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Spices for Health
Wholesale Herbs, Spices, Teas, Tinctures, Oils and Extracts since 1969
SAN FRANCISCO HERB & NATURAL FOOD CO.
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Fiesta Del Mar Gourmet Mexican Cuisine
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light-up flower displays and ecofriendly mugs. Therapy also sells trendy clothes aimed at slightly younger shoppers than those who might frequent Orapa. “This is a great holiday dress,� Arnold said, modeling a glittery beige knit garment from Therapy’s inventory. She pointed out a few other items around the store. “Sequins and beading are really in fashion right now. It’s traditional holiday glamour.� When her store, which is much smaller than Therapy, isn’t busy, Olcay makes scarves at a table near the back — and they’re anything but traditional. She takes pride in adding a unique twist or embellishment to each design, and also stocks scarves by other designers. “They can be part of holiday dress up as well as gifts,� she said. Some of her more unusual jewelry pieces include a bracelet made from newspaper comics, a pyrite necklace and broaches of “little bugs.� Olcay doesn’t sell any specifically holiday-themed items, but just around the corner at the University Art Annex, managers were busy creating a display, including a fully decorated tree, to attract holiday shoppers. “We’ve been moving furniture all day,� said Erin Dobson, assistant manager of next-door University Art. According to manager Tina Ford, even in midNovember they were slightly behind in erecting the display. “I wait until the last minute to put it up, but as soon as we do people start buying,� she said.
Gift CertiďŹ cates Available
1005 N Shoreline Blvd, Mtn. View (1 Blk So. of Hwy 101, near Movie & Amph Theatres)
Fiesta Del Mar Too 735 Villa Street, Mountain View (Downtown, between Castro and Hope)
650-967-3525
www.FiestaDelMar.com /PEN $AYS s ,UNCH $INNER s /PEN ,ATE s &OOD 4O 'O 12
â– MOUNTAIN VIEW VOICE â– NOVEMBER 26, 2010
up. It’s been busier for sure,� she said. Overall, though, the store is still “expecting a similar Christmas to last year.� In the front window of Afterwards, an upscale clothing and decor shop with both new and resale items in Menlo Park, window shoppers can ogle such holiday party wear as a silver-sequined Armani dress and a Dolce & Gabbana red silk dress — with accessories to match. “We carry lots of blingy evening jewelry,� said Katie Hanson, who owns the store with her husband, Bob. Pieces on display include earrings, bracelets and cuffs made of pearls, rhinestones and diamonds. The store’s designer “brings in seasonal pieces, and then there’s great year-round pieces.� They have shoes, too. “Everything’s sparkle this season,� said stylist Barbara Cameron. “Golds and metallics are always really strong.� Afterwards is transitioning in holiday items without giving up on autumn just yet: A fall flower display adorns one table, while a green candle and silver tinsel decorate the next. At Plumeria, a small consignment store just off Castro Street, Jasmine Fernandez, who buys and sells at the store in addition
Beaded cuff at Afterwards, $169.
The store sells scarves, hats, chocolates, plants, dish towels, ornaments, candles and gift wrap and bags for the holidays. Ford expects that the effort it took to put up the display will be well worth it, drawing in customers despite the down economy. “Things have definitely picked
to helping out with merchandizing, was also doing her part to attract holiday shoppers. Just before closing, she was dressing a mannequin — “doll,� as she called it. “I’m trying to bring a few more of the seasonal items out,� she said, indicating cashmere sweaters, knit dresses, scarves and a truly fabulous pair of red boots with black fur. If she were to shop for a blinged-out holiday outfit at the store, Fernandez said, she would buy one of “your not so ordinary cardigans� and some “funky slacks with a little bit of glitter to them.� “It would be really cool to wear this to a dinner party with your friends or for work,� she said of her style choice. But customers need not feel locked in by Fernandez’s taste. “That’s the attraction of it,� she said. “It’s a total mix, a little bit of everything to appeal to any age group and taste. To me it’s cool because you’re buying a one-of a kind piece.� Now that’s bling. N
VERONICA WEBER
650-965-9354
s 15 Yeaorw in a R
VIVIAN WONG
Fiesta Del Mar
2010
Carnelian and turquoise necklace from Afterwards, $698.
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Happy Holidays Two locations!
A flower necklace made with sterling silver and mother of pearl, $459 at Afterwards in Menlo Park.
VIVIAN WONG
47444 Kato Road, Fremont, CA 94538 4OLL s 0HONE s &AX www.herbspicetea.com
H A P P Y H O L I D AY S
VIVIAN WONG
Because Natural Is Better!
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This outfit from Orapa includes a scarf made by owner Cedide Olcay.