Book chronicles Tiffany gems: Ever wanted to rifle through the jewelry of the rich and famous? Get ready for some vicarious pleasure. “Tiffany Colored Gems” (Abrams, $50), the newest book by Tiffany & Co.’s design director John Loring, chronicles the company’s collection of historic treasures — everything from one-third of the French crown jewels in 1887 to architect Frank Gehry’s first collection for the store in 2006. (Biographical tidbit: Loring grew up in Cave Creek; his childhood home is now Rancho Mañana Golf Resort.) The 275 full-color photos illustrate every era in the jeweler’s 170-year history. The book is sold at the Tiffany store at Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Pangea Organics at Cost Plus: Last weekend began my run of tasks designed to get the house in order for Thanksgiving. I racked up a triple-digit bill at Cost Plus World Market getting 20 wine glasses (and the beverages to fill them) … and as I rolled the cart up to the counter, I had to confront shelves of Pangea Organics personal care products. (It’s like the store knew I was weak!) I spent the next five minutes standing there huffing all the soaps, from Malagasy Cinnamon Cassia With Cloves to Pyrenees Lavender With Cardamom, before settling on Canadian Pine With White Sage liquid hand soap ($14) for the kitchen sink and bar soap ($8) for the shower. (Plus: plant the soap’s cardboard container in soil and you’ll be rewarded with herbs or flowers — seeds are embedded in the biodegradable box.) My next must-try: the massage and body oil ($25) in Italian White Sage and Geranium. My holidays will be well-scented!

A (well-priced) haircut in Scottsdale: My brother was in town last weekend for NASCAR, and while he was in downtown Scottsdale he decided he needed a haircut and called for a recommendation. “Between Scottsdale and Goldwater you can’t walk half a block without running into a salon,” I told him. “But it’s probably going to be pricey.” He proved me wrong by finding Salon Z, 7031 E. Fifth Ave., where he got a great cut for $28 — including shampoo and style. That’s not Cost Cutters-level cheap, but it’s still pretty good for the area (cuts at the salon across the street start at $70).

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