|
 |
August 15th, 2008
We had a birthday recently and somehow managed to pull off several celebrations (we’re Leos, through and through). One was a bit seedy, with cheap beer and bar food. One was backyard-BBQ glam, and the third was, well, it was adventurous. It was based on the conflagration of a small island, a dinghy without an engine and ten people, and seemed just brilliant in the wake of dead heat and city funk. So when we paddled out to this very fabulous, unnamed island like a pack of Skippers, we saw no fault to the plan. And we happily set up camp, prepared a feast and bonfired late into the night. Next day, after the current nearly took us to sea, we rowed back to the island, called for help, and with the assistance of our friends, returned to land—which we kissed upon arrival. Here’s a safer way to give yourself a present: Forward this issue to 5 friends and cc: picks@portlandpicks.com and you could win a cool Ed Hardy messenger bag from Regents Secret! Happy Birthday to you! |
||
Portland Picks: |
|||
| 1 | Make a Scene The City of Angels may be the stuff of Hollywood dreams, but our recent trip was more like a nightmare. While attempting to hit all the hot boutiques in town, we hit dead-end traffic, then got lost (take “The 101” to “The 110” to “The 10”?). Next, we got a parking ticket for an expired meter, and as our parting gift, we were charged 50 bucks at LAX for overweight luggage. Un-be-lievable. The next time we crave fresh fashion from L.A., we’ll be trekking no further than Mia’s Boutique, in quaint Multnomah Village. All of the apparel is handpicked from the L.A. scene, without the spendy price tags. The tiny closet-of-a-shop is filled to the brim with adorable dresses (hello Carrie Bradshaw!), cute tops, figure-flattering denim and must-have handbags (be ours, caramel leather satchel from Biasia). We also found silky pashminas, locally made jewelry, and funky belts. And though we’re still enjoying summer, fall coats are emerging—so skedaddle up there before they’re gone. Thanks to Mia’s we’ll be looking the part (fabulous) and swiping our credit card closer to home (sweet home). Mia’s Boutique |
|
|
| 2 | Pamper Us, Please! We’re not always glamazons, though we play them in your inbox every Friday. Between shopping, dining and cocktails with friends, we go to our “real jobs,” take out trash, pay the bills, clean the house, shop for groceries… in a word, bleh! So when we find a special place to get pampered, we are there. Our latest find? Mildred’s Beauty Spot. Literally a spot—a tiny but girlishly appointed room in a downtown office building—where proprietress Deb Beers specializes in lash extensions, skincare and brow grooming. (A note on the lash extensions: They look totally real—they just make your natural lashes thicker and longer!) Facials include gorgeous Le Mieux products, a super-neato Vitamin C molding mask (ask for it!) and an ultrasound “wand” to exfoliate skin. Icing on the cake? The prices are sooo right. More fabulousness: She works with a gal named Shana who does manis and pedis from the plush spot, and is bringing in the next hipster must-have: Minx nails. You have to see them to believe. Call for your appointment, and let the pampering begin. Mildred’s Beauty Spot |
|
|
| 3 | Straight from the Source We’ve had many identity crises—blue hair, weird piercings, really baaaaad make-up. While mom told us this was “an esteem thing,” as it turns out we just had this creative side dying to be exposed. And now that we’re all grown up, we see the advantage of pooling our creativity in a way that doesn’t make people stare. So we go to our new creative mecca, Paper Source, with its gorgeous stationery, letterpress thank-yous, recycled wraps and crafty staff. And with a variety of DIY classes every month, a girl can learn how to make anything from paper flowers to her own suite of wedding invitations. The big bonus? They are eco-friendly and strive to be green in everything they do. So the next time we get an urge to craft us some cat eyes with black eyeliner, we’re heading to Paper Source to purge those urges at the source. Our friends will be thankful. p.s. Their Grand Opening is tomorrow, so go welcome them (and enjoy free classes)! Oh, and tell them Portland Picks sent you! Paper Source |
|
|
|
|||
