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August 3rd, 2007
Portland Picks’ Back to School Guide It’s official—the kids are going back to school! Huzzah! To mark the occasion, Portland Picks brings you our Back to School issue. We’ve got fantabulous ideas for outfitting the kids, as well as pampering moms and dads who have been toting Junior to and from play dates and band camp and Little League all summer. Because, let’s face it, you certainly deserve a little R&R. Oh, and did we mention there will be shopping? We all remember that the first day of school can be the key to a year’s worth of coolness, whether you’re just starting kindergarten or you’re a Junior in college. If you show up in the “right” clothes, you’re golden—a style superstar. Show up in a pair of bright yellow Keds (no, Mom, we haven’t forgotten), and face a year of mortification. And of course, even if you live a swingin’, carefree, child-free life, you can still utilize this guide. After all, this issue is all about finding the “Me Time” that everyone needs to recharge, relax, and re-feather the nest, plus, all of our ideas make great gifts! |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Sugar and Spice You have to love a store where you can pamper yourself and your kids, and nobody does it like Meringue Boutique. They have you covered—from maternity to baby gear to kids’ clothes, and even outfits for Mama’s Night On the Town. With brands like Juicy Couture, Splendid Littles, DaNang Kids, 2 b free, True Religion, Hooter Hiders and Bugaboo Stroller, you’ll find everything you need to outfit yourself and your kids in high style. And Meringue is a veritable mecca of great gift ideas! Plus, enter BABY30 when you shop online Aug. 3-5, and get 30% off! |
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| 2 | You Deserve Food This Good You want to feed your family right—the best ingredients, delish dishes, and a soupcon of love. Happily (and affordably), Chef Heather Mader of Black Radish makes a busy family’s dinner dreams come true. Whether it’s scrumptious family meals (kid-friendly dishes like Pounded Panko Chicken Parmesan with Angel Hair Pasta, or Sausage & Mushroom Lasagna with Basil Garlic Bread) or catering a dinner party for grownups (Braised Zinfandel Short Ribs with Chive Smashed Potatoes, Thai Fish Cakes w/ Sweet Chili Sauce & Coconut Rice), Black Radish delivers. Hungry yet? Call Heather. |
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| 3 | Too Cool for School We’ve heard tales of kids toting laptops to school instead of books, virtual classes and online homework. It makes us feel old, so we look to OFFICE to up our hip quotient. With design-inspired items for kids (laptop bags, binders, pens & pencils, portfolio covers), and cool stuff for a grown-up office (briefcases, business-card holders, the best notebooks and designer office furniture), the whole fam gets an edge on the competition. And on Sat. and Sun., Aug 4 & 5, save 15% off all locally made products in honor of OFFICE’s second anniversary! |
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| 4 | Take Time Out for Recess Remember the freedom, the fun, the excitement of recess? Too bad your boss doesn’t give you recess every day … but even though she hasn’t caught on, you can still have fun, run around, get in shape, and make your life happier and healthier with Recess. “Kids” of all ages will enjoy letting off steam and looking better with Recess’ energizing Boot Camp, or their Beach Body Kickstart, as well as other programs. Plus it’s a local, woman-owned business, so check their website for free classes! |
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| 5 | Get Straight A’s in Style We wore vests in college. We thought we looked skinnier, but it turns out we just looked dorky. Now vests are back, but we’ll never wear them—instead, we’ll take our style cues from Urban Minx. Urban Minx has everything you need to be the hippest family on the block, from comfy designer sweats to elegant dresses, and designers like Chip & Pepper, BCBG, See Thru Soul, G-Star, Ted Baker, Twisted Heart, and more! Portland Picks readers only: Use code aug25 when you order online, and you'll automatically receive 25% off your purchases! |
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| 6 | Shopping for a Cause Ladies, start your engines! Get a sitter and head out to BridgeportVillage, Sept. 6-9, when the best of Beauty and Fashion come to life to Benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Pick up your event guide and pass loaded with event highlights and exclusive fall fashion discounts, and upon purchase get the deluxe Portland Picks Swag Bag loaded with goodies from Portland Picks, Bridgeport Village retailers, and other community sponsors. RSVP to 503.968.1704 for passes. Donation is $20; all proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. |
