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October 27th, 2006
The other day we were having a discussion with a fashionable friend about our first pair of boots. You know, that initial pair you had when you were maybe six, maybe sixteen, that somehow, suddenly, made you feel like you were officially a little more grown up. For our friend, it was cowboy boots at age 13. She felt like a w-o-m-a-n, and trotted to school the next day with new confidence, even landing her first boyfriend! (She swears it was because of the boots.) For us, it was the black suede babies that Grandma Laura purchased for us on a rare day when the two of us went shopping. It’s funny, though, because we don’t remember anything past the purchase—we don’t remember wearing them to school, we don’t remember how long we had them—and even though the whole transaction took maybe 5 minutes, we can recall it practically second-by-second. Maybe the boots weren’t meaningful…maybe it was the personal relationships we attached to them that made them special…but either way, there’s no knockin warm and fuzzy memories. Or a rockin pair of boots. |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Shop, Drop, (Rock ’n) Roll We love denim. The days we don't have clean jeans we wonder what to wear, and daydream about 501s. We can¹t tell you how many times we¹ve stared up and down the legs of girls and guys thinking, "Mm-hm those pants look goood!" And happily, denim-lovers like us now have another dealer in town to get that hot-jeans fix. Drop 2 boutique, open just about six weeks, carries a saucy variety of menswear and women’s fashions. At first the store was only going to focus on guy stuff, but lucky for the ladies, there are plenty of jeans, shirts, skirts and jewelry for us. And it's a well-chosen selection. All the clothes are full of texture and artsy designs—and it's "the good stuff"—definitely not that “you'll see it everywhere on everyone” look. For instance, Le Coq Sportif, one of the lines Drop 2 carries, is a fun and fashion-forward French line that isn’t seen much (if at all) in Portland. Drop 2 also has Antik Denim, one of our fave denim labels for sure. So drop on by, and tell them Portland Picks sent you! Drop 2 |
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| 2 | For the Finishing Touch, Add Garnish It must be tough to be a movie star. To have a personal chef, a personal trainer, a personal assistant, and a personal stylist. Rough stuff! Imagine having all your clothes tailored to fit, so you look like a million bucks every time you step out of the house. We can imagine that. Yes, indeedy. And we can get a taste of it, too, at Garnish Apparel. You’ll find delightful creations in fab fabrics—from silk skirts to wool trousers. Plus, designer Erica Platt can tailor each piece to fit your bod, and it’s all so reasonably priced. She has an open studio at the back of the shop where you can watch her pinning, measuring and sewing, and there are samples on view for upcoming designs, so you can place your order before the new stuff hits the racks. And did we mention that they moved? They’re still on Alberta, but the new space is light and airy. Pop in, and get a taste of the glamorous life. Garnish Apparel |
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| 3 | Trend Alert! It's not every day that Portland's on the cutting edge of a major trend. You heard it here first—our own fair city has joined the likes of New York and San Francisco with the opening of the Camellia Lounge, a swanky space featuring tea-infused cocktails, cleverly known as mar-tea-nis. The Tea Zone and Camellia Lounge 510 NW 11th Ave. Portland, OR 97209 503.221.2130 www.teazone.com |
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| 4 | Day-Tripping for Shopaholics Everyone needs a getaway now and then. It’s absolutely necessary to get out and about to see the sights, enjoy fresh air, and…let’s face it…to shop. So how about taking that day trip…on, say, Saturday, Nov. 4? From 10 am to 4 pm? We know just the place—Woodburn Company Stores! It’s the annual Shopping Extravaganza, presented by The Miles Family of Dealerships and Wellspring med spa. Woodburn boasts 85+ stores, and of those, 70+ are offering discounts (this is the best part of the day!), plus another 50+ are offering enter-to-wins for Extravaganza attendees (including Guess, Helly Hansen, Eddie Bauer, Aeropostale, Mikasa, Garden Gallery Iron Works, Naturalizer and West Point Home). And $40,000 will be given away, so you are bound to be a winner! Plus there will be a gift-basket demo by Harry and David, a holiday cosmetics makeover by Perfumania, a Le Creuset cookware giveaway and a cooking demo by Jeff Nitlek, the chef/owner of Silver Grille in Silverton. Tickets are $20 each, and can be pre-purchased online. Proceeds go to 10 participating regional charities. Plan to spend the day, because the ticket price includes lunch, wine tasting, dessert, a special “Extravatini” drink, a 5”x7” photo of you and your friends that day, and more! See you there! Woodburn Company Stores |
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| 5 | Sole Sisters You know the smooth Johnny Sole for shoes, but have you been upstairs yet? Venture to the second level to find some fantastic, hip, and fun threads for men and women. Chicks will find jeans from labels like Blue Cult and Kasil—and with styles named “Devious” and “Devoted,” how could you not simply adore? Oh, right, and for the boys (sorry, we got distracted by the tunic tops and wrap dresses): black Rivet blazers, and men’s buttondowns by 191 Unlimited, with just enough roughed-up attitude. We also love their belt selection and funky wallets. Check out the sharp hat selection under glass, as well as the cutest bags (for girls, again!), the kind that prompt compliments—trust us, we know from purses. Also under glass: huge designer sunglasses that’ll have passers-by wondering and the paparazzi snapping, all inquiring just who that fabulous creature is. Don’t worry, we’ll keep your secret. Johnny Sole |
