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June 29th, 2007
Has anyone seen the ice-cream man? Here it is officially summer and we've yet to hear his peppy little ice-cream man tune jingling down our street. We need to know if you've spotted him. They should have a website, maybe www.whereistheicecreamman.com, so it could be like the whole Norad thing with Santa, telling us his every move and how close he is so we can make sure we're home and spry, coins in hand, ready for our Dreamsicle. We had a boyfriend in high school that was an ice cream man, well, really more of an ice cream boy, and we got to ride around on the back of his little ice-cream man cart. We felt so cool, so proud. (Course now we'd rather ride around in a saucy convertible with Prince Harry, but things were different then.) To get you in the mood for the ice-cream man, check out this ice-cream man jingle, called "What the Hell is a Choco Taco?" We trick our kids now and then with this melody and they go running for the curb...and we laugh and laugh. But seriously, re: the ice-cream man? Tell us if you've seen him, and send him over! |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Moto Mojo Just last week we were stopped at a red light, minding our own business, singing off-key with Kelly Clarkson (yes, we love her!) and we looked to our left and saw the cutest little thing riding the cutest little scooter and we had a pang of jealousy. Ok, we had a big pain of jealousy. We wanted one, too, with the entire look to boot! Cut to the brand-new shop, S Curve—it’s the first motorcycle- and scooter-apparel store for women in Portland. They carry items for style, comfort and safety, including jackets by Woman Biker, shirts designed by Modified and one-of-a-kind bags by Motokitty, to name a few. Not only does S Curve have in-store bikes to gauge how the clothing will fit while you ride, they hold fundraising events and private parties to raise dough for important community causes, so there’s a little do-goodery mixed in with the fun fashions. And with summer officially here, we can’t wait to be the first of our friends to get a scooter…and dress the part! S Curve |
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| 2 | Rewarded with the Uncommon You know when you walk into a place and think, yes, this is perfect… Portland will eat this place up. Those were our thoughts exactly when we had dinner at Clyde Common last week. The space is gorgeous; so lovely in fact that our dinning partner completely missed the fact that there is a mezzanine and hung out waiting for us at the bar literally right underneath our table for almost 30 minutes. “Where is she?” we both thought simultaneously while sipping our cocktails and drooling over the menu. Good thing we were obnoxiously taking a bunch of photos too, because once she said she was meeting a girl with a camera, the bartender pointed above and there we were, hanging over the edge, snapping away. Once we were happily united, we got down to business; what are we eating? We were feeling adventurous (salt cod croquettes, carrot gnudi), playful (popcorn with pimenton), and classic (burger with fries). Everything was excellent, but we were especially glad we got out of our comfort zone with those croquettes. Clyde Common |
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| 3 | In Your Wildest Dreams In our fantasies we can have anything we want. We just waltz into a store and, poof, that must-have item is on its way home with us. We also fantasize that we’re 5’9 and 118 pounds, and that we’re really tan without sun damage, but that’s for another day. For now, we’ll make new fantasies at the just-opened Carl Greve downtown. The new store is glamorous, enticing, and just plain wonderful to be in. There’s even a bar, with old movies playing. And their helpful and un-intimidating staff will guide you through the sparkling cases—check out the 360-degree views—you can ogle from all angles. Your eyes will be treated to incredible candy, like Hearts on Fire® diamonds, mind-boggling Harry Winston timepieces (they’re the only store in Portland that carries them), and even “rustic” items by smaller designers. (And by “rustic” we mean they’re perfect for a casual afternoon at the yacht club. Oh, there we go! Dreaming again!) Happily, some items at Carl Greve are well within our reach, and for that we say, “Thank you.” Carl Greve Downtown |
