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presenting |
| PORTLAND PICKS | ||
| life + style to you: every Friday | ||
| July 8, 2005 |
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As we swept the last of the detonated explosives from our driveway, we entertained the whimsical notion that our families were as refined as the wonderful readers of Portland Picks. Fueled by the gracious and insightful information we received in response to issue 76, this week’s Picks has new places to dine and new ways to shine. Baked goods that taste like they were constructed by God himself, handmade paper products to delight and impress, as well as a fantastic beach read that you will adore. All this in Portland Picks and so much more. |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Gotham Where do you go when you are hankering for homemade donuts with Meyer-Lemon Marmalade or on those occasions when your tongue demands nothing less than Pan-seared Oregon Salmon with Roasted Fennel and Sorrel Sauce? Why, Gotham Tavern at Interstate and Albina, of course. We love their sophisticated but accessible fare – and the multitude of local ingredients. This is one of those places you have to show off to out-of-town guests or local foodies! The hip, friendly staff will bring drinks on silver trays as you check off your menu choices with a tiny pencil. Think bowling or mini-golf, but ten times better, because all you need to do is relax and soak up the vibe. The main attraction is the diners themselves, as the spare space is decorated with mirrors and driftwood and not much else, other than a super-fantastic Asian-inspired wood partition that separates the bar and open kitchen from the dining area. Gotham Tavern is wireless too, so bring your laptop and shimmy up to the bar for a pastry (their new pastry chef hails from Chez Panisse) and a Samuel Adams Oatmeal Stout. We won’t tell your nutritionist or your spin instructor that you indulged so decadently. Word has it that their breakfast is an “undiscovered secret,” and it’s served from 8 am to 11:30 am Tuesday through Friday. Lunch is served from 11:30 to 2:00 pm T-F, and dinner is 5 – 11. The menu changes once a month. Gotham Tavern serves wine and beer but a little bird told us that they’ll have a full bar soon enough. Then we’ll need to call a taxi (and it will be so worth it!) Gotham Building Tavern |
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| 2 | Wonder Woman If we could be any super hero, we’d pick Wonder Woman. You get to wear quite a glittering number, which looks like it would hold everything firmly in place—even when pursuing evildoers. Regardless of whether you were in Portland or Soho, heads would turn. You get to have really big hair with a tiara-like headband that allows you to run without serious muss. Then you get those gold cuffs, all the rage right now, that fend off evil. Not to brag, but we’ve practiced this move over the years and really have it down. But the crème de la crème....the invisible plane! How cool is that? If you could be a super hero, what would you be? For all your Super Hero needs, a visit to Super Hero Stuff (superherostuff.com) is in order -- on swanky Northwest 23rd. "The largest friggen retailer of super hero t-shirts on and off the Internet." Super
Hero Stuff.Com Above Silverado Silver Store, across from Starbucks. |
 superherostuff.com |
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| 3 | Oh Mia, Oh My It’s fun to discover secret finds outside of Portland. And they are there, popping up all over the burbs with the same style and sophistication as the city, like Mia’s in Murray Hill, Beaverton. Mia’s is a darling boutique that carries wonderful finds like their Sanctuary white jeans with rose snap pockets — this will DO for your white jeans fix this summer. And their amazing vintage polos that we haven’t seen anywhere else come in white, pink and green (and as extra credit, they cover your butt). Mia’s carries so many of our favorite Picks: Kenzie, Mack Jack, Western Wear, PJ Salvage, and Hanky Panky. A great selection of print skirts, intimates, and sexy feminine tops make this a great shopping therapy destination. Plus, they have a little dog and bin of toys to keep the little ones busy. Mia’s is worth the trip. Mia's |
