 |
|
presenting |
| PORTLAND PICKS | ||
| life + style to you: every Friday | ||
| May 20, 2005 |
|
|
|
There is no getting around it, sometimes we are just more naughty than nice. There it is said. We love pink, soft, sweet and flouncy but occasionally it needs to be hot pink, tight and thigh high. This is a week of adventure, a week to break out of the mold. We will shop in new places, wear bold new fashion (custom handmade silk) that clings and sings on our thighs, and indulge our sweeeet tooth. Let’s face it, if we don’t sass stuff up, no one will sass it up for us! |
||||||
Portland Picks: |
|||||||
| 1 | Bridgeport Village I was invited for an exclusive tour of the Bridgeport Village site. Driving up it feels surreal, like a movie set at Universal Studios. I met darling Josie at the trailer and she handed me my pink hard hat (Look, I'm "Construction Barbie"). I took notes and photos and kept walking into forklifts and poles and tripping on bricks and planks (not entirely at home on a construction site but trying to pull off a good fake). I was there with just a little over a week left before their official opening. It was hard to imagine that they’ll be ready in time. I couldn’t help but look around for Ty Pennington and the other big guns (“move that bus!”) The festivities have begun, and this weekend is not to be missed. This is the IT event of the moment! A stone quarry along the freeway has been transformed into one of the most long-awaited commercial developments in Oregon. Bridgeport Village opened yesterday and its shops and restaurants are hosting a weekend of festivities that will benefit two local charities. An open-air “lifestyle center” with a European flair (trust us, we know malls, and this is no mall), Bridgeport Village covers nearly 29 acres and encompasses more than 500,000 square feet of retail, restaurant, theater and office space. Its anchor tenants are Crate & Barrel, Borders Books & Music, Wild Oats Natural Marketplace and Oregon’s largest Regal Cinemas movie complex that looks like the Schnitz. Thirty retail and restaurant tenants at Bridgeport Village have officially opened. Regal Cinemas opens in June, and the additional shops and restaurants will mark a summer of openings at Bridgeport Village (so you’ll just have to come daily). The most notable to us is their list of swanky independent Portland boutiques that have signed on: Hub Optix, Cielo Home, French Quarter Linens, Lucy, Urbane Zen, and Oblation Papers to name a few… all our favorite Portland Picks! (Plus Anthropologie, Wild Oats, J Crew, BCBG, Banana Republic, Coach and so many other lovelies!) Come out and celebrate their opening with special promotions, children’s entertainment and cooking demonstrations. It's a party and we'll see you there! |
||||||
| 2 | Something Sweeeet We are easily bribed, particularly by sweets (okay, and shoes, and handbags, and spa treatments, and...) but still oh so discriminating! We recently received a shiny box of cookies and confections from Something Sweeeet, and it was soooo gooood. We don’t need to tell you our problem with cookies. We had to taste test each one of those succulent buggers right then and there (research, you know). And yes, they are wow-inducing edibles; mouth watering exceptional products for great gift giving or entertaining. If you really want to show the love, give the Summer Survival Gift Box (we can’t frankly survive without it) or their delectable Maravellas, melt-in-your mouth palate pleasers! You will be transported to a comfortable place from your childhood with the newfound ability to impersonate Cookie Monster. Savoring is so Sweeeet! Something Sweeeet |
 somethingsweeeet.com |
|||||
| 3 | Lena Medoyeff Lena, as her grandfather lovingly nicknamed her, has moved her signature dress shop, Lena Medoyeff Studio, to a bigger brighter space on Northwest 23rd. These dresses are the most gorgeous silk occasion dresses you’ve ever seen. Think YOU on the red carpet. All dresses and skirts are handmade silk, one of a kind fabrics, timeless designs, and classic lines. They create only a few of each piece so you aren’t mortified at the Oscars when Cameron Diaz arrives in the exact same dress as you, darn it (don’t you hate that?) Wear them at a wedding, to a cocktail party, an award show or two, or dress down that skirt with a jean jacket. When we wear ours out, without fail, people comment that it is the prettiest that they’ve ever seen. Lena learned her craft in the Peace Corp and when she returned to Portland she opened her first boutique. She wanted to do something that empowered local women, and she surrounds herself. Pay Lena Medoyeff Studio a visit at their new store. It’ll take your breath away. Lena Medoyeff |
