Buying a home is like drinking a bottle of Jagermeister and then taking a little stroll.  You may think you know where you’re going, but when you wake up, you won’t know where you are or how the hell you got there.  Also you’re probably going to puke.  A lot.  

Or…you can hook up with Suze Riley, our favorite local real estate agent.  The first home Suze bought in Portland was for her own family fourteen years ago when they first moved here from London.  She understands what it means to be in a new, unfamiliar place, to be stressed out about making one of life’s toughest decisions, and to want to get it all done by yesterday.  But she also understands that it has to be a good fit.  Which is why she takes the time to get to know her clients and make sure they steer clear of the many land mines between them and their dreams.

Plus she’s a real cool lady.  A sitting board member of PICA (Portland Institute for Contemporary Art), Suze has commissioned a number of local artists to answer the question: “What does ‘home’ mean to you?”  The original artwork, which is reproduced for her attention-grabbing ads, decorates her office – just the first of many perks you get for going in to see her.  Homes are expensive.  Money’s hard to make.  The population here is booming.  Inventory has never been lower.  Suze Riley gets it all and, most importantly, she’ll take the time to get you into the right house.  

Suze Riley, Principal Broker, The Hasson Company
25 NW 23rd Place
Portland OR 97210
503.802.6455
suzeriley@comcast.net
www.suzeriley.com

Your Dog is a Rock Star

Nobody’s dog is cuter than yours, right?  He’s so special – that way he cocks his head when you call his name, the adorable shiver of anticipation he gets as you fill his bowl with food, the way he makes gagging sounds as he chokes for no reason, just as people are leaning down, hands extended to pet him, while exclaiming, “What a cute…ohhh…yeah.” Or maybe that’s just our dog.
 
Seriously, we took him to the beach the other day (yep, we played Righteous Hooky) and he was being so darn cute and people were noticing him, and then – YAACK – this horrible gag and a pulling back of the jowls to expose his tiny back teeth.  It was good stuff.
 
No matter how cute (or embarrassing) your dog may be, they’re happy to treat him like a rock star for a day at Dogstar.  This Pearl District-based doggie daycare has a big, open room for endless hours of doggie frolicking and socializing, and a terrific storefront for you where you can pick up all kinds of cool doggie doodads (bowls, leashes, etc., etc.) for your supercool canine companion.
 
They offer boarding, professional grooming, and obedience classes, and cats are welcome, too!  Plus they always have two kitties and one dog up for adoption, in partnership with the Oregon Humane Society.  Daycare rates are $26 for a full day, $22 for a half, or $8 an hour if you just want to drop him off for a bit of socializing, or while you get your carpets cleaned.
 
Dogstar
1313 NW Kearney
Portland, OR 97209
503.227.0292

Row, Row, Row Your Boat

I always thought rowing was so cool. In college, I thought rowing was so Ivy League and I was determined to do it.  Always focused, I thought in addition to the c-factor, John F. Kennedy, Jr.- types would be doing it too, and they would see how much we had in common.  So one morning, actually it was so early it was still night, I got up and went to try out.  It was raining and dark and cold…and 5 a.m.  And I never went back again.  

As an “adult,” I have nightmares about not going to class and then having to take the final...no, wait, that was real.  I also have nightmares about not knowing my locker combination or being in a play and never having memorized my lines and suddenly I was on stage, nightmares I never actually graduated (just so you know, I did!), and nightmares of NOT making the rowing team.  But guess what?  No more.  I can do it now, at this (older-ish) age.  And I don’t have to get up at nighttime or even do it in the cold if I don’t feel like it.  

The Lake Oswego Community Rowing Club offers programs and classes from the novice to the experienced rower.  It’s fabulous exercise and so much fun.  They have an incredible staff of coaches and if you’re really eager, they offer competitive rowing if you join as a member.  And if you want, you can even have your own private lessons.  All of this along the scenic Willamette River near Lake Oswego.  Finally, I can be on that team.  And you can too.  Dare you.

For more information, visit lorowing.org
Located in the Charlie S. Brown Water Sports Center
near Roehr Park on the Willamette River in Lake Oswego.
www.lorowing.org

Magma Rain

Thank heavens this rain is good for something. While we were complaining about it, Blake at Magma found beauty and inspiration in it.  Magma is handcrafted glass jewelry, it’s art, and it’s so gorgeous.  Our heart skipped a beat, and it took our breath away, honest, when we first viewed Blake’s new line that she created during this dismal, gloomy, rainy 72 days holed up in her Soho-ish studio creating her masterpiece of a line.  OMG!  She makes hairpins!  Cards!  And the most amazing jewelry, earrings, and necklaces you’ve ever seen.  It’s truly scrumptious...and will take your breath away too.  

