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November 9th, 2007
We used to be intelligent people. We took AP classes in high school, we could do “The New York Times” Sunday crossword (or at least part of it) … so why couldn’t we pass the Oregon driver’s license exam? We were cocky the first time we took it. We sailed in, more worried about looking cute for the photo than studying the manual, and missed like seven out of 35 questions. Failed! The second time we were so nervous that we forgot a second form of ID and had to run home to get it … oh, and take an anti-anxiety pill, a la “Valley of the Dolls.” We failed once again. By one question. Something about motorcycles. So finally we wised up—brought home the manual, cracked a bottle of wine, and (to the obvious enjoyment of our significant other) spent the night with a highlighter, underlining the important bits. We hadn’t put in that much effort since the SATs. Long story short, we passed and—bonus—we even looked cute in the photo! ps: Here’s something smart to do … if you have friends in Minneapolis/St. Paul, tell them about www.MinneapolisPicks.com! And check out this week’s Hip Happenings, listed below. We have some amazing things for you to do…and some free tickets if you play your cards right. |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | What’s in Store for You? The search is on, but fortunately we know exactly who we’re looking for. It seems we’re destined to have a sweet and gentle romance with a guy who’s an artisan and plays an instrument. What’s more, he may be someone we already know. Yes, Mademoiselle Noelle’s Fortune Tea House definitely got our wheels turning, and we’d like to believe everything we heard when the proprietress read our tea leaves. After all, it’s nice to think the dregs of our beverages are good for something. And while we can’t yet tell whether our fortune will come true, we can say that we loved every bit of this charming shop, filled from top to bottom with witchy paraphernalia. The teas themselves are tasty and hand-blended with ingredients like goji berries and rose petals, perfect for soothing the stressed or infusing courage. So grab a cup and a chair—whether you want palmistry or past lives, your future is on the menu. Mademoiselle Noelle’s Fortune Tea House |
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| 2 | For Goodness’ Sake We love to eat. Some might think we're obsessed with food—we prefer to be called passionate. But not just any food will do. We want delicious food that sings with flavor, is bold and daring and made with ingredients we're actually familiar with. Thank goodness—and we mean good-ness—for Isabel. |
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| 3 | Round and Round You know those mornings when you get out of bed and things in your body snap? You hear “pop, pop” noises coming from your back? Or your legs? That is seriously not cool! We’re too young to be disabled by a mattress … and we need help working out the kinks, just so we can function. It’s sad really. But happily, there’s Circle Studio. With their three medieval-looking but oddly fascinating Gyrotonic® Tower machines, and three Pilates Reformers (plus a lot of other serious equipment that gets stares from the passers-by), they have ways of stretching and relaxing you back into normalcy—and beyond. From pro athletes to “the rest of us,” every client is treated like their needs are the most important in the city. Whether you’re in need of physical therapy, private Pilates lessons, or a great no-impact workout on the Gyrotonic, Circle Studio’s highly trained professionals can get you into great shape in their beautiful, airy studio. Plus, they’re total sweethearts. No more a.m. creaking plus a toned bod? Circle Studio, you had us at hello. Circle Studio |
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| 4 | The State We’re In Once we moved to Oregon (and left our families behind), we started sending them locally made gifts. It wasn’t even a conscious decision—it just so happens that there are so many fantastic items created right here that we couldn’t resist! Among our favorites this year—and sure to be gifted to more than one recipient—is the lovely Iris Pottery Collection available at Made in Oregon stores. It seems antique and modern all at once, and it’s practically begging to serve Thanksgiving dinner! You know Made in Oregon for their gift packs—smoked salmon, jam and wine—but there’s so much more, from handmade jewelry to a funky pewter collection by Tin Woodsman that is touted by chef Paula Dean on her cooking show! Made In Oregon |
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| 5 | Dreams Really Do Come True While we love kicking through golden leafy Portland and all, raking gets boring and yardwork futile. Our solution? Flee! So we popped into the ole jalopy and fled … to Astoria’s Cannery Pier Hotel. When we arrived at the hotel, built on the site of an old cannery, we were shocked. Somehow, someone got into our head and took everything we would ever want in a hotel and actually made it happen. Wine in the evening? A lobby that smells like baking cookies, because they are, in fact, baking cookies? Views? Fireplaces? Showers like standing under a fire hose … in the rainforest? A spa? Local art? A whole floor with photos and maps that serves as an exhibit on Astoria? Check! Want to bike? Borrow one of the hotel’s 1950s bikes. Need a ride? Get one—free—in their mint 1936 Buick. We’d share absolutely everything we loved, including the names of every single staff member we met, so genuinely nice it was amazing, but we simply can’t spare the space. So go instead, and make your own favorites. We’re already booking our next trip. Cannery Pier Hotel |
