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Portland Picks for Mother's Day:
We don't need to tell you, Mother's Day is THE most important
holiday of the year.
That's why we've “Picked” some great gift ideas for you to
share with your husband and kids (just print and tuck in his wallet) or use
them for your own mum. You've made the lunches, wiped noses, and loaded the
dishwasher approximately one million times. Repetitive stress (repetition
is stress!) leaves you dreaming of swooning back on your divan…….well,
Mother's Day is your day! Prescription strength relaxation is in order.
Breakfast in bed is always nice, flowers can do the trick, and a day at
the spa is well-deserved….but why not all three – and more!
Mother's Day Gift Ideas for me:
- Let's face it; mothers by definition are in a chronic state of sleep
deprivation. Sometimes we don't sleep at all or when we do, we wake
to the tiniest sigh or cry or snore. We have sensory overload by day, and
a thousand interruptions at night. We've got the weight of the world
on our shoulders so often we stay awake worrying, tossing and turning instead
of catching some desperately needed zzzzz's.
Sometimes, when we do get some sleep (in fits and starts) we have peculiar
dreams….in these nocturnal moments, we forgot to get dressed, our hair
is falling out, our teeth are falling out, we forgot our locker combination,
we forgot we were signed up for that class and are now faced with a Final
exam we didn't study for, we didn't really graduate like we had
thought….then we lose more sleep analyzing, as is our nature, what
this all means. Fair is fair, we need to get away for our own Mommy Time
Out!
That's why these eye masks are like a Do Not Disturb sign…each
with it's own message. And like the Mommy Dearest you are, just make
it clear to the brood that when you are wearing the mask with each custom
message depending on how you feel, you are OUT OF ORDER and they had better
go find Daddy.
CicciaBella eye masks from Findtastics.com
….. $15.  “Read
My Lids” – no need to talk in your sleep, just post your message
before going under. Messages like: Bring Coffee, Time Out, Sleeping Beauty,
and Out of Order adorn the velvet eye masket.
- God knows Mommy should never have to lift a finger, so make her life easier
with the Roomba Pro Elite Robot vacuum from Sharper Image. It's
like a pool sweep for your floor. It automatically sweeps the carpet and
floors, so you don't have to. So kick back, eat your bon bons, and
let the Roomba do the work! $249 www.sharperimage.com
 Often
we are expected to do too many things at once (bionic multi-tasking) that
some things just slip through the seams. We run upstairs to our closet, get
there and wonder how and why. We find ourselves drawing a blank more than
any other time in our lives. At dinner everyone calls out to us – where's
the ketchup? Can I have more rice, get me a beer, more milk please….with
the buzz of constant requests, something's bound to blip off the radar.
Okay, okay, it could be we're just getting, uhhh, older. In this hectic
life, we are responsible for so many people and things; we can't always
be expected to keep them straight. There's only so much room up there.
If only there was a way to add a little more memory to the old hard drive.
Ah ha…we found it with Sprayology's BrainPower. It's
a "two spray, three times a day" sublingual treatment that condenses
centuries of holistic science to treat the erratic symptoms of the aging
mind - safely and naturally. Okay, whatever that means, but just try it and
see if it works. And remember… if you're able…two sprays
three times a day for a sharper mind. www.sprayology.com
 Me,
Myself and I spa basket from Apothia.com. Get it for yourself and make
a date with a hot bath! $75- Buddies flowers – beautiful bouquets in a green summer bag.
Green is a big spring color and these little bouquets in handbags are just
the perfect combination of two girly things we love. Buddies, Lake Oswego.
- It's gardening time and that means replenishing those chipped terracottas
with the very classic Guy Wolff and Company pots from Urban Gardener
on NW 23rd. $20-$88.
- A family that cooks together….Quinnessentials. Dining together
is "Essential" to raising and maintaining great families. QuinnEssentials
will help you make your kitchen time more efficient. They actually come to
your home and teach you not only how to cook but also how to cook together.
What a great gift for your family. (Bonus: Brian Quinn is the manners guru
and will even teach your family good table manners!) 503-888-9835 or email
at brianvq@aol.com. He also caters small
or large gatherings.
- Take your mom to Barefoot Sage for a mother/daughter experience.
Sink back in the lush shabby chic sofas for a heavenly “Foot Zen”
footbath and foot massage while you sip your tea and pamper yourselves and
your relationship. Barefoot Sage, www.thebarefootsage.com,
503.239.7116 1844 SE Hawthorne
- Moonstruck chocolates – nothing like chocolate, nothing like
Moonstruck, you will become tongue addicted and well, dumbstruck!
- White + Warren dusty pink cashmere shawl from Lena Medoyeff studio.
