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February 22nd, 2008
We joined our friend’s gym—just for the spinning classes—and our friend likes this guy there though she’s never talked to him. So on the first night of spinning, lo and behold, he’s in the class! We—being sweaty and “with boyfriend”—didn’t have much on our minds other than not dropping dead during the ordeal (ahem, the class), but we could see her sneaking peeks at him in the mirror as she pedaled ever so passionately. Just the idea that flirting can be done while sweat is pouring from every gland is anathema to us. We wouldn’t have the nerve to risk cute/sweaty gym guy getting a swig of our spin-stink on the slim chance that he’d find our musk appealing and promptly ask us out for sushi. And we definitely wouldn’t want him to see us up close in our sports bra—hello, uni-boob! (It’s like a loaf of bread where our breasts should be.) So we applaud our friend and the animalistic, sweat-soaked audacity it took to exchange a few words with him after the class. She’s on a man-hunt, baby, and all we can do is sit back, spin, and enjoy the show. ps: Tis the season for wedding planning! We have three fantastic wedding events in this week’s issue (all on different dates so you can maximize your browsing). With the city’s best venues and vendors at your service, your wedding will be as perfectly you as it can possibly be… |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | More Than a Woman Zaftig. Rubenesque. Buxom. No matter how you say it, the bottom line—literally—is that being shapely can leave you with fewer options. Matronly? Check. Sexy? Not so much. But leave it to Curvy Girl Clothing to bring sexy back, at least when we’re talking about style. Girls of all sizes have long been checking out Curvy Girl on the Web, buying easy weekend dresses with retro flair and skirts and tops perfect for a night on the town. This is the fun stuff that will get you in the mood to boogie without breaking the bank. And in Portland, we’re lucky, since the sisters behind the operation live here in town and have deemed us worthy of a brick-and-mortar storefront, open just three months. Whether you’re looking for high-waisted denim or shrugs to cover less-than-perfect arms, the new boutique has got it all. Soon they’ll be hosting Girls’ Nights and lingerie parties, so round up your comely friends and get shopping! Curvy Girl Clothing |
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| 2 | Give it a Swirl You know those ‘80s Designer Imposter perfume ads? “If you like Guuci, you’ll looooove Smoochie” and the like? That’s kind of how we feel about Las Vegas: It’s a gross, crass imitation of what had once been quality. But then we got an invite to go, basically for free. And then we thought again. There would be a pool. And swimsuits. But just in time, Pop Culture frozen yogurt is here! Lactose-free and fat-free, Pop Culture’s yogurt has the perfect mix of sweet and tangy that’s as fulfilling in February as it will be in August, to satisfy the sweet tooth but keep us swimsuit-ready. We tried the hugetastic Pearl Swirl with blueberries, bananas, strawberries and honey. A little over 100 calories—and a little over $5—it’s some of the best yogurt we’ve had in town. Virtually all their containers and utensils are recyclable and they source much of their ingredients from local growers. And if you’re toting Fido, Pop Culture also offers a “Pet Healthy Yogurt,” served with a pet treat. All this makes us feel great about supporting a new local business—as opposed to the support-hose industry. Pop Culture Frozen Yogurt |
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| 3 | Your Art, Your Way We come from a family of artists and creative souls. While our sister lucked out with the artistic ability and we can barely draw a recognizable stick figure, we have always, always appreciated art. But sometimes our appreciation can cost us a fair penny, which is why the owners of Tatuit have come up with the concept of splashing art onto everyday objects … because art shouldn’t be restricted to the walls of our living room. At Tatuit you can take your favorite image and have it engraved onto any object—and this is where the creativity comes into play for all of us who can’t draw. You can choose famous images, your own art, a favorite photograph or design or local art and have that image splashed onto any medium: wood, glass, granite, stainless steel, your laptop, cell phone, etc. Or you can choose from their selection of created pieces. Be sure to stop by on February 23, from 4-7 pm, for their grand opening event … and tell them that Portland Picks sent you! Tatuit |
