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August 24th, 2007
Portland Picks’ Mommy Guide When we were little, our moms got lame advice like “don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys.” They also drank beer while nursing, laid us face-down on plastic-covered mattresses, hired teenage babysitters with loose morals just because they lived down the block, and strapped us into little seats with elastic cables that hung from a doorway, and allowed us to bounce up and down for (apparently danger-filled) hours on end. Moms today are much more savvy about rearing children (thank heavens … though we turned out mostly functional). And we hope to help out even more with the Portland Picks Mommy Guide. Whether you have babies, toddlers or “big kids,” or just know someone with kids, this is the ultimate local guide for all things mommy-related, from pampering baby to pampering Y-O-U.
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | Creative Lifestyle Photography It takes a mom to really understand family photographs, and photographer and mother Jen Downer of She Saw Things has a casual, photojournalistic style that’s modern, fresh and exciting, capturing the beauty of real moments. She can turn your photos into announcements, cards, coffee-table books and even gallery wrapped canvases! |
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| 2 |
What’s more fun than shopping for baby? hand picked pumpkin provides a modern line of premium, custom baby clothing that’s mama-designed and baby-tested. If you want stylish, eye-catching, and beautiful clothes in the coziest of fabrics, look no further. Enter “mommy guide” in the coupon section at checkout until 8/28, and receive 15% off! |
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| 3 |
Nobody does outerwear for women like Signal Sports, and their fantastic selection of Outside Baby gear is designed for parents and kids! Water-resistant, windproof apparel, fleece blankets, plus baby-ready packs and bags let you take your little one everywhere you go. Outfit yourself in Ryka shoes and apparel—designed just for women and perfect for exercising off the baby weight. |
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| 4 | Mothers & Daughters: Empower Yourself It’s what’s inside that counts, and Workshops for Women connects you to all that is powerful and beautiful about you! Their self-esteem workshop "Beauty in Three Parts" brings fun, growth and inspiration to mothers and daughters, Sept. 22-23 at the Westin Hotel. Register online, $350 for a pair of tickets (must be 13 years old to attend). |
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| 5 |
The thought of toddlers meeting pretty table settings can scare any mama, but Smarty Parents makes it easy with the multi-purpose Piggy Platter placemat & craftmat. It’s dishwasher-safe with a European design that fits any décor. Add Platter Pix—educational art that slides underneath—and dinner is served. Enter coupon code PDXPicks07 by 9/15/07 to receive a free Platter Pix set! |
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| 6 |
A resale boutique? Yes! Hoot-n-Annie's new location is brimming with cozy fall fashions as well as unique new items like Fandangled appliqué tees, SleepyHead pillowcases, Addie Pearl funky felt jewelry, and the "Make Your Own Someday" CD by The Jimmies. Check out Hoot-n-Annie ASAP; green tags are 30% off through August! |
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| 7 |
Busy moms need time to relax. And Kiva Face Body Soul provides the ultimate revitalizing experience—fantastic facials designed to restore and transform—inside and out. Plus, with a TH3 treatment and purchase of a serum and cream, receive a free cleanser and lotion (a $52 value). Gift certificates are available for every occasion! |
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| 8 |
Remember the toys you had as a child that required imagination to come to life, and not batteries? SpielWerk Community Toystore believes that “play” is the “werk” of childhood, so they offer a unique selection of hard-to-find classic and modern traditional toys that spark imaginations, growth and development. Check out their website for events and Werkshop schedules! |
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| 9 | Capturing your Life with Style Photo sessions should be fun! And Alexis of Jasmine Photography makes them enjoyable, candid and all about you. She'll capture your kids or family in studio or on-location, for a relaxed and easy experience that results in fabulous, heirloom photos. Then, show off your shots with an online slideshow, beautiful stretched-canvas prints, or a coffee-table album. |
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| 10 | Building Strong, Healthy Families Being a new parent isn’t easy, especially when you’ve got twins—or more! Providence Health System offers a variety of classes for new and expecting parents—whether you’re having one child or eight—including a Toddler Parenting Series (ages 1-3), and of course, Newborn Care for Multiples! For a complete list or to sign up, visit their website. |
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| 11 |
Get in shape with Baby Boot Camp! With limited class sizes, certified instructors and moms just like you, it’s a fabulous way to make new friends and regain your sexy mama status. Mention Portland Picks and get $15 off your first class package, and bring a friend so you’ll both receive $20 off your first class package. Contact Erin Shirey, 503.703.1269, erin.shirey@babybootcamp.com. |
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| 12 |
Cool parents have cool kids…and cool kids wear Fadiddle! If you're looking for fun, funky, super-comfy everyday clothes featuring unique embroidered and screen-printed designs that suit your little one's budding personality to a T, look to Fadiddle for infant and toddler onesies and t-shirts, and even kids’ clothes. They’ll be the talk of the playground! |
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| 13 |
Dishy Duds dishes up fun family fashion right here in Portland! Totes for moms, adorable girls’ dresses, awesome tees for boys, and delicious baby duds. Using vintage/recycled materials, their clothes are fun and functional. Plus, they’re eco-friendly, sweatshop-free, and 10% of gross sales are donated to Mercy Corps. Find Dishy Duds online or at Union Rose, Frock, and Crafty Wonderland. |
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| 14 | Children’s Shoes for the Stylish Set Kids grow so quickly—you want shoes that are good for their feet! So thank goodness for haggis mcbaggis—they specialize in well-made, stylish children’s shoes. With European brands like Primigi, Aster and Naturino, as well as Umi, Merrell and Keen, they work with kids of all ages to find the best fit—even “new walkers.” Great gifts, apparel, and shoes for mom! |
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| 15 |
