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| PORTLAND PICKS | ||
| life + style to you: every Friday | ||
| September 3 2004 |
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Our beautiful ladies of summer are now the beautiful ladies of fall, deep sigh. This is the end of another glorious season but melancholy is better suited for winter so our advice is to kick back those kitten heels this Labor Day weekend and snuggle up with Portland Picks. The last hurrah of summer…. |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Cooking Class at Sur La Table: It's your friend's birthday, you want to surprise her but don't quite have the time to pull off a dinner party on such short notice. No worries, just call up Sur La Table and tell them you want to invite 3 couples, Italian, you bring the wine, and they'll do everything else. You just show up! Make sure you ask that Jessica be your chef de cuisine this evening (a fabulous caterer, 503.280.1191; www.divine-catering.com). She will delight you with her charm, wit and Iron Chef finesse. This was the perfect evening and the easiest entertaining you'll ever do. You do a little chopping, a little cocktailing, a little learning, and lots of feasting. (We particularly enjoyed consuming the entire pot of garlic dip, which we kindly shared with others the entire next day as it wafted from our pores.) And you get the whole store to yourself for after-hours shopping! Ooh la la. A night to remember and a clean kitchen in the morning, pure heaven.
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 Sur La Table |
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| 2 | Since vintage brooches have made a comeback, you must check out A Shop for Ladies, located in North Portland at Interstate and Dekum. Owner Alexsandra, who is an intriguing story herself, specializes in extremely high quality costume jewelry that is very reasonably priced. Her rhinestones sparkle, her enamel shines and her clientele includes newscasters and other local movers and shakers. In addition to baubles, she sells immaculate Edith Collins handbags and stylish vintage millinery. Her shop just opened over the summer - previously she plied her wares in the basement of Store II on Killingsworth. She is truly one of our fair city's best-kept secrets! Zenphere@aol.com |
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| 3 | Stella's on 21st is a wonderful, artsy gift shop, a bit reminiscent of Twist, but filled with local artists and jewelers and much more. They have great girlfriend gifts, baby gifts (we love the Pee Pee Tee Pee!), books and modern art galore. One of our favorite lines they carry is a flower choker designed by Elisabeth
& Co. The Renowned Elisabeth just received her first piece of editorial
in Lucky, and her jewelry is worn by all the celebs. But what makes this truly
unique is that Elisabeth is only 10 years old! Stella's on 21st. |
 Elisabeth & Co. |
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| 4 | Sofada is a wonderful secret. But shhh. Check out this cool new shop on northeast Freemont. Alice Dobson is the talented owner and designer of most everything available, made in the hippest styles, fabrics and details. She is amazing! It is one of those places that once you discover it, you want to buy everything there! Prepare to have your jaw drop and your wallet open, this place is irresistible Sofada also carries great local handbags and jewelry too (check out e-cessories earrings and heir blooms...) Sofada |
 Sofada |
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| 5 | Rebecca Cundari Jewelry – you've probably seen them on Who's Who in Portland. You've probably coveted someone else's. They are spectacular charms worn on chains with the names of all your children, the love of your life, your husband, your boyfriend. They are so meaningful and ultra hip in the city! These charms are made from Precious Metal Clay, better known as PMC. It's comprised of tiny particles of pure silver suspended in an organic binder and when kiln-fired it's transformed into 100% pure (fine) silver. Talented Rebecca hand stamps each letter into each piece, so there are many options when deciding what to put on the charms. The charms are purely hand/custom made. They are available in single initial charms, full name charms with or without birth stones, and some dads and grandpas have been known to put the charms on their key chains!! Small charms come in circle, heart, teardrop or star shapes. This would make the perfect gift for your best friend expecting, or for Christmas for Grandma (who would adore advertising all her grandchildren around her neck!) Prices range from $30 to $55.00. Contact Rebecca Cundari at Rebecca Cundari Jewelry Designs 503.887.0894 |
 Rebecca Cundari Jewelry |
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| The Olympics: | |||
We love the Olympics. We cry a lot. We're just so dang proud, when they play the national anthem and our sons and daughters are up there! And then of course there's always the scandal that keeps us on the edge of our seats. We always wanted to be in the Olympics, but we could never decide what our sport would be. Gymnastics perhaps? Naaaaa, you have to be so itty bitty. Swimming maybe? Nope, the chlorine is terrible on our hair -- though we'd gladly date a hunky young swimmer (do we get any points for that?). Well, a girl can dream, or maybe just pretend, can't she? Why, sure. Besides, we watched so much of it on tv, we feel if we were just given a
shot we could probably do it, maybe even bring home a bronze in fencing for
example (since not very many people have chosen this as their event, it increases
our odds, like running for office unopposed). Nevermind we've never laid our
fingers on a saber, we have it all figured out. Plus, you get to wear those
very cool outfits that look like straight jackets and you get to dance around
like the Three Muskateers wielding a weapon. We could totally do that! |
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| A | Which leads us to this week's challenge: Fencing
class. Since our fair city is now home to a Gold Medalist in Fencing, we feel
it's only fitting to take up that sword. You can take adult classes or privates
via the Oregon Fencing Alliance that makes its home at OES.