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| 4 | Brunch is the New… We were a little embarrassed this year when our Easter brunch plans were foiled by the fact that we didn’t have a reservation. Anywhere. We realized brunch-on-the-fly was a bad idea, but there had to be a table somewhere. We just had to ask the right person. Luckily, a friend directed us to the Arleta Library Bakery Café, where the food was better than a 2 a.m. kitchen raid (which, if you’ve ever done it, is genius). In fact, the Arleta Library Bakery Cafe has since frequented our date books so much that we’ve dubbed brunch “the new happy hour.” Serving meat and produce from local farms, Arleta brings back the good-food factor, especially with little love notions like homemade ketchup and jams and good old Stumptown coffee. Our favorite dish is the “Hawthorne,” a medley of roasted vegetables topped with Tillamook cheddar—but on those “rougher” Sunday mornings this is traded for the hearty sweet-potato biscuits and gravy with slow-roasted pork loin. Now all we need is a mimosa—and luckily again, their application is in for a liquor license. Arleta Library Bakery Cafe |
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| 5 | When You Need a Good Read Like good Northwestern girls, we heart Powell’s, we truly do. But what’s a good Northwestern girl to do while browsing around NW 23rd and in need of some immediate literary sustenance? Twenty-Third Avenue Books. First off, it smells just lovely. Like crisp unopened pages, an un-cracked book spine, fresh ink prose. Seriously if there were a scratch-and-sniff sticker with a drawing of some piled up books and a register that said “bookstore,” they would have captured the scent here. And it’s quiet, but not weirdly so. There’s the distant rumble of an occasional streetcar but that’ll just make you feel like you’re in Paris. Really, it’s the perfect sound level for poking your nose into Twenty-Third Avenue’s wide selection of everything from fiction to health to travel, with a special section—and photos!—for Northwest writers. Oh how literary we are, indeed! It makes us wish they had an adjoining café, because we just know we would write the Great American Novel within its walls. We’ll get that done before the 20-year high-school reunion, we swear… Twenty-Third Avenue Books |
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| 6 | Cheap and Wunderful They have every blinking game you can imagine, including one colossal room that’s surely every child’s fantasy (including, we noticed, some 30-something "kids"). And there wasn't any dippy dressed-up-rodent following us around, mocking us and interfering with our serious focus as we navigated through a new galaxy and snipered aliens. Furthermore, and perhaps most important, we didn't feel ripped off. Then there's the old Avalon theatre, a cinema treasure, which houses Wunderland and runs some fine second-run flicks you can catch before they hit the video stores. So the next time you’re at wit’s end, take ’em to Avalon. Cheap thrills for all! |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Make a Statement (with Your Booty) You know that we love to shop sustainable. We have bamboo sheets, palm-frond t-shirts and reclaimed wood floors to make up for our gas-guzzling ExecuCar. So when we heard that Levi’s has an organic-cotton line of denim, we became obsessed. Look how cute these are! It’s amazing what a difference you can make, just by sitting down. The green stitching is the mark of the eco line. If you see us without it, you have license to pinch us. |
 Levisstore.com |
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| 2 | Meaningful, Wearable Art We’ve been known to amble down the Oregon Coast, picking up shells and driftwood along the way. We even have a little jar where we keep our finds, saving them for later use. With Potions jewelry, later has just arrived. Oregon artist Deanna Wohlgemuth takes your treasures (or her own) and transforms them into a piece of wearable art. Each necklace is entirely unique and comes with a message about its place of origin and our connection to the earth. Our lives have meaning…shouldn’t our jewelry? |
 potionsdesigns.com |
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| 3 | Start a Riot The talent coming out of the Pacific Northwest constantly amazes us. Case in point, the folks from Sub Urban Riot, who grew up in our woods and pledge that rain actually gives them clarity. While most of their wares are clever hoodies and t-shirts perfect for lounging, our favorite is the Knotty dress – simple, classy and available shortly. We also adore their product descriptions, which make us giggle with comments like, “It’s raining cat!” Good taste and a sense of humor? They’re definitely from our area. |
 suburbanriotstore.com |
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| 4 | Styling Your Abode We love the idea of hiring an interior designer to help us achieve the looks we just can’t seem to get on our own, but let’s face it, we want more of a friend with good taste than a salesperson. Which is how we heard about Ken Hoyt. He calls what he does an “interior advocate,” since he helps you make your personal statement by giving guidance only where you need it. He can do everything from spiffing up your home for sale to creating a “style file.” Fun! |
