On December 8th, South Coast Plaza’s Jewel Court was transformed from its winter wonderland to a different sort of magical realm — a candy palace. To celebrate the launch of Izzy and the Candy Palace, the center and participating retailers were proud to present an event to commemorate the launch of a program celebrating young talent here in Orange County as well as support the work of the Second Harvest Food Bank.

You’re probably already a fan of Haven Gastropub’s comfort food — and if you’re not you should get to Orange ASAP and give it a try, but to keep the menu fresh and seasonal, Chef Greg Daniels is adding a slew of new offerings for you to try. And in true Haven style, you can be sure it’s hearty and feeds your tummy and your soul alike.

Attention all smooth operators, the new Art of Shaving Pop-Up Shop is open at South Coast Plaza. New for the holiday season, this temporary store is a great spot for the guys to escape to while the girls go gaga at the center’s shops. Masculine, straightforward and luxe all at once, the Art of Shaving is a man’s oasis where he can get a everything he needs to get groomed and look good.

While the rest of the country bundles up, the sun continues to shine here in Orange County and you’re probably still baring your bikini bod at Balboa Bay Club or the sands of Huntington Beach. So if you’re suit is getting staid, head to Fashion Island, where designer Malia Mills will make a rare personal appearance at her namesake swim boutique Dec. 11.

The undisputed king of California casual is James Perse, he of designer tee-shirts, understated luxury and the softest cotton around. Whether you’re looking for something cozy, something cool or just some of the best tanks, tees and staples around, you’ve got to visit the James Perse Holiday Pop-Up shop at South Coast Plaza.

For a jolt of energy on the go or a long afternoon with the crossword puzzle, there’s no doubt that coffee is what fuels some of the most hectic and most laid-back moments of your life. Here are the top 5 coffee shops in Orange County, where you can see the world pass by or get ready to take on your day.

You’ve been loving 88 Orange since 2008, when they released their line of soft as air tees and then expanded their range to an entire orange blossom-scented line of detergents, candles, body products and more. But they know that when the weather chills and the sun sets a little earlier, your basic 88 Orange tees just won’t stave the cold. So their new line Pulp is here, offering heftier (but still SoCal friendly) tees that’ll have you looking cool without the shivers.

If you need a little Christmas right this very minute, then there’s no better way to give (receiving doesn’t hurt either, right?) than to visit Fashion Island to get some shopping done and get in the spirit by giving to one of the two gift drives that the center is hosting Saturday Dec. 11 and 18 for local charities.

Orange County might not have many sports teams, but it might be because there are legions of fans and players in what might be the County’s official sport: shopping. With centers in just about every city and some of the biggest names in fashion at the fingertips of the OC’s most fashion savvy, there’s no shortage of chic spots and one-of-a-kind shops to get perfect gifts for you and yours. Step into any of these top 5 places to go shopping and you’ll leave with closet refresher, major couture and all the trimmings.