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Portland Picks:
 Sweet
Jane: We can’t go another moment without gushing about our new favorite
jewelry store: Emily Jane. This is an oasis of Pink Power. Prepare yourself
for the most fabulous handmade jewelry in the most luscious pink store. You
want to weep; it’s so beautiful. First of all, the name: Emily Jane.
If we had a daughter, we’d have to change her name to this. You enter
into what seems like a cozy apartment off NE Broadway. It is so Pink. And
Jane displays the jewels as if you’ve stepped into her boudoir, pieces
are draped on frames of art, tucked in drawers, look around and find that
there are treasures - treasures everywhere! And they are all spectacular.
Jane works right there, perched in creative concentration at a tall golden
desk. You’re welcome to the champagne, which simply enhances each jewel
that adorns you. You can’t help but try on everything. So far, we’ve
found it impossible to leave without a purchase. And since then, we don’t
want to remove her brilliant pieces. Even worse, we need to stop and gaze
into each mirror or window that we pass, just to catch a glimpse at all our
sparkles. All-purpose works of art that we’re going to wear with jeans
and gowns and jammies! The atmosphere, the pink boxes that you get to take
home, it makes you want to scream a womanly scream ...and then be Jane’s
best friend and move in. Emily Jane, 1623 NE 15th, Portland, Oregon 97232;
503-381-3311; www.Emily-Jane.com
That time of year again. It's nearly March. Dear God, we better start thinking
about our Christmas cards! We only have 10 months. We'll have to hire a photographer,
hike up to the mountain (after all, there has to be snow!). We'll have to
bribe our children with all kinds of candy and expensive toys to coax a smile,
just for a sec. At the same time, they should also look adorable, like they
love each other, fake perfection for the entire world to see. (We need a
cocktail just thinking about it.)
Oh, wait.... we can wait? We don't have to stress? Yeah! Our salvation.
The Paper Rabbit to our rescue. The Paper Rabbit has the best selection of
custom-made baby announcements, wedding announcements, party invitations,
and yes, Christmas cards. They're online and they are local and very reasonably
priced. You can choose from their selections and just email them your digital
photo. Everyone will believe that you are indeed perfect, “ my, how
does she ever do it?” Why, the Paper Rabbit, of course. Check
out what they have online www.ThePaperRabbit.net,
or you can visit them personally at a gift show on Saturday, March 6th, from
11 am to 5pm at 13707 SW Benchview Place, Tigard; 503.524.5484. 10%
of all proceeds from the show will benefit the Junior League of Portland
and their charities. The show will also feature other local artists and vendors
from the Portland area. Great stuff!
No easy way to segue from rabbits to Superfoods (note: fluffy rabbit not
being one of them!)
But here goes: There are 14 foods considered to be Superfoods that promote
wellness and longevity. And we believe in them. This writer’s 91 year
old Grandmother has eaten them all her life, to go along with her daily glass
of wine and piece of chocolate (so we are inclined and delighted to add wine
and chocolate to our Superfoods list, in moderation of course.) Grandma Helen
still does her own gardening and subscribes to W. She is our idol. Because
we like to promote health and we love food (a lot!), we’d thought we’d
mention these Superfoods, just to remind you to stock up for your daily dose
of health:
Beans, blueberries, broccoli, oats, oranges, pumpkin, salmon, soy, spinach,
tea, tomatoes, turkey, walnuts and yogurt
You can find these Superfoods at any area supermarket of course. Though
more hip than hippy, organic supermarkets are for everyone and they are Portland
Picks choice. They have become de rigueur and are popping up all over. They
can be more expensive but it’s a pleasure to shop here.
Some of our favorite supermarkets include:
- New Seasons in Raleigh Hills and Sellwood.
- Market of Choice in Burlingame
- Natures/Wild Oats in Lake Oswego (great place for lunch and yoga!), Laurelhurst,
Beaverton
- Whole Foods in The Pearl (also great as happy hour single’s hangout
and cooking classes)
- Other favorites: Trader Joe’s, Zupan’s, Lamb’s, City
Market
You might also order from www.OrganicsToYou.org.
They will deliver a bin of organic fresh veggies and fruit to your doorstep
on a weekly basis. Very cool. Reminds us a tad of the now defunct Kosmo.com,
which we sorely miss.
Paris has one, Kate has one, Reese had one in Legally Blonde: Small
dogs as the new fashion accessory. Very city chic, and think of all the
things you can buy for your little furry fashionable friend. Burberry Carriers
and plaid wool sweaters, leather collars from Coach. You can even dress just
like your pooch in ‘His and Hers’ Polka Dot Dog wrap or pink
Baby Boa Dog Sweater from Cosmic Knits (www.CosmicKnits.com
also sold at Lexi Dog Boutique and Social Club on Macadam, and Elizabeth
Street on NW 23rd.) Cosmic Knits also sells pet furniture. Picture your
little doggie in his own bedroom with his own doggie armoire! You’ll
have so much fun playing dress up with your little one. And just imagine,
someone else to shop for!
