More Chocolate, Please!

We know, you're still finding candy wrappers strewn around the house, and here we are talking chocolate again. But this is no mass-produced kiddie candy that you give away to ninjas and wizards who come begging at your door. No, this is the good stuff...a pure, decadent, treasured treat that you hoard for yourself when no one is looking.

We’re talking about Michele's Chocolates, which has recently moved to Hawthorne. Michele is a decadent and dedicated confectioner, beginning each day at 6 a.m. to make more than 31 flavors of her renowned chocolate truffles.

Michele has been making chocolate since 1986, selling wholesale, and she's recently opened up a retail store on Hawthorne where you can smash your nose up against the glass case in drooling admiration of her enormous selection. Michele's store and her chocolates are pure nirvana, and a must-stop shop for the holidays.

Michele's Chocolates
SE 22nd and Hawthorne
Portland, OR
503.656.0220
www.micheles.com

Yes! "I'll Have What She's Wearing!"

Things are shaking up on East Burnside, and it's not your favorite band rockin’ at Doug Fir. Yes boutique is moving up the street near Fix, across from the Jupiter, (Fix is changing its name to Denwave. What? See the next Pick, please!)

This month everything is on sale at Yes as they ready themselves for their move two blocks up. Yes has a huge collection of t-shirts we love, with vintage-style logos and Monsieur T's. They carry lots of unique jeans, great leather belts and knit hats. Their jewelry case is filled with fascinating pieces, many made by local designers, including the funky wooden jewelry by Caitlin Troutman. They have a nice handbag selection, jeweled clutches, orange retro bags made from French vintage vinyl, and so much more you'll want to say "Yes!" to. So skedaddle your fanny down there pronto, because for a limited time they are having a sale. But just until they settle into their new digs across from the Jupiter...so hurry up, and tell them Portland Picks sent you.

Yes
628 E. Burnside
Portland, OR
503.236.7788

We need our Fix! Fix, as mentioned, is soon to be known as Denwave, and it will remain an artful collaboration between Hazel Cox, Don Jones, and lovely Genevieve Dellinger.

Hazel makes gorgeous jewelry and has a little studio in back where she works on site. Don creates men's clothes: feathered prints, cool sweats, reconstructed clothing. Genevieve has her own original beautiful designs for both men and women. In this modern space, they focus on an androgynous style. Often the products they create and carry blur the line between what’s for men and what’s for women, including scents, accessories and clothing.

They also feature other designers from Portland, San Francisco and Boise, among other places. It's a very hip store, and the hipness extends to everything from wallets to t-shirts, knits, jewelry and organic oils. This is indeed wearable art.

Fix
811 E. Burnside
Portland, OR
503.233.3189

Lovely Lili

Okay, we're going to officially start our diet tomorrow...but first we're going to Lili's. Lili's Patisserie in Sellwood that is. Here you've traveled back in time, to Paris, to your little corner patisserie for scones, croissants, a little harvest tea (we'll travel far for this new addiction…black tea with pumpkin spice and steamed milk - magnifique!) French legend Edith Piaf croons her classic love songs on a scratchy album in the background. We don't understand a word, but still hum along as we unwind and are lured back in time.

This quaint little Sellwood treasure is decorated like an old inn, with cool painted floors, soothing blue and brown walls, and built-in traditional cabinets we'd love in our own kitchen. But back to the diet that we're starting tomorrow...today we must have more scones, more galette, more French pastry and dessert. Oh, and then there's lunch, their scrumptious paninis…mmm delish.

You can make yourself at home, and even bring the little ones if you'd like. There's even a little corner for them to busy themselves while you read the paper and relax.

Lili Patisserie
8337 SE 17th Ave.
Portland, OR 97202
503.233.8844

Back in the Day…

Everyone was more glamorous back in the day. Back when Cary Grant was the screen idol that men wanted to be and women wanted to be with. When charm and panache and class and places like John Helmer Haberdasher were much more common. Of course, today, when men wear backward baseball caps and shorts, is when we need John Helmer most of all.