|
|||||
| 4 | Schoolhouse Electric Schoolhouse Electric is a Portland-based company that sells their period lighting fixtures from their showroom on SE MLK Blvd., and more recently through their website and catalog. And now they’ve opened up a second showroom in New York’s Tribeca. The founder, Brian Faherty, worked locally with historic real estate and finally put his passion for period lighting into business when he found and bought a number of original glass shade molds from a warehouse in upstate New York. He restored them to working condition – just as he did the Cully building that now houses the Portland showroom – and the rest is history. As for the Schoolhouse products, they’re the real deal – no reproductions here! The shades range from the traditional white opaque “schoolhouse” shades to ornate art glass, hand-decorated Art Deco-styles, and hand-painted shades in a rainbow of colors. The accompanying fixtures are designed in-house to complement the range of styles, from turn-of-the-century to Art Deco to mid-century modern, and are available in eight different finishes. The shades and fixtures are sold separately (very reasonably priced – you can get a complete fixture starting around $100) so customers can design lighting options perfectly suited to their needs. With the new catalog, Schoolhouse’s product range has nearly doubled with the addition of outdoor porch lighting, more elaborate designs appropriate for dining and formal rooms, square Mission-style fixtures and shades, and new colors Modern Lime and Modern Aqua in the Hand-Painted shade series. Schoolhouse is such a great local company – we’ve met several random strangers on the street when we’re wearing our Schoolhouse T-shirts who blurt out, “I love them!” – and we think Portland Picks readers will love them too. They are classic, timeless, just like you! Schoolhouse Electric |
||||||
| 5 | Blush We occasionally will have to leave the house sans makeup (gasp!) when we’re hustling hither and yon. We try and pretend to be the-devil-may-care starlet in grunge, incognito, but sometimes we scare small children and animals. Then again, when we do put on the cake, it scares them as well. What is one to do? In our busy lives, who has time for glamour, let alone lipstick? We prefer the natural look, as if we are simply naturally beautiful, born that way. And Blush Beauty Bar can help us! Just a wink and pout, their Flirtini gets us out! Blush Beauty Bar just turned one and had a birthday extravaganza. And in
honor of their birthday we had to buy ourselves lots of presents. We are particularly
fond of their cosmetic bags and they carry our favorite bright busy prints
and brands. One can never have too many cosmetic bags. And if you need to
fill them, they can help you there too (with simply the best lines on the
market). Blush Beauty Bar |
||||||
| 6 | Geranium Lake We were recently at an event and Geranium Lake did the flowers. No two bouquets were alike, yet each one exquisite. They were so creative, works of art, stunning. You couldn’t help but notice them, comment about them, really appreciate them. This is an up and coming floral designer with an impressive clientele, obvious talent, and can turn any event into something extraordinary, just like you. Geranium Lake |
 geraniumlake.com |
|||||
| 7 | Style Bakery Let’s get Portland fashion on the map! Vote on stylebakery.com for your favorite local designer. All voters will be eligible to win a $250 gift certificate to girlshop.com. One winner will be chosen at random. If you haven’t checked them out already, Girshop.com and stylebakery.com are the shinning stars of net shopping. Don’t know what to wear to that wedding in July? A perfect Diane Medak Ruffle Tube Dress from Girlshop. What shoes? But of course! The Marc by Marc Jacobs '653977' pump in linen with crystals on stylebakery.com. They have it all. And of course the perfect handbag and jewelry to top off the outfit. So when these sites team up to tout local designers, EVERYONE is going to see that designer! So cast your vote, and if it’s a designer that we haven’t mentioned on Portland Picks yet, send it our way, too, for our stamp of approval! (Portland Picks … kind of like the hip niece of Good Housekeeping’s Seal of Approval!) |