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| 4 | Chayote Yummy! Editor's note: This has never happened in the history of Portland Picks, but this restaurant closed a week after we reviewed it and we just found out. We deeply apologize for the misinformation. We frequent downtown Portland for many, many reasons—the art museum, the people-watching, the beautiful fountains. Sometimes though, we feel totally overwhelmed by all the restaurant choices—where should we meet the ladies for lunch? We want to be “in the know” like the downtown work crowd! Enter Chayote Grill. Chayote (pronounced “coyote”) is one of downtown’s newest eateries. With a rockin’ blend of Southern grill plates and Southwestern flavors, we could hardly decide what to order. The lunch menu offers up a tempting taco bar stocked with mouth-watering meat, fish and a rainbow of salsas and toppings. We sampled the Smoked-Chicken Cobb Salad, and even though we secretly think salads are overrated, this one passed the test—egg, bacon and pico? Dee-licious! The dinner menu is full of high-end steaks, hot sandwiches and exotic-sounding Mexican-themed eats like the Smoked Beef-Tongue Tacos. Chayote Grill also offers up an expansive full bar and live music in the evenings. We’ll never have to think twice about where to lunch (or dinner) downtown again! Chayote Grill |
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| 5 | Happy Feet Saying we don’t treat our feet well is kind of an understatement. Since we took up running, we eschew pedicures—we’re running out of toenails to polish. So in need of some good foot McLovin’, we turned to the professionals at GroundSpring, a truly remarkable establishment tucked away at the crossroads of Barbur/Multnomah in SW Portland. One of the signature offerings at GroundSpring is Pedistone: luxurious classical Chinese reflexology. We took off our galoshes and socks, rolled our jeans to our knees, and settled into a comfy leather chair. Our eyes promptly rolled back into our head as co-owner Joanna dunked our feet in an herbal bath and proceeded to manipulate them in a way that worked out athletically induced kinks—and woke up other areas of our body. (She pressed one spot, and, we swear, our sinuses instantly cleared!) GroundSpring Healing Center, PC |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Playing Dress-up Though we’re never averse to estate sales, there are times when we don’t have the patience to wade through less than desirable options. That’s why we adore The Art of Wearing Vintage, which does all the hard work for us. At a glance, you’ll spot YSL, Pucci and Valentino, all in mint condition. Whether you need a cocktail dress, a peignoir set or suede shoes, all of the selections have us saying “Quanto bello!” |
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| 2 | Going Greener Sure, you know who killed the electric car and have heard the truth, no matter how inconvenient it is. Even so, you aren’t quite sure how to go green. And, while we can’t say we’re fans of toolkits, the ones from Green Lemonaide have changed our minds. Stocked with enviro-friendly options like CFL bulbs, a smart power strip and biodegradable doggie “business bags,” reducing your carbon footprint has never been easier. |
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| 3 | No More Wire Hangers Jessica Kagan Cushman’s No Wire Hangers bracelet reminds us of the summer we were grounded for calling our mother “Mommie Dearest.” We never understood why our mother was so offended. We had the film on VHS and adoringly watched Faye Dunaway portray Joan Crawford almost as much as we re-read VC Andrews’ “Flowers in the Attic.” We think this bracelet makes a great gift for any mommie dearest, but check out Lindsay Lou’s website for other great catch phrases as well! |
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| 4 | You’re the Poo We never understood why people spend so much money on clothes that babies grow out of in just a few months. Apparently, neither do the folks at Oregon’s own Little You, which offers customizable hats, onesies and more, all for less than $15. Witticisms like “I’m the poo!” and “Bad hair day” abound on cute little labels with colorful dots. Need something custom for a shower or other celebration? They can make it happen, including free graphic-design work. Boutique style without the price tag? What a find! |
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| 5 | Forget Me Not We try to practice the “shop local” vibe we preach, but sometimes … wow ... we gotta share the love. This Minneapolis artist’s mantra is “Sweet declarations of hatred and ill will in the form of paper goods, apparel, plushes and Mean Bags,” and somehow she makes curse words on greeting cards seem appropriate. Our fave? The “Thanks Schmanks” greeting card in a retro pink wallpaper print. Make a statement with your paper statements! These are cards nobody will forget. |
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| Event of the Week: | |||
Set the date for tomorrow! Experience the fabulosity that the Embassy Suites Portland Washington Square and wedding partners like AniA Collection, Growers Garden, Godiva, Hybrid Moon, The Portland Wedding Planner, Faye Judson Salon and more have to offer at the Weddings Open House, a one-stop shop for everything you need. From the cake to the dress to the DJ, The Embassy Suites Washington Square takes your wedding very seriously, and this event will introduce you to amazing vendors who can make your dreams come true.
