These Boots Were Made for Walking

What was Imelda Marcos thinking with all those shoes! Well, duh. What kind of crazy question is that?

Now, thank heavens, our favorite Hawthorne shoe shop has just opened in the Pearl so we can add even more dazzling Imelda’s shoes to our closet. Oh, my dear, but it’s not only about shoes, and it’s not just for her. No sirree... This new store near Jimmy Mak’s at 10th and Everett has boots galore from the likes of Frye and Kenneth Cole and more (and we’re a poet and didn’t know it.) They have gorgeous (gorgeous!) round-toe pumps with bows, embroidery, buckles and other adorable adornments. They sell great hand-knit hats, leather patchwork bags and wallets from local designer Style Sister, a bevy of metallic hobos, and men’s Acme Computer bags.

We adore their Kim White handbags, carpetbags and purses made from car upholstery (how cool is that?) And like their Hawthorne store, their cases of jewelry are out of this world, and their assortment of men’s leather shoes (at Louie’s) rule. Speaking of which, grab your man and get those boots walking into Imelda’s and Louie’s, pronto, for some of the coolest shoes on the planet.

Imelda’s
935 NW Everett St.
Portland, OR 97209
503.595.4970
www.imeldasshoes.com

The Pearl Retriever. For Doggy and You

Sit, Boy. Staaaayyyyyy. Shop!

You walk through the garden entrance into the new cozy Pearl Retriever and are immediately greeted by Ellie. She’ll lick you, jump up on you, knock down a dog bowl or two, but no biggie, that’s what you get when your partner and best friend’s a dog, a Golden Retriever, hence the name of course. Andrea Schneider – the owner and people half of the store – is so sweet and so welcoming, with much the same friendly demeanor as Ellie.

This adorable new little store in the Pearl is the swankiest pet store we’ve seen, but of course it isn’t just for pets. They are the only dog store in the U.S. that carries Alora Ambiance and other luxe products for the home (trust us, you will never have the dog smell with Alora Ambiance, yummy!) They are the only place in the northwest that carries Pookies Pickles, French Onion Soup, and gourmet tomato sauce from Buck’s Vineyard...why? Because the dog logo is so great, naturally. They have a Bisquit Bar with homemade Halloween cookies and other yummy treats for your pup. Oh, and the dog beds, the colorful cool bowls, the gorgeous pearl necklace for doggie (which we might have to borrow)! Every item they have is clever, quality and unique...a very special place.

And your canine shopper is always welcome. They’ll offer him a bisquit, and if he has ‘to go,’ they even have a potty patio designed by Doggy Duty.

Come and pay them a visit. Pick up a treat for your dog and don’t forget to spoil yourself while you’re there. The Pearl Retriever – Shop. Play. Stay.

The Pearl Retriever
Shop Stay Play.
526 NW 13th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
503.295.6960
www.pearlretriever.com

How come when you look your worst you run into the only ex that ever dumped you? You know the one, the one you always fantasized you’d see again one day and he’d be sorry you got away. You know the montage all too well: One day you’d be out and about, and model svelte, with your hunk husband pushing the stroller with your adorably perfect children all dressed in their Bambini high thread count pressed clothes. You’d be eating gelato, holding hands, laughing with joy on a sunny Sunday afternoon. But alas, the reality is that you haven’t washed your hair in days, you have no makeup on, you thought you’d just go for it and cross your fingers you’d see no one but instead you run into HIM.

Well, now we have learned from the celebs. No, we don’t take a shower, no, no we don’t put on makeup or wash our hair. We simply disguise ourselves in super swanky sunglasses...yes, even in the fall, in the rain, at night if we have to. Sunglasses add a bit of mystery and we can hide behind them. Even a sassy pair of eyeglasses, whether you need them to see or not, can add a little style and drama to your makeup-free face and cover any sleepy circles beneath your eyes.

But where does one go for the hippest styles? Visage Eyewear, of course, in the heart of the Pearl. Visage has the latest in stylish eyewear for those gorgeous peepers. Oh Visage, eye love you!

Visage Eyewear
1046 NW Johnson St.
Portland, OR 97209
503.944.5475
www.visageeyewear.com

Dress Up and Go Out!

