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We’re in Spring Tease mode....the sun comes out,
the sun ducks inside, the flowers bloom, they get confused, they freeze, they
die, they bloom again. We think spring is coming, we get “that feeling”
(it’s too bad they haven’t bottled that essence--we’d be
bathing in it right now.) Unfortunately, the rain, rain won’t go away
so we have stolen some sunny spots and thoughts for you this week.
Sometimes in the morning, when we haven’t had time to shower before
taking the kids to school, we throw on our cutest fitness attire and pretend
like we’re on our way to a work out. And, best of all, we create the
illusion of "I am in total control of my balanced life and even have
time to exercise too.” And once in awhile we really will go to the gym
(imagine!) Heck, part of the reason we work out is to justify buying all those
cute outfits. And we simply have to take up yoga because they have the cutest
of all. (And yoga is what all those long, lean Hollywood glam girls do to
get their lanky bods that we will one day surely have. Except we are far more
sensible and won’t need to starve or smoke too.)
We have discovered our favorite fitness apparel in The Pearl at Physical
Element. Believe you me, these are not your mother’s sweat suits.
(These are most definitely not those his and hers maroon velour sweat outfits
you see some people wearing on the airplane with the comfy elastic waistbands!)
This store is sleek and extremely sexy just like the unique and very fabulous
clothes. They have gorgeous yoga wear, fitness wear, pedal wear and running
apparel from all over the world to make you look and feel your best while
doing all the activities you enjoy to keep your beautiful self fit and healthy.
Physical Element, 1124 NW Lovejoy Street.
We look so damn good; we can envision ourselves up with those skinny girls
that are in the front row at Step class. Maybe someday soon we’ll even
move up a person or two from out of the far back corner.
Since exercise can become boring and routine, it’s important to vary
your exercise as often as you vary your underwear. Variety is the slice of
life and do we have choices for you. Start your program now so you can wear
a swimsuit by the time the sun finally rears its lovely head. Following is
a week’s worth of fitness options you might want to check out. And each
day of exercise, means another chance to show off another new outfit!
Day 1. Head to Club Sport. This place is amazing. They have nonstop
classes going on and an astonishing variety. They have the biggest facility
this side of the Mississippi. Their childcare is like Disneyland, and they
even have the largest rock-climbing wall--if you are so inclined (get it
- inclined?)
Day 2. College of India – Bikram’s Hot Yoga in Sellwood
or off Macadam. You feel like you ran a marathon, completely awash with
endorphins and so relaxed. This is really the only thing we have done where
we intensely felt the benefit. Our skin felt great like we just had a facial.
We perspired out all those icky toxins, we stretched ourselves a little taller,
and we were so relaxed we practically needed a nap.
Day 3. 24 Hour Fitness in the Pearl...very swanky scene –
state of the art equipment, kickboxing, spinning. Hot guys after work (but
who’s looking?)
Day 4. Avalon Spa – With your workout at the Avalon Fitness
Club's 4,200 sq. ft. facility, members and guests have access to the Avalon
Spa's sauna, steam room, whirlpool tubs and, of course, lockers. The non-member
daily use fee for the Fitness Club is $15, and you even get complimentary
valet parking.
From April 12-July 16, 2004,
the Avalon Spa and Fitness Club is offering three great Get Ready
for Summer packages.
Beach Body (This is our favorite!)
- Personal Training Session - specifically tailored to meet fitness
goals
- Spirulina Algae Body Wrap - Imparts minerals and vitamins to nourish
the body. Very effective when used as part of a slimming or nourishing program.
Priced at $195 (a $215 value), includes day pass to the Avalon Fitness
Club.
Extreme Makeover
Who says you have to go on tv for your extreme makeover. Avalon’s is
far more painless and reasonable.
- Manual Micro Dermabrasion Facial - Manual application of a specially
formulated micro crystal treatment; sloughs off unwanted dry and damaged
skin cells. Designed to treat fine lines, wrinkles and pigment variations.
A wonderful alternative to harsh, vacuum micro dermabrasion.
