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October 6th, 2006
We have some big things coming up and just wanted to whet your whistle a bit…first, we will soon be presenting the results of the First Annual Portland Picks “Your PDX” Readers’ Poll. We got an incredible response and we’re still tallying the results! So keep an eyeball peeled for that. Second, we are busy putting together our 2006 Holiday Gift Guide, and it’s going to be our biggest gift guide ever! We will present some of the most original and coveted gift-giving ideas in town, from our favorite local purveyors of goods and services. Look for that the first week in December, and remember that not only can you print it out and refer to it FOREVER, but it will be available online all year, too! |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | For the Love of Chocolate We've recently gone back to school to get our master's degree in communications, but after an afternoon with Aubrey from Cacao, we've decided that the only thing we want to be an expert on is chocolate. We've never felt this way about wine or cigars...not even cheese or coffee. But with chocolate, we want to know everything—the percentage of cacao, whether it's from Venezuela or Vanuatu, a blend or single plantation. We're smitten with the substance and, thank goodness, Cacao is there to help. Open just under a month, Cacao doesn’t make its own chocolates (though there are some delectable offerings in the store) and it's not really a dessert destination (though the exquisitely rich "drinking chocolate" is certain to warm you up come winter). Instead, Cacao is filled with a mind-boggling number of, well, chocolate bars. Each bar is a sight to behold—the packaging is incredibly ornate and, like wine, you can learn a lot from the labels. Coming soon will be tasting notes, designed to enlighten customers about what's smoky, spicy or bitter. The best resource, however, is the staff, who are quick to point you towards caramels topped with fleur de sel or a bar studded with cacao nibs, pleasing the palate with unique tastes and textures. Have a loved one who's a chocoholic? Cacao can whip together a beautiful gift basket that will send them straight to heaven. We don't know how long it will take to get our degree in chocolatology, but we're looking forward to doing the homework. Cacao |
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| 2 | Doing the Do Everyone has their own stylist or colorist that they swear by, but we’¹ve found that to be very subjective, often due more to their devoted relationship and lack of playing the field. Women tend to love their salon and be eternally devoted, so much so their stylist can be found on speed-dial (especially if you’re like us and, gasp, have frequent 911 hair emergencies). Our hair over time, has gotten a little too, lets just say, horse-like, due to too much of a good thing. In multiple blonde moments, we kinda forgot and went way too blonde. To bring some balance back into our lives, and into our hair, we found Elissa at Roberts of Portland. All she does is color. In fact she’s also the owner and color director. Elissa is like a skilled nuclear physicist, a Harvard professor, the Bill Gates of hair-coloring. And though it’s a work in progress, she’s bringing our hair back to a healthy, more natural blonde, which, trust us, is quite a feat. (And in the meantime, we’ve never gotten so many compliments). The secret to Robert’s success is matching every guest with a talented, energetic stylist trained to listen, make recommendations, and create your best look, every time. And this salon experience is fun—like a visit with your most fashionable, upbeat friend! And right now they have a new client offer...$25 off your first cut or color. So if you have a big night on the town, you can stop by for a saucy look, a makeover, an updo, or some sassy curls. Robert’s is definitely a must for your hair (and your speed-dial)! Robert’s of Portland |
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| 3 | Look Sexy, Feel Sexy Lingerie is definitely something to be coveted, and definitely runs the gamut of taste and, ahem, functionality. Whether your style is elegant & traditional, sexy & sophisticated, or flirty & fun, it’s always a challenge—at least for us—to find just the right thing. We want to feel like a Bond Girl, not like our regular 9-5 selves. So weren’t we thrilled when we found out that one of our favorite lingerie stores has now moved to NE Broadway! Oh Baby is a Portland-based chain of lingerie boutiques that carries a collection thigh-high in bras, camisoles, chemises, corsets, garters, gowns, panties, slips, stockings and teddies, from $30-$300, and in bunches of sizes, plus toys to spice up a love life. And now they are launching a succulent monthly event series called “Thursday Nighties,” which takes place the third Thursday of every month from 6-8 pm. The first gathering will be at the Broadway location, and is called “Of Course, Corsets.” It will feature Vollers Corsets, a company that has been making wildly sexy corsets since 1899! Stop in to the event, try on one these intricate, magnificent pieces, experience how incredibly sexy you’ll feel, and when you’re there, in flagrante, tell them Portland Picks sent you! |