 stylebakery.com |
|||||
| 8 | One Mississippi ... Two North Mississippi never ceases to amaze us. Each month they have a Second Thursday (thank god it doesn't interfere with First Thursday, because we can’t drive after touring all the galleries and free wine in the Pearl!) with participating stores showcasing local music, artists, designers, and great food. Belle Epoque was the main attraction on the street with a swing band and a fashion show! All of the models were swing dancers wearing clothing from YES boutique, a sassy new boutique right off of Burnside, next to Bossanova and, ahem, Union Jacks (a Portland landmark that will hopefully be pushed out once all of the new shops come into the surrounding blocks. Can’t wait!). Everyone had a swinging good time. The salon even had a genuine swing band play while the models danced in their YES wares! Belle Epoque is so cool that they will give you a 10% discount until June 12, and you'll get another 10% off if you bike there! Belle Epoque Salon YES |
||||||
| 9 | What a retreat! Get yourself into Buckman Grill. This cute little bistro sits right next to a great coffee shop called Three Friends Coffee House. It’s a quaint little street filled with very casual yet sophisticated dining. You can wear jeans and your little hip new Nike trainers, but still get some seriously Foodie food, like an appetizer of succulent jumbo shrimp and andouille sausage on a bed of musclun. Buckman Grill is romantic and calming with candlelight everywhere. We were there late night and the place was about to close and the chef brought out some freshly steamed crawdads that they had been saving for the staff! They even gave us a little tutorial on how to eat them! Not a lot of meat in those critters …but plenty of yummy meat at Buckman Grill. Buckman Grill |
 |
|||||
| Chick Picks: | |||||||
| 1 | You, our daring darlings, will get a kick out of these undies. Imagine your date’s surprise (no less than the 36th date, mind you, we are all good girls here) when he discovers these! He will love the little lightning storm boy shorts. Imagine the sparks that will ensue! Consider yourself warned. (Oh, and get this, the designer Victoria Bartlett calls her line of undies VPL Get it? Visible Panty Line!) |
 hintmag.com |
|||||
| 2 | Trish Delish Chandelier earrings are going out of style, and now we are seeing coral everywhere. It can be so frustrating to keep up. So instead of falling victim to the slavehood of fashion, stay classic and stylish by branching out on your own! These elegant oval-cut yellow citrine earrings in 14kt gold or silver by designer Trish Becker are the perfect answer for a sassy summery accent. Plus they'll look hot with that sprayed on tan and those glossy lips. And you will be able to wear them next season! |
 trishbeckerjewelry.com |
|||||
| 3 | Orient Lip Color Stila’s spring colors are just what you need to refresh a winter-worn spirit. These hot pink tubes were inspired by Japanese Anime - the latest craze in Europe and Asia (Yu-gi-oh bewilders. These we understand completely.) And Stila has tons of color choices, super soothing lip pencils to match the bold, new colors and lovely little cases. Find them at any Stila counter at Nordstroms. |
 nordstrom.com |
|||||
| 4 | La Redoute This skirt drapes beautifully with shirring and appliqué flowers. Super flowy for Spring months. Wear it with strappy sandals and you are sexy and set. And it combines the
vintage and boho feel that is so hot right now. |
 redoute.com |
|||||
| 5 | 10% Online Shopping! Whether you were born in the 70’s, or were a teenager rocking out in the 70’s, you can’t deny that the decade has some smoking hot styles. Stock up on all of your basics – simple 70’s-inspired tanks with those adorable little bows – and get 10% off your purchase!! 10% discount with this code S99P1477 |
 american apparel store.com |
|||||
