Greer’s Best Buys:

Yes, you can bust out a bottle of tequila, a bag of chips, cheese and tortillas and call it a four-course tequila dinner. But this is entirely different. SOL Cocina’s Executive Chef Deborah Schneider (only a James Beard cookbook award nominee) is creating a special four-course Baja-style dinner paired with Partida Tequilas at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

It’s an ideal party for celebrating the holidays. The upscale waterfront SOL Cocina specializes in Baja street cuisine interpreted in a modern way. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception featuring SOL Cocina specialties, including apache beef ceviche on beet chips, salmon and green apple ceviche on cucumber rounds and SOL’s signature guacamole tostadas.

Then immediately following, a four-course dinner paired with handcrafted cocktails featuring partida blanco, reposado and anejo tequilas. Space is limited; offered for $50 per person (plus tax and tip). Reservations are required and can be made by e-mailing Jennifer@SolCocina.com.

SOL Cocina is open for daily from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 11 p.m. A late-night menu is offered from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. SOL Cocina is at 251 E. Coast Hwy. in Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 675- 9800 or visit www.solcocina.com.

Get Pink and Olive

Here’s a new spot to holiday shop for both new and vintage personal and home accessories. Today the Pink and Olive boutique, a new collaboration of two moms, Julie Rutter and Rorie Kaplain, opens at East 17th Street in Costa Mesa. The friends share a passion — hunting, scouring and finding the unexpected.

The two successful business owners, Rutter formerly of Jules Gifts and Accessories and Kaplain of the Scouting Owl specialize in finding hip trinkets for you and your home that mix but don’t match.

“We combine new/modern pieces with vintage and retro to keep your home and personal style unique and fresh,” Rutter said. “Rethink the way you utilize an object in the house or revamp an element of your closet with a scarf, metallic purse, some fun jewelry or a retro twist on the modern belt! We hope to accomplish this by creating a keen and hip shopping haven.”

The Pink and Olive boutique is at 336 E. 17th St., Suite 100. For more information, call (949) 378-8814 or (949) 280- 4920 or visit pinkandolive.com.

Enjoy Christmas walk

Don’t miss the 31st annual Corona del Mar Christmas Walk and Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. It’s one of Corona del Mar’s oldest special events with holiday festivities for family, and friends. Thousands of people are expected to attend and enjoy entertainment, food, games and prizes.

Local bands will be performing along the walk, special sales in many of the shops, and possibly a Santa sighting. Pinch Me! Band is performing a free concert at the hub of the event — Bandera Restaurant at Marguerite Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway. The band will be featuring great music ranging from songs of the Beatles to alternative hits of today.

For more information about the walk, go to www.cdmchamber.com or call (949) 673-4050.

Donate to backpack program

Students at Newport Harbor High School created Catty’s Kids and Orlando’s Outreach Club to help those less fortunate by making a difference in their education and lives. They are collecting gently used backpacks and schools supplies and sending them to underprivileged students in El Salvador and Costa Rica.

They are collecting school supplies now, so if you have donations, drop them off at 305 Evening Star Lane, Newport Beach. Cash donations to buy more supplies and cover shipping costs would also be appreciated. For more information, call (949) 302-8758.

Crate an ornament

Local and sought after jewelry artist, SUZAN recently added handmade and hand-engraved ornaments that are ideal for holiday gifts. They can be bought online and at her Costa Mesa studio.

SUZAN is inviting children (with their parents) in her studio on the three Saturdays in December to personalize ornaments by hammering in sentiments, names, etc. SUZAN carries ornaments for new babies, lost love ones, spiritual blessings and general holiday celebrations!

SUZAN’s gold and silver jewelry is exquisitely hand crafted, incorporating Tahitian pearls, antique and handmade chains, and ancient beads and coins.

SUZAN is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at 1733 Monrovia Ave. Suite U in Costa Mesa. For more information, call (949) 646-6009 or toll free at (800) 742-6750 or visit studiosuzan.com.

Speed up shopping at RVCA

All things RVCA are on sale at its annual holiday warehouse sale in Costa Mesa from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 11 and 12. And it’s come to this: The RVCA peeps sell speed passes for $25 so you can get in and out.

Speed passes are available per hour on each day of the sale. Each speed pass will allow two in at the time purchased.

The good news is that you can stock up and save on RVCA’s apparel inspired by skateboarding, surfing and other action sports.

RCVA is at 960 W. 16th St. in Costa Mesa. For more information, call (949) 548-6223 or visit holidaysale.rvca.com/.

GREER WYLDER writes Best Buys, which runs Fridays. She’s the founder and president of www.greersoc.com , a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining and trends.