48 Hours and Counting : Just two days till Christmas. Best bets for stragglers trying to finish their gift-buying are antique jewelry, lingerie, fragrances.
Many of you are just getting started with your Christmas shopping and will do it all in one or two days--like today and tomorrow. I suspect that most of those who fall into this category are men, but surely there are some last-minute women shoppers as well.
If it is a guy thing to wait until the last minute, then I suggest jewelry, lingerie or perfumes.
Antique jewelry will appeal to the romantic, and the Collector’s Eye has the largest selection of vintage jewelry in Southern California. Any one of the stunning chokers from days gone by could make her misty-eyed, and they are all less than $50.
Although it’s difficult to comparison shop these pieces, owner Merilee Flannigan is an expert. A two-strand French jet choker with a teardrop pendant dates from the 1940s. Flannigan’s expertise puts the value at between $75 and $85, but she tagged it at $45. A baroque pearl and crystal choker for $36.95 (estimated value $65 to $75) would charm any woman and label the giver as a romantic.
The Collector’s Eye, 21435 Sherman Way, Canoga Park. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Christmas Day. Cards: MasterCard, Visa. Call (818) 347-9343. *
Lingerie for Less, the off-price chain with San Fernando Valley locations in Northridge, Sherman Oaks and Tarzana, seems to be specializing in velvets and laces in lingerie this holiday season, and at great bargain prices. We loved the stretch lace camisoles for $9.99 (retail $18 to $24) and, if you want to check her out in a velvet bodysuit, you can give her one for $14.99 that would sell for $30 to $36 elsewhere.
Lingerie for Less, 8974 Tampa Ave., Northridge, (818) 885-0435; 14622 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818) 783-6126; 19203 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, (818) 881-2961, or call (800) 303-4535 for the location nearest you. Cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa. Store hours vary.
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Fragrances for both men and women always sell at Perfume City for 10% to 50% less than at department stores.
For women, Alfred Sung’s 3.4-ounce eau de parfum retails for $65; it is specially priced at Perfume City for $49.50. Bijan’s 2.5-ounce fragrance for women, an eau de parfum, sells elsewhere for $60 and at Perfume City for $46.80.
The new offering by Issey Miyake is very hot, so the discount is a little less: At department stores, a 3.4-ounce eau de toilette is a whopping $75, but you’ll save $7.50 here, where it’s marked $67.50.
Some of the big sellers in men’s fragrances are specially priced: Versace’s 3.2-ounce eau de toilette is $43.50 instead of $53, as is Carolina Herrera’s 3.4-ounce eau de toilette, which also retails for $53.
Perfume City, 12215 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday . Cards: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa. Call: (818) 763-1875. *
For those who are out of time and energy or just can’t make a decision, a gift certificate for any of the above would certainly be welcome, and an envelope promising a series of beauty treatments would surely make her smile.
At Mary Jo’s Beauty Boutique, there’s an intriguing deal on facials. A gift certificate for $50 buys a one-hour deep-cleansing and rejuvenating facial. But if she brings a friend, it’s two for the same price since Mary Jo Price, who also works at the Warner Bros. studio salon, charges by the hour and will give two complete facials in one hour’s time.
Mary Jo’s Beauty Boutique, 13267 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. No credit cards. Hours: by appointment Monday to Saturday, also 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday . (818) 995-3319. Geri Cook’s Bargains column runs every Friday in Valley Life!
