Our dear friend Amy makes the most amazing groovy belts. Whenever we wear them people come up to us. Strangers stop us in the street.

We feel like celebrities, suddenly recognized, they want a piece of us….but then we realize it’s just the belts they’re after. Belts are back, big time. Not just any belt will do, you deserve a belt as original, outlandish and distinct as you! Bold, beautiful and so festive, Amy’s belts up the ante on any outfit.

A decoration, a declaration, a splash of color! You need one of Amy’s belts and now you can have one. Just in, they are sold exclusively at Meringue in Lake Oswego, and they are delicious!

The hottest new handbags to hit the states are designed by, “My Flat in London,” sold locally only at Nordstrom.

This might be transparently obvious, but our favorite is The Princess. Not only darling to look at, they are incredibly hardwearing and beautifully constructed.

These bags are a must-have for every woman of discriminating taste. $325

A Belief embodies life, imagination, encouragement for you.

Have you seen them? Part of an oh-so chichi hush-hush club. Popping up all over on the necks of Hollywood’s A-List, the ankles of the quietly self-assured, and the feminine wrists of hipsters everywhere.

A craze is evolving, subtly, suddenly, like a calm of cool they appear. Call it a pet rock for the stylish crowd, with a bonus; a belief and a wish come true.

These white gold charms are classic, simple and understated. The packaging is as natural and beautiful as the philosophy.

Shhh – it’s a secret.

Now you can wear those sexy fishnets without “letting it all hang out.” Spanx Fishnet Pantyhose is our best friend.

As soon as you pull them on, sexy sparks fly. Reminiscent of a simpler time when feminine was sassy and chic.

As a bonus, they make us look so good (as only a true friend would.)

Echo Scarves – Hair ties and headbands.

From Galore, Nordstrom, Pendleton Woolen Mills, Meier and Frank and Elizabeth Street.

Tie the bright hair ties on your head, your neck, your handbag.

The headbands are thick and retro. And check out their paisley, sexy, silky halters from Nordstrom (accessories).

Don’t forget those hats!

Try the ultra cool natural woven cowboy style hats that are out there.

Great with swimsuits and jeans, and to shade that lovely face of yours, feel the wild west and look your absolute best.

We love the Tommy Bahama Pina Rancher Hats from Nordstrom in woven raffia. $42

Felted basket handbag, $89, Relish, at 10th and Glisan.

They are just so incredibly unique, and bright, and modern.

They make quite a statement. Beyond cheerful, they look great with jeans and a t-shirt.

People will stop you, grab your bag, covet your bag, talk about your bag, talk behind your back about your bag….you’ll practically become paranoid with pride.

Wool potholders from Relish $32

Not that we cook, but if we did, we’d use these. They give the illusion that one cooks.

So we hang them about, near the stove (but not too close!), as decoration.

Especially cool for your beach cabin.

Motorola FRS Two Way radios with a 5-mile radius.

Get one for dad and everyone else in your family. Choose your channel and be safe when biking, hiking, or skiing together.

These radios are perfect for travel but you can also call him when he’s in the garage.

Give one to your kids when they walk to the neighbors, never has one purchase bought so much peace of mind.

Your family safety makes this gift priceless.

His personal hygiene can be so scary sometimes. But never fear. Tell your little Soldier to be brave, help is on the way. March on over to Blush Beauty Bar on Northwest 23rd and pick up some Brave Soldier Skincare Products.

Give him some Solar Shield (none of this pansy sunscreen stuff for your guy), First Defense (a “cleansing agent.”), or some Code Blue (“cooling aftershave”). These products were designed to make him brave anything – the inclement weather, a nasty patch of road rash, even those terrifying toiletries.

Be Brave Little Soldier.

How about a gift certificate at Hair M (get it? “Harem”). Welcome to a new era in men's grooming.

A place where you can relax, enjoy a beer, watch sports, have a massage and get a haircut. He’s always secretly imagined himself on silken pillows, being fanned and fed grapes. There is no need for you to provide all that problematic pampering. The folks at Hair M provide a very manly service to make him feel like a king, without the spendy price.

