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September 29th, 2006
We don’t follow football, but the men in our lives do, and Oh Baby do they have it bad this time of year. We try at times to watch the games and pretend, for their sake. We hoot and holler and pound our beers and paint our faces. (Okay, not really.) Honestly, though, we do enjoy their fandom, even though we don’t participate. But we had to draw the line when we found out our neighbor bought something called the “NFL Sunday Ticket.” We knew then, at that moment, that all the good times with our honey were behind us. That we should just gather up the sweet memories and press them like flowers into our mental album, because, Oh Baby, That Man is Gone…see you in February, sweetheart! |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Babes in Babyland Some of us on staff have kids, others “choose to abstain,” some are just too young and busy to make the magic happen. But all of us admit that one of our secret passions is shopping for baby gear. We especially love the “Portlandy” things that are offered in so many boutiques around town. What with eco-friendly fibers and often, hand-made, house lines of clothing, we are like junkies, stockpiling the goods so we have just the right gift on hand! Recently we blew a chunk of moolah at Grasshopper, because they’ve moved a few doors down, so of course we had to check out their new digs. (Plus our best friend just had a baby, so we were ready to s-h-o-p!) What we found was delightful—the big new space has toys, stuffed animals and clothes for baby, as well as clothes for boys and girls (from their own line, Wild Carrots—think not-too-precious, colorful togs that kids can bang around in but still look adorable). We also loved printed socks that grow with baby from 1 month to 1 year (in Mary Jane and animal prints, they were too cute) and the knitted backpacks with frog-faces (sure to be kid-pleasers). They also carry necessities like burping cloths and bibs in mix-and-match prints (so perfect for a New Mom), and there’s an area in back with a big rug and a rocking chair where you can read to little Susie or Sam—kind of a try-before-you-buy perk for their lovely book collection. So stop in, check out the big new space, pick up a pair of real English wellies for your toddler (or a friend’s), and tell them Portland Picks sent you! Grasshopper |
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| 2 | A Taste of Provence A friend of ours just recently got back from Paris and, boy, were we ever jealous. What's more, she didn't even pick up the Bensimon tennis shoes we asked for...c'est ridicule, non? But just when we were ready to jeter la serviette (throw in the towel), we discovered a little slice of the City of Lights right in our own backyard. As Portland-dwellers, normally we don't envy our fashionable sisters in beautiful Lake Oswego, but when we found out that they've had long-time access to La Provence Bakery, the little green monster reared his head. Fortunately, Portlanders now have their own version—Petite Provence—located right on rapidly-fancifying southeast Division. The charming boulangerie is filled with scrumptious sweets, from the traditional éclair to tarts, scones and beignets. The croissants may be the most decadent we've ever had...ours arrived still warm and oh-so-buttery. But being this heavenly does have a price—we've still not made it in time to try the raspberry version, and if you arrive late in the day, expect nearly all of the pastry baskets to be empty. Likewise, on weekends the tables are often filled, making it hard to wrangle something off the tempting breakfast menu. Regardless, knowing that Petite Provence is close by makes us happy, even without our tennies. Vive la France! Petite Provence |
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| 3 | A Bit of Bubbly
We have a friend who left yesterday for Paris and we are tres jaloux. She was so diplomatic, as one should be while on their way to France, and asked if we’d like her to bring anything back for us, and we were like, hello?!? Everything! We need supersexy French skirts and scarves, and we need their hair (how do they do that mussy-but-chic when we can only manage mussy?) She promised to raid the drug stores, said they have amazing beauty products and hopefully she can hook up the black Chanel nail polish that is sold out in the States, but what we really want is Parisian fashion. Lipstick? Not so much. So thank goodness for Bubble Boutique; their amazing fall collection has arrived and it’s full of rich colors, textures and fabrics of the highest quality, and it’s mostly French, and distinctly Parisian. The designer darlings of their fall line-up are Irene Van Ryb, Manoush, Paul & Joe, and Lauren Moffatt; designers who are on fashion's cutting edge while remaining classic and timeless (and a touch seductive). And the pieces blend so beautifully with the Portland lifestyle; they’re plush and fab but also down-to-Earth. We are going to invest in just a few things, maybe a lush, chunky sweater or a tailored wool coat, or a ribbon-detailed camisole or a baby-doll top made of the finest French cotton! It’s all too much! But it’s all tres bien, and now we won’t envy our friend anymore. Hey, we’ve got the best of French fashion right here at home. |