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| 6 | Artistic Expression We have a bit of a commitment phobia when it comes to our hair. We love the look of lush, long tresses, but we also love the statement and curly ease of our kicky, short do. Thankfully, we’ve found a stylist at Mona Lisa who is as patient as we are indecisive. A modern, chic calm prevails at Mona Lisa, paired with high drama from two glam chandeliers. Offering haircuts, colorings and brow waxes, they’re open seven days a week, with weekend and evening appointments to match our super-busy schedule. But the best part is that there are no pesky chemical fumes to interfere with our experience. Mona Lisa uses steamers, rather than driers, to set color in as little as ten minutes. (And they have one the city’s best colorists on staff!) As we sipped on our complimentary Cosmopolitan during our last visit, we channeled our inner Carrie Bradshaw and agreed that we should go long … but maybe with a little trim—okay, maybe a little bit more—just to tidy things up, of course. Mona Lisa salon |
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| Party Idea of the Week: | |||
Culinary Artistry |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Take it Easy Our heads swim as the holidays near since there are so many giftees on our lists. So we love Littleput Pendants—they’re made from reclaimed Scrabble tiles and fine papers, creating sweet little pendants that hang oh-so-prettily and go with just about everything. They’re perfect for gifts (they’re all around $15, so you can give multiples), and each comes with a complimentary slide-top box and a pretty organza ribbon, so the wrapping is done. Easy as pie! |
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| 2 | Sweet, Salty and Sassy We are all about the perfect sweet-salty combo: pretzels dipped in chocolate, chips and ice cream, fries and a milkshake. So when we tried DAS Foods’ Caramelinis, all-natural salted caramels, we knew we had a new favorite to add to our repertoire. We love the classic lavender and honey caramels topped with Fleur de Sel salt. The velvety texture and buttery, rich sweetness balanced with tart salt make each bite pure decadence. Move over milkshake and fries; there’s a new combo in town! |
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| 3 | Do You Design? We are not designers. This is evident in our sad trudge to the grocery store every December to get holiday cards that say something “original.” Nice try! This year, we’re going to do it right, with artisan holiday cards from Eye Design Studio. They’re all custom, and all original to you! You’ll work with Eye Design to create your card—or invite, special-occasion stationery, even a website. They take your inspiration and make it a beautiful reality. |
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| 4 | All Play (And No Work) Both our parents are artists, so we have absolutely zero artistic ability. Okay, we can write, but give us a brush and we’re all thumbs. This is why we adore Threadless, where multi-talented artists can create clever t-shirts, and the only hard work we have to do is clicking “buy now.” Our very favorite find was the play on an old-school library checkout card with specific dates when the wearer was “last checked out.” Snarky, smart and sassy—just like us! |
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| 5 | 365 Reasons to Tidy Up Growing up, we used to call our brother “Messy Jesse.” Well, this gene apparently runs in the family because our workspace is a total mess, too. Our incentive for tidying up? We need to make room for the 2008 Caldera desk calendar! Titled “A Walk in Our Shoes,” the benefit calendar features photography and writing created by the young participants in this arts mentoring program. Sure, professional artists helped them out, but the youth deserve all the credit for turning out such awe-inspiring images. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | There’s Nothing Like a Homemade Card Muse Art and Design is three years old, so come celebrate at their free Make Your Own Holiday Card event! Kick off the holidays with a homemade card, just in time for Thanksgiving. They’ll provide light refreshments and all the art supplies you could possibly think of—just bring your imagination! Artists of all abilities and ages welcome. What: Make Your Own Holiday Card at Muse |
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| 2 | Egg Press Holiday Sample Sale Egg Press is having a holiday sample sale with special guests Kata Golda and Picaflor Kids! Pick up wonderfully lovely letterpress cards for every occasion, $5-$10 onesies, and screen-printed tees While-You-Wait, plus Kata Golda photo albums (letterpress printed with whimsical hand-stitched designs) and Picaflor’s beautiful knits for infant-child on sale from $4-$24. Hot beverages and snacks provided! What: Egg Press Holiday Sample Sale |