Wouldn't it feel good, like a voo doo doll, to get your ya ya's out with a saber!? (Especially during a full moon and when you're pms!) So grab your girfriend, a beau, someone you despise perhaps and get whacking. For schedules and fees log onto their site. |
 Oregon Fencing Alliance |
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| B | Let's get down to what's really important for your athletic prowess, your feet. We are the first to admit we are a tad persnickety when it comes to our shoes. We want the best performance but we have to ‘fess……looks are everything! Believe it or not, you can have a pair of Nikes custom-made for your feet. At the NikeID Web you can mix and match colors, materials, words, and patterns to build just the pair of Nike shoes you've been longing for. A very cool feature is the ability to look at these shoes from the top, side, bottom, and back. According to their Web Site, a one-of-a-kind-specially-made pair of Nikes costs only slightly more than a regular Nike product. You even get to make up your own "iD" product label. These will make you so darn cool! |
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| C | Physical element has everything you need for your pretend Olympics. You can look sexy, feel comfortable, for whatever your Olympic Sport may
be. They have it all. Physical Element
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 Physical Element |
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| D | Okay, they are over, but again, we can pretend we were there, laden in our Olympic Nike gear. A girl can dream, can't she? And pretend?
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 Nordstrom |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | What are we seeing on the catwalks this season? Small and tidy was the Do of the day at Dolce & Gabbana and Jil Sander. Hair pulled back into a golf-ball-size bun at the base of the neck a'la Carolyn Bessette Kennedy . Top hairstylists suggest applying Ampro styling gel to tame those fly-aways
and get that sleek look, combing it through with a fine-tooth comb and into
a tight bun. |
 Ampro Pro-Styl Protein Styling Gel |
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| 2 | Sweet 50s Style Coats with bracelet sleeves and fur collars like this vintage style rabbit collar coat from Cole Haan. Old money but not stuffy. You can also ask Grandma for hers, this look is classic.
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 Cole Haan |
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| 3 | We all know soy is good for the body, but did you know it's good for your soul as well? Essence of Ahurani's line of soy wax candles provides an ideal alternative to the paraffin based waxes used in conventional candles. Made with a pure, 100% natural soybean base and infused with botanical oils, these calming, scented candles burn longer and cooler (no more nasty black candle residue found in traditional candles). Treat yourself to exotic scents like Tomato Leaf, Sangria, Acacia, Mist and Seneca in their Sophisticated Traveler Tumbler Collection --- each inspired by a different locale of the world ($14). We can't get over the intensity and uniqueness of their fresh scents, and we love that they're environmentally friendly. Hey, we can have glamour and be responsible! Pick up one of these intoxicating scents or peruse their site for other tempting goodies at www.essenceofahurani.com. |
 Soy Candles |
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| 4 | In 1920, women won the right to vote. In 2000, 22 million single women chose to not use that right. If Torrey Strohmeier has anything to do with it, on November 2nd, 2004, we will reverse that trend. Enter she19 (in reference to the 19th Amendment), the brainchild of Strohmeier and hopefully a major force in this year's election. No matter whom you vote for, it's important to get out there and be heard, ladies. If you love your Manolos or your Seven Jeans, do your part to make this t-shirt just as chic… get your sexy self to www.she19.com and pick one up for $20 + shipping while paying homage to those who sacrificed so much before you for the right to vote. |
 She 19 T-Shirts |
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| 5 | We know a hot site when we see one, but we can't get over the variety of kitschy AND classic gifts FredaLA.com has for the discriminating diva. If you're looking for jewelry and accessories worn by celebrities like Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson or Drew Barrymore, you'll be over the moon! We love the Total Bitch Survival Kit (on sale for $15), complete with a two-ounce bottle of Total Bitch Bubble Bath, a quarter ounce of Total Bitch Lip Balm, two 1.4 ounce bars of Total Bitch Bar Soap, and a two-ounce tube of Total Bitch Shimmer Cream. Readying your wardrobe for Fall? Check out their darling selection of hats and scarves; we love this little pansy applique number with Ric Rac trim! (Hat, $36). And don't forget to check out their fab jewelry…we adore this triple strand design by Fitrou. Dressed up or down, you're sure to make a bold statement when you sashay into the room! ($160). Last but not least, don't forget to pick up some of their $12 disposable swimsuits! Keep them around for those forgetful friends at the beach house; each suit can withstand around 4 poolside jaunts ($12). Check out these and more at www.FredaLA.com,