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| 4 | Putting the Boom Boom into Our Hearts We want a Fat Albert shirt. And a card with the very hungry caterpillar on it (our most favorite book ever). And fuzzy dice. And Pop Rocks. And a crazy cat lady figurine. And some Simpson’s characters (the original Simpsons, though, in cartoon form; not those shiny singing sisters). And then we’ll need bacon giftwrap to bring the motherlode together. So where do we go? Wham! We love Wham! for its diverse array of the awesome. It truly is a godsend when you have to buy a gift for that friend who has everything, or if you want to accessorize your workspace with things that make you laugh, or just want to remember when (perfect example: the “Ghostbusters” movie poster). We love going into Wham! when our day is overscheduled, or when we’re down, or need a laugh break. Wham! doesn’t take itself seriously, so why should we? Pow, indeed! Shazaam, too! Oh, wait, let’s not forget about the dashboard Ninja. Wham! |
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| 5 | Keeping it Real (Delicious) We were born and raised right here in Stumptown, growing up on salmon, mushrooms, berries and the like. (And though it sounds like it, no, we did not live in the forest and forage for dinner…) So generally, we’re okay with what’s fresh and local; after all Northwest cuisine is good stuff and far healthier than most. But then we visited Screen Door and, for just a moment, we longed to have grown up in Tennessee. Our mom didn't smother her omelets with homemade country gravy, but she was certainly a proponent of a hearty breakfast, so we're sure she'd give Screen Door's vittles a thumbs up. If we were from the South, maybe we could have enjoyed collared greens, fried chicken and grits on a regular basis. While it may have devastated our waistlines, we would have anxiously awaited every meal. (Of course, we also believe in moderation, so perhaps it's for the best that Screen Door is a little luxury that's close to home...but not too close.) Even with the canning jars, Screen Door is anything but country. Instead, it's more "Southern Modern," with clean lines and a light, airy feel. Surprisingly, at times, the food is too. There's an emphasis on fresh, local produce and the meats are free-range or house-made. (If you're craving deep-fried Twinkies, we suggest you look elsewhere.) Make sure to check the board for a bevy of specials, each one more mouth-watering than the next. Thank goodness we live in Oregon, where we can enjoy the flavors of the South without any of the humidity! Screen Door |
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| 6 | A Lesson in Fashion A few weeks back we commented on the “big shirt” trend that looks oh-so-cute on the waifs in the Urban Outfitters catalog, but no so much on our 30-ahem-something bods. We didn’t know how to look good in those togs without turning into an extra from “Back to the Future.” So we not only mocked the trend (for shame—we know), but suggested that if it doesn’t look good on you, you should skip it and find what fits your style. Classic, basic advice, right? Right—until we popped into Mimi & Lena and found that no—we don’t have to fear long shirts, and yes—we can pull off this trend. Happily, they showed us how to do it right. Case in point: Check out the photos to the right. The first is of a “converted customer” (the lovely Camille Solyagua) who also dreaded the trend til she figured it out. She’s wearing the new-shape shirt (flouncy top) with the new-shape pants (the skinny jean), and we have to admit, she looks pretty kickin. The second photo is Mimi & Lena owner Julie Ann Lovestrand, who also played dress-up and looks fab in an oversized blouse, a schoolboy jacket, skinny stretch trousers and suede booties. And all this booty is available at Mimi & Lena. Check them out, and tell them Portland Picks sent you! Mimi & Lena |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Find the Perfect Little Dress The holidays are around the corner and just imagine your little Muffy at the Nutcracker in her Smitherman and Barnwell sweet vintage dress. Or maybe you’re darling little Muffin is lucky enough to be a flower girl in a wedding this season. Well, here’s the one and only place to find an old-fashioned, classic dress for the occasion. The Smitherman & Barnwell label uses the finest European fabrics to create exceptional designs for children; this is truly luxury at its best. And their Vintage collection for fall....oh, it’s so sweet that it makes us all giddy inside! |
 smitherman and barnwell.com |
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| 2 | Get Your Betty Ready Oh my, really, what will they think of next. Surprise him with a little beauty for your Betty. When he checks out the goods, you’ll show him. Yes, you really are a platinum blonde. For reals. Today, anyway. Introducing the first safe color that’s specially formulated for the hair, ah, “down there.” Betty colors naturally, covers gray, and enhances to match your glorious locks above. From now on, when you highlight or color your hair, don't forget your Betty! |
 bettybeauty.com |
