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December 19th, 2008
Whenever you call something classy, somehow that makes it less classy. Case in point: Paula Abdul’s “Forever Your Girl” jewelry collection on home shopping. One of her pieces is called the “Classy Bling Pendant,” and without even seeing it you know it is anything but classy. (We won’t even get into the “Glamorous Scarf” necklace. It’s the kind of glamour epitomized by cruise-ship lounge singers. The ones who come on really really late at night.) Anyhoo, we mock because we love. There’s no doubt that if we had the guts we’d order the Classy Bling Pendant, or the “Cold Hearted Faux Snake Clutch,” just to be able to tell people where it’s from… Want to sport some jewelry that’s more iconic, less ironic? Forward this issue to 5 friends and CC picks@portlandpicks.com and you could win a L.A.M.B. “Lockdown” watch from Adorn! |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | For Paws… and Hearts Though we love creatures of all kinds, we do not—yet—own a dog. We have an agreement with our partner that one will get adopted once one if one or both of us ever gets a job where we can take it to work. A similar deal-breaker helped start For Paws, when its owners could no longer bring their dogs to the office. Open about a month, For Paws understands that your pet is In short, we are thrilled to bits (kibbles and bits and bits and For Paws |
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| 2 | Swank Alert We shop like we’re on a mission—to find those perfect booty jeans, to find that little black dress that makes jaws drop, to find the heels that miraculously make our legs appear four inches longer. In short, we shop to find the perfect outfit—no matter where we’re going. And yikes did we need the perfect outfit when we visited the Pearl’s swanky new cocktail hot spot, District. We put one teeny toe in the door and quickly realized that we were vastly underdressed in jeans and a track jacket, because stepping into District is like stepping into a new continent (probably Europe), not just a new bar. And honestly, as much as we love the casual culture of Portland, we’re more than a little excited by the idea of having somewhere to go that requires us to be decked out. We’re talking glass chandeliers, fancy cocktails and electronic beats decked out. So the next time the golden goddess of shopping strikes our fancy, we’re shopping like we’re going to District—when we walk in, we want heads to turn. District |
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| 3 | Underneath It All We try to be good and do right by our planet. But it's hard when everyone is telling us something different. Do this, don't do that. We just want to be ourselves and relax, you know? The good news is, we can do right by Mother Nature and relax—in comfort and style, no less—thanks to local legend, Sameunderneath. Their socially responsible, contemporary (not boring!) styles for men and women keep us hip yet green—and are anything but stiff. And with new digs on N. Mississippi (yes, another new store!), Sameunderneath has more room to spread out and show off its eco-conscious goods, from shirts and sweaters to dresses, pants, and more. We heart the trés chic Belted Coat made from organic cotton, and the soft bamboo Rosa (Parks) Tee, screen-printed with cool graphics and the quote: “Stand up for something even if it’s sitting down.” Sameunderneath also brings in new consignment items monthly from local artists, including jewelry and wall-hangables. And now through December 31, get 30% off sweaters, coats, hats, and scarves! Merry Holidays to us! |
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| 4 | Merry Fitness and a Happy New Rear! It’s official—we can’t fit into the jeans we wore in October. Between not working out regularly, “treating ourselves” to the office candy jar at Halloween and sneaking cold chunks of stuffing directly from the fridge, we have successfully fattened ourselves up enough to become a holiday statistic. But it all ends now. We are getting our big(ger) behinds down to lifeBODY fitness for a full-frontal fitness overhaul! (Apparently walking the dog once a day isn’t cutting it.) We need help—expert help—from trainers who care about us and take the time to create personal goals—not just run us down a list of exercises to check off a clipboard. We want unique plans that address our specific strengths and weaknesses. (Like, um, getting to the gym!) For lasting results, fun workouts, and the satisfaction of never again becoming a fat-pants statistic, call lifeBODY fitness. We guarantee you will thank us. And right now, mention Portland Picks when you sign up before Dec. 31 to receive 15% off. (Now you’ll really thank us!) lifeBODY fitness |
