Purchase Power
by Stevie Wilson

Orange Coast - May 2006
photograph by Bob Hodson

Anyone who’s ever felt stumped when it comes to finding a perfect gift for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, or any other gift-giving occasion for that matter, might well have wished for a retail fairy godmother who could wave her magic wand.

Well, poof! Greer Wylder might just be the answer.

Her name will be familiar to readers who used to peruse her “Best Buys� column in the Daily Pilot, covering Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. During her 14 years with the newspaper, Wylder covered the hot finds at local stores like D. Kruse, A’Maree’s, and many of the smaller boutiques that offer great finds but aren’t so well known.

Wylder, who lives in Costa Mesa with her husband and four sons, grew up in the area, so she knows shoppers don’t have to cross county lines to find great buys.

“With South Coast Plaza, Fashion Island and the unbelievable boutiques, it’s all here,� she says. “When I got on vacations, I do very little shopping because I can get everything I want right here.�

Wylder loves to shop—you can see it in the way her eyes sparkle when she describes how she unearths fashion finds. It’s all about the thrill of the hunt to find the best of the best, she says.

“I love what I do. I love helping people … writing about what’s special at some boutique or some hot new jean,� says Wylder, who says she owns about 30 pairs of jeans. “It helps readers—and businesses—find what they need.�

Wylder has left the Daily Pilot and is hoping to share her shopping knowledge with a broader slice of Orange County. She’s working on a book on the topic and also creating a Web site, www.greersoc.com.

“So many people liked my column about what’s going on in Orange County that creating a Web site to provide a Daily Dose of OC ‘best buys’ seemed like a great idea,� she says. “It’s a faster, easier way to get the latest information.�

The site will feature a variety of trends and special finds.

“It’s for the hip, contemporary, of-the-minute shopper,� she says. With snappy commentary on the latest trends for women, men, children, home décor, and food, Wylder wants to encourage shoppers to explore the stores of Orange County.

A free e-mail newsletter will let readers know when new information appears on the site as well as alert them to deals only available through www.greersoc.com
“It’s not just about bargains,� she says. “It’s about finding something special—what I call ‘best buys’—featuring items in every price range.�

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