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August 18th, 2006
We know you do this - you get so busy that you decide that you can do things on your own just so you don't have to line up a professional. We know how it is - you get overloaded at work, you spend an hour in traffic on the way home, and once you get there you have to take care of kids/dogs/laundry/groceries/yoga class/personal emails/dinner/shower/phone calls/dishes and you're exhausted. Plus you feel like you spend half your "free time" running errands and darnit if you can't cut a few corners here and there with a bit of do-it-yourselfiness. |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | We Crave Souchi Remember when you were 7 years old and the summer dragged on for an eternity...and come August you were really aching to get back to school? Yep, that's exactly how we feel now. Except that summer feels like it just began last week. But yeah, the school part? Can't wait. (It's time for the kids to get out of Mommy's hair.) And of course, with the new school year comes back-to-school shopping, and we still love it...for ourselves. With or without school, we still need new fall clothes. And there's no better place to shop for fall than our favorite cashmere store, Souchi. Souchi has recently moved across the street on Northwest 23rd into fabulous new digs. And if it's possible, their fall line is better than ever. The Must-Haves on our list include: their cashmere leg warmers, vintage leather belts, extra-long pencil-leg jeans, and yummy extra-long slub cashmere tunics and hoodies. Oh, and their accessories, ooh yes! Check out their E.D.E bags, and gorgeously hip earrings. This is one-stop shopping for sure. And Souchi's own designs are all handmade, feminine, and stylish. They’re luxuriously soft and savvy without being trendy...and not itchy or too heavy to wear for our cool fall. Cashmere is a wardrobe staple, and there's no better place to find it than Portland's own Souchi. Stock up, ladies! Souchi |
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| 2 | Feel Like a Kid Again A loooong time ago when I was 14 or 15 (the old brain’s a little spotty), my family had the first mopeds ever manufactured. I think it was even before laws, it was that long ago. Anyhoo, my girlfriend and I took them out for a little spin. They hardly worked. They’d putter and gasp like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang but we were freeeee. Unbelievably lacking parental supervision, we took these down busy Scholls Ferry Road, barely cracking 10 mph, and sans helmet. (I don’t even think they had helmets back then.) We were on a mission and nothing was going to stop us. Up we went, choking and putzing up Patton road, down Vista, and onward toward Kent’s house. Oh how we loved Kent (and this was our first ever dabble into stalking). We were going to do a secret drive-by. The mere passing of Kent’s house was enough magic for us, never mind we wouldn’t even catch a glimpse, but that’s all we wanted...the nearness-factor to his being. So we secretly continued on our journey and at the very moment we were passing his house, we freaked! He was outside in the driveway! We tried to nonchalantly pass by unnoticed but suddenly the muffler fell off my ‘ped and with a loud ruckus introduced our arrival, okay mine, anyway, as my friend “floored” away around the corner. Since those days manymanymany years ago, I have had countless dreams of one day again owning a moped. But this one would be cool, state of the art, retro yet modern, and able to go muchmuch faster than 10 mph. I dream of Vespas! Particularly the vintage green Vespa from Vespa Portland on Northwest 23rd. And I’d get one of those retro helmets that are more cool than dorky. And while I’m there, I’d pick up some hip gear: retro t-shirts and biker bags and a leather jacket, so next time I drive by Kent’s house my muffler won’t fall off. Or if it does, at least I’d look good. Vespa Portland |
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| 3 | Be Fascinating Okay, since we’re sharing...in the very beginning of my romance with my husband we had been apart for a few achingly long days. I was more conservative then, more the frumpy Lanz nightgown type, but I was going to surprise him. On a frigid, sleepy Sunday afternoon, I put on my riding boots and nothing else except for my long winter coat, and hailed a cab down to his apartment. I nervously rang his doorbell and he answered. I gave him a look, flashed him my birthday suit, or a peep of it anyway, and he...burst out laughing and told me to put some clothes on. See what I get for being spontaneous? But if you want to add a little spice, a little fascination to your romance, you go girl. And since I haven’t quite recovered from the last humiliation, I’ll merely direct you to just the place. You try it, and then you can tell us all about it. It’s called Fascinations and it’s a mecca for every toy, every bachelorette party favor, every how-to book, novelty, and lingerie item...it’s like the Costco of romance stores. In fact it’s a “romance superstore.” And it isn’t even that humiliating to browse there, though I did look around before exiting, feeling a little like a perv at Fantasy Video. But this doesn’t take itself as seriously. It’s fun, and they even have cute things I might even wear...one day. And they have serious customer service from their knowledgeable Romance Consultants. They are there for you, willing to answer every vexing, intricate question you might have. “So what exactly am I supposed to do with this?” Yep, they’ll explain in great detail. Yes, hmmm, “fascinating” is an understatement. Fascinations |
