Sugar Rush
Find confections galore at the recently opened It’Sugar boutique at Fashion Island. Indulge your sweet tooth with walls lined with specialty candy, including the world’s largest boxes of Nerds and Pop Rocks. For those more enthused by fashion, the boutique also offers an array of fun and offbeat novelty items, such as T-shirts with sayings inspired by candy favorites, scented nail polish, sugar fragrances and bath products. (949-640-0803; itsugar.com)
Family-Friendly Furnishings
Opened in the Crate and Barrel wing of South Coast Plaza in June, The Land of Nod brings toddlers with taste an array of modern furniture, home decor items, bedding and gifts. From cribs, changing tables and blankets to bibs and burp cloths, the store carries all of the essentials necessary for a well-stocked nursery. Treat your little ones to a fun surprise with one of the brand’s unique plush toys—aardvarks, alligators and ostriches abound in this whimsical shop—or push the boundaries of their imaginations with one of the “imaginary play” gifts, such as a pint-sized debutante wardrobe for the pretty princess and a rocket-inspired tent for the budding astronaut. (714-754-1969; landofnod.com)
Aloha Spirit
Celebrating its mainland debut just in time for summer, San Lorenzo Bikinis landed with a splash at Fashion Island in June. The contemporary boutique features more than 20 different styles of Brazilian bikinis, with options ranging from “extra-cheeky” to full-coverage bottoms. Racks of fun swimwear pieces, perfect for a sunny SoCal day, line the walls with a splash of bright colors and prints. Shopping is made easy with the option to mix and match separates for a look that’s all your own. In addition to San Lorenzo bikinis, the store is stocked with several other high-end brands offering apparel and accessories, including Mikoh Swimwear, Stone Fox Swim and Tiare Hawaii. (949-759-1504; sanlorenzobikinis.com)
Have Bag, Will Travel
Following a ribbon cutting ceremony in late June, Briggs & Riley Travelware at Sunsations Luggage opened in the Atrium Court at Fashion Island. This is the luggage maker’s first partner store, featuring suitcases, duffel bags, business cases and more, all with a “simple as that” lifetime performance guarantee. (949-640-0288; briggs-riley.com.
Find Your Sole Mate
A leading shoe and sandal retailer in Hawaii, Island Sole, made its way to the mainland with its first California store in Fashion Island. The boutique will celebrate its grand opening event in September, but opened its doors to customers in July for an early preview. Carrying a huge range of brands, including Ugg, OluKai, Sanuk, Island Slipper, Havaianas, Rainbow Sandals and more, the store features coastal-inspired footwear in hard-to-find styles and colors. The Fashion Island location stocks the largest selection of Ugg footwear for men, women and children outside of the brand’s flagship stores, as well as casual shoes from Freewater, where each pair purchased helps provide clean drinking water to those in need. (949-760-0300; islandsole.com)
Seaside Apothecary
Opened June 17, the family-owned boutique pharmacy CDM Drugs offers prescription refills and vaccinations, in addition to a mini clinic and beauty bar with customized hormone replacement therapy, non-invasive cosmetic treatments and more. CDM Drugs has also provided concierge care services to Newport Beach residences for more than two decades. (949-644-7575) —A.H.
