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November 7th, 2008
It’s finally over. You can take your head out of the sand. We are writing this on Monday, but hopefully by the time you read this the election has been decided. We’re tired of being on pins and needles! We need to get back to normalcy! (Whatever that is.) But seriously, it will be nice to not have to talk about the election, or to listen to someone talk about the election, or think about it or worry or whatever. It’s time to move on to more rewarding pursuits… like shopping, cocktailing, and dining out. Want to feel like a babe when you’re out on the town? Forward this issue to 5 friends and CC picks@portlandpicks.com, and you could win a saucy little clutch from nJoy Designs. See below for more info! |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | The Art of Fashion Remember art class? Once upon a time, we were really good at it. Maybe we could have even done something with our talents. Who couldn't use another ceramic mug or collage wall hanging? Alas, we grew up, and had places to be, people to see—you know the drill. But we can appreciate the good stuff when we see it. And see it we did at Radish Underground. This fabulous new boutique in downtown Portland boasts a lovely collection of clothing and accessories from independent fashion "artists." Owners Gina Johnson and Celestial Sipes treat Radish Underground like a comfy, cozy gallery, thoughtfully displaying women's clothing and jewelry like highly accessible works of art. All of the garments produced for the boutique come from independent designers, many of whom hail from the Pacific Northwest. We found intricately designed and detailed items worthy of our attention, and a comfortable living room setting (where our sweetie waited patiently as we tried on one cool top after another). Above all, Radish Underground treats independent fashion like it should be treated—as beautiful, wearable art. Radish Underground |
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| 2 | Hate Is a Such a Strong Word We just endured a full week of cold, drizzly, soak-you-to-the-bone rain, and even though our mother used to scold us for using the word “hate,” we hate the rain. We have perpetually soggy hair, eternally damp pant bottoms, and worst of all, every last club member is thinking it’s prime time to return to the gym. So parking is, once again, a disaster. We know—we’re haters. We found our solution when we discovered Tempo Cycling and Pilates, a local fitness studio with all the makings we ever wanted. (Heck, we only ever went to the gym for spinning and Pilates classes, anyhoo.) The husband/wife team (Kirk, with 20 years of professional racing under his belt) provides private Pilates, Combo classes (spinning + Pilates!), and the option of fitness-style spinning or team cycling, where local teams can train together on state-of-the-art CycloOps. So goodbye, Big Box Gym, with your overcrowded parking and overcrowded classes. Tempo is intimate and comfortable, with an easy to love ambiance free of ugly overhead lighting and disturbing turbo-techno beats. And we choose to love, not hate. Tempo Cycling and Pilates Studio |
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| 3 | Board Babe Full disclosure: we have been accused of being a tomboy. We are somewhat puzzled by this, because it’s fairly obvious that we heart shopping and fashion and all things girly. Perhaps, however, it’s the fact that come winter, we’re attached to the mountain like butter on toast, full-on snow bunny or bust. And since we decided to take up snowboarding this winter, we did a happy dance when we saw the new Epic Snow, a store exclusively devoted to all things snowboard, from girly boards and top-of-the-line boots and bindings to gloves, goggles and chic knit beanies. Not only that, we can also find the best selection of on-the-snow fashion in the city! With brands like Betty Rides, Rome, Oakley and more, Epic Snow has all the hot new trends you won’t find at the general sports stores. How does this benefit us? It ensures that, come snowboard time, we won’t be the tomboy in an oversized jacket; we’ll be the warmest, style-savviest board babe on the mountain—accessories and all. Epic Snow |
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| 4 | A Bar For All Seasons One of our old roommates loathed summer, but rhapsodized The goal for this Blitz (located in a former mirror factory) is to become part of the neighborhood, and less a sports bar. That said, we counted large, shiny flat-screen TVs in the double-digits, including an unobstructed view of at least five from our booth alone. But it was the shuffleboard tables, pool, and pinball, along with the menu and beer selection, that got our mouths watering. If you’re a sports fan, you won’t know where to look first. But if you’re also a food fan, you’ll contentedly gaze at your plate (our eggs at brunch were super fluffy). Try cozying up in a booth or perching at the football field-length bar. No matter the season or the company, we know we’ll get our game on at Blitz. Blitz Bar |
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| 5 | Holidays to Remember Our parents used to pack us up every winter for a trip to a cabin in the woods. We have frosty memories of sitting in the back of station wagons (facing out, of course, without a seatbelt), wearing fake-fur trimmed coats in the snow (if we only knew then that purple polyblend “fauxhair” wasn’t biodegradable) and drinking hot chocolate by a roaring fire. It was good times. But now the cabins we stayed in seem more rusty than rustic. We’re just not as gung-ho as mom and dad—we need some luxuries in our winter pursuits. Which is why Traditions at Sunriver Resort is so special. The Traditions celebration features more than 150 events, including Grand Illumination, Central Oregon’s largest light display, on Friday, Nov. 28, and you can be pampered by Sunriver’s amazing amenities. Get in on the Sugarplum Special—stay at Sunriver Resort between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day and receive a $50 credit each night of your stay that’s good toward Traditions activities, lift tickets, spa services, meals or shopping. Plus, enjoy lodging starting at just $154 per night! Sunriver Resort |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | You Can Take It With You Did you know that the U.S. produces more than 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps each year? Ay yi yi! We are determined to do our part to reduce that number—one lunch Check out the adorable, eco-friendly lunch and travel snack bags from Plum Creek Mercantile. Cuter than a lunch box and made in the USA, some of organic cotton. Show them off at the office, then pop them in the washer. Stylish and sustainable? What a great gift! |
