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Our grandmother spoiled us rotten. Not just with love, but with shopping trips to the mall. She would spend hours watching us pick out slap bracelets and Keds, ready to buy anything that grabbed our attention. She was like our Goddess of Shopping, and we likely have her to thank for our grown-up retail addiction.
And our resolve has been stretched to the limit with the opening of NE Portland’s newest boutique, Golden. Intimate and cute, Golden is stocked full of hot summer fashions that beg to be worn and adored. Everything was spot-on without being uber-trendy—perfect for everyday life and on-the-go needs. We found flirty dresses (just in case we dance on a cruise ship) and fun tops (for a hot date here in town). And their well-edited selection of scarves and jewelry ensures that we’ll always have the hippest finishing touch.
Though our tastes have changed a bit since our days of shopping with  Grandma, we found that our Inner Goddess of Shopping is quite savvy and sophisticated. And Golden just may be our new go-to.
Golden
1623 NE 15th Ave.
Portland, OR 97232
503.546.0446
www.goldenportland.com
VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Rating: 9.0/10 (1 vote cast) VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Share
The last time our parents came to visit, they got a hotel room. We were slightly put out—are our towels not soft enough? Is the “guest room” in the basement not welcoming? Do we make too much noise in the morning and interrupt your beauty sleep? Don’t you like our dogs???
Then we visited their hotel, and we knew exactly why they left (our) home. They stayed at The Avalon, which is right on the Willamette, and they took advantage of all the amenities—the sumptuous rooms, the gorgeous spa, the river walk just steps outside… they even dined at Aquariva, right next door. So after they left, we treated ourselves to a spa day of our own at the Avalon. We indulged in a massage and a pedicure (for $135… total!) and luxuriated in their sauna and the Jacuzzi pool between treatments. It might have been one of the best days ever.
Once again, Mom and Dad showed us that they know best. The next time they visit, we’re all staying at the Avalon!
Avalon Hotel & Spa
455 SW Hamilton Court
Portland, OR 97239
503.802.5800
www.avalonhotelandspa.com
VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast) VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Share
Growing up, we heard it a thousand times: “Share with your sister!” Treats always had to be split right down the middle—even-steven—or there’d be whining, crying and pouting. Once, our sister “claimed” the last cookie in the jar by licking it. Sibling saliva? No thanks.
Cooties aside, we know of two sisters who enjoy sharing and even opened up a restaurant together, Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty. Sarah and Jane (owners of the fondly remembered Lovely Hula Hands) have taken two of our favorite food groups and elevated them to sublime—pizza and ice cream. The wood-fired artisan pizzas are topped with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients like melted leeks, fromage blanc and salumi pancetta. And the homemade ice creams (salted caramel, cookie dough, mint stracciatella) are well worth the calories. Salads and starters round out the menu, including oysters on a half-shell with rosé mignonette, chicken noodle soup with Parmesan, and polenta with roasted purple broccoli and Fontina cheese.
We sidled up in a cozy booth with our lovely sis, and shared a Margherita pie (but not our almond praline). And when the bill came, we split it fifty-fifty. Mom would be pleased.
Lovely’s Fifty-Fifty
4039 N. Mississippi Ave., Ste. 101
Portland, OR 97227
503.281.4060
www.lovelysfiftyfifty.com
VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Rating: 5.0/10 (2 votes cast) VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Share
Nesting is a good thing, yes? We just sometimes feel bad for doing it a little too often from November through June. While the first hint of sunlight does bring us outdoors, is it so wrong to want to run back inside and, well, be domestic when it starts raining? We think not, and thankfully, neither does Modern Domestic.
A sewing studio with a creative, community vibe, Modern Domestic provides the tools (from scissors to machines) for newbies and experienced seamsters to sit side by side and hone their craft. From open sewing to fabulously fun sewing classes—such as Sandbox Pants, Uniform Skirt, Modern Quilt, and Mary Go ‘Round Little Girl’s Dress—there’s something for every age and skill level. Modern Domestic also has retail space offering notions (necessary supplies like buttons, zippers, thread, needles), machines, and books. Personally, we love the ”Friday Night Sew-cial,” when we can sew to our heart’s content (for three hours, anyway) for ten bucks, and we can bring food and wine.
Finally, a place that lets us enjoy domestic bliss—in the modern sense, of course!
Modern Domestic
1408 NE Alberta St.
Portland, OR 97211
503.808.9910
www.moderndomesticpdx.com
VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast) VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Share
 Our shopping jones knows no bounds. Each winter we slyly slip in t-shirt here, a flouncy top there, another skirt—all because they’re on sale. So by the time spring rolls around (and btw, is it here yet?), we have a brand new wardrobe that we’ve all but forgotten just waiting to be adored and worn.
However, that didn’t stop us from snapping up even more flirty goodness on our last visit to Pin Me. Between the huge selection of Prairie Underground, the Kelly green trench and the buffalo-check strapless dress, we were smitten. It was girl heaven—if we’d seen wings on our reflection in the mirror we wouldn’t have been surprised. And the accessories and jewelry? Icing on the adorable cake. From printed belts to summer scarves, amazing jewelry (wooden hoops, feather drops, monogram necklaces), we literally had to stand still to calm ourselves down!
Pin Me Apparel
3705 N. Mississippi Ave.
Portland, OR 97227
503.281.1572
www.pin-me-apparel.com
VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast) VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Share
We grew up on bedtime fairy tales of Cheshire cats and candy houses… and those fables helped to carry us away to quirky, dreamy lands. Call it nostalgia, but today we’re still wooed by whimsy in all of its fanciful and colorful forms.
