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May 9th, 2008
It’s official. There are few things more embarrassing than having a bird poop on your head. We knew this string of good luck was going to one day end, but really? During an interview? We were mor-ti-fied. Of course, the worst of it was when—in that moment of raw disbelief—we actually reached our hand up to double-check. Learn from us, don’t double-check. More importantly, always carry a hankie. To our relief, we heard that these things—these bird bombings—are good luck (we’d like to see what bad luck looks like), meaning our chain of good fortune has not been broken after all! Plus, now that our head has suffered the worst kind of bad hair day imaginable, we deserve a treat for our victimized locks. We’re running straight to the salon for a new ‘do. And naturally the new haircut will turn out smashingly, since this is obviously our lucky day. |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Accessories = Love Spring is here, and in our house that means spring cleaning! It's out with the old, in with the new. Goodbye winter coat. Hello new wardrobe, new hairdo, and most importantly, new accessories! Luckily, we've found the perfect place to satisfy our accessory fetish. As the saying goes, when one door closes, a new one opens. Alas, Denwave, one of the most progressive boutiques around, closed its doors a few months ago. Since then, Hazel Cox (co-owner of Denwave) has been busy with her latest project, Hazel Grayslayer, a studio/store specializing in handcrafted accessories for people, pets, and their beloved homes. Everything in the store carries Hazel's creative stamp, from the Staghorn ferns she grows herself to her amazing handmade jewelry. Watch for even more plants, pet accessories, and light fixtures this summer. And as if Grayslayer needed more street cred, it was just featured in this month's issue of Lucky magazine. The shop is open Thursday through Sunday from 2–7 pm, and by appointment, so stop by and tell Hazel you read about her here! Grayslayer |
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| 2 | Domo Arigato When we cook for ourselves, we’ll eat the ingredients, rather than wait to finish the recipe. (Not like, raw eggs or anything, but we’re lucky if half the cheese actually makes it into the dish.) We like simple preparation and easy service, especially with warmer weather (oh please!) on the way. So we were especially glad to discover Tanuki, a Japanese jewel box that specializes in traditional Japanese drinking foods (with a sake and beer license on its way!) Though their sashimi plate is one of the best around—if you want fresh wasabi, you can’t miss this one—Tanuki isn’t a sushi stop. Rather, they offer skewered meats and fish, homemade goyoza (dumplings), and some incredibly fresh salads. We wish we could get specific about the menu, but it changes almost daily, depending on what’s fresh. Just fyi the Japanese-plum drinking vinegar with soda, pickled plum and kumquat was like spring in a glass; we could have downed a gallon. But instead, we’ll console ourselves with the fact that we can return, and it’ll be a new experience every time. Tanuki |
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| 3 | Budo-what? We've been feeling guilty for not staying on top of our workout this winter. After all, summer is just around the corner. So when a friend talked us into joining her for Budokon class (budo-what?!?), we were excited, but a little hesitant. Budokon at Miss Fit Studio |
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| 4 | Treat Mom to a Style Makeover We once raided Mom’s closet and found eight pairs of comfort shoes—all black—and all beat up. We also found a few elastic-waist skirt-and-top sets with patterns too stomach-churning to describe. And because we love Mom, and want her to look her best, we’re too chicken to address her wardrobe with her … so we’re bringing in an expert to do the deed. Our delightful style guru is none other than Jandi Girard and her style team, and she’s more than willing to take Mom on a trip down memory lane—and then introduce her to being a Modern Mama. Jandi has impeccable taste, but that’s not important, what is important is that she can help anyone—moms and dads … or you!—find their own individual style. She assesses lifestyle, body shape, likes and dislikes, and then creates a workable, flattering wardrobe with items appropriate for any occasion, whether it’s a dinner on the town or a trip to the grocery store. (And just fyi, no occasion is appropriate for a matching skirt-and-top set, elastic waist or not!) Gift certificates are available! Inspire Style Coaching |
