|
 |
February 6th, 2009
Ever since the third grade when our giddy crush on Anthony turned into a tearful crushing (he gave Jessica his Valentine), we have been cynical about anything resembling a candy heart. However, we adore being pampered, so we’ve warmed to the idea of Valentine’s Day as a way to share the love of love. Whether you want to spend Valentine’s Day hunkered down under your Snuggie with a bottle of scotch, baking cookies for Little Amy’s homeroom party, taking your mom out to dinner or going dancing with your BFFs, we have some great ideas in this issue for pampering yourself, your family, friends, lovers and loved ones. Want more love? Forward this issue to 5 friends and CC picks@portlandpicks.com, and you could win the ultimate Valentine’s Day pampering from 77 salon! It includes a hot-stone massage, cut, color and style, plus a shampoo, conditioner and styling product to take home! Portland Picks’ Valentine’s Day Gift Guide: |
||||
Portland Picks: |
|||||
| 1 |
Who says guys are the only ones who can give underthings for Valentine’s Day? Find something adorable that you’ll appreciate and he’ll actually wear at Under U 4 Men, like their exclusive line of Bjorn Borg men’s underwear. They fit great, the styles are manly, and we’ll admit it, underwear is a fun gift to give! Buy two pair for him and receive a free pair from his women’s line for yourself! (A $30 value!) Under U 4 Men |
 |
|||
| 2 |
Feeling saucy? Ring in Valentine’s Day with a bang (no pun intended) by enjoying wine and getting a Brazilian from Urban Waxx! (Hey, we don’t mess around!) You can treat yourself to one, or get gift certificates for everything from the Brazilian to an eyebrow or back wax for your man! Too racy? Pick up some great gifts like Pacifica and Jimmy candles. Either way, it will be a holiday you won’t forget. Mention Portland Picks for 15% off one service! Urban Waxx |
 |
|||
| 3 | Bat Those Lashes |
 |
|||
| 4 |
Chocolates = romance. There’s no simpler equation! And nobody does it better than Moonstruck (and better yet, they’re local!) Bring in your sweetie or BFF for their decadent Valentine’s Day Tasting. For only $20 you will enjoy specially chosen Valentine’s Day truffles (all of them glorious) and two beverages, plus take home an American Cocoa Candle to keep the Valentine’s Day spark burning all season long. The tastings are on Saturday, Feb. 14, between 7 pm and close. |
 |
|||
| 5 |
Romance is always in the air at Bridgeport Village, so what better place to find the ultimate romantic gift? Shop Under U 4 Men, Apple, Oregon Scientific, Merrell, Tommy Bahama, Carl Greve Jewelers and Banana Republic for guy gifts; find creative cards at Oblation Papers and Press and something sweet at Leonidas Fresh Belgian Chocolates; or share a romantic dinner at one of Bridgeport’s top restaurants. Make love last: Enter to win dinner, a movie and chocolates every month through 2009 at Bridgeport-village.com. Bridgeport Village |
 |
|||
| 6 | Isn't It Romantic? |
 |
|||
| 7 | Knowing Your Style Is Romantic We have a hard time feeling romantic when we don’t feel confident with what we’re wearing. So when our, ahem, “knight in shining armor” rescued us with a 4-hour Closet Review from Inspire Style, we finally felt confident and free! Free from all the hemming and hawing about what styles looks best on our body. Email your sweetheart the link to Inspire Style’s Valentine Special—even Mr. Last Minute can get you an instant gift certificate for only $295. That’s romantic. Inspire Style |
 |
|||
| 8 |
The movie “Blue Velvet” was dramatic, but we prefer the sweeter satisfaction of “Red Velvet,” as in Cupcake Jones’ red velvet cupcake filled with vanilla bean pastry cream, topped with a candied red rose petal. Perfect for your office BFF, mama, boyfriend or dentist (we know he gives you a sweet tooth), they’ll even deliver minimum orders. (Ask about unique wedding desserts, or bring cupcakes to a meeting or event!) Order early for Valentine's Day! Cupcake Jones |
 |
|||
| Cocktail of the Week: | |||||
Not that we care, but we are single—again—for Valentine’s Day. And date night just might call for something hot. And this cocktail, served at H50 Bistro (aka “His Name Was Paul”), is just the hunka hunka of burning love we’re after. |
|||||
| Chick Picks: | |||||
| 1 | Lover Come Back We’ve had our hearts broken so many times it’s almost comical. When are we going to get it right? Are we picking the wrong guys? Do we expect too much? Are we just too hard to please? We’re happy to forget it all for a pair of adorable “Big Shameless Love” earrings from Betsy & Iya. These adorable, affordable beauties will be the V-day gift of choice for our BFFs. Who says we’re not lucky in love? |
 |
|||
| 2 | I Think I Love You Don’t pretend like you’re too old to have crushes. (Helloooo, Clive Owen!) We’re designed to fall in love. It’s in our chemistry. And you’re never the wrong age to tell someone you love them. Check out these adorable Love Bunnies from Lunar Boy Gallery. For only $10 they’ll send an adorable bunny with a message like “I Love You,” “I Like You,” and even “I Am Required to Provide a Valentine to You.” Sweetness! |
 |
|||