We thought we’d fallen down the rabbit-hole when we discovered the Salty Teacup, a new studio and gallery in the heart of St. Johns. The fun, creative space is filled with funky upcycled clothing, sparkling jewelry, handmade cards, pillows, and home décor. Art from homegrown artists fills the walls. We brought home a soy cupcake candle that looked and smelled so much like a fresh-out-of-the-oven edible treat that our mouth watered as we forked over cash. Back home, we burned the candle for fifteen minutes before our hubby realized we weren’t really baking up a sweat in the kitchen. (Sorry, babe!)
We’re all grown up now, but that doesn’t mean we want to completely kick that kid-like sense of imagination. At the Salty Teacup, we don’t have to.
Salty Teacup
7315 N. Alta Ave.
Portland, OR 97203
917.519.8032
www.facebook.com/pages/Salty-Teacup
VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast) VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Share
We had a guest in town last weekend and spent a lot of time trying to think where he could track down a little souvenir for his girlfriend back home in Boston. We didn’t want something overtly touristy—rather, something more reflective of the unique feel and spirit of our beloved city.
Whoa! Did we hit the jackpot when we stumbled into the Zim Zim Department Store! It’s a recent (and very welcome) addition to Portland’s funky boutique culture. Zim Zim is chock full of gifts, accessories and home décor—all with an edgy and unique attitude. While we love Martha, it’s unlikely you’d find any “Stewart Stuff” in here—think more along the lines of Helena Bonham Carter. We were instantly enamored with the bird on a wire pillowcase set, but knew that if we brought it home, Hubby might disown us because “we don’t need ANY MORE pillow cases!” Whatever.
And our guest? Gifts galore for his girlie—some bearing Portland logos and slogans, and others just so quirky you’d only find them in Portland. We know that she’ll be thrilled with the little treasure he found, and we’re thrilled with the little treasure we found…. Zim Zim!
Zim Zim Department Store
2805 SE Ankeny St.
Portland, OR 97214
503.236.7178
VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Rating: 8.0/10 (1 vote cast) VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Share
We know this friend-of-a-friend who’s, like, the cutest thing ever. She always looks adorable in an artsy, vintage kind of way. We’d hate her if she wasn’t so darn cool. Luckily, we finally got the scoop on her favorite shopping hot spot: Frock.
Frock is an artistic little boutique in the heart of the Alberta Arts District. We were instantly smitten with the colorful jewelry and turquoise birdcage tank tops gracing the storefront mannequins. Inside, we were thrilled to peruse racks of mod dresses, funky wallets, colorful socks, and gigantic, retro sunglasses. Much to hubby’s delight, there was a good selection of tongue-in-cheek T-shirts for the XY chromosome set, and even skull-and-crossbones onesies for the pre-potty-trained set that were, ahem, very Frock and Roll.
Our cute friend-of-a-friend did a good deed indeed when she let us in on her style secret. Luckily, there are enough great finds at Frock to keep us both looking good. And for that, we are very frocking thankful.
Frock
1439 NE Alberta St.
Portland, OR 97211
503.595.0379
www.frockboutique.com
VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Rating: 7.0/10 (1 vote cast) VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Share
Dear Old Dad came into town last weekend and we made sure to show him the coolest that Portland has to offer: First Thursday, trips to the coast and wine country, and the best of the breakfast scene. He left feeling totally immersed in Portland’s unique culture.
We only wish we had known about the very cool (and uniquely Portland) Cheese Bar, a fun new eatery/cheese shop, in time to share it with Dad. In our estimation, Cheese Bar is one of the coolest kids in town, boasting not only a dazzling array of cheese but also a delicious deli menu, and wine and beer. The quaint vibe is just right for a cheese sampler plate and glass of vino on a warm spring afternoon. We tried the smoked goat cheese with baguette and think it was, quite possibly, the most delicious cheese we’ve ever tried. Ever.
Ode to goat cheese aside, the Cheese Bar is the perfect setting for a girls’ afternoon out, and unique enough to show off to Dad … or any other guests we want to impress.
Cheese Bar
6031 SE Belmont
Portland, OR 97215
503.222.6014
www.cheese-bar.com
VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast) VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Share
We love a good party. We can get dressed up (seriously, fellow Portlanders, it’s okay to dress up every once in a while), hang with our BFF, meet new (sometimes interesting, sometimes not) peeps, flirt with boys… the usual party-goer stuff. But let’s be honest, the best part about a swanky get-together is the sweet indulgence.
So how excited were we when we stumbled upon Pastry Girl, a new cake and pastry shop in southeast? Oh so many tempting treats, teasing us behind a thin layer of plexi-glass. Cakes, cupcakes, tarts, and cookies in an array of flavors (chocolate, peanut butter, lemon, lavender, snicker-doodle, red velvet… the list goes on). In addition to the goodies in the shop, Laura Widener, pastry chef/owner, bakes custom cakes for any and all occasions, in any design you can dream up (pizza cake, perhaps?). With gorgeous air-brushed or hand-painted details, Pastry Girl’s cakes take the cake (we couldn’t help ourselves!).
For our next party, we’re headed to Pastry Girl to get our cake on.
Pastry Girl
7919 SE Stark St.
Portland, OR 97215
503.254.5433
VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Rating: 10.0/10 (2 votes cast) VN:F [1.8.3_1051] Rating: +2 (from 2 votes)
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