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March 20th, 2009
Spring has sprung! (Well… we hope so.) And since we’ve already cleaned out our closets, we decided to clean up Portland Picks as well. (Btw, we found some truly choice wardrobe items during the closet purge. Why didn’t someone tell us we have uni-boob in baby-doll dresses? And ankle booties? Cankle city!) You’ll notice that we’re including just three Picks and three Chick Picks from now on. It’s more streamlined, easier to manage, and gives us the goods without overwhelming us—just like our closet. We’ll still bring you the same fun/fantastic information, just in a smaller package. And speaking of smaller packages, spring means swimsuits are a-comin’… which means we also need to streamline our derrieres… oy vey. p.s. Bring on the swim-skorts—let’s eat! Forward this issue to 5 friends or more and CC picks@portlandpicks.com, and you could win a $100 gift certificate to clarklewis! |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Ease on Down the Road Our husband was raised in a house filled with antiques. We were raised with shag carpet—non-ironic shag carpet, if you will. While this has given us a love of the well-crafted, our favored price point lies somewhere amongst the hastily assembled. But not so at Ease. Ease, open about eight months, centers on home décor and lifestyle accessories that are made with love, meaning: everything in the store is craft-made by someone local. And we love it all—the clean lines of a maple dining table (the same as in Clyde Common), a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired lamp, and modern wooden benches, gleaming with a freshly-sanded finish. Ease also offers smaller-ticket items: earrings, necklaces, even wood-framed sunglasses. Like what you see? Ease offers interior design services, too. (We’re on it.) New stuff comes in weekly, and the art on the walls changes on the third Thursday of every month. Everything in the store fits the bill—as in: it’s reasonably priced, as well as a “find.” It’s like Pearl styling at Southeast Portland prices. And that… well… that just makes our lives easier. Ease |
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| 2 | Thai Something New We’ve had it up to here with this miserable winter weather—freezing rain, wind, hail, snow. It’s March, for crying out loud. Too bad we’re too strapped for time (and cash) to escape. We could really go for a tropical vakay with warm breezes and fabulous regional cuisine. But Puddletown’s new eatery, Ping, makes us feel like we are on vacation. Brought to us by Andy Ricker of Pok Pok fame, Ping features a menu of Southeast Asian pub foods with exotic flavors (Thai chilies, tamarind, lemongrass) and dishes meant for sharing, like marinated skewers of chicken, pork, and beef (or cuttlefish, octopus and chicken hearts for the daring). We split steamed pork buns and sipped pomegranate Gin Rickeys while assembling DIY miang kham leaf wraps, a snack of edible leaves you top with toasted coconut, shrimp, peanuts, lime, ginger and spicy palm sugar sauce. Need more substance? Warm up with a bowl of peppery broth, savory ramen or laksa, a Malaysian coconut curry noodle soup. Regardless of choice, you’ll feel transported, trust. It’s like globetrotting… without the jet lag. Ping |
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| 3 | Winter Woes Can we wax on some more about this weather? Seriously. Our hair is frizzy, our lips are chapped and our skin is flaky. Worst of all, our skin is so stripped of color that we look pasty—making the bags under our eyes so drastically exaggerated that even concealer is worthless. According to that blasted groundhog, we’ve got six more weeks to deal. Our immediate solution: a couple of hours at the new spa, Zibaderme, located in a tres adorable studio in NW Portland. Knowing they specialize in European skincare, we spent two—yes two—glorious hours getting our skin buffed, shined and polished during a fab Aromatherapy Facial. Not only did we leave with the best-smelling skin on earth, but it glowed for several days afterward. It looked healthy, happy and alive… almost like our summer skin. We have to go back, though, because Zibaderme’s signature service is the Zibalift, a non-surgical facelift that sends delicate little shocks to your facial muscles, perking them up, toning them and firming them. Evidently it feels kind of tingly and tickle-y. And that we can handle. Zibaderme |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Oh My Darling Let’s be honest about how many baby items our own moms used that were flammable, covered in chemicals and probably riddled with lead. We turned out okay, didn’t we? Though that’s debatable, choosing organic, safe and sustainable products now is an absolute must. We love Clementine NW’s large selection of eco-friendly gift items, plus safe products for pregnancy, new mamas and babies. Bonus? Each purchase comes with free gift packaging! That’s the icing on the cake… naturally! |
