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February 12th, 2010
Valentine’s Day is a tricky one. We’ve had our highs (the year a very cute but very dim boy took us out for stilted conversation, but redeemed it with champagne, a great make-out sesh and a cityscape view), and our lows (the year our boyfriend called to announce, at 3 p.m. on Feb. 14, that he was so relieved we “didn’t care about it,” and we spent the entire night sobbing into a pillow and hating his guts). We’ve had the Girls Nights Out, the Frusen-Gladje Nights In, and day-long fests of “totally ignoring it” by blowing up the credit cards on shoes and lip gloss. The one thing we have never done is forgotten about Valentine’s Day. Call it what you will—corporate, a hoax, a waste of a dozen roses—but it’s there and we can’t avoid it. This year we’re back to singlehood again, and some girlfriends are calling it for a dive bar, but secretly we’re hoping to that someone will come through with that romantic gesture. What can we say? Despite our tough-gal exteriors, we’re sappy, mushy dreamers at heart. |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Personal Space We dread Mondays because it means another week at the cubicle farm with bad fluorescent lighting and the odor of microwaved burritos wafting in from the break room. We’d be more productive (less cranky?) if we had a roomier work environment, some personal décor and a few windows—like that corner office. Ixnay on our promotion, but the beloved Flora boutique has moved into a beautiful new space, bringing us more of what we fancy—hand-picked items to adorn the body and nourish the soul. We admired jewelry from Nashelle, Stone&Honey and Amy Wing Designs, then spied the hand-printed wallets and glammed-up vintage clutches by Shara Porter. The shelves are nestled with candles in luscious scents of laurel leaf, wild honey and sea watercress (gorgeously packaged for gift-giving), fine teas and tea sets, letterpress cards and journals, French soaps, and their namesake line of apothecary products. Upstairs, Space Design Botanicals (think Ace Hotel) has set up shop in the mezzanine. Not your ordinary garden shed—reindeer antlers, vintage glass, Manzanita branches, seashells and succulents are combined to create stunning ecosystems in glass terrariums. Forget the corner office, maybe we should just ask to sublet some space here. |
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| 2 | Vintage, Inspired When we were younger, we spent many a weekend at the home of a friend who lived with her sister and mother. This was an all-female abode with lavender paint on the walls and sink-in-me sofas surrounded by end tables piled with candles and back issues of “Vanity Fair.” The place was lived-in luxurious, and we never wanted to leave. Visiting Crow, a resale shop in North Portland specializing in furniture and decorative housewares, we felt like we were re-entering that home of our youth. Crow features French-inspired bureaus and solid wood chests topped with gorgeous pearl-white serving bowls and glass vases. The walls are adorned with brass candelabras and sweet, vintage prints. We were so enamored by this gem of a shop that we made multiple laps through the cozy space, each time discovering hidden treasures. Exiting Crow into the afternoon rain, we were inspired to blow off our afternoon errands and head home to slip into a bath and catch up on fashion mags. The sudden inspiration to pamper and relax was a little tribute to that home of our past, and to Crow. Crow |
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| 3 | Because You’re Worth It We’re so over obsessing on our weight and have finally decided to do something about it … go to the gym. Sigh. For the past two months, we’ve been what our former selves would have referred to as gym rats, hitting it hard, forgoing fun for the sake of health. We’ve outlasted the New Year’s resolutioners and feel like the gym is finally a habit. And since every hard-working girl deserves a treat, we went on a bit of a jewelry binge at an old favorite with a new home: Silverado Jewelry Boutique. Silverado recently moved to Bridgeport Village where they set up shop in a gorgeous new space—and it showcases the work of their diverse collection of jewelry artisans like never before. Lofty ceilings, long glass counters and tall cases transformed this previously intimate spot into lavish shopping quarters fit for a queen. While the devils/angels in our head danced with visions of the seemingly endless possibilities in Silverado’s beautiful jewelry playground, we sadly remembered that our bank account is not so endless. But maybe just one teeny necklace… and a pair of earrings… because our new, svelte self deserves it. (And so do you!) Silverado Portland Jewelry Boutique |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Just Plain Awesome We were cruising Bargain Hunting 101 last Sunday when we spied the most amazing items—vintage jackets and coats, reworked with hoodies and handmade appliqués! They were so dang cute. We practically peed our pants with delight. Oh, Bella Sisters, how do you do it? Our favorite had to be the gingko leaves, but the florals and birds climbing up jacket fronts charmed us, too. You can even bring them your own jacket for a custom design. (Into it!) |
