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March 30th, 2007
We have a long history of people trying to dress us…from friends buying us jewelry that seemed “So You” to mom pushing items over the door in a thousand teenage dressing rooms. (“Don’t say anything till you’re wearing it,” she’d advise, as we choked and coughed our way through her pickings.) On principle, we rejected every item. (Sorry, ma, we know we put you through Hades with our brat attacks.) Plus, we’ve been told we’re not exactly flexible. About anything. So when we tried on a wrap dress—probably the one item (other than legwarmers) that we’d give a resounding NOT ME to if one was proffered—we were shocked. It looked so cute! We suddenly had a tiny waist, a long torso, and legs up to there. We loved it, and bought two in one week. But only because we found it on our own. Had someone thrown one over a dressing-room door, it would have been poo-poohed for sure. |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Pretty in Pink Our home office is getting a coat of paint in the next few weeks and—surprise, surprise—it will be the suitably glamorous shade of “Pink Tiara.” With this on the walls, it seems only fitting that a crystal chandelier should be on the ceiling. And where better to find the perfect light source than a clothing store? Yes, you read that right—Happenstance sells more than just tops and bottoms—they can also dress your home from head to toe. From the lighting to the Asian-influenced armoires and tables, everything is exquisite and available. Still, the real reason to visit this brand-new boutique is the clothing. With a focus on natural fibers, look for brands like Free People, AG Jeans and Joie, and pieces with special details like embroidery, ruffles and lace. Our favorite item was the lightweight cashmere hoodie by LA Made, which had to be the all-time softest thing we’d ever felt. From tough leather purses with steel studs to the most tender of spring’s dresses, Happenstance is fit for a princess, with or without the tiara. Happenstance |
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| 2 | Feathering the Nest One of our friends is the epitome of a Picks girl. She is trendsetting, smart and oh-so-savvy, which makes it virtually impossible to buy her a good gift. How do you find a present that surprises someone who’s so plugged in? We found our answer at Peggy Sundays, an ultra-girly housewares haven filled to the brim with fabulous finds. From the luscious lime green “Paris” doormat to pretty perfumes in lettered boxes, the store is a feast for the senses. Your nose (and your houseguests) will appreciate the wide range of room sprays, hand soaps and candles in scents from fig to gardenia. Within the shop, items are arranged in groups by color, so a complementary collection is easy to take home. Peppered throughout are inspiring books, delicate plates, and more glassware than you can shake a stick at…which would be a really bad idea. So what did we settle on for our friend? Since she reads Portland Picks, we can’t spill, but we like to think our gift is creative, useful and—with any luck—something she hasn’t seen before. Peggy Sundays |
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| 3 | The Wonderful World of Flowers Spring is in the air and our neighborhood is awash in the most wonderful colors. Golden trumpets, ruby blossoms, purple stems. Even the trees are pink! We discreetly snip stems on our walks to bring them home and plunk them in a tall glass—the floral design equivalent of Wonder Bread. With all the extraordinary flowers available in Portland (both in our backyard and in the markets), it’s really a shame that we don’t have more guidance in how to arrange them just so. So we turned to the Floral Design Institute, the largest floral design school in the world! (The Dutch have nothing on us, right?) They have hundreds of hands-on classes for beginners, professionals and everyone who loves flowers. Are you getting married? Learn how to make a sweet and wonderful hand-tied bouquet. Is your garden in bloom? Learn how to design with bulb plants and flowers or arrange spring roses. And with affordable and conveniently timed classes, there’s no reason you can’t pick up a new skill…or two! |
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| 4 | Fine Young Cannibals One thing we heart about Portland is a genuine interest in utilizing existing materials. At least close-in, lookalike houses are trumped by painstaking restoration. And it just so happens that we’ve found a new place that embraces that same “rolled-up-sleeves” principle, while remaining oh-so-hip: Cannibals. Cannibals is a retail gallery where everything’s had a previous life. All items are made by local artists, and the items for sale run the proverbial gamut. Try on a floppy hat made from a single necktie. Tell time from an old Lite-Brite that’s turned into a clock. Gaze at a painting on recycled canvas, or bring home a chic coffee table made from salvaged beams. Trust us, this is stuff you’ll want. It’s cool, not just Good For The Conscience. Our favorite items were the sculptures made from old car parts, like the beautiful, glowy stingray…shaped from an old Honda’s hood. A lucky U of O alumnus might enjoy the duck made from a Harley. Items change regularly, as will the window displays—watch for chicks in the window for Easter. And, you know, baby chickens too. Cannibals |