Activities
Lobsterfest
Aug. 10; Newport Dunes, Newport Beach
Hosted by Newport Dunes, the fifth annual Newport Beach Lobsterfest celebrates the end of summer with live entertainment, games and, most importantly, lobster brought in from Maine, which is prepared fresh alongside a nice glass of wine while guests overlook the Back Bay. (lobsterfestatnewportbeach.com)
Summer “Bark-BQ” Party
Aug. 11; Corona del Mar Plaza, Corona del Mar
The dog days of summer are about to get literal at this dog-centered barbecue sponsored by Top Dog Barkery. With “wagging wading pools,” bobbing for hot dogs and a best trick contest, this barbecue will entertain the whole family, including pets. (topdogbarkery.net)
Coastline Car Classic
Sept. 7 – 8; Big Corona State Beach, Corona del Mar
View a display of four-wheeled beauty when the Coastline Car Classic rolls onto Big Corona State Beach. On Saturday, a road rally begins at the state beach and ends at Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. On Sunday, peruse vintage and dealer select automobiles while enjoying live entertainment, food and beverages, vendors and the awards ceremony. (cdmchamber.com)
Festa dell’Autunno MMXIII
Sept. 20 – 22; The Resort at Pelican Hill,
Newport Beach
Welcome the autumn harvest season with a three-day festival full of celebrating the traditions—both food and lifestyle—of Italy with live music, dancing and flag-bearing performances. (pelicanhill.com/festa)
Go Purple OC
Sept. 23 – 28; Throughout Orange County
For one week, popular landmarks across the county will be getting a makeover in support of the Orange County chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Buildings—including Newport’s own city hall—will be turned purple in support of the cause; to get involved you can wear purple too, or visit the association’s website for more information. (gopurpleoc.com)
U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2013
Oct. 3 – 6 and 10 – 13; Orange County Great Park, Irvine
Twenty sustainably minded collegiate teams, coming from as far as Austria, will reveal to the public for the first time their entries into the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon. Each entry designed and built solar- and energy-efficient affordable homes over a period of two years and throughout a series of 10 contests. At the end of the event, the winner will be revealed. (ocgp.org)
Last Chance: Orange County’s legendary Orange County Fair ends Aug. 11, so if you haven’t gone yet, make sure to do so soon—or you’ll have to wait until next year!
Fundraisers
15th Annual Wood Racquet Classic
Aug. 31 – Sept. 1; Private estates, Costa Mesa
Don your classic tennis attire to witness the 15th annual Costa Mesa Wood Racquet Classic, benefiting the John Wayne Cancer Foundation. This international fundraiser, which draws celebrities, athletes and musicians among others, puts players in their best tennis gear, yielding wooden rackets for spirited matches. (woodracquetclassic.com)
Keep the Promise Wine Tasting Benefit
Sept. 26; Newport Beach (location is provided upon registration)
The 7th Annual Keep the Promise Wine Tasting Benefit will toast—and raise money—for the arts-based, youth development nonprofit The Wooden Floor. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste rare wines from around the world, from New Zealand to Chile and Italy. (714-541-8314; thewoodenfloor.org)
Crystal Cove alliance Gala
Sept. 28; Crystal Cove
Themed “Wish You Were Here!” guests of this 11th annual gala will enjoy a gourmet dinner prepared by the executive chefs of The Resort at Pelican Hill, Montage Laguna Beach and The Beachcomber Café. In addition to silent and live auctions, there will be live music and the perfect ambiance to dance the night away. (949-376-6200;crystalcovealliance.org)
A Segerstrom Ranch Dinner
Oct. 1; Segerstrom Ranch, Costa Mesa
Join the Festival of Children Foundation for a true farm-to-table dining experience with paired wine and bourbon, prepared by chef Joachim Splichal. All proceeds will benefit the foundation’s Festival of Children. (festivalofchildren.org)
An Evening in Hollywood Gala
Sept. 28; Island Hotel, Newport Beach
The Orange Coast Memorial Foundation is channeling old Hollywood glamour at its 11th annual fall gala featuring live entertainment and auctions, as well as food and drink. Proceeds from the gala will go toward funding for the foundation’s new Emergency Pavilion, expected to double the emergency department’s current size. (memorialcare.org)
Evening of Wishes Gala
Oct. 25; Balboa Bay Club, Newport Beach
The Make-A-Wish foundation invites guests to its annual elegant affair, Evening of Wishes Gala, at the iconic Balboa Bay Club. The night will be full of fine wine and cuisine, as well as entertainment and auctions, all geared toward granting wishes. (ocie.wish.org) NBM