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| 2 | You Little Minx We heard that LiLo and the girls from “The Hills” are running around Hollywood with chipped nail polish, but that look is not for us glamour-girls. Hooray for Minx nails! They last for up to 10 days, and instead of polish, they’re a plastic sheet, so they’re seamless and chip free! Call Shana at Mildred’s Beauty Spot for your own set—mani or pedi. (She’s available eves & weekends by appointment.) Normally $35, mention Portland Picks and they’re $25! |
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| 3 | Show Off Your Greatest Pregnancy Asset Investing in a lot of maternity clothes seems silly. Why should we buy stuff that we’ll outgrow in three months? (We’ll leave that to baby!) Check out the Yummy—a stylish top designed to show off your greatest pregnancy asset—your yummy tummy! It layers over your clothes, and stretches right along with you to bridge the gap between shirt and pants. Suitable for any occasion, you can find them online or locally at Piccolina, Milagros Boutique, Bella Stella and Zenana Spa Boutique. |
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| Deal of the Week: | |||
Hotel deLuxe Staycation Package We are all about the “Staycation” these days, and what could be more glamorous than the trifecta at the Hotel deLuxe? Gorgeous accommodations, the fabulous Driftwood Room for drinks, and Gracie’s for amazing meals. Right now you can try their most popular package at a $20 discount! The “Eat, Sleep and Be Parked” package features overnight accommodations, food and drinks at Gracie’s Restaurant ($20 voucher) and unlimited in-and-out valet parking. Valid Oregon or Washington driver’s license required at check-in. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | “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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| 3 | Enjoy SWAN Day PDX SWAN Day PDX, an event for Support Women Artists Now, is a multi-arts performance showcase and art exhibit you don’t want to miss! Enjoy art, a bike ride, music, literature and play readings with local women artists. Saturday: check out the kickoff performance by Felina’s Arrow. Sunday: listen in on musicians all afternoon. (They’re seeking partners for 2010!) What: Swan Day PDX |
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| 4 | Spring Break Explodes at Grenade Calling all Shredders! Take advantage of the amazing deals at the three-day Grenade Warehouse Sale. Pick up outerwear (jackets and pants) for $50–$100, hoodies and T-shirts for $10–$30, hats and accessories for $10 or less, gloves $35 or less, plus exclusive raffles! A portion of the proceeds will be donated to participating Portland and Metro counties’ school foundations. What: Grenade Warehouse Sale |
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| 5 | Eco-Fashions on the Runway Eco-fashionistas can catch nightly fashion shows mixed in with the green home and garden goodness at the second annual Better Living Show. Watch models getting runway-ready with earth-friendly hair products and makeup, and take advantage of 40–70% off labels like Loomstate, Edun, Anna Cohen and Emily Katz in the Greenloop-hosted warehouse sale. Woot! What: Eco Fashion Show at the Better Living Home, |
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| 6 | Win Big at Bridgeport Village! Visit Bridgeport Village through April 1 and enter to win one of 24 prizes! Individual stores will select winners April 1; every entry has a chance to win the Grand Prize: a $1,000 Shopping Spree! The more stores you visit, the better your chances. Enter at Emerge Med Spa, Oregon Scientific, Under U 4 Men, Hub Optix, Crate and Barrel and more. What: “The Great Spring Shopping Sweepstakes” at Bridgeport Village |
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Help us continue our support of our fabulous indie businesses by encouraging all of your stylish cohorts to sign up for www.PortlandPicks.com. They’ll think you’re so in-the-know and we’ll be forever grateful! xoxo |
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