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presenting |
| PORTLAND PICKS | ||
| life + style to you: every Friday | ||
| January 14, 2005 |
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Okay, it’s January, a month built for curling up in those flannels and hiding from humanity after the busy holiday season. But you can’t hibernate forever. You have to eat and shop for cryin’ out loud. You have to lounge and relax, we completely understand, but you also have to live, maybe just a little (between intense napping). Watching too much Tivo leads to psychoanalyzing Jen and Brad’s breakup, plotting how you can get your hands on Super Nanny, and armchair quarterbacking Desperate Housewives. SO pick yourself up, Young Lady, and head out the door. You’ve got shopping to do. To add fuel to your hesitant fire, we have a handy and hot word, Sales! See, it is not actually a full piano tied to your handsome hindquarters. Let’s shop like we mean it! |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Dip. Dine. Even before you step foot into Urban Fondue, the experience is lovely. When you call up for a reservation, there’s no attitude, only simple pleasant service and enthusiasm (none of this snooty, “we can seat you at 4 or midnight” pretense.) This is indeed a night out, a totally fun retro experience and a variation on traditional dining. Go with friends and make sure to sit in the high back crushed red velvet booths that surround the dimly lit room. (The booth is definitely the way to go!) Urban Fondue shares space with its neighbor, Bartini, and offers their vast selection of martini’s to complement your Fondue adventure. Our waitress was darling and extremely accommodating since we were novices and required some hand holding. The four of us ordered 8 very different fondues and noshed on the variety of “family style” dippings. The small fondue options include cheese with caraway seeds, tomato basil fondue, traditional French cheese fondues, and more. They have a delicious selection of sides too, including grilled asparagus and great options for the vegetarian. Urban Fondue is a must on your to do list. .... a unique all-encompassing encounter. Go with another couple, girl’s night, impress a date. You can’t go wrong. Dip. Dine. Delicious Urban Fondue |
 Urban Fondue.com |
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| 2 | Be Scene Not to infer we’re frugal or anything but after the splurge of December, we are tightening our new Burberry belts a little. Saving money doesn’t mean we have to stop living! No siree, Sunshine, we’re the first to admit we still plan to enjoy good food, good ambience, and good drinks no matter what it takes. So how about happy hour at Harrison and a movie next door (at the Fox Tower)? This is such an easy cheap date that feels like you’ve done it up right (and no one has to be the wiser).
Harrison has the best bar menu (not unlike their Oba brethren)! This is where you need to hang after work. Have out-of-this-world appetizers, the best burger in town (and only $6) and some Hot Voodoo Love. Then scoot next door for a movie or to the Schnitz for a show with your parking validated. An easy, delicious, hip night out. Here’s a taste of their happy hour menu.
See you there! Harrison |
 Harrison Restaurant.net |
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| 3 | LAUNCH YOUR AFFAIR AT THE JUPITER HOTEL The Jupiter Hotel is your love nest for Valentine’s week featuring the Love Shack-Up and the Valentango packages for two. The 80-room boutique hotel is part of LoBu, one of Portland’s revitalized
arts and cultural neighborhoods, close to downtown. The Jupiter Hotel offers
stylish accommodations in an urban setting and is adjacent to the Doug Fir
Restaurant, Bar and
Can’t you just see yourselves? This is soooooo romantic! Make sure you call now and plan ahead. Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it and this will definitely surprise him. (“Meet me in room #7, and don’t be late,” tee hee hee.) The Jupiter Hotel |
 Jupiter Hotel.com |
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| 4 | Woman In motion We are a bundle of contradiction, multiple layers (like an onion—sans odor), hard to pin down, never just one predictable thing. We are at the same time shy as well as outgoing, intelligent and stupid (usually when we are shy, occasionally a stupid thing pops out against our will), private and forthright, conservative and wild, earthy and sophisticated. We are 32 flavors and then some. We are always changing, always evolving, always different, never the same. We are women in motion. If you fancy yourself a woman in perpetual motion than this is the store for you! In fact, it has YOU written all over it. It’s next to Huber’s downtown at 3rd and Oak and it’s far enough away from Pioneer Place that you can usually find a few parking spots right in front (You are SO Doris Day!). They have a bright, open loft space with gorgeous clothes. Shine in their vibrant French Connection bustier or strapless Pucciesque dress. Twirl your elegant and sexy black party dress. Feel incredibly luscious in the silky chocolate brown Eberjey negligee and robe. Look like Grace Kelly in their lavish, feminine, retro cashmere cardigan sweaters from Cynthia Steffe, adorned in pearls, lace, crystals, 3/4 “ sleeves, all in stunning pinks and greens. Check out their fabulous workout clothes and yoga tops and mats, and cool jewelry from a local designer. Women in Motion has the perfect fashion for casual every day, work, workout, and evening. Tasteful, conservative, sexy, and of-the-moment. Whatever suits your flavor of the instant, this is your store. Women In Motion |