With Halloween just around the corner, you may be thinking that the only costume you have time to put together is a bed sheet with eye-holes. But consider this: Halloween is the only time of year that you can wear anything you want – wigs, false eyelashes, go-go boots, over the top make-up – and get away with it. And a recent poll suggests that this year more than ever adults are dressing up.

Our theory for Halloween is to find something you would love to wear and build a costume around it. The perfect place to find that something is Lady Luck Vintage on SE Burnside at 28th. On a recent trip we spotted a beautiful royal blue satin 1940s dressing gown which paired with the right wig, some severe eyebrow pencilling and a wire hanger, would make the perfect Mommy Dearest Joan Crawford costume. Or how about the pink wool suit with matching pillbox hat...you are suddenly transformed into Jackie Kennedy. From wild 20s flapper to perfect 50s Stepford wife to totally rad 80s prom queen, you can find it all at Lady Luck Vintage.. And while you are there, you may very likely find a treasure you will love for everyday!

Lady Luck Vintage
#1 SE 28th St.
Portland, OR 97214
503.233.4041
www.ladyluckvintage.com

Event Bliss

Wow! You’re so clever. Everything you do is so creative and unique. How ever do you have the time? Well, you delegate of course (your motto!) Like your brilliant decision to hire Event Bliss.

Event Bliss is a local company that takes a personal and profound interest in customizing your momentous occasion. They will help you set the right tone for your wedding from the very beginning with clever “save the date” cards, a wedding website, invitations, programs, and thank-you cards that capture the spirit of the day. From cookies to invitations to clever goodies for the guests, everything they do is truly unique and of the highest quality. And if you want, they can do it all turnkey.

Event Bliss was founded by Marlynn Jayme Schotland, the former PR director for The Art Institute of Portland. Her business is focused on creating custom-crafted wedding and event invitations, baby announcements and event details. She spends her days making people happy by crafting imaginative stationery that reflects your personal style, using unique papers, fun fonts and intuitive little touches we adore. She definitely makes us happy.

Event Bliss
503.250.4690
info@eventbliss.com
www.eventbliss.com

Ah, Castagna

We like to use words like “sophisticated,” “educated” and “delicate” when it comes to our palate, but often we find that our superior taste buds don’t get the pampering they deserve. So we were tickled pink to receive an invite to Castagna, and we were even happier to find that it’s a real gem.

White walls and minimalist artwork somehow create a cozy, intimate space at Castagna, perfect for quiet tete-a-tetes with romantic partners, or serious talks with good friends.

And the food! We dined on Roasted Sardines with Pine Nuts and Currants (savory and sweet – luscious), grilled Chinook salmon with Russian fingerling potatoes and Savoy cabbage with pancetta, and grilled quail and potatoes with fresh porcini, shallot and parsley salad. Oh, and dessert! Two words to remember: “chocolate” and “pear.” That’s all you need to know. We were in foodie heaven, and our server Jessica was knowledgeable and attentive, and had that perfect timing where she seemed to read our minds and know exactly when to return.

The menu changes seasonally, or more often, depending on ingredient availability. Some standards include the sardines, grilled octopus, and sautéed sea scallops with fennel and porcini. Call ahead to make reservations, and once you’re a regular, call ahead to ask if your favorite dishes are available.

Castagna
1752 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, OR 97214
503.231.7373

Let’s Make Up

I was out to dinner with my husband, all glammed up, or so I thought, and this woman I didn’t know came up to me and said, “Excuse me, I just wanted to tell you that you are really pretty, but you really need to do more with your eyes. Can I suggest some eyeliner and eye makeup...here, come with me.” Incredulous, I looked around for the hidden camera as she dragged me to the bathroom for my makeover. This is a very similar backhanded compliment to the guy you meet in the bar that feels inclined to say, “You’d be pretty if you lost some weight.”

Well now these invisible eyes can get some (apparently) much needed help. L’Mu Salon offers semi-permanent eyelash extensions! They are great for long wear, if you want to go “flossing” with your sexy eyes in the morning or at night! These babies can last up to 2 months. You are a glamourpuss indeed.

Customized applications start at $65, up to $300...a fun way to add some drama to your life.

But wait! That’s not all! Now L’Mu also offers permanent makeup from curt lafferty (www.curtlafferty.com). How cool is that? Eyes, lips, brows, touch ups... Now you really will look beautiful in the morning.

L’Mu Salon
812 NW 12th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
503.224.8171
lmupsalon@msn.com

Looking for Great Coffee?

