Hearts A-Flutter

We’ve always wanted to be a glamour girl. Not just the kind who wears lipstick to the grocery store, but in the classic 1940s movie-star way…we would have a table in our bedroom (or “boudoir”) where we keep our crystal perfume bottles on silver trays, and we would have powder puffs and maybe one of those little round pouf chairs so we could sit and put on makeup while gazing upon ourselves in an ornate mirror.
 
Then we imagine how the rest of our house would look…kind of like “Sunset Boulevard” – faded and a little tattered around the edges, but still retaining the opulence it once had…and then we discovered Flutter, a brand new store on Mississippi. It’s a mix of shabby chic and city style, set up in luscious vignettes and hung with chandeliers. You’ll find everything from vintage glassware to fabric-covered note cards, reproduction toys, lovely jewelry, quirky decorating items like tassels and raffia flowers, and the most gorgeously packaged soaps and body-care items we’ve seen in one place.
 
It’s honestly the most romantic shop. The mix is intoxicating – elegant and homey. We’re going to put something from Flutter in every room in the house, but we’re going to start with the boudoir…now we just need to find a second-hand dressing table…
 
Flutter
3948 N. Mississippi Ave.
Portland, OR 97227
503.288.1649
www.flutterclutter.com

Be More Beautiful…

…start with your skin! Did you know: Your skin possesses its own power to become beautiful? Trust us, it’s in there! It’s in you! We’ll venture a guess that you have an entire cabinet full of products you used for maybe a week before giving up on them. Pricey potions from department stores, the “basics” from the drugstore (if you’ve ever thought, “My grandmother used this,” it has got to go!), or Jessica Simpson-endorsed miracle cures…they’ve all enticed you and then let you down.

So now we’re giving you what you need: HABA. It’s a Japanese cosmetics brand that opened their first U.S. store in Portland last year. They believe in the power of your skin, and advocate skin care that provides only the essentials. All of the products are additive-free – they don’t contain paraben, fragrances, tar colors, mineral oils or other ingredients that can irritate the skin. So every product is clean, simple and effective. What more could a girl want?

And we love this: A sale! Yes, it’s true! HABA will be celebrating their one-year anniversary by offering a sale of 20% off all of their amazing line of products…the entire week of June 5-10. And as an added incentive to shop ’til you glow, the first 100 customers during the anniversary sale week will also receive a free gift. So stop in and do something glorious for your skin, and tell them Portland Picks sent you!
 
HABA
622 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97205
1.888.770.HABA
www.habaus.com

Thank Goodness!

Driving down Mississippi recently, we had a real moment of panic (an “M.O.P.”) when we noticed one of our favorite stores was missing. What?!? In its place was an empty shell, with construction equipment and plain glass windows…so where oh where did our little pretty go? And us without a forwarding address? We felt abandoned.
 
Then we drove around the corner.
 
And there it was – in new digs with a new and delicious partner: Memoir had not forsaken us! They had merely moved in with Duchess and their shared space is completely enchanting. The magic of Memoir (letter-press and hammer-press cards and stationery, sweet jewelry made with vintage flair, quirky bags, accessories like hand-forged men’s belt buckles and edgy-but-sweet clothing by local designers) has merged perfectly with Duchess’ vintage reproduction clothing (in sizes 2-20) and Portland exclusives, like the line of Esther Williams swimwear. And soon Duchess will offer made-to-measure suits for men, and other custom-clothing items.
 
Phew. The M.O.P. has passed. We can go on with our lives.
 
Duchess & Memoir
909 N. Beech St., Studio A
Portland, OR 97227
503.281.6648
www.duchessclothier.com
www.memoirpdx.blogspot.com

This Little Piggy Went Wee-Weeeee

And so did we, when we visited The Little Piggy at Bridgeport. The store is located in front of the play structure, appropriately enough, and is filled with wonderful toys and books and all kinds of piggies, naturally.  They have a great selection of boy clothes – real boy clothes – versus some of these girly boy clothes we see from time to time (think Peter Pan collars and knickers...bad, very bad).

