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October 16th, 2009
The times they are a-changin. They’ve taken paradise and put up parking lots. Our tuna is dolphin-safe, but it’s also riddled with mercury. And children’s toys? Apparently they’re toxic. Wha? (We used to shove everything into our maws as kids—chemical cupcakes warmed in Easy Bake ovens, Barbie heads, Lincoln Logs.... and we turned out fine, right? Don’t answer that.) In any case, it’s easy these days for consumers to do their part, which is a major blessing. We can be planet-friendly in our daily lives (e.g. “green”), from eco-friendly cleaning products to vegan high heels, organic-cotton sheets and VOC-free paint. It’s a beautiful thing. And to help you make some of those important decisions, we once again bring you the Portland Picks Green Guide. Check out what the local businesses below have to offer in terms of being green. And don’t forget to check out this week’s Hip Happenings for some cool updates. (Tell everyone that Portland Picks sent you! xoxo) Portland Picks’ Green Guide: |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 |
Scary: most homes have poor indoor-air quality, caused by gasses and toxins from your everyday stuff! Ack! The good news: Eco-Remedi is here to help. With their Healthy Home Makeover services (from consulting to interior design), you can learn to detox your space for you and yours. Want more? Eco-Remedi can do everything from producing green weddings and events to providing air and water products. Genius. |
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| 2 |
When we were babes, Mom had cloth diapers or landfill-clogging disposables to choose from. These days, eco-conscious mamas choose gDiapers—the best of both in an Earth-friendly hybrid. It’s a cloth outer pant and an absorbent refill (also: new ultra-absorbent gCloth inserts!) They’re breathable, so babies stay dry, and 100% certified biodegradable—breaking down in about three months as opposed to 500 years for plastic diapers. Plus they’re adorable! |
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| 3 |
When we think about how great guys have it, we always come back to the main reason we love being women: Shoes. And at Pie Footwear, we can indulge responsibly. Everything they sell (shoes, socks, bags, accessories) is environmentally and socially conscious. Like the locally-designed Keen Bern High Boot with a cozy faux-shearling lining, perfect for chilly fall days. The best part about Pie? They have mens shoes, too! Pie Footwear |
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| 4 |
We are tactile people—we like cashmere sweaters, down pillows and high thread-count sheets. So of course we adore the lightweight traditional Turkish bath towels from Indigo Traders. Hand-loomed of 100% Turkish cotton, these are thin yet highly absorbent, and incredibly soft. They’re gorgeous in the bath, nearly unnoticeable in a gym bag, and they take up less space in the washer/dryer and hang dry in a flash. That’s decadently green. Indigo Traders and Indigo Bath |
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| 5 |
Take smart, beautifully designed, innovative apartments, add a whole slew of amenities, and you’ve got a great big, green idea to make life good for you, for others, and for the planet. That’s Cyan/PDX in a nutshell. It’s all about sustainability and quality of life. Right in the heart of Portland, Cyan/PDX is big on design but small on environmental impact—a hearth to sustain your heart. Cyan/PDX |
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| 6 |
We loved the Ema Curved Console even before we knew its roots. Made in Argentina, it’s FSC Certified, and just one of hunt & Gather’s amazing, sustainable items. From hand-blown recycled Tequila-bottle accessories to custom upholstery with a zero-carbon footprint, and more, hunt & Gather brings beauty and responsibility to any home. Mention Portland Picks’ Green Guide to save 20% off any one regular-priced item (excluding consignment)! hunt & Gather |
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| 7 |
Dining out… it can be sustainable, too! This is Bay13—committed to exclusively serving fish that’s caught or farmed to protect individual species and conserve marine habitats. Their belief is that a healthy ocean is essential to everyone—and their food? Outstanding. Their wine list is also amazing and features local wineries that support a sense of “terroir.” Dining at Bay13: the most delicious decision of your day! Bay13 |
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| 8 |
Imagine a playhouse where you not only get to frolic in it, but you can decorate it as well? Locally based Color Me House creates great cardboard forts for kids that double as art projects. Talk about unleashing creativity! Indoors or out, Color Me Houses fosters fun and imagination, and they’re made of 100% recyclable cardboard, so you don’t have to worry about Mama Nature. Genius! |
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| 9 |
Is there anything more fun than finding a gorgeous piece of antique jewelry and imagining where it first called home? From fine estate jewelry to vintage engagement rings, Antoinette Antique and Estate Jewelry helps you dream. Their collection spans the 1800s to the 1950s, and as a Graduate Gemologist, Antoinette specializes in old-cut diamonds (they have more fire and sparkle than modern cuts). The ultimate in recycling. |
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| 10 |
We’ve been hearing that the West End is Portland’s hottest new neighborhood. So who wouldn’t want to score an apartment at the Indigo? Just imagine… rooftop parties, room service, a dedicated concierge, a private theater, a personal trainer… all that and power-generating wind turbines. Did we mention the amazing views? Indigo @ twelve | west is creative, it’s urban, and best of all, it’s targeted for Platinum LEED rating. Fabu! Indigo @ twelve | west |
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| 11 |
Socially responsible flowers? Yes! They are the heart and soul of Flowerbud.com, located right here in Lake Oswego. They bring environmentally conscious, sustainably grown flowers to you from Veriflora (which promotes the environment, fair wages and good working conditions) in 99% recyclable packaging. And the flowers are gorgeous! Enter GREEN in the promo-code field to save 10% off your order! Pretty is as pretty does, indeed. |
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| 12 |
