Columnist Muriel Stevens: Mark that special time with a tiara

Wednesday, April 16, 2003 | 8:51 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' dining column appears Fridays. Her shopping and travel columns appear Wednesday. Reach her at (702) 259-4080 or muriel@lasvegassun.com.

The head that wears the crown could be yours. No kidding. Mikimoto Pearls has come up with a lovely idea designed specifically for brides on their wedding days, but it certainly applies to any woman who wants to mark a special occasion.

The tiara rental program is designed after a similar one in Japan that has been in place for the past 30 years and was recently introduced at Mikimoto retail stores in the U.S.

There are four pearl and diamond designs. White Japanese Akoya pearls are surrounded by diamonds set in silver. For more information, call any of the sales associates at the Mikimoto salon in the Canal Shoppes at The Venetian -- 414-3900.

VF Factory Outlet returns: VF Factory, a division of VF Corp., has opened three new stores at Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas in Primm. Featured are the company's own products that are designed, manufactured and marketed through name-brand corporate subsidiaries. VF is the world's largest apparel company.

Everything in the three stores is half off the ticket price. The largest store is Lee, featuring jeans and a variety of casual garb. Among the brand names are Lee, Wrangler, Riders, Britannia, Chic and Gitano. Active wear for the entire family is showcased here.

My fave, the Vanity Fair store, offers intimate apparel, sleepwear, robes and a selection of items from Lily of France and Barbizon. VF once had similar stores in the now-defunct Factory Stores of America on Las Vegas Boulevard nearby the Belz Outlet. I always shopped at the Vanity Fair store.

Healthtex is a terrific shop for babies, infants and toddlers. Clothes for boys through 7X and girls up to size 12 are available here. Also featured are children's accessories. Hours at Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Kay Jewelers opens at Boulevard Mall: Kay Jewelers opened Friday at the Boulevard mall with a number of grand opening activities -- special merchandise offers and an opportunity to win a $1,000 diamond shopping spree (no purchase necessary to be eligible to win). Professional jewelry cleaning and battery replacements are part of the customer services offered.

Online accounts at Nordstrom: Nordstrom charge card customers now have the option to access their Nordstrom credit or Nordstrom Visa-AE account from any computer 24/7. Pay your bill, view recent transactions and download account information into various programs. To learn more, call the business office for the online number.

Penhaligon's at Saks Fifth Avenue: The venerable Penhaligon's, English perfumers since 1870, is now at Saks Fifth Avenue in the Fashion Show. Penhaligon fragrances, "For discerning ladies and gentlemen," are lovely.

Equally lovely is Penhaligon's complete range of beauty and grooming products and a selection of personal gifts so very Penhaligon. The variety of crystal and silver scent bottles, small leather goods and gifts for babies is enchanting. Among my favorites -- a baby blue travel clock with a secret compartment and the mock ivory-handled shaving brush and razor.