|
 |
September 14th, 2006
Why are the stores filled with shirts that drop below the hips and balloon out, potato-sack-style? And who thought of pairing them with skinny jeans? First of all, skinny jeans look good on nobody – and some of them have zippers! Wha?!? Didn’t anyone notice that when you pair the skinny pants with the blousy top you wind up looking like an extra from “The Facts of Life”? What’s next? Parachute pants? Huge shoulder pads? Unitards?!? Seriously, where does it end? When will we all wise up and Just Say No to bad fashion? Case in point: Two years ago we visited NYC just in time to catch the tail end of the mukluk craze. Why any right-minded woman would want to resemble a goat from the knees down is beyond us, but we saw many disturbing versions of this trend, from calf-hair-accented cowboy boots to full on Eskimo Booties (hot stuff if you're in Antarctica; in Cleveland, not so much), which were completely covered in an upsetting hybrid of faux fur and shag carpeting. It was one thing to see girls running around in Uggs (which are perfectly acceptable at the ski lodge), but mukluks? Not so much. So don’t wear the sack shirts. Leave them to supermodels and Olivia Newton John. If you want to look hot this fall, wear what looks good on you—defy the trend machine. Trust us, you’ll be grateful later. |
||
Portland Picks: |
|||
| 1 | Stock Up in Sellwood It’s that time of year again, when we indulge in a shopping spree fit for a lottery winner. We stock up on all our “back to school” clothes and accessories en masse, including, but not limited to, at least one handbag. And we like to make sure it’s an everyday bag that will take us at least through, say, Halloween. But we found a mother lode of exquisite everyday handbags of the highest quality (along with a lot of other things we couldn’t live without) at Tilde, a spankin new shop in historic Sellwood. Then we had to pick up other things for our home, since Tilde had such delightful decorative items, and besides, our home deserves its own fall fashion splurge, too. They’re having a special grand opening party which is going on right now, and you’re invited! Enjoy beverages and nibbles all day long, and wine in the evening to toast this new treasure—and tell them Portland Picks sent you! |
|
|
| 2 | I Scream, You Scream… What Rhymes with Gelato?
Although fall is trying to creep in during the late nights and early mornings, it’s still summer (and what is up with these 90-degree weekends? It’s too hot to do yardwork and so the ivy, she taketh over…) So what better way to enjoy the warm weather than with a nice, cold…cup of gelato? Think of it as refueling for more shopping. Smack dab on NW 23rd, in the thick of things, laid out clean and spare, with stainless-steel tables and light wood abounding, Alotto Gelato is clean as a whistle, and wets our whistle to boot. Because how can you not love flavors like cheesecake, and—check it—chocolate-frosted yellow cake? Oh, my gosh. It’s like all the good of cake batter, without that pesky salmonella risk. Love. If you need to justify lunch before dessert (lightweight), Alotto Gelato also features sandwiches with prosciutto, or tuna, or the caprese. Portions and prices are both reasonable, with 2 scoops of gelato at $2.75 and 4 for $4.50. Go before it melts—or you do. Alotto Gelato |
|
|
| 3 | Say It with Style A while back, we were vegetarian and our boyfriend was vegan. Those were hard times – not because of the dietary decision, but because we were living in Texas at the time. Texas, as you might imagine, is best for red-blooded meat-eaters, and finding veggie options wasn't easy. Surprisingly, the move back to Portland coincided with a return to omnivore status (except for seafood - ugh!), but we still have a soft spot for those who wholeheartedly follow a kindler, gentler path. That's why we love Herbivore, where you can find clothing, bags, buttons and more that proudly proclaim your support of all things cruelty-free with slogans like “One Less Meat Eater” and “Praise Seitan” (and don’t worry – Seitan is just a form of fermented soybeans). Even better, the stock is surprisingly adorable and fits like a glove, not a box, so you can wear your ideals on your sleeve and still look like a hottie. Got a child who loves carrots? They can join in as well, with tiny tees emblazoned with the Herbivore logo. While you're there, make sure to check out the designs by artists Jen Corace and Chris Duncan, which are so spot-on that they might just make you revise your eating habits. After all, we live in Portland – where could it be easier?!? Herbivore |
||
| 4 | Where Size Doesn’t Matter For those of us who are more Camryn Manheim than Cameron Diaz (or who just fluctuate between the two), Savvy Plus is a godsend. Filled to the brim with gently used clothing in sizes 12 and up, Savvy is the perfect place to find the peacoat you lusted after but never bought, or the evening gown you could never afford at full price. Owner Gaya Amundson is happy to offer tips to customers who aren't as confident about their fuller figures, and to those who are happy to be curvy and cute. As a result, Savvy cultivates an atmosphere of supportive friendliness, making shopping the racks a downright pleasure. And Amundson's eye for consigning quality, natural fibers and flattering, current shapes leaves customers with no worries about finding oodles of ponchos or asymmetrical skirts. In addition, Savvy generally has a few pairs of shoes and boots on hand in sizes up to 12, and their counters are filled with lovely jewelry, often designed by local artists. Even the art on the walls reflects the target audience, with each piece embracing a zaftig aesthetic. Don't just get smart...get savvy! Savvy Plus |
