Marta Shely Photography:

Halloween means one thing and one thing only, Christmas decorations are now up in stores. Which, of course, reminds us of something even more terrorizing – our Holiday Card photo!

But don’t get spooked, we have the answer….Marta Shely Photography.

Marta makes us melt. Her photography is to-die-for. She will capture your children so beautifully, just the way they are. “Just the way they are?” you ask with a quiver of fear in your voice. Okay, okay, just the way they are when they aren’t with you! Natural expressions, radiating joy and serenity, Marta captures your true Christmas angels that you can frame and mail to your vast holiday mailing list.

The holidays are coming and it’s time to let the world know how picture perfect your children really are – or at least the way you wish the world could see them. If this is your holiday wish, check out Marta!

Marta Shely Photography, candid portraiture
www.martashely.com
503.566.7222

Mellow & Stark:

In spring of 2004, Mellow & Stark was created by Portland native, Jennifer Wickham, and England native, Jackie Lee, to share with us a few things they love about the country in which they currently reside, Chile. It began with beautifully handcrafted wool rugs they call "BAREFOOT RUGS by Mellow & Stark" because of their soft, cozy quality they have an almost therapeutic feel when walked on barefoot. The quality and craftsmanship is spectacular, as each rug is individually hand-loomed by Luis Reinoso in the small village of La Ligua where Luis and his family have been practicing the art of rug-making for decades.

From there, Jennifer and Jackie were inspired to have blankets, throws, shawls, shrugs, ponchos, and scarves made of the finest Chilean wool, angora, mohair, and acrylics. They are all different, absolutely luscious to touch and, because they are individually created by hand in Chile, anything even comparable is hard to find in the Northern Hemisphere. A few varieties can be made to order in the colors and sizes you prefer.

A lifetime friend of Jennifer's, Aimee Watkins, residing in Portland, will be representing Mellow & Stark here in the Northwest. They will be in stores soon, but for now, you can reach Aimee for more details or how to purchase items at aimeewatkins@msn.com.

Fir Point Farms:

No Halloween is complete without a trip to Fir Point Farms on a brisk, clear fall day. There are goats to feed, patches of pumpkins, homemade apple cider and donuts so delicious that Dr. Atkins would indulge. There is a frightening maze that’s pitch black (warning to you grownups!), roosters, tractors, turkeys, bunnies, big huge giant animals that we were unable to identify, an acorn house, trails to hike, hay to roll in and so much more. No Halloween is complete without a trip or two or three to get you in the proper fall spirit.

Fir Point Farms
14601 Arndt Road
Aurora, Oregon 97002-8411

Telephone: 503-678-2455
Facsimile: 503-678-2060
Electronic Mail: info@firpointfarms.com

Uptown Girls head over to Uptowne Papers.

If you’re getting married, planning a party, need custom invites and cards or even need a wedding gift, a baby gift, a hostess gift that is utterly special, Uptowne Papers has it. You will make quite an impression when you bring a gift from this elegant store.

And when you go, take special note of these favorites:

Shopping for baby? Check out their teensy weensy leather moccasins from Little Raggio or their Tiny Tummies…little baby-size hot water bottles in beautiful packaging (from Mullen and Fitzmaurice). Another incredibly adorable and unique gift for baby’s first birthday, a bright cloth party hat from cake and ice cream (www.cakeandicecream.net). They sell precious hand-painted growth charts from Oopsy Daisy and dreamy soft blankies from Little Kangaroo. Even if you don’t have a baby or know a baby, you’ll be sold on the concept of getting pregnant after a visit to Uptowne Papers (oopsy daisy!).

They had oodles of unique and quality Halloween decorations to fancy up your entry without going the tacky route. Invited to a Halloween party? Here you’ll find the perfect hostess gift: Candy corn pillow, Halloween ornaments, eerie cool spiders, little monster hands – stirrers to hang out of your cocktail, cocktail napkins and more fun collectibles.

