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presenting |
| PORTLAND PICKS | ||
| life + style to you: every Friday | ||
| Sept 23, 2005 |
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Wouldn't you know it...the weather
turns, school starts and we get the flu. How do the little germies know?
You see we're a wee bit neurotic, a hypochondria + OCD hybrid, which is
a very bad combo when you've got the flu because we never think it's just
the flu. Instead we're certain it's Mad Cow or West Nile or Lyme Disease
or SARS, whatever the pandemic du jour may be that we read about over and
over and over again, streaming along the bottom of our cable news. But like the mail man, neither rain, nor sleet, nor plague will prevent us from getting our Portland Picks to you (except a really good spam blocker from time to time if we've said a certain word....like penis. Oopsie.) |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Bouldering...Now You Really Rock We always wanted to be a cool Outward Bound chick, spending thirty days in the wilderness eating nothing but pine needles and leeches...except we were too prissy, and scared, and we're afraid of bugs, and dirt, and of living without bathing, and of being cold. But we still wish we were cool like that, so we just pretend. And now you can pretend, too! You can fake like an Outward Bound girl without all that messy gear or really any knowledge at all. "I'm going bouldering today," you say, nonchalantly, letting it slide. Damn you're cool. Bouldering is just like rock climbing yet it won't cause vertigo. The rock formations you climb are short cliffs, so no biggie if you fall onto the soft pillowy ground below. You also do it freestyle, so you don't need a spot or any gear or guidance. Bouldering is also great to do on a rainy day for a tough and unique workout. Most important, if you're a single girl and want to meet some cool dudes, this is the place. (Think Patagonia-boy, complete with muscles and a soul patch.) Just pop in, pay $12 for adults, and you rock as long as you'd like. You can even have your birthday party here (probably just if you're a kid). It's a very cool space, good music, the doors roll up on a sunny day...it's even fun to fall. We love the location on Macadam, next to Subway and Starbucks. See you there! The Circuit Bouldering Gym |
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| 2 | Do You Like Accessories? Of course you do, darling, or we wouldn’t be such close friends.
We know about a tidy little no-frills shop that sells great stuff like
Big Girl Workshop jewelry and Hobo bags…at prices that start at
just $10. Don’t you want to know what it is? Aren’t you on
the edge of your seat? |
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| 3 | Please Be Seated We have been looking forward to being grown ups but haven't quite achieved it. We always wished we could have everything we need on hand to give an impressive dinner party, but we're always missing, well, everything. (Currently we're down to four forks...they've gone the way of the socks.) But now we can do it with savoir faire. (See? Now we’re even speaking French!) We discovered a quaint little spot called Please Be Seated in Sellwood. It has gorgeous unique treasures of the highest quality for home and hearth. Unique table linens, great lamps, home furnishings, china, antiques, silver, candles, bedding and more. Everything to wow your dinner guests before, during and after dinner as you retire to the perfectly coiffed living room for sherry. Of course we'd still have to cook. Right, ugh, there’s that. I guess we're not quite grown up yet. Please Be Seated |
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| 4 | Get Organized! In our dreams we're models of efficiency. We know where everything is at all times. Our home office is completely clear of clutter and piles - we can actually see the desk! Our closets are organized - we finally know how many blue blouses we own. Our kitchen countertops and cabinets are set up so we can cook and clean with ease. And thanks to all this organization we get more work done and have more free time! It sounds like a dream, doesn't it? Well, it can be yours...with a little professional help. We found Missy at Organizers Northwest, and after our initial (and free!) 1-hour consultation she had amazing ideas for managing our space and time. Missy believes that every client has unique needs, so she really takes time to get to know you and your personal situation. "Don't clean up before I get there!" says Missy. Your special brand of clutter is her decoder ring...the key to helping you clean up your act! She can help you organize every room in your house, even teach you time management and nifty tools like Excel, so you can manage your bills and budget. Plus she can help you reduce stress...once everything is in place you'll feel eminently better...leaving more time and energy for things you like to do. Thanks, Missy! Organizers Northwest |
  organizersnw.com |
