Columnist Muriel Stevens: Serious shopping begins

Wednesday, Dec. 1, 1999 | 9:53 a.m.

Muriel Stevens shopping column appears Wednesdays. Her dining column appears Fridays. Reach her at muriel@vegas.com or 259-4050.

Time now for some serious shopping. With just a few days to Hanukkah, and only 23 days for the last bit of Christmas shopping there's no time to waste.

Just in time for the holidays, Salvatore Ferragamo (love those shoes and bags) is offering gift sets of its two signature fragrances Ferragamo pour Femme (women) and Ferragamo pour Homme (men).

The luxurious limited-edition sets include a full-size bottle of scent and a choice of body lotion, shampoo or shower gel. Both the gift box and the distinctive gift bag that accompanies it are elegant. Priced at $90, the sets can be found at the Ferragamo boutique in the Forum Shops at Caesars and in fine department stores.

Cartier recreates love for the millennium with a limited series jewel, the Astrolove. Available in 18k yellow or white gold, the Astrolove is a convertible jewel that can change from a ring to a pendant.

Wear Astrolove as a ring to reflect the traditional love design; convert it to a pendant for a chic, contemporary design.

Also at Cartier, a limited-edition millennium watch, the Tank Basculante. This new version of Cartier's venerable tank watch is engraved with 1999, 2000 and 2001 on the flip side of the watch dial.

There is a Cartier shop in Caesars Palace at the Appian Way shopping arcade. Cartier designs are also available at fine jewelry stores and specialty shops.

Barrettes at Bulgari? Yes. The posh jewelry and home accessory shops have just introduced a marvelous selection of barrettes. Obviously, these are not the barrettes used to hold back the hair of little girls. These cool accessories are available in white gold with onyx, 18k yellow gold or coral.

The simple, elegant design is appropriate for women of all ages and offers a wonderful sleek look.

Errands Galore fills the bill as a gift for someone who has everything, but time. Owner Teri Harris will act as your alter ego by shopping, shipping gifts or picking up anything that needs picking up. She'll even stand in line for you at the DMV! Gift certificates are available. Call 436-3835.

Give a personal vodka locker for a truly unique holiday gift. It's an easy gift solution for a vodka aficionado. Red Square, the Russian-inspired restaurant at Mandalay Bay, is offering a limited number of private vodka storage lockers that are part of the restaurant's walk-in freezer. These lockers are available for rent for an annual fee.

The storage lockers are kept at 10 degrees below zero. When entering the vodka locker, guests are given an authentic Russian fur coat or an authentic Russian army jacket and hat. I've been in the locker without a coat and lasted about two minutes. Only vodka locker lessees and their guests are admitted. The personal lockers include a brass nameplate engraved with the name of the owner. Call 632-7404 to learn more.

Brews from He-Brew "the chosen beer," would be great fun for a beer drinker but that's not all you'll find at this fun company. Featured is its first creation, Genesis ale, described as a distinctive light brown ale and certified kosher. Also available are various "schotchkes" (collectibles).

For mail orders and conversation, call (800) 966-7835.

Of course, there are gifts that cost very little and give much pleasure.

Give an early present: Community College of Southern Nevada has a number of upcoming concerts with tickets as low as $5. Call the school's Department of Fine Arts for a list of performances, 651-4110. Programs begin Friday with a Big Bands concert. The series ends with the Christmas at CCSN program.

All of the events take place at the Nicholas J. Horn Theater on the Cheyenne Campus. There's plenty of free parking and 24-hour security.

For reservations or more information, call 651-4113.