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| 7 | Fashion Plates Remember the cool kids on the bus who always dressed better than anyone else? The boys casually sported designer tees; the girls looked like they stepped out of tiny fashion magazines… We were never those kids. But our children can be, at Bambini. From babies to tweens, Bambini outfits them in brands like True Religion, Joe’s Jeans, Hurley, Quiksilver, See Kai Run, Linx, Juicy Couture, Baby Nay, Catimini, and now, Webkinz! Plus, mention Portland Picks, and receive 10% off your purchase of regular-priced merchandise! |
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| 8 | Be All That You Can Be So you’re a mom—that doesn’t mean you can’t be a hot tamale! Dad—it’s time to lose that spare tire. Everyone else? Ramp up your current workouts with something amazing. Call NW Pilates. With one-on-one sessions in their chic studio on machines like the Reformer, the Cadillac and “the Chair,” you’ll get booty-shaping, tummy-flattening, serious workouts that are also serious fun. Through careful stretching, you’ll reshape your muscles and feel energized, slimmer, and even taller all day. (Pilates is also wonderful for helping teenage kids improve self-esteem, btw.) |
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| Event of the Week: | |||
Feel like dreaming? Stroll down the Street of Dreams and be amazed as they unveil six brand-new luxury estates. With stunning views of the Cascades, these homes have been expertly built using only the finest materials available, making this the most awe-inspiring Street yet. Stop by Thursday, Aug. 9, for the Wine and Jazz Series from 4 pm-7 pm—you’ll enjoy live music as you sample wines from Oak Knoll Winery. What a wonderful way to top off a tour of these fantastic homes! What: Street of Dreams |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Signal Sports’ Summer Clearance Sale Forget those sky-high gas prices and get the gear you need to fuel your own engine! Sportswear, running wear, swimwear, bags, shoes for sports and fun—they’re all on sale at Signal Sports, at savings of 30% to 60% off. Check out Signal Sports—Portland’s only locally owned women’s sports shop—for the sale of the summer! What: Signal Sports’ Summer Clearance Sale |
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| 2 | Moule Summer Blow-Out Sale! Moule’s fabulous spring/summer collections for man, woman and child are now on sale at 30-70% off. Save on dresses, knitwear, jeans, swimwear, and t-shirts from Rachel Mara, Malandrino, Deener, Mason, Ted Baker, Zooey, Whim, Genetic, Citizens, Valerija, Foley + Corina, Raven, Filippa K., Hugo Boss, and more. Plus, enjoy 30-50% off women’s shoes and handbags! What: Moule Summer Blow-Out Sale |
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| 3 | Behind the Shoji at Portland Japanese Garden It’s the Garden’s biggest art show and sale of the year. Enjoy the beautiful Garden Pavilion, where you’ll find some of the most spectacular art the Northwest has to offer, like the painting at right, by Sue Allen. What: Behind the Shoji at Portland Japanese Garden |
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| 4 | Oh Yes it's Ladies’ Night, and the Feeling's Right City Girl just got a great shipment of Carilyn Vaile, Ed Hardy, Hudson, Genetic Denim and Voom dresses! Join the fun next Thursday, and enjoy an in-store promotion. Plus, guest vineyard White Rose Wines will be pouring their fabulous Pinot Noir. Fabulous clothes, good wine, and it’s ladies’ night? You don’t want to miss this event. What: Ladies’ Night at City Girl |
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| 5 | lucy Warehouse Sale Um, OMG. It’s time for the lucy warehouse sale, featuring novelty items directly from the stores! You won’t believe the prices: tops are $5-$10; pants are $10-$20; jackets are $20; accessories are $5-$10; shorts are $5. Five dollars! All sales are final. Cash or check only. Shop early for the best selection! What: lucy warehouse sale |
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| 6 | Black Wagon 1-Year Anniversary Party Black Wagon celebrates their 1-year anniversary with an evening of fun for everyone! DJs Greasy Kid Stuff host and spin the tunes. Enjoy an art opening by Levi/Aliens with Afros. Black Wagon will be giving away gift certificates, coloring books and more, plus all items in the store will be discounted for this event! What: Black Wagon’s 1-year anniversary party |
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Click here right now, and tell all your friends!!! We’ve just launched the first-ever issue of Minneapolis Picks, Life & Style in the Twin Cities. It’s all the fun, fashion & sass of Portland Picks, with a soupcon of Midwestiness. (Yes, that’s a word.) Anyhoo, it rocks, and we are thrilled to bring our brand of Picks magic to another deserving city. (Wink, wink.) If you know anyone who lives in the Minneapolis area, or has visited Minneapolis, or even knows how to spell it, please tell them about Minneapolis Picks. xoxoxo |
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