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March 23rd, 2007
We think we have another calling—to own a shoe store. We were invited to tag along to a shoe show—a big event where shoe reps bring samples and business-owners place their orders for the season—and it might have been our happiest Saturday on record. Seriously. It was ridonkulous—shoes everywhere! We saw this fall’s upcoming styles (keep your eyes peeled for modern takes on ghillies, and leather pumps in shades of wine and purple, plus knee-high boots with embellishments like buttons and slim leather buckles…shhh.) And we didn’t have to do any of the tough stuff like think about inventory, consider our budget, predict our customers’ wants and needs—we just stood there fondling the footwear, smiling, smiling some more, and serving no purpose whatsoever. It was heaven. |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Daddy’s Girl (and Boy) Growing up, our dad was the one to buy all our favorite outfits. Every time he’d go on a trip, he’d come back with suitcases filled with dresses, each of a quality you’d want to hand down for generations. So it was no surprise that when entering Baby! Oh Baby!, the first thing we heard was a dad saying, “I’ve been waiting for you guys to open!” Did we really think we were the only daddy’s girl in Portland? The days-old boutique is stocked from top to bottom with exquisite items for babies and small children that one doesn’t need a passport to purchase. Here you’ll find Bees and Dragons (Portugal), Elephantito (Italy), Pure Ponsee (Belgium) and Aster Shoes (France), along with worldly offerings from stateside companies like Tea Collection and Zutano. Parents will love mod printed bags from OiOi and Timi & Leslie, and even the most jaded hipster will find it hard to resist the Rockabye Baby! versions of Coldplay and Radiohead. From mini Uggs to raingear in dots and stripes, there’s little here we don’t love. Maybe it’s time to give dad some grandkids after all! Baby! Oh Baby! |
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| 2 | Dishing Out Fashion Full disclosure: we’re friends with Sally Schwartz—aka the style goddess and fashion vixen behind Pin-Me Apparel. We’ll admit too that half the fun of knowing her is getting the full fashion dish on what’s going on with her fantastique boutique before the merch hits the shelves. Sally says that their spring stuff has officially arrived and they’re “getting new stuff every day.” They also have picked up a couple of local designers, including lovely togs from up-and-coming designer duo mabel & audrey. While supporting the home team is something we fully stand behind, we also aren’t afraid to let our finer tastes in life travel beyond our state’s boundaries; especially when it comes to fashion. Luckily for our shopping bags, Pin-e shares this perspective as well. And speaking of imported bags…they can barely keep their too-cute Orla Kiely bags in stock. In need of a bright and colorful fashion-pick-you-up? Drop by and tell Sally we said hello! Pin-Me Apparel |
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| 3 | Why We Love the Classics We just learned about the art of layering. Gals around town look so cute in things they just “threw on,” but we know it had to take at least half an hour to figure it all out. It just seems so darn complicated. We suddenly realized…we should check out the new Eileen Fisher store at Bridgeport Village. They have everything we want—from basics to fashion-forward pieces—and we’ll live in their clothes forever. We can find great design and our own perfect look without looking like we’re 19…or trying too hard. Eileen Fisher designs are so elegant, always. And the beautiful fabrics, rich texture and soft color create clothes that connect—from piece to piece, season to season, day into night. This Saturday, in their new Bridgeport Village store, they’re hosting a Grand Opening event from 1-4 pm, where you can receive $25 off in-store purchases and a gift with purchase (not valid with any other offer, while supplies last) and enjoy refreshments while you shop. Plus, 10% of proceeds will benefit Girls, Inc. How fabulous is that? EILEEN FISHER |
  eileenfisher.com |
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| 4 | Be Still Our Beating Hearts We are always looking for the perfect Portland gift to bring out-of-town hosts. It has to travel well (sorry, berries). It can’t be cheesy—or even cheese (refrigeration issues). And anyone can just go to Trader Joe’s and buy a bottle of whatever. We want local, and we want it good. Behold, Clear Creek Distillery, now at a bigger location on NW 23rd & Wilson. Clear Creek makes eau-de-vie style (clear) as well as traditional brandies, fruit liqueurs, grappas, and whiskey. All are made on site, and the fruit liqueurs come from local fruit—e.g. the pears and apples hail from Hood River Valley. Clear Creek means business—30 pounds of pears are used to make just one bottle of their pear brandy. And for the hard-core pine coneheads, there’s even an eau-de-vie that incorporates Doug Fir buds. How much more NW can you get? Stop by and taste during regular weekly business hours, or on Saturdays from noon-5 p.m. Or call and make a reservation for a free tour of the vast distillery on Saturdays at 11 a.m. You’ll never be stumped for a gift again. Clear Creek Distillery |
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| 5 | Have Fun Getting Fit Once we’re done with our workouts we always wonder, “Why don’t we do this every day?” But what keeps us from it is that we don’t want to do the same thing every time, and we don’t have a “fitness imagination.” Plus, we are really good at sucking it in! Here are five good reasons to change those habits: Exercise increases your capacity to handle stress, helps you look better in and out of clothes, optimizes brain and body function, gives you energy, and, the big one…Recess has an awesome Boot Camp program that meets three times a week where we get all those bennies + we meet cool people. They even keep us in line, by tracking our attendance and giving out cool prizes ($75 gift cards at lucy, anyone?) for showing up regularly. It just means they care! In addition to the killer workout adjusted to your fitness level (buh-bye saddlebags!) you get nutrition counseling, cooking instruction, free goodies, and a workout that won’t bore you. What are you waiting for??? Recess |
