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Shop Talk

NEW OPTIONS FOR GARDENS ... Tucked away in a narrow alley next to Ivy Tutor Center on California Avenue in Palo Alto, Toscano Garden, which opened in August, offers a variety of innovative garden ornaments for decorating and landscaping. They include fountains, planters, tables, benches, statues and bird baths. According to owner Hanna Kim, Toscano Garden filled a landscaping-business gap in town. "I found there's a need for such things here," she said. "I try to find a good selection and differentiate my products from those in Home Depot." Customers choose their favorite ornaments based on the styles of their houses and landscaping. Kim gave one example of how her business is different: She promised that if customers don't have time to go to a nursery to find the ideal plant for a planter, Toscano Garden would go to the nursery and bring back samples for the customer to choose from. Kim said she is also running gardening classes on weekends, with details on Craigslist. Toscano Garden is at 444 S. California Ave. For more information, call 650-322-2400 or email info@toscaonogarden.com.

— Yichuan Cao

KITSCH 2.0 ... A red fitted sweater dress, a snakeskin maxi, and jeggings in red and blue have been among the offerings at the Kitsch Couture boutique, which held a grand opening earlier this month at 435 University Ave. in Palo Alto. This is the second location for the purveyor of contemporary women's clothing and accessories aimed at the hip younger set; it's also in Los Gatos, owned by Salomeh Zohouri. Brands for sale include Free People, MOTO, Michael Stars and BB Dakota. For more information, go to facebook.com/kitschcouture or call 650-322-6100.

— Rebecca Wallace