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presenting |
| PORTLAND PICKS | ||
| life + style to you: every Friday | ||
| August 19, 2005 |
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Can You Feel It? There’s something in the air…it’s time to go Back to School! We will never – never ever – outgrow the excitement of the back to school season. Yes, we’re a bit “mature” to get excited about new pencils and books, but even if we have to live vicariously through our children (or other people’s children), we refuse to give up the special feeling that rolls around this time of year. Summer is winding down, school buses return to our neighborhoods, and those big, fat, delicious fall-fashion magazines get shoved into mailboxes, squashing credit-card bills and reminders from the dentist. We have a friend who is a shining example of the kind of excitement that
Back to School-time brings. She’s a lawyer and independent and definitely
a grownup, yadda yadda yadda, but each September her mother takes her shopping
for school clothes. You heard us right. This is a 30-year-old woman! And she
is our Hero. Or Heroine. Whatever. We love it. We want it. Ring, ring. “Mom…?” |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | One-Stop Hipness It’s 3 p.m. and you’re feeling disheveled. Your outfit is fine
for the office but not quite right for going out. You need a cute skirt and
a haircut, stat! What if you could get it all done…just steps from your
intended hangout? |
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| 2 | The Secret Garden When I was a little girl I read “The Secret Garden,” and suddenly the shrubs and bark dust outside my house were morphed into a secret garden of my own. I could talk to the animals and magically make things grow to Jack in the Beanstalk proportions...quite a green thumb. (Too bad it was in my mind only.) I hid behind the vines, turning them into my own little fort where nobody could see me (or so they gleefully pretended, happy to have me out of their hair, if only for a moment.) This imaginative phase went on for a long time, until eventually it was tarnished by the introduction of weeding, “the chore of choice” my dad made us do every weekend. (And up until recently, it was synonymous with “gardening.” Thanks, Dad.) Now we have discovered a real life Secret Garden, a charming garden nursery. With luck and a bit of instruction, the plants I choose may actually grow, even flourish, in my very real and very needy garden. Artemisia is a garden nursery, an art gallery and a bookstore, all under one lovely, loving roof. The nursery is occasionally transformed into a neighborhood-gathering place for dinner, music, a movie, and a fire on a summer night. It’s a sweet little neighborhoody spot, found at SE 28th and Ankeny, just behind Una. Artemisia Garden Nursery & Gallery |
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| 3 | You Exotic Thing, You If you ever fancied yourself a bit of a Pasha, lounging in silk splendor
with the treasures of Asia around you, we found the perfect place to indulge
your fantasy. If you’re into decorating with small exotic touches, or
all-out set dressing for your home, you’ll find so much to choose from
at Cargo in the Pearl that it would send even the most pragmatic sultan into
sensory overload. |
 cargoinc.com |
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| 4 | Holy Wi-Fi, Batman! Honestly, we haven’t seen this many people with their noses in laptops
since we visited the Apple store. Owning a laptop might be a prerequisite
for visiting World Cup Coffee & Tea…we’re not sure. But happily,
even without a trusty PC, we were welcomed and served. |
 worldcupcoffee.com |
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| 5 | Stung by the Bee The reason we do Portland Picks is because we love to shop. We know, we
know. We should really explore more areas of life than places with cute handbags
and tropical-fruit-colored wallets. But we truly adore this stuff. It’s
difficult to resist. We donate money to charity and support good causes. We
volunteer. But dang, girl, we also crave a sparkly wall of earrings! |
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| 6 | We Feel Pretty…Oh So Pretty... We feel pretty and witty and gay. And we pity any girl who isn't us today.... Wanna know why we’re channeling Maria from “West Side Story”? It’s because Michelle DeCourcy’s 2005 fall collection is here...Hurrah! It’s classically, adorably feminine and retro all at once! The past comes alive in stretch tweeds, rich wools, faux fur, retro-print knitwear, cozy knits, and of course the most luxurious silk solids and prints. And it’s all adorned with special touches that prepare you to hop aboard this retro-vintage-inspired train! We think this is Michelle’s cutest collection ever. We love the head-scarf, the strapless silky embroidered top, the throw, and the cute gauchos (reminiscent of the ones we wore in third grade with our Foxy Lady belt). Michelle is showing her roots, and she’s showing our roots (no, silly, not those atop our “blonde” heads), as she beautifully mixes 80s styling with her well-known penchant for the classics. Get your Maria on with Michelle DeCourcy’s fabulous feminine fall fashion! |
 michelledecourcy.com |
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| 7 | G-Whiz! Oh the mystery of “G.” Men can’t find it. Forces can’t
make it. But this September the mystery of G will be unveiled. (Men: Pay attention!)
