Meringue: sugar sweet, like you.

Meringue boutique in Lake Oswego has the yummiest, swirly whipped to perfection confections of delightful tops, jeans, jewels, belts, and oodles more. They waste no space. You will covet every inch, every item, lingering over their nectarous jewelry, belts, tops and even tissues.

You must go out of your way for this gem of shops, this paragon of style, unrivaled, transcendent, the hippest of the hip, without being annoyingly trendy.

Check out their super cool wood and pink sequence cuff from Tarina Tarantino. Or flash them some bling from your cocktail ring! Once de rigueur for soirees, and now hip every moment of the day.

They have the best selection of jeans. You’ll be so hot in their Street Ahead sequenced flower jeans, or their movie star True Religion Woodstock jeans that would go perfectly with their amazing leather belts!

And then there’s their Rock Solid sequence 70s t-shirts …embroidered and studded out, again like you: Love Birds, Charmed. Absolutely darling!

They have flouncy wide skirts, embroidered with bows, patchwork, flowers, patterns. They have a huge collection of Lily-like strapless sundresses. The best baby gifts and wedding presents. This is a delicious pink palace filled with key summer pieces that have YOU written all over it. Do not walk; run—to fashion made fun.

Meringue Boutique
385 First Street Suite #121
Lake Oswego,OR 97034
ph 503-635-1063
Www.meringueboutique.com

How Art Thou? (Not so good.)

It was Mother's Day Tea at preschool, and as a gift, each child made a life-size drawing of their beloved mum. The drawings were hung along the back wall, and we were to guess who we were. Luckily my son was too excited and gave me a hint. Pinned along the back wall among the willowy yellow- and brown haired beauties was an armless figure with blue hair and a blue face. Others may have had yellow hair and even two eyes and a mouth, but at least I was the skinniest. Granted, the other mothers were probably wondering what kind of monster I was to warrant a blue face.... but I was just relieved, and beaming with pride, to be the thinnest. (I think the one mom with the giant round circle body was jealous.)

Let's just come clean: artistic ability doesn't exist in our gene pool. In my inartistic head I'm really creative, super talented -- I just can't translate it to my fingertips. I've had fantasies of sketching runway models with my own couture designs; however, when I put my fantasy to paper, it turns out to be not much more than a skinny, armless, well,…blue-faced thing.

But now there's very cool help for the art-deficient and talented alike. You can take summer continuing education courses at the Pacific Northwest College of Art in the Pearl District. Imagine, YOU, a real live Sculptress! Or there are classes in photography, animation, graphic design, film editing, writing, sketching [things that look like something], figure drawing, and much more. And they have hours and times that fit with your schedule. Do something for you this summer. We highly recommend it!

For more information and to register, call 503.821.8903 or check out
https://secure.pnca.edu/ce/reg/

Pacific Northwest College of Art
1241 NW Johnson
In the heart of the Pearl District

Check out Twist’s jewelry collection from the hottest independent designers. All the color and whimsy that is spring, is signature Twist. Patch NYC’s crochet flower pins or retro clown pendant next to Alexis Bittar, who celebrates the tropics with her punchy floral patchwork pin or fruit charm bracelet.

They are also carrying a line from one of our favorite designers, Lee Angel (featured in last week’s Picks), with her dark wood and straw bracelet, and other multi-textured designs.

Hair clips are back…. yes, for grown ups! We love Jennifer Ouelette’s vintage fabrics, grosgrain ribbon and pink flower button hair clips. Hair clips and accessories have never been so creative. These are works of art, and a new favorite accessory we can afford!

Once again, Twist has their finger on the pulse of what’s hot and it’s reflected in their new spring arrivals. Get shopping!

Available in both area locations:

• 30 NW 23rd Place,
  503-224-0334
• Pioneer Place
  503-222-3137

www.twistonline.com

Brace Yourself

Then one day, my shag Mrs. Brady haircut grew into Farrah locks, and it was time to visit Dr. Wrench (swear!). Okay, it was Dr. Rensch, but he was my savior. He made me a movie star smile and the rest is history (I began to speak to humans anyway).

But as an adult, my teeth have moved a smidge and I have started having these reoccurring nightmares that I spit my teeth into my hand, and they all just start falling out like loose pickets in a fence.

And luckily, I have started to notice braces on all these beautiful sophisticated women. Guess what? Braces are all the rage again, for the grown-up set. I prefer just a nonchalant retainer worn at night (the headgear at this age might be really disturbing for my kids), and so I’m going back to my very talented orthodontist…just to perfect my smile, just because I can. It’s this or live with nightmares. (You can even get pink braces if you want. Dare you!)