Given that we are native Oregonians, it would be blasphemous to carry, much less own, an umbrella (as children we are weaned early). Anyway, most important to note, umbrellas can obscure your jewelry! So with wet hair plastered against your cheek, you can now show off her latest rain-inspired line of jewelry made of hollow glass beads shaped into small drops. Earrings and necklaces are available in cool-water tones of gray, more gray (!), aqua, and clear.  The Spring line is currently available in the Magma showroom – while  the rain lasts.  (And hey, don’t be fooled!  We have another 6 or 7 months of this!)

Magma Studio and Showroom
1720 NW Lovejoy, #103
Portland, OR
503. 753.1655
www.magmajewels.com

Oooh, That’s Exquisite!

Let’s revisit: In light of your recent Valentine’s Day email: “Hey, don’t forget to pick up my shirts at the cleaners...and oh yeah, Happy VD,” we’ve got some serious work ahead of us.

Cielo Blu Studios has arrived.  They have just opened their new Design Gallery & Showroom in South East Portland in the Water Avenue Commerce Center.  Cielo Blu creates hand printed, exquisite stationery.  Stationery with contemporary designs, custom ink colors, and fine European metallic papers.  Their fresh take on the ancient art of silk screening allows for the most vivid colors available for print.  From delicate flowers to bold patterns they offer a complete range of products from cards, boxed notes, journals, gift wrap, personal stationery or custom invitations (think wedding!).  Be bold, be unique, be exquisite.

And because you love to scoop your friends on everything hot in this city, they just opened officially yesterday...so scoot!  

Cielo Blu Studios - Design Gallery
1028 SE Water Ave., Suite 238 
(across the street from ClarkLewis)
Portland, OR
t. 503.445.9568
f. 503.473.8419

Drive-Thru Health Care

Here’s the deal.  I fell a week or so ago, up the stairs.  I was at this spa in Santa Barbara and just had a facial and a peel.  Despite the peel part I was very relaxed, very.  Afterward I went down the winding marble stairs and grabbed a cup of hot tea and pilfered an armful of bottled water from the gym to take back to my room.  I was walking back up the really high, slicey, marble stairs and must have been so relaxed or just stupid, but I tripped, threw the hot cup of tea directly into my face (after the instructions from the facial that said not to wash with hot water for a couple days...ha!) and because of my hands being full I couldn’t break my fall and my knee was cut open.  I was rushed to emergency and got a number of stitches.  Anyway, really long story longer, the stitches were due to come out and I would have had to go all the way to my very far away doctor and wait and fill out forms and wait, et al.  I was actually contemplating taking the stitches out myself, honest, because I was so busy.  

Fate, however, intervened and I found myself at Rite Aid buying Sponge Bob Valentines when I noticed the new Take Care Health Center next to the pharmacy.  I poked my head in to the nurse practitioner and asked, “Could you take out my stitches?” and she said sure, sit down.  And 5 minutes later I was on my very merry way, Valentines in hand, beautifully freed from my stitches.  It cost $30 but my time is worth at least that.

The convenience and ease was astounding.  There was no red tape whatsoever, yet the service was high quality.  It’s drive-thru health care.  They’ll even do it and charge your insurance if you’d rather, or if you don’t have insurance, no biggie.  They can write prescriptions, too.  They can check if you think you have Strep, or if your child complains of an earache at 9 o’clock at night, voila...drive-thru.  Granted, if you’re having a heart attack or something more serious I wouldn’t go there, but even if you’re a hypochondriac and think you’re dying of the latest pandemic, like we sometimes do, you can just pop by, drop $30 and ease your fears (easing fears...priceless!).  This is not an advertisement, by the way.  I left so completely impressed.  It’s genius. Convenience.  Love.

Take Care Health Center
At Most Rite Aid’, near the pharmacy

Collage Bound

We always wished we could be artists, in our own studio, throwing a pot a la Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze in “Ghost,” but replace him with Colin Farrell.  But the potting thing is not our gig.  We tried.  Not gonna happen.   And because we’re slightly ADD, we didn’t have the patience to put in the struggling hours.  We figure if there was some sort of hidden talent within that we hadn’t yet realized, it would have reared its head early on.  So how do we rationalize having a very swanky studio so we can at least pretend to be artists and “go to our studio” if we never have anything to show for it?  Our friends might catch on.  