Websites of the Week:
www.RosyLittleThings.com
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Handmade Vintage-Inspired Luxuries for Every Day (from Portland!)
 Chick
Picks:
Anne Klein has never been this groovy. Go to Nordstrom and check
out the funky square case watches with vibrant rainbow striped cuffs. Fabulous
and colorful just like you! They come with a blue face to go with those Diva
eyes or a pink face that is our fave. Heck, at only $55, you might as well
get them both to match your every mood.
 We
love everything about Cleansing Queen’s packaging and whimsical
themes. The Liquid Lingerie Body Lotion ($11) feels just like silk
& comes in two delicious scents – Shrinking Violet and Tickled
Pink, each saturated with amino acids, aloe vera, shea butter and vitamins
A, C, D and E. Your man won’t be able to resist your skin. Or, bask
in the powers of milk with Happy Birthday Suit Milkshake ($15) –
forget the food pyramid, get your dairy here with ingredients like real pasteurized
milk, aloe vera, shea butter & loads of essential oils. If you need a
pick me up during this very romantic month, take solace in how cool it is
to be a girl with these Oh-So-Fortunate to be Female ($15) soap fortune
cookies --- surprise messages inside remind you how great it is to be you!
Lather up for some positive affirmations and head to www.BeautyOfaSite.com
to bathe yourself in luxury.
Divas about town need plenty of beauty sleep, and that means pajamas for
all occasions. We’ve yet to see a better collection of pj’s than
at www.Sleepyheads.com
. Whichever brand you’re partial to --Cherry Pie, Nick & Nora,
Bedhead, Cat’s Pajamas, Love letters --- well, you get the picture...
Now, as an exclusive offer to all of you lovely ladies, Portland Picks Readers
will receive a discount on pajama purchases at Sleepyheads. Just click on
redeem to activate your discount. Make sure you write in 'Portland Picks'.
• Not only that, but if you refer 5 of your fabulous friends to sign
up for our newsletter (and cc: us at kathi@portlandpicks.com) we’ll
enter you in a contest for a free pair of pajamas in a cute “Sweetie
Box.” Let your pals in Portland Picks little secrets! We try to save
our readers both time and money because in this hectic life, we need all
the help we can get!
Portland Picks Cocktail of the Week:
 Romance
is in the air (it’s February after all) and nothing spells sexy like
a glass of bubbly...add to that passion fruit --- aptly named for its
alleged aphrodisiac properties, and you’ve got the perfect accompaniment
for a little After V-Day tryst. Go to www.Epicurious.com
for other yummy ideas for cocktails!
Passionfruit Champagne Cocktail
1 cup chilled passion fruit blend nectar
1/2 teaspoon Angostura bitters
1 cup chilled champagne or other sparkling white wine
4 fresh raspberries or small strawberries
1 orange slice, cut in half
Divide nectar and bitters between 2 chilled champagne flutes. Add champagne.
Drop 2 berries into each drink. Garnish with orange.
2 Servings; Can be doubled
Free Stuff:
Free Super Hip Screensavers for the Shoe Obsessed -
New York, NY February 12, 2004 – Everybody knows somebody addicted
to shoes. And now shoe lovers are decorating their desktops with shoe themed
Bootism ™ screensavers from www.Screensavers.com
. Images are adapted from the book, Bootism: a shoe religion (Andrews
McMeel 2003) and are available at no charge to users.
Bootisms, clever comments for people passionate about fashionable footwear
accompany each of the 12 stylishly designed screens. Samples include “There’s
always room for one more pair”, “The Bootist path begins with
a single step...In a kick-ass pair of shoes” and “Bootists
shall not lie...but you can misplace the receipt”.
“Shoes, more than any other fashion item hold a special place
in people’s lives and Bootism provides a voice and community for the
shoe obsessed” said Michael Duranko, author of Bootism: a shoe
religion. “The screensavers are beautiful and let people display
their devotion to shoes on their computer desktop. The feedback from Bootists
has been tremendous”
Free Goodies -
Receive a Free Goody Bag when you recommend Portland Picks to 15 of your
friends. Just email 15 of your friends and cc: Kathi@PortlandPicks.com along
with your mailing address and we’ll send you some treats as our thanks.
Hip Happenings:
 Big
Bam Self Exam
There are currently 250,000 women under the age of 40 living with Breast
Cancer. 10,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year for women between the
ages of 35-40. Please click on the above and print out your own Big Bam card.
Keep it in your purse, and remember to use it once a month.
Big Bam is a non-profit organization that creates breast cancer awareness
for women under the age of 40.
Look after yourself and the women you care about, and thank you for picking
Portland Picks!
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