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| 6 | Noah’s Arf Off we go to work, to provide for…our pets. What? They’re our family, too. We want a caretaker who’ll take as good care of them as we do. Even if we work odd hours. Oh, happy day to discover Noah’s Arf, a one-stop shop for all your pet’s needs. They’ll do doggie (or kitty) daycare, overnight stays, “pet taxi” services, dog walking, pet sitting, obedience training, and pet washing. Scrub Fido yourself at their self-serve wash stations or let them do it. Owner Kris lives on premises, so she’s always there for (pre-arranged) late-night pickups, drop-offs, or emergencies. And check out their adorable selection of leashes, pet raincoats, toys, and treats! Like its namesake, Noah’s Arf doesn’t turn any animals away, providing there’s room. (Unlike its namesake, they don’t require pairs of them.) They’ve been graced by pet birds, guinea pigs, bearded dragons, and even “Felix the Rat.” Don’t be guilty; at Noah’s Arf, we guarantee your pet’s having more fun during the day than you are. Noah’s Arf |
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| 7 | Make Mine a Mantra We have been keeping an eagle eye on the new doings over on N. Williams Street—near the latest Pix and Lompoc outposts—and we are happy to report that our latest neighbor is an old friend—Yoga Shala. Check out their website www.yogashalapdx.com for a complete list of classes (including a man-friendly series called “Shadow Yoga,” or make plans to spend this Saturday night at their Grand Opening Party from 5-7 pm! You’re invited, for reals! Enjoy food from Vindalho and Tabla’s new Vegan restaurant, Nutshell (due to open next door), wine, beer from the New Old Lompoc, a performance by kirtan artist Jaya Lakshmi, and raffle tickets where you could win gift certificates to Lorenzo’s, Pix, Vindalho, free yoga classes, discounts and more! See you tomorrow night! |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Feel-Good Sleepwear Ah, sleep. How we love it. We are suckers for pillow-top beds and 500-thread-count sheets and all the little luxuries that go along with having a ridiculously plush bed. So weren’t we happy to find the Deux Amies store, which sells decadent but environmentally friendly sleepwear online! The Deux Amies line is all “green cotton,” an eco-friendly fabric that meets the highest standards of environmental responsibility through all life-cycle stages, from cultivation to waste recycling. It’s chemical-free, soft and clean on the skin, and completely luxurious. |
 deuxamiesinc.com |
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| 2 | Dinner Made Easy We love to cook, but often have trouble pulling together dinner in a pinch. We stare into the fridge as if it had magic inside, waiting for it to present a meal to us. No surprise—it hasn’t happened…yet. Which is why Cooking Accomplished! is such a necessity. In just a couple of hours we can create enough meals to stock our freezer for a month.It’s like having your own personal gourmet chef living in your freezer. They also offer cooking classes (the grilling class last month included a grilled salad...fabulous!) And they have a beautiful “living room” and “dining room” setup where they host private events (corporate dinners, birthday parties, wine-tastings, holiday parties, etc.) What’s for dinner? Why, Cooking Accomplished! |
 cookingaccomplished.com |
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| 3 | Trick or Treat? Just for you, our pretties, we introduce the Tokyo Lash Bar Collection. |
 shuuemura-usa.com |
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| 4 | Built for Spills Portland-based Kung Fu Bambini baby clothing and accessories is a wonderland of color and kitsch. This is for real children, who play hard, run, tumble and spill! |
 kungfubambini.com |
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| 5 | Pooch Portraiture People love their pets, for sure, as demonstrated by all the swanky doggie day cares and wares out there. And now that the holidays are approaching (arf), no better way to show off your pet’s pretty mug than with pooch portraiture. Famed children's photographer Kelley Dulcich has embarked (oof) on a new genre of photography that’s creating quite a buzz—she captures your best friend in his true colors. A framed photo of your little guy makes the perfect holiday gift, or you can turn the photo into holiday cards that will surely make it front and center on everyone’s fridge. |
 kelleydulcichphoto.com |
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| 6 | Holiday Card Special at Occasions The holidays are so special and hectic with so much to do and so little time, but relax--we found just the people to help. From now through Nov. 20, Occasions Fine Gifts is offering a 20% savings on all personalized holiday card orders. Choose cards from whimsical to traditional with featured lines from Checkerboard, Fitzgraphics, Sarah LeClere, Stevie Streck, Cid Pear and Itty Bitty Greetings. Come in, browse their selection, and find the perfect card to garnish the “top spot” on everyone’s fireplace mantel this year. For more information, visit www.occasionsfinegifts.com.