Enter Collage!  Collage is an art and scrapbooking supply store on NE Alberta and can make anyone an actual creative genius.  You feel that high when you come away with what masterpiece you, yes you, created!  And it isn’t crap!  And you can go to one of their extremely cool classes and learn just about anything, or just attend their FridayWorknight from 6 p.m. to midnight and go to town.  Every Friday you’ll have access to all the store’s tools.  Things like rubber stamps, lino cutting tools, soldering irons, stencils, punches, paper and mat cutters, idea books, brushes, palettes, the list is long.  You bring or buy all the consumables. You pay only $1 per hour, which is waived if your purchases exceed $20.

They’ll even fetch dinner for you from one of the great restaurants on Alberta.  (Sigh...if only our husbands could fetch...)  People have been known to have much too much fun at these worknights.  Limited to the first 10, so call ahead to reserve your spot with a $5 deposit.

Collage
1639 NE Alberta
Portland, OR
503.249.2190

Handmade Happiness

Remember that sweater your Nanny knitted you when you were just yea high?  The purple one with the jeweled buttons that you so coveted, but could never wear because it itched…so…darn…much.  That was nice of her.  Making a present that could rip a child’s skin off in the course of an afternoon.  Maybe we need to rethink our relationship with Nanny…maybe she wasn’t such a “sweet old lady” after all.  Huh.
 
In any case, if you still have an appreciation for handmade items (despite those pesky skin grafts), we want you to run – don’t walk – to Ella Posie.  It’s a little hidden jewel box of a boutique.  They have the most wonderful selection of hand-crocheted items – from capelets and scalloped scarves to handbags, jumpers, sweaters and hats – even stuff for baby!  
 
Plus they have handmade greeting cards (made by the owner’s sister), one-of-a-kind jewelry, and the loveliest selection of bridal items, including vintage hats, pretty garter belts, beautiful jewelry and sparkly hair adornments.  We want to get married just to wear the flower rings…you have to see to believe.  Total, 100% cuteness.  Oh, and they do event planning, too.
 
Oh, Ella Posie!  You’re so much better than Nanny’s itchy old sweater!
 
Ella Posie
1916 NE Broadway (inside sofa, table, chair)
Portland, OR 97232
503.236.2933
www.ellaposie.com

Chic with Soul

One word:  Lucina.  The Lucina Company was launched in November, and Lucina works with fair trade importers to open up new markets for developing-world artisans and connects them with kindred-spirit designers in Portland and beyond.  These guys are chic-with-soul.   (We love that line...we aspire to be chic-with-soul...we’re going to start throwing that around.  Chic with soul, chic with soul.  But these guys have truly earned it.)

The contemporary bling mixed with the earthy, lustrous seeds is a striking combination.  But its beauty goes even deeper. The brilliant red choclo and coffee-like brown algarrobo seeds come from the workshops of Joyería Semilla, which is South American Spanish for “seed jewelry.” Situated high in the Andes, the jewelry workshop trains and employs local at-risk youth in the craft of jewelry making. Several of the artisans are also single mothers, and this is their only safe way to earn a living. Lucina has forged a relationship with Joyería Semilla with the goal of developing a profitable, enduring market for the workshop’s exceptional products.

Every item beautifully articulates the company's philosophy of illuminate, inspire, indulge.   And that, dear friends, is what makes Lucina chic-with-soul.  

www.lucinacompany.com

. Mmm… Mortgages…

Are you thinking of buying a new home or refinancing? We recommended a good realtor so we can’t leave you in the lurch – you need a good mortgage broker, too.  And we’ve found him for you – no Jagermeister required.
 
Justin Valdivia can help you get the rate you need, the payment you like, and the peace of mind that goes with owning a home.  We like his style – he’s responsive, dependable and a real pleasure to work with.  Buying a home is fun – doing the loan paperwork?  Not so much…yet Justin’s sense of humor and professionalism makes it incredibly easy.  Enjoyable, even!
 
Seriously, there are a lot of mortgage brokers in this town…it’s like, where do you begin to look? As much as you need a tip from a friend for finding a realtor, you need one for a mortgage broker, too.  We trust Justin – he always keeps us posted on where we are in the loan process, and his above-and-beyond level of service is remarkably well-priced – no hidden fees, no surprises, just a solid deal that can help you enjoy your new digs even more.  
 
Give him a ring if you’re in the market, and of course, tell him Portland Picks sent you!
 
