|
 |
January 29th, 2010
How are those resolutions coming, ladies? Just checking in. We have discussed ours so many times now that we have them memorized… but we haven’t really done too much about them. They’re much more appealing in theory than in practice. And it’s not just the hard stuff we’re avoiding (like paying off the credit cards, which means less $$ for new shoes; or hitting the gym more often, which means skipping cocktail hour with the BFFs.) We’re also avoiding the easy stuff. (Walk the dog every day, plan lunches in advance, call Grandpa once a week.) Maybe making the list of resolutions will be as far as we get this year. And maybe we’re okay with that. New resolution for 2010? Make a list. Hey—whoa—that’s awesome—we’re done! |
||
Portland Picks: |
|||
| 1 | Express Yourself We used to work with a woman who used the words “treasure” and “happy” as though they had no clear grammatical structure. At the time, we were baffled by her blatant disregard for our beloved language. She’d go “treasuring” at garage sales on the weekend. If she found a gift to give, she’d call that giving a “happy.” She also said that we were “beautimous” … we still kinda love her for that. After scoping out NE Alberta’s new Local Discoveries, we have a much better understanding of her “treasuring” and “happies.” As we entered this quaint gallery, featuring the unique artwork and craft of more than 20 local artists, we instantly felt like we were treasuring—like we might find something splendid and unexpected that would inspire jealousy in others. Among Local Discoveries’ treasures were artwork, soaps, jewelry and delightful bath fizzies—in heart shapes! And while we no longer work with our old amiga, we couldn’t help but think of all the happies we’d buy her. Ahhhh… memories… and Local Discoveries… two things we’d call simply beautimous! Local Discoveries |
|
|
| 2 | Flippin’ Happy How do farmers get so much done before breakfast? By dark o’ thirty they’ve already milked cows, gathered eggs and fed pigs. We’re still curled up in our beds hitting the snooze button. Give us a reason to rise and shine early. Say “good morning” to Slappy Cakes, where you can make your pancakes on your own tabletop griddle. Select your batter (buttermilk, vegan, gluten-free), choose some fixins (chocolate chips, dried cherries, crispy bacon, hazelnuts, red wine-tarragon apple sauce, and more), then get creative. The batter comes in handy squeeze bottles, so you can perfect your silver dollars or just doodle. We flipped odd-looking flapjacks and drizzled the whole stack with organic maple syrup. They clean up the mess. Not inspired to play chef? Order up traditional breakfast fare (eggs, sausage, biscuits), chicken -fried steaks, seasonal-vegetable Benedicts (with root veggies and chanterelle mushrooms), or go whole hog with the Truck Stop Breakfast—everything’s prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Wash it all down with Stumptown lattés, Foxfire teas, organic juices, and signature cocktails. We bet you’ll be happier than pigs in… a blanket. Slappy Cakes |
|
|
 |
|||
| 3 | Stick to the Plan What's the difference between a gym and a spa? Machines vs. massage? Aerobics vs. aromatherapy? Stairmaster vs. sauna? These questions aren't rhetorical—Northwest Women's Fitness Club manages to combine the best of both worlds for the ultimate in health-conscious enjoyment. From the high-energy blast of Zumba to the butt-busting burn of indoor cycling, they’ve got classes guaranteed to get your heart racing. Get focused with yoga, Pilates, strength training or belly dancing. Need extra accountability? There are a ton of personal trainers, all ready to make sure you stick to every New Year's resolution. But posh bathrooms and top-of-the-line equipment aside, we head to Northwest Women's Fitness because it's comfortable. From greeter to instructor, you'll feel welcome, no matter how experienced an athlete or how fancy your workout gear. So gym? Or spa? We just call it awesome. Stop in, and mention Portland Picks for a special gift! Northwest Women’s Fitness Club |
|
|
| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Hope for Rain We have a love/hate relationship with Portland’s rain. We love the coziness, hate the wetness. You know how it goes. But the love has grown since we found Hillary Day’s gorgeous (and locally made) raincoats. Now, we’re truly hoping for rain. Hillary uses a techy outdoor fabric to create super-stylish, ultra-feminine coats—pleats and fancy collars meet James Bond fabric. (Haute couture meets outdoor gear.) They’ll knock your socks off. (Just keep your Wellies on!) |
 |
|
| 2 | Get an A+ in Style Clearly, we like to shop. But sometimes we can’t tell if something looks right on us, and there’s nothing like a professional opinion to answer the questions, filter out the “blah” and create an exciting, truly usable wardrobe. Since Stacey and Clinton aren’t available, we call on Sara Dahlquist of Dahlstyle. For the month of February, she’s offering a free hour of Personal Shopping with the purchase of a Closet Consultation. Consider it a Valentine for your wardrobe. |
 |
|
| 3 | Writers of the Lost Art The other day someone asked if handwritten thank-you notes were still acceptable. Wha?!? Anything handwritten is not just acceptable, but necessary! Puddle Jumpin Cards embraces the handwritten note, and more. Practical, whimsical, unexpected, personal—you’ll find note cards, invitations, and even children’s stationery on their website (because it’s never too early to instill good thank-you manners into your kids). Even better? Everything comes packaged in a box with a ribbon—gift-ready—and shipping is free! |
 |
|
Hip Happenings: |
|||
| 1 | Moxie + Sale + You = Score! V-Day is coming, so get your sweetheart a little somethin’ at Moxie! Score 20% off everything in the store (excl. gift certificates and local art)—with some items up to 70% off! Shop online, too—use coupon code: moxsav20. And visit them at Bargain Hunting 101, Feb. 7, 12–5 pm, at the Crystal Ballroom. What: Moxie’s sale for men & women |
 |
|
| 2 | S-e-e Y-o-u a-t t-h-e B-e-e! Cheer on your favorite PDX celeb at the 10th Annual Wells Fargo Celebrity Spelling Bee. (Storm Large will be there!) Enjoy an evening of intelligent fun, with a silent auction, wall of wine, dinner, raffle and music. It’s a benefit for Schoolhouse Supplies - The Free Store for Teachers. Good cause + a good time? We’re there. What: 10th Annual Wells Fargo Celebrity Spelling Bee |
 |
|
| 3 | Heirloom Jewelry? What’s It Worth? Fred Meyer Jewelers is hosting “What It’s Worth”—nationally acclaimed jewelry appraiser and gemologist Robert Baumann will assess your baubles and let you know their approximate value! It’s a treasure hunt-slash-history lesson. Maybe you have a fortune on your hands! (One item per person; first come, first served. Full appraisals are $75; schedule after the event.) What: “What It’s Worth” appraisal event |
 |
|
| 4 |
|
||
| 5 | Say it With a Singing Valentine Surprise your loved ones or BFFs with the ultimate—a singing Valentine (“Valegram”) from the Pride of Portland Chorus! Sure, the whole office will notice, but that’s the point, right? They’re also offering an e-mail Valentine for $10, and a free Soldier-Gram—an e-mailed song sung by one of their quartets—to any active duty military personnel. What: Singing Valentine from Pride of Portland Chorus |
 |
|
Portland Picks for Men is publishing their helpful Valentine’s Day Gift Guide next Friday! Sign up All the Guys You Know at www.PortlandPicksforMen.com so they can get all the great ideas delivered to their inboxes! Trust us, you’ll be glad you did. |
|||
Log onto www.portlandpicks.com and check out past newsletters (archives). If you like what you see, forward to a friend and encourage them to log onto www.portlandpicks.com and become a free subscriber. If you would like to subscribe or contribute, please email us at Contribute@PortlandPicks.com Website and Newsletter maintained by Studio Ridge.com |
|||
