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June 22nd, 2007
When did shopping for plane tickets online become such a hassle? Wasn’t the whole point that they were “so quick so easy so cheap and you don’t have to talk to actual humans” the whole point of making their purchase available via computer? The other day we tried to make plane reservations online through one of those big companies that has like every airline—or at least, they’re supposed to. But that’s another story. The first problem we ran into—three times in a row—was that the flight we requested had this screen at the end, right before you order, that says “this ticket is not available as an electronic ticket.” So why are you selling it online?!?!? This was frying our brains! Maybe we can’t set up a crackberry, but gol-darnit if there’s one thing we know how to do, it’s shop online. So we called their help center (after two nerve-soothing vodka tonics), and spoke to someone who was just a hair more helpful than the computer. “What’s the problem?” he asked. “We keep getting a message that says this ticket isn’t available electronically.” “Well,” he would say, “I don’t see that message.” “Well,” we retorted, “we do, see?” “But I don’t.” “Listen, buddy, we’re at home on the computer, trying to order this ticket, and it says we can’t. That’s why we called. We kind of don’t care what it says on your screen.” “But I’m not getting that message.” “What do we have to do to order this ticket from you?” “Oh,” he says, enlightened, “You want to order by phone?” “Yes,” we said, barely holding in our contempt. “Okay, that will be another $25.” Aaand…scene. |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Golden Empire When we were in school, the cool kids were always kitted out. They looked effortlessly cool. They read effortlessly cool books, wore effortlessly cool clothes, spoke of effortlessly cool books and movies. And now, like us, you too can become a Cool Kid. Or, maybe make that a Cooler Adult. Tender Loving Empire is now open in NW Portland. If it’s art, and it’s independent, it’s at Tender Loving Empire. Local comic books, art and culture zines, earrings, magnets, awesome t-shirts and cute tops for us girlies, wood-covered blank journals, locally made coasters, postcards. There are even some great purses to feed our bag appetite. And there are books of art and clever verbiage, like The Art & Design of Morning Breath (we’re getting that one for the spouse). So take our Portland Picks challenge: If you can’t find a gift you like for someone you like, or don’t want a number of things in the store? Well, maybe you should just join another empire. An evil empire. Cause this place is all about the love. Tender Loving Empire |
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| 2 | Pretty Plants and So Much More It may be officially summer, but we’re literally writing this while wearing our winter puffer-vest. Mother Nature is hanging on to her gray skies way too long in our opinion; however there is a silver lining to these cloud-covered days—they’re ideal for gardening. Which brings us to Garden Fever—a lot. This place is just awesome. It’s locally owned (love it) and stocked full (but not too full where you can’t move around) of all things garden-related. Seeds? Tons. Birdfeeders? So many. Books, gloves, furniture and fountains? All so cute. And plants? Of course. The outdoor nursery is really well organized and so relaxing. We found ourselves sitting on one of their wrought-iron benches just so we could take in all the fresh, floral smells (okay fine, we checked our voicemail, too). Probably the best thing about Garden Fever is how on-it they are with the service. They always have lots of nice folks around to answer any questions you have about garden stuff; which is great, because we always have a lot of those! Garden Fever |
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| 3 | Grand Dame Oh, bread. We love you so. You’re what we want after working out. You’re what we want before working out. You make us want to work out. And there’s a certain bakery and café where it always works out for us: Grand Central. Grand Central Bakery is getting even bigger and better this week; they’ve just moved their bread production and offices to an airy converted factory in NW Portland, a hop, skip and jump from NW 23rd. The extra elbow room results in even fresher bread, jostle-free bakers, and happy customers who can enjoy the bakery’s sandwiches, soups, salads, coffee, and pastries in light-flooded spaces, with gorgeous salvaged woodwork and modern treated-concrete floors. The new café opened just this Wednesday, and this Saturday from 10 am-3 pm they’ll be having a “Bakery Fair,” complete with baking contests and a Cake Walk. No, really! A cake walk! As a side note, can we reveal our soft spot for Grand Central? It was the first place we went when we arrived in Portland to no friends and an empty refrigerator. And the fact that their bread rocks doesn’t hurt, either. Grand Central Bakery |
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| 4 | Blue Jean Genie Let’s be honest. Shopping for jeans has never been our favorite pastime. We’re short and curvy and truth be told, all jeans were NOT created equal. That’s why we love Blake! Oh yeah, we also love his denim store, aptly named: blake. Self-proclaimed denim guru (he comes highly recommended!) Blake is the go-to man to finding the best denim for your body. Finally! Not only does blake carry more brands of denim than any other store in Oregon, he carries lines that are exclusive to his store including Rag and Bone, Chimala, Kicking Mule and Tsubi. Blake’s motto isn’t about selling you jeans; he cares more about teaching you about the perfect jean for you. How’s that for customer service? In addition to denim lines for men and women, blake also carries clothing with a funkier edge. We recommend booking an appointment, because let’s face it, the man is popular, and you deserve to find the perfect pair (or three). We did, and trust us, they weren’t the skinny jeans… blake |
