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April 10th, 2009
How do you feel about “built-ins”? Not the cabinets in your living room—we’re talking about the wives (or girlfriends) of your husband’s (or boyfriend’s/girlfriend’s) best friends. It’s difficult enough to make friends as an adult, but having to entertain people just because they’re “married to Bill” takes it to a whole new level. Sometimes you get lucky and really hit it off with a built-in. Maybe you’ll go for lunch or invite them on vacations because you like them—not because Bill wants to take Fred, and the built-in is his lady. But sometimes the built-in is someone who’s your polar opposite. She likes Enya, you like Radiohead. She gabs on and on about her three kids—you treat your Lab like your child. She wears polka dots and eats sushi. You wear black and need steak. At least there’s one way you know you can bond with a built-in (and no, it isn’t by mocking your significant others). It’s called wine. Forward this issue to 5 or more friends (built-ins welcome!) and CC picks@portlandpicks.com, and you could win a $50 Gift Certificate to Olivia Belle! It’s a ladylike store with serious fashion cred. |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Designer Gems for Less Are we the only ones annoyed with the “Shop in Your Closet!” headlines? C’mon, no matter how we style it, it’s the same old stuff. There’s just no substitute for new duds to rejuvenate our wardrobe. It probably goes without saying by now, though, that we can’t splurge like we used to. So here’s our compromise: Shop in other people’s closets. Myla and Allison, the friends behind new resale boutique Modo, were onto this trend four years ago, selling vintage and new(ish) consignment on eBay. Lucky for us, they’ve saved the best for Portland. Browse the stacks of premium denim and rainbow racks of blouses and dresses, punctuated by statement heels and bags. A BCBG sundress is just $52, a Diane von Furstenberg sheer shell only $48. The endlessly adorable selection and killer sales (Seven jeans for $28!) make Modo a weekly check-in. Feel free to shop online (there’s four times the inventory) and email your selections to Modo—they’ll have them ready to try on at your next visit. Just hurry before some eBay vulture in Duluth snatches up that Laundry skirt you’ve been eyeing. Modo Boutique |
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| 2 | Rot On We recently Netflix’d Sofia Coppola’s “Marie Antoinette” to forget our depressing modern-day economy and lose ourselves in the opulent lives of 18th-century nobility. We let out jealous sighs over the silk gowns and gorgeous shoes. Five maids-in-waiting spent hours getting her highness coiffed and primped for royal palace dinners. Then again, forget the corsets. Sometimes we just want good food, good wine, and a comfy spot to chill—like Noble Rot, now located in the penthouse suite of a LEED platinum building. Enjoy panini sandwiches with upscale ingredients (grilled butternut squash, mango chutney) and Noble salads any day of the week. Or settle into a sumptuous booth for distinctive wine flights and charcuterie while taking in the city skyline. Their menu offers cheese plates, comfort foods (mac & cheese, caramelized onion tarts), and main courses (poached pork, grilled sirloin, pan-roasted duck). No time for a proper dinner? Pull up to the bar at 11 pm, and you can still order a beer and burger, grilled fresh on the spot. Go ahead, ask for it with melted cheddar, and call it a Royale with Cheese. |
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| 3 | Luxe A Lot When we were in college, just about everything was a luxury. Eating meat (couldn't afford it), buying a new dress (ditto), getting our hair cut and colored (we skipped salon services for color-in-a-box). Those days were rough, but we survived, thanks to cheap wine and girlfriends’ hands-on help. (Nothing says “BFF” like helping a girl highlight!) These days, there are some things we just can't do without. Some call them "luxuries"—we call them necessities. Take our new fave place, Studio Luxe. Open just a couple of months, this little gem of a hair and skin spa is plum filled with all the right elements: ambiance (chic!), location (it's in the Pearl, naturally), product (we looove Italian products by Davines) and talent (owner Candice Kimberling-Tarr gives ultra-relaxing, super-smooth facials). Waxing, eyelash tinting, eyebrow shaping, styling and color—they do it all. And so do we… take away a girl’s luxuries and she can get very cranky! Psst: Mention this Portland Picks review and get 10% off your next facial! Studio Luxe |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Eye Love You Some gals would need diet Dr. P to survive on a desert island. We’d opt for drinking rainwater as long as we had mascara. Anyhoo. We love natural beauty products, and truthfully, most “green” mascaras don’t give us the inky black “falsies” look we crave. Then we found Kiehl’s Mineral Mascara. It glides on light as a feather, and remarkably, feels clean—who knew lashes could feel clean? Look natural for day, or load it up for nighttime drama. Paging Mr. Cruesoe! |
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| 2 | Wishbone Whether we’re holding our breath through a tunnel or blowing out birthday candles, we never miss a chance to make a wish. Sadly, those occasions don’t pop up every day, so we’re treating ourselves to a present from Flying Wish Paper. With their whimsical kits, you can make a wish whenever you want. Just write down your thoughts, light up the paper tube and—voila! —your dreams will come true. Or at least that’s what we’re wishing for! |
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| 3 | Spring Chill Spring has sprung, but judging from the temperatures outside, Portland hasn’t quite gotten the message. That’s why we’re loving these tights from ModCloth with their sweet lacy looks. Pop ’em under a pastel sheath and you’re ready to fight any more winter that heads our way. But tights aren’t the only thing that caught our eye. There’s also weather-be-damned sunglasses, clever canvas totes and much more… all guaranteed to put a spring in your step, with or without a chill in the air. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 2 | A Day of Wine and Cheese We won’t lie—we like a beer now and then. And, um, we also like wine. And cheese. And—OMG—chocolate. Experience them all together at the 15th Annual Spring Beer & Wine Fest. Hop aboard the Tour de Cheese, mingle with artisan brewers, distillers and cheesemakers, nibble gourmet delights, do some crafty shopping… see you there! What: 15th Annual Spring Beer & Wine Fest |
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| 3 | Flourish Interiors is Moving! And guess what? Everything is on sale until they do! With 5,000 square feet of fine antiques, locally made custom furniture and decorative items, now offered at drastically reduced prices, you'll be in decorating heaven. From chandeliers to buffets, feel free to take it off their hands… so they don’t have to move it! What: Moving Sale at Flourish Interiors |
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