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| 5 | Mink + Adorn Tucked away on SW 12th and Alder is a wonderful little Portland Find: Mink + Adorn. Mink and Adorn are two separate stores stylishly occupying the same contemporary space. Mink specializes in custom-made bridal accessories, hair adornments and veils. Adorn takes care of the ears, neck, wrist and fingers. But these beautiful trinkets are not just for brides, any discerning trendsetter will find more than they can imagine at the Adorn studio. (We are hopelessly smitten with this blue quartz bracelet and these breathtaking chandelier earrings made of cinnamon honey stones.) Adorn also offers two unique and very clever services that will ensure you one-of-a-kind style. You can have your jewelry redesigned and updated. They take your dated ring or necklace and preserve the valuable stones and metals, transforming them into modern refined treasures. Similarly, Adorn will recycle your clothes. No really, get this: Send a brown paper bag full of old clothes that you were planning to purge, along with $150, and wha-lah, two months later you will receive your new threads back, restyled into four or five new garments plus accessories. Never has saving the earth looked so good. How cool is that? For more information about restyling, call Loren at 503.957.6882. Mink + Adorn Studio hours are 12-5 M,T,W and by appointment. |
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| 6 | Get Techno Savvy. Not to discriminate but there are “Manual People” and there are “Show Me People”. We are barely the latter. We don’t know how to set the clock on the car stereo, or how the seat warmers work, or how to get the wipers to go on in back. We have no clue about most of the options on our cell phone, or how to download photos into our computer. We are not manual reading folk so if it requires any time to learn, let alone making sense of technical language, forget it. But this year is going to be different. We are going to take advantage of all those resources and salespeople out there and learn everything there is to know about all our technology. We are going to be so techno savvy and self empowered we can rule the world, or at least turn on our computer.... So look out! If you are with us on this adventure, to start you must first "face your fears" and take one giant leap...to the Apple Store at Washington Square, and say, repeat, “Show me.” Powerbook in hand, we saddled up to the Genius Bar (our kind of bar), and boy, what service. We learned every nuance of our computer. How to have a photo slide show, how to download our holiday card addresses so next year it doesn’t take 6 weeks to address envelopes, how to use the totally cool Garageband, our planner and calendar, and iLife. They also have free classes on how to fully use your new ipod. It really is pure genius! And so obvious. This should be a business model for everyone. It’s easy, the whole place and people so “user friendly,” it takes no time, and we didn’t have to read a damn manual. Now it’s your turn to get that pretty hiney of yours off to the Apple Store and meet your hunk of Genius. Oh and then go back to the dealer that sold you your car and have him tell you how everything works. And while you’re at it, it’s time to learn how to bank online. This is 2005 Girlfriend, and the world is your virtual oyster. The Apple Store Get hands-on help. Reserve a space today at the Genius Bar |
 Apple.com |
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| 7 | Beauty at Your Doorstep: You don’t have time to go to the cleaners, let alone time for any extra curricular appointments, but you’d still like to get primped and preened occasionally. So what ’s a busy girl to do? Instead of pizza, how about having your beauty delivered? Enter Crystal White Smiles, a mobile Teeth Whitening Service. Crystal White Smiles will go to you at your home, office, or meet you at the gym, whatever is convenient. They will take an impression of your teeth and then return to their lab to make the custom upper and lower whitening trays. The next day they will return them or mail back the custom trays along with 4 tubes of 16% carbamine peroxide which should last about 6 months to 1 year. All this for only $159.00, about a third of what the dentist charges. Results show up in as little as a few days. Now if we can just get Starbuck’s to bring us our morning coffee. Crystal White Smiles |
 Crystal White Smiles.com |
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| 8 | Clutter Busters to the Rescue: Barbie’s pink stiletto is in the closet, the other one in the SUV, never to be together again. A Bionicle mask, Digimon ammo, a lone Hot Wheel track, random Legos and Polly Pocket’s tiara gather under the bed. Miss Scarlet is in the bathtub with the Candlestick instead of in the Clue box where she belongs. There’s nothing more aggravating than the tiny little toy parts that get scooped up into a thousand different bins, never to be seen or used properly again. Or that ever growing pile of mail and kid’s forms ‘to be filled out’ resting eternally on the kitchen counter. However you define your crazy clutter, there is help. Like a darling superhero with incredible superpowers, Jenni Valentine, founder of Clutter Busters, can rescue you from the evil clutter lurking around your home. Serenity is obtained through order. It will be the best phone call you ever make. Make a commitment to control the chaos. Just pick up your Bat phone and call Jenni at Clutter Busters. Oh Jenni Valentine, Be Ours. Clutter Busters |
 Email Link |
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| Ipod Songs of the Week: | |||
| A | It's a New Year, New You and we almost forgot about our special new year's ipod playlist...(drum roll)...Songs about YOU! (For the record, there are 297,462 songs about YOU. Wow, YOU are more popular than even ME.)
