GREER’S BEST BUYS:Matador Alcove salon caters to men

At Matador Alcove, a new members-only men’s salon in Costa Mesa, you can stop in for a professional haircut, pour yourself a drink and watch the game on a big-screen TV.

Matador Alcove is the latest concept from David and Patty Zimmerman, owners of Shanghai Salon in Costa Mesa. Like their ultra-cool women’s salon next door, Matador promises to be modern and laid-back, a place for men to unwind. The Zimmermans painstakingly designed Matador to match their chic aesthetic standards: zebra wood walls, faux crocodile salon chairs, and a warm wood bar accented by retro matador prints.

Matador features a massage and aesthetician room and carries the new luxury skin care line Davi from Napa Valley. Carlos Mondavi, a grandson of Robert Mondavi, created the innovative line from byproducts of wines. Premiere companies participating in Matador’s open house at 5 p.m. Saturday include Aston Martin, Sun Seeker Yachts and Carlos Mondavi. An annual membership costs $200, and allows you 15% off on all services. Upcoming events will include wine and whiskey tastings and Apple computer workshops.

Matador Alcove, 333 E. 17th St., No. 4, Costa Mesa, is open from noon to evenings Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call (949) 650-0015.

ITALIAN FROZEN YOGURT

The new Ce Fiore Italian Frozen Yogurt in Newport Beach is the latest in a string of PinkBerry-like yogurt shops (originating in Los Angeles) that serve refreshing tart, plain frozen yogurt. The secret to adding sweetness is in the toppings, and at Ce Fiore you can pile on fresh blueberries, strawberries, raspberries or even Japanese favorites such as sweet azuki beans or mini mochis. You can also have yogurt served over fluffy shaved ice, and there are smoothies and teas sweetened with Stevia extract, a natural sweet herb. There’s just 22 calories in each ounce, and the flavors are natural. Ce Fiore features a crisp and modern atmosphere.

Ce Fiore, 3305 Newport Blvd., Unit B, Newport Beach, is open noon to 10 p.m. daily. For more information, call (949) 566-0048 or go to www.cefiore.com .

LADIES WHO LAUNCH

If you’re a woman considering launching a business, or if you own a business but you want to take it the next level, then Ladies Who Launch is for you. The unconventional women’s networking group offers four-week incubator workshops in Orange County.

The super-nice and personable Amy Schuber leads new incubators each month in Costa Mesa. At a Ladies Who Launch incubator, women hook up with about 10 creative, motivated and entrepreneurial women who they otherwise wouldn’t meet. Incubators are similar to focus groups, where attendees give and receive undivided attention, free consultations, fresh perspectives, and tools to achieve their project and vision. The fun and insightful groups can help any creative idea or project take off. And after the incubator ends, members can join Ladies Who Launch, a networking group of more than 30,000 women nationwide that offers tons of perks. Some of the benefits include an interactive website, opportunities for national advertising and online forums for business resources.

The next incubator starts from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, June 6, 13, 20, 27 at Fleur de Lys in Costa Mesa. For details, go to www.ladieswholaunch.com .

HANDMADE DECOR

Simon Pearce’s eponymous company just opened its first Southern California boutique at South Coast Plaza. Simon Pearce specializes in hand-blown glass and handmade pottery meant to last a lifetime even with everyday use.

The simple, comfortable and functional designs enhance any decor. Each Simon Pearce piece is made with traditional techniques that add a distinct character. The store features an array of home and tabletop accents: classic bowls, elegant stemware, traditional candlesticks, vases, lamps, contemporary dinnerware and more. And for graduation gifts, Simon Pearce carries glass paperweights, tankards, pen holders and clocks.

Pearce, an Irish born craftsmen, learned the fine art of glassblowing at the Royal College of Art in London and worked in renowned glass houses throughout Europe. Meet Simon Pearce from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 21. The boutique on Level 2 in the Crate and Barrel Wing, is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

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.