| 6 | Hand-Made Honey Who can resist appliqué? These flattering tees will add that special something to the t-shirt blahs you get some time. White can only go so far, right? Spice up a pair of jeans before you head out to Happy Hour. It's nothing new, but all eyes will be on you. |
 zuzupop.com |
|||||
| 7 | And don’t forget the boys! With all of the attention Mom’s been getting this last week, how about giving Dad a Boy’s Night with the Ultimate Poker Game. It's the perfect excuse to get out with the girls for some dress-up and cocktails on the town while the men stay back home and eat Doritos, smoke cigars and lose money. |
 shopkitson.com |
|||||
| 8 | Paisley We're never just one thing. We're complicated. We are layers, like an onion, okay, maybe a rose. And you can never quite figure us out. We are multidimensional, hard to pin down, and though we may always have style, our clothes reflect this. This spring we're rockin' in the decades, we're 70's, 80s, we're paisley. There's a hint of this in everything: swim suits, sun dresses, capri's and shoes. But it's paisley with a preppy twist, just how we like it....not just one thing, never predictable |
||||||
| 9 | Take a walk on the comfy side with the season’s hottest beach accessory --- the thong! The choices and styles available are endless (think kitten heels, offbeat prints & fun fabrics and textures!), and they’re perfect with a pair of capris, a flirty sundress or just your li’l old bathing suit. Flip flop your way to fun now with www.buckle.com’s sassy selection of funky footwear (Rocket Dog kitten heels $29, Reef floral $12 & Volatile preppies $25.60). |
 buckle.com |
|||||
| 10 | Handbags abound, but if you’re looking for a glamorous alternative to the slouchy bags we’re seeing everywhere then you’ll love Glenda Gies’ old Hollywood-inspired handbag collection. Glenda’s secret? She travels the world in search of one-of-a-kind vintage fabrics for these upscale beauties. Each bag sports the finest metal closures and a contrasting fabric on the inside that makes these truly unique; add to that a stunning removable brooch on the exterior and Jackie O will have nothing on you (Aqua Bella handbag $270; Jackie Handbag $238 at www.laylagrayce.com)! |
||||||
| 11 | Feel like you need a breast lift but a little squeamish about going under the knife? Fret no more…this body-smoothing cami is the answer to your spring wardrobe woes --- looks flawless under ponchos, sweaters, tees, tanks or all alone sans bra; better yet, it provides mucho support! Sold in pre-packs of 2 in white, cream, dark nude & black at www.shopjuici.com ($50). |
 shopjuici.com |
|||||
| Website of the Week: | |||||||
| Our long lost sister? Life Style Daily Superman may be able to fly, but can he fly AND talk on the phone while breast-feeding and making dinner? We think not. That would be Super Woman (aka YOU!) Life Style Daily is a new national website for Superwomen, like you. The Founder, Heidi Batiste, writes about issues that you care about: family, health, fitness, work, pregnancy, and okay, shopping. Life Style Daily covers real life issues and a balance of topics you need as you juggle your real life. |
 lifestyledaily.com |
||||||
| The Party Page: | |||||||
|
|||||||
| iPod playlist - Late 80's Break Up Mix | |||||||
| You’re 16. You were thinking of breaking up with your boyfriend because you’re kinda bored, and besides, he wears really dorky shoes. But then he calls and breaks up with you! No fair. He says he wants to spend more time with his friends. Your heart breaks right then and there. The drama is at its peak. For a moment you lose your pride and you sneak out of the house wearing your white flannel Lanz nighty, little spots of Oxy 10 dotting your face (no wonder he broke up with you). You jump into your turquoise VW Rabbit and drive like a maniac to his house. You’ve never done this before. Your parents will kill you if they find out, but it doesn’t matter, you’re willing to risk it, you need to “talk”. You are sobbing. You are certain you are dying of a broken heart (after all, you think life should resemble Blue Lagoon and Dirty Dancing from your Beta library). To make matters worse, you put your cassette tape in of “your songs” and crank the tunes, You are hysterical, barely able to see. Never mind you were about to break up with him first. That’s beside the point. It was true love. These are “your songs”:
