Jet

"Fall is my favorite time of year (fall fashion tops the list of reasons why).  When I walked into Jet on Mississippi Avenue, I was immediately smitten with owner/designer Jennifer Thomas' line of flirty, fun clothes, and they're made locally using sustainable fabrics.  Great garments that are also eco-friendly?  It doesn't get much better than that!" ~ Amy K Drew

The Mile-High Club

There's nothing quite like Portland in the fall; that's when we fell in love with Stumptown, actually. It was the crisp cool mornings, warm sunny afternoons, and brisk evenings—perfect for sleek boots, pencil skirts, and brightly colored cinched-waist coats—that did us in. We were smitten; it was love at first sight. 

Much like our recent stroll down Mississippi Avenue, where we discovered Jet, an amazing little boutique brimming with gorgeous fall fashions. From flatteringly feminine skirts and dresses in various lengths to tempting tops in luscious colors, owner/designer Jennifer Thomas has created a line of clothing that's classically chic with an ultra-hip, modern flair. Designed on-site, and produced in Portland using super-soft sustainable fibers, these clothes will make a girl swoon. Jet also carries an assortment of awesome boots and shoes, purses, scarves, jewelry, and even flasks (come on, every girl needs a flask!).

We heart fall. We heart shopping for new clothes (especially in the fall). And we heart Jet's edgy sense of style.

Jet
3753 N. Mississippi Ave. 
Portland, OR 97227 
503.282.3753

Pure 4 Skincare and Cosmetics 

“I try not to sweat the small things. Unless, of course, that small thing turns big, red and emerges dead center on my face. Then a freak-out is totally acceptable. Which is why I’m obsessed with Pure 4. The newly opened cosmetics boutique carries an arsenal of secret beauty weapons to keep me freak-out-free and feeling fabulous.” ~ Hailey Stern Bernstein

Pure and Simple

Some might call us beauty junkies, but we prefer to think of ourselves as “experimental.” After all, when the secret to fighting crow’s feet is discovered, we plan to be the first to know.  
  
So naturally when we heard that a new skincare and cosmetics boutique—Pure 4—had opened in the Pearl, we were there in a heartbeat. The ultra-modern space stocks a well-edited collection of the best-of-the-best skincare and cosmetics. From clarifying shampoos and deep conditioners, mineral makeup and 31 flavors of toothpaste to cult brands like Remède, Phyto, Tocca and Bliss, you’ll find everything you need to get pretty from head to toe.  

Stock up on Pure’s own line of skincare products, made from natural ingredients like lemongrass, yuzu and citrus. Splurge on a Mason Pearson hairbrush (you and your Demi Moore hair will thank us later). And don't leave without snatching a bottle of StriVectin. The miracle cream minimizes wrinkles and dark circles, so you can skip on Botox and take off your ginormous Chloe shades. Until the secret to eternal youth is discovered, this place is pure genius.  

Pure 4 Skincare and Cosmetics 
408 NW 11th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
503.224.0052

Makool Loves You

“You gotta give a girl props for taking her passions & skills and turning them into a business. I love that Anisa has opened up her very own shop and is sharing her fashion sense (love the top, want the dress, need the satchel) with the rest of us. Now if I could just learn to hem my own skinny jeans…” ~ Karen Wang

We’re Sew in Love!
 
We love the idea of sustainable living—working from home, growing our own food (fertilized with our own compost), dazzling palates with our “Top Chef” cooking skills, and sewing our own “Project Runway” outfits. Yeah. As if. Besides—who has the time?

Last week, while rushing home from the office and picking up take-out, we spotted Makool Loves You at The Ford Building. The new studio-boutique showcases lovely apparel that’s both modern and vintage, with a romantic flair. Shop-owner, designer and seamstress Anisa cites Copenhagen and Denmark as the inspiration for her organic-cotton dresses, skirts and tops—each with thoughtful details like cascading ruffles, big buttons and playful pockets. Even her adorable hobo satchels have signature secret pockets. We were smitten by her sweet underthings pieced by hand from reclaimed textiles and trims. And because she uses end-of-mill fabrics almost exclusively, each piece is a limited edition.