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| 5 | A River Runs Near It Whenever we jet-set, we have the ultimate dilemma with our travel wardrobe. Look cute and stylish, or go for comfort? We usually go for the former (only to regret it), but whenever we're under-dressed and makeup-less, we end up sitting next to a hottie. When we look cute: grandpas. Never fails. So when cozy and classy collide, it's like a supernatural wonder—like at the Riverview Restaurant, just a skosh off the beaten path. And that's what makes it dreamy. Tucked into the woods on the scenic Sandy River, it's straight out of a romance novel. Moreover, their menu rocks our t-buds and will appeal to fine foodies for their tender sea scallops and coconut shrimp, plus large gorgonzola raviolis served with spinach and petite tomatoes. We even tried some of their exotic offerings (ostrich, kangaroo!) and finished with a warm Bananas Foster, prepared tableside. Yum-azing. With simple black tablecloths and candlelight, plus a Grand piano and big stone fireplace, Riverview is comfy yet refined—and just far enough out of town to make it a treat. Riverview Restaurant |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Blast from the Past We were total Madonna wanna-bes in junior high. We piled our wrists with black rubber bracelets we bought in L.A. and followed that with a Swatch addiction in high school. But despite the goofy trends we adopted, we’re still digging kitschy watches. So we flipped for these cuties by Too Late. They’re adorable, waterproof, come in tons of fun colors, and at $29.99 each we’re getting a bunch to stack, a la Madonna. It’s never too late to be totally adorable. |
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| 2 | Chic and Sweet Our boyfriend’s dream is to always have cookies on hand—but since we’re not exactly the Betty Crocker type, he is often disappointed. Then we discovered these delicious treats from The Little Icebox. Made right here in Portland from the best ingredients, flavors like Lemon White Chocolate and Classic Chocolate Chip (with milk and semi-sweet chips) are pre-scooped, ready to bake, and come in the cutest containers. Forget him… we are keeping these for ourselves! |
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| 3 | Just Can’t Get Enough We love too much of a good thing. We always want more. We can’t help it—it’s in our DNA. So when we discovered Shenui Customized BioActive Skincare, we knew it was perfection. Choose from 27 BioActive ingredients to personalize with the exact ingredients you want. Moisturizers, night creams, cleansers and tonics—add in only what you need, whether it’s anti-wrinkle, exfoliating, moisturizing, skin lightening—even choose your scent. They blend it just for you. We’ll never get enough! |
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| 4 | Home for the Holidays When you’re out of town for the holidays, there’s nothing more comforting than a little taste of home. And honestly, we can think of no better taste than a chocolate lava cake from McCormick and Schmick’s. Shop online from anywhere across the country and get fresh seafood, steaks and more delivered right to your door. Gourmet gift or the makings of the perfect holiday feast? Either way, this is one Portland favorite you’ll be happy to share. |
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| 5 | Ask and You Shall Receive We get a lot of requests for product recommendations, and lately lots of them have been for a good makeup remover. Tis the season, right? Heck, we’re even wearing foundation to work… you never know who might snap a photo and put it on Facebook! So we use Weleda’s Almond Facial Oil to take it all off. It’s completely natural and amazingly gentle. Just one moisturizing application on a cotton round is all it takes to remove the war paint—foundation, eye shadow, mascara, the works! |
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| Dessert of the Week: | |||
St. Honoré Boulangerie’s Buche de Noel St. Honoré Boulangerie |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Party in the Pearl for New Year’s Eve! Looking for some fun on New Year’s Eve? Gather the BFFs and head to Blitz in the Pearl for a New Year’s Eve to remember. (Corner of 11 th and Couch.) There’s no cover so you can indulge in delish champagne-infused cocktails (or Long Islands, ha ha!) and dance to the groove of DJ Smuve on the turntables. What: New Year's Eve party at Blitz |
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| 2 | Are You a Bride to Be? Mix and mingle with Portland’s hottest wedding professionals: couture designers, floral artists, photographers, and wedding-planning pros. Enjoy a fabulous couture bridal fashion show with stunning gowns by local designers Amai Unmei, Garnish, Lucia and Kate Towers, and men’s suits by Duchess Clothier. Plus: free Swag Bag, makeup consults by Madi, bridal photo shoot with Jasmine Photography, and more! What: Art of Weddings 2009 |
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| 3 | “Three Wishes” at Janus Home Stop into Janus Home this Sunday for treats and bevvies, and to make three wishes. Wish for furniture from their gorgeous showroom, upholstery fabric yardage, hours of design services—basically, any product or service that they provide. Three lucky winners will have their wishes granted! Hmm… do you want that sofa, or the design services… ? What: "Three Wishes" event at Janus Home |
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| 4 | Save 20% at Tumbleweed! Tis the season to say “thank you” for supporting small businesses, and Tumbleweed (one of our favorite boutiques) What: 20% off at Tumbleweed |
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| 5 | Treat Yourself! Enjoy fabulous specials through December at the Waldorf Center, like Specialty Facials for $65 (with a complimentary skincare evaluation), massages for $65, even the award- What: Specials at The Waldorf Center for Plastic Surgery |
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It’s not too late to give gifts—and you don’t have to spend a dime! Sign up your friends, family, coworkers, that nice lady at the bookstore and your favorite trainer for www.PortlandPicks.com or www.PortlandPicksforMen.com. It’s free, and you'll seem very hip when you tell them it’s from you. |
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