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  PORTLAND PICKS
  life + style to you: every Friday
April 17th, 2009

We remember Gladiator sandals. (And this admission most certainly dates us.) We wore them in seventh grade, along with baggy, wide-leg, linen pants that we rolled up at the ankle, a host of boxy, brightly colored cotton tops and giant, safari-inspired earrings. Sound familiar?

We are all about fashion coming back around. (We’ve heard it has a 20-year cycle, which is why we’re seeing linebacker-worthy shoulder pads again. And btw, Gwyneth, you’re too skinny for exaggerated shoulders. They make you look like a hungry genie.) In any case, when you’re old enough to re-appropriate the styles you wore in grade school, it makes you think about how quickly time passes… but mostly, it makes you totally teed off that you didn’t hold on to those Gladiators!

Here’s something to take your mind off all those choice UNITS pieces you gave to Goodwill in 1987: Forward this email to 5 or more friends and CC picks@portlandpicks.com—you could win a pair of VIP tickets to Taste of the Nation!

       
 

Portland Picks:

 
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Closet Shopper

When we were in second grade, we were obsessed with Cinderella—and we mean obsessed. We loved her rags to riches story, the cute, tiny animals who helped her out, Prince Charming, and of course, her stunning wardrobe (at the end, anyway)!

In Northwest Portland’s newest little treasure chest, The Gilded Closet, we discovered a small, girlishly decorated heaven where we can walk out the door feeling much like Cinderella ourselves. High-end second-hand but sophisticated in nature, the GC specializes in 20th-century vintage and 21st-century consignment. Think everything from Ava Gardner to Anthropologie—flirty, feminine, fabulous!

Make sure not to miss out on Champagne Saturdays where you can shop and sip some bubbly, all while getting decked out by the store’s knowledgeable, personal-shopper-type staff; they seek to please, to help and most importantly, to make you look divine. Run with it, ladies! Make your own rags to riches story at The Gilded Closet!

The Gilded Closet
1024 NW 19th Ave.
Portland, OR 97210
503.839.9197

       
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Walk the Vine

We are a bit of a wine snob. We like red, not white. Noir, not merlot. And we generally order lesser-known varietals from exotic locales—like Chilean Carmenere or Italian Sangiovese. Come to think of it, maybe we just like the way they sound coming off our lips.

So maybe we’re not connoisseurs, but we appreciate the façade—and by this, we mean facial. Our new must of the moment: the Wine Lovers Facial at lenor b. Darling owner and facial goddess Lenor Bingham had us at “vino,” whence we learned of wine’s bennies—not just good for the heart, but for capillary strength, collagen and elasticity. After enjoying a full spectrum of d’vine products, including a Petite Sirah cleanser, Grenache antibacterial mist, Chablis cream, Bordeaux mask and Tuscany serum, our face never felt so radiantly balanced.

With a local celeb clientele, personal touches that shine (towels soaked in lavender oil hand-selected in France), unmatched skill (Lenor’s fingers dote on your face like a well-choreographed dance!), and a charming space on NE Broadway, this gem is facial connoisseur-approved (especially with that post-facial glass of red)!

lenore b
1605 NE Broadway
Portland, OR 97232
503.341.4276
www.lenorb.com

       
  3

Portland Holiday

We were flipping through channels recently and came across “Roman Holiday,” a true movie classic. We just adore Audrey Hepburn—she was so full of grace and style, and had the best bangs ever, hello. How totally romantic was it to see her and hottie Gregory Peck tooling around Rome on a scooter? Made us want to get outside and share a crazy adventure with a complete stranger. Responsibly, of course.
 
So when our best gal pal told us about a scooter store on SE Belmont, we jumped in our not-so-fuel-efficient (or charming) car and headed to Scooter Street for a look-see. Rows of scooters from companies like TNG and Adly beckoned us to come hither and sit a spell. Not only are they super Euro-adorable, but they get roughly 80–100 miles per gallon, and come in a variety of fun colors (pink!). Bonus: they're reasonably priced and several models don't even require a motorcycle license (just a regular ol' driver's license will do).
 
Now that spring has sprung (sort of), we're itching to get outside and feel the wind in our hair. And we'll look so retro-licious on a scooter.
 