Another song we just love and have recently added to our ipod (that's still about YOU and ME):
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| Website of the week: | |||
The Conde Nast Traveler presents their Hot List! Bookmark this baby, Introducing the Conde Nast Traveler biggest-ever Hot List! Covering six continents, their critics have selected the world's best new places to dine out, stay, and party the night away. Peruse, and don’t leave home without it. |
 Concierge.com |
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| Chick Picks: A Few of Our Favorite Things | |||
| 1 | Nothing but the best for your little princess, and she’ll make a fabulous statement with this freshwater pearl and pink leather braided baby bracelet ($65). Pearls are so elegant, understated, and ultra feminine, and Honora creates the highest quality pearls, for her and for you. Adorable. |
 Honora.com |
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| 2 | Cashmere is all the rage, a must this year,
even (or shall we say especially) for your little best friend. It is finished with a ribbed collar and a discreet back neck opening for
a leash. (On sale for $57) |
 Polo.com |
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And if that’s enough, the best way to his heart is through his little furry tummy. But what do you get the persnickety little pooch of yours, the discriminating doggy you’ve spoiled? How about Bribery Bits and Dog Cookies from TheDog8IT! These treats are made with the highest quality human-grade ingredients. And who can’t use a little bribery once in awhile? Hey, whatever works.
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 The Dog 8 it.com |
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| 4 | Apple sold millions of Ipods this holiday, and if you were one of the lucky ones, you got one too. Welcome to this phenomenal techno-cult! And now you have an excuse to buy up all the accessories as well. And there’s no shortage. Everyone’s gotten into the act. If you’re clumsy like us in your active life, you’ll be dropping the little bugger on occasion. That said, the first must-have accessory to dress up your Ipod: A case. Think ipod armor and protect the one you love! Stylish, lightweight and rugged, iPod Armorª keeps your iPod mini looking as new as the day you bought it. Hard aluminum and ABS shell takes the abuse, so your iPod doesn’t have to. If that isn’t a glam enough statement, check out the python case from Coach, Burberry or Gucci. There’s also practical pastel plastic cases from The Apple Store that will also do the trick just nicely, especially if you didn’t get the exact color you were hoping for....you still can with these cases. For all the latest accessories for your new toy, visit www.iPod Lounge.com; for everything ipod (including a huge buyer’s guide and free music). |
 iPod Armor.com |
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| 5 | The sun will start visiting on occasion here, and spring break is looming. Make sure you cover up those baby blues and protect them with a quality pair of sunglasses. This season, the big picture is bold. You’ll look and feel like a movie star, Dahling, in these large round frames. Pull your hair back in a 60’s style chignon with a little brooch, cover up with these shades and you’ll look like Holly Go Lightly. You can’t miss! Saks, Hub Optix, and Coach have a great selection. |
 Coach.com |
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| 6 | There’s a whole new collection of healthy, nontoxic, practically spa-like products for your home.
Or try their counter-top wipes that are friendly to our earth as they are biodegradable and flushable. Their Surface Wipes are immersed in their subtle Sweet Pea cleaning solution and contain a special vegetable protein and baking soda to remove odors with essential oils of Geranium, Orange, Jasmine, Coriander, Rose and Bergamot. Use them to wipe down changing tables, high chairs, strollers, toys and other surfaces enjoyed by wee ones. Perfect for traveling. Try all of Caldrea’s Organic products. You’ll wonder how you lived without them.