If you’re like us, we like to pick up a hostess gift here or there if one suits our fancy, just to have handy. We tire of the typical and prefer to go unique or at least select an item that shows our wicked sense of humor, or, if all else fails, is utilitarian yet cool. We are bored with the same old soaps, candles and wine, but if we do gravitate to such items, it’s usually a unique take on an old standard. One of our favorites, for example, is the Gloveables. They are Loveable in bright colors and patterns and perfect for your perfect princess…giving a whole new meaning to cleaning! (And a portion of proceeds go to Susan G. Komen Foundation.)

Uptowne Papers
9 NW 23rd Place
Portland, OR 97210
503.224.8266

Best Kept Secret for Pampering Princess Gifts: Lucy Palmer

For Holiday Cards, cosmetics like Bloom, Jaqua Girls, Lulu and other spa items, we love Lucy! For unique and stylish gift baskets, hostess gifts with a flair, candles, wedding shower gifts, Italian and French pottery, gorgeous local jewelry and a huge charm selection, we love Lucy!

For the cutest Halloween decorations, Lucy's your girl. We especially love the Paper Mache pumpkins from Dee Faust for Bethany Lowe Designs. You'll find spectacular one-of-a-kind Halloween treats for the home.

And our very favorite: Their wild, wide selection of Cris Notti fur bags! They are dreamy. They come in purses, cosmetic bags, decadent faux fur dop kits. Meow! You must check them out!

Lucy Palmer Boutique
460 5th Street # A-8
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
503-635-6856

Speaking of Lucy... Lucy Opens!

Our favorite store has arrived in Portland and just opened. Be one of the first to pay homage.

The 1900-square-foot retail space is on the ground floor of the mossy green 15-story residential luxury tower in the renewed Brewery Blocks neighborhood.

Lucy carries a unique mix of activewear. The selection pulls together the best from niche brands like Splendid and om girl and traditional performance brands like Nike and adidas. The best of these brands is combined with the exclusive lucy label which offers designs with unparalleled style, fit and function.

The lucy label is designed in-house, specifically to fulfill the mission of inspiring active women to celebrate their individuality in style and sport. The exclusive collection exemplifies lucy's commitment to providing women with super-functional, stylish workout wear. It offers multiple performance fabrication stories, sizes from extra small to extra large (sizes 0 to 18), and three lengths in pants. The overwhelming response to the collection to date testifies to the tremendous consumer demand for lengths and extended sizing.

Get those busy buns down to lucy and fall in love!

Lucy
1039 NW Couch Street
(between 10th & 11th)
Portland, OR 97209
phone: 503.226.0220

J Crew Tweed Skirt and Clutch – You know, tweedy, tweeds the thing this fall, and we adore this classic tweed Pencil Skirt from J Crew. We almost didn’t mention it because we don’t want everyone wearing the same one as us, God forbid, so make sure you call and tell us when you’re wearing it! Unlike Laura and Teresa at the first debate in identical garb, we might be slightly mortified. But alas, we have to share this secret because we LOVE it!

This herringbone Pencil Skirt from J Crew is a true classic. A straight silhouette with a grosgrain ribbon detail at waist, this classic skirt can be worn to the office, with the ladies who lunch, or dressed up for a night out on the town. You are the epitome of class.

We are very stable -- in the psychological department. You won’t find any crazies here. No sirree. We especially don’t have any phobias. Okay, maybe a couple. There’s the fear of losing our hair, losing our teeth, dying, and ummmm, having a visible booger dangling in our nose, green food in our teeth (the ones we have left). Oh, and then there’s the fear of peeing our pants in public, plus there’s those pesky germs. And we can’t forget the biggy, our fear of bad breath! We don’t really know what to do about the others but at least there’s hope for the latter since we have discovered Breath Appeal!

Breath Appeal has been featured on 20/20 and the Today Show – so it must work, right?! This daily 2-minute home treatment eliminates bad breath permanently.

At least now, like the placebo it could be, we think we no longer have it. That may not be good for you, but it’s much better for us.

Hello pussy-cat!

Hello Kitty is celebrating its 30 years of meow by introducing a new collection we had to mention.

We realize it’s a little kitty kitschy, but so much so, it’s become a star studded grown up staple.

There’s new undies, there’s necklaces worn by Cameron Diaz and Nicky Hilton; there’s little bags worn by Mandy Moore. This kitschy cat is growing up!

