Get fit on several levels for the new year

GREER WYLDER

Living Fitness is a new state-of- the-art fitness personal

training facility in the Newport Coast Shopping Center that opened

just in time for getting back into shape. A grand opening will be on

Jan. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Guests can tour the appealing and

convenient facility while enjoying hors d’ouevres, champagne and

giveaways. Owners Tom and Nicolette Kousoulas are renowned for

keeping some of Hollywood’s most famous in shape. Living Fitness

offers a unique five-phase training system -- a personal trainer

takes members through each phase. When phases are completed, members

can return to the first phase, but at an advanced level. Members

continue to go through phases at higher levels, so results can

continue at an even pace. There are experienced fitness instructors,

as well as the latest cardio equipment. Each piece of equipment has

its own plasma screen for DVDs and CDs. For muscle-building and

toning there’s equipment from Life Fitness and Hammer Strength. It’s

also the first fitness facility in Orange County to carry the

exclusive Signature Line of advanced strength training equipment.

Other amenities include a Pilates studio, nutritional counseling and

fitness assessments. The incredible locker rooms are stocked with

fresh Frette linens, toiletries with spacious custom wood lockers and

showers. Living Fitness is located at Newport Coast Shopping Center

at 21139 Newport Coast Drive, at San Joaquin Hills Road. Call (949)

640-2300.

FINE SWISS CHOCOLATE

Each piece of Teuscher Chocolates of Switzerland is handmade in

the Teuscher kitchen in Zurich. Only the world’s finest ingredients

are added -- no wax. A high amount of cocoa butter adds richness, not

found in most chocolates. Also, the truffle’s center is “conched” for

hours to achieve a voluptuously smooth texture (Conching is a final

process where warm chocolate is slowly blended to rid it of excess

moisture and acids). Choose from its house specialty, the exclusive

champagne truffle, containing a champagne creme center, or try 10

other truffles including the classic and complex varieties. Also made

are dozens of gourmet chocolates, even sugar free, and pralines.

Teuscher makes wonderful gifts. For beautiful presents, there are

enchanting gift boxes -- paper sculptures that come in shapes

including smiling frog princes, clowns, songbirds and whimsical

holiday figures. Darling solid chocolate forms include ducks, dogs,

cats and bears. Italy’s high quality Lavazza coffee supplies

exceptional coffees, and Teuscher’s cocoa powder provides delicious

hot and cold drinks. There’s also gelato and sorbets. Teuscher, at

1089 Newport Center Drive in Fashion Island, is open from 10 a.m. to

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

to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call (949) 721-1801 or visit

https://www.teuscher.com

METROPOLITAN MUSEUM ART SALE

For more than 100 years, the Metropolitan’s staff of art

historians, designers and master craftspeople choose pieces from the

museum’s collections to reproduce for everyone to appreciate, and to

help support its collections and programs. At the Metropolitan Museum

of Art store, items come from special exhibitions and its permanent

collection that includes more than 5,000 years of culture. The

reproductions are larger or smaller than original, and some

quantities are limited. There are decorative objects, bronze- and

cast-marble sculptures, art books, prints, jewelry, scarves and even

an educational children’s boutique section. Don’t miss its holiday

sale, with select merchandise reduced up to 50%. The museum, on Level

One in South Coast Plaza, is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday

through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6:30

p.m. on Sunday. Call (714) 435-9160 or visit https://www.met

museum.org/store

COLORFUL FITIGUES

Fitigues develops original fabrics for comfortable clothing for

men, women and kids. Collections have flattering designs, no longer

sacrificing style for comfort. From season to season, color

collections carry whimsical names such as rock candy, peppermint,

midnight, kiwi and sunrise. Fitigues apparel is made of velour, cozy

mesh, lace, cashmere, jerseys and a signature thermal made from 100%

combed ring-spun cotton. Styles vary from casual workout wear to

holiday wear. It’s currently having a 50% off sale on fall and winter

merchandise. Fitigues, at Fashion Island, is open from 10 a.m. to 9

p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.

to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Call (949) 644-6485 or visit

https://www.fitigues.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.