We’ll fess up—we never really think about our carbon footprint when planning events. But with the help of Elysium Events, wonderment and the environment happily combine. They create events that work for zero waste, and consider your carbon footprint, food and beverage, sustainable products and services and local economy. Whether you’re a big time production company, an event coordinator, a venue, or an independent planner, they can help. |
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| 13 |
We are crazy for cool phone applications, and Mobons Mobile Coupons gives you great local deals on your iPhone and iPod Touch! GPS finds deals right where you are—how’s that for an eco-friendly way to save money? Select an offer from your favorite store, salon or restaurant, plus reviews from the “Happy Hour Guidebook,” and show your phone to save—it’s that easy. Download from Apple now! |
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| 14 |
Storables has been a life-saver many times—from our once-chaotic pantry to saving our shoes—but did you know that their buyers are constantly hunting down exciting green products and materials? From coconut-leaf baskets to the biodegradable eco-gen bath collection, plus countless reusable solutions to help reduce waste, plus (hooray!) renewable bamboo solutions for kitchen, bath, office, closet and shelving, Storables is a Greenie’s Heaven. Storables |
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| 15 |
Portland is a haven for green businesses—we even know a green realtor! Diane Moreau, a Hasson broker and member of the Hasson Green Team, can arrange for a free Home Energy Review (with Energy Trust of Oregon), and guide you through marketing, selling or buying a home around your sustainable needs and green-building questions. With Diane’s help, you can take a first step toward saving money and increasing your home’s energy efficiency. We like that. Diane Moreau, broker |
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| 16 |
We buy organic vegetables and use non-toxic cleaners, so why shouldn’t we “green” our hair? green - a salon offers eco-friendly hair and waxing services—everything is green—from the space itself to the products they offer! But it’s not hippie/dippie—you’ll be pampered by fabulous stylists, enjoy a bevvie during your service, and walk out looking like a hottie. Mention Portland Picks’ Green Guide for $10 off your service! |
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| 17 |
We just watched an episode of “Bridezillas” where the bride forced her bridesmaids to spray paint a spotty lawn. If only she knew about Easy Green Lawn Paint! It’s biodegradable, non-toxic (safe for the environment, children and pets) and lasts up to three months. Just spray it on and enjoy a green lawn! Perfect for events/special occasions or selling a house, or just to impress your neighbors. |
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| 18 | RSVP: Eco-Elegant Wedding Show The modern bride wants an ethical, green wedding without sacrificing fashion and design. She’ll find everything she desires at the Eco-Elegant Wedding Show! Held at the Platinum LEED certified Center for Architecture, it will showcase some of Portland's premier wedding vendors (like Blossom and Bee Photography, Eco-Trust, Quince Flowers & Events, Studio Olivine and Spruce Salon) with eco-friendly/sustainable products. Enjoy food and beverage tastings, a fashion show and more! Eco-Elegant Wedding Show |
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| 19 | Luscious Local Locks Ginger Salon |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | You Know You Wanna See It How do you make Genital Origami? The bold fellas from Puppetry of the Penis will demonstrate how a simple male organ can become “The Pelican,” “The Windsurfer,” and “The Eiffel Tower” through their astounding feats of concentration, stamina and stretch-factor. Ask the more than 10 million people who have seen Puppetry of the Penis—this show is truly outrageous. What: Puppetry of the Penis |
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| 2 | “Found” on Fremont Grand Opening! Ready to do some green shopping? Fall in love with Found on Fremont. Their grand opening party will serve up bubbly, nibbles and fun, and you can shop retro-inspired and vintage furniture, housewares, hats, jewelry home décor and children’s clothing from Poppy & Ivy, Flea, Vestiges, Ruby Cushion Upholstery, Swoon, Violet and more. We’ll be regulars! What: Found on Fremont grand opening |
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| 3 | Single? Try Some CPR! Pucker up for some mouth-to-mouth! Sign up for Singles CPR at the Ace Hotel and enjoy complimentary appetizers from Clyde Common, truffles from Pix Patisserie, a free two-week membership to the Portland Mercury's Lovelab personals, and walk away with the skills to save a life. Plus, bring your “wing” for 50% off! What: Singles CPR |
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| 4 | Emerge is Rolling out the Red Carpet! Emerge Medical Spa will be hosting a “Red Carpet” event, and it’s all about patient education. See demonstrations, and learn everything you wanted to know about everything from Thermage and Fraxel medical laser treatments to Botox, Restylane, Latisse and more. Their amazing staff is focused on helping you understand their offerings. Enjoy giveaways, too! What: Red Carpet night at Emerge Medical Spa |
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| 5 | R.I.P. in Seattle with Kimpton Hotels! Three of our favorite Seattle hotels—the glamorous Alexis, Monaco and the Vintage Park—are offering R.I.P. rates for Halloween. So you can (ahem) “rest in peace” and the rates are anything but scary. On October 30 and 31, save 31% off room rates. Get your tushie up to the Emerald City for some Halloween fun! What: R.I.P. rates from Kimpton Hotels Seattle |
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| 6 | The Perfect Gift: Kickboxing Boot Camp! Wrap yourself up in a bow for the perfect holiday gift this year—Fierce Fitness Kickboxing! Burn fat, lose inches, tone muscles, get strong, have fun, and look and feel great. Find out how 97.1 CharlieFM's own Charlie Girl lost 5% body fat in just six weeks, and save $100 on their 6-week Boot Camp + 1 week free! What: Kickboxing Boot Camp Holiday Special |
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| 7 |
Boot Up at Lizard Lounge Bored with your boots? Lizard Lounge invites you to score some hot new looks for men and women from Timberland Boot Company... and they're throwing a party to boot. (Yeah, we said it.) Tomorrow you can enjoy Mimosas, food, music by DJ Keys, raffles, giveaways, gifts with purchase, and 20% off Timberlands all day! What: Timberland Boot Company Trunk Show |
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Help us spread the Shop Local/Go Green message! |
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