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February 9th, 2007
Because we stink at making “hairstyles,” we’ve worn a ponytail since like birth. But we once thought we’d look cute if we cut our hair into one of those fluffy, layered Lisa Rinna ’dos. Unfortunately, we thought this during a time of crisis. We frantically went from long to short in an hour, cried for a week, then spent the next year hiding behind those fake-ponytail things—before the awesome Jessica Simpson ones came out—the ones we had looked like dead squirrels when you put them on the counter. Our then-boyfriend actually requested that we hide them when they weren’t on our head. So when we got an email from another ponytail girlfriend, saying she was stressed and was going to go short, we panicked. Go for a long walk instead, we advised. Buy an éclair and eat it on a day you don’t exercise; heck, go out & get drunk…just do not cut that hair when you’re freaking out! But if you do feel the need to chop, sisters, give it up for a good cause, like Locks of Love! (See below for more info!) |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Let’s Drink a Drink to Lily the Pink Our younger sister has always been the cute, adorable tomboy who could put on a New York Mets baseball cap and be “good to go” regardless of the occasion. Let’s just say that we’ve never had her gift. Instead of jaunty, we end up looking like our 8-year-old cousin—not exactly the look we’re going for—even when just running errands. And to make matters worse, it’s not just baseball hats that don’t work for us, it’s all hats. We had just about given up on ever being able to work a hat into our wardrobe when we heard about Dayna Pinkham, owner of Pinkham Millinery, and purported “hat mastermind.” She has been perfecting the craft of creating hats for more than 20 years. We had to see it to believe it. Pinkham Millinery is both a showroom and a workroom, bursting with one-of-a-kind, bridal, felt and straw custom-fit hats for every occasion. Finally, we no longer feel like the odd sister out. Pinkham Millinery |
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| 2 | March, 2, 3, 4 The new love of our life, in honor of Valentine’s Day, is March Wellness, the brand-new fabulously swank wellness center at the South Waterfront, right at the base of the Tram. You actually see the tram (and all those Dr. McDreamys in scrubs) go right by, up close and personal, giving you a little pep in your step as you sweat on the elliptical. There’s free parking, a giganto basketball court, a stunning jacuzzi and pool, and the most state-of-the-art equipment we’ve ever seen. We took an intense spin class on contempo bikes that told us how fast we were going. (Talk about sweat, OMG!) But we could have done yoga, Pilates, step classes, cardio funk or boot-camps. Whew! march wellness |
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| 3 | Find Your Craft “Happy Place” Every one of our boyfriend's past girlfriends is majorly crafty. There's one who reupholsters furniture and another who makes gorgeous paper by hand. Naturally, we're the polar opposite—unable to tell a glue gun and a staple gun apart. We even have a restraining order against The BeDazzler. (All we can say is that one night, it got ugly…) |
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| 4 | Shopping for Shoes: The Perfect Valentine There are several types of disasters associated with Valentine’s Day…getting a gift you can’t show your mother because it’s too racy, receiving yet another cutesy stuffed frog with a heart that says, “Kiss Me, I’m a Prince,” or worse yet, nothing at all. You deserve better. Instead of drowning your sorrows in a bottle of Veuve Cliquot, why not treat yourself to a bouquet of shoes from Imelda’s? Not only will you have a choice of style and color, but you can add a matching bag and jewelry, too! (And if you think matching your bag to your shoes to your hat to your jewelry is too “Valley of the Dolls,” we say, “Never!” Nothing—fyi—is ever too Valley of the Dolls.) Of course, none of it has to match. And with brands like Born, Frye, Biviel, Hobo and Kenneth Cole Reaction, you could honestly spend hours in the store whittling down your favorites to just a few pairs. (We always have trouble with that part.) Always remember, you are your own perfect Valentine.