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| 6 | Your Dog Takes the Cake When we adopted our min pin (or maxi pin, as we like to think of her), she came with some weird quirks. For example, walking veeerrrrrry slowly under bushes so they’d rub her back just so. She also came without a detailed history, so we don’t know exactly how old she is, much less her actual birth date. Regardless, we’ll plan to pick a day and celebrate another year together with a scrumptious custom cake from the brand-new Bone-Jour Gour-Mutt Bakery and Boutique. The French-style bakery really is just as cute as it sounds, from the black and white color scheme to the logo sporting owner Cindy’s own rescued pup. Each treat is baked from scratch daily using Bob’s Red Mill organic flour (no preservatives, corn, soy, salt or sugar) and comes with a name like “Bark-B-Q Beggin’ Bones” or “Great Dane-ish.” Though they’re not people-approved, the ingredients read like they could be—bananas, coconut, peanut butter, and yogurt icing. While there, don’t miss the boutique, filled with great gifts for all pet lovers. After all, every dog should have his day! Bone-Jour Gour-Mutt Bakery and Boutique |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Water is in Fashion We are never without a bottle of water. Wherever we go it's us and our water. And we know water. We've tasted them all (and so you know, Smart Water doesn't make you smart). Our favorite water is Moda, natural spring water homegrown near the Oregon Coast. If you're like us, water perpetually in palm, you also know it's the newest fashion accessory. |
 drinkmoda.com |
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| 2 | Use Your Noodle |
 pumpkinnoodle.com |
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| 3 | This is Hot! In our desperate last-minute quest to lose a few pounds before we hit the beach this Spring Break, we gave Infrared Heat Therapy a try, and we loved it! Get this: You can lose inches and pounds, totally detox, improve your skin, burn up to 1200 cals a session (hello!), and ease any pain quickly and easily...and it's enjoyable, ferreals. This really works! Try it yourself here locally at Exhilarate Tan and Bodyworks. |
 exhilaratetan.com |
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| 4 | Better Safe than Sorry We obsess about our children's safety. We can't let them out of our sight. We have nightmares that they'll be kidnapped from our driveway or get lost when we're picking out Christmas trees. (Our paranoia is likely caused by too much 24-hour cable news.) But now we can feel a little safer thanks to slick new running and hiking shoes with hi-tech GPS technology. There's even a panic button, if, heaven forbid, you ever need emergency help. This is genius! |
 feleonline.com |
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| 5 | Cookie, Cookie, Cookie That’s for Me It’s no secret that we love sweets…and with our birthdays coming up…well, let’s just say we have some ideas for intrepid gift-givers. Why, what kind of perfect present could this be? Membership in Miss Zumstein’s Cookie-of-the-Month club! Whether you love hazelnut meringues, lemon bars or shortbread, two and a half dozen toothsome treats can be picked up or mailed anywhere in Portland proper. Easy to share, pack or just gobble, we’re hoping to score a monthly delivery! |
 misszumstein.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Get Outta Town—in Style The Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach has lovely, pet-friendly rooms (with a welcome kit for your pooch), an incredible breakfast spread (seven days a week!) and spectacular views of the ocean and Haystack Rock. Make a reservation today to lounge on an Adirondack chair, snuggle with Fido (or your man), and tell them Portland Picks sent you! What: The Ocean Lodge—check their website for new specials! |
 theoceanlodge.com |
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| 2 | The Cure for Spring Fever Meringue presents a two-day Juicy Trunk Show! Get there early, as there will be goodie bags for the first 50 guests, plus drawings during the event! See live models in the latest Juicy gear, plus get treats and a free gift with purchase (while supplies last.) Check Portland Picks for more info soon! What: Juicy Trunk Show at Meringue Boutique |
 meringueboutique.com |
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Home-furnishings designers Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams are launching their new book, “Let’s Get Comfortable” with a book-signing! Get design inspiration and practical advice for creating a welcoming home. The first 100 Portland Picks readers to RSVP will get a free signed copy of the book! What: Book signing for “Let’s Get Comfortable” |
 mgbwportland.com |
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| 4 | Roots and Wings This free, day-long event is filled with live music, hands-on arts and crafts for kids, and resources for building and supporting healthy families. Enjoy musical and dance performances, a kids parade, face painting, story time in English and Spanish, mascots of local sports teams, and more. Get involved and have fun! What: Roots and Wings, Celebrating Families and Community |
 ctfo.org |
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| 5 | Kids: Follow a Leader! Enter the first annual Follow A Leader Essay Contest! Students in grades 4 through 12 can submit an essay explaining why they would like to spend a day with one of 29 local community leaders. The “Follow A Leader” mentor program encourages children to develop writing and communication skills, and consider career options. What: Follow A Leader essay contest |
 macys.com |
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| 7 | Art Opening for First Thursday Robert Loran, photographer, blends his experience in fashion with a passion for photography. The results are visually stunning, vibrant images—from striking commercial photography to portraits, artistic landscapes and urban impressions. See eight of his newest pieces at First Thursday in the Pearl! What: Robert Loran’s Photography |
 robert loran photography.com |
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Check out our homepage for past issues of Portland Picks, or search our archives for keywords like “cocktails,” “sundresses,” “beauty” or anything you want/need/gotta have! This month, our featured sponsor is NW Mortgage Lenders…forget spring cleaning…go get yourself a new home…with their help!!! |
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