It’s not a martini—it’s Jennifer Wells Designs’ twist on mom’s night out with art classes that reduce stress and ramp up fun. Bring your pals to the fused-glass-making class Friends Fired Up! For $65 you’ll enjoy wine, hors d’ouevres, and 2.5 hours of QT with your BFFs as you make beautiful, useful art. Visit her website for more classes and times! |
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| 16 | Cupcake Goodness, Made to Order Catering a birthday party can strike fear in any parent’s heart, but Cupcake Mama brings the homemade love with decadent, made-from-scratch cupcakes! They’re crowd pleasers at baby showers, birthday parties—even office parties and weddings. Ingredients are fresh and local, plus they do custom decorations (flowers, trains, butterflies). Mention the Portland Picks Mommy Guide to receive 15% off your next order! |
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| 17 |
What will fall bring when summer’s seen so much rain? Keep kids dry and cozy in adorable Newport Kidsport. Their rainy wear is perfect to wear to preschool, and their rain cape or pullover will fit great in any cubby. Adorable, functional and local—plus unbeatable quality—Newport Kidsport brings sunshine to rainy days. |
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| 18 |
We love sending “real correspondence” that requires pen and paper and stamps. From notecards to party invitations, journals to photo albums, Munchkin Designs has exactly what we need: bright, quirky, beautiful papergoods that make lasting impressions. Plus, 10% of profits are donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and four cards give 100% of profits to LLS. |
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| 19 |
How would you like a massage … and child-care? Zenana Spa and Wellness Center offers all the traditional spa services: massage, manicure/pedicure, facials, waxing, etc., yet every service is customized to meet the special needs of moms and moms-to-be. Acrylic-free nail services, gentle waxing, organic facials, modified Yoga and Pilates. Oh yes, they know what you need! |
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| 20 |
Some of our friends have kids who dress hipper than we do. And we always wonder, what can that kid expect when he grows up? How do you top Appaman Japanese racing jackets and polos by Monster Republic? Then it clicked. They’ll always be the hippest kid in the sandbox—or at the board meeting—with a fashion head-start like this. |
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| 21 | As If You Need Another Reason to Shop There Butterscotch is for gift-giving—even baby showers! They have a great selection of Zutano Baby Basics, locally made baby tees by Ecklectic Kid, soft and fuzzy baby blankets, and more. For mom, there are candles by Voluspa, Dani, and Thymes and a great selection of handbags, jewelry and hostess gifts. Shop their Anniversary Sale today through Sunday and you'll save 20% off everything. |
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| 22 |
It’s tough to choose the right baby announcement. Let’s face it—you want your friends to do more than tack it on their fridge— it should be so special they never want to recycle it. Look to Ringo Baby for exactly what you need—custom, personalized announcements (and “baby correspondence”) that are stylish, lovely, and most of all, keepsakes. |
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| 23 | With the Modern Family in Mind Your family is special, and Grasshopper understands that. From hip and handmade to simple and organic, imagination-sparking books to old-school toys and games, Grasshopper has an amazing selection that’s sure to please babies, toddlers, “little kids,” and you! Plus they have a free registry, gift wrap and a nice selection of local designers—be sure to stop in! |
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| 24 |
Get in on the daily fun at Portland Children's Museum for kids ages 0-10! Activities especially for the "Under 2" set include “Paint & Play” on Thursdays, where toddlers discover the joys of painting; Yoga with Bendy Wendy on Wednesdays, where they’ll stretch and relax; and Pajama Jam on Sundays, a morning dance party! Call 503.223.6500 for class times and info. |
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| 25 |
Celebrities get back to pre-baby weight with the help of 15 staff members who watch their every move. You can get back into your skinny jeans and have fun with Miss Fit! Their family friendly studio helps you feel good, have fun, and live vibrantly. From yoga to Pilates, personal training to body treatments, you’ll get the star treatment! |
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| 26 | Join the Environmental “Movement” Did you know that more than 50 million disposable diapers go into U.S. landfills every day? gDiapers offer an alternative—the best of cloth and disposable in one earth-friendly hybrid. They consist of a washable, breathable outer pant, and a plastic-free, disposable, flushable refill. Whether you flush, compost or toss gDiapers, the planet will thank you! |
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| 27 | Music and Movement for Everyone As Barry Manilow said, “Music and passion are always in fashion.” And Green Grass Music will instill a lifetime love of music in your child while inspiring exploration, creativity, and learning. Through music, developmentally appropriate activities (newborns to age 7), and parent-child interaction, you’ll dance, laugh, and even get take-home materials. Mention Portland Picks and receive 10% off tuition! |
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| 28 |
In Portland, buzzwords like “earth-friendly,” “natural” and “socially ethical” are a way of life. Milagros has an amazing lineup of baby carriers, cloth diapers, maternity and nursing support, and locally crafted clothing for babies and kids that meet all the criteria. Plus brands like Ergo Baby, Kissaluvs, Glamourmom, and Little Marmara mean that your values don’t compete with your style. |
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| 29 |
New moms have to learn to connect with their spouse and their child—being a parent is a totally new playing field. So it’s PAX to the rescue with valuable, practical courses that help you feel like a mother and a lover. Learn to identify what you need, and communicate without resentment. The next program is Oct. 10! |
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| 30 |
Remember playing with Lincoln Logs for hours? Now toys are so advanced we can’t figure out which end is up. So we rely on Golden Key Toys & Games to provide specialty toys and games that inspire imagination and creativity. Their products come from selected small manufacturers from around the world and bring that “old world” feel to newfangled lifestyles. |
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So there you have it…we hope your mind is abuzz with ideas! In fact, there were so many good ideas we couldn’t fit them all in. Just one more thing...when you visit these businesses, be sure to tell them Portland Picks sent you! |
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