Dig It

We spent the first few weeks of summer planning and shopping and planting, and still our yard looks like Chernobyl. We purchased so many plants—how can there still be so much dirt showing? We pictured a lush wonderland of flora, but instead wound up with spindly patches of greenery on a mostly brown backdrop.
 
And same goes for our interior decorating, too. We moved into new homes and got so excited about the possibilities—this will go here, that will go there—and the end result looks about three steps above what we had in college. We are saucy gals, after all, and our spaces—inside and outside—should reflect our good taste.
 
Thank goodness we found Digs on Alberta. They do garden redesign as well as interior decorating, everything from staging for real estate to one-day room makeovers to full-on rebuilds. They’re genius, and their skills are evident when you visit their fabulous retail space. They have everything from rugs and chairs to vases, pillows and knick-knacks available for purchase, and we are eternally grateful for their expert eyes! Plus they play tour-guide on buying trips to Belgium, Italy and France, so you can shop with them and get your vacation on. We love it!
 
Digs—Inside & Out
1829 NE Alberta St.
Portland, OR 97211
503.329.3901
www.digs-pdx.com

Wellness at the Dentist?

Which of these things is not like the other? 1. Relaxing massage. 2. Trip to the dentist. 3. Pain-management therapy. 4. Acupuncture.
 
Okay, that was a trick question—they all go together because now you can get amazing wellness treatments at Green Apple Dental’s cozy new treatment space, Apple Wellness. They provide Naturopathic Medicine, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Light Therapy, Chinese Herbal Medicine and Massage Therapy, as well as TMJ Therapy, which uses different modalities to relieve stress in the head and neck.
 
The last time we got nervous about the dentist we were in junior high, and since then it’s been not-so-bad, abut now with Apple Wellness on our radar we imagine we’ll be spending quite a bit of time in “at the dentist.”  We’ll be like those guys who hang out at bars called “The Office” or “The Library.”  Our hubbies will wonder where we are, meanwhile we’ll be getting massages and having our Chi adjusted…and then getting our teeth whitened next door…oh, it will be genius.
 
And Apple Wellness has a special gift for new patients from Portland Picks—fun Burt’s Bees products to take home and enjoy! So give them a call, and be sure to tell them Portland Picks sent you.
 
Apple Wellness at Green Apple Dental
1320 SW 2nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97201
503.224.0133
www.greenappledental.com

Terrific To Go

You know we’re busy. Every week we tell you how ridiculously overscheduled our lives are, or how much we stress over running errands and housework, and our favorite busy-girl complaint has to be finding the time to make dinner. So you’ve heard it all before. But we think you can relate…and we found another gem of a place that can hook you up—whether you’re feeding the kiddies or entertaining special guests, Port City Pasta Company can do you right.

Dogs in Paradise

Your College Bar Lives Again

Our favorite hangout in college was a place called Hutch’s where the drinks were cheap, the décor had a nautical theme, the jukebox was loaded with our favorites and the back patio was where the magic happened. We spent so much time at Hutch’s that we considered having our mail forwarded there. We loved how the front room (the main bar area) had an atmosphere completely different than the middle room (the quiet hang-out nook), which was just a little less awesome than the patio (where big groups of frat boys would hang out).
 
Ten (ahem) years later we’re finally over our frat-boy days, but when we found The Florida Room it was just like Hutch’s all over again—except grown-up, like us, and much sexier. We loved the super-laid-back atmosphere, the deep booths, the picnic tables outside, the genius jukebox (old Brit-pop is a long way from the hair-metal we heard in college) and Sopranos pinball. The owners successfully transported a 50s, beachy feel to what used to be a florist shop (and most recently an Ethiopian restaurant), and it works.
 
There’s a menu, too, with tasty, booze-friendly treats like unique sandwiches & salads, and you have to try the odd-sounding but delish Deep-Fried Avocado with Chips and Salsa (it sounds ridiculous, but it’s truly tasty), and classic drinks like Mint Juleps and Mojitos that will get you in the mood to mingle. So slap on your flip flops and head to The Florida Room, and tell them Portland Picks sent you.
 