Justin Valdivia
Loan Specialist
NW Premier Mortgage
8700 SW Creekside Plaza, Suite B
Beaverton, OR 97008
503.848.9117
justin@nwpremier.org

Our Life as a Montage Mix

Sometimes when we’re plugged into our iPod and going about our business, working out, walking around town, our fave songs playing in our ear, it feels like we are on TV, and starring in our own montage.  And so, voila!    We created “Our Life As a Montage” iTunes Mix.

We created “Our Life As a Montage” iTunes Mix.  If only our life could always have appropriate tunes playing in the background of everything we do (supermarket shopping, walking the dog...) and more importantly, hopefully someone out there is willing to watch our show...at least for the soundtrack.  

You can borrow it for your own life.

1st. The intro: Let Go, Frou Frou. When this chick song that we love plays in our head we feel like we are in a very cool TV show intro, maybe as a doctor in the emergency room, or what the hell, the elevator with him, extreme tension from unrequited love that gets good ratings. When we hear this song, packing Scooby lunch boxes and ironing on Boy Scout patches does not exist in our incredibly exciting lives.  Not with this music in the background.   No way.

2nd. Bad Day, Daniel Powter. (“You had a bad day. You're taking one down. You sing a sad song just to turn it around ...”)   This of course is the everything goes wrong, having a bad day song that is playing in the background when we scuff our new Dolce & Gabbana pumps, we can’t find a parking spot and we’re already late for our gynecology appointment, and we have just weighed ourselves.

3rd. Black Horse and the Cherry Tree, KT Tunstall.  This is our car commercial song...if our car was something cooler than this SUV we drive, that looks exactly like everyone else’s SUV.  Everyone needs a car commercial song in their montage.  We do spend a great deal of time in the car after all doing very important things.  (Though our car commercial song ought to really be:” Jesus, Take the Wheel,” by Carrie Underwood.)

4th. Don’t Give Up, Bono and Alicia Keys.  We have just hung up the phone with the husband after returning from school conferences.  “How come our kids aren’t Talented And Gifted?” he wonders aloud,  and we tell him that granted the kids are not as bright as we had hoped,  but they are very special in their own way.    
“Don’t give up...”   (Re: the “we” -- please note, the husband is not a polygamist.)

5th. Upside Down, Jack Johnson.  Because this is our life...always upside down, chaotic, disheveled, we can relate dearly.  It’s also the song from the new Curious George soundtrack so it’s easy to visualize this in our montage because since the movie, we’ve played it 3200 times for little Muffy.  At least it’s kid-music by Jack Johnson, we tell ourselves, and not Kidz Bop.

6th. We Belong Together, Mariah Carey.  This would be the romantic love portion of our montage...in slo-mo, naturally. (Unfortunately, it’s the dream sequence.)

7th.  I’m Not Waiting in Line, Train.  We always hear this song when we’re doing the waiting in line portion of our montage.  It gets quite a bit of air-time.  It makes waiting in line easier, when we are hearing, “I’m NOT waiting in line,” even though we are.

Fade out....

There you have it.  Our Life as a Montage.  Hey, what’s on your soundtrack?

Book of the Week: “How to Sleep with a Movie Star,” by Kristin Harmel

In light of the looming Oscars how about a dishy celeb story...26-year-old Claire Reilly is on top of her game as one of the youngest celebrity reporters and editors in the business. At Mod magazine, she is a consummate professional, interviewing dreamy Hollywood hunks and staying on top of every story.

Unfortunately, her live-in boyfriend seems intent on setting the world’s record for celibacy, yet she finds herself penning articles like “Ten Reasons You Should Have a One-Night Stand.”  When Claire lands the plum assignment of interviewing Cole Brannon, Hollywood’s #1 hottie, she knows better than to mix business with pleasure, but the next morning, she finds herself in Cole’s bed...without her clothes. After the tabloids pick up the story, Claire’s life is turned upside down.

In struggling to regain her reputation, she’ll learn a great deal about herself...and that you shouldn’t always believe everything you read.

Party Like The Stars!

Sunday, March 5, is fast approaching, and that means it’s time to roll out the red carpet for your Oscar night soiree.  The Lippman Company, Portland’s oldest party store, has everything you need to accessorize your party, your home, and yourself for a Hollywood-themed party.
 
To help everyone get into the spirit, they have stocked up on everything you need to host a night of glitz and glamour, including “May I have the envelope, please…” invitations, Hollywood & film-themed plates and napkins, cityscape and 3-D film reel centerpieces, red carpets, star & movie camera string decorations, popcorn bags and buckets, champagne glasses, Oscar ballot and movie-star guessing games, scene setters to dress up walls, life-size movie-star cut-outs, and clapboards of all sizes--from key chains to giant!  Ooh, and don’t forget their realistic Oscar replica statues that you can engrave and give to your guests, or use to hold some clapboard or Hollywood balloons.  
 
