Greer’s OC: Fashion’s Night Out

Fashion’s Night Out

Fashion Island is celebrating Fashion’s Night Out on Friday. Shop at your favorite stores from 5 to 9 p.m. and enjoy an array of specials, sweet stations and live DJs throughout the center.

Enter to win a styling session with Lo Bosworth and a $1,000 Fashion Island gift card. The winner will receive a 90-minute styling session Friday at 3 p.m., and the new look will be revealed at 5 p.m. The first 1,000 shoppers to stop by the concierge desk in Atrium Court and show a receipt from any purchase made at a participating Fashion’s Night Out store during the event will receive a limited edition Fashion Island tote bag.

(Limit one per person, while supplies last, no minimum spend required.) Visit https://www.shopfashionisland.com/CenterEvents/1775.aspx to enter the contest and to view complete event details and store offerings.

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Grand opening for Gardenology

Join Gardenology for its grand opening celebration in Newport Beach on Sept. 16. You can enjoy a wine and hors d’oeuvres reception from 5:30 to 8 p.m., and a portion of the day’s proceeds will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Orange County (https://www.jdrfoc.org/default.asp.) JDRF is raising funds to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research.

Gardenology is the newest home and garden furnishings store at Westcliff Court, in the former Les Interieurs spot. It’s the second location for the Encinitas-based store where you can find unique items designed by small creative artisans who make vintage tile picture frames, hand-poured custom scented candles, vintage brick molds and hard-to-find lighting. Or you can choose from custom furniture, Italian dishes, original art and linens. There are also professional services available. Please RSVP to rsvpsd@luxemagazine.com.

The store is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at 1701 Westcliff Drive in Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 650-9900 or visit https://www.gardenology.com.

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Pen on Fire Writers Salon

Bookworms and literary enthusiasts will love the Pen on Fire Writers Salon, a monthly series hosted by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett with guest authors, literary agents and screenwriters at Scape Gallery in Corona del Mar. It’s the perfect place for those who enjoy attending readings and book signings. The next series, on Tuesday at 7 p.m., features mystery writer Dennis Palumbo and mystery writer/screenwriter Daniel Pyne. Both authors will talk about writing fiction and the creative issues affecting authors.

Among Palumbo’s many writing credits, the former Hollywood screenwriter has contributed to “My Favorite Year” and was a staff writer for the TV series “Welcome Back, Kotter.” His first novel, “City Wars,” is being developed into a feature film. Pyne’s screenwriting credits include “Pacific Heights,” “White Sands” and “Doc Hollywood.” Time magazine listed his re-adaptation of Richard Condon’s “The Manchurian Candidate,” directed by Jonathan Demme, as one of the top 10 movies of 2004. Pyne’s first novel, “Twentynine Palms,” was just released in July.

Tickets for Pen on Fire cost $20, which includes refreshments. Advance tickets are required to guarantee a seat. Walk-ins are discouraged as seating is limited. Scape Gallery is at 2845 E. Coast Highway in Corona del Mar. For more information, visit https://www.scapesite.com or https://www.penonfire.com/speakerseries.

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Local fashion talent

Costa Mesa-based Oday Shakar is a major talent in the fashion design world, a favorite of celebrities and fashionistas. Sandra Bullock helped put him on the map when she wore his sequin cowl mini dress to accept her Generation Award at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.

His new fall collection, “A Beautiful Nightmare,” reflects overcoming major obstacles in his life — most recently, recovery from thyroid cancer and the horrific treatment of his family during Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq. An unflagging optimist, Shakar believes that beauty that can come from any situation.

His exclusive collections are available in select boutiques and by appointment at his studio at 3189-D Red Hill Ave. in Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714) 641-0316 or visit https://www.odayshakar.com

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Oceana event with stars

Celebrate summer while contributing to ocean conservation at the spectacular SeaChange Summer Party, an annual Orange County event Friday starting at 5 p.m. at the Villa di Sogni estate in Laguna Beach. Special guests Keely and Pierce Brosnan and Jeff Bridges are drawing attention to the sea’s importance and raising funds for Oceana (https://www.oceana.org and its campaigns to preserve its habitats and wildlife.

Also, a portion of the evening’s proceeds will go toward local marine conservation efforts. Guests can tour the Villa, enjoy a sit-down dinner with presentations and take part in a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind items and experiences. The evening will conclude with dancing under the stars. Individual tickets cost $2,500 with table packages starting at $10,000. For more information, visit seachangesummerparty.org.

GREER WYLDER writes Greer’s OC for the Huntington Beach Independent each Thursday and the Daily Pilot and Coastline Pilot each Friday. She’s the founder and president of greersoc.com, a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining, music, events and trends. Her blog can be viewed https://www.greersoc.com and she can be contacted at greer@greersoc.com.