Premium saké and wine consumers will have a new palate pleaser with
the release of SakéOne’s G. G is for Genshu. In saké-speak, this means premium-grade and cask-strength, typically 18 to 21% alcohol by volume. G is 18%, but has so much character and body that the alcohol levels are mellowed and balanced, leaving a smooth, clean beverage that is highly pleasurable to drink. And you’re invited to the “G” release party! We invite you to join us to celebrate the unveiling of “G,” the finest saké we’ve ever made and quite possibly the finest saké ever made in America. Until now, saké this good, this beautiful, was only available in Japan and even there it is often reserved for the sakéry owner and sakémaster. Join us for the release of “G,” a cask strength, full-bodied saké with incredible layers of flavor. A truly wonderful wine that will excite your palate and surprise your senses.
SakéOne |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | So De-Lightful, So De-Lovely
Playful tones combined with retro-chic glamour & whimsical flair define the stylish new De-Lovely Bath & Body Collection. Perfect for the beauty junkie, these products are pampering on the inside and glamorous on the outside! This boudoir-esque collection includes sexy body lotions, luscious body butters, flirty hand creams, de-lish sugar scrubs, fragrant candles and decadent 3-in-1 body wash, shampoo & conditioners. From moisturizing shea butter & aloe vera to antioxidant green tea extract, skin-nourishing jojoba and soothing chamomile extract, the irresistible & innovative De-Lovely collection features indulgent ingredients that enhance every woman’s bath & body experience. |
 de-lovely.net |
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| 2 | Belt One Out! Our best belt friend Amy is at it yet again, and this time she trumped herself. These are the cutest belts in the whole wide world! We love corduroy and now we can wrap ourselves in it with these extremely cool corduroy belts. They’ll look so groovy with our latest fall jeans. Her vibrant belts are all the rage, featured in celebrity gift baskets and plastered all over the style tabs. Hippie Chic, Groovy Swirl, or Disco Dot...belt out your true colors with these adorable Amy Schwab belts. |
 amyschwabdesigns.com |
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| 3 | Show Some ’Tude Up your street cred and show some attitude with these cute vintage t-shirts from abercrombie and fitch. And for a little pick-me-up in the afternoon, forgo the Snickers bar and log on to their sexy short film. |
 abercrombie.com |
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| 4 | It’s The Pits! Sweating? No doubt it’s the pits. There isn’t much that makes us sweat...not even spinning or step class, but get us on TV and we’re like the newscaster on Broadcast News, a dreadful...PITiful problem. (Did you catch us on AM Northwest???) We’ve even resorted to paper towels under our armpits just before we go on. But now we’ve got a secret weapon for those nerve-racking moments. And they’ll save your clothes. Meet your new secret weapon: Highly absorbent, convenient disposable underarm shields which adhere securely to all fabrics providing outstanding protection. |
 kleinertsshields.com |
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| 5 | Make a Colorful Splash Fall and its gray horizon may be just around the corner but that doesn’t mean we have to dress the part. Color is making a big splash this fall, with bright colors seen head to toe. And when it comes to toes, nothing works better for our climate than Gap’s bright patent shoes. They’re genius in the rain, and at this price, you can get them in a rainbow of colors. This fall, brighten up your wardrobe – and your spirits – with lots of color! And when you purchase more than $60 worth of Gap merchandise you’ll receive their ultra-cool cd – your favorite artists singing their favorite artists' songs. Jason Mraz, Joss Stone, Liz Phair, Alanis Morissette and others. Listen up! |
 Gap.com |
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| Chick Sightings: | |||
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| Portland Picks Cocktail of the Week: | |||
Saké Cocktail Recipes from Oregon’s
SakéOne
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 sakeone.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 2 | CRAVE Summer Extravaganza August 31st It’s a Crave Summer Extravaganza An exclusive, festive, glam-gal gathering of fun, entertainment, personal pampering, specialty shopping, sipping, noshing and just hanging out with the girls. Wear your comfy pajamas or your favorite leisure ensemble and enter the lush world of "everything you crave" under one roof. What’s Happening:
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 craveportland.com |
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So while you’re out there splashing through puddles and sipping vanilla lattes, make sure you look good doing it. Bust out the long necklaces (no pun intended) and a rockin pair of jeans. Get a pedicure, even if you have to hide it under socks. Ooh, even better, get a massage or treat yourself to a super-decadent dinner. With dessert. You can pop in a Pilates tape afterward and feel no shame. We promise. Oh…wait…here’s the kicker: you have to perform the exercises. You know…do them. Watching doesn’t count! |
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