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presenting |
| PORTLAND PICKS | ||
| life + style to you:
every Friday Jan 27 , 2006 |
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Last weekend we felt Old. Not old like "Oh, my sciatica," but old like "Who are these children and do their parents know they're out this late, and behaving like that?!?" Oh yeah. We went to a concert - a show for a band that we've been digging for years - and found that their new fan base is a cool 15 years younger than we anticipated. It was like being the chaperone at a really rowdy high-school field trip. We felt like pointing to our watches, and then to random groups of kids, and yelling, "Everyone on the bus in 15 minutes!" It was quite sobering. But we did learn this lesson: Even though we may not realize that we need to act our age, we definitely need to at least hang out with our peers. Maybe we'll start frequenting bingo games, or barbershops...after that experience, we need to feel like the young whippersnappers for a bit... |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Musts at Mystiq Okay, we didn't really buy the whole left side, but we could have, if we wanted. So hurry down before we get there and stake out the right side of the showroom, too. |
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| 2 | It's A Sign, A Signal Have you noticed the weather men always try to differentiate the type of rain we'll be having? I suppose they do it because just plain old rain day in and day out is predictable...and then we could all be weathermen. And besides, if that's all we get endless rain they need to start telling us which type of rain to spice it up. "Good news...we'll get a break fro the big sloppy drops today, instead it's sprinkly showers this afternoon." Oh goody. Let's just take a break entirely and drive up the mountain to some good old-fashioned snow. Yes, plain old snow and loads of it. But first, stop at Signal Sports in the Pearl and get all dolled up for whatever winter sport you're aiming for, whether it's for boarding, skiing, or just bunny'in, it's best to do it in Signal style. And Signal is designed for women only. (Sorry boys.) Most ski stores offer few women's choices, or offer smaller men's sizes, but women are not small men, honest. And Signal has the best, swankiest brands so you'll look cool, and hot, up there in all that snow. With brands like Burton, Obermeyer, Fire and Ice and Dakine, you don't have to forsake fashion for function. You also don't have to forsake function for fashion. Signal Sports for Women. Genius. Signal Sports For Women |
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| 3 | You're a Wild Child Well not "wild" per se. No, you are just "spirited," "precocious," "a bit of a handful." Translation? Let's call a spade a spade. You are wild, okay? But wild in a good way. Filled to the wee brim with mini joie de vivre. You're a biker babe, a lil dude. Nothing hum drum for you. And let's face it, you wouldn't be caught dead in any of this Garanimals matchy matchy stuff. And since that's the case, you need to shop at Wild Child on cool Northeast Alberta...where else? This is a wonderful children's boutique, a fun store to bring your wild one to, with fuzzy chairs and all. They carry a lot of local designers, great retro onesies, and paneled bowling shirts, funky bibs and even body care for mum. Check them out and go wild. |
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| 4 | It is Definitely What it Seams Some women are passionate about the hunt. They can go into an "estate sale" of junktiques and find the diamond in the rough. Our attention deficit doesn't allow us this skill. We don't have the patience to browse so long, instead needing the immediate gratification and reward of being surrounded by all diamonds and not much rough. Which is why we were so thrilled to discover Seams to Fit. Seams to Fit is a fabulous resale boutique in Northwest Portland. They have gorgeous designer duds and secret finds we have to have. Trust us on this one. Our most stylish couture girlfriends bring their clothes here for consignment (clothes we've always secretly coveted! And now we can have them, it's almost spooky...like that movie Heathers.) These are perfectly accessorized fashionistas who care about their clothes, the designers, and the highest quality styles. They love their clothes and take Virgo-esque pristine care, or they wear it once and move on, making room in their closets for the spring '06 line. In the market for an elegant fur? Save a few grand (not to mention some animals) and get a perfectly spankin new one here. Lace, chiffon, silk and practically new designer jeans and coats, too. We found the cutest leopard print BCBG pumps, a brand new cashmere v-neck Ralph Lauren sweater, gorgeous designer handbags, Prada trousers, Gucci heels, a beautiful pearl choker, evening wear and slip dresses. Now you can wear upscale clothing for less dinero and feel good about shopping. After all, you're doing your part to recycle. Seams to Fit |