- Make-up Application - Summer color application to reveal your natural
beauty.
- Cut and Style -A new summer cut to fit active lifestyles.
All for $178 (regularly $198), including a day pass to the Avalon Fitness
Club.
Head to Toe -
- Advanced Enzyme Facial - Advanced enzyme technology producing immediate,
noticeable results. This procedure dramatically improves skin’s firmness,
texture and color. No sensitivity or redness – a great lunch time facial!
- Walk on the Rocks Pedicure - A revitalizing service that includes
a warm mud mask and hot river stone leg and foot massage. They finish with
a rich, nourishing lotion application and perfectly polished summer toes.
Package price: $165 (a $184 value), including day pass to Avalon Fitness
Club.
Or, why not try all three?
 Day
5. Visit the Trainers Club in Lake Oswego – 333 S. State Street,
Lake Oswego;
From the moment you enter the intimate club, you'll feel immediately that
you are in a special place by the rich sensual smell of leather couches,
the warm color tones on the walls, displays of original artwork, steam, sauna,
and even on-site massage.
With a complete weight-training room, cardio vascular area, and aerobics
classes included with your membership, Trainer's Club presents a unique combination
of fitness amenities and the pampering of a private club.
And for you, our Portland Picks friend, a one week free pass!
Day 6. Jazzercise...Okay, don’t laugh. I know this conjures
up memories of your mom in her legwarmers and sweatbands back in the 80s
but have you tried it lately? By most standards, it’s a cheap walk-in
(with childcare provided.)
No long-term commitment necessary. Chances are you can go incognito and
disco your heart out; it’s actually really fun. This new Jazzercise
encompasses everything: circuit training, body sculpting and you really feel
like you’ve gotten an excellent workout to fun groovin’ music.
And like Flashdance, you’ll feel like a “maniac, ma-n-i-ac....”
(Look online for a Jazzercise near you: www.Jazzercise.com)
Day 7. Yoga in the Pearl
925 NW Davis St (503) 525-YOGA
Like most things in the Pearl, this is a beautiful space. They offer several
yoga styles, Pilates, healing therapies and a wonderful cafe. The perfect
healthy hangout! And they have a terrific introductory offer for you –
three yoga classes for just $15.00.
If you want even more variety to get your heart racing, try these:
- Okay, Sunday afternoon, it’s sunny, and you just haven’t
had enough. Meet your girlfriend at Starbucks on NW 23rd for a latte and
go for a nice long walk up Vista to Council Crest and back again. Approx.
6 miles both ways, with plenty of time to dish some dirt and feel the burn.
- Go dancing at Crystal Ballroom. You’ll feel the earth move under
your feet as you boogie your bootie off from hip to hippie music seven days
a week. Check out the schedule: www.McMenamins.com
- Go mountain Biking in Forest Park
- Go hiking through Tryon Creek.
- Run, walk or ride along the Willamette River Eastbank Esplanade, a 1.5-mile
pedestrian/cycling trail that extends along the east side of downtown Portland’s
Willamette . With connections from four bridges, you can now complete a
three-mile loop that offers unparalleled views of downtown Portland.
That should give you enough activity to whip you into shape before summer,
practically for free, and remind you why you live in a place like this.
Random Picks and Twists:
 We’re
counting the days until we’re poolside, but in the meantime we’re
channeling Spring with these colorful hooked rug bags from Julie Hubbard
at Findtastics! Trust us, you’ll be the envy of all of your friends
when you tote one of these bold, eye-catching works of art and sashay about
the resort (In fact, pick up more than one so you don’t have to limit
yourself!).
Handmade in a little known village in Africa, no two are alike, and you’ll
love the sturdy bamboo handles... We haven’t seen a cooler handbag
in ages, so shoot Julie an email at julieghubbard@msn.com,
before Drew or Cameron beat you to it! And don’t waste any time because
there’s currently a wait.... ("W x 5"D x 8"H and $139.99.)
These are a combo of everything we adore to make the perfect statement this
spring: flower power, shocking pinks, and bright colors.
We have one and love it!