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| 4 | A Standing Oblation We get so used to the convenience of email, the art of a hand-written note could very well go by the way side, but Emily Post would turn over in her grave, and we can’t let that happen. There’s no more lasting and classy impression than when you receive a hand-written note on lovely paper. It oozes tradition, implies a well-bred lady, and is an important rite we must pass on to our text-messaging/videogame playing children. In an era where people don’t make time for courtesy, this is one habit that will set you above the rest. Oblation Papers in the Pearl is the finest store for this purpose, producing the highest quality hand-made papers and products to help you polish this perfection. They have their own papers and press that will leave the proper impression. Their selection of invitations and announcements for your special soiree will show your guests that you didn’t pick up their invites while you were grabbing toilet paper. Stand out from the crowd and raise the bar. In our hassled times, making an effort makes all the difference. If you think you can get off cheap and no will be the wiser, think again. So do it right with their bevy of choices: Crane’s, Elum, Twig and Fig, Des Amis and other spectacular brands. And gifts, they’ve got them too, gifts that will leave the same graceful impact. They have photo albums, journals and handmade papers from around the world, as well as an assortment of handmade cards by local artists. And when you’ve written your lovely note in your fancy handwriting, seal it with a kiss and a decorative wax seal and discover how an extra moment of your time creates a treasure the recipient will cherish. And don’t forget to check out their new store at Bridgeport Village. Oblation Papers |
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| 5 | Nike Run Hit Wonder Rocks Portland Lace up your sneaks, and break out that vintage Joan Jett and The Blackhearts concert t-shirt. Nike presents Run Hit Wonder Portland July 24. It's a race. It's a party. It's a live soundtrack powering you to a new personal record. Run fast and run loud, to seven bands including The Donnas, Fountains of Wayne, and yes, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, over a 5k or 10k course. Picture it: a 10,000-runner chorus of "I Love Rock n' Roll" as you begin your finishing kick. That's a better workout than any mosh pit. Join a free training run and sign up at nikerunhitwonder.com |
 nikerunhitwonder.com  |
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| 6 | Hey Sugar! We've discovered the first professional body sugaring service in Portland...at Treatment . Sugaring is the safe, pure and all-natural alternative to waxing. A sugar treatment is the modern version of the ancient art of hair removal. Just sugar, water and lemons....you can eat it! Waxing can be very hard and potentially damaging to the skin leaving clients red or burned. And sometimes the wax pots at some salons can be very unsanitary and gross! Lots of double-dipping with waxing. Waxing can get everywhere, floors, clothes and it's a mess to clean up. Sugaring is very gentle on the skin, and will not take off skin. You never double-dip in sugaring and a glove is always worn. You just wash the sugar off with water to clean up. Treatment specializes in facials, massage and sugaring using natural skin care products made of essential oils, plant and herbal extracts, and naturally active enzymes. Sugaring is great for removing hair on the face and body. Sugaring starts at $18 for Brows, $25 for Brow and Lip, $55 for Brazilian. $15 Underarm, $30 legs....... Go for it Sugar. Treatment |
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| 7 | Tag, you’re it! I never let my sons have guns for the longest time. Of course they made their own guns out of graham crackers. When my toddler squashed an ant, I was certain it was the first sign he would grown into a serial killer (cruelty to animals). I never let my boys play videogames, especially not with any guns or violence, convinced next they’d be shooting their classmates. So as you can imagine when the twins wanted their birthday at Laserport I cringed—absolutely not! But it was the only venue they could agree on, and after the 24/7 begging, they broke me. Laserport it was. We had the place to ourselves....sixteen ten year olds, and me. The boys had a great time at the party, not overly preoccupied with the laser tag, but seemed to enjoy being with their friends most of all. That was them. But then there was me. I experienced my first laser tag and loved it! It was exhilarating, my heart racing. A kid would pop out from behind some alien rock and I would scream and shoot him. Someone would sneak up on me and zap me and I would run back to home base to recharge. I had more fun than anyone — even nonchalantly comparing my score with the others when they were busy with the cake—I wasn’t half bad! I’ve already planned my next trip back. But this time it’s going to be “grownups” only....girls against boys. I can hardly bear the anticipation. Laserport |
 laser port of beaverton.com |
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| 8 | These carbs don’t count We love Ken’s Artisan Bakery! But baguettes aren’t the only form of pain you can get at Ken’s, mais non (though it might be torture to avoid the chocolate croissants)! Rolls, loaves, pastries, tarts, and gourmet sandwiches are also served, and Ken’s recently launched Monday Pizza Night at its 338 NW 21st bakery (corner of 21st and Flanders). Ken’s treats are made from fresh, local and organic ingredients. They should bottle the smell that hits you when you open the door. It is the breath of heaven for the carb starved. The windows have been thrown open for the summer months so grab your laptop (free WiFi is available) and plan to linger with a latte. Ken’s Artisan Bakery |