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| 2 | Put It in Writing Having trouble telling him (or her) how you feel? Sometimes relationships are hard to define, which is where Pillow Talk greeting cards come in. With sweet and direct messages like “I’m in love with you” and “It’s Always Been You,” and saucier notes like “I’m Not Wearing Panties” (scandalous!), “Strip for Me” (shameful!) and the staff favorite: “Put It On Me” (how could anyone resist? Ha ha!), your intended won’t have to guess at your intentions. |
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| 3 | Mother Knows Best We finally made it through January… only to find that we’re not even halfway through winter. (Insert quiet sobs here.) It’s high time to stuff our faces with chocolate and carbs. In Portland, even comfort food demands local panache. Which is why we’re delighted to see that our fave rainy-day spot, Mother’s Bistro, published a cookbook of 150 homey favorites called Mother’s Best. So until the sun returns, we’ll get our Vitamin D the old-fashioned way: with a glass of milk and a homemade cookie (or eight). |
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| Event of the Week: | |||
Bon Bon: Small Bites of Delicious Art
Art for everyone! It’s Bon Bon! More than a dozen art galleries in the Pearl District are offering small and affordable art pieces during this special event. Each gallery (plus a few “non-gallery” locations) will also be offering raffle tickets to win great art from local, regional and national artists. Enjoy a Bon Bon-sponsored Valentine’s Day Walking Tour, noon to 4 pm, with stops at all the galleries plus chocolates and wine (21+). Raffle winners will be announced March 4! What: Bon Bon: Small Bites of Delicious Art |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Your Wedding Day Should Be Spectacular Planning a wedding? RSVP to the Bravo! Wedding Affair for creative ideas and inspiration! Local wedding vendors will transform the Embassy Suites into a sampling of reception and wedding décor ideas, with fabulous resources to create your own unforgettable wedding. This show is not to be missed, and the first five people to email Denise@bravoportland.com will receive complimentary tickets! What: Bravo! Wedding Affair |
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| 3 | It’s Easy to be Green! What: Open House at the Tanzamook |
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| 4 | The 20/10 Challenge: Bring it on! Take Fierce Fitness’ 20/10 Challenge and lose up to 20 lbs in 10 weeks in kickboxing boot camp. Have fun kicking and punching those pounds away! It’s hard work—10 weeks of hard core, gut busting, sweat pouring exercise, but if you can make it through this, you can do anything! (The ultimate winner gets the next 6-week boot camp free!) What: 2010 Challenge Kickboxing Boot Camp |
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| 5 | Occasions Fine Gifts’ Sidewalk Sale Occasions Fine Gifts’ President’s Day Sidewalk Sale means that we can save 50–60% off select items! Oh, the gifting we will do. Gorgeous stationery for mom’s birthday, an adorable handbag for the BFF, cool wall artwork for little brother… and for us? Luscious lotions, of course. (Plus teas, lamps and holiday items!) Shop. Relax. Enjoy. What: President’s Day Sidewalk Sale |
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| 6 | Get Happy at Nel Centro “When you’re in love, you know you’re in love.” And we fell hard for Nel Centro’s citified happy hour. Between the $5 house red and the pizza, we could be happy for life. But there’s so much more for under $6: Oven-Roasted Mussels, a Lamb Burger, Warm Hazelnut-Crusted Goat Cheese. Plus Nel Centro’s packed with chic downtowners. Thump, thump! What: Nel Centro Happy Hour |
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| 7 | Treat Your Man at HairM There’s still time to hook your guy up with something he’ll love for Valentine’s Day. HairM’s Cupid Package includes a 55-minute massage and an Emperor’s Cut (a 10-minute scalp massage with a steam towel and a hand massage). And if you buy a Gift Card of $100 or more, you’ll get $20 off! What: Valentine’s deals at HairM |
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| 8 | Dragontree Spa Opens in PDX Tired of getting to PDX two hours early and having nothing to do? Spend some quality time at the new Dragontree Spa. It’s lovely, soothing and private, and you can get facials, massages, foot treatments and more. (You can even get waxed… if it’s gonna be “that” kind of trip. Wink, wink.) Walk-ins encouraged! What: Dragontree Spa open in PDX |
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There you have it... another week of great ideas for places to go and things to do! Tell a friend! Or better yet, sign them up at www.PortlandPicks.com. |
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