An elegant fashion must-have. Lena Medoyeff Studio, 724 NW 23rd Ave,
Portland 503.227.0011
 Pick up
classic big pink pearls with a pink satin ribbon, by Ethel & Myrtle.
$17 at Galore Department Store on NW 23rd. This elegant combination
combines the best of two feminine ideals to produce a fetching adornment
that adjusts to any neck length! (And while you're there, check out
the pink poncho, the pink thongs, the Pucciesque 60s hat and shoes, they
are to die for!) - Benfay Wearable Art – Beautifully adorned handbags with an
Asian influence…pink, bejeweled, classic and funky. Check out their
Pat Vini 2004 Collection/trunk show on May 6-8 at Mercantile Shoes downtown.
The collection uses the finest European fabrications, Austrian crystals,
and semi-precious stones and fur accents. These works of art will take your
breath away.
- How about a Sunday drive up to the Gorge for an extraordinary world famous
breakfast or afternoon tea at the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel 1-800-345-1921
 Pick up
this hot retro pink KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer from Williams-Sonoma.
When you purchase this pink Artisan mixer, KitchenAid will donate $50 to
the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation as part of their Cook for the
Cure® initiative. Established in 1982, the Foundation is dedicated to
eradicating breast cancer as a life-threatening disease through research,
education, screening and treatment programs around the world. It's
a great product and a great cause at Williams Sonoma for $249.
- What about a painting for dear old mum?
Check out the New Mixed Media Originals by Korey Gulbrandson –
This Pacific Northwest artist paints in vibrant reds, black and white collage,
rich colors and textures, an Asian influence at times. (We own two of his
pieces that we love.) Visit the Artist's Preview Night on Wednesday,
May 5th, 6 pm, and First Thursday Reception on May 6th, 6-9pm at the Modern
Media Gallery at 333 NW Park Ave. @ Flanders. A percentage of proceeds from
sales will be donated to The Bradley-Angle House.
And while you're down there, be sure and check out the new Marghhitta
Feldman Gallery at 1102 NW Marshall Street. They will be featuring “Painted
Stories” by Sharon Bronzan, timeless, richly colored people and animals
that tell stories.
 Hey Thelma
and Louise, what about a Pale yellow or dusty pink VW Bug Convertible….climb
in and escape. (You might remind him that this would be a very thoughtful
“baby bauble.”)- Allan Hirschman Photographer- Nothing is more meaningful and timeless
than an heirloom quality photograph of your children. Priceless. 503.357.0900
 Chinese
take out boxes of handmade bath fizzies, or pink fuzzy slippers from Urbane
Zen in The Pearl or Lake Oswego.-
 Take a
cooking class with your mom at Sur La Table, in the Brewery Blocks.
Check online for list of classes. www.surlatable.com.
Or pick up their Lazy Susan Fondue pot and Swiss chocolate for a decadent
sharing experience the whole family will love. 1102 NW Couch Street Portland,
OR 97209-4114 (503) 295-9679
  And,
of course, there's always shoes. A girl's best friend. We
love the classic, always feminine and sexy pumps. (We especially love the
pink Stuart Weitzman Croc-embossed pumps and these Prada heels from Saks.)
Books:
- In "The Nose: A Profile of Sex, Beauty, and Survival," Gabrielle
Glaser, an Oregonian writer, examines this organ through a wide range of
social lenses. www.gabrielleglaser.com
 “I
Don't Know How She Does It.” Have you ever heard those words?
This refreshing British novel never goes out of style. I don't Know
How She Does it? Juggling all that she does, you will relate and laugh and
be entertained with this fun Sunday read.
Videos:
- Something's Gotta Give' and ‘Love Actually'
– give the gift of love and laughter with these great chick flicks.
Music:
 Eva
Cassidy, Songbird. She died at age 33 of melanoma, and found fame after
death. She has the most beautiful voice of an angel, and every song makes
you want to cry, yet listen to it over and over. It's breathtaking….and
you'll love it so much. And if you have a tough day, or you're
incredibly PMS, put it on and let the tears fall. It's intensely satisfying.
For more information on Eva Cassidy, visit: www.evacassidy.org.
We love these too!
Soul Sessions, Joss Stone
Sacred Love, Sting
Afterglow, Sarah Mclachlan
Life For Rent, Dido
Heavier Things, John Mayer
Some Devil, Dave Matthews
Feels Like Home (enhanced), Norah Jones
Bare, Annie Lennox
Motown, Michael McDonald
Website of the week:
(Where you can get great mom goodies.)
www.Rafe.com….Stylish
fabulous bags and shoes….New York designer. “Yummy” for
spring.
