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September 4th, 2009
We are entering a new phase in our lives... it's called "dating." We aren't convinced that we like it. First of all, we look around at all our fabulous, lovely, smart, funny, successful single friends and think, "How do we compete?" Second, we look at our history with men and think, "Why should we bother?" It's a sticky wicket. We're in a pickle. What's a girl to do? Apparently some of our gal-pals are on Match, and they're having many many dates but limited success with finding an actual match. But hey, free sushi dinners count for something, right? And we've heard tales of people locking eyes in crowded bars and finding each other in the Missed Connections ads... but here's what we're dying to know... why didn't the guy get up and talk to the girl? Ya know? All this online dating is so passive. Let's bring back Manly Men with classic ideas about etiquette: men who open doors, pick up checks, and lay their topcoats over puddles for a lady. Sure, we're evolved and self-actualized women, but wouldn't it be nice to be pursued the old-fashioned way? To have a man stop by for an afternoon mint julep in your mother's parlor instead of stalking you on Facebook? Sigh. Okay, we're over it. Forward this issue to 5 or more friends and cc Picks@PortlandPicks.com for your chance to win a Simple Scalloped Shell Necklace from Sharma Designs! (See the Chick Pick below for more info.) |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | That’s So 1930s We absolutely dread end-of-summer garage cleaning. Hubby points to our cobwebby collection of hard-won antique-mall finds, then motions toward the curb. We’re sure our “junk” would look fab with a little TLC—but who has the time? Now that a shiny new AM Living boutique has opened doors at Bridgeport, there’s no need to search the ends of the earth to find nostalgic furniture and accessories inspired by the age of exploration and luxury travel. The showroom is a treasure-trove of classic reproductions—brass-cornered desks, Grand Hotel cabinets in rich finishes, French lanterns, vintage travel posters, and even Dutch apothecary jars. We fancied the Roxy Theater Love Seats—reminiscent of 1930s movie houses. And true to the initials in the name, AM offers authentic models, each meticulously detailed, from a WWI biplane replica to a Victorian Pond Yacht to a half-scale 1928 Bugatti 35B racer. We thought the polished aluminum Ferrari Desk Racer would make a respectable peace offering to our man because, no—we are not cleaning out the garage to make room for the Baby Bugatti. Some battles are better left in the past. |
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| 2 | Doing the Dishes We once told someone we’d never get married again. He misunderstood us—thought we meant we shouldn’t have wed in the first place. Totally not what we meant! We explained that we had one marriage in us, especially one wedding. The planning, the money, and oh yes, the registering. The gift thing was supposed to be fun, right? So why did all those Bloomingdales scanners seem like albatrosses? (Albatrii?) It’s probably because elsa + sam wasn’t around when we got hitched. We decided to pop around to elsa + sam up on Hawthorne to see what was going on in the year since it opened. It just reaffirmed our undying love for all the decorative and beautiful dishware and accessories in the shop. Everything from adorable salt & pepper shakers to vases, mugs, and linen towels that are just too pretty to use, yet we want! We want! It makes us yearn to have another wedding just so we can register here (and if you’re planning a wedding, you can). In the meantime, we’ll just drop lots of hints and pick up some of the hilarious letterpress cards they offer—so funny that we bought birthday cards for folks whose big days aren’t for months. When it comes to elsa + sam, you’ll want to advance plan. Trust. elsa + sam |
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| 3 | Heaven on Earth We just finished re-reading Lost Horizon, James Hinton’s classic novel about Shangri-La, a utopia where inhabitants find absolute clarity, peace, love and happiness. While the story is from the 1930’s, its idea is by no means dated; we know we’d love to find our own modern-day Shangri-La… who wouldn’t? And we’ve found a piece of our own version of Shangri-La in the Pearl—The Foot Bar. The Foot Bar began in 2005 as one of Portland’s only places to get a concentrated foot massage and has since expanded, adding The Body Bar upstairs, a full body massage studio. And while we’re suckers for whole-body massage, we’re seriously digging this whole foot/leg massage concept. Talk about finding clarity, peace, love and happiness! Our brains and bodies were so relaxed, we left feeling like we had a plan for solving all the world’s problems. Our foot massage included hot stones, washing, and of course a deep, delightful massage with an emphasis on reflexology. Within the first five minutes, we quite literally went from Chatty Kathy to Relaxed Ramona… needing nothing more than to live in that very moment of heaven on earth. Our own piece of Shangri-La! The Foot Bar |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Good Sharma When we meet guys, the first thing we notice is their teeth. When we meet women, we notice everything at once: handbags, hair, shoes… and jewelry. Okay, maybe jewelry first if it totally stands out—as cute or tacky. (Though we prefer that everyone wear “cute” jewelry.) The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to be the envy of everyone you meet. This adorable Scalloped Shell necklace from Sharma Designs is only $24 and comes in a host of colors to suit your whims! |
