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January 26th, 2007
One of our resolutions is to make our husband less penny-wise when it comes to the groceries. Granted, that should be his resolution, but since it's not, we've taken it on ourselves. Plus it seems easier than another go at dropping 15 pounds. And it’s fair, too. He is responsible for coiling the hose, we do the grocery shopping. But darnit if he’s going to tell us we can’t buy the $8 blueberries that are out of season. See, the trouble is that he knows precisely how much everything costs. We, on the other hand, shop in an oblivious haze, since our main objective is to immediately get out of the store. We don't even notice the price of milk. We buy things based on our mood; he buys them based on coupons. While he’s buying store-brand tomato paste, we’re loving-up first-press olive oil. If we were to take the same shopping list and buy exactly the same items independently of one another, we’d come back $60 poorer. He’d come back with change. We know, we know, we should do things his way. But we want nothing to do with that hose. And, let’s face it, we can live with the 15 pounds. |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Keeping Track has Never Been So Fun Last week we wore the cutest outfit. Burberry plaid dress, red sweater, tights, and sweet Mary Janes. Or did we grab the boots? And was it the red sweater, or was it the same version in black? If only we had a "coordination journal," designed to keep daily track of every outfit's most nuanced detail. Alas, we didn't discover the journal and Writer's Bloc—a new stationery and all-things-cute store—until yesterday, so our semi-regular strokes of fashion genius aren't yet recorded for posterity...though we're definitely all over it now. We’re also all over the removable “skins” that make our cell phone and iPod stand out in a crowd, and the chic business cards that can be customized with our glamorous pen name. While the store specializes in stuff for your desktop (and we don’t mean your computer), they also have unique European games and lots of Asian imports. Their day planners, however, are what we covet most. With the start of the new year, it’s just the right time for us to get organized! Writer’s Bloc |
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| 2 | Pretty Ways to Seize the Day Maybe it’s just us, but we’re ready for spring! Layer upon layer of clothing just to walk out the door in the morning is getting us down, and making us feel like the little brother from “A Christmas Story”—a stiff, puffy doofus. Yeah, not so much! So we couldn’t wait any longer. Yesterday we dug out our warm-weather wear and found our much-beloved Michael Kors Bleeker platform wedges from last summer and tried them on—thus catching a glimpse of our much-neglected toes—not pretty! We raced to put on our sweater, our coat, our scarf and our hat and headed to the first salon that we passed. Lucky for us, it was Carpe Diem Salon and Spa. Located in a beautifully renovated house, Carpe Diem features permanent cosmetics, facials, haircuts and color, manis/pedis and much, much more! From the Vitamin C Treatment Facial to the European Manicure and Pedicure, we left ready to take on (carpe diem!) the cold winter weather—well, at least for a few more months. Carpe Diem Salon & Spa |
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| 3 | Put Those Toys Away! If you have kids, and they have toys, then you know how this goes. More time is spent finding places to stash the stuff than actually playing. We have a 3-year-old niece who has mastered the art of extending this process. One 20-minute session of dress-up can lead to 2+ hours of put-away. And frankly, there aren’t a lot of options for “stylish” toy storage unless you have unlimited cash and the space for a dedicated playroom. So it’s likely that you’re dumping toys in plastic bins, hiding them in closets, shoving them under beds, or piling them on shelves. But no more! Now there’s Via Toy Box, modular storage furniture via boxes! It’s a genius idea for design-savvy parents and toy-loving kids. These are durable Baltic-birch cubes that connect together to build different sets and configurations. Shelves, tops, bases, and closet rods also connect. They have interchangeable fronts that come in a bunch of colors, and can also be custom-matched. Visit their website, or their new interactive kiosk at Washington Square Mall. Built to outlast childhood! Via Toy Box |
 viatoybox.com |