If you plan to go all out for your bash, they also rent real red carpets and stanchions with velvet ropes to make your guests feel truly special as they arrive.  As always, you will find a wide array of other unique party supplies in their extensive star section or in the rest of the store to complement your Hollywood theme.  They are staying open late on Friday, March 3, until 11 p.m. for last-minute shoppers--just follow the giant spotlights in the sky!

• Where: 50 SE Yamhill (on the corner of Water Avenue, just six blocks North of OMSI at the base of the Morrison Bridge)
• Hours: M-F 9-6 and Saturday 9-6
• Phone: 503.239.7007
• Website: www.lippmancompany.com
  

Penner-Ash Wine Cellars Hosts Benefit Dinner

Oregon’s newest winery will open its doors – and dozens of bottles of wine – for an exciting Mercy Corps benefit dinner on Saturday, March 5th. Winemaker Lynn Penner-Ash will pair her award-winning wine with cuisine from celebrated chef, Dave Machado of Lauro Kitchen and Vindahlo, for a dinner that’s sure to sell out despite die-hard Academy Awards watchers.

Surrounded by windows overlooking the Willamette Valley, dinner guests will be treated to more than an unforgettable view. Chef Machado will carefully craft a five-course meal designed to complement vintage and pre-release Penner-Ash wines.

With only 44 seats available, buying tickets in advance is highly recommended. Seats are $150 per person, $100 of which will be donated to Mercy Corps, and can be purchased using a major credit card.

To reserve tickets or for more information call Penner-Ash Wine Cellars at 503.554.5545.

Crave OSCARS Party

March 5th, 2006
benefiting Girls Inc. of Northwest Oregon

Get the “star treatment" and indulge in ultra-pampering spa services while watching the Oscars live on 20 screens!  Join Crave for an evening of ultimate relaxation, star gazing, shopping, sipping and noshing while you rate the evening's fashion oohs and blahs.

Wear your comfy pajamas or your favorite leisure wear and enter the lush world of “everything you crave” under one roof. Fabulous Oscars goody bags sponsored by Portland Picks.

Gather your gal pals together and reserve your spot today! Space is limited, so don't delay.

Register online at www.craveportland.com.

Crave OSCARS Party
Sunday, March 5th
5-9 p.m.
@ The Ram in Lake Oswego
320 Oswego Pointe Drive
More information: 503.226.2377 or email crave@craveportland.com

Michelle DeCourcy is Moving! And Having a Sale!

You’re invited to a Moving Sale at Michelle DeCourcy boutique on Northwest 23rd, February 24-26, to clear out for our relocation to the Pearl District.  All the clothing will be marked down 40-70% off!  

Their new location in the Pearl is at 916 NW Flanders in the Elizabeth, and they will be opening the doors March 15th.

Fashion Show and Benefit for Mercy Corps

Three young, talented, ambitious and philanthropic fashion designers will debut their original designs in a fashion show benefit for Mercy Corps, 8 p.m., Friday, February 17, 2006, at the Department of Skateboarding.

The creations of up-and-coming designers and Grant High School students Camille Faulkner, Rami George, and Kristen Ivie (all age 16) range from retro dresses to T-shirts and campaign-style buttons.   All participants in the show, from the designers to the models, are under age 18.

The fashion show benefit will be held at the Department of Skateboarding, 15 NE Hancock Street, Portland, Oregon. The fashion show begins at 8 p.m., and doors open at 7:30 p.m. Immediately following the fashion show, the designers’ garments and accessories will be bid on and purchased by audience members in a silent auction.

Tickets ($7; free for children under 5) can be purchased at the door or reserved by calling 503.888.7376. All ticket and silent auction proceeds will be donated to the Portland-based international aid organization Mercy Corps.

The Wait is Over – Bridgeport Brewpub & Bakery Reopens its Doors

It's not your old brewpub! Following a 14-month, extensive renovation, the beloved BridgePort BrewPub is back with an updated look and a new moniker: bridgeport brewpub & bakery.

The pub is christening the new space with a party for the public, welcoming back old friends, and making an entire set of new ones.  

The gala event will take place February 23 from 6 p.m. to Midnight at 1313 NW Marshall St.  A $10 cover charge includes food, live music, and one drink scrip.  

Ticket information is available online at www.bridgeportbrew.com or by calling 503.241.7179. The event is for guests 21 and over.