 kensartisan.com |
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| 9 | Oh Brother As the youngest child, I craved any sort of attention from my older sisters; even it meant buying their affection. My sisters would meet me in the hall outside our bedrooms and sell me all their broken toys — toys in my eyes that held great status, even in their broken state. To own something once owned by them was priceless. So I’d empty my piggy bank in their palms and walk away with pieces of toys that couldn’t do anything but meant everything in the world to me. One man’s crap is another’s treasure...which is why ebay rules! And there are still those that buy (that’d be me) and those that sell (my sisters). Some things never change. If ebay isn’t your thing, but you’d like to get rid of last year’s duds, just take it down to Bid Brothers and they’ll sell it for you! How efficient is that? It would probably take us forever if we tried to do it ourselves anyway. All that valuable time spent trying to figure out how to manage a Pay Pal account, when we could be shopping, it would work out to approximately negative $27 dollars an hour. We might as well pay ebay to take our things. On the other hand, with Bid Brothers, when your things have sold, they just send you the check. No pain, nice gain. Take your ‘stuff’ worth at least $50 to Bid Brothers and they will do everything turnkey and send you a check within a few weeks. It's typically faster and more lucrative than selling on consignment. This is your chance to say farewell to all that old crap gathering dust under your sofa, or why not the sofa too? Bid Brothers Drop-Off Hours |
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| 10 | Wow, it’s July already, time to start
planning for the holidays. Really. We stress out in January about our next holiday card. There are only so many months, 11 short ones to be exact, like being pregnant, and we need every one of them to capture that adoring photo of our kids. We follow them around bribing them and bugging them hoping to snap a good one. But to simplify our life, and our stress, this year we bucked up and went with a professional.... Marta Shely Photography “At The Beach.” Marta is so sweet and patient and adorable, and amazingly talented. (And we weren’t humiliated or pitting out when she was photographing the boys!) My kids actually cooperated, and the pictures came back fabulous, we had to buy them all. She was able to capture the kids in their true adorable colors — in black and white of course. And now she’ll go to the beach too, for sand, sunset, surf and smiles! Call Marta and save your date: |
 martashely.com |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Now We Can Always Have Big Hair We find balding men attractive, testosterony; it just does something for us. However when it comes to our own hair, we have a fear of going bald. It all started after pregnancy when it was falling out and we wondered if it would ever stop. We were wiggy about it, and the constant surveillance and mirror checking could not have helped matters. Now when we find a lone hair here and there we immediately panic and count if there are others. Somehow this has translated to the desire to have big Farrah hair. The bigger the hair, the better the hair day. And now we’ve found something cool — in the Made for TV way. It’s designed for thin hair or for those that fear they’re losing their hair. It pumps up the volume with a light laser. All of a sudden, everyday is a good hair day. And supposedly this small laser should grow new hair. Well, we’ll just have to see about that. But in the meantime, for a pretty penny, we can at least have BIG hair. It’s a hair clinic in the palm of your hand. |
 lasercomb.net |
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| 2 | You Define You When I was a little girl, I dreamt of being a model. I was very tall and lanky. I had to shop at the 5-7-9 Store at Washington Square since they were the only one’s that carried my size zero. (I want this problem!) In 9th Grade I got my period and hips and ever since the size zero Calvin Klein collection has remained in the corner of my closet where hope springs eternally. I was lanky, with buckteeth, and tight curls that framed my face in the shape of the curling iron. I took Polaroid’s of myself and sent them secretly to Teen magazine. I wrote a note letting them know I was available for modeling. I can just imagine the chuckling at Time Inc....pathetic. All the while I was waiting for their call, and waiting, and waiting.... and am still waiting! My mother thought she’d give me a boost by sending me to finishing school – I’m certain she felt sorry for me. Though it was a blessing and it really did teach me to walk with proper posture, how to enter and exit a room, set a table, answer a phone, speak well...etc. As dated as it sounds, it really worked. And now you can have finishing school in a box with udefineu.com It’s a life coach that will help polish you, covering fashion, etiquette, posture and speech. Just a little something to make you all the more perfect. P.s. I’ll keep you posted when Teen calls. I know it’ll be any day now. |
