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March 6th, 2009
We are going on a diet. A news diet. We are eschewing the scare tactics of the nightly reports and the endless suppositions by Sunday-morning pundits to free our minds of the bad mojo and concentrate on what we need to get done. We wake up, go to work, take out the trash, spend time with the kids and the BFFs, make dinner, read a book, pet the dog, take a walk when it’s sunny. It’s absolutely decadent. Sure, it may not last for long—we’ll probably get sucked back in—but for now we’re focusing on finding the perfect spring dress—and the perfect cocktail to sip while wearing it. Denial is a lovely companion! Speaking of companions… we are ramping up for Boutiques Unleashed on March 13, a fabulous fashion show to benefit DoveLewis. Get your tickets today! Or forward this issue to 5 or more friends and CC picks@portlandpicks.com. One lucky winner will score 2 free VIP tickets to Boutiques Unleashed! |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Project Quilt Away We love starting new projects. Our only problem is finishing them. We jump in head-first, then lose steam halfway through. Hence the boxes full of half-knit scarves, unused scrapbook supplies, and beads galore. So naturally, when the MIL nudged us to take up quilting, we were hesitant. Luckily, she's an expert (ahem, taskmaster) and has all the hook-ups. For instance, who knew that one of the top ten quilt shops in America was right here in our own backyard? Well, she did of course. The Quilted Hill in Yamhill is an adorable quilt shop housed in a red barn that overlooks wine country. The only thing better than the view is the lovely fabric starting at just $6 a yard. Plus, they offer classes for quilters at all levels including free "Learn to Quilt" classes every Wednesday. For the project-challenged, there's even free help on Tuesdays. Now that we've picked out our pattern and fabric we're ready to get quilting. With a little help from the MIL and TQH, we should have this project sewn up in no time. The Quilted Hill |
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| 2 | Back to Basics |
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| 3 | Chow Down When we lunch with colleagues, we sometimes feel like Sally of “When Harry Met Sally” (disregarding that whole fake-gasm, mind you). We like our dressing on the side and our veggies green (providing they started out that color). Like Sally, we want our food the way we want it. Period. Now there’s a new place that’s so on our wavelength: Chow. Chow is like a filling station where you can fill up healthily. While there’s Whole Foods nearby… you’re eating in a supermarket. But Chow’s space is as bright and fresh as the flavors that emerge from its kitchen. We loved the Oregon salad with pears, salmon and hazelnuts, but everything looked awesome—from breakfast burritos to steel-cut oatmeal to Chow’s vast variety of sandwiches with fresh breads from Bridgeport’s bakery. What's more, we hear that Chow plans to feature gluten-free bread, which fits our tastes as Queen Special-Needs. Even better is Chow’s commitment to sustainability. Every container and utensil at Chow is compostable; even coffee cup lids are recyclable. So there’s no reason whatsoever to feel guilty. And why would you, when it’s this healthy and good? Cafe Chow |
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| 4 | Just a Little Bit Longer Once upon a time, long, long ago, traveling was easy. We bought our plane ticket, packed our bag and left town (which we enjoyed endlessly for a week, hassle-free). Now, even to get to the coast, we must spend half a day planning, organizing, and packing for the family. And on top of all that, we have to figure out what to do with the dog. Well hallelujah to our newest favorite find, Stay Pet Hotel, where we can drop off our four-legged friend and know they’re in good hands. This boutique hotel for dogs offers the furry ones more than 8,000 square feet of outdoor play space, private luxury suites and all the love that they get at home. They even dish out cookies before bedtime every night. Plus, each dog spends hours every day in puppy playgroup, or in one-on-one fetch/run sessions (for those who don’t play well with others). Even pups with special needs (dietary, socially awkward, meds) are in good hands. And with Stay treating Fido like family, it makes leaving that much easier. Stay Pet Hotel |
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| 5 | Happy Family |
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| Designers of the Week: | |||
Boutiques Unleashed If you haven’t figured it out by now, we are helping to sponsor Boutiques Unleashed on Friday, March 13. We are soooo excited. It’s such a fun event and such a great cause. You’ll see fashions from saysay Boutique, IDOM, Tumbleweed, Ella’s, Mabel & Zora, Pin-Me Apparel, Meringue, Sofia and Physical Element on the runway. To whet your fashion whistle, we thought we’d give you a sneak peek! Photos courtesy of Pin-Me Apparel, Mabel & Zora, Meringue, Sofia, Tumbleweed, and saysay Boutique |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Buh-Bye Winter Skin |
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| 2 | Kitschy Cool Our high-school bestie was effortlessly cool. Not only did she rock an eclectic sensibility that was enviable, but she had a knack for gifting with the outrageously original. We, however, thought the Chambray shirt was the height of style and often gave socks as gifts. Luckily we found Fred Flare to up our cool quotient. From flirty sundresses that scream summer lovin’ to funky clocks, peek-a-boo pumps, and Holga cameras, this hip site puts the cool in kitsch. |
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| 3 | Chandy Notes |
