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October 17th, 2008
“It’s not easy being green.” Or is it? Sorry, Kermit, but it is easy—and stylish and rewarding—and sometimes, it’s downright fun. Welcome to the first-ever Portland Picks Green Guide! It’s a no-nonsense guide with great ideas for incorporating earth-friendly ideas into your life, and somehow—especially right now—dedicating an entire issue to being Green seems like the right thing to do. So take note of our myriad and varied ideas for Green living, and do your part to make the world a better place, one item at a time. P.S.: No more paper or plastic! Forward this issue to 5 friends and CC picks@portlandpicks.com, and you could win an adorable and eco-friendly shopping bag from Green Chic Bag Co.! Portland Picks’ Treat Yourself Right Guide: |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Green Your Wardrobe with Vintage Fashion What's chic, glamorous and always green? Vintage clothing, of course! AlexSandra's Vintage Emporium is a haven for the fashion maven with the largest collection of vintage costume jewelry in Portland plus scores of adorable dresses. See their bewitching styles in action on the last Tuesday of every month at their Vintage Fashion Show & Sale, and if you live in N/NE, they’ll deliver by bicycle! Mention Portland Picks to get 20% off your purchase AlexSandra’s Vintage Emporium |
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| 2 | Recycling Has Never Been More Stylish We have an unrealized artistic bent—we can’t make anything on our own, so we turn to the artists at Redux. It’s a lovely jewelry and accessories boutique, as well as a consignment gallery of contemporary crafts and functional art, from housewares and furniture to lighting and wearables. (More than 120 artists!) Whether it’s reclaimed, reinvented or fair trade, Redux has an amazing selection. Plus they feature artists every First Friday! Redux, shop/gallery |
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| 3 |
When we were kids, we could spend hours happily occupied with markers and white paper. Stubby Pencil Studio takes it a step further! Color 'n Kids™ cards have clean, bold illustrations for children to color and practice tracing their letters. (Also: custom designed cards, personalized for gift-giving.) Plus earth-friendly art supplies like crayons made from soy, natural play dough, non-toxic wooden toys, and sketchbooks and journals made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Earth-friendly fun! |
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| 4 |
Green cleaning means a lot more than using vinegar to wash windows, and Cleaning Green, Portland’s first Green cleaning store, is your one-stop shop! All your Green supplies are here: biodegradable and bio-compostable cleaning products, health and beauty aids like shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, toothbrushes, lotions, soaps, even razors made from recycled yogurt containers and products for pets and kids! And the friendly, knowledgeable staff can answer questions and help you make a difference. Cleaning Green |
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| 5 |
Now that energy costs are increasing, it’s time to make your house as efficient as possible. Energy Trust of Oregon gives cash back when qualifying upgrades are made to homes and businesses. The more projects you do, the more cash incentives you’ll receive. Need some ideas? Upgrade your furnace and heat pump, improve duct sealing and insulation, add solar electric and water-heating and more. Get started with a free Home Energy Review from Energy Trust! |
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| 6 |
It’s so much easier to be Green when you have a support system, and there’s a simple way to reach out and be heard: 1ThingNW. They have tips for Green living, plus actual help and even eco news from the northwest and around the world! It’s all-new and interactive, so you can join other Green-minded folks to discuss the issues in our community… and beyond. It’s all it takes to make a difference. |
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| 7 |
When the clerks at TJ’s give you dirty looks for taking their paper bags, you know it’s time to switch up. And what’s cuter than a pin-up glamour girl on a great tote that you’ll use every day? We love these bags from Lucky Lou. With vintage embellishments like blinged rhinestones, they’re a diva-licious alternative to generic bags. Plus the sturdy cotton/canvas means they’ll last for years, and they have… pockets! |
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| 8 |
We still have our Lincoln Logs. Wonder if they’re made of reclaimed wood? Not likely—but you are likely to find eco-friendly, chemical-free and non-toxic toys at Golden Key Toys & Games, plus high-end kids’ room accessories and furnishings. Get the Project Table & Stools Art Time Easel for your budding artist, or a New Adventure Vehicle for your outdoorsy tot. Sign up online for their mailing list and the holiday catalog! |
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| 9 | How Big Will Her Footprint Be? |
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| 10 |
We're not quite ready to pack into Smart Cars for long road trips. The solution? The new street-legal vehicle from EZ Go, which can be operated on any city street with a 35 MPH or less posting. It’s completely electric, and affordable enough that you don’t have to give up your “real” car to own one. It has headlights/tail lights, seatbelts, a horn, and a cover (this is Portland), and it’s perfect for running errands! |
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Shopping resale is green, gorgeous and guilt-free! Here We Go Again Consignment has new treasures arriving every day—in two ideal locations! We’re talking fabulous finds from designer labels (Prada, Coach, Eileen Fisher, Betsey Johnson, Ugg) for a fraction of the original retail price. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for (say, hot boots in your size), HWGA adds it to your Wish List and contacts you when they arrive. Brilliant! |
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| 12 | Mark Your Calendar! |
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| 13 | Hip Threads for Your Eco-Lifestyle We love of-the-moment fashion, so when we found Greenloop we filled our closets with their hip and sustainable clothes. From the everyday basics you need to the fashion-forward outfits you want, you’ll find women’s and men’s clothes that are eco-friendly, modern and luxurious—a fusion of aesthetics and ethics. With a long list of conscientious brands and accessories (fabulous handbags, sunglasses, adorable hats, and even shoes) you’ll feel as good as you look. |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Pre-Season Sale at Signal Sports It’s snowing on the mountain so it’s time to gear up! At Signal Sports’ pre-season ski and board sale, you’ll save up to 70% last season’s gear and apparel, plus enjoy sale prices on all boots—the fit is guaranteed. Special preseason sale prices on K2, Nordica, Volkl, Tecnica, Burton, Arbor, Bonfire, Nils, and Fire and Ice! What: Signal Sports’ Pre-Season Ski & Board Sale |
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| 2 | Ignite Your Body, Mind and Spirit What: Body, Mind and Spirit Expo |
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| 3 | Fashion at its Cinematic Finest |
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| 4 | One Day Sale at Urbane Zen! Don’t miss the one-day sale at UrbaneZen—it’s only at the Lake Oswego location, and it’s only this Saturday! Go and enjoy goodie bags and giveaways, plus (drumroll, please) 20% off the entire store! Create the spa experience at home with luxurious bath and body items, robes and slippers, and even items for men and babies. |
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| 5 | Happy (Hot) Hour Join Jeri Rice as the Portland store celebrates their second birthday with their first-ever Happy Hour, featuring all-over style. See the season’s hottest little black dresses as models strut the store! See estate jewelry by Maloy’s, hot hair styles by FADA Salon, and makeup expertise (ask for sexy eyelashes!) by Event Cosmetics. Glam up and go! What: Birthday Bash Happy Hour at Jeri Rice |
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We hope you'll take our suggestions to heart and visit at least one of the businesses we featured this week. After all, Shopping Local is just as important as Going Green! |
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