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| 5 | Happy Birthday Dragonlily! You're turning two and it becomes you. Dragonlily is a wonderful boutique on Hawthorne owned by Jasmine and Keri. These girls each design their own clothing lines sold in Dragonlily, along with 30 to 40 other local designers. Jasmine's label is Dervish and she makes the most delicious wraps and dresses on beautiful fabrics, clothes to flatter every body type, like her famed Hourglass dress. Keri's label is Ipseity, a line of feminine dresses and sexy skirts that will take you from office to Tango. These clothes are designed for movement. It’s wearable clothing that looks great on different shapes. They also carry great accessories like sequined belts, leather cuffs and chokers, and stunning jewelry. Even cooler? Jasmine is not only a designer and co-owner but she also reigns as the hula hoop champion of Portland (and she even hulas with fire). Talk about a jack of all trades. Dragonlily Boutique |
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| 6 | Ride 'em Cowgirl In our dreams (apparently we're in a perpetual dream state), we'd like to drop out of society and live on a ranch, even a charming little farmhouse will do. Horses, pickup trucks, lots of dogs. Of course someone else would do all the work, and we'd just dress the part (a big job unto itself!) If you want it, Desperado is your store to outfit this dream. Kick it up, Girlfriend, and head over to Desperado for all your cowgirl frocks. Cowboy/girl style is all the rage right now and we can't get enough of this sexy look. And Desperado carries the widest selection of fashionable and authentic boots. Boots you wear with a billowy peasant skirt as well as your embroidered boho jeans. These are artwork for your feet. And while you're there, check out their fabulous wide buckle belts, suede fringe jackets and cowboy hats, turquoise and so much more. And back by popular demand they are having a Tres Outlaw Boot Company Trunk Show. First Thursday, October 6th, 5-9 p.m. Desperado |
 godesperado.com |
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| 7 | Scrub a Dub Dub
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 b-glowing.com |
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| 8 | The Paper Garden We never tire of beautiful stationery. There is something soul-satisfying
about lovely notecards and perfect sheets of paper, just waiting for our
clever bon mots and meaningful messages. |
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| 9 | Mini Crave Parties A girl's
day or night out held in your comfortable home digs or swishy hotel suite
with your friends for drinks, nibbles and spa treats. Crave will provide
the services, you bring your friends. Choose from our menu of
fabulous pampering services and we plan the rest. Perfect for
bridal showers, birthdays and bachelorette parties!
We highly recommend it! |
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| 10 | See “100 or so New Friends” at OFFICE! Have you been to Last Thursday on Alberta yet? Now is definitely the
time to go, people! Start your adventure at OFFICE to check out an engaging
photography show called “100 or so New Friends, a Couple of Dogs
and a Stuffed Monkey…I Met on Alberta Street During Last Thursdays
in the Summer of 2005.” It’s a mouthful, and an eyeful, as
well.
Visit www.officepdx.com
, email: event@officepdx.com,
or call 503.282.7200 for information. |
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| Portland Picks Book of the Week: | |||
| it!: 9 Secrets of the Rich and Famous
That'll Take You to the Top Just before my sister’s 40th she was in tears. She said now she could never be a professional tennis player, never play in the U.S. Open. I quickly reminded her, trying to cheer her up, “but you don’t play tennis...at all.” “I know, but if I wanted to, now I can’t, because I’m too old.” And I understood exactly. As I approached my own big birthday I decided what I wanted to be and I felt time was of the essence to make it happen. I wanted to create Portland Picks, I wanted to reach a certain level of subscribers by 2006 (which we have already far exceeded). I wanted to get the word out about Portland Picks (and in the past year we’ve been regulars on AM NW, KINK, in the Portland Tribune, the Wall Street Journal, National Geographic Traveler, The Oregonian, Ladies Who Launch, etc.) I wanted to take our marketing business to another level by year end and we have surpassed that goal by third quarter, and finally, I wanted to lose 10 pounds.....three out of four isn’t bad. The point being, it’s never to late to be what you want to be and it doesn’t have to take very long to achieve it. Literally you just have to do it. Granted I probably couldn’t sing in a Broadway play but I’m smart enough to know my limitations and go for things within my experience. Anything is possible – so go for it RIGHT NOW. As a columnist for the New York Post's "Page Six," IT! author Paula Froelich has seen careers made by savvy PR players, derailed by their oversexed celebrity clients and often rebuilt by PR managers. Here she offers advice on how to craft your own career. This quick read is a great self-help book because it gives you tricks of the trade to point you in the right direction and get you moving to the top, like these common sense tips. These, along with a good idea, a plan to pr yourself or brand, and perseverance will take you there....