Beads:

We love the hand-rolled clay beaded jewelry from www.shebeadsonline.com.

This is the hottest celeb trinket. You will want to gift one to each of your gal pals. From necklaces to bracelets to key chains, these are the hottest thing!

These darling beads come in adorable little pouches and a portion of each sale goes to The Pink Ribbon Girls, a support network for young women with breast cancer.

Check out www.shebeadsonline.com.

Pucci Wrap

A wrap is a must-have item this fall, so why not make a big splash with a wild take on a classic?

Wrap yourself lovingly in a wild extra large Emilio Pucci Wrap.

Get cozy and warm in style. $260 from ShopIntuition.com.

When was the last time you bathed with pumpkin and cream? Well it’s nearly Halloween honey, now’s your chance!

Each muslin bag is generously hand-poured with rich cocoa butter, real pumpkin, creamy milk, soothing oatmeal and a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon. It will make your body soft and sweetly fragrant as it gently polishes your skin. Pumpkin pie is supposed to be a scent that drives men ga-ga. If rumor serves, one whiff and they become willing to do your every bidding. Use this power for good...and maybe a naughty deed now and then.

Hella Good is a brand new company that serves freshly-made products for your bath! Yummy for your tummy, and your legs, and your arms, and your tushy, and ….all of you.

It’s October, pink month, and the month of Halloween Candy.

You’ll be getting together with the girls for lunch around Halloween. What sort of party favor will you bring that pulls it altogether?

We have just the thing…. How about a set of 10 Signature Pink Mini Purses from Fauchon…THE chocolatier to the world? These renowned sweets are made with only the finest ingredients and come in the legendary pink packaging.

Each mini pink purse contains their fabulous and renowned chocolates and class always makes a statement. Happy Halloween Lucky Ladies!

A Designing Woman!

Amy Schwab Designs – our friend, Amy is now designing gorgeous handbags that are absolute must haves, and you saw it here first.

She’s just about to launch these new designs so get ready, get set, go…..to www.amyschwabdesigns.com

What I bought

When it comes to sticking to a budget, those of us who truly love shiny new things have our work cut out for us. Have you ever found yourself with an empty pocketbook and drawing a complete blank when you try to figure out where your money went? If so, we have the cutest little shiny new thing to tell you about.

What I Bought is a pocket-sized notebook designed to help you keep track of your purchases. Between notebook pages, you'll find interesting quotes about money and finances as well as artfully displayed definitions of words we shoppers know everything about; desire, indulge, impulse. The makers of this clever little book even left space for jotting things down like gift ideas and when your favorite stores are having a sale.

We suppose you could save the $8 and use scraps of papers and old receipts you find in your purse but that's not much fun and it certainly isn't cute. Besides, never has a shiny new thing been so justifiable. We found ours at Anthropologie in the Pearl (a great place to quickly fill the pages of your book) but you can also find them online at www.clarksonpotter.com - financial responsibility was never so adorable!

Break Away, Kelly Clarkson.

We’re not American Idol people. We are much cooler than that. But we love the message in this song. It feels like a song from way back when, when we were moving to San Francisco out of college, adventuring into our new life….”break out..you got to find your way….”

But this is a more grownup version, perhaps because we are grownups looking at the sentiment as escapism only. Once in awhile, mind you, in our dreams, during that particular moment (usually dinner time), sometimes we have just a fleeting fantasy, those rare desirous Calgon moments when we would love to say, “Buh-bye….I’m off to the Galapagos. Make sure Alley gets to Ballet class Tuesday, oh and don’t forget to pack the kids lunch, and Tucker has Soccer practice Wednesday at 5 and piano at 3 Friday. Dinner? Oh well, you’re on your own…but only buy organic, and remember that Morgan’s lactose intolerant. Don’t forget the kid’s homework, and the puppy needs his special formula twice a day, in the morning and evening, and needs to go out at 5 am. Oh, and make sure the kids brush their teeth and go to the bathroom before bed, and ….oh…. “Break Away….”

Michelle Branch.