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| 5 | Patron Saint of Décor One of our favorite things about traveling is not so much the traveling, but calling a posh 600-square-foot hotel suite “home” for a week. We become a more cosmopolitan version of ourselves when we’re chillaxing in tastefully designed and well-appointed surroundings. While we can’t stay at the Viceroy forever (only if we were bajillionaires), we can bring home some of that modern glamour. Saint Maine is a brand new interiors boutique filled with exquisite objects for the home, refurbished vintage furniture, refined art for the walls, and beautiful volumes on international décor and cuisine. They also showcase their own signature designs (elegant furniture, cushions in sumptuous fabrics, tableware in sophisticated palettes). Everything in the shop exudes comfortable luxury. We fell in love with opulent pillows from Ann Gish and a wool throw adorned with a whimsical felt bloom from the Netherlands. And if décoration intérieure is a foreign language, the Saint Maine Design Studio can help translate gossamer ideas into luxurious dwellings, too. See you at the Grand Opening this Saturday, May 10th! We’ll be the ones practicing our French. Bonjour chéries! Saint Maine |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Behold the Power of C As skincare junkies, we try just about anything to smooth fine lines and erase sun spots (we don’t call them “age spots”), but we’re also on a budget. So when we discovered JASON’s amazing—and affordable—Ester-C® skincare line, we had to share. These all-natural, high-potency, paraben-free products smell wonderful, are a gorgeous consistency, and they’re effective. The combo of their Gentle Face Wash, Instant Facial, and Ester-C cream seriously took 10 years off our punims. Behold the power of Ester-C! |
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| 2 | Got Milk? What is it about cookies that always make us feel better? We think doctors should write prescriptions for cookies instead of antibiotics. When we want to show some love, we send our dears cookies from Tricia’s Cookie Kitchen. Her handmade treats are freshly baked in perfect circles and chock full of yummy goodness. She bakes up the classics—Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Raisin and Snickerdoodle—plus scrumptious creations like M&M and Peanut Butter Cup. Who wouldn’t love a box of these? |
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| 3 | Auto-matic Bombshell We’d rather spend time with our handbags than some of our family members. And sometimes we care more about the tote than the rest of an outfit, which makes for interesting weekend wear. And this bag is no exception to our handbag-first rule. Kim White’s weekend satchel makes the perfect carry-on or day-about-town tote, thanks to sturdy leather handles, large inner pockets and gorgeous houndstooth fabric, straight out of a 1979 GM. Original, funky, supercool—we call it auto-matic love. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Re-Use at Icebreaker for Mother’s Day Want a creative Mother’s Day gift? Bring your kid's favorite T-shirt to Icebreaker (perhaps one that you can't bear to part with even though it now it barely covers his belly button) and they will turn it into an adorable—and utterly usable—bag ... for free! Plus, moms get a voucher for a free pair of cozy, merino-wool socks! |
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| 2 | Masquerade in May We loved the masquerade ball scene in Romeo and Juliet, so we’re thrilled about the Junior League of Portland’s "Masquerade in May," a fancy pants evening with cocktails and swing dancing, plus a mask competition and silent auction with hot items like private Pilates lessons, spa packages, ski weekend getaways and more! Proceeds will benefit local early childhood development programs. What: Masquerade in May |
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| 3 | Spring Sale at Moxie—Get Some Color! What: Spring sale at Moxie |
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| 5 | Va Va Va Bloom! Brigeport Village's Va Va Va Bloom event culminates tomorrow, May 10. The Annual Flower + Garden Showcase tops off with an informal fashion show and the Garden Tours & Plant Care Q&A from 10 am-1 pm. You know how we feel about fashion shows, and we are greening our thumbs for summer too. Head to Bridgeport now to experience the exceptional shopping ... and more! What: Garden Tours + Floral Fashion Frivolity |
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| 6 | Opening Day at the Beaverton Farmer’s Market We’ve always loved opening day at the market. The return of skirt-weather, fresh farm produce and bike baskets brimming with flowers. It’s the perfect Mother’s Day treat. In celebration of their 21st year, bring Mom down to the Beaverton Farmer’s Market, flatter her with peonies and grab some goodies for a tasty, garden-to-table meal. What: Opening Day at the Beaverton Farmer’s Market |
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| 7 | Blush Beauty Bar's Beautypalooza 4 Grab your girlfriends, darlings; it’s time to load up on the exclusive and eco-beauty products at Blush Beauty Bar! Enjoy special deals plus a gift with purchase for their 4th birthday celebration. Make sure to register for the raffle; you could win one of several beauty baskets filled with goodies valued at over $200 each. Get pretty! What: Blush Beauty Bar's Beautypalooza 4 |
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| 8 | Body Image Workshop for Women What: Body Image Workshop for Women |
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Is it bad that this wasn’t the first time a spring chick dropped trow above our head? Or is it lucky? In any case, make sure to tell all your steamy buds residing in our nor’eastern sister city about the new addition to our team, www.SeattlePicksforMen.com! Let’s just say we have friends in high places (like tree branches and telephone poles). How’s your luck these days? :) |
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