MLY also carries screen-printed tea towels, citrus-scented bath products, unique jewelry and the hand-drawn musings of Argentine artist Irana Douer on super-soft tees and exquisite cup & saucer sets. Sew much to love!

Makool Loves You
2505 SE 11th Ave., Suite 100
Portland, OR 97206
www.store.makoollovesyou.com

elsa + sam

“I’ve started to go into nesting mode… four years after buying a house, but hey, we’re all on our own schedules. And I can’t seem to stop going into stores with cute things for the home. elsa + sam is one of those places. Whether it’s the teapots, mugs, linens or even the best greeting cards in town, this place makes me never want to leave. I’m hopelessly addicted.” ~ Carin Moonin

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 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
4314 SE Hawthorne Blvd. 
Portland, OR 97215 
503.517.9942
www.elsasam.com

Paseo

“Paseo strikes me as a unique boutique addition to the flourishing Portland fashion scene; it's like nothing else I've encountered here. I love that their clothes and accessories combine elements of modern style with global flair, unusual textures and rich colors. No doubt, Paseo will provide me treasures for years to come!” ~ Jennie Day Burget

Shop On

When we moved to Portland, we didn’t care about clothes or accessories. We had one or two pairs of sensible work shoes, a couple (sensible) bags, and a few necklaces our mom donated to us from her working days. Now? We’re the shopping Hyde to our former apathetic Jekyll. We have more clothes and accessories than we know what to do with. We often feel like we’re on a non-stop track toward ruin… “If you don’t stop soon, your closet will cave in!”

Enter yet one more Portland boutique to feed our need: Paseo. Not only is Paseo chock full of handmade, natural-fiber and artisan-crafted clothing from Argentina, they also taunt us with gorgeously unique jewelry and unusual artwork. Decorated in soft fabrics, coppers, silvers and chunky conversation-piece jewelry, no doubt Paseo will draw you in the second you enter.

While we were able to show some restraint while scoping this brand-new store, we are definitely going back for one of the scarves we found. And closet cave-in or not, we’ve got our eye on Paseo … we’re already dreaming about that new alpaca wrap!

Paseo
2340 NW Westover Road 
Portland, OR 97210 
503.505.7077
www.paseo-artisans.com

Margaret & Oliver’s

“I live in jeans, but my love of vintage is an unrealized obsession—which is why you'll often find me Pick-ing those shops! I nearly hugged her when the adorably chic Chrys showed me their incredible selection and offered her personal style suggestions. I may have even held back a few tears of joy when I saw prices that a scrappy writer like myself can afford. Who says this profession isn't glamorous?” ~ Liz Hummer

Vintage Vixen 

We’ve got a friend who lives in vintage. She always looks gorgeous in poplin, pin-tucked, nipped-waist dresses, inspiring us to add a little history to our closet, but…well, it’s hard! Sweaters are pilly, zippers stuck, seams torn; when it’s not damaged, it doesn’t fit; and even if it’s the right size, we can’t figure out how to pull it off.

Then we strolled into Margaret & Oliver’s, a charming new shop on Hawthorne, and met co-owner Chrys Tobey. Looking impossibly chic in a yellow blouse and black jumper, she assured us that wearing fashions of the past is not, in fact, impossible. Not when the pieces are chosen for their timeless style and repaired by a seamstress before they hit the racks. And not when they’re priced as low as some Target duds. 

Pristine beaded cardigans for less than $40, cocktail dresses and suits for no more than $65. Elegant slips hover around $10, and scarves are a mere four bucks. What’s even more valuable? Knowing that Chrys won’t let you walk out looking anything less than Betty Draper-beautiful. (Score a 10% discount thru October when you mention Portland Picks!) 

Margaret & Oliver’s
3298 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, OR 97214
503.807.2040
www.margaretandolivers.com