Jerry Rensch, DMD, PC
4707 NE Tillamook
Portland
503.287-9710

Zee Cakes – Now we can have our cake and eat it too…. because it’s organic!

It’s healthy cake, which means you can eat more of it and it has fewer cals. Okay, maybe not, but it beats Farrell's (no offense to Farrell’s, our fave past time where we’d loiter in our prepubescent years). But now we are smarter and wiser. With Zee Cakes, our calories are so much more meaningful. We can have decadent, amazing, whimsical and artistic chocolate and pastries and love every bite.

If you’re going to have a party, wedding, or other celebration, serve attention-getting Zee Cakes, that matter on the inside and out. They look good and taste good and remarkably, afterwards, you feel good.

Blink and You Could Miss it!

Ring in spring with Portland’s own Flowerbud.com – they are the only online flower site offering peonies (their limited 3-4 week season came early this year)!

They have quite a cult following – Peony groupies sign up on Flowerbud’s waiting list months in advance. Flowerbud.com’s spring 2005 bunches will boast an unusually generous baker’s dozen (13 luxurious stems). And these flowers are grown right here on Sauvie Island!

Treat yourself to Flowerbud Peonies as a way to welcome spring. Nobody Does Peonies Like our Flowerbud.com

Don’t Miss the Floral Phenomenon, just a mere month a year, and available right now. Blink and you could miss it!

www.flowerbud.com

Take a trip to Odessa!

Want to walk in Brigitte Bardot's shoes? Want to improve your French, and have that certain je ne sais quoi without eating all that leek soup? Step into Odessa. Susan carries many hard-to-find upscale lines like Mayle and Jill Stuart. Essential in the mix for every wanna-be French girl are Repetto shoes and Petit Bateau t-shirts.

Odessa is the treasure trove of grown-up Petit Bateau in Portland. Petit Bateau clothes, well known for their children's line, are so well made and well cut that they will stay in rotation for ages. Now you can start buying Petit Bateau for yourself, instead of indulging in les enfants, who only will outgrow it. At Odessa you'll find cardigans, tanks, and tees in wonderful colors and neckline variations we need right now. This silky and super high-quality cotton knit lasts forever and makes wearing a t-shirt feel like an indulgence.

Now, let's swoon over the Repetto shoes. From a teeny dance-shoe atelier in the 2nd arrondissement in Paris, these are the most exquisite shoes ever. Try the black maryjanes, (babies in French) Oh la la, the button! The perfect heel! The round toe! Or try the gorgeous metallics --they go with everything! In super soft leather, in dance-inspired shapes, Repettos were the only shoes Brigitte Bardot wore. Take a trip to Odessa and you will know why.

And if he complains, remind him how badly the dollar is doing against the euro these days, and isn't he glad you didn't buy them in France?

Odessa
In the Pearl
718 NW 11th
Portland
Contributed by: Dina Bernardin

Fresh Dresses at Dragonlily

This spring and summer, the dress is the thing -- flirty little halters, feminine pieces that go to work or out at night depending on the accessories, and all-out-glamour-puss silks and satins. And Dragonlily, the Portland independent-designer boutique on lower Hawthorne, has them all. A delightful bonus is that for every body type, Dragonlily has a dress with a graceful neckline, beautiful fabric and (ahem) coverage that is still sexy and sophisticated.

Designers Jasmine Patten and Keri Roberts have just introduced two great versions of the most flattering halter dress, with a snug fit across the bodice and skirts that flare and swirl over the hips, perfect for dancing. Several of Jasmine’s wrap dresses and halter designs are also reversible --slinky sophistication on one side, free-spirited fun on the other!

Designer Frocky Jack has just brought in a fresh array of her one-of-a-kind party dresses in gorgeous hand-died colors, taking traditional country-club silhouettes and fabrics, then turning up the attitude with rough seams, witty beading and embellishments. We like to call them subversive prom dresses, appropriate for a wedding on the beach or a really hip cocktail party.

Visit Dragonlily and see all their gorgeous frocks from over 30 independent designers. They are waiting for you!

Dragonlily
1740 SE Hawthorne
503-234-LILY (5459).

Flower Power

Roses are red, violets are blue; guess who's going to look beautiful? You!

The delicately embroidered tops from JW Los Angeles are better than a bouquet, and guaranteed to last longer. When people comment on your lovely chest, they’ll mean it!

We adore these embroidered flower shirts sold at our beloved Olive and Bette’s.

Just Beachy

It’s hard to imagine but soon it will be towel time and a frayed bath towel simply won’t do. You need a fun, cheerful towel that reflects who you are. Like the Be As You Are Towels. We like Margarita Girl or Hit the Beach, sold at Olive and Bette’s.