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| 4 | Getting Needled We’ve been feeling creaky lately. It’s the zeal of the convert—in our case, the conversion to exercise. Our body’s getting us back for all the gym classes we cut in 9th grade. (Somewhere, our gym teacher chortles.) So we hobbled into Terry McCormick’s acupuncture studio with high hopes. All patients fill out a detailed questionnaire, but we didn’t need it: Terry’s kind of psychic that way, drawing immediate and eerie conclusions about our food cravings and cold fingertips. Though we saw Terry for running-related issues, he specializes in acupuncture for hormone regulation—think endometriosis and infertility—and metabolic issues. Yep, weight loss. Also, banish thoughts of daggers nestled among scary potions; his equipment is state-of-the-art. How many acupuncturists that you know use lasers? Terry’s a Licensed Acupuncturist and Massage Therapist, with a Master’s in Oriental Medicine. He moved to Portland from Manhattan—where he had a thriving practice on Union Square—because he won one of three competitive grants at OCOM (Oregon College of Oriental Medicine) to attend their PhD program. Because, come on, when it comes to Portland’s top needle-wielders, would we not put you the best possible hands? Terry McCormick |
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| 5 | Get to Werk |
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| 6 | A Night in Gotham We couldn’t help overhear the rumors, and as a result, are here to set the Gotham-dining-table-records straight. Is it true their doors are creaking open again? Yes! Is it anything like it was before? No… not exactly. The new run of the retired ripe-related North Portland eatery is just as gorgeous, hip, and lovely as the first version; but has a much more modest menu. It warns you right away that they are still in their “soft opening” phase and that the few items to choose from are still in their test period. Nonetheless, we found the menu’s affordable prices attractive (most items were under $10), and what they had to offer was tasty (try the polenta with smoked turkey!) In short, we think the new Gotham is leaning more toward a true tavern, while leaving high-end eating in its history. You can still count on the woodsy, warm, modern interior and super-friendly service, but don’t be surprised if the house DJ’s dance music drowns out your dining conversation. Look for even more changes out of the North Interstate tavern within the next few weeks. Apparently the new owners (Brett, Jordan and Shannon) had to keep the old name due to OLCC licensing reasons, but plan to change it shortly to “North Side at the Gotham Tavern.” Their official opening is also expected around early October. Sounds delicious! Gotham Building Tavern |
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| 7 | Stay and Play One of our all-time favorite things to do is to get a hotel, book a good meal or a show downtown, and pretend like we're on vacation. We've done this in every city we've lived in...there's something so romantic about the evening when you walk back to a hotel from dinner or a play or the opera...whether it's for girls' night out, arm in arm with your girlfriends, or on a date, hand in hand with your honey...just one night like this feels like a whole weekend. And what better reason to have a nightcap, take a late-night trip to the rooftop garden, or just put on the Barry White and have some "romantic times" than a swanky hotel room waiting for you? Which is why we were thrilled to find out about the Mark Spencer Hotel's newest package, "A Stay and A Play." For only $99 weeknights or $119 Friday/Saturday, you can enjoy the Mark Spencer's fab amenities, presented with timeless European flair, cultured style and Old World courtesy, plus 2 free tickets to Portland Center Stage's production of "West Side Story." Does it get more romantic than that? The package also includes an overnight stay for two with Continental Breakfast and Afternoon Tea. The offer runs Oct. 6-Nov. 5, and the theater is only two blocks away, as the