| Portland Picks:
Oh, are you in for a treat. It’s a tropical vacation, but low-maintenance,
no packing, no headaches. A trip to Miramare! Just what the doctor ordered
after our late night dinner, followed by a crazy morning. This is far better
than Calgon, ladies, and it doesn’t cost very much for what it’s
worth. Miramare European Skin Care Spa is located on NW Thurman, but
you’ll feel like you’ve gone to a very happy place in Hungary.
Miramare gave us the perfect much-needed, desperate brow-wax. It was Virgo-esque
in detail. But what we really needed (and got) was the ultimate facial with
organic, handmade products from Budapest. The extremely high-octave fruit
content and fragrance transported us on a mini tropical vacation. We couldn’t
have gone there without our tour guide, Melanie, the spa’s owner. She
gave us the dreamiest treatment and massage on our face, eyes, chest, hands,
hair….you will feel so relaxed you will doze off, forgetting all your
worries. Melanie is from Sun Valley, so we already know she’s cool,
but she is a gentle soul with great instinct. Even her extractions (usually
blek, ouch) were the most minimally realized. But the very best part of Miramare
is its reasonable price, compared to those resort spas or super high-end
salons. The quality and experience is the same--if not better. And guess
what? You, our dear Portland Pick’s friend, get 15% off all treatments.
Just mention Portland Picks when you make your appointment. You will be transported,
and will wobble away relaxed and beautiful. Miramare’ 2607 NW Thurman,
503.229.8066
Since the fruity scents of Hungary made us hungry, off we traipsed to Paris
just three blocks down for some petit dejeuner a la’ Saint Honore’
Boulangerie. Dreamily we swam along the pastry window and found our way
to the counter seats for an action packed view. We ordered, but of course,
a café latte et Normandy Apple Toast. But we couldn’t stop there.
We had to “test” everything: The out of this world Paninis, Brie
and Chicken Crudite’ sandwich. Just one bite of the croissants and
you simply melt as they do. From Hungary to Paris in less than two hours,
and our mind and palette were at our mercy. (Atkin’s folks need not
apply.) The ambience and every item we experienced were utterly Parisian.
Sometimes we need to take a trip just like this, and get home in time to
meet the bus. Saint Honore’ Boulangerie Café’ Salon
De The’ 2335 NW Thurman Street, 503.445.4342
V-Day Gift Picks:
If you get the feeling your man has waited until the last minute again
to show his love this Valentine’s Day, he may simply need a little
direction. (Trust us. Either risk this or suffer with another stuffed animal
from Walgreens.) Just tear here and hand it over asap before it’s too
late.
------ ------ ------ ---------------------------------------------Tear
here----------------------------------------------------------
Last Minute Valentine’s Gift Ideas for Me!!!
Gap
Body across from Pioneer Square/Broadway has the cutest jellybean
pink bra and hipster set. Too cute!
Nothing says ‘I Love You’ like jewelry. What about the simple
sterling silver and 18k gold Heart bangle from Tiffany’s.
A blue and white signature gift box is perfect on this red day. $295
Check out the knockout pink Kate
Spade patent leather bow pumps at Saks. They’re so incredible!
(And will fulfill his secret foot fetish when he sees you so Pretty in Pink.)
Mercantile has a huge display of girl-fit La Coste shirts
in Valentine red or soft pink. You can never have too many. And fear not.
These are not your 80’s Izods.
Check out Meringue, a delicious new boutique that just opened
in Lake Oswego. It’s filled with fun gifts for everyone. Your groovy
teen, a pregnant friend, wedding night lingerie, baby, and you, plus there
are so many cool gift ideas for Valentine’s Day: Lip Venom, the tingly
gloss that enhances your own natural lip color and shape by increasing circulation;
Chocolate Talk—a chocolate bar that says “Smooch” on it
(instead of Hershey’s) in vibrant hot pink and rainbow packaging; sexy
T-shirts from Three Dot; pink draw string cotton pants, adorable stationary
and invitations, baby booties and blankies, and hand decorated flowery pocket
mirrors; Huge plastic shoulder bags with your monogram; a floor to ceiling
selection of jeans; and lots of bright pink surrounding you. With all of
their yummy treats, you’ll find yourself bingeing at Meringue! There
is also about a 6 to 1 ratio of darling girls to help you find just the right
gift. Meringue…a boutique; 385 First Street, #121, Lake Oswego,
503.635.1063 www.MeringueBoutique.com.