Take Dad Shopping to Este's Men’s Clothing Store

For that SPECIAL GUY in your life (Dad, Husband, Son etc.) buy him a gift at Este's for $100.00 or more and they will include a certificate for a FREE haircut by Antonio, which includes a twenty-minute massage and beverage of His choice! (A $25.00 value)

Cool bar, complimentary cocktail, fireplace, massage chairs, barbershop, and sophisticated custom men’s tailored clothing.

Just what Daddy deserves. 1633 NW Glisan St
(503) 227-0275

Say goodbye to his nerd briefcase, and hello to these stylin’ bags.

We relish these locally made laptop bags from Relish in the Pearl. $145 - $160

Nirvana Day Spa is one of the all-time BEST spas in Portland. Lush milk and honey pedicures, warm footbaths in rich copper basins.

We love their natural Microdermabrasion or their Oxygenating Facial that firms and tightens (also a Hollywood favorite).

Experience true escapism when you walk off the Portland streets into Nirvana, and another very Moroccan-themed world. Nirvana also offers a Men’s Menu of services, perfect for that Father in your life.

Buy him a gift certificate for the Gentlemen’s Hot Towel Facial or the Corrective Facial. They have a great men’s pedicure too!

Nirvana Apothecary and Day Spa, 736 NW 11th, 503.546.8155

Here's what he gets:

• Space FlightTraining at the legendary Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia
• Launch from the Historic Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a Soyuz-FG launch vehicle
• Eight days in space and live aboard the International Space Station
• Approximately 120 orbits of the Earth (over 3 million miles traveled)
• Become one of the first 500 people ever to have flown in space
• Experience the vast untamed universe beyond Earth

This gift really shows how much you care. Give him the gift of a lifetime!

Every girl knows that Lilly Pulitzer epitomizes Spring and Summer, and now Pulitzer offers a how-to guide in achieving the casual elegance she’s so famously known for among the Palm Beach socialite set --- think sailing, campfires, brunches, beach suppers & breakfast in bed.

This beautifully photographed and illustrated book takes you through Pulitzer’s life and the creation of her fashion empire, as well as offers advice on organizing more formal affairs like bridesmaids’ luncheons and classic recipes for entertaining the “Lilly” way.

Is Pulitzer the new Martha Stewart? Maybe not (and that could be a “good thing”), but she holds her own among style mavens Spade and Stewart any day ($20.40 at www.amazon.com).

Their comparisons to Stevie Ray Vaughn and Santana aside, we haven’t heard a CD as consistently good throughout in ages.

Billed as Willie Nelson’s favorite Austin Band on the CD cover, Los Lonely Boys is headed for fame outside of Texas on a quick trajectory.

Each track is as good as the next, but our favorites include Seniorita, Heaven & Real Emotion.

We think we might smell a Grammy…($9.99 at www.amazon.com).

We can distantly remember going to drive-in movies as a kid. We thought it would be a fun family experience to take our kids to a drive-in, so they could experience a bit of pop culture. Now, in the middle of our mid-life crisis when we are hunkering for anything old, sadly they are almost all gone.

The nearest drive-in to Portland is in Newburg. Built in 1953, the 99W still stands. They even play vintage drive-in trailers during intermission. Currently they are showing the new Harry Potter Movie, perfect for kids and adults.

If you want a unique [cheap] retro date night, this is definitely your place. You should probably even “make out,” just so you can say you did.

Or for those with very small kids, let them fall asleep in the back as the movie starts, and you have a pretend date, alone with your spouse…probably the closest thing you’ll get for a while. (Again, you should probably make out, just cause.)

p.s. Please don’t anticipate a luxurious venue. It is not, but you have come for the ‘experience.’ Remember it is only as plush as your car and the sound as good as your car stereo.

One of our very favorite restaurants, Hurley's, is celebrating its One-Year Anniversary with an amazing prix fixe dinner.

Three-Course Dinner and Dessert
with Optional Wine Pairing

Available June 8th through July 31st

The Anniversary Menu is Available Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday.

The Prix Fixe Price is $30.00
Wines Paired with Each Course $20.00

The Metropolitan Youth Symphony Pops Concert will be held on Sunday, June 13 at 3:00 pm at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

There are 200-300 very talented young musicians from all over Oregon and Washington who play in the Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra that will be performing at this great family event.