||
| 5 | Rise to the Occasions To some, it’s gratifying to hang out at that bar where everyone knows your name, but to others (you know who you are), it’s that special shop that you always tuck into. The shop—a neighborhood spot if you’re lucky—is where you can browse and hang out and relax after a hard day, and inhale all the fabulosity in the store. And one of those spots is Occasions. Occasions is owned by a darling mother/daughter team (and shop dog “Jack”) and we bask in their loveliness regularly, relaxing among the jewelry created by local artists, the stationery, the hostess gifts, baby gifts, table tops, wedding gifts, and deserving gifts for ourselves to brighten our day. Occasions, appropriately named, carries gifts for every occasion, even if that special occasion is your “me time,” which, let’s face it, is an incredibly important occasion unto itself and calls for a big round of shopping. |
|
|
| 6 | Making Sense of Men Men and women communicate differently. When you do the dishes, it’s because the sink is full of dirty bowls; when your boyfriend does the dishes, it could be his way of saying, “I love you.” Unfortunately, there’s no 7th-grade health class where little girls are taught about the subtleties of an adult relationship. But happily, you now have the experts at PAX Programs to help you unravel the Mystery that is Man, and make sense of what they say/do/feel, while learning valuable lessons about yourself. Married or single, you will gain insight into fascinating and illuminating areas of man/woman interaction with "Making Sense of Men" (formerly "Understand Men 101"). Learn about the different types of attraction, and discover the qualities in you that attract men. Learn how to listen for the words that a man says when he cares about you. And learn how to immediately apply everything you learn! This type of understanding can be valuable not only in your love relationships, but in your familial relationships, and even at work. After all, haven’t you wondered a thousand times, “What is he thinking?” Well, now you have a shot at finding out. Reserve your free seats now! The next program is Thursday, Sept. 14, from 7-10 pm at the Hilton Executive Tower in downtown Portland (at Sixth & Taylor). Go get schooled about dudes and tell them Portland Picks sent you! Making Sense of Men |
||
| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Catch that Burp We used to walk around with perma-baby-barf on the shoulders of all our sweaters and shirts. It was just a way of life during that infant stage. Now, of course, when we don’t need it, there’s the Burp Catcher. The Burp Catcher has the cutest packaging and is actually a burp cloth that works, catching the spitup before it dribbles down that new cashmere sweater of yours, or falls onto your Oriental rug. |
 burpcatcher.com |
|
| 2 | Tune In and Turn On Oh my, what will they think of next? We can’t believe we’re even mentioning this (warning!) but this whole iPod thing has taken on a life of its own. This, ladies...well, let’s just say this will rock your world. And we’re talking, ahem, good vibrations. This is definitely a whole new way to plug ‘n play, vibrating to your favorite music. Dare we say, they put the ‘o’ in Oh My Gawd. And if we have to spell it out for you...well, we just can’t bear it. But you can...check it out. We dare you. |
 ohmibod.com |
|
| 3 | Chair Couture Oh how we adore Chair Couture. Margaret redresses vintage French and Italian pieces into one-of-a-kind, bold, modern fabrics and paints, making every bergere, fauteuil, settee and boudoir bench a striking piece of art. These chairs stand out. And because every Chair Couture piece is one-of-a-kind, Margaret gets to know each piece, even giving it a name, and getting to know its plucky little personality. There’s Tess, Bubbles and Robin, Puddin, Rosebud, and a whole mess of Joy. And that’s just the beginning. |
 chaircouture.com |
|
| 4 | Decadence From Scratch Cupcake Mama bakes and delivers luscious gourmet cupcakes in and around the Portland area. Go online and select from a menu of Mama's tried-and-true favorites—or build your own indulgent creation. Mama makes all of her cupcakes to order using only the finest, freshest ingredients. Her loving attention to detail results in a cupcake that looks and tastes exquisite. Delivered to you or a friend in an elegant gift box, it's a perfect way to celebrate. Cupcake Mama—pure decadence, delivered to your door. |
 cupcakemama.com |
|
| 5 | Physical Graffiti Add graffiti, wonderful graffiti, and meaningful words to your walls and make a dramatic impact with very little cost or effort. Wonderful Graffiti can give you sayings, quotes, and other heartfelt anecdotes and images that are so easy to put up and will inspire any bathroom, closet, child’s room or even mud room. And even those of us who have no creative talent whatsoever will be bragging “I did it.” They even have temporary graffiti for that special occasion or wedding. Graffiti letters are very, very thin pieces of vinyl, with a light adhesive that holds them firmly on the wall until you're ready to remove them. (Think Colorforms and Post-It notes.) And they have a zillion creative ideas to choose from, so check them out and transform your home. |