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Skin Scoop It’s winter and that means dry skin. And dry skin leads to wrinkles, gasp! Try MD Skincare Antioxidant Firming Face Serum. It decreases fine lines and improves firmness with immediate results. This product was created by a New York dermatologist and uses the most intense cocktail of antioxidants. Experts agree that this product really works! Fancy that. Check out all his fabulous products: www.MD
Skin Care.com |
 MD Skin Care.com |
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Hair’s the Thing Straightening your hair with a flatiron is an easy way to change your hair and your look. You’ll look polished and sexy in moments. The goal of flat-ironing hair is to achieve a glassy finish. Smooth as glass. It used to be best achieved by a ceramic surface but now it seems glass is the way to go. The ceramic and metal flatirons aren’t as smooth because of their bumpy or glazed surface and can break or damage hair easily. On the other hand, the glass plate is as smooth as you can get, gentler on your hair and a lot less damaging. So you need the Straightener with Thermal Glass Mirror Plates. This is the next evolution of the flat iron. |
 Conair-Store.com |
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| 9 | We get the eeby jeebies when others use our toothbrush (all that bacteria!) so this invention is perfect. Like a little Star Wars light saber, it zaps away 99.9% of all germs. And you can share it with your whole family. Okay, this may seem a little obsessive, but it works for us. The Violight cleans your toothbrush, prevents the sharing of germs, and stores and cleans between brushing. If you cohabitate with the under ten crowd, this is a must have item, an invention we can sink our teeth into. And 5% of all January sales will be donated to relief efforts in Asia and
East Africa. For more info visit: www.VIO
light.com |
 VIO light.com |
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Shoes: Save Your Sole No Picks can go without a Shoe pick. We live for shoes. Our heart goes with heels forever, and we still think stiletto is sexiest, kitten heels, yes, but others are invading. The hunky wedge is back and although it’s not as feminine and sophisticated, there are places to wear it. And guess what, sweet ballet flats are back. Cute and comfy when it suits you, especially with that flouncy new skirt of yours. |
 Nordstrom.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Bravo! Going to the Chapel? If not, you simply must. How about September? Seems as good a time as any. Time to stop dilly dallying and pick a date, my friend. There are plans to be made! And for the perfect wedding, you don’t need to hire a wedding planner, you need the 2005 Bravo! Wedding Resource Guide hot off the press. You, glowing recently engaged one, have everything you need at your fingerprints with this bible. A comprehensive guide featuring more than 500 venues and services for planning the perfect Oregon and SW Washington Fairytale wedding. Pick yours up this weekend, January 15 – 16, at the Portland Bridal Show at the Portland Convention Center. All brides who attend the Portland Bridal Show will receive a complimentary copy of the Bravo! Wedding Resource Guide. To give you an idea of what you’ll find, it includes many of our favorites. For example for invitations, Uptowne Papers; for lingerie on that special night, Oh Baby; for flowers, there’s Lavish; for couture cakes, there’s Polly’s Cakes...and so much more at your fingertips. Do your due diligence and head to the Portland Bridal Show this weekend, and pick up your Bravo! Weddings Guide, or log onto to: www.Bravo Portland.com. |
 Bravo Portland.com |
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| 2 | Powell’s Event Our friend Ron McClarty, a lifetime career actor (Sex and The City, Law & Order, Spencer for Hire, etc) and playwright, has written a book called “The Memory of Running.” He has an amazing Cinderella Story to tell and he’s visiting us next Thursday at Powell’s, January 20th, for a reading and signing. This is going to be a huge best seller, according to Stephen King and others. Come join us and meet Ron, and learn about the book that started a bidding war and a movie deal. We can guarantee fun! Hope to see you there. Book Description: The Memory of Running
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 Penguin Putnam.com |
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Keep it simple in January but not so simple that you are reduced to an organic compound! There are limits here. A little bit of out-and-about, even when the weather screams, “Hit the couch, bring an afghan, locate remote, have hot drinks delivered and regardless of how tempting—do not cook!” Resist the ennui that the short days deliver daily. Remember that whole ‘woman of action’ thing we cooked up over champagne? Fantastic theory, difficult practice but chins up, Portland Picks has your back. Embrace, enjoy, celebrate, create and then write and tell us all about it; we live for correspondence! XXOO |
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