and as a special discount only for you lovely Portland Picks readers, you'll
receive a 10% discount at checkout --- so start shopping girls! |
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| Portland Picks Website of the week: | |||
| Fabulous Fanny's Vintage eyeware, Antique Eyeglasses, Sunglasses, Cateye frames, Lorgnettes, Monocles, Goggles, Hornrims, Rimway, Rimless, "Harold Lloyd's", Windors, Optical Oddities, Magnifiers, Readers, Half Eyes, Spectacles... Whatever you call them they're here at Fabulous Fanny's... A huge Manhattan
home for Affordable Vintage & Antique Eyewear. Check out their website www.fabulousfannys.com |
 Fabulous Fanny's |
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| Guilty Pleasure TV Pick: | |||
Dead Like Me (Showtime, Sunday; check local listings), starring Mandy Patinkin, Ellen Muth, Jasmine Guy, Callum Blue, Laura Harris. If you didn't catch the first season of Showtime's clever dark comedy, Dead Like Me, visit your local Blockbuster or log on to Netflix and rent it pronto. Unlike Six Feet Under, this macabre look at death is a hoot and a half. When Georgia died, she didn't necessarily expect to go to Heaven, but she didn't know she'd be drafted to become a Grim Reaper! Cynical Georgia would appear to be the last person the Great Beyond would utilize to assist in the taking of souls on Earth, but apparently she has no choice. Rube (Mandy Patinkin), the leader of the Grim Reapers, passes their “assignments” out on Post-Its as they chat at the local greasy spoon. Watch and laugh (and VERY rarely, cry) as Georgia spies on her old home and family, takes a job at a temp agency & attempts to find some loophole out of the predicament she's in. If you watch it for nothing else, check out Brit Callum Blue as reaper Mason…a sexy ne'er do well who's just bad enough to get under your skin, but good enough to win your heart. Jasmine Guy as reaper Roxy also shines as a meter maid turned cop with a major attitude… |
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| Portland Pick's Movie Pick: | |||
Garden State, Written and directed by Zach Braff; starring Zach Braff, Natalie Portman & Peter Sarsgaard Most of you know Zach Braff by virtue of his quirky role on the hilarious sitcom, Scrubs…but who knew he was a talented screenwriter as well? Braff shopped his script around with mediocre results prior to his fame on the TV sitcom, and finally succeeded in finding a distributor largely to the audience buzz at Sundance. Many are billing this film as the East Coast's The Graduate, and there are definitely similarities. Braff's character, Andrew Largeman, returns to his hometown in NJ after nine years for his mother's untimely death due to drowning. As he reacquaints himself with long lost friends and meets a puzzling and pretty young girl (Portman) at the doctor's office, his road to self-discovery changes the lives of many. You see, Andrew's been taking powerful anti-depressants and abruptly quits when he gets home, leading him to reevaluate his own life and also that of his relationship with his psychologist father (Braff himself is the son of a psychologist). Prepare yourself for big laughs, big tears & a charming film we hope gets the kudos it deserves come awards time. |
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| Portland Picks's Book of the Week: | |||
Cassandra French's Finishing School for Boys, by Eric Garcia Leave it to a man to turn Chick Lit on its proverbial head. If you love the genre, but lean a bit towards the sadistic, you'll read with gleeful delight this tale of a woman driven a little bit over the edge (okay, A LOT over the edge) due to her less than satisfactory dating life. Cassandra, a Hollywood attorney who's swiftly approaching the big 3-0, has been drunkenly groped and treated with disrespect for the final time. You see, she's constantly trying to better herself, even going so far as to grade herself continually on 6 courses (Career, Relationships, Personality, Looks, Physical Health & Mental Health). The problem is she seems to be failing in the Relationships course… Spurred by a terrifically disappointing date with Owen, she proceeds to lock him in her basement, which she affectionately begins to refer to as her kennel. When her little canine becomes obedient, she abducts two companions for him, whom she also begins to train in good behavior (we loved her edited version of Pretty Woman). Prepare yourself for raucous laughs (and maybe a few cringes) as her movie star dream date Jason Kelly ends up residing in the kennel as well, with horrific (but dare we say funny) results. Cassandra's no Bridget Jones, but we love her “can-do” attitude. ($19.96 at www.barnesandnoble.com ) |
 Barnes and Noble |
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| Three skincare trends to try (in lieu of surgery): | |||
| (Hey, we'll try anything. Tell us to wear underwear on our head and dance in the rain to get rid of these emerging crows feet and we're game.) | |||
| A | At home resurface peel - Available in September, reserve yours now and be one of the first to experience
this safe at home resurfacing peel made with 8% Glycolic Acid and 5% Physio-Peel
Enhancer.