Scooter Street
534 SE Belmont St.
Portland, OR 97214
503.232.0885
www.scooterstreet.net

       
  Idea of the Week:
   

Women to Women: Inviting a Healthy Conversation

We talk to our girlfriends about everything—but sometimes we need advice as much as support. Happily, Bambú Clinic, a local haven of Naturopathic and Classical Chinese Medicine, brings their Q&A team right to your house! Drs. Asmar, Senders or Taylor will facilitate an inspiring conversation between you and the precious women in your life. Bring questions about health and lifestyle—topics like libido, Osteoporosis, digestive health, PMS, menopause, breast health, motherhood, stress and anxiety are just the beginning!

Bambú Clinic
503.274.9360
www.bambuclinic.com

 
       
  Chick Picks:  
  1

Homegrown Haute

When you change handbags every day like we do (don’t judge), you need several in your rotation to keep things exciting. Forget “day bags” and “evening bags”—you need things like “skinny-jeans bags,” “sundress bags,” “pink pumps bags” and “python flats bags.”

No surprise, we are head over heels for Rush Accessories’ handbags, which are totally customizable (you choose your materials and colors!) and produced in limited-run styles. Even better? They’re locally made. A must-have addition to any wardrobe!

www.rushaccessories.com

       
  2

To Curl or Not to Curl

Curly or straight—that is the question. We can’t give up on shiny Marsha Brady locks, but sometimes a girl needs to sexify with some lustrous waves. And since our old blow dryer started making an “eeeee” noise, we had to get a new one.

Enter the Rusk CTC Lite. It’s high tech, yet approachable. You’ll get salon-worthy waves with the diffuser, and Brady-straight, silky hair with the nozzle thingy. Either way, you’ll be glam in no time. Available at 77 salon.

www.seventyseven.us

       
  3

Who Needs a Boyfriend?

There used to be nothing better than wearing our boyfriend’s jeans. Loose but not too big. Worn in all the right places. We felt comfy, skinny and sexy. What’s not to love?

Now we buy our own Boyfriend Jeans—from Mario’s 3.10 in Bridgeport Village and Mario’s downtown. They have a fab selection of cool, casual styles from brands like Current/Elliot, Paige Premium Denim and Hudson in a variety of washes—with holes or without. Crush on a pair of your own!

www.Marios.com, www.marios310.com

       
  Event of the Week:
   


The Ultimate Open House – New Home Tour

It’s spring! Flowers in bloom, sweaters packed away, and the return of house-hunting season. There’s no better way to find a new home than the Ultimate Open House – New Home Tour. This year’s show features more than 60 new homes, condos and townhomes to explore, get inspired by, and even purchase! Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the house-hunting, or just take a look at what’s new and exciting in home technologies and accessories. (Now’s the time for great deals, too!)

What: The Ultimate Open House – New Home Tour
When: Saturday, April 18; Sunday, April 19; Saturday,
April 25; Sunday, April 26
Where: 60+ new homes throughout the Portland metro
Visit: www.ultimateopenhouse.net

 
       
 

Hip Happenings:

 
  1

Creativity Meets Earth & Fire

Don’t miss the Oregon Potters Association’s 27th Annual Ceramic Showcase April 24–26. It’s the largest all-clay show in the country and it’s free to attend! Peruse thousands of display and usable art pieces for the home, office or garden, and enjoy activities for the whole family—including educational demonstrations and adult and child clay play areas.

What: Oregon Potters Association’s 27th Annual
Ceramic Showcase
When: April 24–26
Where: Oregon Convention Center
Admission: Free
Visit: www.ceramicshowcase.com

       
  2

Trunk Show & Party at Nolita!

Add excitement to your weekend! Get down to Nolita for a party and trunk show with Young, Fabulous & Broke (sexy dresses/flirty tops) and Citizens of Humanity (hot denim!). Heidi, YFB’s designer, will be giving out "broke-girl" discounts on tons of brand new styles, and every purchase enters you to win a pair of Citizens of Humanity jeans!

What: Trunk Show & Party at Nolita
When: Saturday, April 18; doors at 11 am;
DJ and champagne from 5–7 pm
Where: 923 NW 10th Ave., in the Pearl
Call: 503.274.7114
Visit: www.nolitanotes.blogspot.com

       
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  5

Need a Gift?

Last year we dropped the ball on Mother’s Day—we will not let that happen again. Nor will we forget birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and “just because” treats. So we’re stocking up at Occasions Fine Gifts’ Annual Spring Sale. With something for everyone and items that wow us, we can get a year’s worth of goodies at great prices!

