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November 27th, 2009
Once again, we stuffed ourselves silly on Thanksgiving. (Forget that “eating like a bird” nonsense—we literally ate the bird.) We feel perfectly justified to sip and nibble all day on Thanksgiving… in fact, by the time dinner is served we’re usually at our limit. It’s a beautiful thing. Today many of you may be out there shopping, or surfing the web for Black Friday deals, but honestly, we’re doing nothing. (But if you’re looking for something to do, you’re in luck! This issue of Portland Picks has some genius ideas for new places to drop into and sales, sales, sales!) Anyhoo. After the food coma wears off, we will be home, probably in pajamas, perhaps in bed, watching Mel Brooks movies and daydreaming about the cold turkey/cranberry/stuffing sandwich that we’re going to devour around 11 am. Then we will shop. Hoo boy—gotta love the holidays! |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | The More the Merrier
Our folks love cruises. Traveling while you sleep, endless entertainment and food 24/7 is their idea of the perfect vacay. Sure, a mile-long smorgasbord of every imaginable dish and dessert is fabu, but we can only eat so much. Now, give us a shopping buffet, and we’re there. Introducing Flurry, a new pop-up boutique offering unique apparel, jewelry and accessories by 15 local designers, all in one holiday shop. We showed up, surveyed the spread of local bounty, and started with an amuse bouche of kitten-soft scarves by Luminata. For apps (to share, of course), we chose a military-inspired wool coat by La Merde, upcycled fabric graphic tees by Looptworks, and a pair of funky RYZ kicks for our man. Main courses included the gorgeous Aegis gown by Maytee, an adorable ruffle coat by Varnish and the winter-white Jeanne Sweater by Isaac Hers. And for dessert, we indulged in some edgy silver necklaces by Sahlia Michelle. Unlike the cruise buffet, you’ll never be too stuffed to go back for more. But hurry—because Flurry’s only around ’til December 31st, after which, this ship has sailed. Flurry401 SW Morrison St. Portland, OR 97204 www.pdxfashionsynergy.com |
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| 2 | Give and Take Our plans for spending the dreary winter globetrotting through Southeast Asia (collecting gifts and treasures) have indefinitely been put on hold. We could sit around sulking in wanderlust., or we could cheer ourselves up with some retail therapy at Lotus Antiques & Art. This cozy shop is a treasure trove of exotic and unique gifts and furnishings—the spoils of the owners’ extensive world travels. Saunter through the narrow floor-to-ceiling aisles for unique holiday gifts like lacquered-leather keepsake boxes in quirky shapes and sizes, hand-painted ceramics and eclectic jewelry. After completing your holiday list, you’ll feel completely justified in nabbing a few items for yourself. Try resisting the rustic Tibetan stools, an antique walnut bench, or vivid accent pillows to mix around the table for a flawlessly eclectic dining space. What’s more, Lotus shares its space with fair-trade retailer Ten Thousand Villages, which carries handmade jewelry, home décor and gifts from 38 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. So when you do finally travel the world, you won’t need to bring an empty suitcase. Lotus Antiques & Art |
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| 3 | Melt My Heart Our friend just had a baby. Not only did she have the most perfect pregnancy ever, but also one of the most perfect labors ever, and to top that off she’s 10-feet tall and looked perfect (e.g.: not swollen) during the entire maternity period. But while she was off giving birth to the world’s most perfect babe, something else seemingly perfect was being born in Portland—Melt. Melt is a new, upscale-ish sandwich shop that boasts one of the best menus we’ve seen in this city. Melt isn’t your average sammie shop though… Melt is sit-down service, cocktails, and late-night laughter. You’ll find no condiment bar, paper-cup sodas or disgruntled line-workers here. We loved everything—from its fab NW location to the Moroccan-inspired lighting scheme mixed with a bright, utilitarian décor. It was perfectly Portland. Our server was surely the most perfect server on earth, and overall, we had a perfectly delightful experience. When Perfect Mama Bear is one day able to leave the house for a lunch date, dinner date or even happy hour cocktails, we’re taking her to Melt … for a perfect time! |
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Cocktail of the Week: |
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New Deal Mud Puddle Vodka
