portlandpicks.com

Cordani Shoes

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 17:56:22 +0000

Is two always better than one? We think so. Two scoops of ice cream are definitely better than one. Two secret admirers? Absolutely better than one. Two fabulous shoe stores? Yes and yes!

While we wait not-so-patiently for Halo’s new Pearl District store to open, we popped into the old digs on NE Broadway. Great news! Yeah, they’re pretty, but are they comfortable? Oh yes. There’s science behind these treads: curved undersoles, molded footbeds, and heel grips are just the tip of the comfort iceberg. What we love about Halo, we love about Cordani, and we can’t wait to see the shop evolve over the coming months. For now, it’s stocked with dreaminess: stunning shoes and a staff that wants us to try everything on … just for fun.

Choose between ice cream and shoes? Obviously, it’s shoes. Our secret admirers wouldn’t have it any other way.

Cordani
1425 NE Broadway St.
Portland, OR 97212
503.331.0366
www.cordani.com

HouseFarm Vital Seed and Feed

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 17:53:56 +0000

We are avid readers, and a while ago we picked up a book about the Amazon Rainforest. The book was absorbing, and our favorite (err… fascinatingly morbid) part was the description of all the bugs, plants and river-lurkers that can inflict pain on a visitor (seriously ladies, don’t vacation in the Amazon). But the cool part? The jungle also hides a cure to each infliction.

We were thinking of the book as we wandered around the newly opened HouseFarm Vital Seed and Feed. HouseFarm is a store built around three themes: backyard animals, wellness, and garden. They specialize in medicinal plants (how cool is that?) and other organic products that nurture an urban agricultural lifestyle. There’s plenty of soil and chicken feed here, but there’s also organic soap, lotions and amazing-smelling soy candles.

We know Portland and Brazil aren’t exactly on the same continent, but we like knowing that here in our rainy city we’ve got somewhere to go when we want to take care of ourselves and our little plot of earth, naturally.

HouseFarm Vital Seed and Feed
8927 N. Lombard St.
Portland, OR 97203
503.208.2801
www.housefarmoregon.com

Red Fox Vintage

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 17:50:38 +0000

Once upon a time, in a land very far away, we were obsessed with modern furniture, clothes, décor—you name it. Then one day we turned 30, and as if by magic, we became obsessed with vintage. We since have a new mission: to delicately fold the world’s vintage treasures into our very modern home.

It is with that in mind that NE Killingsworth’s sparkly and new Red Fox Vintage is our latest shopping mecca. Heartily stocked by 18 different retailers carrying all eras of vintage ware, including what we’d consider straight-up antique, we felt like a kid in a candy store—a fashionista in Paris—a shoe-lover in Carrie Bradshaw’s closet. Frolicking through each mini “shop” we found everything from old-school Adidas sneakers to a stunning and really old gold evening clutch, and a great holiday gift for Mom’s house (which we can’t reveal, or we’d give away her surprise!).

Got the same vintage fever that we’ve got? Quell that inner scavenger with one trip to Red Fox Vintage. We guarantee you’ll find a vintage treasure perfect for your modern life!

Red Fox Vintage
3014 NE Killingsworth
Portland, OR 97211
503.206.4540
www.redfoxvintage.com

Filling Spaces

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:42:04 +0000

When it comes to home goods, we don’t like buying shoddy, mass produced textiles any more than the next gal, but we’ll admit: the word “custom” still makes us nervous (usually because it loosely translates to “wildly expensive”). Not to mention our (very rational) fear of being made to sit through an appointment with a stuffy salesperson who is aghast when we don’t know dupioni from jacquard.

We who are both aesthetically and budget conscious can exhale at last: Filling Spaces is open. Three months ago, in-demand interior designer Deepali Kalia made the leap from her home studio in Hillsboro to a clean and bright space share in the Pearl. Plenty of ready-made options abound at prices that give the big names a run for their money, or you can page through nearly endless sumptuous samples with the very friendly Deepali to pick just the right combo.

What makes this local success story even sweeter? It’s a family biz: Nearly everything is carefully assembled by Deepali’s fam in India.

Filling Spaces
416 NW 11th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
503.222.2028
www.fillingspaces.net

Popina Swimwear (Pearl)

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:38:43 +0000

Other than certain medical exams, there is no singular experience more awful for a woman than trying on a bathing suit. Standard in dressing rooms, greenish fluorescent lighting makes every wrinkle, pucker and pooch look like it’s going to pop off your body and onto a billboard. So not cool.

Which is why Popina Swimwear’s new Pearl location is like a beacon of sassy hope for swimwear shoppers. Let’s start with the big, welcoming dressing rooms. Softer lighting and flattering mirrors mean you’ll have the space to maneuver to find your best angle. Not that you’ll need to—

Popina’s new location is also the largest swimwear boutique in the Northwest—with tons of designer brands, plus fun accessories (from head to toe), you’re sure to find something perfect for you.

Popina Swimwear (Pearl)
318 NW 11th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
503.282.5159
www.popinaswimwear.com

Little Edie’s Five & Dime

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:35:37 +0000

There is something about vintage-y clutter that always tugs at our heartstrings. Maybe we’ve seen too many old films, but if there’s a shop, movie, or book that will take us back to a more romantic time, sign us up!

