presenting
  PORTLAND PICKS
  life + style to you: every Friday
April 2nd 2004

Portland Picks: Spring Forward

Easter Eats:

Wow! Look what the Easter Bunny brought mommy! That sweet little fur ball has become very discerning with these decadent chocolates. Come on, don't wrestle with your offspring for a Peep when Peter Cottontail could come bearing more age appropriate delights!

For some unique and decadent treats, be sure and fill your basket with:

  • Moonstruck’s Easter Truffle Collections - This Easter Moonstruck bunny has prepared several special collections of truffles and made them available in cute seasonal purple boxes. Perfect Easter treat for family and friends, or after Sunday brunch! And they make a great hostess gift.
  • Fairytale Brownies - These are not your typical Betty Crocker brownies that frequent our ovens. These are decadent and dreamy Fairytale Brownies that are out of this world. Be sure and bookmark these babies and send them to all your friends and family for every occasion. They are magically delicious, beautifully packaged and they ship all over the world.

    Their Easter assortment includes their most popular brownie flavors - Original, Chocolate Chip, Toffee Crunch, and Walnut. Each 3" x 1.5" half-brownie is a single serving of pure chocolate pleasure and is just right for smaller appetites. The assortment arrives adorned with a clever Easter band and elegant personalized gift card. Fairytale brownies. Out of this world! Brownies.com
  • Elephants Deli - Oh no. Your turn to host Easter brunch this year? To make matters worse, Martha's a little, well, distracted, so you're on your own, Girl. But, not to fear, we have a secret weapon that will fool all your friends and make this Easter your shining moment. You will be the Belle of this Brunch, and you can forgo the cookbooks. All you need is Elephant's Deli. They'll do the whole thing for you ­ eggs, sausage, fruit, and pastries.all on elegant platters. (Try the quiche and custards, their new springtime entrees, and elegant tarts!) Their presentation for this fete is fabulous. Just order all you need and they'll even deliver. Just kick back and enjoy another Mamosa! Elephant's Delicatessen, at 13 Northwest 23rd , 503-299-6304

Spring Cocktail of the Week: Hot Sand-Sation

1 oz vodka
1 oz Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum
1 oz light rum
3 oz orange juice
1/2 oz sour mix
3-4 oz crushed ice
1 tsp 151-proof rum

Blend all ingredients (except 151-proof rum) until smooth and pour into a chilled Collins glass. Float the 151-proof rum and garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Vacation Picks:

You, darling, are a discriminating traveler. Your time is valuable. If you are going to get away, you want to get away from it all, to the best. Your guestroom is as important as the surrounding exotic locale. You don’t just want Disneyland; you appreciate the quality and serenity of each vacation element and experience. And you’re willing to pay a little extra for it, because it can make or break your vacation. Not that you want to throw your money away, you just want your money’s worth. You want to walk away from each vacation and say, that was the best vacation I’ve ever had. And you want to know up front it’ll be the best. You don’t want to take any chances. Afterall, you only get a few vacations a year and they simply need to be perfection.

Tu Tu Tun Lodge

There’s something to say for vacationing close to home. Don’t have to get to the airport 2 hours early and hassle with bags. No rushing. You can leave when you want, toss your bags in the trunk. But it’s hard sometimes to find that quintessential vacation near by, especially for you, Princess Persnickety. You care about where you stay, your room, the food, the view, the charm, the whole experience, and you’re willing to pay a pretty penny if it can be guaranteed.

If it’s closer to home you’re after, and you want to bring the kids (or not), try this breathtaking lodge in our backyard, at Gold Beach. Fabulous gourmet food, lush gardens, outdoor soaking tubs, spa, pool, beautiful Pacific Northwest lodge style architecture and decor, luxurious guest rooms, breathtaking views, nature, gardens, nestled on the banks of the Rogue River. Get away from it all Oregon style. Tu Tu Tun Lodge, 800.864.6357, TuTuTun.com

Parrot Cay, British West Indies
This place is extraordinary. They invented the word perfect. We mean Purrrrrfect! Talk about stylish isolation. This secluded 1000-acre private fantasy island is an hour’s flight from Miami in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Simply breathtaking, understated luxury with the finest restaurant and guestrooms, a turquoise sea, and a holistic spa.

The royals and celebrities come to Parrot Cay to escape and rejuvenate. Now it your turn to get spoiled. For a quick trip, simply hold your breath and visit their website: Parrot-Cay.com/

Kids Picks:

Check out I Made That.com...started by two moms from Portland. Imadethat.com is all about furniture kids can make.

Kids love to 'do-it-themselves’; therefore, www.imadethat.com created high quality, thoughtfully designed wooden furniture that kids can make. There’s a pushcart, a stool, and a darling little table called Mister Feet. Little in size and light on his toes, Mister Feet moves freely from room to room. Plus, he’s low to the ground so there’s no need for chairs.

All their products are fun to make and paint, and it’s an experience you can share with your child that’ll last for years. www.imadethat.com

Peace dude! Check out these ultra cool T’s from Peace Monkey...just right for your little Hippy Baby. Now your little bohemian Love Child can dress like a true Oregonian! We especially like the camo (all the rage for the toddler set).

