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September 18th, 2009
So you all know about www.PortlandPicksforMen.com, right? Here’s an interesting tidbit: We’ve been asking some of our male readers what they like most about PPFM, and we thought for sure they’d say the Gratuitous Photo of the Week (scantily-clad women, oh joy!), but what they like the best are the Picks about shopping! Who knew? So what this tells us is that they’re not unhappy because they have to hold your handbag while you try on outfits… they’re unhappy because they want to be the ones trying on outfits! So do your bohunk a favor—look up men’s stores on PPFM, and take him out for a day of pampering, local-fashion style. Then you can hold his iPhone while he tries on pants. And since you’re being so selfless, here’s something for you: Forward this issue of Portland Picks to 5 or more friends and CC picks@portlandpicks.com for your chance to win 2 free private lessons at NW Pilates! |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Time after Time We recently received some old movies from our family, and until we were able to get them transferred onto DVD, we had no idea what lay in wait for us. Imagine when we popped in the disc: A herky-jerky series of images, everything from our mom moving into college to parties with relatives we’d never even heard of. There were even a few of us in the kiddie pool! While the filming job was more “Blair Witch” than “Casablanca,” it did pique our interest in the furnishings and fashion of these mainly 1950s-1970s family flicks. So we set out to Hawthorne Vintage, a hotbed of all that is mid-century. We loved the old hi-fi stereos, the ’50s-kitsch tiki mugs (so Gilligan!) and the low-slung couches. We wished we had a pair of cat-eye glasses and some capris to match. With 15 separate dealers housing their goods in Hawthorne Vintage’s seemingly endless space, there’s something for everyone, whether your interest is in spare Danish modernism or frenzied colorful clutter. We think we’re somewhere in the middle. Hawthorne Vintage |
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| 2 | Modern Flower Power Several birthdays ago, one of our most fab friends surprised us by sending a set of those uber cute reusable shopping bags as a gift. At that point it all became so clear—going green is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also adorable! (We think the green movement is the cutest movement since Flower Power.) And since we’re self-proclaimed green divas now, we were thrilled to find out that one of our favorite spas has also gone green—Aequis. Having moved into a new Pearl location two months ago, Aequis, which pledges spiritual nutrition to its clients, also took the opportunity to make a pledge to the environment with green practices like on-site laundry, sustainable products and local lines. What great changes—for us and for the environment! And to top it all off, Aequis is a fabulous spa that seeks to fulfill our innermost spiritual wishes and desires—massage, facials, body treatments, wellness rituals. The list goes on and on. We’re thinking that for our birthday this year, we’re going to get ourselves down to the new, eco-friendly Aequis for some much-needed love and attention. Aequis Spa |
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| 3 | Friends for Life When we were kids, our BFFs were an "imaginative" girl named Ramona and a motorcycle-riding mouse named Ralph. We learned many valuable life lessons (as well as a few shenanigans) from our friends. Kids’ books rock! Come on, "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret?" Classic. "Island of the Blue Dolphins?" We so wanted to live on that island with Karana. On a recent stroll down Alberta Street, the kid in us leapt with joy when we discovered Green Bean Books, a bookstore geared toward wee-ones. Occupying the former IDOM space, Green Bean Books is big on charm, with an amazing selection of picture, tween, and young-adult books, and some funky treasures scattered about. It also carries a handful of "grown-up" books, in case the kid in you is in time-out. And out back, Green Bean Books has story time on Tuesdays under an Alice in Wonderland-ish tree. So cool! Oh, how we miss our friends—they truly helped shape who we are today. But, thanks to Green Bean Books, we can make new ones, and share our favorites with the kids in our life... nieces, nephews, friends’ kids... Green Bean Books |
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| Designers of the Week: | |||
Idom, Amai Unmei and Lizzie Parker
