An eye trained for living fit

GREER WYLDER

Local personal trainer Danny Kaczmarek of Optimum Fitness offers

expert coaching on fitness and dieting out of Club Met-Rx in Costa

Mesa. Kaczmarek is certified through the International Sports Science

Assn. in personal training, sports conditioning and performance

nutrition. He has 15 years of experience in athletics and personal

training. Kaczmarek pays special attention to clients’ needs,

sometimes taking them shopping for supplements, proper foods, etc. He

customizes diets for clients and teaches the myths about low-carb

eating, and what the proper protein and fats are for their body type.

For a free consultation and workout, call Danny at (949) 293-8603.

HEAD-TO-TOE FASHION

Tadashi Shoji, the official designer for the Miss Universe and

Miss USA beauty pageants has opened a flagship store at South Coast

Plaza. For more than 20 years, Tadashi has acquired an international

following that seeks his signature eveningwear, better dresses and

special occasion separates. Tadashi’s expanded his line with new

items to include sportswear, knits, footwear, handbags and

accessories. He offers head-to-toe fashions for both day and evening

in luxurious fabrics, from cashmere knits to silk chiffon scarves.

Tadashi oversaw every detail of the store’s designs. The end result

features a fanciful chandelier, plush custom furnishings, Venetian

mirrors, silk drapery and a handmade rug. Inside the luxury store,

Tadashi wants customers to feel “pleasantly surprised when they

realize that they can afford to purchase many styles from our

collection and walk out without feeling guilty.” The store is open

from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday

and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. It’s on Level 2 in the Robinsons-May

wing. Call (714) 438-0056.

MAKEUP TIPS

Stila at South Coast Plaza celebrates its one-year anniversary

Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Stop in for personalized

beauty tips from international makeup artists Kalina Fernandez and

Devun Hepner, and enjoy appetizers, drinks and music. Call (714)

540-960 for reservations.

PORCINE GOODIES

One of the best children’s specialty stores, This Little Piggy,

just added more products to its fun, colorful bath and body

collection that’s ideal for the whole family. They’re made from

all-natural ingredients in wonderful scents. There’s the Itchy Ouchy

Ointment, a deep healing moisturizer in lavender and citrus ($19.95).

Smoochy is a soothing lip balm in grapefruit/pear, honey/tangerine

and citrus/mint flavors ($9.95). The all-time favorite “whipped soap”

Whippy Wash/Whip Wash has two new flavors. Best to try the new gift

set that features 2-ounce sizes of all flavors: honey/tangerine;

grapefruit/pear/basil; lavender and citrus ($29.95). This Little

Piggy has a great mix of contemporary and classic fashions, including

a popular PiggyBrand label, antique furnishings and wooden toys. It’s

an ideal boutique to find the perfect toy, outfit, gift and

accessory. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday;

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. It’s at Fashion

Island in Newport Beach. Call (949) 718-0533 or visit https://www.littlepiggy.com.

A NEW COLLECTION

Bebe at Fashion Island hosts the premier of its 2004 spring

collection today from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests can receive 10% off all

merchandise. There will also be informal modeling, music by a deejay

and hors d’oeuvres. Enter to win a seven-day trip for two to the

Breezes Bahamas Resort; it includes airfare and hotel accommodations.

No purchase is necessary. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 11

a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call (949)

719-2323.

TICKLED PINK

Today, J. Jill at Fashion Island has a Tickled Pink 2004 Spring

Wardrobing Event from 4 to 8 p.m. Stop by to see its spring

collection and enjoy refreshments. J. Jill is also holding a raffle

to win a pink Diamondback Dellacruz bike. And J.Jill will donate the

raffle total from the night’s event to the Susan G. Komen Breast

Cancer Foundation and 10% of the proceeds will be donated to the

J.Jill Compassion Fund. It’s located next to Carousel Court and open

from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday

and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. (949) 640-9364.

WARES FOR WAVES

15th Street Surf Shop, established in 1961, carries surf apparel

for all ages. Name brands include Quiksilver, Roxy, Raisins and the

15th Street Surf Shop brand. Apparel includes bikinis, shorts, board

shorts, jackets, sweatshirts, watches, sunglasses and surf

accessories. It’s open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during the winter; or

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily during the summer. The shop is at 103 15th

St., Newport Beach. Call (949) 673-5810.

* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays. Send information to Greer Wylder at

greerwylder@yahoo.com; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; or by

fax at (949) 646-4170.