Little Edie’s Five & Dime delivers on the romance. Piles of old postcards, scads of baubles, and little bits of hidden treasure abound in this charming nook. Penelope Miller’s “thrifty vintage” shop is a haven of must-own things. Recently spotted: gorgeous bit and tassel loafers, an unbelievable owl necklace, and a long white dress that’s just the thing for a modern bride. We are smitten with the chic selection of hats, cowboy (and girl) boots, and cozy winter coats. Everywhere we looked we found perfect, on-trend goodies that are one-of-a-kind and super budget-friendly. The best part? Eye-catching displays and on-the-spot mini-alterations by friendly staff.

. Consider our heartstrings tugged, our bank not broken, and our romantic selves transported to a simpler time.

Little Edie’s Five & Dime
3120 N. Williams Ave.
Portland, OR 97227
503.284.1051
www.littleediesfiveanddime.com

Mimi & Marc

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:32:53 +0000

Is it just us or are baby names getting weirder? What’s the obsession with trying to come up with (or make up, rather) the most ridiculous name possible? We blame celebrities (Fifi Trixibelle, anyone?). But at least celebrities get one thing right when it comes to their little ones: their babies are rocking some super-stylish fall looks this year (of course, we expected nothing less).

Thanks to Mimi & Marc—a new children’s boutique in NW Portland—the kiddos will fit right in on the Hollywood playgrounds. Carrying a diverse selection of trend-setting garments for the 0-8 crowd (from sassy pants, swanky sweatshirts, and stylish sweaters to jaunty jackets and super-cute shoes), plus unique baby gifts and chic diaper totes, Mimi & Marc makes shopping for little ones fun and fabulous. (Eat your heart out, Suri!) They even have an exceptional selection of Halloween costumes right now.

Sure, Portlanders are pretty casual, but who says the tots in Portland should suffer? Thank you, Mimi & Marc, for introducing future generations to red carpet-worthy attire!

Mimi & Marc
3 NW 23rd Place (Uptown Shopping Center)
Portland, OR 97210
503.445.1665
www.mimiandmarc.com

Red Slate Wine Company

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:30:48 +0000

Two months—you’ve got just a little more than two short months to do your holiday shopping. It may not feel like “that time of year,” but as the days grow shorter and the nights much longer, it all adds up to one inevitable conclusion—the holidays are near.

We have a great idea for a holiday gift for the wine lovers in your life: A gift certificate to a wine class at Red Slate Wine Company! Your giftees will have a blast during an evening with . Each class offers about seven different wine tastings, depending on the subject matter, plus great conversation and education about wines from all over the world!

You can also plan your holiday party at Red Slate, where the intimate tasting room is sure to make jolly even the Scrooge-iest of them all. Or check out their once-a-week happy hour on Fridays, from 4-7 pm. Either way, hurry up—Santa Claus is comin’ to town whether you’re ready or not!

Red Slate Wine Company
107 SE Washington St., Suite 133
Portland, OR 97214
503.232.3867
www.redslatewine.com

Rosabode

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:28:40 +0000

As a little kid, we snuggled up with a cozy “feelie.” That cuddly scrap of fabric helped us go to sleep at night, then parlayed to an all ’round comfort-giver. At the dentist, on a long drive, or getting a band-aid on a boo-boo, the feelie was there, soft and reassuring.

Step into Rosabode and you’re enveloped by feelies for grown-ups. Proprietress extraordinaire Rose Bonomo says that her faux-fur throws are the best sellers. No wonder—these gorgeous home accents are decadent, come in glorious color options, and are machine washable. At Rosabode, faux fur is not just for draping over the sofa. Hats, clutches, hand-warmers, and—our favorite—amazing vests in eye-popping colors and textures. Also featured, super-wearable designs by Hubris, Julia Garey, and Rosabode’s own label. You’ll find a tempting selection of fabulous jewels from local talent too (divine offerings from Emily Jane just hit the shelves).

Now we know that feelies aren’t just for kids. We’ll be toting a Rosabode cozy to our next dental appointment!

Rosabode
4225 NE Fremont St.
Portland, OR 97213
503.493.9391
www.rosabode.com

Spin Boutique

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 23:25:33 +0000

We’ve got a teensy tiny (make that gigantic) addiction to celebrity gossip magazines. Like clockwork, US Weekly and Peoplearrive in the mail on Thursday and Friday, respectively, and in the off chance that they don’t, we spend the weekend silently cursing the mailman.

As die-hard followers of celeb fashions, we were ecstatic to learn that now we can shop like they do, right here in our own backyard. Lake Oswego’s new Spin Boutique carries amazing, celeb-worthy pieces that we want to wear every day. We drooled over brands like Alice & Olivia, LAMB, Elizabeth & James and Twenty8Twelve, and lusted after beautiful, locally-made jewelry. Their sense of style—and an eye for being current but not trendy—are sure to make fans out of Portlanders!

And truly, every piece Spin carries is the kind of item that’ll make you look and feel better just by putting it on. No wonder everyone in Hollywood looks like a million bucks—after spending a little time at Spin, we left feeling a bit like celebrities ourselves.

Spin Boutique
440 1st Street
Lake Oswego, OR 97034
503.850.4375