Mark Spencer is located right in the heart of Portland's Theater District. And there's one more perk: free parking! Leave the car behind, and shop, dine out, see a wonderful play, and enjoy downtown. Book soon, as rooms and tickets are based on availability. We'll see you at intermission! Mark Spencer Hotel |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Love is in the Air You know what, we just found out about the sauciest thing evah…at PassionPartiesByEmily.com, you can sign up for a Passion Party thrown by independent consultant Emily James. She will come to your house and bring armloads of the stuff you don’t want to leave the house to buy: lotions and potions and toys by Passion Parties, the premier sensual products company in the U.S. and Canada.Emily is so sweet, too, she’s not some black-lidded Elvira in a teddy—she’s a real person with a winning smile who makes you feel comfortable right away! Plus, she says, by taking control of your own intimacy, you can improve not only your relationship, but also your self-image. And we agree, but we also think Passion Parties are a lot of fun! Get your girls together, and prepare to giggle. This is the good stuff! And in October, get an extra 5% hostess credit when you throw the party on a weeknight! (Plus you’ll get free stuff if you host—a win/win ferreals!) |
  passion parties by emily.com |
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| 2 | What’s Better Than a Photo? If you're like us, you pamper your pet as if it were your offspring. We've been accused of being "motherly" when it comes to our Pork Chop, and we're not even ashamed. Which is why we went bananas when we found CJ Worlein and her lovely colored-pencil portraits. She can take a high-res photograph of Fido or Ginger and make the most remarkable likeness - and of course, she does people, too. We love this idea for gifts...after all, the holidays are fast approaching, and this is a sweet, lasting way to preserve a memory. (And how genius is this for grandparents who are longing for photos of your little ones?) www.cjworleinportraits.com |
 cjworleinportraits.com |
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| 3 | You Heard it First We’re always on the fence when a new or “recycled new” trend rears its head, and if it doesn’t easily fit our body type (and does that whole slimming thing) than we are slow to embrace. Designer Augustine is on the verge of a global breakthrough, touted in loud whispers among the bigwig designers in NYC. And here, you heard it here first. |
 weareaugustine.com |
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| 4 | Get Your Pink On We will gladly shine for this cause. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and now we can support breast cancer when we buy these sparkly pink jewels. And you can sparkle for this cause, too, and you really, really should. |
 objetsdenvy.com |
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| 5 | New Shoes! For years, the average Jane didn't have easy, inexpensive access to cutting-edge designers. But now, hot names like Paul + Joe and Tara Jarmon are showing up at Target, Abaeté is at Payless and now Vivienne Westwood, Thakoon and Sophia Kokosalaki can be found at Nine West. Thakoon's 11-item collection is described as "baroque futurism with a romanticized spirit." This roughly translates as patent leather with lots of lacy details, perfect for a night on the town. Items range from wedges to gloves and will be available only though the end of the month or when supplies run out. Come November, look for Kokosalaki to take over with futuristic, Grecian-inspired designs. |
 ninewest.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Huge Fall Sale at Tootsie’s! Oh my goodness they’re doing it again—Tootsie’s is breaking down all of our reserve with a huge fall sale! All sale items are 50-70% off from today through Monday! We can’t take it…we must…get there… Tootsie’s supercute array of hip kicks is well-priced without the sale! We can’t help ourselves…we…must…shop…
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 Map it |
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| 2 | Flutter, Art, and You Flutter, purveyor of feminine and delectable home accessories, antiques, collectibles, soaps, jewelry and more, is hosting a new artist each month, commencing on Second Thursdays, to create magic in their already lovely window installations! Just like in NYC, now Portland is getting a taste of the mix of design, art and retail goodness. This month, it’s Sandra Rokoff Lizut of Port Townsend, Wash., with her assemblage series “Oiseaux de Jeunesse.” Come see how Sandra interprets Flutter’s wonders with her artwork!