 wonderfulgraffiti.com |
|
| Vacation Pick of the Week: Alderbrook Inn | |||
| When I was a little girl we used to rent one of those charming little cottages on Hood Canal at a resort called Alderbrook. We used to jump off a rope swing into the water, and catch baby crabs. The rustic little cabin went for around $50 a night back then. We recently went back and found an equally pristine experience, renting the same beachside cottage (albeit with an added zero). My kids were free to roam and play, spending hours on the dock fishing. They met other little kids, and they all fished together, caught crabs, looked for spectacular jellyfish and octopi, and picked up giant gooey sea slugs and starfish. I actually Mac Gyvered a fishing pole with just a stick, and my seven-year-old caught 14 bullhead in an hour. They were going for a legendary giant fish known in these parts as Red Eye. Good times! And there’s a fire pit, where you can roast marshmallows, a spa, a swimming pool, volleyball, kayaks and a waterslide. But the coolest part of Hood Canal is when the tide goes out and the kids can discover all kinds of marine life, like a giant treasure hunt. And thankfully, it's still natural and rugged, staying true to its Northwest heart. Even better: Bill Gates has a house just next door with bumper boats and a compound of homes. (He was actually there and we rented a little outboard and papparazzied him.) Hey, if it's good enough for Bill Gates, it's good enough for you. |
 alderbrookresort.com |
||
Hip Happenings: |
|||
| 1 | September Pedicure Special at Tootsie’s Hook yourself up with one of Tootsie’s luxurious spa pedicures, and bring a friend for free - for the entire month of September! Get a special 2-for-1 pampering for you and a friend in Tootsie’s lovely pedicure corner – with a front-row view of their adorable and affordable shoe selection. We dare you to leave here without a pair, especially after your toes get dolled up.
|
 |
|
| 2 | Win a Free Faux-Finish Makeover In celebration of their new business, the talented and lovely folks at Fine Line Painting LLC is hosting an afternoon event at their English Tudor show-home in sunny North Portland. Come by to see amazing painting techniques and get ideas for your home. From checkered floors to faux wood-grain, textured ceilings to art murals, you’ll be amazed by what a difference a bit of paint (and a good dose of imagination) can make. Plus, one lucky visitor will win a FREE faux-finish makeover for a special room in their house!
|
 finelinepaint.com |
|
| 3 | Shirt Passion Italia Sale at Moda Nova
|
 modanova.com |
|
| 4 | Second Thursday on Mississippi More fun on Mississippi – now every Second Thursday, the merchants you love on Mississippi Avenue are opening their doors for food, frolic and shopping. Check out the grand opening events at Flutter, Phlox, Blue, Black Wagon, Gypsy Chic and Porch Light. And stay for dinner or drinks – Crow Bar, Mississippi Avenue Social Club, Pasta Bangs, Lorenzo’s, Mississippi Pizza and Monsoon Thai are just some of our favorites. See you there!
|
||
| 5 | Washington Square Paints Portland Pink! If there's one thing we love more than shopping, it's shopping for a cause, especially one so near to our hearts, literally.
|
 shop washington square.com |
|
| 6 | p:ear-hair-care day @ Bishops! Look good for those late-night TBA parties or your back-to-school play pals! Go get your hair cut, colored or styled, and buy your favorite product at Bishops on Tuesday, Sept. 12, and Bishops will donate a portion of the proceeds to p:ear!
|
 pearmentor.org |
|
| 7 |  |
||
| 8 | Papier Couture Fashion Show
|
 portland.aiga.org |
|
| 9 | Ladies Who Launch – LIVE "Ladies Who Launch -- Live" is a day to connect with others to grow your dreams, your businesses and your creative projects, and to celebrate big ideas, entrepreneurial spirit and creative talent.
|
 ladieswholaunch.com |
|
| 10 |  |
||
| 11 | OHSU Brown Bag The OHSU Center for Women's Health Brown Bag Series is kicking off its 2006-2007 season.
|
 ohsuwomenshealth.com |
|
| 12 |  |
||
|
And speaking of fashion, did you check out The Collections? If you missed it, this annual event presents the work of some of PDX’s most prolific designers in hip yet unpretentious fashion shows. If you weren’t front and center this time, we encourage you to check out one or two designers next year – and don’t fret – you can still catch Fashion Week in late October! It’s another great opportunity to feel chichi for a few days, to mix and mingle, to support our cultural class, and check out the goods. And for a true Portland take on Fashion Week, leave your stilettos at home and go in comfort footwear. Viva PDX! |
|||
Log onto www.portlandpicks.com and check out past newsletters (archives). If you like what you see, forward to a friend and encourage them to log onto www.portlandpicks.com and become a free subscriber. If you would like to subscribe or contribute, please email us at Contribute@PortlandPicks.com
Website and Newsletter maintained by Studio Ridge.com |
|||