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| 5 | Portland’s Patron Saint We were going to a combination housewarming (yay!) anti-Superbowl (double yay!), and (oops) waited till the last minute for a gift. About to run into Zupan’s for the first bottle of wine we laid our eyes on, we glanced across the street. Lo and behold, Saint Cupcake Belmont! Now open for bidness! Saint Cupcake Belmont is actually inside Noun, one of our favoritest stores here at Portland Picks (because we’re picky). It’s different from the Saint Cupcake bakery in NW Portland, where you choose your treat and have a seat. Saint Cupcake in the SE sells cupcakes in various cupcake combos, to-go only. Got PMS? Try “Dames Don’t Care,” featuring chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese, chocolate frosting, and hot fudge. Or there’s our favorite healthy choice, the “Fruits and Veggies” combo, with pumpkin, coconut, and banana chocolate-chip. And don’t worry if, en-route, you slam on the brakes for errant bikers like we did (grr). All combo packages are packed lovingly in super-cute boxes that will keep your cupcakes as immobile as Marge Simpson’s hairdo. Saint Cupcake Belmont |
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| 6 | Finding our Musée Whenever we visit our in-laws, we’re humbled. It’s not the typical in-law thing (we actually get along with them better than our own flesh ‘n blood), it’s the objects with which they surround themselves. To wit: Our father-in-law spends weekends puttering around dusty flea markets, and returns with the perfect, only-I-knew-this-was-worth-thousands 1896 find for “Antiques Roadshow.” Meanwhile, we’re covering up the threadbare patches on our 1996 sofa with an unraveling Target blanket. Shh. But, with the arrival of Musée 16, we fear inferiority no longer. Musée 16 is an art gallery, showcasing painters and sculptors from around the world (and even Stumptown), and a store. In addition to art on the walls, there’s also art in cases—all available for purchase. Cool stuff we would never find all by our lonesome, like antique watch boxes, and Russian pins with antique keys, all on necklaces. Old books. Non-cheesy birdcages. Everything really is just-so. And if you’re as design-impaired as us, Musée’s got your back, with a gift-finding service. So sit back, have a cocktail, and admire their—ahem, your—taste. Musée 16 |
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| 7 | What’s Your Sign? We needed a burger, STAT. But we didn’t want a grease-bomb sports-bar burger, or (gasp!) fast-food. We wanted the kind of burger we’d make at home: natural beef, crisp lettuce & tomato, hand-cut fries. And we wanted to dine someplace cool, but laid-back. We found it all at Sagittarius, a welcoming outpost for hip comfort food in NoPo. The burger was delish, as were the Galaxy Salad (with roasted beets, toasted pine nuts, and blue-cheese crumbles), and their epic fish & chips. And Sagittarius has just enough sass and style to please everyone from the pickiest scenesters to West-Hills mamas in pearls and twin-sets, looking for excitement on “the other side” of the river. Sagittarius has a cool little bar scene at night, with glimmering, booze-filled shelves towering to the ceiling and an amazing list of original cocktails with names like “Pink Claire,” “Oh! Yoko” and “Thin White Duke.” During the daylight hours it’s perfect for low-key lunches that are big on taste, and easy on the wallet. What’s your sign, baby? It should be Sagittarius. Sagittarius |
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| 8 | 100% Pure Love Our first job was at a high-end chocolate shop, where we learned all kinds of facts about chocolate. For instance, when chocolate gets white spots that’s called “bloom,” which means it’s over the hill. Throw it out! We also learned that “white chocolate” has no “chocolate” in it—it’s just the cocoa butter. Also, chocolate should involve all your senses: sight, touch, hearing, taste and smell. Each chocolate should look smooth and shiny. The smell of sugar should not be too apparent. A perfectly made chocolate should crack when you bite into it, and the flavors should linger on your palate…but all that assessing is tough to do when you’ve got a chocolate in your hot little hand. We plan on putting our patience to the test at the just-opened Leonidas store at Bridgeport Village (next to California Pizza Kitchen). Leonidas is a world-famous Belgian chocolatier, and their chocolates are shipped directly from Belgium! Using only 100% cocoa butter, these are 100% pure quality, and 100% pure love. The store opens Feb. 9—just in time for Valentine’s Day! Leonidas Chocolatier |
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| Chick Picks: | |||||