The Florida Room
435 N. Killingsworth St.
Portland, OR 97217

Healthcare in a Jiffy

Zoom...it’s the one word that best describes our chaotic life.  We’re always zooming in and out and all around.  We enter a room looking disheveled, as we are often late and always in a rush, due to jam-packing much too much into our short little day.  But we can’t help it.  C’est la vie...it is our life.  

Even down to our healthcare, sometimes we just want to get it done.  Especially when it’s something as simple as our son’s reoccurring ear infection.  We want to just walk in, see the doctor, zoom, and be done with it...like going to the supermarket.  And now we can.  ZoomCare just opened at Bridgeport Village.  It’s genius.  We can go to the mall, buy those shoes, get the kids a haircut, and have the doctor take a look at that boo boo...just like that.  

And ZoomCare is a lovely, state-of-the-art facility.  They have easy walk-in convenience and really excellent care, plus an on-site pharmacy.  And they are open seven days a week.    Check them out online at www.zoomcare.com or pay them a visit at Bridgeport Village above The Container Store.  

ZoomCare at Bridgeport Village
7421 SW Bridgeport Road, Suite 220
Tigard, OR 97224
503.684.8252
bridgeport@zoomcare.com  
www.zoomcare.com

Stop Fussing with Your Frocks

We got a hot tip from one of our readers, and though it was painful for her to share her secret, she unselfishly did for the greater good!  She hired this fabulous personal fashion stylist and now she can't get dressed without her! The stylist is Teri Tkachuk, who moved to Portland just over a year ago from Vancouver, B.C. Teri spent the past year having a baby, working on her immigration with her husband, and checking out all of Portland's boutiques and retail chains.  She used to work with celebrities, dressing them for photo shoots and public appearances.
 
When she was summoned, Teri started with something she calls a "Closet Meeting," and re-organized our reader’s wardrobe for a full six hours! She had a checklist of what was missing and then together they hit the pavement to go shopping.  She put things together that our reader said she would never dream of wearing, and then took a Polaroid of the outfit for future reference. So our reader simply looks at a photo every morning and never has to worry about what to wear, what shoes go with what, or how to wear her jewelry. Priceless.

Teri Tkachuk Benedetti
503.464.6287
Tbdetti@comcast.net

“Little Miss Sunshine” tells the story of the Hoovers, one of the most endearingly fractured families ever seen on motion picture screens. Together, the motley six-member family treks from Albuquerque to the Little Miss Sunshine pageant in Redondo Beach, Calif., to fulfill the deepest wish of 7-year-old Olive, an ordinary little girl with big dreams. Along the way the family must deal with crushed dreams, heartbreak, and a broken-down VW bus, leading up to the surreal Little Miss Sunshine competition itself. On their travels through this bizarrely funny landscape, the Hoovers learn to trust and support each other along the path of life, no matter what the challenge.

And guess what? Portland Picks has been given 20 free passes to the movie screening of “Little Miss Sunshine” that we’d like to pass on to you.  But we have to make you do a little work first by answering this question: If you were to be in a pageant, what would your talent be?  The first 20 subscribers that send in an email describing their special talent will receive complimentary passes! Better yet, take a picture of yourself doing your talent’ and we’ll post them on Portland Picks AND give you your tickets! And anything goes, from tap dancing to recreating that scene from “Quest for Fire” where the cavemen discover how to make things burn. Oh yeah, we know you have it in you! Emote! Emote!  

Deadline to receive your email is 7/31. Email must include your full name and where you want your pass mailed.

Seating is not guaranteed and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This film is rated R for language and some sexual content.

