Actress-owned boutique Tawny K. is tres chic

GREER WYLDER

Actress Tawny Kitaen opened Tawny K., a showcase store of Kitaen’s

favorite apparel lines at 369 E. 17th St. in Costa Mesa. Top stylists

have influenced Kitaen’s taste from years on TV, movie and video sets

-- now she’s brought her fashion knowledge to Orange County. Luckily,

for those who crave chic and flattering styles -- similar to Fred

Segal in L.A. -- this is where to shop. Local fashionistas who don’t

want to look like everyone else on the block appreciate Kitaen’s

well-thought-out merchandising. She selects a few favorites from each

line to personalize her style and chooses lines that complement each

other. Merchandise sells and changes quickly -- no need for a

clearance sale since its June opening. The boutique has exciting

designers, including flattering low-rise jeans from Frankie B., Seven

jeans, Juicy Couture, Michael Star, Church Girl, Yana K., Joey and T,

Isley and Jet. There’s also sexy lingerie from Cosabella, fashionable

jewelry, skin care and accessories. Tawny K. is open from 10 a.m. to

7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call (949)

650-6360.

OLYMPIC-QUALITY WORKOUTS

Three-time Olympian Xeno Muller instructs addictive indoor rowing

workouts at the Iron Oarsman in Costa Mesa. Since Muller is training

for the 2004 Olympics, he can only offer classes in the morning, at 6

and 7 a.m., and in the evening, at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Friday there

is no 6:30 p.m. class). Muller says that compared to other

injury-inducing sports, rowing offers a gentler approach to fitness.

It’s a great class for water rowers in training, or for people who

want to get, or stay in shape. The 50-minute classes are a great

cardio workout. Muller says there is an underworld of indoor rowing

fitness -- each year there’s a worldwide competition held in Boston,

and he says even centenarians can handle the low-impact sport.

Classes are offered at $13 per class, unlimited classes for one month

at $99 and up to 20 workouts, with no time limit, are $9.50 per

class. Updated class schedules are on the Iron Oarsman Web site at

https://www.gorow.com. The Iron Oarsman is at 440 E. 17th St. in Costa

Mesa. (949) 400-7630.

CONVENIENT PET FOOD

Pet Chef Express provides free home delivery of dog and cat food

to Orange County, most of the Inland Empire and the Long Beach area.

It offers private label, dry and canned dog and cat food delivered to

your door in 8-pound bags for cats and 20-pound bags for dogs. There

are no dyes, artificial colors, chemical preservatives or crude fiber

fillers. It’s made of high-quality animal proteins, essential amino

acids and vegetable and fish oils with vitamins and minerals. Its

latest food line contains fish, potato and duck. It’s a great

alternative for pets who are allergic to lamb or chicken. Lean foods

are also available for both dogs and cats. Pet Chef Express’ food has

a 100% satisfaction guarantee. New customers can mention this column

and receive 20% off their first order of dog or cat food. Call (949)

515-9600 or visit https://www.petchefexpress.com

ADD COLOR TO YOUR DATES

Each year, local artist Julie Herrmann makes popular desktop

calendars featuring watercolor florals that stand in acrylic frames

or come with magnetic frames. The calendars make great gifts for the

new year. Herrmann also offers floral note cards with envelopes and

“on location” note cards -- water-color paintings of scenes from her

travels. Call (949) 760-6693 or e-mail [email protected].

KIDS TO TOAST NEW YEAR

This New Year’s Eve, The Balboa Bay Club and Resort offers a

“Kid’s Night Out” for parents attending celebrations at the resort.

The children’s event is tailored for kids 5 to 12 years of age and

lasts from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Dec. 31. The night out includes a

dinner appealing to kids: pizza, hot dogs, French fries, fresh fruit,

drinks and a self-serve sundae bar. Activities include face painting,

disco dancing, hula hoop contests, a pinata, bingo, volley balloon

and more. When it gets late, there will be movies and popcorn and a

quiet area for those needing sleep. To ring in the new year at

midnight, kids can toast with sparkling cider, balloons, silly string

and noisemakers. Parents must remain on the Balboa Bay Club and

Resort property. Reservations are required. The cost is $60 per

child. Call (949) 630-4420.

NEW YEAR’S FOR BIG KIDS

The Balboa Bay Club and Resort will celebrate the arrival of 2004

with festive dining and entertainment options. The new Grand Ballroom

features Jay Sterling and his orchestra following a champagne

reception, a five-course dinner including wines and a glass of Dom

Perignon at midnight. Festivities begin at 8 p.m. and will continue

past midnight. The cost is $250 per person inclusive, or combine it

with an overnight stay package starting at $700.

CHAMPAGNE, DINNER AND DANCE

The First Cabin Restaurant features a delicious dinner, including

the famed BBC lobster bisque, seared foie gras, tournedos of beef,

roasted duck or truffle-poached Dover sole from 5 to 10 p.m. The cost is $90 per person plus tax and gratuity. Duke’s Place offers

entertainment from Paco Falcone. This waterfront bar and

entertainment lounge on the water offers dance and a place to sip

champagne. Duke’s Place, at 1221 W. Coast Highway in Newport Beach,

is open from noon to 2 am. Call (949) 630-4145 or visit

https://www.balboabayclub.com

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

[email protected]; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; or by

fax at (949) 646-4170.