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March 21st, 2008
We’re all for revelry and ridiculousness, but we also have a gene that makes us prefer it from a distance. If someone at your birthday party is in a silly hat, you can bet it won’t be one of us. Which is why we are somewhat afraid of St. Patrick’s Day. Everyone’s Irish for a day—that part is great—but we don’t understand the compulsion to don silly pants and roam the streets. Wearing a ginormous green hat is fine for someone else, but we … just … can’t … participate. We’d rather hide behind the glass wall of a cozy pub and watch the partiers stumble by than be one of the stumbling partiers. We don’t know if we’re just old, or crotchety, or both, but we do know that there isn’t a time or a place when you could make us paint our faces. But here’s something that does make us want to party: Forward this issue of Portland Picks to 5 friends and CC picks@portlandpicks.com—you could win a $50 gift certificate to Nirvana Spa! |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Antiquated Notions We wanted to go antiquing, but we were far from Sellwood, where we assumed all that antiquing (antook?) was to be found. Nor were we near the Rebuilding Center—but that’s fine, since all that raw wood kind of intimidates us anyway. But while we were driving in outer southeast, we spied Monticello. It’s not Jefferson’s house—it’s more than 20,000 square feet of collectibles: jewelry, dishes, silverware, clothes, and pillows. Oh, and boas. Many booths are set up as rooms in a home, making it easy to find what you need. Don’t miss the consignment furniture and “Salvage Garden,” chock-full of goods for your yard or porch—at incredibly reasonable prices. And when that shopping tires you out, head over to Monti’s café for a pick-me-up. For those of you who are “accompanied,” it’s ok to bring your man—we spotted a ton of antique gun holsters and knives—even a sword! Monticello is a great place to while away your Sunday trying to find just the perfect accessory. With a scope this vast, even Jefferson would feel at home. Monticello Antique Marketplace |
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| 2 | Rice Dreams We don’t travel quite as much as we’d like, but when we go, we go prepared. So the next time we head to NYC, we already have our list of must-sees compiled. With that said, it brings us great pleasure to drop one place from our list. Why? Because, with the opening of Pudding on the Rice in Bridgeport Village, PDX has NYC beat (again). This teensy tiny purveyor of rice pudding is similar in concept to an East Coast favorite—sleek white interior, bright pops of color and video menus. All pudding—or “rice cream” — is made fresh daily and has less fat than its icy counterpart. Even better, PotR also offers crepes filled with Nutella, jam and, of course, rice pudding. While not everyone goes for the texture of the stuff, we’re big fans. And flavors like coconut, toffee, raspberry and bittersweet chocolate really wow. As if we didn’t have enough reasons to head to Bridgeport Village, the fact that it saves us a plane ticket sure makes our (rice) dreams come true! Pudding on the Rice |
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| 3 | Romance at the Cape Spring is almost here, and all we can think about is a beachfront vacation. Relax, read a book, breathe the ocean air… heaven! Beat the crowds and enjoy an entire stretch of beach—all to yourself—on a romantic getaway to the Oregon Coast. The Cottages at Cape Kiwanda and the Inn at Cape Kiwanda invite you to grab that special someone for the “Romance at the Cape” package, offered March 1 through June 19, 2008. Enjoy a two-night stay in an oceanfront cottage or an ocean-view room at the Inn, a $50 dining certificate for the Pelican Pub & Brewery, a box of chocolates, and your choice of wine, champagne, Pelican Pub Bridal Ale or sparkling cider when you arrive. For this special package, a two-bedroom Cottage costs $499 per night and a three-bedroom is $599 per night. Packages at the Inn range between $179 per night and $249 per night for a Kiwanda Guest Room, and between $219 and $279 per night for a Nestucca Jacuzzi Room, which features a two-person Jacuzzi with an ocean view. Mention Portland Picks to receive 10 percent off these rates! Inn at Cape Kiwanda & Cottages at Cape Kiwanda |
