Greer's Blog

Christmas Company Returns

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By Greer Wylder
November 18, 2011

The Christmas Company, a longtime annual tradition for many Orange County shoppers, returns to the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa Thursday through Sunday. It’s a four-day shopping extravaganza with more than 100 unique vendors, as well as daily special events to benefit the Junior League of Orange County's supported charities. Highlights from the special events include Girl's Night Out on Friday night from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests will enjoy libations by Gallo Family Vineyards, delicious tacos and appetizers exclusively by Rasta Taco, exclusive shopping, and pampering. And get this, the first 200 guests to arrive will receive an incredible gift bag full of treats valued…

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Sneak Away to the Island Hotel!

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By Greer Wylder
November 16, 2011

With the holidays fast approaching, if you’re like us, you’re staring down weeks of commitments, family, parties, shopping and just plain craziness, so best to keep some respites in your back pocket—you'll need them. At the Island Hotel in Newport Beach, sneak away for a lunchtime spa escape Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Dec. 31. The hotel is offering a special that includes a re-energizing 30-minute massage (choice of Swedish, deep tissue or reflexology), followed by a light Spa lunch served in the Palm Terrace Lounge – with choices including ahi tuna sandwich, Palm Terrace chopped salad and a roasted whitefish. Cost is…

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The Butter End!

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By Greer Wylder
November 14, 2011

We just found out about the Butter End Cakery and although it’s not an OC-based business, it’s well worth knowing about. The custom cake studio in Santa Monica was founded by Kimberly Bailey, an insanely talented cake designer who specialized in fantasy to traditional cakes all made from cage-free, hormone free butter, organic milk and the finest chocolate available. (Bailey also bakes gluten free and vegan cakes too.) Her cakes are magical—not just works of art, but are absolutely delicious, and taste heavenly. So if you are in Los Angeles, and looking for a cake treat, give the Butter End Cakery a call. You will thank us. Butter End…

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It Takes Nerve!

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By Greer Wylder
November 14, 2011

We’re beyond thankful to have California’s first dedicated stem cell research center at UC Irvine. Researchers at the Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center at UCI are behind the first human clinical trial in the world for human embryonic stem cell-based therapy for damaged spinal cord tissue. Stem cells could change medicine and help benefit victims of strokes, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s disease, age-related blindness, cancer, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. My sons Taylor and Tristan (a type 1 diabetic) and I were fortunate enough to take part the Center’s “It Takes Nerve” PSA in support of stem cell research. Renowned supporters in the PSA…

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Window to the World

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By Greer Wylder
November 11, 2011

All month you can learn about the work Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) does in Orange County to help fund research and find a cure for type 1 diabetes during Fleur De Lys' Window to the World feature. This weekend, 20 percent of all in-store and online sales at Fleur De Lys will be donated to the foundation. Fleur De Lys in Costa Mesa is the perfect stop if you're looking to redecorate for the holidays or are looking for that hard-to-find gift for your family.  If you shop on Sunday, Nov. 13, Chef Katherine Louis, will be at Fleur…

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