Portland Picks

Lead in red lipsticks? Really?!?

editor — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:06:34 +0000

Because we don’t have enough to worry about—we need to be slowly poisoned when we’re tryin’ to get our sexy on. Ugh!

We had a coffee-klatch debate about this news and decided that maybe a lick or two of lead is worth it for a night out in red lipstick. After all, our mothers & grandmothers wore red lipstick as a rule, the products were probably much more “harmful” back then, and nobody seemed to be affected by it. What’s a little lead poisoning among friends, right?

The good news is that we found out about a bunch of pretty red lipsticks that are lead-free—click here to see the article. Happy kisses, everybody!

Everything, All the Time

editor — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:06:05 +0000

We totally missed our “New York City-girl” window. These days we’re a little too old to make the City’s compromises: tiny living quarters, super-expensive everything, and crowds at every turn. We want the cachet without the compromise.

Anytime we need an NYC moment, we pop in to Machus on E Burnside. Owner Justin Machus moved from his former shop, Local 35, to a sleek, refined space and a sleek, refined inventory. His new direction is all about a downtown-cool collection of clothing and accessories. The city girl in us loves Alexander Wang, and Machus has a delectable selection; the soft, asymmetrical T-shirt from Anna Catherine will look stunning paired with a pair of dark-wash jeans from Nudie; and we couldn’t keep our hands off the beautifully cut pants and jersey dresses by Kai Akkmann. Spring will bring more fabulous labels to the racks, including styles from Won Hundred and Black Crane. You can’t be a city-girl without killer accessories, and Machus has you covered. Industrial-chic necklaces and rings from Killer Collection share space with cheeky baubles by In God We Trust.

So we missed out on NYC in our 20’s, but in the end, Portland’s reality is better than the New York fantasy.

Machus
542 E. Burnside
Portland, OR 97214
503.206.8626
www.machusonline.com

Shake and Bake

editor — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:03:22 +0000

In most cities, pizza for dinner means either so-so chain delivery options or eating a slice while standing in a cramped, brightly lit space. Drink options usually include a do-it-yourself soda fountain or maybe a watery beer. So, uh, remind us again why we as a nation love this food so much?

Oven and Shaker brings Portland the pizza experience it deserves. This Pearl District, casual-Italian pizzeria features spacious banquettes, an even more spacious bar (at a monstrous 45 feet long, there’s plenty of elbow room for toasting and sipping) for the mixing of expertly prepared cocktails—including some fruit-forward masterpieces—and of course, fantastic pizza. Wood-fired, featuring a number of fresh and locally sourced ingredients, this new addition to the PDX restaurant scene reminded us why pizza is our favorite food. The pies are far from being the only stars here: fried chickpeas, lamb lollipop, polenta crostini and housemade gelato also demanded our tastebuds’ attention.

And starting tomorrow (February 18), the lunch crowd will also get to revel in the salty, cheesy, meaty goodness. Hooray!

Oven and Shaker
1134 NW Everett St.
Portland, OR 97209
503.241.1600
www.ovenandshaker.com

So Into It

editor — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:00:59 +0000

Okay, organic cotton lovers. Holla back, you hemp groupies. There’s a new kid on the natural-fiber block and the fabrics are so gorge that we’re thinking of upholstering our sofa in it, cuddling up, quitting our job, and never letting go of the remote. It’s that good.

Tinctoria Designs just opened in a little space off Alberta, and the cozy showroom is a treasure trove of the softest, plushest cotton clothes you have ever touched. Seriously—cotton pants so delicious you want to spread them on toast & eat them! We fell hard for their eco-conscious collection—all hand-dyed just down the street—and the simple styles (easy short- and long-sleeved tees, adorable short skirts for layering, simple leggings, classic tunic dresses, and the aforementioned delicious pants) will surely become wardrobe staples. Natural fibers meet natural dyes, and the result is a dusky rainbow of easy-to-wear colors that stand out without screaming. We are smitten.

Easy clothes for easy days, and classic shapes to mix with any wardrobe… we’re totally into it.

Tinctoria Designs
1627 NE Alberta St.
Portland, OR 97211
503.810.9232
www.tinctoriadesigns.com

We Finally Did It

editor — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:58:30 +0000

Yup, finally buckled and bought an iPhone, like the other half of the modern world. So what do we do now? Accessorize! Holla! Like Tony Duquette, our motto is “More is More,” and that applies to our electronics, too.

This amazingly deep website hosts hundreds and hundreds of cute cases for iPhones—it’s like it’s daring you to decide. The olde-tyme English phone booth? The ikat print? The watercolors? It’s enough to make you ditch the Droid just for the patterns!

Society6

Hott. So Hott.

editor — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:56:40 +0000

Here’s a warning for all those effortlessly stylish women who can put on a white T-shirt and jeans and one piece of jewelry and knock them dead—we’re coming for you. We found this amazing bracelet to add to our fashion arsenal.

Check out that sexy Stingray texture, the sterling silver with gold vermeil, and the bold cuff action. Sure, at $750 it’s half a mortgage payment, but who thinks of these things when the jewelry is this must-havey?

Kimberly Baker “Cordilla” Bracelet

Huh?

editor — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:55:17 +0000

Okay—we have no idea what this is, what it would be useful for, or why anyone would need it, but we have to have it. It’s just this weird little soft plushy blob with a funny face and it’s totally charming us.

Did we mention that it shares trivia facts? Just random trivia. It’s so weird, wonderful and pointless that it may become not only a fixture on our sofa, but our housewarming gift of choice.

Mameshiba Bean Plush

40% Off at Porch Light Mississippi!

editor — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:53:54 +0000

The Mississippi neighborhood sheds a tear since Porch Light is moving to their Pearl store, but why cry when you can save 40% off everything that’s in the Mississippi shop? Tablecloths, vintage glassware, soaps, pottery, candles, jewelry, furniture, rugs, children’s toys and more. Save 40% off til Tuesday, then 50% off til the 29th!

What: 40% off at Porch Light Mississippi
When: Through Feb. 29
Where: 3972 N. Mississippi
Call: 503.288.8773
Visit: www.porch-light.net

Get Hip at Home!

editor — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:52:16 +0000

Hip Furniture’s Anniversary Sale is this weekend, and everything is on sale from their 19 stylish lines, including super chic organic accessory line 18 Karat. Whether you’ve been wanting a new sofa, new dining table, or just a few key pieces to make your homestead pop, Hip’s Anniversary Sale is happening now—get in on it!

What: Hip Furniture Anniversary Sale
When: Now through Feb. 26
Where: 1829 NW 25th Ave.
Call: 503.225.5017
Visit: www.ubhip.com

Find Your Magic with Portland Picks!

editor — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:50:37 +0000

Portland Picks & Macy’s bring you the ultimate fashion face-off! Lucky audience contestants will style models for different scenarios, and the winners will take home a $100 Macy’s Gift Card! During the event, enjoy yummy sips and sweets while getting top style tips for spring. Mention Portland Picks as you’re seated for a $10 Macy’s gift card!

What: Fashion Face-Off
When: Saturday, March 10, 2 pm
Where: Macy’s Washington Square, Misses Department
Cost: Free!
Visit: www.macys.com