Uses: Temporarily relieves soaking-wet sensation associated with beaches, pools, lakes and of course, slip-n-slides. Directions: Place towel in a sunny location, then proceed to water. Upon return, your towel will be waiting to embrace you.

Warning: Not meant as a substitute for clothing.

All "hail" this cute little cabbie!

Straight off the streets of NYC, this tot-sized taxi sports shiny kid-safe paint, checkered stripe detailing and a sturdy steel body. If you weren’t the coolest kid on the block, your child can be! It is only fair.

The tires are made of solid rubber for great traction, and the front wheels really turn!

Check out babystyle.com for all the swankiest maternity clothes, baby clothes and amazing toys, for you and your oh so stylish little one.

We love Target. We are so good at spending sooo much money at Target. From bright sheets and pillows to great looking dresses like this one by Isaac Mizrahi.

And at under $20 this Red and White Seersucker Dress makes us see green. (Plus, it gives you an excuse to say seersucker and you know you want to!)

Well, not too much has changed, though we have gotten wiser (‘cause caller id and all).

Gather the girls for fresh-baked treats for face, hands and feet (sans calories) with the Jaqua Jeannine’s Bakery Gathering kit! Set includes 4-ounce jar of Pumpkin Papaya Purée Enzyme Face Masque, 8-ounce jar Orange Creamsicle Body Polish Gentle Sugar Scrub, 6-ounce jay Buttercream Frosting Sinfully Rich Body Butter, and four invitations. Includes a hexagon-shaped box whimsically designed to look like our favorite bakery.

Cosmo’s optional.

Absolute luxury for those who enjoy yoga, these silk embroidered yoga bags are designed with high attention to detail.

Choose two great colors. Each bag can hold a yoga mat with a small and large towel (for Bikram or hot yoga users) complete with waterproof interior. The front panel has a small pocket with snap to hold keys, cards, and money.

The straps are perfectly suited for toting around as they rest comfortably on the back.

Fashion woes, we’ve all had them. Bra failure, alien lint that suddenly appears from nowhere, popping a button or worse, the seam that previously concealed your butt. Well, life must go on, and we know how to make it a little easier. Forget roadside emergencies, no well-heeled girl should ever be without the Fashion Emergency Kit.

A 32-page primer of advice for career women who must look absolutely fabulous at all times--even when fashion emergency strikes-paired with cute mini sizes of proven elements for fashion first-aid: a lint brush, wet nap, a black marker, a mini sewing kit, and double-sided tape, a fashion designer's secret for keeping wayward clothes in place.

Yet another accessory.

A new way to decorate a cocktail or glass of wine.

We have a reputation of losing our wine glass and very happily picking up the nearest one, claiming it as our own, which is why our friends always give us wine charms as a hint and a hostess gift. But you’re too glam for the humdrum wine charms, you need celebration party puffs to decorate your stem.

Super cute and you’ll love your puff so much, you’ll keep it near and dear!

Summer vacation is just around the corner, and like everything else you do, standout against the crowd with these groovy girl luggage tags and passport cases.

It’s enough to make you fly!

White jeans are white hot this summer and everyone’s got them. We are a bit partial to the Gap’s wide selection. And, yes, they’ve done it again!

You must check out their extremely cool Gap ad, “white jeans,” and get a free download, “The Right Time,” from gorgeous Joss Stone shaking her sexy booty in her white gap low-rise jeans.

We are sold!

Victoria Secret has the largest selection of stylish suits on sale up to 40% off.

They have a vast selection of the boho styles we love, like this one with a dash of exotic Indian spice and everything nice – just like you.

What do you get when you mix fashion, 14 aspiring models, sexy photo shoots, and Tyra Banks?

Besides the hair extensions, the catfights, and the catwalks, you have America’s Next Top Model: 4th Cycle, aka Portland Pick’s guilty pleasure of the week.

Created by Banks, the show follows 14 young and beautiful girls as they compete in challenges (like conducting painfully awkward celebrity interviews or applying high fashion make-up in ten minutes while in a moving car) and elaborate photo shoots. To help the girls on their photo shoots are the always entertaining Jays – makeup artist and photo shoot stylist Jay “Mr. Jay” Manuel and cross-dressing runway coach Jay “Miss Jay” Alexander, who has the nicest pair of legs in heels we have ever seen. The grand prizewinner receives an opportunity to be managed by Ford Models, a fashion spread in Elle magazine, and a $100,000 contract with Cover Girl, so the stakes are high.

