GREER’S BEST BUYS:Chef’s up at Sur La Table’s semi-annual cookware sale

Orange County’s only Sur La Table store in Newport Beach celebrates its semi-annual sale and clearance with savings up to 50% off. It’s a great time to stock up on cooking essentials reduced throughout the store. Also find glassware, barware, linens, serving platters and more.

Sur La Table meets both the needs of home chefs and culinary pros as a source of high-quality cookware and unique tools. Their experienced staff can help solve kitchen-related problems and offers expert advice.

One of the best products for your kitchen, the durable Le Creuset cast iron cookware, now comes in festive Caribbean blue — perfect for summer.

The Culinary Program classes are available to everyone from beginners to accomplished chefs. Local and traveling instructors teach fun and educational courses on cooking fundamentals, baking, Asian cooking, Italian cooking, comfort food and more. Hands-on and demonstration classes are offered for adults and children. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Corona del Mar Plaza, at 832 Avocado Ave. in Newport Beach, (949) 640-0200 www.surlatable.com .

SUMMERTIME WINES

Join WineStyles in Costa Mesa today from 6 to 8 p.m. as they gear up for the summer season by offering a tasting of the best in barbecue-friendly wines. For just $20, you try great wines ideal for the barbecue season. You can sample crisp whites, summer rose, and robust and big reds perfect for grilled meats.

WineStyles always offers cheese and crackers with wine tastings, and for this special night, they’ll serve barbecue foods too. WineStyles has more events planned, including Amazing Grapes, Staff Favs, and Go Green! Organic Wine and Food. It also carries gift baskets, gifts for all occasions, and you can reserve space for private parties.

Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays. 270 E. 17th St. in Costa Mesa. (949) 631-6627.

LOVELY LAPTOP BAGS

Gina B. laptop bags are a must-have fashion bag designed by O.C. native Gina Bruno.

After realizing that there just wasn’t a stylish and practical laptop bag for women, Bruno designed her own. Now Gina B. International offers a line of premium laptop bags that are both functional and attractive. The leather Gracie, Bella and Capriccio bags offer padded room for a 15.4-inch laptop computer, and there’s plenty of space for essentials: pens, notepads, business files, electronic organizers and more.

The bags are available in winter white, green and black, with contrasting stitching and bright pink interiors. The bags come complete with adjustable and removable shoulder straps and an optional trolley for easy transport. And even better, they’re affordable.

The bags sell for $280 at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza (714) 824-4600 or online at www.ginabinternational.com .

CLOTHING COUNSELOR

If you’re feeling uninspired by the clothing choices hanging in your closet, give Barbra Horowitz of Closet Therapy a call. It could be a life-changing experience.

In two hours flat she will have your head spinning with excitement about your wardrobe’s potential. She’ll quickly guide you through updating your look, giving expert suggestions on altering and reconfiguring outdated pieces, or even parting ways with fashion missteps.

Barbra works fast and furious (she’s been compared to a Tasmanian devil), and she knows of what she speaks. She’s releasing her first book with a DVD in October titled “Closet Control.” So if you need a professional stylist in Closet Therapy ($175 an hour) give Barbra Horowitz a call at (323) 933-2565, or go online at www.barbrahorowitz.com .

WINE-TASTING SERIES

Zov’s at Newport Coast offers a wonderful “Summer of Wines” tasting series every last Monday of the month. The celebrated restaurant serves the finest in Mediterranean and Eastern cuisine, and it recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary.

On Monday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. enjoy champagne and mezza on the patio featuring Champagne Veuve Clicquot. They cost $25 plus tax and gratuity. Also, try Zov’s incredible appetizers. Seating is limited, so call for reservations: (949) 760-ZOVS, 21123 Newport Coast Drive, Newport Coast or go to www.zovs.com.

writes Best Buys, which runs Fridays. She’s the founder and president of www.greersoc.com , a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining and trends.