Like most Portlanders, we here at Portland Picks are big fans of good beans. We recently received a raving recommendation about a new coffee spot from our friend Kelly at OFFICE. She is insane for Ristretto Roasters, an adorable boutique-like coffee shop where they roast their own beans and serve up yummy baked goods to munch while you sip. Kelly is a cappuccino girl, and says she’s been crying herself to sleep at night since the change with Torrefazione Italia…but now her crying is over. Ristretto’s baristas were hand-picked from T.I.

Each cup of coffee – even the house coffee – is made fresh just for you, and poured through a coffee strainer (the “ristretto”) that makes the art of coffee as entertaining to watch as it is delicious to taste.

Ristretto feels like a cute boutique store, and features terrific contemporary art. It’s also a free wi-fi hotspot, because what’s the fun of drinking coffee if you can’t get online??? While you’re surfing the net, read The Daily Bread – the blog of the owner’s wife. She does all the baking for Ristretto – chocolate chip cookies, pound cake, pecan balls – all delish.

So thanks for the tip, and keep them coming! This means everyone! We love to check out the new places our readers recommend. After all, that’s why we’re here.

Ristretto Roasters
3520 NE 42nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97213
503.284.6767

The Fashion Designer Survival Guide: An Insider's Look at Starting and Running Your Own Fashion Business
by Mary Gehlhar

We have a thousand ideas floating around our busy little brains. We design clothes in our sleep and have always fancied ourselves emerging fashion designers. The only problem is how to translate these dreams to paper (since we can’t draw worth beans), oh and then sew them (since we can’t sew worth beans), and then manufacture (huh?) and sell into retailers, market, and so on...frankly we would be famous if we knew where to begin.

Well now we found a guide that will help us to succeed. It will give us the inside scoop about this creative glam business so we can be the next Donna Karan. The Fashion Designer Survival Guide offers practical tips, strategies, and advice from designers as well as fashion magazines like Vogue and Bazaar. And they tell it like it is.

Get the inside scoop…the inner workings to start your own small fashion business with this realistic, valuable sage advice. Now you are on your way!

Middle row- Erin Smiley, Vickie Jackson, Kelsi Mayer, Sammie Stephenson, Kate Kennedy

Front row- Sarah Mitchelson, Marci Caputo, Darci Boyle, Julie Adams

“Girls Night Out” Event Raises $11,000

A new Vancouver women’s group formed for the purpose of supporting Clark County charitable causes raised over $11,000 at their first annual event on Thursday, Sept. 22nd.

There was laughter amid the oooohs and ahhhhs as guests, dressed in pink, poured out of white shuttle vans chauffeured by men in pink shirts. They were handed “Think Pink” drinks and spent the evening getting henna tattoos, foot massages, wine tastings and dipping everything in sight into the chocolate fountain. The edible pink cotton candy decorations and gift bags had all disappeared by evening’s end.

CAMEO, (Cathy Anna Mayer Encouraging Others), was formed in honor of Cathy Mayer, a Ridgefield, Wash., resident who died last year of complications from breast cancer treatments. Cathy was 37 years old, and left behind her husband Jeff and four children. Cathy’s death inspired a group of Vancouver women, who formerly met once a month for a purely social get together, to begin planning a way to honor Cathy and reflect the love she had for her children, her family and community.

Fix You – EP
Coldplay

The iTunes-exclusive “Fix You” EP from Coldplay includes the previously unreleased track “Pour Me” recorded live at the Hollywood Bowl in 2003, “The World Turned Upside Down” from the X&Y Studio sessions, and “Fix You” recorded live in Arnhem, Netherlands this summer. iTunes, Coldplay, and Capitol Records will donate 100% of the proceeds from this EP to the American Red Cross’ Hurricane Katrina Relief and the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.

Coldplay really rocks. No, really. They are so cute, they are so sweet and generous and this song makes us cry...we know, what song doesn’t, but this one in particular personally touches us. And now you can download it and own it while doing your good deed for the day.

“When you try your best but you don't succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse...”

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?”

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you”

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth”

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you”

In light of the hurricanes, the earthquake, and our heartache.... Sob... sniffle... hanky... antidepressents... Calgon... help! No more... we mean no, more!

