Sugar and Spice

You have to love a store where you can pamper yourself and your kids, and nobody does it like Meringue Boutique.  They have you covered—from maternity to baby gear to kids’ clothes, and even outfits for Mama’s Night On the Town.

With brands like Juicy Couture, Splendid Littles, DaNang Kids, 2 b free, True Religion, Hooter Hiders and Bugaboo Stroller, you’ll find everything you need to outfit yourself and your kids in high style.  And Meringue is a veritable mecca of great gift ideas! Plus, enter BABY30 when you shop online Aug. 3-5, and get 30% off!

www.meringueboutique.com

You Deserve Food This Good

You want to feed your family right—the best ingredients, delish dishes, and a soupcon of love.  Happily (and affordably), Chef Heather Mader of Black Radish makes a busy family’s dinner dreams come true. 

Whether it’s scrumptious family meals (kid-friendly dishes like Pounded Panko Chicken Parmesan with Angel Hair Pasta, or Sausage & Mushroom Lasagna with Basil Garlic Bread) or catering a dinner party for grownups (Braised Zinfandel Short Ribs with Chive Smashed Potatoes, Thai Fish Cakes w/ Sweet Chili Sauce & Coconut Rice), Black Radish delivers.  Hungry yet?  Call Heather.

www.blackradish.net

Too Cool for School

We’ve heard tales of kids toting laptops to school instead of books, virtual classes and online homework.  It makes us feel old, so we look to OFFICE to up our hip quotient.

With design-inspired items for kids (laptop bags, binders, pens & pencils, portfolio covers), and cool stuff for a grown-up office (briefcases, business-card holders, the best notebooks and designer office furniture), the whole fam gets an edge on the competition.  And on Sat. and Sun., Aug 4 & 5, save 15% off all locally made products in honor of OFFICE’s second anniversary!

www.officepdx.com

Take Time Out for Recess

Remember the freedom, the fun, the excitement of recess?  Too bad your boss doesn’t give you recess every day … but even though she hasn’t caught on, you can still have fun, run around, get in shape, and make your life happier and healthier with Recess.

“Kids” of all ages will enjoy letting off steam and looking better with Recess’ energizing Boot Camp, or their Beach Body Kickstart, as well as other programs.  Plus it’s a local, woman-owned business, so check their website for free classes!

www.recessfitness.com

Get Straight A’s in Style

We wore vests in college.  We thought we looked skinnier, but it turns out we just looked dorky.  Now vests are back, but we’ll never wear them—instead, we’ll take our style cues from Urban Minx. 

Urban Minx has everything you need to be the hippest family on the block, from comfy designer sweats to elegant dresses, and designers like Chip & Pepper, BCBG, See Thru Soul, G-Star, Ted Baker, Twisted Heart, and more!  Portland Picks readers only: Use code aug25 when you order online, and you'll automatically receive 25% off your purchases!

www.UrbanMinx.com

Shopping for a Cause

Ladies, start your engines!  Get a sitter and head out to BridgeportVillage, Sept. 6-9, when the best of Beauty and Fashion come to life to Benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Pick up your event guide and pass loaded with event highlights and exclusive fall fashion discounts, and upon purchase get the deluxe Portland Picks Swag Bag loaded with goodies from Portland Picks, Bridgeport Village retailers, and other community sponsors.  RSVP to 503.968.1704 for passes.  Donation is $20; all proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

www.bridgeport-village.com

Fashion Plates

Remember the cool kids on the bus who always dressed better than anyone else?  The boys casually sported designer tees; the girls looked like they stepped out of tiny fashion magazines…  We were never those kids.  But our children can be, at Bambini.

From babies to tweens, Bambini outfits them in brands like True Religion, Joe’s Jeans, Hurley, Quiksilver, See Kai Run, Linx, Juicy Couture, Baby Nay, Catimini, and now, Webkinz!  Plus, mention Portland Picks, and receive 10% off your purchase of regular-priced merchandise!

www.bambiniboutique.com

Be All That You Can Be

So you’re a mom—that doesn’t mean you can’t be a hot tamale!  Dad—it’s time to lose that spare tire.  Everyone else?  Ramp up your current workouts with something amazing.  Call NW Pilates.

With one-on-one sessions in their chic studio on machines like the Reformer, the Cadillac and “the Chair,” you’ll get booty-shaping, tummy-flattening, serious workouts that are also serious fun.  Through careful stretching, you’ll reshape your muscles and feel energized, slimmer, and even taller all day.  (Pilates is also wonderful for helping teenage kids improve self-esteem, btw.)  

www.nwpilates.com