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| 2 | Feed Your Addiction Our mom has an oilcloth problem. She simply adores the bright and cheerful fabric—and the fact that it’s waterproof. She has reams of it covering everything from the dining room table to the barbecue. She is an addict. And we’re her enablers. We just found nJoy Designs—creators of ridonkulously cute handbags made from gorgeous combinations of oilcloth. They’re perfect for Portland’s drizzly weather—they’re durable, fashionable and they stay dry. Enter the promo code “rosebud” and get 10% off during November! |
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| 3 | A Little Bit Makes a Big Difference |
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| 4 | What Dreams May Come When we were a young tween, we saved up all our coins and birthday checks to buy a nice duvet with matching sheets. While the other girls had trendy mini-backpacks, we had bedroom bliss. We still know a fine trend when we see one, and now we’re onto the new hemp bedding found only at Portland interior design firm, said, in Multnomah Village. Soft, chic and planet-conscious, this bedding goes far beyond trend! |
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| 5 | Calendar Girls If you’re anything like us, you’re already planning for New Year’s Eve and beyond. And adding notes to a 2008 calendar just doesn’t work—we’ve tried! That’s why it’s the perfect time to pick up a 2009 calendar from Portland’s own Cecily Ink. Featuring a bright new pattern for each month, this desktop-friendly option is guaranteed to lift your spirits all year long. We’d suggest picking up a few for your gal pals as well! |
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| Event of the Week: | |||
Wordstock—Portland Book Festival We always wanted to write books, but we could never get past “Chapter One, Page One.” So we satisfy our literary leanings at Wordstock—an annual festival of books, writers, and storytelling. It features 10 author stages, a book fair with more than 150 exhibitors, a special children's area and children's literature stage, a series of workshops for writers and for K–12 teachers, a special broadcast of Live Wire! featuring writers from the festival, and more. We may still put pen to paper—certainly Wordstock will inspire us. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 2 | Egg Press Holiday Sample Sale It’s time to stock up on gifts! Pick up letterpressed cards for $1, wrapping paper, infant onesies and tees ($5–$10) from Egg Press. Plus screen-printed tees while you wait! Eleven Collection’s “shoes for little travelers” in sizes 9–1 ($25 each or 2 pair for $40); and Picaflor’s sustainable/adorable knitwear for kids at $5–$25 per piece. What: Egg Press Holiday Sample Sale |
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| 3 | Getting Married? The Bravo! Wedding Affair will transform the Embassy Suites into themed wedding vignettes, such as “Old Hollywood” and “Moonlit Beach,” staged to look like a reception, rehearsal dinner or ceremony. Every detail has been taken care of, from the invitations to the dress. The first 10 brides to click here will win tickets to the show! What: Bravo! Wedding Affair |
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| 4 | Tonight’s the Night for Shoes! Busy tonight? Shoefly is hosting a Girls’ Night Out—an evening of food, cocktails and 30% off all purchases! Talk about a recession-buster. Receive a free Shoefly tote bag with any purchase over $100, and save on your favorite brands and styles. (We are totally calling dibs on the Cannon Boots by Corso Como… race you there.) What: Shoefly Girls’ Night Out |
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| 5 | “Economy Special” at NW Pilates The economy got you down? Don’t give up on your workouts—they help beat the blues. Though their prices are already reasonable, NW Pilates is offering group classes for just $18 each. They have your back! (And your belly, and your arms, and your legs…) Call to get on the schedule, and work out on machines—no mats. What: Group Classes Just $18 each at NW Pilates |
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| 6 | Save Gas, Drink Wine Now you can take a tour of Southern Oregon’s best wineries without leaving town. Try more than 100 wines from 28 wineries, including varietals such as Albarino, Roussanne, Malbec and Cab Franc, accompanied by appetizers from Jake’s Grill. It’s rare that the wines and winemakers of Umpqua and Rogue River come to Portland—don't miss it! What: Grand Tasting of Southern Oregon Wineries |
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| 7 | Bierfest = Manfest |
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| 8 | Got Kids? |
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| 9 | Oh Yes, It’s Ladies’ Night You'll feel right tonight! Mimi & Lena and Sofa Table Chair are joining together for the Ladies’ Night shopping event. Bring your friends and enjoy wine and cheese as you shop for fabulous furnishings and spot on clothes and accessories. Most items in both stores will be 15% to 50% off! Sale lasts through Sunday. What: Ladies’ Night at Mimi & Lena and Sofa Table Chair |
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Don’t freak—but it’s almost time for holiday shopping. Get your girlies the gift that brings good fortune—a free subscription to Portland Picks! (No fair keeping all this goodness to yourself.) Sign them up at www.PortlandPicks.com! And give the guys in your life a little PPFM—it’s also free to subscribe, and they’ll be the most in-the-know dudes in the city. Who doesn’t want that edge? Sign them up at www.PortlandPicksforMen.com! |
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