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| 5 | Our Favorite Things As a freshman in college, our roommate’s favorite movie was “The Sound of Music.” We could always judge her level of stress by how many times we had to listen to “My Favorite Things” and “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” during finals week—needless to say. we still know all the words. Though we still love “girls in white dresses and blue satin sashes,” we know that we can count on Frock to find all of our other favorite things. No longer located in its original location, Frock has reopened its doors down the street (still on Alberta!), with new hours, a sleeker interior and a wider selection of locally made designer goods, consignment clothing and vintage gems for women, men and kids. We love the baby kit by Pearly Grey, perfect for moms to be, and the 60s semi-collectable designer handbags by Enid Collins, not to mention local artwork by B. Dunn. At Frock, we have no problem finding a few of our favorite things. The tough part? Limiting our favorites to just a few. Frock |
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| 6 | When Your Cake Needs Icing Remember how a bazillion young girls wore sweatpants one summer that read “Juicy” on the derriere? It was a fashion trend too young for our old bones, and frankly our booties were juicy, too, but not in a good way. So we were skeptical about checking out the rest of the Juicy Couture threads. Then one magical day, we happened upon a hoodie t-shirt with the thinnest, most softest cotton and a deep V, and we were hooked. It was Juicy Mania from that point on. One of our most favoritest places to shop for Juicy Couture is Meringue Boutique. They have an amazing selection—they’ve chosen all the cutest styles, from saucy shirtdresses to supercomf hoodies—so all you have to do is choose your favorites. (Though that might be a tough task.) And mark your cals for their Juicy Couture Trunk Show, April 13 & 14, from 9 am-7 pm, and get there early, as there will be goodie bags for the first 50 guests, plus drawings during the event! Meringue Boutique |
  meringueboutique.com |
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| 7 | Enter the World of Art We love to be in the know about upcoming artists, but we don’t get the chance to do New York gallery hopping as often as we’d like. Fortunately for us—and our budgets—we don’t have to get on a plane to see exciting new works. Instead, all we have to do is head over to Motel, Portland’s hippest boutique art gallery. Motel features works of Portlanders and non-Portlanders alike, from Los Angeles’ up-and-coming darling Megan Whitmarsh (pictured) to Portland’s own Carson Ellis, whose work has graced the cover of many a Decemberists album. The impressive shows in their gallery space are a real treat, but the fact that they also continuously house multiple works from their represented artists makes collecting your favorite artists’ work not only convenient, but surprisingly affordable. The added bonus? Unlike the mandatory wearing of sneakers for tromping around to galleries in New York, you can wear your fancy shoes and still be comfortable. Motel |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Dress of the Month Club We often fantasize about dusting off our sewing machine to whip up something fun and frilly for springtime parties, but somehow we never quite get around to it. Thank goodness Dress of the Month Club is there to pick up the slack! All we have to do is choose our pattern and fabric, give them our measurements, and wait for our new frock to appear at our door! |
 myspace.com |
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| 2 | Fashionable Photography You’re Gisele, and your new hubby is Mark Vanderloo. It’s not a fantasy, it’s the work of Left Turn Studio, the merging of a fashion photographer and a former professional model who specialize in high-end wedding imagery. They have experience shooting major bridal magazine covers and couture gowns around the world. Add a soupcon of intuition and playfulness, and suddenly you’re captured gorgeously on your most beautiful day, and you have timeless, elegant photos to treasure for a lifetime. 503.236.6631 |
 leftturnstudio.com |
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| 3 | Help for Moms on the Go You’re a busy mama, what with Pilates class, volunteer work, your seat on the museum board, and social calls. Let’s not forget your job, and taking care of the kids. Call A Brilliant Nanny to help you juggle everything. With full-time, part-time or on-call nanny services, A Brilliant Nanny provides practical and reliable help. Their nannies are carefully screened, so they’re not only safe, but creative, cool people you and your kids will dig. And with summer coming, you need them more than ever! |
 abnanny.com |