They have some preppy, some skater boy; all cool items to choose from down to their fireman toys and puppets and piggy tees.  And the outfits for your little fashionista range from funky to trendy to classic.   Embroidered skirts, hand made hair clips and hip little purses to complete her girly girl sense of style and fulfill her sense of whimsy.  And they have wee widdle Levi’s and pint-size penny loafers for baby that we just wuv.  

Rain or shine (and who really knows in this town?), the Portland Piggy has you and your family covered in style.

The Little Piggy
7287 SW Bridgeport Road
Tigard, OR 97224
503.608.7008
www.littlepiggy.com

Lucid: Easily Understood; Intelligible

We may not always be with it; we’re a little foggy at times, like, say, when we’re helping our first grader with math, or cleaning out the garage, or deciding on what’s for dinner.  But when it matters, when it comes to say, shopping, oh yeah baby, we’re clear, we’re here, and we’re totally lucid.

So naturally when we heard about the apt name LucidShop our radar definitely perked up.  Michael and Michelle Lindars' new contemporary craft boutique just opened in the Pearl and this wee little shop is filled with BIG design that’ll leave your eyes wide open (and perhaps even drooling).  

Treat Yourself to a Jewel

Summer is just around the bend, though it’s still hard to fathom at times, and with it comes fond childhood memories of the ice-cream man.  My kids always chase the ice cream man down...which can be a little unsettling (eliciting flashes of the scary candy man on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang).  And then of course, they would never choose even a Klondike bar, but rather a bright yellow Sponge Bob or Blue Alien ‘sicle made of God knows what that permanently stains their lips.  That’s why at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday we were drawn to Ruby Jewel Treats.

This is ice cream the way it should be.  Ruby Jewel Treats are homemade, all-natural ice cream bars that are lip-smackingly delicious, and made right here in Portland.  Our favorite is the Peanut Butter Ice Cream with Double Chocolate Cookie, but there’s also Fresh Mint with a Dark Chocolate Cookie, Espresso w/ Cinnamon Chocolate Cookie, and honey Lavender w/ Lemon Cookie.  

Drive into Summer

For some reason we’ve been hankering for the good old days.  Maybe it’s the wacky weather that’s messing with our minds, or some sort of mid-life thing, but we are craving a drive-in movie.  We haven’t been to a drive-in since we were little, waaay back in the ’70s.  We’d go to the drive-in and open the hatch on the station wagon.  We’d bring our pillows and Partridge Family sleeping bags and hang the big doohickey on the window and strain our ears to listen.  But whether or not we could hear the movie wasn’t the point.  It was all about the experience.

Sadly, there aren’t any good drive-ins left, except the classic 99W in Newberg.  But it’s worth the trip.  And the entire experience is just as we remember, except that now the sound is only as good as your car stereo, and they play new releases like The DaVinci Code.  And happily, the snack bar is just the same.  We’re going to take our own kids so they’ll understand a bit of dying pop culture…sleeping bags, pillows, Milk Duds and all.

99W Drive-In Theatre
Open Fri-Sat-Sun
Highway 99W, west of Springbrook Road
Newberg, Oregon  
www.99w.com

Love Button

We have always loved buttons.  And now there’s Button Arcade in Portland that designs funky buttons to adorn your ever-loving cardigans, jean jackets, blouses, et al, for that perfect oomph of a first impression.  We really heart their Alpha Buttons – think a modern, artistic take on the preppy monogram, and wear your initials or even your name on your heart, or belly, or chest, or...you get the picture.  And if that’s not clever enough, you can even design your own buttons.   

Check out the Button Arcade and see how creative you can be.

www.buttonarcade.com

Weigh Your Options

I weighed myself and had lost a few pounds.  Every day I seemed to lose another pound.  I was so excited.  I would look in the mirror though didn’t see much of a difference.  I thought perhaps I had a warped perception of myself...that I didn’t realize how thin I really was...or worse, that I had a fat mirror.  And I hadn’t really tried that hard.  I figured I was either dying of something or maybe my exercise was kicking in or my metabolism was changing.  No matter, I was ecstatic.  Standing up a little taller, flaunting my new svelte bod.  