What: Weddings Open House at Embassy Suites Washington Square |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Shop 08—A Conference for Retailers Crave Party is proud to present SHOP/08, a conference to invigorate and educate independent retailers of all stripes. Still figuring out the nuts and bolts? Veterans needing fresh ideas? This one-day event teaches practical skills, offers encouragement, and builds camaraderie amongst retail professionals. Prepare to be inspired! (To exhibit in the lobby, email crave@craveportland.com.) What: SHOP/08 Portland |
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| 2 | A Bridal Event in the Pearl? Yes! Enjoy the Perfectly Pearl Modern Bridal Event, to benefit Central Portland Families. The Pearl District is the perfect wedding (and wedding planning) destination. LEED-certified venues, invitations printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks, locally grown floral designs and more… plus designer gowns, dazzling jewelry, and the latest trends. Nibble on hors d’oeuvres! Bid in a silent auction, too! What: Perfectly Pearl Modern Bridal Event |
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| 3 | Feather Your Nest at Maison, Inc.! Join Maison, Inc. for their President's Day Sale. Starting Feb. 22, they're offering markdowns on custom upholstered furniture, vintage case goods, luxurious pillows and accessories. These are the goods that designers shop for—gorgeous items perfect for your home—and just now open to the public! Enjoy additional markdowns on orange-ribbon items displayed throughout the showroom. What: President's Day Sale at Maison, Inc. |
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| 4 | Make Wedding Planning Fun! The Bravo! Wedding Affair will transform two hotel floors into vignettes featuring must-have wedding accoutrements from more than 60 wedding services—plus a free Bravo! Wedding Guide. Find the dress, photographers, centerpieces, catering, cakes, the right music and more. The first 25 brides to email heather@bravoportland.com will receive a free Bravo! Wedding Planner/Organizer at the event! What: Bravo! Wedding Affair |
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| 5 | Healthy Bride "Bootcamp" Workouts Shape up before your nuptials! Sign up for the Healthy Bride Bootcamp! These outdoor workouts are on Wednesdays and Saturdays (see below for start dates) and have lots of variety so you won’t get bored, and plenty of resistance training to tone trouble spots. Instructor Aimee Ward will have you looking (and feeling) gorgeous! What: Healthy Bride Bootcamp, 6-week sessions |
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| 6 | Are Your Kids Hannah Montana Fans? KidFest! The Northwest's Largest Family Expo is featuring Mitchel Musso from Disney's Hannah Montana, live in concert! Admission includes all day of fun at KidFest! BabyFest! CampFest! featuring live entertainment, interactive exhibits, The Big Baby Shower and Diaper Olympics, Game Crazy Video Challenge, Family Fun Zones and products & services to enrich your life! What: KidFest! |
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Tickets: |
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Have you made us your friend on MySpace yet? www.myspace.com/portlandpicks. Drop us a line and let us know where you are shopping for spring clothes! What and where did you score??? Enquiring minds want to know. |
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