Phew! It was so worth it. He’s sorry to have upset you so. You get back together and are blissfully happy, soul mates for one, maybe two days. Then you break up with him. After all, it just wouldn’t have worked out. You’re too different, you know, the dorky shoes and all. |
|||||||
| Portland Pick’s Cocktail of the Week: | |||||||
| Hey, no whining! Sometimes, okay often, we just like our wine. There’s just something comforting, elegant about girlfriends and wine. They are really the perfect couple, made for each other. That’s why local wine tasting events always catch our eye. Friday Wine Tastings We can’t really think of a better way to spend your Friday evenings than sipping wine on Hawthorne. Mt. Tabor Fine Wines has a HUGE collection of great wines, and every Friday they have a new tasting flight. Tonight its Liquid minerals: dry Riesling for only $15. Mt. Tabor Fine Wines |
 mttaborfinewines.com |
||||||
| Monday’s at Mint Mondays aren’t the best day of the week, kind of hohum, vanilla. Fortunately, Mint understands and cuts us a break by giving us half off of our bottle of wine with our dinner! Phew! Now we can get through the rest of the week! Mint |
 mintrestaurant.com |
||||||
Hip Happenings: |
|||||||
| 1 | Serious Fun! This summer, explore your creativity and discover to look at our world in new ways! Continuing education courses at Pacific Northwest College of Art in the Pearl District are taught by contemporary, well-known artists and designers. Make good on your professional development plans, fulfill your personal dreams! This is a best time to do it – great mentors, small classes, excellent resources, professional peers and opportunities to make new friends. Convenient schedules for working professionals; classes at all levels, beginning to advanced, in animation, design & desktop publishing, drawing & painting, film and video editing, glass arts, photography, printmaking and sculpture. For more information and to register, call 503.821.8903 or check out Pacific Northwest College of Art |
||||||
| 2 | The Junior League’s 2nd Annual Golf Tournament, Dinner and Auction
Join the Junior League of Portland for their 2nd annual golf tournament,
dinner and auction, on Monday, June 6, 2005 at Columbia Edgewater Country
Club. This fundraiser will benefit Junior League of Portland programs that
assist women and children in the Portland community. |
 |
|||||
| 3 | Kids, roll up your sleeves and grab an apron; it's time to get cooking! Junior chefs ages 7-11 can cultivate their culinary skills and experience a cornucopia of farm fresh foods this summer by enrolling in Portland Farmers Market’s Kids Cook at the Market program. Cost is $5 per class. Advance registration and payment required. All classes take place from 10 - 11:30 a.m. To register, please contact
Joan Baucus at 503-241-0032. |
 portland farmers market.org |
|||||
| 4 | K Sky k sky designs custom-made pieces. She recently designed a custom necklace and earrings for a bride for her wedding. She can also make design alterations to existing pieces if needed and design additional pieces to form a matching set (necklace, bracelets, earrings combo). K-Sky Designs also offer private trunk shows.
Be sure to check out their special offer through May at Dana Lynn. |
 |
|||||
| 5 | Portland's newest fashion designer, Erica Platt,
will be featuring her Summer 2005 is the debut line for holden apparel and consists of tops, dresses, and skirts, in luxurious fabrics and sexy silouettes. Erica's designs are both timeless and perfect for any moment. Please see www.holdenapparel.com for a preview of the fashions.
|
 holdenapparel.com |
|||||
So, there you have it! We are handing you a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card to go be brash and bold and original. Treats and sweets and fashion firsts, fill your closet, your cupboard and your heart with the things that please you. It is, after all, all about you and we know the feeling all too well!! Be saucy and sassy and then write and tell us all the details, |
|||||||
| Send Page To a Friend | |||||||
Log onto www.portlandpicks.com and check out past newsletters (archives). If you like what you see, forward to a friend and encourage them to log onto www.portlandpicks.com and become a free subscriber. If you would like to subscribe or contribute, please email us at Contribute@PortlandPicks.com
|
|||||||