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 occasionsfinegifts.com |
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| iTunes Mix of the Week: | |||
With the wacky confused weather and shorter days, fall is definitely here, no doubt. And rather than be glum about the wetter season, we'll relish it. We'll curl up in our flannels, sip a glass of wine in front of a fire, and jell-out to these moody tunes, tunes that'll get us swaying like the leaves. And you can too with our Fall iTunes Mix, just for you.
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 2 | Prepare to Scare…it’s Midnight Madness! Halloween is almost here! If you still haven’t gotten the finishing touches for your costume and the spooky décor for your party, run to The Lippman Co. before it’s too late! They have everything you can imagine for Halloween, from amazing and gruesome life-like props to old-fashioned toys and creepy decorations, to unique lines of tableware and spooky tabletop items. They are open tonight until midnight for tricks & treats and late-night shopping. It’s your last chance to prepare to scare all those trick-or-treaters with your elaborate door decor! What: Everything you need for Halloween |
 lippmancompany.com |
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| 3 | Whole Foods Market Celebrates Grand Opening in Tigard You’re invited to celebrate the opening of the new Whole Foods Market in Tigard on Weds., Nov. 1, with a great day of festivities, including complimentary samples and demos, live entertainment, giveaways and, of course, great food! Be one of the first 1,000 customers to spend $25 or more and receive a free reusable Green Bag. What: Whole Foods Market Grand Opening at Bridgeport |
 wholefoodsmarket.com |
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| 4 | Learn How to Have Fun with your Heart-Smart Diet Some delicious indulgences go hand-in-hand with your heart-healthy lifestyle. Join us for “Chocolate, Wine and…Heart-Healthy?!” a free presentation sponsored by Providence Heart and Vascular Institute. Guest speaker Miles Hassell, M.D., director of the Providence Integrative Medicine Program, will guide you on having fun with a well-balanced diet. What: Chocolate, Wine and…Heart-Healthy?!, presented by Providence Heart and Vascular Institute |
 providence.org |
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| 5 | Holiday Specials for a Beautiful You Rebecca, the sought-after licensed esthetician at La Muse Day Spa, is offering three specials through the holidays!
Get relaxed with her candlelit treatments, shoulder massages and soothing music, and tell her Portland Picks sent you. |
 lamusesalon.net |
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| 6 | Win a Fabulous Wedding-Photo Package Are you getting married next year? Jasmine Photography is giving away one free wedding photo package, valued at $1900! The photography is gorgeous, and the package includes 5 hours of coverage, a pre-wedding meeting, a Web gallery, engagement session & website, proof CD and digital wedding files. The contest starts now! Just send the answers to these questions to to Alexis at lxs@jasminephotography.com:
What: “Velvet Rose” photo package giveaway |
 jasminephotography.com |
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| 7 | Save the Date: CRAVE Holiday Shopping Party What: Crave Holiday Shopping Party |
 craveportland.com |
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| 8 | How Do You ’Do? Specials at 77 Salon |
 seventyseven.us |
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| 9 | Giant Pumpkins Take Over Bridgeport Village |
 bridgeport-village.com |
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| 10 | Halloween Fun at the Portland Children’s Museum! Get ready for Halloween fun at the Portland Children’s Museum. Activities include mask-making workshops from 10 am-noon and 1 pm-4 pm on Saturday, Oct. 28, and from 1-4 pm on Sunday, Oct. 29. Kids can put the finishing touches on their costumes by choosing an animal face or other motif and decorating it with a variety of media for a one-of-a-kind mask ($3 per-child materials fee). Or kids can decorate a treat bag for free. The Museum’s resident magician, Richard Green, will present two shows with a few Halloween twists on Saturday at 10 am and noon. What: Halloween Workshops at the Portland Children’s Museum When: Oct. 28-31 Where: 4015 SW Canyon Road, PDX Call: 503.223.6500 Visit: www.portlandcm.org |
 portlandcm.org |
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| 11 | Get Spooky at Solo Are you ready to get spooky? Scary? Sexy? Ridiculous? SoLo's celebrating Halloween on Saturday, Oct. 28, and you're invited! Party the night away with Solo and Veueve Cliquot Ponsardin. They'll have champagne and cocktail specials all night long, a DJ, and a costume contest with CASH prizes! What: "Yelloween" Party at Solo
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 solobar.net |
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We have trick-or-treat-a-phobia. Tis true. We normally hide on Halloween, like, leave the house and hope for the best, but this year we succumbed and bought three big bags of cavity-causing treats. We can’t guarantee we’ll dress up to greet the treaters, but we do promise to open the door. Boo! |
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