We have to be honest—flavored vodkas aren’t our thang. But the nice people at New Deal suggested we try their new Mud Puddle Chocolate Vodka in a White Russian (the subtle cocoa-bean infusion would provide just the right touch, they said), and they were soooo right! Not a fan of sweet drinks? Try their Hot Monkey pepper vodka, or go straight for the local gusto with straight-up Portland 88. Any way you like it, you’re gonna love it. |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Pash it On If we know you, you’ve got about four scarves always at the ready—and a dozen more stashed away that you’ve collected over the years. But we’ve got one more for you—the locally made Bamboo Pashmina from Naturally Knotty. They’re crazy cozy, they’re probably the softest thing you’ll ever touch, and they come in an array of colors that beg to be matched with your favorite sweaters. Too many scarves? That’s like having too many shoes. It can’t be done! |
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| 2 | Eat Your Heart Out, Betty Draper Hey, we love affordable, assembly-required Swedish furniture as much as the next gal, but everyone needs at least one original “statement” piece to make a room pop. Enter Michael Arras. This Oregon College of Art & Craft grad makes thoughtfully crafted, one-of-a-kind cocktail and coffee tables and wall art that are one part retro cool, one part modern chic, and completely fabulous. You still have time to have one (or two) delivered in time for your Mad Men-themed holiday cocktail party. |
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| 3 | We’re Just Wild About This… We're enamored with the funky, stylish, and oh-so-functional wares produced by Portlanders. We don't know how they come up with this stuff, but we love them for it. (And we can give totally unique gifts to friends and family!) For the latest in baby and kid finds, we're just wild about Wilde Fig. With Dibs (drool + bib), Crayon Rolls (a chic way for tots to carry crayons), and Diaper Clutches (for moms on the go) in rich fabrics, what's not to love? |
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| Event of the Week: | |||
Ellington’s Holiday Sample Sale
What: Ellington Holiday Sample Sale |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 2 | Black Friday? Black Coffee Friday! Java fans, rejoice—Dunkin’ Donuts® packaged coffee will be fueling shoppers today and tomorrow at Pioneer Place with free samples of piping hot Dunkin’ Donuts coffee that you can brew at home. You’ll def want to pick up a bag at the grocery store after you sip it here for free! What: Free Dunkin Donuts Coffee Samples |
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| 3 | Moxie Says: Shop Local for Black Friday! Girl, you’ve got Moxie—and now guys do, too! Want more awesomeness? You can save 20% off everything at Moxie (except art & gift certificates) for their Black Friday sale. Grab a great gift for your guy or gal, like TOMS shoes, sweaters, coats, hats, jewelry, hoodies and more. (Busy? Check out their new online shop!) What: Moxie’s Black Friday sale/goodness |
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| 4 | Antoinette Estate Jewelry Sale Antoinette Antique and Estate Jewelry just won the “Best of Citysearch 2009,” so the word is out! They’re celebrating with a sale, and if you bring in 2 cans of food to donate to Neighborhood House, you’ll receive a raffle ticket, entering you to win either an estate diamond ring or a $100 gift certificate! What: Antoinette Antique and Estate Jewelry Sale/Celebration |
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| 5 | Go Green for the Holidays Are you ready to shop, save and do right by Mama Earth? Score 50–80% off clothing, shoes and accessories by Stewart+Brown, Loomstate, Good Society, Pi Organic, Jimi, and English Retreads, and find great discounts on everything else, too, at Greenloop’s pre-holiday sale at Seven Planet. Mention Portland Picks and get a free reusable shopping bag with purchase. |
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| 6 | Cool Gift Source: the Portland Chinese Garden Portland Chinese Garden’s Garden Shop, known for one-of-a-kind merchandise focusing on plants, gardens and Asia, is bringing in special vendors for the holidays, with unique jewelry, lanterns, antiques, ceramics, glassware, flowers, textiles, art and cards for every taste and pocketbook. Bring a copy of this email and receive 2 for 1 admission on the days of the sale! What: Portland Chinese Garden’s Winter Holiday Market |
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Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day… there’s no escaping them now! Give your girls the gift of being in-the-know with a free subscription to Portland Picks. Sign them up at www.PortlandPicks.com. (And sign up the men in your life at www.PortlandPicksforMen.com!) |
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