| 4 | Out with the Old We recently started a new tradition around our office. Whenever someone resigns, they are obligated to bring in a bottle of quality liquor for the person who will take the announcement the hardest. Last week, we got such a bottle. And though the gift helped numb the pain, what really made things easier to take was the post-work consumption at the new Radio Room on NE Alberta. Located in what used to be a gas station, the Radio Room retains an “art deco meets modern” vibe, with a roll-up garage door, eye-catching wall art and overhead music ranging from Morphine to Interpol. Outdoor seating is ample, with two levels to properly soak in Portland’s limited sunshine and enjoy the street scene below. The menu is filled with down-home options including pot pie and meatloaf, spiced up with a classic Sidecar and a Bloody Mary. Really, no matter what time you show up—brunch, lunch, happy hour or dinner—you’re sure to find something comforting, no matter what kind of news your workday might bring. Radio Room |
|
|
| 5 | Get Out & Play Growing up, we spent summers at camp with our best girlfriends. Ah, those were the days: swimming in the lake, sitting ’round the campfire, giggling late into the night under a blanket of stars. You just couldn't keep us inside (except to braid friendship bracelets for our crushes, natch). So when our girlfriend suggested we check out Portland Fit Camp, we jumped at the chance, because it’s really just serious playtime for grown-ups. The four-week-long exercise camp for women meets at Lower Macleay Park in NW Portland in small, intimate classes of between 5 and 25 women. We especially liked the personal attention we got—it was almost like having our own personal trainer outside (but not quite as embarrassing because we had our girlfriends to help deflect some of the attention)! |
|
|
| Cocktail of the Week: | |||
A Straight Shot of Silver We don’t need no stinking shot glasses! Oh boy did we just get an education. (Hic!) It turns out that fine tequilas are made to be sipped—not mixed in foofoo drinks. So this bottle of 1800 Select Silver has a stopper that does double-duty as a shot glass. Oh, and it’s the only 100-proof tequila, so you’ll be the life of the party when you show up with it! Olé, indeed. www.1800tequila.com |
|||
| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Better than Nothing We like granny panties. We're not gonna lie. We wear boy shorts and an occasional "frilly" underthing for a few minutes at a time (ahem), but overall we aim for comfort. When our friends recommend the "hot panties" of the month, we'll try them, but invariably find ourselves itching and yanking our way through the day. Totes unladylike! Until we found Commando "invisible underwear." They're laser cut so there are literally no seams. They lay completely flat against your skin so they're super comf and—get this—no muffin tops, no panty lines! (Get yours at Nolita.) www.nolitaonline.com |
 |
|
| 2 | So Many Babies, So Little Time We are celebrating the arrival of three—yes three—babies this week, and our heads are exploding. Between the showers and the hospital visits and the oohing and ahhing, we’re spent. But somehow buying baby clothes always leaves us happy. And Sofia Bean’s adorable array is always welcomed by new moms. We are stocking up on their gift boxes—you choose the items and how much you want to spend, from $25–$100. Happy baby, happy Auntie! www.sofiabean.com |
 |
|
| 3 | Can You Keep a Secret? If we could afford the plane tickets, we’d join our NYC girlfriends at those super-chaotic, grab-it-and-look-at-later Manhattan sample sales they keep bragging about. But the fact is we can live without the chaos. Luckily we don’t need to live in the Big Apple to score the designer goods we crave. We rely on Regent’s Secret—a members-only online boutique that has sales all the time! Next up is Ed Hardy—women save big August 18–20, while men snag deals August 20–22. Oh it’s good. Regents Secret |
 |
|
| 4 | Improve Your Outlook In addition to handbags and shoes, a girl can never have too many sunglasses. We crave them like junkies and won’t stop til we have a pair to match every outfit. But since we’re strapped for time, we shop online for our specs via local outfit A Sight for Sport Eyes. They have tons of specs for outdoor doings, but we love their chic and well-priced selection of “lifestyle” sunglasses—there’s a pair to top off every getup! www.sporteyes.com |
 |
|