And thankfully, they’re still going strong after almost 80 years in Portland. They carry some hard-to-find items like ascots and driving gloves, but what really makes John Helmer spectacular is their carefully selected menswear and their incredible selection of hats!

Thankfully, men are becoming more interested in dressing up. When we were in the store we watched several stylish young men practically drool over the hats, from straw to felt to driving caps to fedoras and everything in between – even beanies with propellers. (No, we’re not kidding, and no, those are not indicative of the impressive style and quality of the other selections.)

Men should wear hats – they’re functional and dashing. Bring your boyfriend to John Helmer, find his fit, and prepare to swoon!

John Helmer Haberdasher Inc.
969 SW Broadway
Portland OR 97205
503.223.4976
www.johnhelmer.com

Delicious, Delicious Brunch

What are you doing Sunday, say from 10-2? And are you hungry? Because we know of this charming little boite where you can feast on the most delectable dishes, all for under $10. Order a mimosa or a latte and baby, you’re in heaven.

Or more likely, you’re at Pix Patisserie’s southeast location, where the brunch is hopping on Sundays and it’s worth the wait. You get to hang curbside in a charming part of the city, and then squeeze in next to other savvy brunchers to dine on sophisticated and hearty breakfast fare in their sweet and sophisticated, Frenchified little space.

Our favorites were the Savory Crepes with Butternut Squash, Bacon and Crème Fraiche; and the French Toast with Pear Syrup and (fresh) Whipped Cream. Pix partners with Simpatica Catering on Sundays to bring these and other dishes to lucky diners. The seasonal menu changes each week but some favorites show up again and again.

Ooh, and here’s the scoop! The Sunday brunch at Pix will only last til the end of the year, when it moves to their dining hall (currently under construction, but located near the legendary La Luna.) We’ll be there…will you? (Say yes! Say yes!)

Pix SE
3402 SE Division
Portland, OR 97202
503.232.4407
www.pixpatisserie.com

Embrace the Island Lifestyle

Visit MNL STYLE, a Filipino boutique based in Portland. Step into the tropics, and out of this rain in their sweet little showroom. And if you really want to stay dry, visit them online and be whisked away for a shopping spree to Manila.

MNL STYLE brings the culture, artistry, and beauty of the Philippines to our fair city. This transcontinental relationship between the islands and Portland is reflected in the MNL STYLE name — MNL is the airport code for Manila. By combining modern design with a social mission, founder Katrina Gonzalez Yuen and her husband Justin sought to communicate the East-meets-West story of the Filipino people. Each hand-selected product is created using unique craftsmanship, natural materials, and contemporary colors.

Don't miss their MNL STYLE First Thursday showroom parties. Each month they feature a special artist exhibition, along with drinks, music, and finger foods. This block, by the way, is quickly becoming a popular First Thursday destination, so drop by to join in on the fun. The showroom is open Saturday afternoons and by appointment.

MNL Style is part of the Activspace community, a building with a wonderful mix of artists and entrepreneurs. While you visit the MNL showroom, spend an afternoon there and grab a coffee at Segafredo Zanetti, purchase some handcrafted glass jewelry at Magma, and get a massage at Sattva.

MNL Style
1720 NW Lovejoy St., #107
Portland, OR
971.570.2956
www.mnlstyle.com

Make “Arrangements” for Thanksgiving

Have you been to The Arrangement yet? If you have yet to experience this fabulous store, now is definitely the time to do it. You can scoop up gifts for everyone and still have time to find a little something to decorate your home for the holidays. During the month of November there will be special items and happenings to make your Thanksgiving beyond perfect.

They also feature a wealth of fabulous gift items like Blenko glassware, unique jewelry, lotions & potions from brands like The Thymes, and even scarves, clothing and Hobo bags. And for children, there are Robeez shoes and Petunia Picklebottom bags, plus fun items for pets…the list goes on and on.

There’s also everything you need to wrap those gifts! Just choose from their enormous selection of wrapping papers, bags and bows, and ribbons by the yard.

And why not create an occasion of your own? The Arrangement has a decadent selection of invites, note cards and stationery to impress your guests…or just to tickle your own fancy.