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| 5 | Vino at Your Doorstep Just like we get our organic produce delivered, and our dry cleaning, and our Netflix, now we get our wine delivered too. If we wanted, we would never have to leave our house and we would so happily survive. The wine thing is a very good idea because though we love our wine, whom are we trying to fool? We can be pretty clueless when it comes to anything past something that "sounds good." Most wine drinkers like us try at least two new bottles of everyday wine each month, random bottles we come across at the supermarket...you know, the ones with the pretty labels. Now we have someone picking out wines for us, like a personal shopper...and then we can head fake our friends and make them think we are really in the know. We found a local monthly service that takes the guesswork and confusion out of selecting and enjoying great value wines. They taste a lot of bad wine so you don't have to! Check out Portland's Fruit Forward and subscribe today. Great service, nice folks, and delicious wines without the pretentious attitude. Fruit Forward |
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| 6 | Just Bag It Thank goodness big bags are in. In our case, and for our needs, bigger is better. In fact, supersize us! We can take it. All the better to stow all those important things we really, really need: receipts, loose tampons, our Burt's Bee's Lip Shimmer, our monogram hanky, our empty Altoids tin, our iPod and cell, some tea bags and our glasses and digital camera and notepad and Emergen'C, a bottle of water, a sugar free Red Bull (for rainy lethargic afternoons when we still have a bajillion things to do), photos of our kids and little beaded jewels they've made for us...and loads of room to spare if we want to add our shopping Picks and gadgets (like the pink Razor we're Jones’ in for.) Yes, thank heavens for this year's Big Bag. (What do you have in your bag? Do tell!) And we love the leather or suede bohemian style tote, a la Sienna Miller, but we don't want to pay the A-List price. Thankfully, Ellington Leather has a brown suede humungous bag with big rings and a fat leather band to withstand all our heft. This one is our Pick for the next big bag, but they have all kinds, so there's something for everyone in every style and every color. Ellington Leather makes fine leather bags that they sell to J. Jill, Sundance, Pendleton and more. And they have their own private label thank goodness. They are headquartered in Northwest Portland and that's where you can find their cool outlet store, and all their really big bags. Ellington Leather Outlet Store |
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| 7 | Rated Ped X I bought these boots that were really high and really, really small. They were on sale and I needed them because I had gained five pounds and I was going on a trip and the taller I was the less dowdy I looked. So as you can obviously see, desperate measures. Well, lesson learned: don't do this. I took them off on the airplane and couldn't get them back on. They were all I brought to New York City, except for my running shoes, and I had to wear them out at night. And remember no one drives there so one must walk, or eventually limp if you're me. At one point our cab was stopped in traffic and we were late for a show and so I had to run in my high-heeled tiny boots for blocks. Needless to say I had a mother of a blister. We're talking gangrenous proportions. (I feel so much better sharing. Thanks.) Anyway, I have since learned from my poor judgment. This might be obvious to most, but no matter how much something is on sale, if it isn't your size, don't buy it! No it won't stretch. If it doesn't fit you must acquit (?). Well I now shop at Ped X Shoes. It's a truly scrumptious shoe Shangri-la on Northeast Alberta. And these shoes would never, ever give you blisters. No, these shoes lovingly hug your feet. But we're not talking Easy Spirit. These guys are so stylish, urban and comfy, made from the finest leather. They carry uber modern, very cool accessories and shoes...by Camper, Tsubo, Medium and Frye. They carry a lot of local designers too. Pay them a visit soon! Your tootsies will thank you. Ped x shoes |
 pedxshoes.com |
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| 8 | Do You Feel Like a Natural Woman? Alima is an amazing woman-owned Portland company that dabbles in beauty, naturally. Alima founder and product designer, Kate O'Brien, started Alima in 2004 and has created a line of more than 200 products made from ultra-pure, micro-fine minerals. The all-natural foundations, blushes, eye shadows, shimmer powders and lip balms are beautiful and better for you because they're completely additive- and allergen-free. They're made locally and are available online at www.alimacosmetics.com |
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| 9 | See Red for Valentine's Day You got it - another holiday! That's right, Valentine's Day is right around the corner and nobody celebrates "Love American Style" like Red Star. Please join them for a special V-Day menu February 10th through the 14th. Executive Chef Rob Pando has created a passionate menu especially for you love-birds, including delicious dishes like Dungeness Crab Louie or Beef Tenderloin with Oregon Black Truffle Bernaise Sauce. For the truly daring, they'll be offering a sumptuous Chocolate Fondue infused with Frangelico for dessert. Go on...make that table next to you roll their eyes! It's Valentine's Day! In addition, February is extra-special, because during wine hour at the adjacent hotel, 5th Avenue Suites, guests can purchase a one-of-a-kind, "Love-Tini," a concoction whose light $2 price-tag goes to support the American Heart Association! (Check out our Cocktail of the Week for the recipe!) Red Star will also be rolling out the red carpet for their 2nd Annual Academy Awards Night! What...you were going to watch it at home??? Come join them, as they haul a huge screen into their dining room and gaze and watch the riveting, the glitzy, and the glammy walk away with Oscar! Who will it be? Heath? Phillip? Reese? The Oscars are the ultimate American Celeb-Fest...where else would you go?! Red Star Tavern and Roadhouse |