| 1 | The Ultimate Suite Romance Getaway Unplug, get a sitter, and spend quality time with the one you love. The Embassy Suites Portland Washington Square “Ultimate Suite Romance Getaway” is perfect for a romantic rendezvous. Who can resist all this: $50 toward dinner in their Crossroads Restaurant (or, dine in your 2-room suite), a $20 gift card to Victoria’s Secret®, a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider, and a 1 pm check-out, all starting at $189. And if you can’t get away now, this package is good all year, seven days a week! Ultimate Suite Romance Getaway |
 embassysuites.com |
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| 2 | Make the World a More Beautiful Place Girls: Go ahead & email the link below to your Main Man. He’ll get the hint. Believe it or not, men can take directions! Whether he needs the wardrobe makeover or you do, style coach Jandi at Inspire is your gal. She creates a personalized Style Profile just for you. A 15-20 page “style bible” that tells you exactly what to wear (and what not to wear) based on your body shape, fashion leanings, and lifestyle. Genius, right? Do we hear “Valentine’s Day Gift Certificate”??? |
 coachinspire.com |
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| 3 | Flowers for Your Valentine? Still need a V-day gift? How about something flowery for your sweetheart. We love this arrangement, called “The Sweetheart,” from Geranium Lake. It’s made with exquisite green flowers like spider mums, kermit poms and green hypericum, & accented with pink roses and hyacinth. You can order it as shown for $55, the more fabulous version for $70, and the completely over the top version for $85. (We’ve also heard that they can make flower arrangements of “naughty parts.” We suggest calling ahead about those.) |
 geraniumlake.com |
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| 4 | Chocolate…for Your Face Alima Cosmetic’s ultra-pure, silky-smooth mineral makeup from Portland has a "Guilt-Free Chocolate" Valentine's Day Gift Set with your name all over it. This cute set features four decadent, limited-edition Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadows: Brown Sugar, Caramel, Truffle and Butter Cream. The set is $25 (a $36 value) and Alima Cosmetics will donate $2 from each set to The Global Fund for Women. Oh, you are so pretty (and smart too!) |
 alimacosmetics.com |
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| 5 | Get Smart Smart Cars are so w'ittle and cute. They’re the perfect Valentine's gift. You may wonder how a little car can be safe but this has a serious "Tridion" frame and airbags to protect you and your love. And parallel parking is a breeze, not to mention the kajilion miles to the gallon you’ll get. |
 oswegoluxury.com |
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| 6 | Spice it Up! Spice up someone’s life this Valentine’s Day with incredibly clever gift boxes from Portland’s new Spice Box. There’s the Peppermint Pamper, Tool Thyme (for him), and Rosemary Romance. (Rosemary Romance is all about togetherness with two of everything for you and your sweet.) They’ve got gift boxes for the tots and family, too, as well as a delicious box of pampering just for you. These are right up your clever little alley! (And we heart their website...check it out.) |
 shopspicebox.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Sale! Sale! Sale! at Olivia Belle Olivia Belle, an upscale boutique outlet in the Pearl District, is kicking off 2007 with a Don’t-Miss Sale! This hip boutique outlet is stocked with designer clothing at 50% off suggested retail. The sale starts Friday, Feb. 9, and sale items will be reduced another 50% off. You must go! What: Sale! Sale! Sale! at Olivia Belle |
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| 2 | For The Love of Nigori Grab your sweetheart and indulge in the once-secret relationship of Nigori (cloudy) saké and chocolate—a flavor pairing that will send your palate into an unexpected pleasure zone. Join SakéOne for a special Valentine’s Weekend by tasting six premium sakes, including three distinct Nigoris paired with decadent chocolates from Pix Patisserie. What: For the Love of Nigori & Chocolate |
 sakeone.com |
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| 4 | The Portland International Film Festival The Portland International Film Festival offers a window to the world for a broad mix of film, arts, multicultural, family and education audiences sharing a love of film. This year's Festival will present screen classics, visiting artists, shorts, documentaries, family films, and a featured showcase of new Hispanic-language cinema. |
 nwfilm.org |
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| 5 | Create a Treasured Moment for Two at Spa Chakra Indulge on Valentine’s Day in an exclusive spa experience just for two at Spa Chakra, one of Portland’s most exquisite spas. This special “Spa for Two” package includes: An invigorating footbath with a restorative half-leg massage; your personal selection of any two 90-minute therapies; and of course, a glass of champagne. What: “Spa for Two” at Spa Chakra |