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| 4 | Fabulous Fleur-de-lis We do not enjoy shopping. No, no, no. Absolutely not. No, we don’t spend our lunch hours hitting sales, looking for the perfect pair of jeans. No, we don’t space out in meetings thinking about a new vase for the étagère by the front window. And no, we do not – not not not – think about earrings while our honey berates us for forgetting – again – to water the plants. Okay, yes we do. We think about knick-knacks and earrings and – oh my – shoes – like 24/7. We can’t help it. Which is why we are pleased as punch that a place like Fleur-de-lis exists. Seriously, their selection of for-you and for-your-home fashion has a quieting effect on our always-racing minds. Let the Hudson jeans, Sweet Pea and Kenzie clothes soothe you. Relax with Tommy Bahama, Waverly and Liz Claiborne home designs…ooh, it’s all so good. And we also love that they have a full-time florist on hand, so we can pick up a bouquet to present to our honey with an apology…we didn’t mean to think about earrings while he was talking…we just can’t help ourselves sometimes. Fleur-de-Lis |
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| 5 | Kiss, Kiss So the BF’s grandma is coming into town and this woman is notoriously hard to please. It’s not that she doesn’t like Anything, it’s that she doesn’t like Everything, and she makes no bones about telling you how it is. So we’ve been racking our brains, poring over past issues of Portland Picks, trying to map out a Perfectly Pleasing Plan to make Grandma’s stay a wonderful one…and then we found Bumblekiss. Only open four short months, and tucked away off Fremont in NE, Bumblekiss has just the right mixture of welcoming, sunny atmosphere, big, satisfying portions, and home-grown Portland charm to win over even the pickiest of guests. We loved their bright décor and enormous patio – perfect for soaking up the remaining bits of summer! Seat yourself, because it’s totally casual, and then take a few minutes to pore over the remarkable menu. With local/organic/free-range ingredients, and choices like the Mushy Mushy Omelet (seasonal mushrooms, goat cheese, rosemary, roma tomatoes), or the Georgia Sandwich (fresh grilled peaches, pepper bacon & lettuce on a rosemary bun, served with house-made kettle chips) you cannot go wrong! We’re taking Grandma there every day she’s in town – if she gets tired of the menu at Bumblekiss, we just won’t invite her back. Bumblekiss |
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| 6 | Be Good to Yourself…Be Nourished There’s more to well-being than eating right and exercising…but on the other hand, there’s no recipe more simple for good, abounding health. So why is it so difficult to get it right? Let’s face it, often women (and men) have a distorted relationship with food, and when that’s combined with a distorted image of their bodies, it’s bound to be a struggle to make the right choices. That’s where the brilliant minds behind Be Nourished come in. They believe every person has the capacity to change, and they provide the services you need to make those lasting, intelligent changes. Their years of professional expertise mean that you can fine-tune the program that works for you with their expert guidance – no getting stuck in meetings, talking about what you ate, no confusing exercise classes, no pressure to keep up – instead you receive a proven combination of workshops, classes and nutrition counseling, created just for you. Be Nourished is a collaboration between Hilary Kinavey, psychotherapist, and Dana Sturtevant, nutrition therapist and yoga teacher. They are passionate about creating within everyone a natural, enjoyable relationship with food. The focus is on nurturing the body and mind – not on dieting. It’s all about conscious eating and gently increasing physical activity, and it works. With individual appointments and group workshops, you can change your life. Call them today. Be Nourished |
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| 7 | Design on a Lime There was once a time when I could shoot a rifle with precision marksmanship, fly fish (and then actually touch the fish I landed with my own fingers), kayak and go somewhere, and even make a flower arrangement. This was of course early on in my relationship with the man I married, which I like to dub the “marketing period.” I was marketing myself as a “true Oregonian,” which he had never met before, and I was pitching Oregon as a mecca I hoped we’d move to one day, always comparing and contrasting our states. “Tolls? Nope, no tolls in Oregon. Traffic? Nonexistent, in fact there are no cars. People live in houses, too, not apartments. We can buy a mansion for the cost of a New York studio. Rain? Nah, that’s a myth.”
But once married and back in Portland, that persona fell by the wayside. And even the flowers, well, I just buy those, all gorgeous and clever, and pretend I designed them on my own. I just call Anne Ryan to whip me up some eye-popping floral art and voila! And if she’s too busy, since she is a huge new star in these parts, I just glance at her incredibly beautiful new book for inspiration, “Design on a Lime, Flowers with a Twist.” A twist indeed. She is remarkable. Of course my copycatting doesn’t do her justice. There’s nothing like the real thing. If you’re having a party, a wedding, anything, give Anne a ring. If you’re just trying to get a little creative, buy her book. You’ll even wow yourself. |
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| 8 | It’s Tough to be Talented...