 UdefineU.com |
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| 3 | The Luxe Life Check out LUXE JEWELS. Started by weddingchannel.com founder, Jessica Herrin, LUXE JEWELS (www.luxejewels.com) specializes in make-your-own designer jewelry. Celebrity jewelry designer, Maya Brenner is one of the principals of Luxe, and designs jewelry for the line. Her stylish designs for Luxe have been seen on Teri Hatcher, Gwen Stefani, Debra Messing, Cameron Diaz and Lindsey Lohan...among others. While some kits start at $15, most are around $35. Pay a visit to the site and check out their designs--www.luxejewels.com. (you can also buy the jewelry pre-made if crafts aren't your thing). What is great about Luxe is that not only can you save money by making your own jewelry; you can start your own business by becoming a Luxe Jewels consultant. Plus, you can have Luxe help you plan jewelry making parties with all your friends--very fun! |
 luxejewels.com |
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| 4 | Free Katie Free Katie from the clutches of Tom. We’re tired of this crazy-in-fake-love business. And why Katie, hmmmm? Actually, who is Katie? The whole thing smells. But the shirt’s cute. |
 freekatie.net |
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| 5 | Bad Gal Do you have a license to wear those lashes? BAD gal Lash is loaded with a big, bad wand and tons of black mascara... it's like an instant set of false eyelashes. They’re bionic! Finally, you can see our eyes. A miracle, really. |
 BenefitCosmetics.com |
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| 6 | Hey Sleepyhead When you’re going out to get the paper in the morning, don’t be caught dead in any old slippers. You need these fuzzy, loungy, adorable slippers from Sleepyheads. These make the perfect girlfriend gift and have been featured in In Style. They’re simply irresistible — like you! Terry Scuff Hair Dryer Slippers |
 sleepyheads.com |
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| Portland Picks Book of the Week: | |||
Confessions of a Teen Sleuth: A Parody... We just loved the adventures of plucky teen sleuth Nancy Drew, and we did not like it one bit that over the years, Nancy stayed trim and independent, solving cool crimes with her girl chums, while we had to grow up and take on all kinds of adult responsibilities. But, in this clever new book, Nancy Drew ages and reveals her own adventures, one per decade from 1929 until 1994 — all with the same wit and aplomb that she had as a teen. Nancy fights the Commies in the 50’s, goes on a New Age cruise in the 80’s...we even see her get married to the impossibly square Ned Nickerson, and years later, yearn for the sexy adventurer Frank Hardy from the Hardy Boy books. Oh, yes, in a lovely mix of fact and fiction, we learn that the supposed author, Carolyn Keene, was Nancy’s college roommate — can you believe she stole Nancy’s own stories? And now, in this Nancy Drew book.... the boring nurse Cherry Ames, the Bobbsey Twins, even Encyclopedia Brown leap off the pages in all-new adventures — and Nancy reveals all the delicious details herself. It’s sweet — Nancy Drew made us avid readers, and now, we come full circle — reading her adult adventures while waiting for the kids to finish practice or while we stand in line, waiting to pay for our groceries. Hey, we don’t remember Nancy having to stand in line for anything! But, at least Confessions of a Teen Sleuth did make time fly — it made us LOL — a lot! Contributed by Diana Jordan www.dianajordan.net |
 Buy Now! |
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| Portland Picks Movie of the Week: | |||
War of the Worlds
Not perfect, but incredible. I, probably like many of you, have sincerely (though regrettably) enjoyed making fun of Tom Cruise of late. Katie Holmes? Scientology? Ha! (sigh...) Further, when people have said they're excited for this film because "it's by Steven Spielberg," I laugh to myself. The Terminal? Catch Me If You Can? Minority Report? A.I.? This is his track record of late. For myself, only Minority Report offered up something worthwhile (Catch Me was pleasant but merely and sorely pleasant), but Minority Report wouldn't make me excited for this. Really, truly, I thought War of the Worlds would suck. I was even a little depressed that we were getting it. Until I watched it and was blown away. Yes, BLOWN AWAY. I was engaged for an hour of it, on the edge of my seat for 45 minutes of it, and