| 3 | Love Rocks! We like to think it is total misery to be in love. Because we're single, yes. And we prefer to preserve whatever pride we've got left. Thank you. But these little love rocks are so preciously adorable that we just might reclaim love. Formed like little rock candy clusters, and available in the sweetest hues—petal pink, coral, and Bordeaux red—these necklaces are def objects of envy. And here's where we get the Boyfriend Blues... |
 |
|||
| 4 | A Notable Note Remember when you were little and you had to present your entire first-grade class with Valentines? Our mom would get big boxes of them from the grocery store and we’d spend an afternoon writing one to each of our classmates. These days, we’re more discerning about who gets our love notes. And what cuter (and more exotic) way to send them than with these handmade, screenprinted cards? They’re romantic without being too flowery… just like us! |
 |
|||
| 5 | Be Your Own Valentine If you don’t happen to have a Valentine this year, don’t fret—just treat yourself to something pretty and know that we love you! Who needs a guy to send them a dozen red roses when you can pick up Red Roses cologne by Jo Malone, made up of seven different types of roses from around the world? Spritz on the romantic scent, hit the town with your girlfriends for the evening and enjoy! |
 |
|||
Hip Happenings: |
|||||
| 1 | Send Your Man to Olio United You know he's going to buy you a present, so steer him in the right direction at Olio United. At their men's beer & shopping event, they'll help him choose the perfect gift package with a spa treatment to Loyly Spa & Sauna, a plant from Form&Flora, Alma Chocolates, Art, Jewelry and a gift card to Olio. What: Men’s Shopping Night at Olio United |
 |
|||
| 2 |
|
||||
| 3 | “Passport to Passion” Planning a romantic escape with your sweetie or a girls' getaway? Just two hours east of Portland, Maryhill Winery's "Passport to Passion" weekend will please every palate. Enjoy free wine and chocolate tastings, live music and a special appearance by Northwest artist Stephanie Sullivan. Mention Maryhill Winery for a 20% discount on lodging at The Dalles Comfort Inn. What: Passport to Passion weekend |
 |
|||
| 4 | Click, Clack, Moo! Typing cows, haggling hens, and a labor-disputing duck join forces to stand up to Farmer Brown in this Broadway-style barnyard musical from Oregon Children’s Theater. It’s great fun for the kids, with a sly nod to mom and dad, too. Be there Saturday, Feb. 14, at 2 pm for a cowbell "prize walk" with 105.1 The Buzz. What: “Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type” a musical |
 |
|||
| 5 | Love Your Body! NW Pilates makes it easy to fall in love with your body. No matter what kind of shape you’re in, NW Pilates can improve what you’re working with. Increase strength, range of motion and stamina, improve your posture, and get the flat belly you’ve always dreamed of. Mention Portland Picks and save 10% off a package of 20! What: February specials at NW Pilates |
 |
|||
| 6 | Cover Your Hearts If you heart the 80s (who doesn’t?), you won’t want to miss Cover Your Hearts 2, benefiting Ethos Music with old school classics performed by the Charmparticles, Climber, Crosstide, Derby, Jonah, Tango Alpha Tango, Tea for Julie, and Celio. Seriously, what’s more Valentinesy than Love-Rock ballads from the 80s? What: Cover Your Hearts 2 |
 |
|||
| 7 | Riverdale Grade School Open House Parents shopping for Grade Schools can check out Riverdale’s K-8 programs at their mid-week open house, where you can learn more about their small classes and first-rate faculty, plus an engaging academic curriculum fit with performing and visual arts, second languages and PE. What: Riverdale Grade School Open House |
 |
|||
| 8 | Order a Singing Valentine! Get in on the Valentine’s Day fun with a singing Valentine from Pride of Portland, the women’s a cappella chorus. A quartet will come to you (or yours) and deliver a Valentine’s song! Add on roses for an extra charge, or do a Phonegram—a song sung over the phone—for $10. What: Singing Valentine from Pride of Portland Chorus |
 |
|||
| 9 | Big Chill Sale at cheeky b! What could be better than a big February Sale at cheeky b? Save 30% off the entire store through the end of the month! We’re talking handbags, jewelry, home accessories, children’s books and toys, even adorable wrapping paper to tie it all up. Shake off the chill! Get some excitement! Let’s go shopping! What: February sale at cheeky b |
 |
|||
| 10 | Shop at Maison Sale! Ready to bring something special home? Want to give a great gift? The Shop at Maison Sale is on tomorrow—you can save 20% off all accessories, lighting and pillows! And this is the good stuff—beautiful custom pillows, antique vases and jars, candlesticks and fabulous vintage lamps. We can’t wait to stock up! What: The Shop at Maison Sale |
 |
|||
| 11 |
|
||||
Do your part to support local businesses. Shop local, dine local, and sign up a friend at www.PortlandPicks.com to help us spread the word! |
|||||
Log onto www.portlandpicks.com and check out past newsletters (archives). If you like what you see, forward to a friend and encourage them to log onto www.portlandpicks.com and become a free subscriber. If you would like to subscribe or contribute, please email us at Contribute@PortlandPicks.com Website and Newsletter maintained by Studio Ridge.com |
|||||