Great independent, tough chick music, in the same genre as Avril, Alanis, and those girls. Some of our favorites are probably familiar to you:

• Everywhere – “You’re everywhere to me. When I close my eyes it’s you I see.”
• Are You Happy Now? – “Can you look me in the eye and tell me that you’re happy now?”
• All You Wanted – “If you want to, I can save you. I can take you away from here.”

There’s also: You Get Me and Goodbye to You, and many others you might recognize and will certainly love.

Jack O' Tini
A treat for you! The perfect martini for Halloween night, to help face those little monsters that come a’ knocking.

2 oz. Vodka - chilled
1/4 oz. Bols Pumpkin Smash Liqueur
1 Candy Corn

Place a single candy corn at the bottom of chilled cocktail glass. Combine vodka and liqueur a shaker with ice, shake well and strain into the glass.

From Drinkoftheweek.com

Pre-Holiday Shopping Extravaganza will Raise $20,000 for Local Nonprofits

WOODBURN, Ore. - Woodburn Company Stores, the Northwest’s largest outlet center, plays host to the region’s biggest bargain party this fall during its pre-holiday Shopping Extravaganza. The annual shopping event benefits eight local nonprofits on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Extravaganza attendees will enjoy special perks, including: additional store discounts beyond the normal outlet savings, winter fashion shows, wine tastings, a gourmet lunch, demonstrations, complimentary gift wrapping and baggage check, live entertainment, and more than $18,000 in gift certificates being raffled off.

Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased from participating nonprofits, which include: Easter Seals, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children), The Christie School, Oswego Friends of Doernbecher, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon, SMART (Start Making a Reader Today), Oregon Garden and Volunteers of America. Tickets are also available for purchase online at woodburncompanystores.com or at the center’s guest services office.

“The Extravaganza is a fun day of shopping, minus the buyer’s remorse,” said Woodburn Company Stores general manager, Mary Graves. “Attendees will get double the satisfaction as they nab major deals and help worthy nonprofits at the same time.”

As an added bonus for shoppers and nonprofits, attendees can purchase $1 raffle tickets during the event for a chance to win gift certificates to WCS stores, such as: adidas, Banana Republic, Casual Corner, Eddie Bauer, Fossil, Jones New York, Nautica, Puma, and Tommy Hilfiger. More than $18,000 in gift certificates will be raffled off during the five-hour event and all raffle proceeds will go to the participating nonprofit organizations. Also, two lucky attendees will each win a $500 shopping spree and another two attendees will win “Breakfast with Santa” for 10 kids and four adults.

Woodburn Company Stores, a Craig Realty Group property, is the largest outlet center in the Pacific Northwest. The center features 80 upscale outlet stores, more than 17,500 square feet of glass-covered pedestrian areas for year-round, open-air shopping, and Northwest landscaping with extensive use of rock, timber and glass building materials to enhance the shopping environment. Woodburn Company Stores is located off Interstate 5 at Woodburn exit 271, just 25 minutes south of downtown Portland and 15 minutes north of Salem. It is open daily from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, visit www.woodburncompanystores.com.

November 9th is Blinn's Annual "Entertain for the Holiday's" Ladies Night.

From 6-10 pm Blinn's will host a team of experts that will show you the newest tastes in holiday inspired cocktails and appetizers. Wine tasting and complimentary champagne will be available to all. A holiday fashion show, table decoration, party planning ideas & festive flowers arranging will be available to see.

This is a great way to get a head start on the holidays!

Reservations are required.

Blinn's
40 North State Street
Lake Oswego, Or.
503-636-4561

Women helping women in the Pearl November 11th

Prominent female business owners of Portland have joined efforts to host shopping, arts, and educational evening in the Pearl District. On Thursday, November 11th, over 20 businesses will open their doors to not only showcase their holiday specials, but to host artists and speakers as well. 20% of proceeds from the evening benefit the West Women’s Shelter. Donation bins for ‘Dress for Success’ will be placed in each store and the public is asked to bring professional outerwear and accessories to donate.

From 6:30 to 7:30, guest speakers will offer helpful hints and provide resources on running a small business. Select artists and designers will demonstrate and showcase their work from 6:30 to 9:00.