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| 5 | Just What You Needed When we’re shopping, we don’t like to be stopped. Unless, of course, it’s for a cocktail, or a delish meal that refuels our motors so we can get back to shopping without experiencing that weird low-bloodsugar thing and start to get woozy… (And we just realized…that never happens when we’re looking at shoes…wonder why?) In any case, we just had the most delightful lunch at a new spot in Bridgeport Village called Blue Tangerine. They offer a range of Mediterranean dishes—from lemony baba ghanouj to flatbread pizzas, fresh salads and delicious kabobs that they grill right in front of you—see if you can resist the chicken with saffron-garlic marinade! And the meza (appetizer) plates are huge—four appetizers served with pita—so bring a friend for those. Blue Tangerine is also incredibly casual—you order at the counter, then grab a table in their airy, comfy space. And if you’re a power shopper and don’t have time to take a seat, don’t worry—you can order it to go. Blue Tangerine |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Rush into It About a year ago our friend showed up toting a super awesome bag. “Where’d you get it?” we demanded. “Oh,” she said, ever so joyfully, “my boyfriend made it for me.” We were stunned. This bag was super tailored and looked like it would’ve taken a factory to build—but no, her mega-creative boyfriend crafted it. Luckily for the rest of us, he has just starting selling his bags and belts at select Portland retailers and online. Go forth and shop, and tell him Portland Picks sent you! |
 rushaccessories.com |
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| 2 | Weekdays Will Never Be the Same When you’re having a hectic week, what better treat than a fun lunch out with 8 or more of your BFFs…in an Executive Touch Limousine. Check out Limo Lunches with Dessert Noir—they’ll pick you up at home or work, take you to Dessert Noir for a delish lunch, then drop you off, in style, for only $25 a person. This is the most fun you’ll have at lunch, ever. You’ll feel pampered by Dessert Noir…even if you don’t feel that way at work. For reservations, email: Monique@dessertnoir.com! |
  dessertnoir.com |
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| 3 | Say It In Style There once was a time when we bought cards from places like Hallmark and Target. We’ve since grown up and graduated to letterpress notes, which better reflect the style we like to think we possess. Enter Tenth and Grant, the new line of artisan paper goods from Portland’s own Pinball Publishing. Affordable, sustainable and handcrafted, each design comes courtesy of renowned talents like Carson Ellis and Ian Lynam. Coasters, notepads or cards, they’re sure get you noticed for your incredibly good taste—versus your penny-pinching ways. |
 tenthandgrant.com |
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| 4 | Light Up Your Life HiiH Gallery’s reputation precedes it. For years, we’d hear about a place that sold incredible handmade lamps and light sculptures. We’d see them at Justa Pasta and Berbati’s. And finally, while ambling down Alberta, we found the store. HiiH’s owners create lamps inspired by flowers, sea creatures and insects, all with a simple, Asian aesthetic. Made from paper and painted with watercolors, each piece has a translucent, ethereal quality and is as much about providing light as it is about adding a unique art piece to your home. |
 hiihgallery.com |
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| 5 | Sing Them to Sleep When we were little, our mom used to always sing us that silly song about mares and kids eating oats. So maybe that explains our weakness for Mairzey Dotes, which offers hip blankets perfect for our own tiny tots. Combining fashion and function, each blanket exudes a hip, retro style, but is 100% machine-washable. Our favorites are the “vintage collection,” made with chenille and cotton prints that remind us of bygone eras, when our mom used to sing us to sleep. |
 mairzeydotes.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | “An Evening in the Garden” Spend a beautiful evening sipping cocktails at fabulous Farmington Gardens! Call the BFFs, and enjoy an evening with Portland designer JJ DeSousa, of Digs Inside & Out. She’ll demo plants in new and funky ways to help you spiff up your outdoor spaces. Refreshment from Hip Chicks Do Wine and Roots Organic Brewery. Goody bags to the first 100! What: “An Evening in the Garden” |
 farmingtongardens.com |
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| 2 | Two Events/One Night at OFFICE! 1) adidas originals is helping to sponsor an art show featuring 12 PDX artists, using a skateboard deck as their canvas, and a superstar II shoe as inspiration; 20% of sales benefit Portland Skateparks. 2) Willamette Week is launching their free travel-guide magazine, “Finder,” with a party at Office. Free New Deal cocktails for those 21+, live DJ, plus a limited-edition Finder! |
 officepdx.com |
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| 3 | Cocktail Classes at Ten01 Learn how to create signature cocktails as well as the classics that inspired them with fun and affordable classes at ten01. What could be more useful? First up is “An Introduction to Pre-Prohibition Cocktails” which showcases recipes dating back to the 1850s, including an original Manhattan. More classes follow in July & August. Call for details! What: Cocktail Classes at ten01 |
 ten-01.com |
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| 4 | Look Your Best This Summer! Need a reason to feel beautiful? Save $300 when you purchase a Synergie Cellulite Treatment package from DermEssentials Skin Spa. Synergie Cellulite Treatments reduce the appearance of cellulite and decrease inches in trouble spots such as the waist, hips and thighs. Look great—and get great savings on an effective treatment. (Regular price is $1200.) What: Save $300 on a Synergie Cellulite Treatment package |
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Whether your summer plans include a stint in rehab like La Lohan, a spiritual awakening in jail like Paris, or a sleepy getaway to the beach (perhaps with your Pool Boy?), don't forget summer television in all its cheesy glory. Like the new guilty pleasure where the 20-year-olds battle the 40-year-olds for the affections of a not-so-yummy bachelor; or the new CMT series, “My Big Redneck Wedding,” which takes place in Portland and features our girlfriend, Jeana, who sells radio advertising at Entercom. Plus, even more fabulous, we were shocked to learn that our very own publisher has a cameo (we love that she would debase herself for reality tv), and we are now incredibly stoked that it airs tonight. We knew it was going to be a good summer! |
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