 The
Brazilian is SO last year, and Just Kittying proves even nice girls
can be naughty --- perfect for letting that special someone know just how
much you care on the 14th! Each Stencil kit comes with all of the accoutrements
for the perfect wax (including tweezers, comb, scissors & two heart stencils).
Separate stencils --- arrows and stars – are available in separate
packs of four. If you really want to give your bikini line some extra definition,
snap up their easy to use Cool Hues temporary dyes for, um, down there ---
and if he gets a giggling, they shampoo right out! The kit is $35.00, separate
stencils $7.50, and dyes are $12 each. Go to www.BeautyofaSite.com
Jacqua Girls have put together a fun, yet affordable Valentine’s
Day pleasure kit for your steamy V- Day evening --- Love Sweets! This
three-step ritual contains 4 oz Buttercream Body Butter, Body Shimmer
Powder, and a pair of Love Dice Candles (we suggest rolling them
a few times before lighting them for the full effect!) It’s sure to
stay within your budget (only $25) at Nordstrom.
 Flowers
and candy are fantastic gifts, but we can’t help wanting to put all
of Lip Lingerie’s fabulous products on our Valentine’s
Wish List. Get your man to pick up one of their Candlelight Kissing Sets!
Each set comes with Nude Negligee Lipstick, Sheer String Lip Gloss
and a Naked Mesh Lip Liner, all bundled in a cute pink box and
darling satin bag. Or go really red with their Bullet Bra Lip Gloss
--- it even has real sterling silver sparkles inside so your lips reflect
more than just your stellar personality! So start hinting, girls ---- they’re
yummy with zero calories…Go to www.BeautyHabit.com
($60 Candlelight Kissing Set, $20 Bullet Bra Lip Gloss)
(Okay, we may be getting slightly carried away, but you have to admit,
any of these are better than another bouquet of pink carnations purchased
on the side of the street on his way home.)
Some Gift Ideas for Him
There’s nothing your hard-working man would appreciate more than
a weekend getaway, and since golfing season is upon us, surprise him with
some one-on-one lessons with the local golf pro. Add to that a new sand wedge
and a red LaCoste Alligator shirt and you’ll have scored some major
points! Check out the equipment at The Nike Store downtown. Or if you really
want to score big, how about getting him his own golf car? Call 503.282.6022
and tell them Portland Picks sent you.
So you’re going out of town for a Valentine’s weekend getaway
with your man? Pick up the Brave Soldier Weekend Warrior Kit at www.Sephora.com
. It has everything he’ll need (sunscreen, cleanser…you name
it) whether you’re roughing it camping (we hope not) or basking by
a pool ($45).
Ever wish you could be whisked away to an exotic locale like a character
in a romance novel? Torrid Romance Novels lets you customize a sexy
novel with you and your man as the central characters. Go to www.TorridRomance.com
and get this unique and one of a kind gift for your sweetie (okay, this one’s
more for you!). Careful ladies, if this is a new romance, you might scare
the BeeGees out of him.
He loves me, he loves me not???….oh heck, let’s just get to
the bottom of this with a compatibility reading from our neighborhood psychic.
Are we meant to be together? Will he ever propose? Will it be forever? Or
should I dump him?
Special Valentine Offer for subscribers of Portland Picks:
Receive a Compatibility Reading from Mariel Martin, Advisor & Psychic
Palm Reader with 25 years experience. Receive a couples reading along
with a set of palm prints and a recording of your session to play again
later.