Then yesterday I tried on my skinny clothes, but they didn’t fit any better.  So out of curiosity I dug out our old scale and found I was seven pounds heavier than the digital.  I emailed my husband, with “It’s a crisis” in the subject line.  Which scale was correct?  Well, it turns out the old one was right, and the digital was low on batteries.  Dang.  That just won’t do.  Too brutal to our already fragile self.  So we found a new scale that’s accurate and attractive in the bathroom. A kinder, gentler scale.

www.gatelys.com

Have Your Cake

This is kinda cool, and unique to say the least.  We kind of wish we would have thought of it.  Your best friend has a baby.  Instead of sending flowers or other pink or blue gifts, send a Bloomers Baby Diaper Cake.  Oh, but don’t eat it.  It’s a cake made of baby diapers, so it would not be very tasty, but it sure looks clever.

 We really think it would be a cute centerpiece for a baby shower, or in lieu of sending flowers. Clever indeed.

www.bloomersdiapercakes.com

The Mirror that Never Lies

“Do I look fat?” Just when we perfected the skinny position when admiring/scrutinizing ourselves in the mirror… We got used to our flat two-dimensional image, kinda liked it even. And now they come out with a mirror that doesn’t lie! Maybe we want it to lie; maybe we want it to tell us we are the fairest of them all, that we are skinnier than we thought. Maybe we don’t want to know that we are less than perfect, a bit too asymmetrical, and that all this time others were seeing us quite differently.

Of course, getting used to a 3-dimensional image is no easy task. The image isn’t reversed like a flat 2-dimensional traditional mirror. You look fuller in the face, off balance, more bulbous, but you also look alive and animated and “true.”
Like a kid gazing into a funhouse mirror, you want to analyze and stare, to dance around, since it’s all so different. If you so dare to see what others see, check out yours truly in the True Mirror.

www.truemirror.com

Weight Loss? It’s a Shoe-In

If you're seething over your cellulite, overwrought by your waddle, or constantly seem to be losing the battle of the lower-body bulge, meet the world's most celebrated shoe, the Masai Barefoot Technology Sandals. Recently featured on Fox News, Daily Candy, and Good Morning America, this Swiss-bred trainer has made the rounds on the feet of the fit, famous, and fabulous.

Through its unique design of its multi-layered sole, the MBT sandal transforms flat, hard, artificial surfaces into uneven surfaces, simulating the walking action of our barefoot ancestors. Unlike most conventional training shoes that support and cushion your feet, the unique construction challenges the sole and the muscles used to form your posture to be more active. This reactive, more supportive muscle action increases shock absorption for joints and discs.

www.blissworld.com

Okay, Since We’re on this Fat Rampage...

How about micro-massage shorts? Possibly the scariest thing to happen to your surplus fat stores since those must-have anti-cellulite shoes. Worn regularly, Medisana's patented massage shorts are clinically proven to reduce cellulite via continuous compression, souped-up circulation and increased heat.  We are going to be looking supremely goofy, but no pain no gain.

You may laugh now, but just you wait!  (We’re obviously desperate and in other words will try anything including snake oil if you tell us it might work...which is why this is such a lucrative business.)  Caveat: We will only be wearing these when we’re running miles in our Masai Sandals and eating fewer, healthy calories...we do know it takes a lot of work.

www.blissspa.com

American Express presents Vision of Portland

From now to June 15, use your American Express(R) Card in the Pearl District and Nob Hill to raise funds for Young Audiences, a nonprofit arts education organization. American Express will donate 5% of the value of every purchase you make with your Card at participating merchants, up to $30,000.

American Express has commissioned artwork that will be on display in the Pearl District and Nob Hill merchant windows from now to June 15th. On July 6th, you can use your American Express Card to purchase the commissioned artwork at Design Within Reach (1200 NW Everett St). All proceeds will benefit Young Audiences.

Visit americanexpress.com/visionofportland for more information.

Friday! Friday! Friday! Bags on sale at Stella's

Every Friday in the month of June, Stella's on 21st is giving us lucky girls 20% off all handbags, clutches, coin purses, luggage and wallets. We must be in heaven! A weekly sale?!?

Stella's also has "gifts to celebrate life & home," including items for baby, bath, garden and home, cards and books, and personal accessories.

Stella's is locally owned, and many items are from Portland's own artists and creators of jewelry, metal sculptures, candles and cards, garden topiaries, and artistic recycled products. Open 10-6 M-Sat, and 11-5 on Sun.