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| 3 | How Good Are We at Transitions? The hottest new item to hit the states, imported from Paris and sold in only the finest stores there is now here! You must try Crazilibellule & The Poppies—a fragrance that has already been written about twice in WWD before it was even available for sale in the US, and b-glowing.com is the exclusive North American Wholesale Distributor of the brand. It is available at Palmetto’s in Santa Monica and will soon be available at Fred Segal, and of course here, at Portland’s own b-glowing.com. These delightful solid perfume scents are 5 grams of pure happiness! Wear them in private or public, on your neck, around your navel, behind your knee, anywhere and anytime, again and again. Wear one or several, create your own blend, or add one to your favorite perfume.http://www.b-glowing.com |
 b-glowing.com |
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| 4 | Capture the Memories With the holidays around the corner, you might be racking your brain for the perfect gift. No easy feat for the one who has everything. But nothing is better, more personal than a photograph of you, or your kids. You will ooh and ahh over how gorgeous you are and will want to autograph your photo and give it to all your fans. And your little ones, well, they’ll never look so perfect again. |
 leftturnstudio.com |
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| 5 | Our Favorite Band Bella Band is a priceless maternity accessory that, well, holds your pants up...plus it's cute while it's doing it. And frankly, that's important. Sometimes while your belly is expanding it's hard to keep your pants up. We have fond memories of our Grandpa in his La-Z-Boy recliner after a big dinner with his pants undone, nary a care in the world but his own comfort. We, on the other hand, do care. With a Bella Band you don't have to move straight away into maternity clothes. You can wear your cute, girly, non-prego pants and skirts a little longer by simply slipping on the Bella Band that cleverly disguises your zipper and looks like that hip layered look. Hey, unlike Grandpa, no one has to see your XYZ. You're pregnant! Have fun! Get with the band and go out and play. |
 poshbaby.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Rare Diamonds on Display For three days, Carl Greve Jewelers will host a very rare collection of exquisite diamonds: two carats through 30 carats of princess cuts, emerald cuts, and rounds, as well as some of the world's rarest colored diamonds are all on display.
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 carlgreve.com |
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| 2 | Baby Boot Camp Continues! “Have you thought about running with the giraffes?” Only 6 more weeks of Baby Boot Camp Zoo classes, so sign up now!
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 babybootcamp.com |
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| 3 | Ghouls, Gore, Shopping & More—New Hours at Lippman This year’s Halloween merchandise at The Lippman Co. is even creepier, gorier, and more realistic than last year’s, so you better start gathering your costumes, décor, and haunted house essentials now…before it’s too late!!!
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 lippmancompany.com |
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| 4 | The Black and White Party is Tonight! In November of 2005 four artists gathered together to create Sedition Magazine; a free, creative, culture/art publication new to Portland—the content is not only art, but fashion, fine arts, music, photography and creative writing, with more than 100 pages of interviews, articles, cartoons and reviews per issue, and all local.
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| 5 | Check Out Home Comfort Zones Is your house always too hot, or too cold? Home Comfort Zones is a fabulous service that provides room-by-room temperature control and energy management system that guarantees you'll always be comfortable in every room of your home. With technology that’s easy to handle—just set the temperature you want for your entire home on the main display to enjoy uniform temps in every room. Home Comfort Zones will have a booth at the Portland Fall Home & Garden Show Oct. 6-8, so you can find the right solution for your home, in person! No appointment necessary!
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 homecomfortzones.com |
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| 6 | Tootsie’s October Special We love us some Tootsie’s! And their fabulous shoe-store-slash-pedicure-haven is even better in October with irresistible pedicure specials. And with designers like Kors, BCBG, Laundry, Pink, Cynthia Rowley, Betsey Johnson and oodles more, you will be tempted by the latest styles at great prices. To make it even more diff to walk out empty-handed, Tootsie’s also carries belts and handbags to die for.
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| 9 | Gingko’s Anniversary Sale is Going On Now! How lucky are we? It has been three years since the first Gingko first opened in San Francisco, and Portland now has a Gingko of its own! (See www.portlandpicks.com for more info!) Gingko Home Furnishings specializes in modern designs built of solid, reclaimed hardwoods. Beautify your home and transition from summer to fall with terrific savings from Gingko!
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 gingkofurniture.com |
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Have you spotted an “opening soon” sign for a new boutique that looks Portland Picks-worthy? Drop us a line and let us know! We love having your help in supporting small businesses, and letting Portland Picks readers in on the newest and freshest new spots! |
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