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February 2nd, 2007
Portland Picks’ Valentine’s Day Gift Guide …Something for Everyone… So it’s Valentine’s Day…again…and instead of using the exclusionary tactics of assuming you have a significant other, we have decided to make everyone feel good this holiday. Whether your honey is a hubby, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, dog, cat, best friend, yourself, a bag of Pepperidge Farm, or all your Tivo’d episodes of “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” there is something in this list you will love to give or receive. So eat, drink, shop and be merry—there’s something for everyone, no matter what your romantic status. |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 |
Remember how in “Some Kind of Wonderful” Mary Stuart Masterson waited the whole movie for Eric Stoltz to hand over those diamond earrings? Don’t be that girl. Treat yourself to “the world’s most perfectly cut diamond” with Hearts On Fire diamonds from Carl Greve Jewelers. After all, diamonds are everlasting, faithful and fabulous! Rather than hoping that your significant other can read your mind (or decipher your not-so-clever hints), let 2007 be the year that you do something amazing for yourself. Diamonds!
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| 2 |
Valentine’s Day shopping for your loved ones stress you out? Tilde makes this holiday oh so easy. This shop is full of the most innovative & unique women’s accessories & home-décor items in the city. Everything has been edited with a modern eye for gift giving—or gift getting! Choose from local artisan jewelry, vegan & European handbags, lovely candles, adorable vases, organic chocolate, handmade cards and much more. All gift-wrapped and ready to give. Tilde |
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| 3 | Delicious Conundrums for You & Your Honey What’s the tastiest way to celebrate Valentine's Day? How about a couples cooking class—the weekend before or after Valentine’s Day? Or "date night" meal-creation sessions? All at Cooking Accomplished!, of course. Cooking Accomplished! has designated every evening session in February as "date night" and will be giving away a free chocolate dessert to any couple who comes in to make meals together at one of their evening sessions. And while you’re at it, pick up Gift Certificates for your friends! Cooking Accomplished |
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| 4 | Pamper Yourself at Mona’s & Julian’s Mention Portland Picks for special deals! At Mona’s, you’ll receive a free Peppermint Hand Scrub & Massage; at Julian’s, you’ll receive a free Davines Mini Bliss Scalp Massage Treatment. Sounds like heaven! Plus, gift certificates are available and make great gifts! Mona Spa & Laser Center/Julian's Salon |
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| 5 |
Who says you have to go red-and-white on Valentine’s Day? We love the adorable black-and-white “Hug” salt and pepper shakers from cheeky b. They remind us to treat each other with tenderness, kindness and a little spice. Shake, shake, shake! They brighten any table, and their sweet embrace is apropos for Valentine’s Day. Designer Alberto Mantilla designed them to connote racial harmony, but their sentiment also makes them a nice gift for your brother, your neighbor, your culinary lover, or your mama. cheeky b |
 cheekyboutique.com |
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| 6 | Romantic Dinner in Your Comfort Zone If you want to snuggle up with candlelight, a little history, and the charm of a neighborhood spot for Valentine’s Day dinner, we recommend Besaw’s. Open since 1903, they were the first restaurant to get a liquor license after the Prohibition, so lots of memories have been made (or forgotten) at Besaw’s. But it’s their wonderful new chef who’s making it new again, using local and organic ingredients to dish up the best comfort food in town, and for Feb. 14, a special Valentine Menu! Besaw’s |
 besaws.com
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| 7 | Get a Whole Lot Hotter for Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovers. It’s for pampering yourself and your girls with cutting-edge beauty & skincare products. If you know a beauty enthusiast who wants the “gotta have it” products, Product is the place. Their staff is a resource for makeup lovers and industry professionals, and with brands like Paula Dorf, Kevyn Aucoin, Smashbox, Fresh, Mario Badescu, Scott Barnes, Bliss Spa & Ole Henriksen, you know why. Product also offers jewelry, accessories and handbags, carefully selected to accentuate your beauty. Product |
 shop-product.com |
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| 8 | Uniquely Beautiful Tokens of Love Will you be popping the question on Valentine’s Day? Let the ladies at Gilt guide you to the perfect ring for your intended. They specialize in vintage and artisan jewelry, and have something spectacular for an incredibly romantic, “not your average engagement” moment…from handmade silver treasures to diamond engagement rings. Shopping for another reason? Gilt’s first floor is full of estate items dating from the mid-1800s to 1970. The second features over 30 local jewelry and textile artists. A treasure chest, for sure! Gilt |
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| 9 |
Do something good for you and for women this V-day by purchasing a “Heart Awareness” tee from lucy. Lucy will donate 10% of the purchase of each limited-edition, adorable tee to WomenHeart, a non-profit organization that serves the needs of women diagnosed with heart disease. Only $30-$36—a great gift! Plus, stick to that resolution to work out and look cute! Enter to win a $1000 gift card to lucy!!! You can enter online or in lucy stores. The sweepstakes runs through 2/28.