Everything Pink all neat and tidy under one web page. Pink Buys, from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, features everything from a pink George Foreman grill to a pink Burberry trench to a pink cashmere t-shirt to a pink Coach watch. Get your holiday shopping done early and raise funds for Breast Cancer Research.

Think Pink...and get shopping girls.

www.bcrfcure.org

Mr. Wonderful

Okay, your guy? Mr. Wonderful he’s not. Sure no one’s perfect, but c’mon, his idea of snuggling is a post-coital high-five.

But now there’s Mr. Wonderful. He’s really all you need. With his rugged good looks and his enormous feet, he’s 12 inches of big hunk.

Give him a squeeze and Mr. Wonderful always knows the right things to say like “Let’s cuddle tonight,” “you look so beautiful in the morning,” “let’s stay home tonight and talk about our relationship,” “Going to the mall? Mind if I tag along?” and other wonderful things to give you a giggle and make your day. So when your guy says all the wrong things, don’t get mad, get Mr. Wonderful.

Mr. Wonderful Doll will praise and delight you with over 12 endearing phrases. His only pleasure is to see to your happiness! And rightly so.

Give Breast Cancer the Boot!

We love classic British Wellies. Usually we prefer the green ones, that is until we saw pink! Yes, that’s right. Hunter has come out with special edition Pink Wellies, making an initial donation of $50,000 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation through their Pink Welly Boot Promotion. And we couldn’t pass this up.

Every Hunter boot is made by hand, using a combination of modern technology and traditional craft techniques. The rubber they use is an entirely natural product, tapped from rubber trees in tropical plantations.

So this Saturday you’ll be able to spot us a mile away. We’ll be the girls in the pink Wellies at the soccer games (all seven of them). But at least we’ll be pretty in pink...and dry to our knees. And these classic Wellies are high enough to cover our calves, so they make us appear thinner and taller...definite extra credit.

Pick up your limited edition pretty in pink classic style Wellies, and while you are looking hot, you’ll be donating to our favorite cause.

Recycle in Style

You can tell a lot about a person by their recycle bin. We see you, hiding a couple of bottles under the cardboard or in the garbage, ‘cause you know the neighbors are eyeballing your bin in judgment (five wine bottles in a week...tsk, tsk). Oh and forget that we’re constantly reprimanded because we didn’t do it right, our jars are always dirty and they leave us these little notes. But we’re not talking about that....we’re talking about the bin itself. C’mon, let’s get creative. You’re not like everyone else with their humdrum yellow recyclers. You stand out head to toe to trash.

That’s why you need the intriguing Rectangular Crunch Basket by Umbra – an interactive, kinetic, multi-purpose container from The Container Store. It starts in the "crunched" position. To use, just pull it open and form it into a shape of your liking. It crunches back down for storage. And it’s attractive as it sits on the curb.

Your neighbors will covet your recycle bin and whisper as they drive by how together you are...despite all those bottles.

You are so smooth with the new seamless gorgeous IPEX demo bra with cute embroidery. The IPEX provides maximum coverage so no more – ahem – headlights.

It’s magic really. You are straight out of the Victoria’s Secret catalog, missy.

You are so hot!

No matter how much you remind your friends that you’re having a COSTUME party someone inevitably shows up in khakis and t-shirt. Well, good thing ya bought the ultimate party insurance!

These mask sets look terrific and will relieve your costume-free guests. Yay! Choose Silly Animals, Freaky Faces, or Horror Show.

Six masks per set. One size fits all.

Some people wear their hearts out on their sleeves...film actress and artist Lori Petty wears hers on a new line of clothing she has created called Lawd Knows. Lawd Knows is a creation of Lori Petty (“Prey for Rock and Roll,” “Tank Girl,” “A League of Their Own,” “Point Break”). She has combined the hot trend of conversational t-shirts and clothing with her own art and spirituality.

Lawd Knows features long-sleeve crew and split-neck jersey-style t-shirts, tanks, yoga pants, below-the-knee shorts and a unique hoodie with super-cape...all highlighted by Ms. Petty’s awe-inspiring and uplifting original artwork, available in fine boutiques nationwide. Styles retail from $55-$250.

Only peace, compassion, beauty, bliss, joy, and love.

Their gossip will delight you. Who could blame them for envying your white halter apron dress and its synchronized swirls of blue, coal and olive?

If you must be in the kitchen, if you must lift a finger, then look good doing it.