Especially if you’re looking for a job in this town. Let’s face it, all you designers and production artists, you marcom types and advertising gurus, from AD, CD, 3D & PMs and the like…there is a lot of competition for the creative jobs you do. And sometimes, no matter how talented you are, you need a leg up, a representative, to help you not only find the cherry gigs, but land them. Lucky for you there’s Filter Talent, with an extensive client list (everyone from Avenue-A Razorfish to Nike to Microsoft), and they know the demands of the client well enough to sell you, baby, and make you feel like a star when you present your portfolio. And if you need to augment your creative staff, go straight to Filter Talent. Forget about fingers – they’ve got their whole hand on the pulse of Portland’s creative community. Filter can provide the talent required to get the job done. Whether you’re launching a website or looking for presentation designers, Filter can put you in touch with the right person for the job. Why not call them to handle the workload in your business? Filter takes one-on-one time with you in their open and airy downtown offices. The art on the walls is as energizing as their enthusiasm for what you do. Call Filter Talent today—you never know what could be out there for you—and tell them Portland Picks sent you! Filter Talent |
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| Movie of the Week: “Trust the Man” | |||
We have more free passes to another hot new movie screening (while supplies last). The movie, “Trust the Man,” is a smart, sophisticated, R-rated romantic comedy. It is set in Manhattan, and stars David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Billy Crudup. The screening is Tuesday, August 29th!
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| Cocktail of the Week: | |||
| Get a Buzz Recipe:
The drink is prepared with the layers floating, and the guest stirs to combine before they drink it. It's yummy, and very pretty. |
 saltys.com |
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| Random Question of the Week: Reader Poll | |||
Okay, this is no joke. We want serious contemplation here. In light of the new reality series “Who Wants to be a Superhero,” where average Joes and Janes audition with their own wacky unique hero creation (a la dorky WWF costumes et al), our first random question of the week is...(drumroll)... If you could have one super power, which would you choose:
You have to choose! (Simply reply to this email and make your vote count! Let your voice be heard, darn it!) |
 who wants to be asuperhero.tv |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Swanky Tees Maternitee by Swanky helps all moms-to-be stay in touch with their inner fashionista. The Contemporary Collection features the Three-In-One dress—wear it as a halter dress, a tube dress, or a skirt. The Casual Tees Collection sports fun and funky tees with logos like Headphones, Japanese Floral, Mommywood and The Mudflap Girl, an ultra cool iconic hot-chick logo of truckers everywhere, only now she's sporting a sizable bump! Soft, colorful tees made of Modal/Lycra let you express yourself in comfort and style, as it should be. |
 materniteebyswanky.com |
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| 2 | Jacket of all Trades A 50s-style jacket is a staple that should be on your fall wardrobe shopping list. It doesn't have to be a bajillion-dollar item, but if you wanted a bajillion-dollar one, this one from Burberry is well worth every penny. We can see ourselves now, getting our money's worth and feeling like a million bucks. We are so channeling Audrey, ohm, ohm, ohmmmmm. |
 burberryusaonline.com |
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| 3 | These Boots Were Made for Walking Okay, and since it's soccer season, that'd be walking in the mud and in the puddles. But at least you can look good doing it and brighten any drizzly day. These darling rubber rain boots from Coach will get you noticed on the sidelines and you'll surely be the envy of all the soccer moms. |
 coach.com |
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| 4 | Carry On When we had twins we were so insane the only thing we could do to calm babies and get anything else done was to wear a baby. If you came to our house you got to wear one, too. Except we had these carriers that were quite uninteresting. And now, post-baby (figures), we have discovered the most angelic baby carrier, soft and sweet and comfy calm, plus all the style of your favorite cuddly sweater. You might as well wear your baby in style. |
 catbirdbaby.com |
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| 5 | Skinny Jeans – For Reals OMG! We have discovered Skinny Jeans from Skinny Pants...pants that suck you in comfortably without looking like it and make you look a whole pants-size smaller. They are thigh-slimming, leg-lengthening, stomach-flattening, buttocks-shaping stretch blue jeans. It's a dream come true. We are in love! |
 skinnypants.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | “Mala Noche” View the very first feature film Gus Van Sant ever made – “Mala Noche” – the film that established his place in American Cinema – on the parking-structure rooftop of the beautiful Hotel deLuxe. The film, released in 1985, is set in Portland, and is completely offbeat and original. It’s an urban love story about a convenience store worker and an illegal immigrant that defies stereotypes. Plus, hanging out on the roof to watch a flick is pretty cool, if you ask us.
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 nwfilm.org |
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| 2 | M·A·C Transforms Bridgeport Village into a Make-up Oasis
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 bridgeport-village.com |
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| 3 | Ready, Set, Pearl--Sidewalk Sale! Are you ready for the BIGGEST (literally and figuratively) sale of the season? The Pearl District is having it's first annual sidewalk sale. Labor Day Weekend, September 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Open at 10am rain or shine. With over 35 participants it spans The Pearl--from Burnside to Lovejoy--9th to 14th! Retailers are taking up to 75% off on everything from shoes to shovels! For a complete list of retailers visit www.explorethepearl.com |
 explorethepearl.com |
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So that’s pretty tight that we got a shout-out from Willamette Week, don’t you think? We love that we got noticed, and that we’re their Number One Fashion Fix! The only downside is that they kind of dissed our advertisers. We just want you to know that we Never Ever Compromise – the rules for including ads are as stringent as the rules for including Picks. We only share, promote, discuss and suggest the cream of the crop. We hope you support them…not just because they keep Portland Picks up and running, but because they bring good things to PDX life! Just so you know. |
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