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| 4 | Float On We deserve to be pampered: we work and play hard. So when a friend raved about her experience at Wildroot Salon, we had to check it out. Especially since her new ’do left her looking fabulous and feeling happy. From the moment we walked through the door, we knew we'd found something special. Wildroot is a full-service salon offering haircuts, air waves, color treatments and facial waxing. Tucked away in a slightly lesser-known corner of north Portland, Wildroot is bright and airy and oh-so-inviting. The stylists greeted us with an offer of coffee, tea, or wine while we waited on a plush, velvety couch in front of a roaring gas fireplace. When our stylist seated us, we were pleasantly surprised to receive a shoulder, neck, and head massage—with aroma-theraputic oils—while we discussed what type of hairstyle would fit our personality. When we were finished, our transformed tresses—treated with organic products—looked and felt amazing. We floated out of Wildroot, happy and relaxed, with our own super-sassy new ’do. We will definitely be back! Wildroot Salon |
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| 5 | Visions of Cheesecakes We’ll climb the highest mountains and travel to remote corners of the city to unearth the sweetest delights. But sometimes we have to travel pretty far… for example, in Eugene there is this amazing little bakery called Sweet Life, which was like a second home to the UO alumni on staff. They offered the most scrumptious vegan desserts; more specifically, many, many different types of cheesecakes! We tried out the whole vegan/vegetarian route during college, and we spent many Friday evenings in that café devouring vegan cheesecakes, cookies and pies. Therefore, when we heard that Sweetpea Baking Company (formerly only a wholesale company) is now open as Portland’s first vegan café and bakery, we raced over there with visions of cheesecakes running through our heads. Lisa Higgins, owner and master baker of Sweetpea Baking Company, is serving cheesecakes, cupcakes, donuts, and desserts galore. Everything you thought you had given up when becoming a vegan is now available and just as yummy (if not yummier) than the non-vegan version. Butter-less or not, these are some of the best desserts in town! |
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| 6 | Back to the Life Spring Break was great—beaches, cocktails, zero responsibility for a week. But now we’re adults and Spring Break is long gone. We’ve been reduced to jealously glaring at elated college students loading their luggage onto the Airport Max, no doubt headed to some hot beach somewhere. It’s just unfair. This inventive new spa also allows customers to use their grotto, free of charge, with any spa service. Staffed with stylists, massage therapists, estheticians and even a doctor, we can’t wait to fill up a day a la Spring Break at Terra del Sol, and hope you’ll do it, too! Terra del Sol Spa & Salon |
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| Chick Picks: | |||
| 1 | Duly Noted We feel so special when we receive a handwritten note in the mail. There’s just something, you know, extra about it that makes your day brighter. And nobody inspires us to put pen to paper like eleven56. With gorgeous floral designs and mod geometric prints, we can barely bear to part with them! But we know our recipients will be so glad we did. |
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| 2 | The Hunt for the Perfect Trench It’s trench coat season, miladies, and we’ve been on the hunt for the perfect one for months. If only we had checked out Ella’s Boutique first—they have adorable trenches, plus the tops we want to wear underneath them. Just ladylike enough with a dash of sass—we feel hotter just writing about them. Can’t make it to Alberta Street? Shop online to your heart’s content! You’ll find the perfect white blouse, gorgeous dresses, classic pants and more… seriously, it’s all so good! |
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| 3 | Skin Care for Your Hair When you find a product that makes “good hair” easy, you’re a convert for life. Welcome to your new religion: Celebrity stylist-turned entrepreneur Kevin Murphy's product line! He calls it "skincare-inspired," ditching parabens and sulfates in favor of omega 3's, amino acids and plant extracts. His 18-product line ($22-$25) is green (100% recyclable bottles) but also sexy. And 77 is one of the first U.S. salons to carry it, so visit their website and sign up for The Scarlett Letter to get an email discount on your purchase of Kevin Murphy product! |