Fox Searchlight's “Little Miss Sunshine” screening:
Thursday, August 10
Century Eastport
7:00 PM
.foxsearchlight.com/littlemisssunshine

In our crazy, jam-packed schedules we need to remember to take some time to just kick back and enjoy the beautiful weather without going through the virtual to-do lists in our heads.  It’s not called the lazy days of summer for nothing!  Throw on Corinne Bailey Rae’s new self-titled album, find yourself a hammock, and just relax.
 
Having just released her album state-side, Corinne is poised to take the world by storm.  The perfect hybrid of Billie Holiday and Macy Gray, this girl possesses a captivating mix of charm and self-assurance that is infectious. Creating a seamless blend of soul, jazz and just a hint of funk, people can’t help but be mesmerized by this talented singer.  Rae describes the album as “a bit of everything; it’s chilled out, acoustic, kooky, atmospheric and soulful.”  We describe it as the perfect soundtrack for lazy Sunday afternoons.
 
Get your copy today on iTunes and get ready to spend some quality time in that hammock.  Just make sure you tear yourself away long enough to see Corinne perform live at Lola’s Room on July 25th!

Ranchy Duds for the Cowgirl in You

Tis the season for dude ranches, and even if you don’t have one on your summer horizon, just pretend.   We love the wispy, free, cowgirl look all the time, so our cowboy boots or straw cowboy hat is never far away.  And if you want to stock up on more sexy cowgirl tees and fun accessories, there’s always Ranchy Clothing, founded by a couple of cowgirl fashionistas over in Bend.  Give ’em a holler for authentic ranchwear for the Western diva in you. Ranchy Clothing

www.ranchyclothing.com

Something for Everyone

Lawd Knows

Some people wear their hearts out on their sleeves...film actress and artist Lori Petty (“Prey for Rock and Roll,” “Tank Girl,” “A League of Their Own,” “Point Break”) wears hers on a new line of clothing she has created called Lawd Knows. Petty has combined the hot trend of conversational t-shirts and clothing with her own art and spirituality.    

Good lawd, we love her long-sleeve shirts featuring her own original artwork...love – light – love.

www.lawdknows.com

So Luscious

Here we go again. Turning you on to another local jewelry designer who is turning out the most delicious baubles. Our latest find is Lyndsay Levy of Luscious. We love her nontraditional bridal collection, her adorable “Skull & Bones” designs with little touch-chick/tough-chic touches like silver skulls, old-fashioned keys and tiny bones, and the “Birds” collection is out of this world, with Asian-inspired sparrows, painted peacocks, and silvery birds in relief hanging from delicate chains with tiny gems (and one even has a mirror on the back, so you can check your lipstick!)
 
Check out her stuff at local stores like Bee & Thistle, Sole, Presents of Mind, Lilith, Frock, Seaplane, Sloan, The Difference, Accessories from the Heart, PedX, Here We Go Again, and La Paloma!

Fun Kicks for Summer Fun

Summer is flying by and you need to take advantage of it.  First and foremost you need some fun kicks to tromp around poolside, like these funky espadrilles from String Republic.  All their shoes are dramatic, bright works of art.  Your feet will have so much fun and get tons of admiring attention.  Check out the whole shebang at MakeFeetBeautiful.com and stock up.  We’re sure you can’t pick just one.

www.makefeetbeautiful.com

4th Annual Flea Market @ CoCo & Toulouse Go Shopping
 
What: Coco & Toulouse Go Shopping is celebrating its Fourth-Year Birthday with a flea market of finds and treasures from London & Paris. The ladies from CoCo & Toulouse visit Europe each spring and choose the very best, coolest, oddest goodies  that they can carry or mail home. Then, at the flea market, they set tables and umbrellas up outside, so it’s like a real French market with books, prints, English silver pieces, glassware, and French tip-trays.  
 
The sale inludes items like Designer Guild leather goods for 30% off, Lollia candles at 30% off, and lots of fun items will be on sale at CoCo Gets Dressed, as well!  On Saturday, cheap French champagne will be served, gratis, and a portion of the sale's proceeds will go to Ovarian Cancer Research.
 