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| 4 | This. Stuff. Is. So. Good. The theme of the night was “ohhh.” We found ourselves uttering it repeatedly while visiting Yakuza, a three-month-old Japanese lounge on NE 30th and Killingsworth. We walked in the place and ohhh-ed the gorgeous murals, we sat down and ohhh-ed the menu, and once we got our food…yeah, you can guess what came next. Yakuza has mastered the art of “izakaya”; small snacks meant to be shared with a friend or two, along with a nice after-work drink. Speaking of drinks…theirs are delicious. Local spirits (such as Medeyoff Vodka and Clear Creek Brandy) appear on the list blended with fresh fruits (such as pomegranate). They also feature a wide range of sake. The edible version of the menu is divine as well. Try the tempura-fried chevre, kobe beef burger, any of their sushi rolls, or if you have a sweet tooth, the flaming French toast with spiked maple syrup and nutmeg crema. We even ohh-ed the ornately landscaped Japanese garden next to the beautiful back patio…a perfect future summer sushi spot, mos def! Yakuza |
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| 5 | Found: Creative House-Warming Gifts When we volunteered to help a friend move this month we didn’t realize it would turn into helping everyone we know (and we mean everyone!) move as well. Somehow all of our friends decided that this is the year to buy the house. Well, with all this moving going on, we were running out of creative house-warming gift ideas, until we discovered Saavy, an urban vintage boutique that specializes in home furnishings. With a background in interior design, owner Nicole travels to estate sales on the east and west coasts looking for items that you can’t find anywhere else. We were enthralled by her selection of vintage and vintage-reproduction clothing (a treat for ourselves, for being such good pals), plus home furnishings, original paintings and “old” jewelry that she takes apart and remakes herself. The entire store is extremely affordable and—bonus!—there is always a $5 rack, so you’re sure to find something for everyone, and maybe even a few things for yourself. We sure did, and we’re not moving anytime soon. Saavy |
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| 6 | Blame it on the Rain We’re blaming it on the holidays—the eggnog lattes, the homemade holiday cookies, the double chocolate fudge—“it” being that annoying six pounds that crept its way onto our scale. One too many step-aerobics classes later—and not seeing the results we wanted—we turned to Daniel Iversen, host of Z100’s “The Noon Workout” and certified instructor for Portland’s Adventure Boot Camp for Women. Unlike its name, Iversen doesn’t use the usual military approach of other boot camps; instead he focuses on moves and exercises that burn maximum body fat. Each workout incorporates different types of exercise, including intersperse running, hill sprints, mat pilates and “power hiking,” which will keep us from getting bored while burning off all those pre-holiday, holiday and post-holiday sweets (yes, we were a little indulgent this year). The four-week camp takes place Mon-Fri (5:30-6:30 am or 9-10 am), so set your alarm—we’ll race you there! Portland Adventure Boot Camp for Women |
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| 7 | If You Were Psychic, You’d Already Know Back in the day, about once a year we’d go see our psychic. He was famous (our boss, who was in no way big into the “woo woo,” was the one who got us our appointment)—and justifiably so. He knew stuff you’d never guess, and told us stuff that all came to pass. Really. We miss him. But now we can get our fix at The Goddess Gallery on Hawthorne. The store has been a fixture on Hawthorne for a while, but was recently remodeled. It’s chockablock with offerings to enhance your spiritual life, including pendulum kits, jewelry, books, handmade soaps and oils, fountains. There’s even a community altar to light a candle for your intentions. But what we liked the best was the walk-in readings: The Goddess Gallery has a hand-picked roster of readers, one of whom is always available for a quick or extended session. You can make an advance appointment, or just show up. It’s so very Portland. We adore. Besides, we’re out of cell phone minutes this month. The Goddess Gallery |
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| Movie of the Week: | |||
| “Because I Said So” Motherly love…when is enough more than enough? Diane Keaton stars as Daphne Wilder, a mother whose love knows no bounds or boundaries. She is the proud mom of three daughters: stable psychologist Maggie (Lauren Graham), sexy and irreverent Mae (Piper Perabo) and insecure, adorable Milly (Mandy Moore)—who, when it comes to men, is like psychotic flypaper. Plus we will award 3 Grand Prizes (fun movie-themed goodies + a movie pass for two)! Send us your message TODAY for your chance to win! |