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| 10 | You’re Almost Perfect As we’ve gotten older we’ve realized that nobody is perfect. And if you think you are perfect, that’s your imperfection. Everyone has their issues, their dysfunction, that’s what makes the world go round. And let’s face it, we like you better that way. You are way cooler being imperfect than if you were perfect. If you were perfect, we’d hate you actually. But it’s okay to strive for perfection. We’re goal oriented too. So for all of you strivers, there’s A Perfect You…well not perfect exactly. A Perfect You is permanent makeup application. You can wake up in the morning next to Mr. Whoever and look, well, nearly perfect as you did the night before. Check them out for a free consultation. There’s permanent makeup for your eyes, your lips and you can do it so it’s natural, enhancing what you have. Bring out your natural beauty all the time. And it’s one less thing to do in the morning. They also do reconstruction and can camouflage any imperfections. (Oops there we go again.) A Perfect You |
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| Website of the Week: 43things.com | |||
To Do It's a new year and there's all that goal-setting to do. You know, if you write down your goals, it makes it easier to achieve them. Now we've found a site that allows you to write down and share 43 things, making a commitment, setting goals, and also peeking at what others have written down and their progress along the way. Plus it's just interesting to snoop into others dreams. You've got space for 43 Things on your list. Not every one of them has to change the world (but save room for the ones that might). This is pretty cool. Go to www.43things.com and get inspired, share your progress, make them happen! What are you waiting for?! |
 43things.com |
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| Cocktail of the Week: | |||
The Love-tini
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail mixer and shake! Pour honey in the bottom of a martini glass. Pour cocktail over honey. Enjoy with your honey....
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 redstartavern.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | The Art of Weddings: A Modern Wedding Soiree For The Stylish Bride Thursday, March 23, 2006 We’ll have an interactive couture bridal fashion show, Check out all of the cool details at www.artofweddingspdx.com. Call 503.228.8280 ext. 202 to RSVP, orRSVP through the Web site. The first 100 brides to RSVP will receive an amazing goodie bag worth more than $300! |
 artofweddingspdx.com |
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| 2 | The 4th Annual Bridal Loft Brunch and Cocktail Party, In addition to the stimulating discussions, the event offers a pampering Beauty Bar, where brides can indulge in makeup tips from Event Cosmetics, hair demos by 77 and Fada Salon, and services by other beauty professionals. Champagne, cocktails, and catering by The Embassy Suites will be featured; as well as cakes by Zee Cakes and Joseph’s Dessert Company. An intimate,
trunk-show-style gown viewing will feature a bridesmaids’ collection by Christa Michelle Clothing and wedding dresses by Sarah Mansfield, designer of the popular Frill gown line. |
 thebridalloft.net |
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| 3 | Vintage Office Goods Sale @ OFFICE / Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29 Here’s what you’ll find:
Free! For more info, contact event@officepdx.com www.officepdx.com. |
 officepdx.com |
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| 4 | Cargo's 25% off store-wide sale. Going on now through end of February. New shipment just in from China; lots of wonderful warehouse space upstairs, doubling the already obese space. Now officially gigantic. Cargo |
 cargoinc.com |
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| 5 | Valentine Tea to benefit CARES On February 5, 2006, the first annual Valentine Tea to benefit CARES Northwest, will be held at the Multnomah Athletic Club from 2 ˇ 4 pm and you’re invited! This is a family event with Valentine craft projects for the children. |
 caresnw.org |
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| 6 | Women in Business Need another reason to love living in Portland? Try this - Portland ranks number one on the list of metropolitan areas with women owned businesses. And we've found a someone who's an expert on the topic. Madeleine Domries of Spirit Thieves will be leading her Women in Business seminar from 1 to 5 p.m. on Friday, February 10. In addition to great discounts from local businesses, experts on attitude and fashion, and much more, you'll also enjoy a formal high tea. But that's not all - because Madeleine is such a fan of ours, she is For more information, check out www.spiritthieves.com |
 spiritthieves.com |
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Thanks to the sun this week for making an appearance. We needed that dollop of Vitamin D. And thanks to you Sunshine for being with us. Portland Picks |
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