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| 4 | Working Out is Fun? We are bound and determined to get off our keisters this summer and work up the nerve to wear tank tops. But we can’t do it without help. You know what we’re getting at—it’s time for Boot Camp with Recess! You’ll meet three times a week to get the ultimate summer bod, plus everyone is supercool, and they give you nutritional advice + free goodies (like a $75 gift card to lucy!) Feeling even more adventurous? Try surfing! (Ask them how!) 503.282.5560 |
 recessfitness.com |
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| 5 | Bathe Me, Baby We love taking baths. Frankly it’s the only time in the day we can lock the door and make it abundantly clear that this is not the time to bother Mommy. That said, we just discovered Bathe Me, a Portland-based company that makes the most delightful bath goodies. From bath and body oils in scents like Grapefruit & Orange and Spearmint, to milk baths in Coconut and Vanilla, plus luxurious bath teas in Jasmine, Lavender and Chamomile Flower, we are ready to relax! |
 batheme.com |
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| Event of the Week! | |||
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Bridgeport Village and Easter Seals of Oregon’s BloomFest present Va Va Va Bloom, March 29 through April 7. View fabulous tulip-themed garden displays, and purchase tulips (bunches of 10 are just $5 and benefit Easter Seals). Then, spot the decked-out store windows with gorgeous tulips and spring garden themes. You can even vote on your favorite! (Pictured here are ShoeFly, Mario’s 3.0, and Design Within Reach.) When you vote, you’ll be entered to win a $250 Village gift certificate! Click here for participating stores and more info! |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Big Party April 13: Fashion + Shopping + Fun You’re invited! Enjoy fashion shows by Gypsy Chic and yogashalaofportland (hair & makeup by Heidi Cuthbert and David Scott of Tonic Salon), tunes by DJ Mr. Mu Mu, shopping from Tube Your Lash mascara, io herbal alchemy, Rosie Ro handbags, Sock It To Me socks, & Bijoux Luck jewelry, plus free wine from Square Deal. What: A Shopping/Fashion Show/Party party ps: Slippers will be provided for maximum comfort, or BYOS! |
 gypsychicpdx.com |
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| 2 | Portland Farmers Market Returns A sure sign that winter has been put to bed is the re-opening of Portland Farmers Market, on Saturday, April 7. Marking the start of its 16th season, the market will be brimming with the tender yields of spring, vegetable starts and bedding plants, locally raised meats, wild fish, artisan cheese, and baked goods. |
 portlandfarmersmarket.org |
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| 3 | Spring Shoes on Sale at Signal Fashion and function meet at Signal! Save three ways: 1. Flip Flop Friday: Save 20% off flip flops from Reef, Cobian, Sanuk, Chaco & Patagonia. 2. Sport Shoe Saturday: Save on running, trail and water shoes from Merrell, Nike, Adidas and Etonic! 3. Street Shoe Sunday: Save 20% off shoes from Merrell, Privo & Patagonia. What: Spring Shoes on Sale at Signal |
 signalsports.com |
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| 4 | The Passover Supper |
 Send Email |
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| 5 | Experience Brunch at Hurley’s Hurley’s is now serving weekend brunch! Enjoy fabulous food in a casually elegant setting. Menu items—from savory to sweet—include an amazing Creole Eggs Benedict (with andouille sausage, crayfish and smoked tomato hollandaise), Omelet de la Mer (with diver scallops, prawns, fines herbes and crème fraîche), and more decadent delights. What: Brunch at Hurley’s |
 hurleys-restaurant.com |
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| 6 | Talula’s Pedicure Special It’s April, and that means one thing: Pedi specials at Talula’s! Buy one Ultra Pleasures Pedi for $35 and bring a friend for free. And don't forget they do manicures, too! PSU students: bring in your student ID through April and receive a complimentary Simple Pleasures Pedi! Call for an appointment. What: Talula’s Pedicure Special |
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| 7 | Power of the Purse What: Power of the Purse Auction and Dinner |
 girlsincnworegon.org |
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| 8 | OHSU Women's Health Conference |
 ohsuwomenshealth.com |
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| 9 | Tagg Shoes Opens Tomorrow! Find the hippest men’s, women’s and children’s styles at Tagg, from brands like Ted Baker, Worn Again, and Terra Plana, plus Scoop, Ed Hardy, Me in Mind, and Lelli Kelly. Plus, it’s from the fashionable folks who brought you Talula’s. Enjoy champagne and cupcakes all weekend as you shop til you drop! What: Champagne & cupcakes at Tagg Shoes! |
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So there you have it. Another week of ideas, fun things to do, and insider info from Portland Picks. Don’t ask us how we do it…we don’t know ourselves. Every week it just happens like magic. Ferreals. |
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