holiday boutique and sale Monday, according to a news release. Jewelry, knitted items, art, home decor and more from local vendors will be on sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the lobby of the college's main office in Fountain Valley, 11460 Warner Ave. Many of the items will be handmade. The event is a fundraiser for the Classified Senate program. Portions of the vendor fees will go toward scholarships for Coast Community College District employees pursuing further education.

Amid the many booths of handmade and commercial jewelry and accessories, 13-year-old Ali Pfleger's booth, My Passion, blends in well. With her handcrafted beaded and wire necklaces, bracelets and rings, photo notecards and small key chains and ornaments bought at Vietnamese markets, Ali's wares are not out of the ordinary. What makes them special is what they represent. When customers buy the Newport Beach resident's jewelry and trinkets, they are helping fund a heart surgery or build a house or purchase rice for children and families in need in Vietnam.

South Coast Plaza celebrated its 45th anniversary Wednesday during a private dinner in Bel-Air. Henry Segerstrom, managing partner of C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, the owner of the shopping center, gathered a few dozen close family, friends and industry experts to celebrate South Coast Plaza's achievement and influence at Hotel Bel-Air. The dinner and celebration featured a slide show of the shopping center's Fall Portfolio in the upscale hotel's outdoor court where nature, live music and guests mingled in harmony.

It may still be summer, but the fall season is officially underway at Roger's Gardens, where shoppers previewed the annual Halloween boutique that opens to the public on Friday. “You can't have too many rats,” said Mike Ridenhower of Coto de Caza, who attends the sneak preview every year with his wife, Carolyn Ridenhower. “We usually come several times,” he said. “Every year, we add to our collection.” The rats, they said, line a spiral staircase at their home and always get a big response from trick-or-treaters.

It was a moment that almost slipped by, unnoticed by all but one eyewitness. With the click of his camera shutter - a twin lens reflex Rolleiflex being his tool of choice at the time - an 18-year-old Jerry Muller caught the image of two well-dressed men gazing after a young woman as she walked down a New York sidewalk in 1951. "Those two guys looking at this girl - that's the decisive moment," said Muller, 77, of Costa Mesa, citing a style of photography coined byHenri Cartier-Bresson, while studying the 24-by-25-inch black-and-white image.

Location: 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, at the San Diego (405) Freeway and Bristol Street. Hours: 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 Known for: The largest shopping center in California, South Coast Plaza is the Rodeo Drive of Orange County, with nearly every luxury brand in the universe under one roof. The mall has 250 boutiques and 30 restaurants. What you'll find: Almost everything you could ever want or need.

COSTA MESA - Hotelier Donald Sodaro ran a successful Holiday Inn in the South Coast Metro area for 10 years before deciding that the market deserved more than just another chain hotel. So he took a risk just as the economy started to decline. In 2008, he discontinued his contract with the franchise hotel chain and launched plans to reopen the facility as an upscale "boutique" hotel. The Hotel Hanford, on Bristol Street near the southbound San Diego Freeway offramp, has 228 rooms and markets itself as an "unexpected boutique experience.

Newport Beach boutique salon and spa Ergonique on Tuesday night will celebrate the grand opening of a new "CosMed" concept in the Corona del Mar Plaza, according to a news release. The spa, at 978 Avocado Ave., offers both cosmetic and medical treatments, including Botox, liposuction, body treatments, massage and manicure. "Our goal was to create a chic, luxurious retreat where discriminating people can come to relax and socialize, while receiving the most advanced spa treatments custom tailored to address their particular needs," said DeAnn Mix, the company's chief executive.

COSTA MESA — On the eve of the wedding between Kate Middleton and Prince William, Carrie von Hemert-Eyre will pull off her own event of royal proportions. Von Hemert Interiors, a 25,000-square-foot Costa Mesa interior design store will host a Royal Wedding event April 28 with music, food, prizes and designs from local fashion and jewelry designers inspired by the royal nuptials, said Hemert-Eyre. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

NEWPORT BEACH — Every pocket of affluence in this country seems to have one stellar independent designer boutique, and in Newport Beach it's A'Maree's. Over the last 35 years, the family-owned business has grown into an international fashion force, showcasing cutting-edge labels such as Celine, Balenciaga, Azzedine Alaia, Dries Van Noten and the Row. And now that it has moved to a new location at Newport Harbor, a waterfront space inviting comparisons to Peggy Guggenheim's palazzo in Venice, Italy, A'Maree's is also one of the most beautiful boutiques in the retail universe.