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July 20th, 2007
Recently, we had a chat with a girlfriend about Nagels. You remember—those “artworks” from the 80s that were usually of dark-haired women with snow-white faces and painted-on blush, heavy eyeshadow… sometimes they were looking left, sometimes right… sometimes they had a cocktail or a cigarette, or they were maybe perched on a Corvette… Anyhoo, we reminisced about how there was always that one guy in high school who had rescued a Nagel from a basement or garage somewhere, and proudly displayed it in his bedroom as testament to his Bret Easton Ellis fixation or his Miami Vice addiction. Or—in extreme cases—both. Our friend said she knows a guy who currently has a Nagel in his place—no irony involved. He seriously thinks it’s not only acceptable decor, but it goes great with his black lacquer furniture. Ferreals. Anyhoo, then we were watching “Entourage,” and lo and behold, in Johnny Drama’s new apartment, what was hanging on the wall? You guessed it. And now we’re thinking that maybe the Nagel is making a comeback! Maybe Nagels everywhere should be rousted out from basements and thrift stores and once again proudly displayed behind the white-leather S-shaped sofa and the coffee-table fish tank. And ooh, we want one bad. Mostly for the irony, but we’re cheesy like that. So if you have one, let us know—we’ll make you an offer! |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | An Original It's five-thousand degrees out. We're looking longingly at our jeans, imagining a day when we can put them on without feeling like a fruit roll-up. Until then, though, we'll shop at new east-side denim hotbed Country of Origin. Named for both an envisioned jet-set lifestyle as well as a pride in U.S. fashion (most of its brands hail from our shores), Country of Origin brings hip jeans and breezy tees to NE Fremont—for both men and women. The ladies get brands like Chip & Pepper, People's Liberation, and William Rast. Michael Stars t-shirts, French Connection tops, and other brands we love to love complete the fashionable frame. And for the boys? In addition to a huuuuge TV with nonstop sporting events, they can get their butts into Citizens of Humanity and William Rast jeans. The store is constantly expanding brands, and new items arrive weekly. It's all housed in a very cool space that feels like a little bit like a piece of the Pearl floated up and across the River and gently landed down on NE Fremont. And trust us, we're glad it did. Country of Origin |
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| 2 | Heaven in Every Bite Every few weeks, someone who clearly wants to shatter our dreams of bikini-wearing brings a huge box of donuts to the office. And, like a horse (or cow) to water, we head straight for the filled varieties. There’s just something about having every bite bursting with flavor and, of course, never quite knowing what you might get, that makes them so tempting. And it’s about time that someone gave this old idea a brand-new twist. For that, we credit the owners of Cupcake Jones, the new Pearl purveyor of filled cupcakes! We assure you that both the outsides and insides of these jumbo cakes are outstanding. What’s more, each sweet treat comes topped with a detailed garnish, from handmade white-chocolate pearls to candied rose petals and chocolate mint leaves. Buy by neighborhood, like the Belmont Berry (white-chocolate cake with marionberry buttercream) or flavor (creamsicle, peanut-butter cup, and mimosa), but be sure to check out the “Baker’s Choice,” a creative concoction that’s certain to amaze. Stop in soon—we guarantee you’ll be glad to bypass bikinis ‘til next summer! Cupcake Jones |
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| 3 | Country Couture We’ve had a soft spot for girly Western wear since our first Gunne Sax dress at age 6. Of course, the world of cowgirl chic has come a long way since then… now it’s all about fabulous belts, sexy denim and flirty tops—even the cowboy boot has achieved cult status and looks downright sexy with everything from a sundress to a pencil skirt. Which is why we adore Cowgirl Mercantile in McMinnville. They’re smack dab in the middle of Yamhill County Wine Country, and carry fashions for men, women and children, plus home décor that runs the gamut from shabby chic to authentic ranch-house. (And their collection of Western belts is amazing—everyone’s Joe’s look better with a hot buckle!) With Frye and Lucchese boots and shoes, and clothing from Texas Couture, Cinch, Cowgirl Tuff, Patricia Wolf, Cruel Girl, Hazel, Ivy Jane, It Jeans, True Grit, Equestrian, 8241 Ranch, Johnny Cotton and Rockmount Ranch, it’s a little slice of Texas, city-style. Top it off with adorable jewelry to complete your new look. Mention Portland Picks and receive 10% off one item! Cowgirl Mercantile |
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| 4 | It’s Not Easy Being Green Why is it that our sister ended up with our father’s green thumb, while we got nothing? Ok, maybe we got our father’s artistic gene, but really, we’d settle for the green thumb any day. Case in point: Last week, our boyfriend came home from work to find us in the garden, knee-deep in dirt attempting to plant basil and green beans. We were a disaster—dirt everywhere, sweat dripping from our faces like we had just completed a marathon, and our plants looked like they could use more than a little bit of help. Not pretty! |