The Arrangement
4210 NE Fremont St.
Portland, OR 97213
503.284.7142

A Certain Slant of Light
by Laura Whitcomb

We were in the mood for a ghost story. And, we NEEDED a love story. That’s when “A Certain Slant of Light” landed in our laps, to our delight! Okay, it’s supposed to be for young adults, but there’s a literary, ancient feel to the book. After all, the ghost, Helen, has been dead 130 years! And she hooks up with various hosts, trying to escape her own private hell.

The latest host is a high school English teacher, who doesn’t see Helen, but perceives her presence as a muse. One day, Helen realizes that one of the students in the class can actually see her, and, when James begins talking with her, she decides to find a teenage-girl body – Jenny’s – to jump into, so the lovers can be united.

Yes, there’s romance. Yes, there’s teenage angst. Yes, there’s big trouble when Jenny’s very conservative parents find out she’s fooling around. And, it’s all Helen’s fault! It is a spectral nightmare.

We just loved the enchanting sweetness of this book – and, then we trailed off in a dreamland with thoughts all the guys we want to haunt!

Contributed by Diana Jordan

Check you out. You're an entrepreneurial genius!

You can officially call yourself a designer. You've just created the smartest purse, the most clever hats, jewelry that is the bomb. But how do you tell the world about these amazing designs? You need Pitch!

Pitch is a press service for fashion and beauty clients vying for a valuable editorial placement at an affordable monthly rate. Pitch! puts all its energy into pitching and getting results. Check them out and be a star.

www.pitchpress.com

Do you live on your computer like we do? Do you find yourself watching movies on your laptop? Well now you can watch tv on your PC or Mac with the TEAC TV Tuner.

It’s like TIVO for your PC. The TEAC TV Tuner allows you to watch your favorite television show while also letting you record “Desperate Housewives” for later viewing. And if some scandal breaks, on say, David Letterman, you can record it and email it to a friend. Cool.

Hey, and guess what? Don't tell him...but it even comes with a remote!

Tee'd Off

One can never have too many t-shirts, after all there are 365 days in a year. Thank heavens we've found another t shirt designer with a bevy of styles just waiting for you, like this long-sleeve fitted dandelion or their “I love my gnome” shirt.

Oh, and since you're visiting anyway, check out their chocolate brown and blue dot pea coat. Divine.

Forget the torrential weather, this is Oreygone, which makes you a true Oregonian. What does that mean? Like the mailman, rain nor sleet, etc., etc. will not keep YOU inside. (You are so cool, you even shun the umbrella.)

To get you going you need an Electra! These are the cutest vintage bikes around. Though they may be vintage looking, however, they are constructed with modern day technology. No uncomfy booty here, and they come in 7 gears. Oh man, these are state-of-the-art with old-style cool.

Speaking of style: They are so groovy in pink pearl, Martha mint green, and in styles like the Twiggy, which has tassels and Western-stitched leather seats, The Betty, which has flames and whitewall tires, and the Rosie, which comes with rose-tattoo decals.

Do you have to put your purse down, shake it and feel around to find your keys? Here's a clever solution to that problem...the Purse Pal. This is so logical. It's an intensely bright light that clips onto your purse, and it comes in three colors. When you need something just switch it on.

The Purse Pal is all you need to gape into that cavernous black hole of a purse when you're looking for something. No more sifting among the crumpled receipts, tampon wrappers, spare change and loose mints.

Just aim, and Voila!

I Love Peanut Butter.com – what a dreamy creamy name! We wish we owned it. We do flips for Peanut Butter. Peanut Butter is our weakness. One little smidge of a taste and poof! The whole jar of Skippy disappears.

I love Peanut Butter.com is the appropriate extension of Peanut Butter & Company. And Peanut Butter & Co. is a cozy little sandwich shop in Greenwich Village, famous for their hand-made peanut butter and unique sandwich combinations. And now, much to our delight, you can buy their six different kinds of peanut butter online - from your own comfy cozy kitchen. And they even have their own signature cookbook so you can create everything peanut butter!