Still single? Even more fun. Enjoy the hour to yourself and let Mariel tell
you all about your romantic future. $90 ($125 value) Available for the month
of February. 503.350.0705, 10700 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy.
Website of the week:
www.PrincipessaBeauty.com
Beauty Products for the Urban Princess.
Most romantic Getaway:
It's Valentine's Day so we have to think about someone else besides ourselves,
focus on "the relationship," reinvest in the Us/We part of you,
thank heavens just this once a year. So why not drop out of society and plan
a trip away from it all, but maybe not that far. Something easy, sunnier
than Portland. How about Sonoma Valley in Northern California? We have just
the place.
THE AERIE - Calistoga, California
(Eagle's Nest)
This is one of the most breathtaking, romantic, private dream homes we
have ever experienced. Located on a 65 acre private estate northwest of Calistoga,
situated on the upper slopes at an altitude of 800 feet with breathtaking
views of Mt. St. Helena and surrounding valley, we never bothered leaving.
We would run down to the farmer's market and pick up local vegetables and
supplies and cook in our own gourmet kitchen. While overlooking the vineyard,
we'd laze in the hot tub, drink a glass of wine and pick the Cabernet Franc
grapes that surrounded us. It was truly relaxing and we felt alone in the
world. We sat at the top of the private vineyard and soaked in the most beautiful
surreal view we've ever experienced. You are truly getting away from it all
here. Delicious linens, cotton spa robes to lounge in (why get dressed?),
an outside shower with an enormous Waterworks spout. Don't expect overdone,
grandiosity. It's a tractor barn, simple and comfortable, but a special place
and an amazing experience. It is spendy, so save it for a special occasion.
This, hands down, wins the prize for West Coast's most romantic. www.WineCountryRentals.com
Now girls, if it happens to be one of those years you aren't a 'we/us’,
all the better. We say, Romance schmo-mance. Just collect three of your best
girlfriends and high-tail-it here for the weekend. You can split the expensive
tab 4 ways. You can relax all day, lay in the sun, have cocktails, read,
gossip and then just drive a couple miles and be in the center of fabulous
shopping and award-winning restaurants. It's the best place in the world
for a girl's getaway!
Hip Happenings:
Shopping a go-go, Manhattan Style:
Get away from April showers and April Fools and spend the weekend with Mima
of SheFinds.com in New York City. Experience Manhattan fashionista-style!
You'll visit the trendy boutiques in NoLita that you've read about in all
the fashion mags and cruise the aisles of the three big “Bs”
- Bergdorfs, Bloomingdales and Barneys. As a member of this very exclusive
SheFinds group, you'll get special deals and gifts at many of the stores
you'll visit. Enjoy a private cocktail party at New York 's best secret designer
outlet (if we told you it wouldn't be secret!) where you'll get an extra
20% off your purchases on all the brands you'd find at the swankiest of boutiques.
Eat at a hot Meat Packing District spot -- an area frequented by downtown
celebrities like Sara Jessica Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow and Uma Thurman.
Hurry up and sign-up -- only 16 slots are available. Check out www.SheFinds.com
for more details.
The Sixth Annual
Black Tie Bowl-O-Rama: Saturday April 17th, 2004.
It's more than just another Black-Tie dinner! Way more - way COOL. It's a
spectacular and outrageous benefit for the very worthy organization called
CARES Northwest. You get gourmet food, cool drinks, glow-in-the-dark bowling
and unforgettable memories. You can dress up (with or without your tiara)
and have a blast bowling. The event is at the AMF 20th Century Lanes - SE
92nd and Powell in Portland. Cares is one of the oldest child abuse assessment
centers in the nation. Help strike out child abuse by attending this worthwhile
event. Contact Linda Sheeley at CARES Northwest to recieve your own very
cool invitation. 503.331.2400
Free Treats:
If you send this to 15 of your friends and encourage them to subscribe
to www.PortlandPicks.com,
and cc us with your address (kathi@portlandpicks.com),
we’ll send you a goody bag filled with fun beauty samples and treats.
Have a very happy and safe Valentine’s Day!
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