Columnist Muriel Stevens: Promotions, books, travel and tanning

Wednesday, June 28, 2000 | 9:22 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' shopping column appears Wednesdays. Her dining column appears Fridays. Reach her at muriel@lasvegassun.com or 259-4080.

The heat of a Las Vegas summer and a stress fracture have curtailed my normal shopping excursions. That's the bad news. The good news is that there's always so much shopping information to share that there's always a backlog.

And thanks to generous readers I always have something to add to my own information bank.

Last week's column about buying remainder books inspired "Donna" to share "a really great source for out-of-print books -- abebooks.com. Donna says that she got this info from "the good people at the Clark County Library District."

Billed as the "world's largest network of independent booksellers," this handy Internet source offers a variety of books at a variety of prices. "Searches," Donna says, "can be done by author, title, keyword and publisher. Ordering is easy and all books are from reputable dealers."

Sounds wonderful, Donna.

Summer promotions: July is the month for cosmetic promotions. It's a good time to stock up on items you use regularly and get a "free" gift. Here's a calendar of events happening at the Fashion Show mall: "Have a Blast" with Guerlain cosmetics is at Dillard's July 1-5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Robinsons-May will offer a Vitabath bonus July 1-8; Lancome at Macy's is giving a "French Twist" gift with a purchase July 1-15; a Lancome "Le Gift" will be July 1-16; a Clinique "Yellow Riddle" is July 1-22; Lancome's premium makeup artist, James Carriera, will be in the store July 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; and a Lancome Vitabolic bonus is at Dillard's July 23.

More Fashion Show offerings: North Beach Leather will feature a trunk show of restyled and hand-laced vintage pants and tops on July 6; Williams-Sonoma will showcase "Sweet Sensations From Summer's Bounty" with Bellagio Pastry Chef Bobby Winans and Chef Jennifer Chiongbian of Franz's Patisserie. Call 734-5699 for additional information or to reserve space at the July 10 event.

Fun sunnin': Prepare to glow without risking skin safety. Self-tanners are making their mark for carefree tanning. Unlike the self-tanners of the past, these new products won't turn your skin orange. Estee Lauder has a number of tanners that work well and give a natural look -- Go Bronze for Face, Go Bronze Tinted Self Tanner for Body (it's great on legs) and a moisturizing Bronze Booster that's used after a day in the sun. It helps the tan last longer. Just follow the directions.

Travel update: Lake Tahoe, anyone? Beginning Aug. 4, Allegiant Air will resume DC-9 jet service to the Lake Tahoe airport. Flights depart from Las Vegas to Long Beach to Lake Tahoe on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

I recently visited with Allegiant Air reps who shared with me a travel philosophy that is seldom experienced these days. "We want to bring back the smile to air travel in the West by providing friendly service with a smile."

OK, so it sounds corny, but what if they really mean it? Passengers have a choice of "Comfort Class Coach" or "Leather Comfort First Class." Prices are moderate. The best buy is the seven-days-in-advance ticket.

For additional information, call reservations at (877) 202-6444.