Try flavors like Smooth Operator, Crunch Time, Dark Chocolate Dream, White Chocolate Wonder, Cinnamon Raisin Swirl and The Heat is On.

Learn how to make the ideal vodka martini from one of New York’s hottest and most charming bartenders, Brian, who works at a super cool downtown spot called Public.

Impress your party guests with your classic James Bond martini-style. Video produced by Gen Art. Click on the video, watch and learn!

Now, who said Portland Picks wasn't educational?

Independently owned since 1993, Johnny Sole has just remodeled its entire second floor to add 1,500 square feet of clothing for men and women. The apparel lines are smaller national lines, a few international, and two local designers, but all are exclusive to Johnny Sole. Some of the clothing lines we love are Greed, Itsus, Brown Sound, Makool, Edle, Serfontaine, Imaginary Foundation and Meli Melo. All this in addition to their entire first floor of great footwear for men and women!

Johnny Sole is open Mon.-Sat. 11-6 p.m., and Sun. 12-5, at 815 SW Alder St., (corner of 9th and Alder), in downtown Portland.

Plan for the Holidays at the Heathman

Would you like to taste scrumptious holiday foods for free, plan your holiday meals, and get ideas for all of the season's parties?

You can get it all accomplished and give yourself a little R&R at The Heathman Hotel on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come on over to sip wine, pre-order holiday meals, and sample party trays, baked goods & desserts, prime rib, turkey, ham and more!

And here is the best part: They give you a $20 gift certificate good on your next purchase of $100 or more just for coming in.

EWOP 12 Fly with Fashion November 10th

Portland OR – Twelve prominent female business owners of Portland have
joined efforts to host a fashion, arts, and shopping evening Belle Epoque Salon on Thursday, November 10th. Benefits from the evening support the West Women’s Shelter.

Beginning at 8:00 pm, guests will delight in the fun and eclectic fashion show. Fantastical hair & flower creations will grace models by the designers of Belle Epoque Salon and Lavish.

Boutiques Nolita and Physical Element are providing the fashionable attire, coordinated with the glass jewelry of magma. And our canine cousins will strut the latest fashions from LexiDog Boutique. Following the show, all 12 businesses (listed to the lett) will offer products and gift certificates for sale, with 20% of proceeds directly supporting the West Women’s Shelter. Guests are invited to bring donations of clothes as well.

Belle Epoque Salon is located at 3713 N. Mississippi Ave. Wine and appetizers are provided and the event is free to the public. The public can contact Dayna Cakebread of Belle Epoque Salon at 503.286.2070 with questions.

EWOP, Entrepreneurial Women of Portland, began in early 2004 to raise awareness and to provide a support network for Portland’s entrepreneurial
women.

For more information on the event, please contact:
Jo Carter
Physical element
503.224.5425
jo@physicalelement.com

November Brown Bag Discussion

Examining Diabetes and Related Problems: A Woman's Health Issue
In recognition of American Diabetes Month, the OHSU Center for Women's Health invites you to attend this month's free women's health Brown Bag at Nordstrom Downtown Portland from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 10.

No RSVP is necessary, but seating is limited so come early and bring your lunch.

Andrew Ahmann, M.D., will discuss the far-reaching impact of diabetes and related metabolic diseases, including unique implications for women, young and old. Ahmann will review diabetes in pregnancy, heart disease in women with diabetes, the related problem of polycystic ovary syndrome, and tips for prevention and therapy. Ahmann is associate professor of medicine (endocrinology, diabetes and clinical nutrition), OHSU School of Medicine; and director of the OHSU Diabetes Center.

Make it a Farmers Market Thanksgiving Feast

Harvest all the fixings for a holiday feast at Portland Farmers Market annual Thanksgiving Market, Saturday, November 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the campus of Portland State University, between SW Montgomery and Harrison Streets.

nA cornucopia of local produce, cider, wine, farmstead cheese, chutneys, nuts, pies, artisan bread and homemade food gifts will give shoppers a naturally festive start to the holiday season.

Farm and nursery vendors will feature festive fall bouquets, wreaths and gourds of all sizes, perfect for table toppers, hostess gifts and front door décor.