 A day
in the country:
Red Ridge Farms is a small herb & specialty plant nursery. Take a break
from that grueling wine tasting and have a picnic on the beautiful grounds
overlooking the spectacular Willamette valley. Take a wreath making or herb
preservation class. Load up on herbs and plants for your garden, and shop
in their darling gift and garden shop.
And if you like it as much as we do, you might want to stay awhile, check
into their charming and cozy one-bedroom country inn apartment for a special
retreat. It is the perfect country getaway. Red Ridge Farms, 5510 NE Breyman
Orchards Road, Dayton, Oregon; 503.864.8502; www.redridgefarms.com
Other things we love right now (and so will mom):
- It's hard not to love anything the make-up artists at Too Faced
bring to the beauty scene, but who knew their new signature fragrance was
going to be so divine?
This sassy new fragrance is like springtime in a bottle. A blend of Hibiscus
and Hawaiian Orange Blossom with notes of melon, grapefruit, strawberry leaf,
sugar cane, black currant, red peony & cashmere wood, your man won't
be able to resist this sexy fragrance, and yet it's still perfect for
everyday. $45 for 3.4 oz. at www.toofaced.com
- We all know pink is the spring color of choice, but Pop Cosmetics has
taken it one step further with their Bright Eye Cake in Bright Pinks.
Designed to make your eyes “Pop” the colors can be blended or
intensified to enhance your eye color and set off those baby blues of yours.
Bright Pinks contains come-hither pinks teamed along with a more neutral
blue-gray liner to kick your eyes up a notch and set off that sexy Pucci
print halter dress for your nights out with the girls looking for love in
all the right places.
Included are a metallic pink with gold sparkles, deep slate with iridescent
blue, cherub baby pink, sparkling fuchsia, and orchid glaze with rainbow
glitter. Visit www.sephora.com
and paint the town and your eyes pink ($19)!
- It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what all the fuss
is about after trying any of Nyakio's fabulous products.
Written up in almost every major fashion mag out there, I simply adore the
Raspberry Basil Body Crème! Chock full of Vitamins A, C, Jojoba Oil,
Shea Butter, Wheat Germ Oil and Soy Protein…it's like a yummy
smoothie your skin will drink up to the last drop.
Check out this and other unique concoctions at www.nyakio.com
($32)
- Shh! Don't tell anyone… Egyptian Magic's All Purpose
Healing Skin Cream is one of the finest underground beauty secrets out there.
All the celebs know about it, and now you do too! Formulated with all natural
ingredients, including olive oil, bee's wax, honey, bee pollen, royal
jelly & bee propolis, your skin will show immediate strides in radiance
and elasticity. (4 oz. jar $26)
Treat yourself to what everyone in Hollywood already knows at www.egyptianmagic.com
.
- Stop sulking, sweetheart.
Despite what your parents told you, pouting can be fun with Pout's
new Threesome trio of lipsticks, arriving just in time for spring. The best
of all worlds in a compact little box, the set includes Lipslicks in Mouthy
Girl (crystal clear luster), Sexy Girl (peachy bubble gum pink) and Bunny
Girl (bubblegum pink shimmer). I love layering them for extra radiant effects!
Pick this up and pout away in style at www.sephora.com
($40).
- Spring is here, summer's around the corner, and it's time
to get that beach bod buffed & beautified.
I can't get enough of Cake's decadent Sweet Cheeks ($32), a brown
sugar scrub scented like that Danish you bypass every morning at Starbucks.
Ingredients include pure cinnamon and vanilla, vitamin rich oils and sugar,
for its powerhouse exfoliating properties.
Go to www.cakebeauty.com and pick up a healthy treat for those cute cheeks
of yours!
Other spring trends to watch for….
- Circle skirts – Lena Medoyeff studio. Silk embroidered, fabric
- Pencil skirts with classic pumps and crisp white shirts
- Seersucker (Target has a very cute and affordable designer suit)
- Clear and colorful plastic beach bags - Meringue, Dana Lynn, Meier and
Frank, Nordstrom
- Camo – try the pink camo capri's from Old Navy
- Farrah hair is on the return, and heavy bangs are back. (And we hear that
asymmetrical look is coming. We are reliving our teenage years all over again.!)
- ****Everything pink. Everything green. Everything in Kaleidoscope colors****
Whether you are a mom or you'll be celebrating your own mom, we want
to wish you a very happy Mother's Day. Although we semi-joke about being
a princess (what with all our decadent spa'ing and all), it is a special
day to spend with your family and to appreciate the gift that is family. We
hope you'll take the time for you and all that you love.
Live well. Be happy. xo PP |
Give yourself
the new cd by Diana Krall, released April 27th. This is one of her
first collaborations with her new husband, Elvis Costello, and it's
rumored to be a smash.