At the end of each episode, the contestants face the judging panel which includes Janice Dickinson, the “World’s First Supermodel” (as she is so fond of saying), fashion stylist Nolé Marin, suave and sexy high fashion photographer Nigel Barker (eye candy!), and of course Miss Tyra herself. Each week the judges send one of the girls packing. Naima (voted Cover Girl of the week by viewers every week), Kahlen (the underdog), Keenyah (our least fave), and Brittany (the crazy one), are the only girls still standing.

On location in South Africa, the last three episodes are sure to be exciting and fun – you simply must be there!

Coldplay, Speed of Sound (single)
New album coming in june.

Speed of Sound is just a glimpse of what is to come in June from Coldplay. This fab 4 from the UK is rumored to become as big as the Beatles.

This song, if it’s any indication of the new album, is our new crave fave.

You will melt, fall in love, and want to throw your panties at them!

Check out jewelry designer, K Sky, that designs and hand makes gorgeous one of a kind jewelry (necklaces, bracelets and earrings) using semi-precious stones, pearls, silver, 14K gold and gold filled materials.

Enter to win a pair of Champagne Diamond earrings with any purchase of $100 or more of K Sky jewelry at Dana Lynn, 828 NW 23rd Avenue, Portland Oregon 97210 (971) 230 0144.

The promotion runs May 1st through May 31st.

Wear More Hair! Grand Opening of Madame Bouffant
June 16th, 1130 SW Alder

Please come and experience the Grand Opening of Madame Bouffant, and it will forever change the way you think about "hair" and fashion. The vision at this new storefront is to break the mold of stale hair and electrify, elevate and accentuate fantasy hairstyles to the extreme. Think wig-art with equal parts Dr. Suess, Salvidor Dali and Priscilla - Queen of the Desert.

The fashion accessories that Madame Bouffant carries are definately beyond the Portland norms. They are where high class and street glam collide in a swirl of eye catching colors, of which the likes Portland has yet to encounter. They've created a space where everyone from tourists to Drag Queens will have a comfortable and enjoyable shopping experience and will walk away with the phrase "...wear more hair" on their minds.

You are invited to the naissance of Portland's newest and highly anticipated "Beautique". This is an invitation to the Grand Opening of their creative and imaginative retail space downtown where the decor is rich in texture sensations and boldly colorful. Don't miss the opportunity to mingle with some of Madame Bouffant's friends, business partners and designers, as well as meet the owner herself, Stefanie Pinniger. See you on June 16th!

Join Urban Friends of the oregon Symphony
(Our last-Tuesday-of-the-month meetings are parties!)

Next meeting is May 24th, 5:30 at Mint/820 for happy hour. Meetings will be at different hot spots around the downtown area.

Meet fabulous people; go to fabulous meetings and fundraisers!

A chapter of the Friends of the Oregon Symphony, Urban FOS are young professionals dedicated to assisting the symphony by raising awareness and fundraising. We offer members a chance to meet fabulous people, network, participate in fundraising efforts and enjoy educational opportunities.

Members are encouraged to be active, attending once-a-month evening meetings, assisting at at least one fundraising event per year, bringing in new members and spreading the word about the Oregon Symphony. Annual dues to the Oregon Symphony Association $60.

To join us, email UrbanFOS-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Fire spinners, full bar and restaurant courtesy Cactus Jack's, FREE snacks, DJ's, dancing, karaoke, doggie fashion show, and celebrity look-a-like contest.

Bring a can of food pet or people food for a free ticket to the raffle with the grand prize being a weekend at the Thunderhead Lodge!

Saturday May 14th, 2005
For details go to www.semperfashion.com

Double Your Pleasure at the 2005 Twin Sale

Let loose your mothering instincts and head to Portland's largest children's resale event. If bargain hunting is for you, and with dual expectations, come checkout this hip, unique clothing sale.

This is the best way to outfit and equip your kids - the sale includes more matching outfits than you've ever seen. And, you do not have to be a parent of multiples to shop at this sale. All parents are welcome.

Saturday, May 14, 2005 at 16250 SE McLoughlin Boulevard, approximately 2.5 miles north of I-205 on McLoughlin Boulevard. The sale is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and shoppers will need to provide $1 at the door (general public) for full House Mothers of Multiples, which is a nonprofit support group designed to educate, assist, and support parents, expectant parents and legal guardians of multiple birth children. Clothes are priced individually, and shoppers are not obligated to buy.

If you have any questions, please contact Full House Mothers of Multiples Resale Coordinators: Melissa Kuhn, phone 503-557-9768, or Roberta Menten, phone 503-781-8101.