 view trailer |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Killer Food You know if we mention food on Portland Picks it has to be killer. And trust us, this is! In fact, it’s named Dave’s Killer Bread for that very reason. It’s healthy and good for you, yet tastes incredible. And you can really get your fiber on with his scrumptious Good Seed or 21 Whole Grains. |
 daveskillerbread.com |
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| 2 | Get it Together |
 togetherbook.com |
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| 3 | Baby Couture Cute, cute, cute, cute, CUTE! It’s worth having a baby just to get these darling shoes. And if you are not currently blessed with an appropriately aged child, this is indeed the perfect gift for the friend of yours who is or is about to be. Handmade from one piece of the softest vegetable-tanned leather, Baby Shoe is hand-painted in any color you choose, and their little laces can be bespoken to your color choice, too. Baby couture—we love it! |
 georginagoodman.com |
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| 4 | Waiting to Inhale Sometimes we find ourselves a little uptight…stressed…CRABBY, OKAY?!? But rather than drink wine or exercise, we'll go sit in the dark, lock out the world, and inhale (and sometimes even exhale) our Crabby Lady Aromatherapy and Soy Wax Candle. Does the trick every time. |
 charmednaturally.com |
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| 5 | Romancing the Can Drinking champagne on V-day is a whole lot more fun when the bubbly’s in a can. It’s cute, pink, and comes with a straw that will have anyone on your list (over 21) sipping with delight. Curious about the name? Well, since you asked… Sofia is named after the beautiful and talented Sophia Coppola, daughter of the award-winning director Francis Ford Coppola. Didn’t know he had a vineyard? Neither did we, until we started drinking the fun stuff! |
 sofiamini.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Mind-Blowing Sale at Tootsie’s Seriously, our minds have been blown. Tootsie’s Shoe Salon is having their biggest sale ever—hold on to your boots—50-75% off all sale items! As if shopping at Tootsies’ wasn’t fun enough. As if it wasn’t affordable enough. Now you can get the latest and greatest at incredible prices! What: Tootsie’s Shoe Salon’s big big sale |
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| 2 | The Return of Supper, Sunday Nights at clarklewis. Naomi Pomeroy has been hosting and cooking "supper" since 2001 in venues ranging from her NE bungalow, the backroom of the Gotham Tavern (R.I.P.), a glassworks factory, and now, in clarklewis restaurant. There's a set menu and it's always a surprise! Show up, eat elbow to elbow with strangers, and see what happens. What: Sunday supper at clarklewis |
 clarklewispdx.com |
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| 3 | Aequis Spa Presents Pink Floyd Night Mix spa treatments with some fabulously spacious music at the first-ever Pink Floyd Night at Aequis Spa. Enjoy music, a laser light show, and special treatments put together just for the occasion. To see the special treatments, visit www.aequisspa.com |
 aequisspa.com |
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| 4 | Bravo! Wedding Affair You are invited to experience a Bravo! Wedding Affair! The Governor Hotel will be transformed into a variety of wedding vignettes featuring exciting trends and styles. It’s an intimate setting where brides and grooms can meet personally with caterers, photographers, stationers, dress designers and other wedding experts. What: Bravo! Wedding Affair |
 bravowedding.com |
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| 5 | A Novel Romance Know someone who’s getting married? Are you? The English Dept is holding its 2007 bridal fashion show, “A Novel Romance,” this Sunday! View gorgeous gowns—including confections from designers like Vera Wang Maids. Even if you’re not getting married, isn’t it fun to look at pretty dresses? What: The English Dept’s Bridal Collection Show |
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| 6 | Singing Valentines from Pride of Portland Send a Singing Valentine to a friend or loved one from the nonprofit Pride of Portland chorus. For just $45 for a quartet will sing two love songs and provide a rose, a box of See's Chocolates and a personalized card. Or for $10, send a Phonegram—a Valentine song sung to your special someone—anywhere in the U.S. What: Singing Valentines |
 prideofportland.org |
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If you haven’t yet had it up to here with Valentine’s Day, tune in next week for our superfantabulous love-robot Valentine’s Day Gift Guide. It’s chock full of the most original ideas for V-day gifts…and we mean ORIGINAL. You will not believe!!!
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