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 flutterclutter.com |
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| 3 | Become a Music Mixologist! Rockstar energy drink has created a way for Portland musical talent to create an original blend of musical genres in a song (hip hop, rock, funk, country, bluegrass, techno, etc.), then submit it to a panel of judges who will then pick contestants who will play for audience votes at four Portland venues. The top three winners at these four venues will go on to perform at the Crystal Ballroom Grand Finale, with headliner Storm Large and The Balls. And you don’t have to be a professional musician to enter! You could win a trip for two to the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, and other cool prizes!
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 rockstarmix.com |
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| 4 | ACME Made Trunk Show at OFFICE: We heart designer bags! Join OFFICE for a designer bag extravaganza featuring Portland’s own laptop bag superstars, ACME Made. At the trunk show, you’ll save 10% on all ACME products, meet some of the folks on the ACME team, see what’s new (and what’s to come) in the world of designer laptop bags, totes, messenger bags—and find out first-hand why the W Hotel is now featuring their bags.
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 officepdx.com |
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| 5 | New Showroom! Paul Schatz Furniture Open House
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 paulschatzfurniture.com |
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| 6 | Dream Dinners is Proud to Present Setting the Table for Success:
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 dreamdinners.com |
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| 7 | Fashion by Flashlight Your favorite Alberta street boutiques are sponsoring trunk shows—each featuring local designers and new goods—plus special sales and vodka cocktails (thank you, New Deal Vodka) for a delightful, late-night shopping extravaganza on Alberta Street from 6 to 9 pm.
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 foundation garments inc.com |
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| 8 | OHSU Speaking of Women Brown Bag In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the OHSU Center for Women's Health invites you to attend this month's women's health Brown Bag. Susan Hedlund, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., will talk about the emotional impact of breast cancer and the adjustment that most women experience following diagnosis. The benefits of sharing emotions will be considered, in addition to positive effects on both coping and physical recovery. No RSVP is necessary, but seating is limited so come early and bring your lunch.
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 ohsuwomenshealth.com |
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| 9 | Something Silver Anniversary Sale! This local chain of jewelry stores is celebrating its 12th anniversary with a sale of epic proportions! Save 10% to 70% on a variety of sterling silver jewelry; from whimsical to keepsake to rock-n-roll, there is something for every taste. And the more you spend, the more you save: Spend $40 and get $5 off; spend $100 and save $15; spend $250 and get $55 off; and spend $400 and save $100. Plus, the sale will be available in stores and online!
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 somethingsilver.com |
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| 11 | 55th Annual Portland Greek Festival Every year, in a little corner of Northeast Portland, a block comes to life with the sights, sounds and smells of the the Mediterranean. The 55th annual Portland Greek Festival is upon us, and it's time to celebrate the tradition. It's time to enjoy a little pastry in the Kafenion. Meet friends for a glass of wine in the taverna or feast on lamb or a traditional dinner in the dining room. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on 32nd and NE Glisan is the site for the closest thing Portland has to Mykonos. Come watch traditional Greek dancing, shop for Greek sweaters or jewelry or enjoy a souvlaki. The largest Greek festival on the West Coast runs this Friday through Sunday. If you've been before, we don't need to explain. If you've never been, come start a tradition of your own. Opa!
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 goholytrinity.org |
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| 12 | Flourish Interiors Grand Opening Flourish Interiors is having a Grand Opening Sale and Party, and they’ll be open late to celebrate! Flourish combines the best of European and American antiques with distinctive lines of interior furnishings. They also offer imported linens, dinnerware, bed and bath accessories and fantastic candles, soaps and lotions to complete those finishing touches. And they are now carrying Dean & Deluca products! You’ll find chocolates, candies and nuts as well as the savory end of things like sauces, oils and vinegars, and even spices.
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 flourish-interiors.com |
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| 13 | You’re invited to the Bravo! Showcase An interactive experience showcasing local businesses in the event planning industry, in one afternoon. Whether you're planning a large convention, corporate meeting, golf tournament or wedding, every necessary resource and service will be available for inquiry and consultation. Portland Showcase |
 bravotradeshows.com |
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What do you want to see more of from Portland Picks? Let us know! We are here for you, after all…
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