What: Annual Spring Sale at Occasions Fine Gifts
When: April 20–May 2
Where: 7515 SW Barnes Road
Call: 503.384.0269
Visit: www.occasionsfinegifts.com

       
  6

Wine-Bottle Ring Toss, Anyone?

It’s time to Be a Kid Again! Play the wine-bottle ring toss, compete in the rubber ducky race, hula hoop to heaven, bid on auction items (Costa Rica, anyone?) and so much more. Enjoy hosted fare from favorites like Wildwood, Rogue and Saint Cupcake, and support Portland Children’s Museum. 21+ only.

What: Be a Kid Again
When: Saturday, May 2, 6–9 pm
Where: Portland Children’s Museum
Tickets: $75
Visit: www.portlandcm.org

       
  7

Taste of the Nation

The 22nd annual Taste of the Nation isn’t just for foodies. Supporting nonprofits like the Oregon Food Bank, it’s a mission to fight childhood hunger. Enjoy yummy goods from 50 restaurants, 20 wineries, and five breweries, plus silent auction (culinary packages!), live jazz and a Mixology station hosted by Mix Magazine. It’s a heart-first event with tasty bennies!

What: Share Our Strength “Taste of the Nation”
When: Monday, April 27, 6:30 pm (LUXE and VIP tickets earlier)
Where: Luxe Autohaus, 410 NE 17th Ave
Tickets: Starting at $75
Call: 877.26.TASTE
Visit: www.portlandtaste.org

       
  8

Singles CPR

Not your typical singles event! Sign up for Singles CPR at the Ace Hotel and meet the man of your dreams while meeting OSHA requirements! Enjoy beer, wine and truffles courtesy of Widmer, Sokol Blosser and Pix Patisserie, and get a free two-week membership to the Portland Mercury's Lovelab personals… plus the skills to save a life.

What: Singles CPR
When: Wednesday, April 22, 5:30–9:30 pm
Where: The Cleaners at Ace Hotel Portland, 1022 SW Stark
Visit: www.oregonredcross.org/SinglesCPR to register

       
  9

Bowling for Kids

Shine that bowling ball and put on your favorite PJ’s to raise money for local foster children. Sleep Country USA is hosting its annual foster kids “Pajama Bowls” to generate cash donations for its Oregon-based foster organization partners. Grab your friends, family, coworkers and neighbors to roll some strikes (or gutter balls) for a great cause.

What: Sleep Country USA Pajama Bowls
When: Sunday, April 26th, 11 am & 2 pm
Where: Big Al’s, 16615 SE 18th St., Vancouver, WA,
and Sunset Lanes, 12770 SW Walker Road, Beaverton
Register: www.sleepcountry.com or Sleep Country USA stores

       
  10

Change Your Life

Loren Slocum, international speaker, coach and author presents her just-released “Life Tuneups.” Loren will share how to rebuild balance and reconnect with your passions. You’ll enjoy champagne, desserts and goodie bags, plus a chic, semi-formal scene (no denim!). Be sure and purchase an autographed copy of her book while you’re there!

What: “Life Tuneups” Launch Party
When: Wednesday, April 22, 7–9 pm
Where: Oswego Lake Country Club
Cost: Free
RSVP: portland@lobella.com
Visit: www.lobella.com

       
  11

25% off Spring Styles at Shoefly!

When the sun is shining and the birds are singing, the only thing that can add to our happiness is a sale at Shoefly. And starting today, they’re offering up 25% off new spring styles—through Sunday! Paint some pink polish on those toesies and save on brands like Sam Edelman, Report, Frye, Charles David and more!

What: 25% off spring styles at Shoefly
When: Friday, April 17–Sunday, April 19
Where: 718 NW 11th Ave. and 7347 SW Bridgeport Road
Call: 503.973.5555; 503.968.8137
Visit: www.shoefly.com

       
  12

Spring-Cleaning Sale at Signal

Signal Women’s Sports is more than ski-wear! They’re kicking spring into high gear with a fabulous sale on Sportswear, Activewear, Swimwear, and Exercise Wear—all at 70% off—tomorrow only! We can’t believe it, either, but they have lots of inventory at incredible discounts. Get ready for warm weather (feel free to show off) and save!

What: 70% off One-Day Sale at Signal
When: Saturday, April 18, 10 am–5 pm
Where: 1327 NW Kearney
Call: 503.546.9905
Visit: www.signalsports.com

       
 

In case you missed them, here are some fun issues you should definitely check out. They still hold tons of great deals, and great ideas for making the most of our fair city!

       
 
 
 

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