 spachakra.com |
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| 6 | Bombshell Ballroom Grand Opening Do you want to be sexier, more flexible, and get in shape? Oh, and do you like to have fun? Then get yourself down to the Bombshell Ballroom for pole-dancing classes, courtesy of PDX Pole Divas. Just 5 minutes from Jantzen Beach, you’ll burn cals in class…and at home! (Saucy!!!) What: Bombshell Ballroom Grand Opening |
 pdxpoledivas.com |
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| 8 | A Moulin Rouge Mardi Gras Part concert, part show and 100% party, this event has it all. Featuring the sexy Samba beats of the Lions of Batucada, a 30-person percussion ensemble, aerial performers on trapeze, hoops and fabric, fire dancers and dancing with DJ Sugar. For more info and to enter to win 2 FREE tickets, visit: www.momentumeventspresents.com |
 momentum events presents.com |
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| 9 | The Progressive Sale at Signal Sports Our favorite women’s-only ski and snowboard shop is having the most tantalizing sale of the year. All ski and snowboard outerwear, resort wear, and every ski, board, boot and binding will be on sale beginning Feb. 11! Shop early for the best selection? Shop late for the best deal? What’s a girl to do? What: The Progressive Sale at Signal |
 signalsports.com |
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| 10 | Indulge in Chocolate Bliss at Nirvana Spa Indulge in Chocolate Bliss at Nirvana Apothecary & Day Spa this Valentine's Day! Portland Monthly just rated Nirvana as one of the Top Seven day spas in Portland. Choose a chocolate Manicure, Pedicure, Massage, Body Scrub, or the Fantasy Package. Mention Portland Picks and receive $15 off any chocolate service. What: Chocolate Packages at Nirvana Spa; packages start at $125 |
 nirvanadayspa.com |
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| 11 | Stroller Fitness: Family LOVE Class Bring your partner to this special "Love" class from Baby Boot Camp. You will exercise the morning away as a family, doing many “Couple” strength and conditioning exercises together. Make sure to wear your Valentine’s Red, and there are treats for all afterward. Partners are Free with paying Mom in class. First class is Free! What: Stroller Fitness Program |
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| 12 | Romance-Writing Workshop with Susan Wiggs The Ocean Lodge at Cannon Beach presents a weekend with award-winning, best-selling Pacific Northwest romance novelist Susan Wiggs. For $429, the weekend includes a welcome reception, a 2-hour Writing Workshop, dinner, & a copy of her book “The Winter Lodge,” plus 2 nights stay & continental breakfast. What: Romance-Writing Workshop with Susan Wiggs |
 theoceanlodge.com |
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| 13 | Give the Gift of Love This year, get serious for Valentine’s Day. Get a heart scan at Siker Medical and discover the health of your heart. Have confidence that your heart can provide years of love. Contact Siker Medical for information that you may review with your physician. |
 sikermedical.com |
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| 14 | The Portland Showcase of Wine and Cheese Now in its fourth year, the Portland Showcase of Wine and Cheese is the largest annual fundraising event for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Portland Metropolitan Area. Purchase tickets in advance through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland for $35. Tickets at the door cost $40. |
 bgcportland.org |
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| 15 | Bravo! If you get engaged over Valentines Day – you will not want to miss the 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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| 16 | Red Ball Gone Green! Enjoy a festive evening benefiting Ainsworth Elementary and the Portland Public Schools. The silent auction is from 5-7 pm. Clog dancing and an Irish-inspired dinner begin at 7:15 pm. The live auction starts at 7:45 pm, and dancing to Bridgetown kicks off at 9 pm. Bring your friends for a good cause! What: Red Ball Gone Green |
 red-ball.org |
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Take a deep breath…you’ve almost made it through Valentine’s Day. We hope you celebrate with someone you love—lovers, family, friends or pets—but if you just want to watch Lifetime Movies and turn off the cellie, that’s okay, too. In fact, that’s probably what we have planned…just us, our fluffy slippers, and our secret stash of Michael J. Fox romantic comedies…ahhh… |
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