FOR YOU AND YOUR COUCH
James Perse goes 90210 with this weekend’s opening of a sprawling 5,000-square-foot flagship filled with his washed cotton basics for the entire family and his new collection for the home. Imagine wrapping yourself in the super-soft jersey and cashmere that make Perse’s T-shirts so coveted. The store, his eighth, resembles a modernist home, from the reclaimed wood floors and cabinetry in the “living room” to an outdoor garden complete with a fountain inspired by Mexican architect Luis Barragán. Other rooms contain the L.A. designer’s bathing suits, loungewear, surfboards and bags. Just like his pop, Tommy Perse, who honed a haute cool with his Melrose shopping temple Maxfield, son James has injected a luxe sense to California casual. 357 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday; www.jamesperse.com.
OPENINGS
Crazy 8 Gymboree takes on the kids department of H&M; and Old Navy with Crazy 8, its new chain selling clothing at 30% less than the parent store. Two pairs of jeans go for $28 and a pair of floral Mary Janes for $16.50. It’s just as cheery as Gymboree, with cherry wood floors, sunny lighting and a 50-inch plasma to lull tiny customers. SoCal has two Crazy 8s so far, with a Lakewood store opening next month. Main Place, 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana, (714) 953-7458, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays. Plaza Bonita, 3030 Plaza Bonita Road, National City, (619) 475-5421, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays; www.crazy8.com.
Violetgrace Makeup artist Lisa Hans has put her time behind the scenes on shows such as NBC’s “The Office” on hold for a teeny tiny boutique that’s swirling with girlie Parisian dreaminess. Tap your inner femme fatale in Mary Green lingerie, Walter jackets and trousers, Hochman Fuller clutches and dresses from Fluet, Nieves or Young, Fabulous & Broke. 7021 Melrose Ave., (323) 939-5823, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Mondays, by appointment only.
X’E This 4-year-old girls’ wear line is designed in both L.A. and Tokyo’s Harajuku ‘hood, and the collection, with some 120 new pieces introduced every couple of months, reflects that fusion. Stock up on charm necklaces, strappy platforms, party dresses, foiled T-shirts and hot shorts with suspenders, all from $40 to $250 and all made in Japan. Also find Harajuku girl fave brands such as Kate Ruber. 1766 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 271-1523, noon to 7 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays; www.xe-la.com.
Little Aura The clog of baby carriages inside Aura, a Westside shop for women who can’t live without their Rachel Roy, Vivienne Westwood or Zac Posen, prompted owner Kristen Tutor Eberts to open a neighboring outpost for the wee ones. Little Aura exclusively carries Bu and the Duck, the offbeat, vintage-inspired clothing and booties. 1123A Montana Ave., Santa Monica, (310) 451-3331, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays; www.aura-boutique.com.
BEAUTY
Pure Aesthetics Pure Wellness East meets West at this new center, complete with a doctor in the house, Dr. Alexander Rivkin, the Yale-trained, TV-savvy cosmetic surgeon and founder of the Westside Medical Spa. Antiaging, skin care and wellness are the focus of this tony facility. 2980 Beverly Glen Circle, first floor, Bel-Air, (310) 470-6362, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays to Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
Voda Spa Siberian wild berry scrub, anyone? The new Voda Spa day spa, lounge and cafe skips through Russia, Asia and Europe for treatments in a stylish environment. Wednesdays are reserved for women, while men rule Thursdays and Sunday mornings. 7700 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood, (323) 654-4411. Treatment hours, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; facility hours, 9 a.m. to midnight weekdays, 7 a.m. to midnight weekends; www.vodaspa.com.
EVENTS
Modelogues Through Oct. 14: As if some of the stuff coming down the catwalks these days isn’t side-splitting enough, former Ford model Sarah Happel has turned her diaries into six comedy sketches, which are as much a reality check on her former career as a examination of our obsession with beauty. The Complex Theatre, 6478 Santa Monica Blvd., 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, $20 for adults, $12 with student ID. For reservations, call (323) 960-4424 or go to www.plays411.com/MODELOGUES.
Montana Avenue Giveaway Sept. 29: Who doesn’t love free stuff? A $2,500 shopping spree is for the taking from a band of boutiques, and all it takes is registering at one of them -- Il Primo Passo, Aura, Blues Jean Bar, Jill Roberts, Holiday, Planet Blue, Only Hearts, LuxeHaus and Moondance -- before Sept. 29, when the winner will be announced and transported via golf cart to spend their booty. All along Montana Avenue in Santa Monica.
Spa Week Through Sept. 23: True pampering is a luxe spa service for $50, which is exactly what’s in celebration of Spa Week. Hey, their marketing ploy is our budget-minded pleasure. Not all treatments meet the price, but those that do include a stiletto pedicure at Le Sofitel in West Hollywood and a resurfacing silk peel facial from Sunrise MedSpa in Studio City. A portion of the proceeds benefits Cancer and Careers, an organization for working women with cancer. For participating spas, go to www.spaweek.org.
SAMPLE SALES
Porridge Sample Sale Today: Prices are 50% below retail on dresses, tees and more by Porridge by Laura Stang. The Circle, 2395 Glendale Blvd., Silver Lake, (323) 665-5336, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The Warehouse Sale Sept. 23: Ride the denim train right into this massive sample sale, which tours the country offering 80% off on men’s and women’s premium denim, including Antik Denim, 575, True Religion and Blue Cult. It’s “invite only,” so go to the site to sign up. Los Angeles Convention Center, Concourse Hall, 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; www.thewarehousesale.com.
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