Go for it girlfriend. The sky’s the limit! |
 powells.com |
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| Chick Sightings | |||
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Chew on This We have a fear of bad breath, so we don't breathe as much as we should. We also have a fear of extra poundage....but now we found a product that works for both these phobias. For something to chew on, try Organic Tea Tree Therapy Toothpicks made from renewable, fast growing birchwood trees treated with yummy Tea Tree Oil and other natural extracts to provide optimal oral hygiene. Its natural antiseptic properties help freshen breath and kill bacteria. Theses remind us of a more sophisticated version of the cinnamon sticks from grade school. The big thing in the school yard, pre-pop rocks, was toothpicks dipped in cinnamon oil. Were you as old as we were to remember this hot item? And one time my friend Kelly and I sucked on them and wiped them all over our face and burned our skin, creating these little red welts so we could feign an allergic reaction and go home. Worked like a charm. We were sent right to the nurse’s office, and then, unfortunately, to the doctor. |
 shopnatural.com |
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| 2 | Just a Drop Have you ever been out in public, maybe shopping or at a fancy cocktail party and, oh crap, nature calls? Have you ever gone into the bathroom at the gym after someone has really used it, and you’re gagging and having to hold your breath? Then when you exit you feel compelled, “for the record,” to clarify to the next in line that it wasn’t you. Or maybe it was you and you felt compelled to fib, and again clarify it wasn’t you (even though it’s obvious it was by your “lie face.”) Women tend to be mortified by this and try an assortment of tricks to mask this odor…extra flushes, maybe a match, perfume or Glade. Men on the other hand don’t seem embarrassed in the slightest, entering and exiting the public restroom with newspaper tucked under their arm, advertising to all their intent on staying awhile. That’s why this product was obviously designed for women and all our bathroom insecurities. It even comes with a fashionable carrying case. Just one drop into the toilet before you go eliminates 98% of embarrassing
odors every time. Wow. Simply revolutionary indeed. |
 justadrop.net |
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| 3 | “Art” on the Verge
We always love the bizarre, the unique, the artsy, the clever, the freaky. Now we’ve found an online shop that sells this and much more. Everything you don’t need but might want anyway. Like the Douchaise — a shower and chair in one. Or maybe it’s a Collapsing Lamp you’re after. While we’re on the subject, everyone needs an Aquariass (an aquarium and toilet in one). They have a Lite-Brite lamp, bathroom chess, leaning furniture, and a collapsable table. Think Modern Art meets As Seen on TV. |
 elseware.to |
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| 4 | Get Clogging Remember Multnomah Leather clogs? We still have a permanent bump on top of our foot to forever remind us of these custom made shoes. But no pain, no gain, we were so preppy cool in our Calvin’s, our argyle sweater and these babies. And they packed a mean kick if anyone was ever out of line, a great weapon to the knee cap. Well, clogs are back, but in somewhat more practical choices. We prefer the easy slip-on suede, embroidered, something with height to make us long and lean like these clogs from Cole Haan, with a titch of 70s cool of course. |
 nordstrom.com |
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| 5 | What a Difference a T-shirt Can Make!
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, do a self-exam with a Mark for Life tee. The Mark for Life kit was developed in conjunction with a leading oncologist. Put on this T-shirt once a month, follow the pattern, and the T-shirt teaches you how to do a thorough breast self exam. Included in this kit is a pen to mark any lumps directly on the T-shirt. This is especially helpful for women with fibrous breasts, as they can create a baseline as to what is normal for their breasts. Quick Breast Cancer Facts
Proceeds benefit the Braman Family Breast Cancer Institute. Get to know
those girls, and don’t be shy. |
 markforlife.com |
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| 6 | You’re Perfect...Introducing the
New Wacoal There’s nothing worse then an ill-fitting bra. Sure, lace and bows are sugar sweet, but really, we don’t want to see it. Cold? We don’t care to know. Revolutionary new i-Bra: stitchless, seamless, and tagless to give you a naturally smooth and perfect shape, just like you. Everyone is talking about the i-Bra, featured in Vogue, In Style and Lucky. And this miracle bra is made of memory foam so it simply remembers your
exact shape, support while looking like you’re wearing nothing at
all. |
 kbella.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | 10. 01. 05 LATE NIGHT PARTY ! free to yaa members $ 10 f or non-members Age 21 and over. Identification
required. PORTLAND ART MUSEUM *restrictions apply |
 View Flyer |
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| 2 | “It’s THAT Easy.”
New Orleans/Mississippi/Alabama
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 View Flyer |
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| 3 | "BLUES FOR KATRINA" - a day of extraordinary music to raise money for the hurricane survivors
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| 4 | Stargazing in Portland has
never been more rewarding: Portland's Several of Portland's up-and-coming fashion and music luminaries have come together to present "Stargazing," an evening of live music and a fashion show, married with Oregon wine tasting and a silent auction, all for the benefit of the Franny Fund. The Franny Fund is a community trust for Frances "Franny" Welch-Cabler, a five-year-old Portland resident with cerebral palsy. All Franny Fund monies go to pay for the uninsured medical costs of her treatment. The 21-and-older event will take place October 8 at 8 p.m. at the Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell. Tickets cost $12 and are available through Ticketmaster, or at the door based on availability. |
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 View Flyer |
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| 6 | BRO's Annual Dinner Join us on Saturday, September 24th at 6:30pm at the Oregon Convention Center to celebrate that there “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” at the 2005 Basic Rights Oregon Annual Dinner. You never know who you might see; Studio 54 regulars included Liza, Liz, Cher, Farrah Fawcett-Majors, Margaux Hemingway and Margaret Trudeau, Jackie O, Warren Beatty, Mikhail Baryshnikov, David Bowie ... the list goes on, from recluses Woody Allen and Christina Onassis to not-so-publicity-shy Andy Warhol and Truman Capote. This will surely be the party of the year!
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Okay, we're going to back to bed now. We need to get well and be in ship shape for you next week. Until then....stay safe and be healthy! 'night-night xoxoxo |
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