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| 3 | Don't Miss “The Art of Accessorizing” What: The Art of Accessorizing Cocktail & Shopping Party |
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| 4 | Anniversary Celebration at Exhilarate Bodyworks! Starting today, for one week only, save big on great package specials from Exhilarate Bodyworks! Their Anniversary Celebration also includes prizes, a raffle drawing and more. Check out their website to view their services & products, and get more info about their anniversary happenings. How about a custom gift package? Just in time for the holidays! |
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| 5 | "It's a Secret" at Emily-Jane The Emily-Jane "It's a Secret" sale begins today! Simply mention the word "secret" and receive 50% off your Emily-Jane jewelry purchase. These are incredible savings on fabulously girly designs for any occasion—from glam New Year's Eve to demure bride to everyday fashion. The "It's a Secret" sale is valid on in-store jewelry purchases and on select website pieces. What: "It's a Secret" sale at Emily-Jane |
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| 6 | Don’t Deny Your DIY (Party) Celebrate the official unveiling of DIY Lounge at collage with its slick new look, and meet the talented teachers and creative staff members of collage! Enjoy refreshmentsdonated by Pabst,tons of raffle prizes, and 20% off everything for 3 hours. Plus, groove to the tunes ofDJ Richard Rockstar. The only thing missing is you! What: Rebirth of the DIY Lounge at collage |
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| 7 | Urbane Zen LO Jewelry Event For one night at Urbane Zen, all jewelry is 10% off! Featured artists include Heather Houser, Aly Morgan, Andrea Dreyer and Treva Dea Sherman. Each designer is raffling off one piece made exclusively for the event. Plus, appetizers by Company Catering & floral arrangements by Hippie Chic Floral Design. Also that night: the Best of Lake Oswego celebration! What: Urbane Zen jewelry event |
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| 9 | Pre-Holiday Sale at Greenloop |
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| 10 | Designer Furnishings on Sale at Albea Iris Shop where the designers shop! Albea Iris Furniture specializes in high-end contemporary furniture at factory-direct prices. Their showroom is fantastic, and to sweeten the deals, right now they’re having an Early Clearance Event so you can save even more on gorgeous furnishings. What: Early Clearance Sale at Albea Iris Furniture |
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| 11 | Party Like a Movie Star The 34th Annual Northwest Film & Video Festival starts tonight! The celebration kicks off at 7 pm at Whitsell Auditorium in PAM with a screening of some of the best short films recently produced in the Northwest. And afterward, things will kick up a notch at The Cleaners at the Ace Hotel, where partygoers can toast the dedicated NW filmmakers. |
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| 13 | Portland Modern Homes Tour The first annual Portland Modern Homes Tour, benefiting Richmond Elementary School’s Cultural Exchange program, happens tomorrow! The event features music, drinks and a fashion show at five incredible Portland residences and a commercial building. Help the kids learn Japanese and see some architecture! Open-house day tour 11 am-2 pm; guided evening tour 5-8:30 pm. What: Portland Modern Homes Tour |
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| 14 | Celebrating Southern Oregon Wines If both Oregon and California are known for wine, can you imagine the combined power of grapes from Southern Oregon? Here’s your chance to meet the makers and test out your taste buds on these multi-dimensional varieties, all under one roof. From Abacela to Weisinger’s, experience the region without the drive! What: Celebrating Southern Oregon Wines |
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| 15 | Celebrate the Holidays with Essence Interiors Join Essence Interiors at Europa Annex and ResaleArt.com for a two-day event and sale! All candles will be 20% off, and mention Portland Picks to be entered in a drawing to win a $200 gift certificate toward your shopping! Browse beautiful home accessories and enjoy wine & hors d’oeuvres, too! What: Celebrate the Holidays event |
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| 16 | Belle Époque’s Transformation Hair Show See 10 new Cut and Color combos live! Want to change your look but you’re scared to take the plunge? Belle Epoque will transform 10 models, so you’ll see before & afters, and show you what’s hot for 2008! Enjoy a glass of wine and get inspired for the New Year! What: Belle Epoque’s Transformation Hair Show |
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Ooh, Celebrating Southern Oregon Wines sounds soooo good, doesn’t it? Email picks@portlandpicks.com and cc 5 friends who don’t already subscribe, and you could win a free ticket to the event!!!! |
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