OLD-TIME BAUBLES AT OLD-TIME PRICES: Tired of...
OLD-TIME BAUBLES AT OLD-TIME PRICES: Tired of shelling out big bucks for copies of antique jewelry? Or having to scour every flea market in town to find a good deal?
Some of the best-looking, reasonably priced copies of antique jewelry are now in department stores and boutiques. They’re by jewelry designer Ann Venditti of Banana Bob.
Venditti, who started out selling jewelry to movie costume designers, reproduces very choice pieces, especially from the Victorian and Art Deco periods. She also designs her own stuff, mixing classic motifs with modern.
Banana Bob designs, which typically sell from about $20 to $50, are at Bullock’s, Nordstrom, the Broadway and many boutiques.
A STORE FOR THE SLOW LANE: There are tons of shops that cater to runners, but until recently, none in L. A. for folks who’d rather walk. The Walking Store is changing all that--leisurely, of course--with music cassettes created for walkers, hats, heart monitors, walking staffs from all over the world and socks made of fabric that reportedly “wicks away” perspiration from the foot.
“Market research says that walking is as large a phenomenon in the ‘90s as jogging was in the ‘70s, and doctors reports show that walking is much healthier for the body than jogging,” says Doug Maddern, vice president of the chain, which has four stores (Westside Pavilion, South Bay Galleria, Pasadena Plaza and Main Place in Santa Ana).
Indeed, these stores are so specialized they even carry walking shorts with what Maddern calls “seamless crotches” for trekkers who wish to avoid chafing.
CHEAPO FINDS OF THE WEEK: Short, breezy, jewel-toned gauze skirts for $15 at Venice Casuals, 1305 Ocean Front Walk. They look spectacular over bike shorts. For Venice vixen types there are long versions for $35 at AYA of Venice, 40 Windward Ave.
FLAT-OUT FREEBIE OF THE WEEK: To introduce her “California Sun” styles, makeup artist Marilyn Young is offering free samples of her custom-blended foundation, loose powder or concealer. No purchase is necessary to obtain one of these “tan-without-a-tan” products, but you do have to make an appointment. You’ll find her on the leopard-print rug at the Yuki hair salon, 8640 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 854-6968.