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 Home Resurface Peel |
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| B | Acupuncture Face Lifts – acupuncture that focuses on regular treatments to your face, relaxing your eyes and skin and uplifting it. A great opportunity to blend beauty and healing. People are swearing by it. Ask your local acupuncturist!
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 Oregon Acupuncture |
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| C | Better than Botox, Strivectin SD
In a remarkable turn of events, arguably one of the strangest in the history of cosmetics, women across the country are putting a stretch-mark reducing emulsion called StriVectin-SD® on their face to diminish fine lines, wrinkles and crow's feet. And, if consumer sales are any indication of a product's effectiveness, StriVectin-SD is nothing short of a miracle. Women are buying so much StriVectin-SD that finding a tube at your local cosmetic counter has become just about impossible. Scientific breakthrough or dumb luck? Who cares, we're all over this! |
 Strivectin SD |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Style Workshop @ Blush Beauty Bar on NW 23rd Welcome to the dahlstyle ‘Style Workshop'!! Our mission is help you find what fashions look good on your body types as well as what fits for you, your lifestyle, budget and career demands. We'll discuss the six different body silhouettes and where you, in particular, fit. We'll then discuss what fashions compliment each body type for the following categories; lifestyle, career and special events. We'll include discussions on where the best locations are to find fashions that fit your style. Also included will be a mini consultation with a hair artist from Villa Villa Coola as well as a makeup artist from Blush Beauty Bar. You'll walk away, educated on what to wear for your body type and where to find it. You'll also get suggestions from professionals on how to wear your hair and makeup. The cost for this workshop is $65 per person with a discount on group reservations. Classes max out with 12 people so call to get your reservations ASAP. Class days and time noted below.
For Reservations contact Sara @ 503.701.7538 or dahlstyle4u@yahoo.com. You can also sign up at Blush Beauty Bar located on NW 23rd. |
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| 2 | PUMPKINS, APPLES, PIES...OH, MY! When summer turns to autumn, Sauvie Island Kruger's Farm Market and Metro Regional Parks and Greenspaces present the 2nd annual SAUVIE ISLAND HARVEST FAIR on Saturday and Sunday, September 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the grounds of the Howell Territorial Park. Admission is $4 adults, $2 children ages 5-12 and free under 5. The Harvest Fair will feature traditional craft demonstrations, live music and dance, children's activities, historic photo reproductions and homemade food. Craft and Harvest Demonstrations. savor berry Pies and Sparkling Cider Toe-tapping Music and Puppet Shows and more! |
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| 3 | Mario's Fall Trunk Shows: Not to be missed! Fall 2004 Trunk Show Calendar
**Please call for an appointment or if you have any questions. Men's Events
**Please call for an appointment or if you have any questions. |
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From French toast to French fashion, from lip gloss to chick novels, and everything in between, Portland Picks is busy sifting through the myriad of opportunities our fair city offers and serving them to you on a silver platter. Go out and do, experience, embrace and engage and then write and tell us all about it! We are your eyes and ears, we lead you there but we thrive on feedback. What girl doesn't? We at Portland Picks wish you all things wild and wonderful. Enjoy, that is an order! |
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