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| 5 | Sunny Skies Ahead Vibe. Chi. Aura. Woo-Woo. Call it what you will; Blue Sky Wellness Studio has the good kind. We stopped into the brand-spankin’ new North Mississippi yoga/acupuncture/massage slash everything-healing-and-healthy studio and instantly felt peace settle over our minds just by cruising their library and looking at the class calendar. (It also felt pretty awesome to have one of their uber-nice staff members hand us a “free movement class” coupon. Thank you—we love it!) Blue Sky has tons of yoga classes (hatha, kundalini, pre-natal, vinyasa) available throughout the week, taught by very credible instructors, and they’re not all that costly either. One of their M.O’s is to offer healthcare to accommodate various income levels—so not only are their classes competitively priced, but they’ll bill insurance. They even offer a “Community Acupuncture Program” just so us low-dough folks can still benefit from Blue Sky’s great services. In a town like this, we think we’re going to enjoy seeing a lot more Blue Sky. Blue Sky Wellness Studio |
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| 6 | Rethink Your Noodle We have this friend who is so x, y and z. Smart, witty, sweet and stylish, she can do no wrong. But when recently discussing dinner plans, we began to rethink her hip factor after she announced that she wanted to go out for a bowl of ramen noodles. We didn’t want to have to explain this to her, but like keg stands, ramen was not cool post-college. We had no idea her call for ramen was of the gourmet kind, like that served at biwa, where we met this ramen run head-to-head. Talk about an unfortunate reputation. A brothy soup with handmade noodles, pork loin, bean sprouts and green onion, it was nothing like the 15-cent version we once knew so well. We found other menu favorites in the Kimchi fried rice, spicy Korean short ribs and tender scallops lightly crisped from the grill. The pickle plate was set with tart plums and cucumbers that made us pucker—giving us a good excuse to tell our friend how much we still adored her and plant on her a well-deserved smooch. biwa |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | If Loving You is Wrong, I Don't Wanna Be Right As much as we love shoes, it’s handbags that are our real addiction. We seriously can’t stop buying them, especially since “Vegan” (formerly known as “vinyl") has made supercute non-leather versions so affordable, and all during summer the lure of fabric beauties is tough to resist. Take this saucy zebra number from Fred Flare: It’s big enough to hold all your junk plus your laptop, so you can take it from work to the beach to brunch without sacrificing one iota of bad-girl style. |
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| 2 | We Like You, Too If you haven’t witnessed the genius that is Amy Sedaris, then her book “I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence” is a perfect entrée into her slightly twisted but overall quite adorable world. It’s a hilarious guide to entertaining, with tips for everything from properly freezing meatballs to dealing with intoxicated guests. Her sense of humor is so unique, and “I Like You” should be a part of every sassy hostess’ party planning arsenal. |
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| 3 | Daily Do-Yourself-Goodery We try to do something nice for someone every day. But often we find that nobody does anything nice for us. We’re humongous martyrs—we give and give and get nothing in return. Which is why Vital Juice Daily.com is so rewarding—it’s entertaining and uplifting, and gives us the daily info we need to take care of ourselves. From fitness to healing, nutrition to beauty, “Do Good” and “Green Living,” we always feel a little more pampered when we get the Juice. |
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| 4 | And Now Back to Shoes We just realized that one of our favorite shoes from this season is now on sale for half of what we paid, so we have to share the love. These turquoise beauties by Seychelles, called “Take it to the Limit,” are lined for maximum comfort, and despite the dangerous heel and naughty ankle-straps, they’re perfect for tooling around town. You will get nothing but compliments, we promise, and if you’re too tame for turquoise, how about black? |
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| 5 | Save Your Skin Had enough of the heat? Don’t tell us you haven’t been applying your sunscreen, ladies! It’s an important part of a daily regimen year-round, but especially now, when the sun’s unflinching rays are beating down the hardest. We have a medicine cabinet full of the stuff, but a favorite is Aubrey Organics’ Green Tea Sunblock with SPF 25. It was originally created for kids and people with sensitive skin, so it’s gentle and effective. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Craft PDX: A Block Party Join the Museum of Contemporary Craft and its new neighbors for a festival celebrating the arrival of the Desoto Project. This is a historic occasion for the 70-year-old organization as it re-opens in its new site on the North Park Blocks. Enjoy live music, artist demonstrations and hand-on art activities, plus Portland's best food carts and a beer garden by Bridgeport Brewery. What: Craft PDX: A Block Party |
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| 2 | Sakétini Saturday Concert Series At SakéOne Pete Krebs Gypsy Swing will be playing at SakéOne! “Sweet and Lowdown” meets Nat King Cole in this gypsy-jazz inspired combo fronted by one of the legends of the Portland music scene. Plus, enjoy a fabulous Kimono Fashion Show! Admission is just $5, and 20% will benefit SHARE. 21 & over with ID. What: Pete Krebs Gypsy Swing Concert at SakéOne |