Who says New York gets to have all the fashion week fun? Local Portland labels Idom and Amai Unmei and Seattle eco-maven Lizzie Parker are headed back to the runways of Portland Fashion Week—we couldn’t be more excited to see what they have in store for us this year! Idom: Designer Modi Soondarotok mixes vibrant colors with modern ideas to create dramatic, wearable clothes for fashion-forward women. Drawing inspiration from traveling, architecture, art and nature, her flair for creating clothes that are sensible and oh-so-chic has us swooning. Amai Unmei: Providing a contemporary take on the classics, style mavens live for a new Amai Unmei collection. Her lines are chic, simple and clean—taking cues from tradition, but providing a substantial dose of modern savvy with a rich, eclectic color palette. Lizzie Parker: Seattle’s eco-maven proves that sustainability, comfort and style are indeed synonymous. Using only organic materials to create her sassed-up knit streetwear, Parker designs stylish clothes that the both the fashionista and the environmentalist in us are proud to rock down our own personal runway. Get your tickets for Portland Fashion Week, Oct. 7–11. |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Pretty is as Pretty Does Coco Chanel said, “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” So true! And one of our favorite ways to show how unique we can be is with accessories. So of course we absolutely swooned over these colorful felt brooches from Digs. They’re handmade in Lima with reclaimed felt from an Andean hat factory, yet look right at home on stylish Portlanders, from hipster students to soccer moms. Love! … Can’t wait for the mailman? Pick one up at Tilde! |
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| 2 | Fireside Luxuries Sure, we may be jumping the gun, but every time we wake up at 6 am to slam our windows closed because it’s cold and—let’s face it—pitch black outside, we know that summer is coming to an end. Sigh. We’re trying to ease the angst by planning for “cozy times” this winter. Thus our new obsession with luxurious blankets, and this cable-knit organic cotton throw from bambeco fits the bill perfectly. We can’t wait to cuddle up! |
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| 3 | Mmm… Baguettes We’re all about our big ol’ bags that hold everything but the kitchen sink, but occasionally our ensembles call for something a little more, well, little. Not wanting to look like we’re toting an overly sparkly prom accessory, we shop AO3 Designs. We love their entire line, but lately our hearts belong to their Baguette Clutches. Available in chic vintage floral prints and embellished with smooth patent leather, these beauties perfectly mix feminine with tough. We dare you to just buy one. |
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| Event of the Week: | |||
Meringue Boutique’s Annual Sale!
We are beside ourselves with excitement—Meringue Boutique’s Annual Sale starts today and it’s their biggest sale ever. Stock up on all the items you’ve been craving! During more than a week of retail heaven, save 30%–80% off all their favorites (and yours!), like Joe’s Jeans, Juicy Couture and 7 for All Mankind. There’s only one word for a sale like this: Epic! What: Meringue Boutique’s Annual Sale |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Happening Now: The Occasions’ Anniversary Sale! The Occasions Fine Gifts Anniversary Sale is happening n-o-w! Save 20–75% off throughout the store, from gorgeous bags and home items for you to gifts for everyone from baby to boss. Also, the timing is perfect to stock up on holiday gifts. And don’t miss the Stella & Dot trunk show: 11 am–2 pm, Sept. 25. What: Occasions Fine Gifts Anniversary Sale |
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| 2 | Meet Ruth Reichl—Editor-in-Chief of Gourmet! Foodies, take note: This is an amazing opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the Gourmet Today cookbook from Ruth Reichl—bestselling author and editor-in-chief of Gourmet Magazine. Get a signed copy of the cookbook with your ticket purchase, and enjoy a cash bar and her insider’s dish! (No pun intended.) What: Ruth Reichl presents Gourmet Today, presented by Powell’s Books |
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| 3 | Perfumery Custom-Blending Master Class What: Perfumery Custom Blending Master Classes |
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| 4 | Live and Learn Surprise—you can teach an old dog new tricks. Like how to figure out what it means when the ex shows up in your dreams, how to drop pounds using hypnosis or grow a small business, or how to hula hoop. It’s all about how you learn—and MindGlo has 64 classes to choose from. Pick up something new! What: Mindglo classes |
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| 5 | Get Away & “Wine” Down Two things we love: Weekend Getaways and Wine Tastings. Total happiness? Mt. Adams Lodge is hosting their second annual Winery Weekend Oct. 2–4! Bring your hubby, boyfriend or BFF and enjoy three wine tastings from three Washington and Oregon wineries, plus a delish hot breakfast every morning and guest potlucks! $179 per person: 2-night stay, based on double occupancy. What: Mt. Adams Lodge’s Winery Weekend |
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