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| 4 | Do You Believe In Magic? We were cuckoo for Vitamin Water until we discovered the calorie count. So we found Perfect Empowered Drinking Water. It’s launching nationally and the Picks have the exclusive peek! Perfect Water is purified, filtered 15 times and enhanced with oxygen, electrolytes and trace minerals to help increase body strength, balance and flexibility. (Rock your Pilates class!) Purchase online at TJBiz.biz—a fab health and beauty store. Shop for Artistry skin care mineral makeup, yummy organic food bars and more! |
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| 5 | Cute On the Cheap We have a 5-year-old niece who loves presents, and we’re such suckers for her little giggle that we oblige. Often. But we can’t spend a fortune on the kid. So thank happy heaven for Little Daisy Chains—locally made hair flair and accessories for girls, teens and grownups! We love the Twiddle Earrings and the utterly adorable bobby pins—everyone is getting these for their birthday! Find them at Union Rose or Hoot-N-Annie, or shop online. Mention Portland Picks at checkout and get free shipping! |
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| Event of the Week: | |||
We are so ready to put away the winter curtains and reupholster the sofa in white chintz, but we probably won’t get very far without some help. Thank goodness it’s time for the Home Furnishings Sample Sale in the Pearl. We can shop the samples and save megabucks at more than 20 of the Pearl’s finest home furnishings stores. You’ll find special savings on samples and one-of-a-kind items, so don’t dawdle, get down there now!. Click here for a full list of participating stores! What: Home Furnishings Sample Sale in the Pearl |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | Green Never Looked So Good We are all about sustainable living, and the Better Living Show is must-attend event of the season! With six lifestyle pavilions and a bevy of green vendors, you’ll get tips on going green and being hip. Learn more about everything from lifestyle to home & garden, clean technologies and cool cars. See Ed Begley, Jr., at 7 pm on opening day! What: Energy Trust Better Living Show |
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| 2 | Mat-Class Happy Hour at NW Pilates Spend the all-important hour before you head out by working on your abs. Every Friday in April, NW Pilates will be holding a happy hour mat class focusing on ab work to get you feeling sexy for your weekend. You’ll feel slimmer, taller and more confident. RSVP since space is limited. Just $10 per class! Bring your own mat! What: Healthy Happy Hour at NW Pilates |
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| 4 | Total Liquidation at TAGG Shoes! Everything must go! TAGG Shoes is putting everything—and we mean everything—on sale to make room! From supercool men’s footwear (boots, shoes, flip-flops) to tons of absolutely adorable children’s shoes to cool kicks for the ladies, it’s all on sale at incredible prices. Get down there before everyone else does for the best selection on this season’s shoes. What: Liquidation Sale at TAGG |
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| 5 | Power of the Purse Enjoy an inspirational evening for Girls Inc. of Northwest Oregon—it’s time for Power of the Purse Dinner and Auction! This fab evening includes handbags designed by local celebrities that will be modeled and auctioned off. “Pursonalities” include Jerome Kersey, Storm Large and Caprial Pence, and designers include Ziba Design, Minou-Minou, Queen Bee Creations, and many more! What: Power of the Purse |
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| 6 | It's Time for Spring Fashion! Here it comes! Olio United is hosting Heather Treadway of Paper Doll Fashion as she launches her spring collection, "Sea VS Sunset." Her incredible (and incredibly wearable) line of handcrafted fashion will leave you looking fresh, hip and unique with a saucy take on vintage. Expect a night of nibbles and drinks, plus a preview of the line and of course ... shopping! What: Heather Treadway's spring collection launch When: Friday, March 28, 7-10 pm Where: Olio United, 1028 SE Water Ave. Call: 503.542.5000 Visit: www.oliounited.com |
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Have you told the guys in your life about Portland Picks for Men.com? Trust us, they need it! (Wha?!? It’s just a little hint!) xo |
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