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| 4 | La Crème of La Crop We’ve been cursed with a bathtub roughly the size of a Dixie cup, so long luxurious soaks are pretty much a pipe dream. But the heavenly scented goodies we found at La Crème Beauty just might have what it takes to get us to pile our naked selves into that 1950s monstrosity. We nearly flipped our shower cap for the exotic Himalayan Cedarwood bath foam by Abahna. Not only does it smell like a dream, but it leaves skin ultra-soft and moisturized. |
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| 5 | That's a Wrap Sometimes we long to move somewhere warm. A place where it's sunny most of the time and we have to apply sunscreen daily and drink iced tea to stay cool. But then we wouldn't get to snuggle up in amazing scarves like those from Yokoo. We’ve had Yokoo’s wonderful creations bookmarked since summer, and once it was cold enough to wear a scarf without looking like a complete looney, we sprung. We kind of hope it stays chilly a little longer! |
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| Event of the Week: | |||
Boutiques Unleashed It’s time for another fabulous runway show to benefit DoveLewis—Boutiques Unleashed! If you haven’t been, it’s a blast. Local celebs walk adorable pets down the runway in the latest fashions from your favorite boutiques! You can enjoy hosted hors d’oeuvres and select cocktails, and bid on auction items. Don’t forget to wear something saucy! This is the most fun you’ll have at a see-and-be-scene event… all for a wonderful cause. See you on the catwalk! What: Boutiques Unleashed 2009 |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Think Spring at Mink Mink is turning two and celebrating with a "think spring" sale! Pair a spring dress with your new favorite cardigan and transform yourself into a pretty spring picture. They’re having a sale this Saturday and Sunday with 15% off everything in the store… including new arrivals! (And don’t miss Imelda’s sale next door… shop til you drop!) What: Think Spring at Mink Sale |
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| 2 | Happy Anniversary, Imelda’s and Louie’s! Imelda’s and Louie’s would like to thank you for making their past 15 years so successful. To show their appreciation, you’ll find 15–70% off all merchandise at both locations. Enjoy gifts with purchase while supplies last, including goodies from their vendors and Imelda’s and Louie’s swag. Plus, you’ll be entered in drawings for fabulous free shoes and accessories! What: Imelda’s and Louie’s 15-year anniversary event |
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| 3 | “Girls Night, the Musical” What’s more fun than a group of gal pals at a night of karaoke? Spending it with your BFFs at “Girls Night, the Musical.” Follow five friends as they re-live their past and celebrate their present—you'll love the “girl anthems” they sing. Buy 3 tickets, get the 4th free! Enter the code “girlfriend” and click here to order! |
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| 4 | Save on Fabulous Vintage Furnishings! Recessionistas, rejoice! Save 40–50% off at two of Portland's best vintage shops! At Janus Home, save up to 50% off all furniture and 50% off all upholstery fabric. At the Bernadette Breu Experience, save 40–50% off the entire store. If you’ve got the shopping bug, now’s the time to save on fabulous items. What: Sale at Janus Home & Bernadette Breu Experience |
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| 6 | Betsy & Iya/Piper Ewan Trunk Show Tonight! Last week we introduced you to local favorite, Betsy & Iya jewelry. Meet the designer tonight at a special trunk show at Anne Bocci Boutique in Multnomah Village, along with Portland couture darling Piper Ewan. Enjoy organic chocolates by Lulu’s Coco and facial demos by Melinda Russell, plus wine, chocolate and raffle prizes every hour—heaven! What: Betsy & Iya Trunk Show |
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| 8 | Small-Biz Symposium Oh, beloved small-biz owners, don’t let the economy take you under. Register for SHOP Symposium 09, an all-day conference for business owners, independents and retailers like you. Learn from more than 30 leading business pros via live, off-the-cuff panel sessions chock full of advice and expert know-how featuring start-up tips, marketing magic, ROI revival and more! What: SHOP Symposium/09 |
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| 9 | World Water Day Gather a crew and Walk for Water as part of World Water Day, followed by a free celebration at the World Trade Center Plaza, with two screenings of FLOW and a concert, all sponsored by Portland Roasting Coffee. Proceeds benefit nonprofit Water For All, bringing safe drinking water to an African community in need. What: World Water Day |
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| 10 | NW Pilates’ March Special It’s time to rethink your workout plan. Add in something that will launch you into an entirely new level of fitness: Pilates! And there’s no place like NW Pilates—effective, fun and personalized workouts for your fitness level and your schedule. Mention Portland Picks to get 10% off a package of 10! Trust us, you’ll use them! What: March special at NW Pilates |
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Help us support our wonderful local businesses. Sign up a friend at www.PortlandPicks.com and do your part to spread the word! |
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Be sure to visit www.portlandpicks.com and check out past issues in our archives. If you like what you see, forward to a friend and encourage them to check out www.portlandpicks.com and subscribe for free! It's easy--there's a box in the upper left to enter your email address. If you would like to make a suggestion, please email us at contribute@portlandpicks.com. Share your favorite ideas for Picks, tell us about terrific products or services, announce a sale or event, or let us know what you think of Chicago Picks! Website and weekly issues maintained by Studio Ridge.com. |
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