  kenhoytstyle.com |
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| 5 | Skincare Magic |
 spapure.info |
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| Item of the Week! | |||
| Doggy Daypack by Luff
Neighbors have stopped us while we’re walking our dog, demanding to see our “doo bag.” As if we’d skulk off without picking up after Fido. So we present our pockets, stuffed with plastic grocery bags, and think, “There has to be a better way.” Enter Luff’s Doggy Daypack—it holds your poop-pickup bags and has a pull-through grommet for easy dispensing. There’s a pocket for cell phone, treats, keys, lipstick, whatever, so you can travel light! It wraps around the leash handle or dog collar, so Fido can help carry the load. Available online, and at Healthy Pets NW, The Bark Market, Salty’s, and Green Dog Supply. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Summer of Love Forty years ago, in Monterey, California, hippie men and women gathered for the Summer of Love. If they wore any clothes at all, it was ripped jeans, ponchos and skirts made out of burlap. Imelda’s and Louie’s version of the Summer of Love involves kicky sandals, coquettish heels and fabulous flats. Imelda’s and Louie’s Summer of Love Sale—get 20-70% off selected merchandise! What: Summer of Love Sale at Imelda’s and Louie’s |
 imeldasandlouies.com |
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| 2 | Recess Beach Body Kickstart You always say you’ll get in shape—now’s the time! For just $230 per month Recess gives you the bootcamp to end all bootcamps. With classes like yoga and pilates, plus nutrition, cooking instruction and free goodies. Forget dieting—this is a two-month, swimsuit-body kickstart that makes you healthy from the inside out. It’s loads of fun and super motivating! What: Recess Beach Body Kickstart |
 recessfitness.com |
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| 3 | Hotel Vintage Park Seattle Wellness Weekend Kimpton Hotels and body + soul magazine invite you to relax and recharge your mind and body with Wellness packages at the Hotel Vintage Park in Seattle (and the Hotel Monaco). You’ll receive discounts and special pampering, including: a welcome Detox Mocktail, deluxe peaceful accommodations, a healthy complimentary breakfast, 10% off an in-room spa experience, and more! |
 hotelvintagepark.com |
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| 4 | Body Wraps on Sale at Exhilarate Bodyworks July will be hot hot hot! For the entire month of July, Exhilarate Bodyworks is offering their Formostar Infrared Heat Therapy Body Wraps at only $39.95 for a full 50-minute session. Formostar Infrared bodywraps assist with relief for chronic pain, melt fat for inch/weight loss, cellulite reduction, improved circulation, skin rejuvenation and more. What: Sale on Body Wraps at Exhilarate Bodyworks |
 exhilaratebodyworks.com |
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| 5 | 4th of July Sale at Talula’s and TAGG Stop the presses! Talula’s and TAGG are having storewide sales—20% off all regular-priced merchandise—now thru July 8. They say it’s in honor of the 4th of July, but we say it’s because Talula’s and TAGG seriously rock. We are bringing our BFFs, our boyfriends, our kids and even grabbing strangers off the street to join in the fun! What: 20% off everything at Talula’s and TAGG |
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| 6 | Cha! Grand Opening Party Your new favorite Mexican restaurant is here. Cha! is the uptown sister to Cha! Cha! Cha! and it's fabulous and hip and delish. Tonight they are celebrating with a Grand Opening Party from 8-1. Enjoy food and drink specials, free charbroiled tacos, and the sounds of DJ Area 54, in from Holland! Can't make the party? Stop in for lunch! What: Grand Opening party for Cha! |
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| 7 | Italian Shoe Closeout Sale Want to save up to 80% off retail prices on designer Italian shoes? We just heard that a certain Portland designer (very high-end), who used to own two shoe boutiques (guess them if you can) is having a final closeout on merchandise from the stores. It's two days only, enormous savings on high-fashion, fabulous stuff! See you there! What: Italian shoe closeout sale |
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What a week for shoe-shopping! Seriously, if you make it out of the house this weekend without hitting either the Italian-shoe closeout sale, the Talula’s and TAGG sales, or the Imelda’s and Louie’s sales, you better have a good excuse. And if you hit them all, you’re a superhero, so please let us know exactly what you purchased. We love talking about shoes. |
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