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| 2 | Eco-Hotness Sooooo… we were at the PSU Farmers’ Market one bright Saturday, and we spied a tent with the most uh-may-zing appliquéd items. Baby onesies, dresses, tees… it was literally more enticing than the summer strawberries. We started fantasizing all the ways we’d wear the shirtdress… over tights, with skinny jeans, with boots and a schweater once it cools off. Heaven. The floral appliqués were our favorite—made of polyester ecospun felt, from 100% recycled post-consumer plastic bottles. Genius and adorable! See them yourself at Anne Bocci Boutique! |
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| 3 | Read My Lips When we were in middle school, a mood ring was pretty much the coolest accessory a girl could rock. We had several, and we lived and died by the wisdom of the mood ring—convinced that it always told the truth. So we were delighted to stumble upon the Mood Swing lip gloss from Too Faced. Ranging from clear to deep fuschia, it gives us a more “grown up” chance to wear our emotions on our sleeve—er, lips. |
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| Event of the Week: | |||
We have been mocked for calling stuff “the best thing ever.” But what’s better than an afternoon wandering through the Pearl District? Well… how about saving up to 80% off select merchandise at the Pearl District’s Annual Sidewalk Sale, where more than 50 participating merchants will be offering fabulous finds for practically pennies? Find up-to-the-moment fashion for women, men and kids, plus shoes, jewelry, handbags and accessories, home furnishings, carpets, gifts and more! Shop early for best selection—most stores open at 10 am. Best day ever? Totally! |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Weekend Concerts at the Oregon State Fair Revel in the last days of summer by catching some amazing headliners at the Oregon State Fair’s Weekend Concerts! Enjoy the fair, then see these great acts under the stars in the LB Day Amphitheater. Here’s the lineup: 9/4 – Katy Perry; 9/5 – “American Idol” David Cook; 9/6 – Peter Cetera with the Oregon Symphony; and 9/7 – Reba McEntire! What: Oregon State Fair Weekend Concerts |
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| 2 | It’s Girls’ Night Out at Bridgeport Village Grab your girlfriends and head to Bridgeport Village for a festive night of shopping, special treatments, offers, refreshments, shopping rewards, and free gifts! Check out more than 30 participating stores and restaurants, live music in center court, a free wine-tasting at Macaroni Grill, free hand and chair massages at Coldwater Creek Spa, and more. See you there, ladies! What: Girls’ Night Out at Bridgeport Village |
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| 3 | Moxie’s Storewide Sale: Don’t Miss It! Did you see PPFM today? Moxie now has men’s clothing, hats, and Tom’s shoes—for men and women. To top it off, they’re having a five-day storewide sale. Save 20% off everything—even sale items! While you’re stocking up/fulfilling your dreams, check out art by Erika Sears. (Bonus: they’re open Labor Day, 11 am–5 pm.) What: Moxie’s Storewide Sale |
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| 4 | Get Ready for the Stars Sidewalk Sale Rent a truck for Stars Antiques Malls’ biggest sales event of the year! Find fabulous trinkets to prettify your home, office or garden, plus furniture, art and everything else under the sun. Enjoy amazing savings—almost every dealer is participating, and the sidewalks will have plenty on sale, as well as treasures inside both of the Stars Malls! What: Stars Sidewalk Sale |
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| 5 | Perfumery Custom-Blending Master Class What: Perfumery Custom Blending Master Classes |
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| 6 | Fashion’s Night Out Fashion, philanthropy and fun? You had us at hello. Join Saks Fifth Avenue, Option Model Management and 50 plates as they host a fashion show to benefit the KEX Kids Fund. Enjoy the nostalgic sounds of Boy and Bean during Happy Hour, then, at 8 pm, see the must-have fall fashions from Saks Fifth Avenue rock the runway! (Portland Picks is a sponsor, btw!) What: Fashion’s Night Out |
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| 7 | The Most Fun You'll Have on Your Back Get your heads out of the gutter! We're talking about NW Pilates! Their sassy, expert instructors give you a fun, energizing, effective workout on machines (no mats!) for exercisers of all levels. And with great prices on group classes, it's easy to try Pilates. (And get your fill of girl talk!) Mention Portland Picks for 10% off all packages of 10 in September! What: 10% off packages of 10 sessions at NW PIlates |
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