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 lucy.com |
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| 10 | If A Picture Says a Thousand Words… A boudoir photograph says 10,000 more! Schedule a naughty-but-nice boudoir portrait by Irene from Angelica Photography. It’s the perfect gift for Valentine's Day, a birthday, an anniversary, or to simply say "I love you." Every pose is created to flatter your features and your figure. Of course, expert retouching, enhancement and special effects are included (not that you need it). Ask about Valentine’s Day Specials, starting at $399. Drink champagne, feel like a star, and make someone’s (Valentine’s) day. Angelica Photography |
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| 11 |
Why, whatever did you have in mind? We were simply thinking of a new dress for Valentine’s Day, you naughty girl. We know you yearn for a fabulous new frock from Mabel + Zora, and you should have it. With their ever-changing selection of sensible and stylish, wait...make that steamy, sultry and sexy dresses…you'll no longer be a damsel-in-distress, but a diva in delicious duds! And they’re throwing a party Thursday night Feb. 8. from 6-9 pm, with 15% off all dresses, plus free sweets and cocktails! Mabel and Zora |
 mabelandzora.com |
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| 12 | Relax and Restore This Valentine’s Day Massage Envy's philosophy is simple: Everyone should be able to afford to take advantage of the wonderful therapeutic and stress-relieving benefits of massage therapy with a professional massage therapist. Purchase gift certificates for one-hour massage sessions for only $49 at Tanasbourne, Cedar Hills, West Vancouver or East Vancouver, and redeem them at any of the clinics! Or come in yourself and enjoy a relaxing, therapeutic massage for only $39 on your initial visit. What a wonderful way to say "I love you." Massage Envy |
 massageenvy.com |
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| 13 | Give Yourself a Lasting Valentine As we age, we develop strange “new parts” that can add years to our appearance. Our least-favorite “part” is that little pooch under the chin. You know the one. As a Valentine’s present to yourself (or a loved one), nix it with Laser Lipolysis treatment from Key Laser Institute ®! The simple treatment uses vibrational energy for fat-busting, body-slimming and skin-tightening—all over your body. You’re awake for the procedure, and recovery is quick. They treat men, too, so everyone can look gorgeous! Key Laser Institute |
 keylaserinstitute.com |
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| 14 |
In winter, we hide behind knee-length socks and sneak into bed with the lights out so our honey won’t notice our Casper-like legs. But we are going to be golden goddesses for Valentine’s Day, with a trip to Bask Tanning Salon! They offer the latest and best equipment (high-pressure UV beds, airbrush tanning, and premium tan-enhancing products). Bask in the pleasures of the good life in the chic, lounge-like lobby where the latest DVDs and music play. Get golden, and be sexy for the holiday. |
 baskinthesuntanning.com |
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| 15 | Set the Stage for a Romantic Evening Step 1: Pamper with luscious soaps from Luxo Bahno, and bubble baths and salts from Spain’s Maria Evora. Step 2: Smell pretty with intoxicating scents from Roger & Gallet Paris or Lulu Beauty. Step 3: Beautify yourself at a vintage French vanity, under a sparkling crystal chandelier. Next, dim the lights, tempt him with brandy from an etched-glass decanter, and mesmerize with sparkling jewelry—all from Flutter! Finally, recline on a pink silk bedspread. Want more magic? Everything is 20% off Feb 2-15! |
 flutterclutter.com |
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| 16 | Make it a Denim Date at Grapevine & Merge Shop with your man for Valentine’s Day! Sip a cosmo & relax while jean-shopping for his and hers hip denim and the hottest fashions! Check out the Wendy Stevens Jewelry trunk show Feb. 10 at the Lake View Village stores, and enjoy 50% off a second pair of jeans for your date. Plus, shop Grapevine’s West Hills store on Feb. 9 or 10 & receive a discount of 20% on your Valentine’s gift purchase. Their Wendy Stevens Jewelry Trunk Show is Feb. 9. It must be love!
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 grapevinestyle.com |
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| 17 |
Nobody knew more about romance than Bogie and Bacall. Their chemistry still sets the mood for lovers' interludes. And Gracie’s does, too—with a perfectly romantic Valentine’s package. First, cocktails in the Driftwood Room for a cozy tete-a-tete. Then, Gracie’s for a candlelit dinner (and their amazing wine list). Finally, retire to the screening room to sip champagne and watch the most romantic movie of all time: “Casablanca,” as a special guest of Gracie's owner, Gregg Schillinger. It’s a recipe for romance! Gracie’s |
 hoteldeluxeportland.com |
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| 18 | iPod Special Delivery—Free on Valentine’s Day Love is in the EAR this Valentine’s Day! Imagine your sweetie—at home, at school, at the office—receiving a brand new, gift-wrapped iPod on Valentine’s Day. That’s just what MacForce, Portland’s premier independent Apple specialist, is doing—at no extra charge. Availability, though, is limited. They’ll also serenade your Valentine in person with a lovely “iPoem.” Hurry, free engraving is available if you order today! Find out more by visiting www.shopeastpdx.com or by calling MacForce at 503.231.7707. MacForce |
 macforce.com |
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| 19 |
What’s the sexiest gift you can give your man? (Or woman—we’re cool like that.) How about You…on a pole. Oh yes, pole-dancing! Really, can you come up with anything more mind-blowing? Take lessons from PDX Pole Divas at the Bombshell Ballroom in Vancouver—or arrange for them to come to your house for parties & lessons. They bring the music, the lighting and the pole. You bring your friends! (And fyi, yes, you can drink while you do it. Whew!) PDX Pole Divas |
 pdxpoledivas.com |
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| 20 | A Valentine for You on Super Bowl Sunday Get out of the house and spend Super Bowl Sunday at Signal Sports! From 12-4 on Sunday, Feb. 4, all ski- and snowboard-wear will be 40% off, plus fall & winter street-wear will be 50% off. Signal, Portland’s only women-specific ski and snowboard shop, has a specially trained staff to help women select the right gear and the right “fit” for more performance, comfort and fun. They’ll even help your man find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for you. (On sale now: Skis, boots & boards!) Signal Sports for Women |
 signalsports.com |
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Happy Valentine’s Day from the Staff at Portland Picks! |
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