When: 10 a.m.-close, July 21 & 22
Where: 7080 SE 16th Ave., Portland
Call: 503.236.5999

Go Blue

One of our favorite stores, Urbane Zen, is having a sale on their Blue Skincare line.

What: Get free shipping all month on Blue skincare products when you order from the Urbane Zen website! Visit www.urbanezen.com or  www.spablue.com .
  
Now you can go ahead and stock up on their spectacular Blue line of products--Urbane Zen has Blue on sale from 10-50% off!

www.urbanezen.com

First Thursday Party at Le Train Bleu

What: Join Le Train Bleu for drinks and yummies from Saint Cupcake and a 30% off storewide discount during First Thursday!
When: 6-9 p.m., Aug. 3
Where: 1822 NW Overton St., Portland

And before we embark on building a fall wardrobe, it's that glorious time of the year again: the Summer Clearance sale is now underway! All summer styles are at least 50% off at letrainbleu.com.

This saturday night {07.22.06} a fashion event: 4

Una, Souchi, Denwave and Yes are combining forces for a summer fashion party. We will each show our store favorites as well as some mix and match magic.

There will be a short film accompanying the models as well as DJs Sew What and Copy.

It should be a fun time.
Out front at 811 east burnside at 9pm.

Portland's Top Summer Event is Back! Competitive Wakeboarding is not to be missed!

• What: Join the kick-off party for the event at Voodoo Lounge and enjoy complimentary food and a full bar, as well as a live DJ.
• When: Wednesday, July 26, gates open at 5:30 p.m.
• Where: Voodoo Lounge, 53 NW 1st, on the corner of 1st and Couch in Old Town
• Call: 503.241.3841

www.voodoopdx.com

Don't Miss the Crave Summer Extravaganza & Sample Sale!

Crave Summer Extravaganza & Sample Sale Featuring Daria, presented by 105.1 The Buzz, and benefiting Girls Inc.
Saturday, July 22nd, 12-9pm at the World Trade Center Plaza, 121 SW Salmon Street, Advance tickets $15 (until midnight Friday), $20 at the door.

Offering complimentary ICE COLD drinks all day (featuring Vitamin Water by Glaceau), the CRAVE Party returns July 22nd with a Summer Extravaganza & Sample Sale (50% off select inventory until 5pm!) featuring fabulous party hostess Daria from 105.1 The Buzz.  CRAVE brings together the best local designers, boutiques and shops, offering exclusive deals you won’t find anywhere else. Featuring live fashion shows with party sponsor Meringue Boutique, dog fashions with Lexi Dog and a hair fashion show with Salon Nyla The Day Spa that will showcase designer trends for Fall.

Enjoy wine tasting, cake tasting and goody bags sponsored by Portland Picks (only while supplies last). Meringue is offering top denim brands like True Religion, Seven for all Mankind, Bella Dahl, Juicy Couture all at $50! And get refreshed in the Ultimate Makeover Lounge, with complimentary "extreme makeover" treatments sponsored by 105.1 The Buzz.

Gather your friends together and reserve your spot today! www.craveportland.com

Division/Clinton Street Fair
This Saturday!

‘Tis the season for street fairing (yes, we’ve made it a verb here at Portland Picks), and this week’s locale is at none other than one of our fave SE neighborhoods, Division/Clinton. This Saturday, July 22nd, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, SE Division and Clinton will offer gustatory and entertainment delights including ice cream and coffee tastings (though not necessarily together), live music, a climbing wall, massage, free hot dogs (and veggie dogs too). The kids will enjoy face painting, chalk art, and puppets. Just think: 12 hours and 50 blocks of Stumptown Street Fair Goodness. So get out there early or make the effort to find the shady spots somewhere in the vicinity of SE Clinton from 21st to 27th Aves, and SE Division from 12th - 50th. We can’t wait!