Even when it’s drizzly outside, one gaze at our bag, and we are instantly
cured of our winter blahs. www.Findtastics.com.
 Bead
Flower Foot Thong .
Hey you exotic sexy siren, when you’re at the beach this spring, try
on the new foot thongs and drive the natives wild.
If you’re going somewhere warm, hang out in these instead of sandals
or nothing at all. Beads brighten your toesies with a better-than-barefoot
look that's just as comfy.
www.Nordstroms.com
 A
new way to say Thank you!
Smooch! We love these. We want to kiss them, and then devour them!
Run over to Meringue and stock up on these dazzling and unique Chocolate
bars from Chocolate Talk. They are vibrantly decorated and carefully
wrapped in bright pink foil. A darling gift card is attached which makes
it easy to fill out and drop off for a friend, a teacher, a business associate,
or depending on the Talk, your husband or boyfriend.
Each bar has a message such as Smooch, Thanks, Love and more. If you are
getting married, you can order a large quantity of the Love Bars and personalize
them with the bride and groom’s name and date and use them as a wedding
favor. A very thoughtful and original keepsake. Or you can fill in the back
of the attached tag and use it for a dinner party as a clever place card.
Meringue, Lakeview Village Mall, 385 First Street, Lake Oswego.
 Cool
Rockets at Twist: Twist has the coolest rockets, called, get ready, “Cool
Rockets.”
They are authentic production models of rockets created from an original
rocket design. They are hand made, like old-fashioned tin toys, replicas
from the 40s and 50s, and so damn cool!
Twist, 30 NW 23rd Place (503) 224-0334
- What’s hot in shoes this spring?
 Other
than bright colors and flowers-flowers everywhere, Cinderella is back and
she’s brought her glass slippers. But this time there’s a shoe
that fits everyone.
Transparent heals are popping up everywhere this spring. Check out
the great selections from Saks and Nordstrom downtown.
They are deliciously feminine, with a touch of fun!
- For a relaxing spring vacation, don’t forget to sneak away for some
you-time.
Some good meditation an hour a day is excellent for your health. To help
you relax and shut out the world, or for a quick pick-me-up, all the lucky
ladies pop on a soothing Eye Gel Mask from Lucky Chick.
This very calming mask can be used hot or cold—whichever your lucky
heart desires!
Available at Nordstrom, just $8.00.
 Protect
your puckers this spring with Lip Tint SPF 15! Give your lips the
shade they’ve been looking for—sheer, shimmering, conditioning
color that protects with naturally-derived sunscreens, organic conditioners
to help smooth and anti-oxidants to reduce lines.
Available at Aveda stores on Northeast Broadway and Northwest 23rd.
- Sometimes shopping for a swimsuit can be a terribly painful experience.
And who wants to spend bazillions of dollars on something you dread to put
on anyway? We have the answer to this. Target has all their swimsuits
in, dozens and dozens to choose from, many of which mix and match.
And at $14 dollars a pop, we left with a handful. In fact, we didn’t
even try them on. And hey, guess what? We loved them all. These cute and
colorful suits have stripes and polka dots and bright colors in all kinds
of sexy styles. You can buy 2 or three different tops to go with the same
bottom for a little variety.
You’ll definitely add some sizzle to your summer with these!
Website Pick of the Week:
www.Nitalina.com
– all about empowerment, health, healing and women supporting women.
All the things we love!
Now girls, after all this shopping and exercising you should now be ready
for Spring Break in all your glamorous glory. Now go out there and shine,
even when the sun doesn’t. When it rains think about how the earth is
drinking it up and how the moist air enriches our skin.We are earning summer!
Go out and glow! Seize the day and we’ll keep looking for all the very
best things because you deserve them.
Hip Happenings:
You're invited to a Henry Brown Designer Sale featuring inventory
from Henry Brown, Sandra Lamer, and Janet Edwards. Friday, March 12,
9 to 5, Saturday, March 13, 10-5. First come first serve. 1825 NW Vaughn
Street; 503.227.7755 (at old West Coast Plant address.)
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