rolling my eyes at the 5 minutes of Spielberg cheese contained within (the remaining 10 minutes: the closing credits). But those 5 minutes are easily forgivable when you have the rest of the film. I won't tell you all the reasons why I liked it so much, I want to at least TRY to go to bed and besides, you have a busy schedule yourself I assume, but I will say this: the camera placement is consistently genius. Now, many of you are casual enough movie watchers that you don't really care about "camera placement." But it WILL make a difference for you when you watch this. Like Saving Private Ryan yanked you into the Invasion of Normandy, here the camera's "wandering eye" yanks you into the Invasion of Earth. So many movies provide such a poor excuse for action (Batman Begins is here, chopping the hell out its fights so you never know what's going on and, for me, begin to not even care), but the cinematography in War of the Worlds is astounding, perfectly framing not so much the explosions but the characters within the explosions. And everything else that goes on, from the first frame of the film to the last. Without the camera work, this film wouldn't be half what it is. So thank you for that, Mr. Spielberg. Or, at least, thank you for hiring that cinematographer. Can you tell I'm still excited from having just watched it? A Must See this summer! If you come to movies because of your kids, don't worry: in two weeks, we'll have Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Ciao. Ticket prices: Lake Twin Cinema Contributed by Jordan Perry from our favorite charming theater, the Lake Twin Cinema. |
 waroftheworlds.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Walk For Our Two Angels Please join us and walk for Taylor and Graham Olsen -- fraternal twins who were diagnosed last October with a rare and fatal degenerative neurological disorder. The walk will be held on July 16th at 4:00 pm at Millennium Park Plaza in Lake Oswego. More information can be found at the twin's website www.ourtwoangels.com . We will see you there! |
 ourtwoangels.com |
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| 2 | Art House ( and House Dressing and Hugo's Cafe & Eatery and Furever Pets and Irvington Corner Table...all of us!!!) are counting the days until our July 15-17th Sidewalk Sale! Art House will be serving cookies, coffee & we are having a HUGE SALE!!! Did we say sale???? You bet your sweet crafty bippy we did...Papers, stickers, rubber stamps...you name it...we will be having it on sale! If you are a closet crafter (come on...admit it now and have some FUN - life is TOO short) or if you are just a crafter looking for a sweet deal, we are a MUST on your list of stops! Can we even NAME the list of scrapbookers seen in In Style, Cottage Living and People Magazine? No...not on one page my dear friend. The hippest of the hip are doing it...why miss out? Put on your sale shoes and hit the road for these magnificent sales! Support your local businesses! It will feel great and you will get all your buddies talking about how cool you are! Pssstt.......We'll save the good cookies for you.... Art House |
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| 3 | SKIN...SUMMER...SUN DAMAGE..YIKES!
The Blush Beauty Bar |
 theblushbeautybar.com |
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| 4 | Bella Moda Sale Visit the big summer shoe sale at Bella Moda starting today with discounts from at least 20% off on most remaining summer styles. There is still plenty of warm summer weather left to take advantage of a super sale price on that sweet little sandal you've had your eye on! They are anxiously waiting for the first fabulous shipments of Fall boots and shoes from Italy & Peru at the end of July! Bella Moda |
 bellamodadesigns.com |
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| 5 | Summer Concert Series & Wine Tasting Check out the free summer concert series at Bridgeport Village every Thursday night from 6 to 8 pm. Come sip local wines and listen to great local music from Tom Grant, Patrick Lamb and others. Check out their summer schedule online |
 bridgeport-village.com |
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| 6 | You're invited to the Le Rouge One Year Anniversary Party! Thursday July 14th, 4-9pm Enjoy DJ's and refreshments, and a chance to win a $50 gift certificate. 15% discount offered on select items to Portland Picks readers. We love this boutique! Le Rouge |
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We are fluttering our outrageously long lashes and practicing our newly rediscovered etiquette and feeling so fresh and summery. Thanks to all of our wonderful readers who took time from their busy holiday weekend to give us fantastic insight and amazing new ideas. Our wise and witty readers make our job a pleasure! Keep letting us know how we can meet and exceed your expectations, Portland Picks |
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