| 5 | Message in a Bottle In high school, we were anti-club. Debate club, glee club, chess club… they just weren’t our thing. But now that we’re older, we’re all about finding new ways to socialize with people who have common interests. Enter Portland Uncorked, a wine club that’s not about sending you bottles at home, but instead touts social activities where you can mix and mingle with other oenophiles. Joining now is free and gets you discounts around the city. Count us as a member! www.portlanduncorked.com |
 |
|
| Event of the Week: | |||
Street of Dreams Ever wondered what it would be like to live the good life in a fabulous home? Stop daydreaming and experience the Street of Dreams Tour of Homes. From green homes to gorgeous décor to creative use of space and materials, the Street of Dreams reflects the best in luxury home design. Would you rather see new design ideas in a master home, or on a showroom floor? We thought so… see you there! What: 2008 Street of DreamsWhen: Aug. 16–Sept. 14; 11 am–10 pm Where: Take the Johnson Creek Blvd. Exit off of I-205 and follow the signs to the show. Admission: $17.50 adults (includes parking); $5 kids 6–12 Visit: www.streetofdreamspdx.com |
|||
Hip Happenings: |
|||
| 1 | Hooray for Hawthorne Day! Shopping, dining, family activities, films, live music, interactive arts, a carnival, free kickboxing classes… need we go on? There is so much to do/see/hear/experience at Hawthorne Day tomorrow that we literally cannot fit it all in. Check their website for all the details. If you can’t find something to do… well… we don’t know what to say about that! What: Hawthorne Day Street Fair |
 |
|
| 2 |
|
||
| 3 | Book Now for Holiday Photos! Every family should have professional photos taken—heartfelt photography that shows how hip and natural your brood can be. Call Jen Downer at She Saw Things photography. Book your photo session between now and Sept. 15, and receive a complimentary set of 25 custom-designed holiday cards or a set of 25 4x6 prints (all the same image). What: Free holiday cards or 4x6 prints |
 |
|
| 4 | Don’t Stop Shopping! We just got the news—Talula’s closeout sale is happening every weekend until Labor Day… or the goods are gone. The sale is happening downstairs, and you can save a staggering 50–75% off retail on current styles from brands like Miss Sixty, Seychelles, BCBG, L.A.M.B, Sam Edelman, Oh Deer!, Report, Betsey Johnson, Beverly Feldman and more! What: Final closeout sale for Talula’s shoe store |
 |
|
| 5 | Rock the Runway Fashion rocks at the annual Rock the Runway event, now in its third year (this year filmed for MTV and the Style Network!) Benefiting the Shoe Fairy Foundation and Oregon Food Bank, RTR keeps Portland hip and pulls out the stops with a special lineup of bands, plus a silent auction and treats by Cypress Restaurant and Bar. What: Rock the Runway |
 |
|
| 6 | New Patio for Summer! What: Events and dining on McCormick’s new outdoor patio |
 |
|
| 7 | Dinner with Your Dog No need for a doggie bag when your four-legged friend joins you for dinner at Jake’s Famous Crawfish for the Third Annual Dog Day of Summer. Dinner guests (human and canine) can enjoy a three-course meal, while proceeds benefit the DoveLewis 24-Hour Emergency and ICU Animal Hospital. Yellow Lab, Pug or Poodle, they’ll be happy and so will you! What: Third Annual Dog Day of Summer Dinner with Your Dog |
 |
|
| 8 | An Incredible Evening with The Portland Ballet The Portland Ballet presents a Masters Workshop Performance featuring 30 ballet dancers, three renowned ballet masters, and spectacular performances of George Balanchine's "Raymonda Variations,” John Clifford’s “Sonata,” accompanied by Portland Youth Philharmonic cellist Boris Popadiuk, and more! This is the last ballet performance of the dance season. Don’t miss this exceptional evening! What: Masters Workshop Dancers in Performance |
 |
|
Whether you’re rocking the runway, the Bunco group or Little Jason’s soccer game, look to Portland Picks to keep you in style—and independent! |
|||
|
Be sure to visit www.portlandpicks.com and check out past issues in our archives. If you like what you see, forward to a friend and encourage them to check out www.portlandpicks.com and subscribe for free! It's easy--there's a box in the upper left to enter your email address. If you would like to make a suggestion, please email us at contribute@portlandpicks.com. Share your favorite ideas for Picks, tell us about terrific products or services, announce a sale or event, or let us know what you think of Chicago Picks! Website and weekly issues maintained by Studio Ridge.com. |
|||