These little hipster Ts from Peace Monkey can be yours at 15% off for first time purchases. (Just mention Portland Picks under comments during the check out process.) Peace-Monkey.com


Spring Fashion Picks: What We’re Seeing Now

  • Terry casual...
    The perfect Spring material for chilling on the weekend!
    We ADORE Juicy Couture’s new styles for the season...Nordstrom has quite a selection. (But if you’re not 16, avoid any pants that have words on their behind.)
  • Trench Coats
    Okay ladies, this is a MUST HAVE for spring. Have some fun with it and stay away from your traditional khaki’s & blacks; it’s all about color and prints this season, so be bold and pick up the hot orange double-breasted trench from Victoria’s Secret, the crazy Pucci trench, or the elegant Chanel.

    Every store has them....Mercantile is filled with our faves, Banana Republic has bright and classic, Elizabeth Street has a great selection of trendy trenches with a twist. And they work so well in our climate.
  • Espadrilles
    Channel your inner teenager and get some of the new, funky takes on an old classic! SO cute with heels or good old fashioned flats.

    Go to Espadrillesetc.com and check out ALL of their fabulous styles. Made in Spain, you’ll be the hottest seniorita around ($62, $40) You can also pick up espadrilles from Old Navy, J Crew, Nine West, Ann Taylor, Meier and Frank, Saks.....They are simply EVERYWHERE this season.
  • Polka Dots...
    50’s fun is back with the hottest new look --- Polka Dots! The rain in Spain may fall mainly on the plain, but we’re the first to admit we’ve still got a few showers ahead of us before Summer!

    Take advantage of the polka dot craze AND April Showers with these flirty Wellies at OliveAndBettes.com . If you prefer to embrace Spring with a sassy little handbag, go to Saks.com and pick up the super cute Isabella Fiore patent leather clutch with polka dots. Bonus: comes in pink, too!!

  • Wristlette Purses!
    Think old movie star glamour and pop one of these around your wrist along with your sweet little sweater set, plus...they’re harder to lose on those late nights out and about. We adore the gorgeous florals in hot Spring colors.. AmiciAccessories.com ($30) Or visit Dana Lynn on Northwest 23rd.

    Dana Lynn is ALL ABOUT handbags and they have a great selection of spring bags just in. Look out for their JJ Bags of fluffy feathers and bright colors made locally, each one totally unique and specially adorned.
  • Old-style Feminine Glamour in the form of tailored, sexy (yet demure) party dresses.
    Visit Banana Republic and check out their pretty in pink selection! ($128)
  • Whimsical, feminine & girly hair clips --- what says spring more than flowers and butterflies?
    We love the fab colors and the creative use of glitter and jewels.
    For flowers and butterflies go to HillbillyDoins.com And Nordstrom has the widest selection of all. You can really stock up on every style!
  • Sassy open-toed sandals and thongs.
    Pedicures are a must with the latest in these adorable patent-leather sandals from Coach and funky sandals from Kate Spade! We’re scared we’re going to get one of every color, but we can’t resist the pink ones!
    Simple and adorable...pick up a pair (or two or three!) at the Coach store in Pioneer Place, or the darling Kate Spade Kickers at Nordstrom.
  • Green eyeshadow! Bright or khaki, green is the definitive eyeshadow for spring! Careful about the shade, though; make sure you match it to your complexion...and remember, subtle is safer (we don’t want you ending up as a Glamour Don’t!). Check out the fun spring shades at MacCosmetics.com (carried at Saks and Nordstrom too!)
  • To go with those thongs and sandals, head to Dosha for a pedicure. Be sure and try their Aveda Sensory Journey pedicure treatment. And why not make a date out of it and invite a girlfriend. Order lunch, sip some wine, dish some dirt and spoil those precious tootsies with a much needed “Pedicure Pals” date. Dosha, NW 23rd and Flanders

Movie Pick of the Week:

Independent Films. Wow...it can really be about the story, not the special effects. Osama, Monster & Thirteen have shown that smaller movies deliver incredible scripts and stellar performances...look for this trend to continue!

Go treat yourself and check out Intermission (IFC Films), starring the delish Colin Farrell in an ensemble cast. Think Love Actually meets Ireland with more sex and even more beer...Hilarious!

Hip Happenings:

Spring Trunk Show
Hotel Mallory, Friday, April 16: 11-7PM. Cash and checks preferred. We will have wine after 5 for the worker bees. There will be Botkier bags from NYC (hot, hot, hot) hostess and teacher gifts, vintage broaches, local jewelry designers, custom stationery, and more.

Mother’s Day Trunk Show
Saturday, April 10th, 11 to 5 PM.
Featuring The Paper Rabbit, Jewelry by Becca Cundari, Cashmere Bark, UpTowne Girls, Alan Hershman Photography, Nora Bella.
3165 SW 82nd Avenue; Portland, 503.460.0993

Girlfriends’ Tea
Could you use more energy, more creativity, and more fun in your life? Explore how to build an attitude of enthusiasm in your life, and learn how this infectious enthusiasm attracts positive people and creates success in your life. Join us for a personal and inspirational presentation with Wendy Sample titled Infectious Enthusiasm. Thought provoking ideas and interactive activities open us up to new discoveries.

Enjoy an afternoon of tea, treats, free gifts, door prizes, raffles, and fun with “girlfriends” of all ages! Enter to win raffle prizes from our generous donors, including...

Girlfriends’ Tea, Sunday April 25th, 2004, 2:00 PM; The Greenwood Inn. A fundraising event for the GFWC-Beaverton Woman’s Club Scholarship Fund & Community Improvement Project.

Lucy's Girls Night Out
Join Lucy Palmer Boutique for a little Spring Bling-Bling, Wednesday, April 7th; 5:30-8:30; Lucy Palmer Boutique, 460 5th Street, Lake Oswego, 503.534.1435

Spring forward, ladies, in all aspects of your life!

   
 

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