Now for every meal of the week, you deserve a different pretty apron; the perfect sexy fashionable accessory for the kitchen and a modern spin to the 50s icon. Like this Martini apron from Kitsch*n Glam...retro 50s glam aprons.

Life happens. Look fabulous.

You’re Kadorable, Dahling

What do you get your fashionista friend that has everything? How about a subscription to K Adorable dahling, the place of magic cotton pillowy t-shirt dreams...a new limited-edition t-shirt arriving on her doorstep each month. And these are totally cute.

Story: Once upon a time, there were jeans and sneakers that climbed trees and listened to records. They went on bike rides and took photos and dreamed of great things like buying more records and taking longer bike rides.

Sometimes they were a little cold in just their jeans and sneakers and needed to cover their skinny chests. So they went out and played with sharpies and pencils and ink and screens and made drawings and doodles and put them on some soft cotton t-shirts to cover themselves and run and sing more every day.

And other people also came out to play and wanted to have cute beasts and abstract blocks and line drawings of faces on their chests too. And so that is the story of how two boys made t-shirts for each other and their friends and then people started to want to buy them. And they did.

And that is the tale of k adorable.

Come in your best costume to rock out to choice hits of the 70s and 80s with DJ Teenage and Doors tribute band, The Doors of Perception, at Planned Parenthood's annual dance party. Don't miss out on raffles, door prizes, Choice Rocks! merchandise and more!

Saturday, October 15, 2005
8:00 - midnight
The Wonder Ballroom
128 NE Russell St., Portland

Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Cash bar for 21+. All ages
welcome.

Tickets also available at any PPCW health center or Jackpot Records store,
or by calling us at 503-788-7277.

Celebrating The Power Of Art To Heal: “Art of Surviving” Show Uses Visual Arts To Help Transform Suffering

In conjunction with October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, YWCA of Greater Portland is hosting Art of Surviving, a body of artwork created by those who have been affected by domestic violence and sexual assault who have come together to celebrate the power of art to express and heal. You're invited to attend the – which run from October 17-28 – at YWCA, 111 SW 10th Avenue in Portland:

• On October 17, from 6-8 p.m. an opening preview reception will kick off the Art of Surviving show. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served. Call 503.294.7382 or visit www.ywca-pdx.org to buy tickets, which are $25 per person. Proceeds benefit the YWCA.
• Starting on October 18, and going through October 28, the Art of Surviving show will be on display for the public. Admission is free and runs Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Heathman Restaurant Begins Afternoon Tea

Some traditions are worth continuing…year after year. The Heathman Afternoon Tea is a seasonal favorite for tea lovers of all ages and is served Saturday and Sunday at noon and 2 p.m. and daily starting after Thanksgiving at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Pastry chef Heidi Weiser has created a menu featuring assorted finger sandwiches, pastries and a wide selection of teas from Fonte Coffee & Tea Co. of Seattle, Wash.

Little Sippers Tea: With a floor-to-ceiling tree decorated for the holidays, “Ants on a Log” and hot cocoa, The Peter Rabbit Tea for Little Sippers is a downtown tradition. The pint-sized tea menu for $10.75 per person includes Peanut Butter and Jelly Pinwheel, Tillamook Cheddar and Swiss Blocks, Congolais and Chocolate Chip Cookies, and sliced fresh fruit and Ants on a Log.

Please make reservations 48 hours in advance at 503.790.7752.

We love our venison, elk, quail and squab just like the next girl, but here’s a chance to impress all the “men” in your life. Show them your “inner” hunter at the 5th annual Wild About Game and Wine Celebration on Saturday, October 2nd at the Heathman. While he is learning the finer side of cooking with game, you can swirl and sip some of Oregon’s finest wines and rub shoulders with Alton Brown, your favorite Food Network star. Watch award-wining chefs vie for top honors as they compete in a black box cooking competition – they don’t know their main ingredient until they open their box! Pick up a few cookbooks for your collection signed by our favorite game chefs – from Janie Hibler and OPB’s Lynne Rosetto Kasper to Stu Stein and Alton Brown.

Kick off the celebration with Wild About Game Week from – October 14-23rd and visit your favorite restaurant for a special game dish featured on the menu. Dine everywhere from Andina to Carafe, Fratelli and clarklewis…and see what new ways game can be prepared.

Go to www.nickyusa.com for tickets and a list of Wild about Game Week restaurants.