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| 4 | Camp Bridgeport at Bridgeport Village - Free! Summer is a blast at Bridgeport Village’s Free zany and fun morning camps! Kids will enjoy everything from fun-filled book readings and educational activities, plus snacks, loads of prizes and giveaways. Parents have a blast, too, as the presentations are stellar—Mad Science, Oregon Children’s Theater, Westside Dance Academy, Gymboree, OMSI—and then you can shop! What: Camp Bridgeport (no registration necessary) |
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| 5 | Are You an Intuitive Eater? Be Nourished invites you to two free lectures about how an enjoyable relationship with food happens naturally when the focus is more on nurturing the body and mind and less on dieting. RSVP to the phone number or email below, and gain some insight into how mindful, healthy eating can benefit your life. |
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| 7 | Summer Sale Underway at City Girl! Be the envy of your gal-pals—get va-va-voom in Voom Dresses, and save on Cosabella, J Brand, Hudson, Genetic, Denim of Virtue, Earnest Sewn, Havaianas, Cynthia Steffe, Robert Rodriquez, DVF, Marc Jacobs, Love & Liberty, D-Squared, Development, Ed Hardy, Bianca Nero and Carilyn Vaille, and more. Even City Girl’s amazing denim! Mention Portland Picks and get an additional 10% off! What: Summer Sale at City Girl Boutique |
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| 8 | Want a Great Bod? If you’re ready to get in shape, have fun, and do it with a supportive group, 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 two-month program makes you healthy from the inside out. What: Recess Beach Body Kickstart |
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| 9 | Save 10% at Fabulous Seattle Hotels To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Seattle’s Pike Place Market, the Hotel Monaco is offering a special Centennial Rate of 10% off the best available rate. Ask about the “Pigs on Parade” package at the Monaco: 100 fiberglass pig sculptures were decorated by local artists to celebrate the Market's birthday; you’ll receive lots of goodies to enhance your stay…and your appreciation! What: Centennial Rate at Kimpton’s Seattle Hotels |
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| 10 | Ice Cream Social Market of Choice is celebrating National Ice Cream Month with an Ice Cream Social featuring Umpqua Dairy Ice Cream, Crater Lake Soda, and The Oregon Dairy Princess. Ice cream sundaes and floats will be available for a suggested donation of $2. All money raised will go to Clackamas County Meals on Wheels. What: Ice Cream Social for Meals on Wheels |
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| 11 | Maritime Heritage Festival Celebrate summer and the wonderful traditions of boating culture at the Maritime Heritage Festival! Sponsored by Almost Heaven Catering, Portland Parks & Recreation, the Downtown Marketing Initiative, Tri Met and 200 Market Place, it’s three days of events on the waterfront, from PT boat tours to wooden boats and a Concours d’Elegance. What: Maritime Heritage Festival |
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| 12 | Artists’ Reception at the Guardino Gallery Color dominates the next show at the Guardino Gallery. Stop in for an artists’ reception for Kim Murton (brightly patterned ceramic sculpture), and Kelly Neidig, who does highly original oil paintings. Meet the artists and view/purchase their incredible work. The shows run through Aug. 28. What: Artists’ Reception at Guardino Gallery |
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| 13 | Free Root Beer Floats! Hand-crafted Thomas Kemper Root Beer + a scoop of delectable Tillamook® Vanilla Bean ice cream = a cool Northwest classic, available free next Wednesday at Pioneer Courthouse Square. It’s a fun way to celebrate National Ice Cream Month, and Thomas Kemper Soda Co.’s way of saying thanks to Portland—the company’s new home. What: Free root beer floats at Pioneer Courthouse Square |
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| 14 | Save 50% at The Pearl Retriever To say “thank you” to their customers—new and old—The Pearl Retriever is holding a Friends & Family sale. Bring your own friends and family and stop in to save 50% off your purchase, for two days only! Stock up for Fido on beds, toys, bowls, mats, collars, leashes, bath products, blankets, treats, books and more! What: Friends & Family Sale at The Pearl Retriever |
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| 15 | Party Tonight at Mink! Shop and save and come to a party at Mink Boutique! Tonight only you'll enjoy 15% off all dresses, and 30% off all Polli jewelry, which is absolutely gorgeous. Cancel whatever's on your agenda tonight, because the party + savings at Mink will be much more fun! What: Party + Sale at Mink
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| 16 | Bubble Boutique is Turning One & Having a Sale ! Bubble is truly in the party mood, offering its fashion-forward friends 20%-60% off all clothing for one week only! You're invited to an after-hours open house tonight, to jump on the best bargains before they're gone! This is Bubble's biggest sale of the year, with major markdowns on dresses and feminine frills from Paul and Joe, Susana Monaco, Sweet Pea, Mimi and Coco, and Foley. What: Open House + Anniversary Sale at Bubble Boutique
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We are thrilled to announce that the Picks are expanding once again! On Aug. 3 we’re launching www.MinneapolisPicks.com, and on Sept. 7 we unveil www.PhoenixPicks.com. Tell your friends in the Twin Cities and the Valley of the Sun to visit the websites and sign up for their dose of monthly fun & fashion from the ladies at the Picks!!! |
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