Stella's on 21st
1108 NW 21st Ave.
Portland OR,  97209
503.295.5930
www.stellason21st.com

Bag Bash at OFFICE on Thursday, June 8!

 If you’re interested in innovative bags, design trends, and finding out what it takes to create something new and bring it to market, then take a trip to OFFICE on June 8 for a show- and tell-all evening with global design leaders JDK and Merrell. During the event, you will receive a FREE and fabulous Merrell gift with the purchase of any Merrell bag!

• What: OFFICE – Home of Quality Products for the Modern Worker – is hosting this amazing  design event (did we mention great networking?) which includes a special presentation by JDK (the creative agency behind Burton Snowboards) and Merrell. This collaborative team will reveal, for the first time, their research insights, brand challenges, never-before-seen sketches, materials, and color palettes for the groundbreaking Merrell bags. They’ll also discuss – drum-roll please – new bags for Merrell and what’s next for both companies.
• When: Thursday, June 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. / 6:30 to 7:30 Presentation (includes Q&A)
• Where: OFFICE, 2204 NE Alberta St., Portland OR 97211
• Cost: Free, of course!  RSVP required.

Please email Kelly Coller at event@officepdx.com or call 503.282.7200 for information, or go to www.officepdx.com.

Summer Patio Seating at Southpark

A farm-fresh menu and relaxed outdoor seating combine to kick off summer!

This weekend, Southpark rolls out their summer patio seating in the European café tradition, welcoming guests to a new Farm Fresh Prix Fixe lunch menu for only $12, a selection of house-made sorbets and gelati made with local ingredients, and Southpark’s Sangria Blanca. Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. And they’re dog-friendly!
 
Southpark Seafood Grill & Wine Bar
901S.W. Salmon St.
Portland, OR 97205
503.326.1300
www.southpark.citysearch.com

Strut Your Stuff

Manners 101

Ever wanted to leap-frog ahead to a time when dining with children is a bit more pleasant?  A time when children that actually USE their utensils, their napkins and can set a table correctly?  This summer, rather than shipping the kids off to learn the intricacies of knot-tying and jello-gargling, do something that will show a better return on investment: Table Manners.

Chef Brian Quinn has been giving children’s table manners classes since his days as the Wine Spectator award-winning chef/owner of the Ivy House restaurant in Sellwood.  He believes that socialization, courtesy, cooperative behavior and respect for oneself and one’s dining companions are key to raising good people.  Kids that learn these lessons well at home will apply them in their lives and become great adults, and studies show that families that dine together have children that test higher in school and stay out of trouble (REAL trouble).

Classes are booking for weekends starting in June and will be held at St. Agatha School in Sellwood.  Cost is $25 per child and includes a light lunch.  Reservations are required.

For more information, call Brian Quinn at 503.260.3712.  

Celebrate with Switch Shoes!

Switch Shoes will have you jumping "out of the box" once again as they offer two fabulous events in the month of June.

First: June 2nd (today!): First Friday "Cinderella Sale"
 
The motto for this sale is "the one pair you can wear."  Switch will be offering a selection of shoes where each style has only one size.  So get there early for your chance to find a match so you can make it to the ball in style.  Last but not least, there will be drawings for discounts (10%, 15%, and 20%) and delicious food.

Second: June 10th from 7-10 p.m.: Pacific Artists Dance Center (PADC) Fundraiser
 
Switch Shoes is proud to offer a unique evening of dance and shopping.  The PADC will be performing three separate times throughout the evening, all for your enjoyment.  A full 15% of the night's proceeds will be donated to the PADC. 

Switch Shoes
7871 SW Capitol Highway
Portland, OR 97219
503.445.4585
www.switch-shoes.com

JERI RICE Trunk Show

Join us for a JERI RICE trunk show and special shopping event featuring:  Zac Posen, Monique L'huillier, Roverto Cavalli, Valentino, Carmen Marc Valvo, Naeem Khan, Carol Peretz, Viviana Uchitel, and Adrienne Landau.

Thursday, June 8th
11am to 4pm, with a luncheon at noon to 1:30pm

The Heathman Hotel
Broadway Room

10% of the proceeds benefit the Oregon Ballet Theatre
RSVP...Denise Grimes 503-830-6574
www.jeririce.com