And from 9:00 to 10:30 enjoy music and small bites from SmartMonkey Foods at LexiDog. Look for window luminaries in participating stores, listed to below, to guide shoppers. For a complete schedule and map, visit www.madronahill.com/EWOP.htm.

EWOP, Entrepreneurial Women of Portland, began in early 2004 to raise awareness and to provide a support network for Portland’s entrepreneurial women.

For more information on the event, contact:

Trisha Guido
503.997.3951
Relish
trisha@relishstyle.com

Jo Carter
503.224.5425
Physical element
jo@physicalelement.com

Legacy Women's Services hosts 6th annual morning retreat for women Oct. 23

"Finding Courage! Practical Tools for Crafting an Authentic Life"

Katherine Martin, nationally known author of Women of Courage, Women of Spirit and her new book Those Who Dare, is the featured presenter at Legacy's annual morning retreat for women. She will take participants inside the lives of women she's interviewed for her books. Whether in bold and clamorous ways or in the unheralded quiet of everyday courage, their stories will awaken women to their own unique courage and inspire women to celebrate it and claim even more. Martin will combine talents with NIA Technique Facilitator, Britt Bensen, MPH. Bensen will begin the morning with a movement exercise that will put smiles on faces and get things off to a positive start.

"Finding Courage! Practical Tools for Crafting an Authentic Life," hosted by Legacy Women's Services, will be held Saturday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center (2801 N. Gantenbein Ave. in Northeast Portland).

The cost is $10. Pre-registration is required as seating is limited.

Call 503-413-4840.

Planned Parenthood of the Columbia/Willamette's Choice Hits of the 80's Dance

Saturday October 16th, 2004 8:00 pm - midnight
at Nocturnal, 1800 E. Burnside with DJ Miss Kittyrox spinning all your 80's favorites.

Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door
This is an all-ages event benefiting Planned Parenthood. There will be a raffle, door prize, and cool pro-choice merchandise for sale. A cash bar is available for our over-21 guests.

We encourage folks to dress up in their best 80's looks - and we've had a lot of fun remembering our acid-washed, new-wave, and legwarmer related fashion follies! Pump up some Duran-Duran and bust out your frosted eye shadow for a very good cause.

For advance tickets, contact Morgan at 503-788-7277 or morgan.kunze@ppcw.org

Trunk Show Alert

(TWIST is a chic, Oregon- and Washington-based retail gallery. Its nationally-respected collection of fine and fashion jewelry and modern craft is informed by the unique combination of a laser fashion sense and an artist’s eye. )

What
Ten Thousand Things Jewelry Trunk Show

Where
TWIST Seattle (600 Pine Street at Pacific Place – 206-315-8080)
TWIST Portland (30 NW 23rd Place – 503-224-0334)

When
Friday, November 5th from 1:00-5:00 p.m. in Seattle
Saturday, November 6th from 1:00-5:00 p.m. in Portland

Who
Ten Thousand things Co-Designers, David Rees and Ron Anderson, will present new, previously unseen work as well as an extensive showing of classic designs.

Why
A favorite of celebrities (Jennifer Anniston, Christina Applegate and on and on) and top fashion magazines (LUCKY, INSTYLE, VOGUE and many more), Ten Thousand Things is widely recognized as one the edgiest yet most pure and soulful jewelry collections in the fashion market today. With a focus on oxidized sterling silver, 18k gold, platinum, pearls and precious and semi-precious beads, Ten Thousand Things design team, Ron Anderson and David Rees, express an original, refined and minimalist esthetic, inspired by the natural beauty of the materials they use.

How
All are welcome. No invitation or appointment needed. Ten Thousand Things jewelry ranges in price from $125 to $5,000.

Trunk Show at Marios:
C A S S I N
Fall/Winter 2004
Trunk Show

Friday, October 15th 10am-5pm

Fur has arrived! From mink and rabbit to kangaroo and fox, CASSIN has the color and texture that is right for you.
Exquisite ponchos, sweaters, hats, scarves, jackets and many other fur accessories!

**Please let me know if you are able to stop in! I can be reached at 503.241.8111. I look forward to seeing you!

-Judi Alport
judi@marios.com