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January 25th, 2008
Well, it's still the first month of the year and we've already lapsed on a few of our New Year's Resolutions. Luckily there is a shot at redemption right around the corner—Valentine's Day! Since we've fallen short of "taking better care of ourselves" we feel we should at least take great care of our significant others on this Hallmark Holiday. And we're going to share all of our efforts with you. We’re going weekly as of next Friday, beginning with our first-ever Valentine's Day Gift Guide, chock full of ideas on where to go and what to buy for this most holy of days for gals. And lads, all we ask in return is to forward PPFM to 5 of your friends. Do it now and cc picks@portlandpicksformen.com for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Mario's, because it's all for naught if you look like you haven't been taking care of yourselves! |
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Portland Picks: |
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| 1 | These Colors Don’t Run The T-shirt is an American institution—as American as apple pie, baseball and Jerry Springer. Sported by the likes of Brando and Dean, it’s become part of the cultural canon. It’s understated and casual, and at times, refined. And it looks a hell of a lot better adorned with handcrafted designs made right here in P-Town. That last part is what the folks over at Destroy do best. Owner Adam Brush references pop culture, politics and even the Blazers to create fun, original designs for all his T-shirts, hoodies and more. Add to that unique collection other indie-produced items like camo jackets from UK label Addict and a few impressive leather bags from Onela, and you have a one-stop shop for some sharp-looking street wear. While you’re there, check out the latest showcase of local artwork for your occasional dose of culture. Wearing one of these original tees might not be patriotic, but it will be supporting local artists and designers. And like cornbread, ain’t nothin’ wrong with that. The Destroy Store |
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| 2 | Comic Relief We admit it, we are comic nerds. However, we’re in good company (see: Kevin Smith). Best of all, we’re in the right place. For the uninformed, Portland is the west coast comic capitol, second only to New York in sheer number of publishers and professionals. And Bridge City Comics is our destination when we need a comic fix, which is more often than we’d care to mention (just in case our English profs are reading). In addition to their superb new and used inventory, our favorite section has to be their Portland-based creators section, after all, PPFM is all about the local! Plus they have the kind of staff that’s more knowledgeable than the comic book store owner from “The Simpsons,” but with a seemingly decent chance of dating a real girl. For those of you that think you’re long done with your “comic phase,” a visit to this shop will remind why the imagination in everything from Stan Lee’s classics to Frank Miller’s graphic novels is being optioned by Hollywood left and right. Bridge City Comics |
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| 3 | Burn Baby, Burn |
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| 4 | Remember Hybrids? If Al Gore and Dr. Seuss were to team up to create a zero-emissions car, the line of electric vehicles carried by Ecomotion would likely be that love child. These charmingly cartoonish rigs are working overtime to clean up our carbon footprint, giving Portland yet another reason to fly its green flag with pride. Eco Motion |
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| Cocktail of the Week: | |||
2. oz. Sub Rosa Saffron Vodka Pour ingredients over ice in highball glass. Garnish with pickled carrots or peppers. Recipe by Lance Mayhew of Meriwethers |
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| Mandatory Gear: | |||
| 1 | Kraft Work Anyone frequenting inner NE lately—whether hitting the neighborhood watering holes or simply driving through—would have a tough time missing the work of local resident and renowned artist Charlie Alan Kraft. His paintings and murals are both disturbing and playful, and are fast becoming a rather comforting theme for a whole 'hood (think Warhol's Greenwich Village). Visit his site and get your very own before he takes over the rest of Stumptown! |
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| 2 | Bluetooth Goes Green Ever responded to someone in public, realizing too late that they are speaking into a Bluetooth? They shoot you a look like you're a psycho while you think, “What a jerk.” This, of course, only happens between Bluetooth conversations of your own. To make sure you keep on the less awkward end of these moments, you need the Iqua BHS603-Sun, the first solar-powered Bluetooth headset. Solar technology provides infinite talk time in the sun, in addition to the eight hours of battery life! |
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| 3 | Up to Your Neck There are those (you know the ones) who utilize themed neckties to showcase their “cleverness” or “originality,” resulting in familiar fashion abortions like reindeer ties at Christmas. We laud their chutzpah, but we know that individuality in business attire requires taste and, ahem, some subtlety. Enter Lee Allison, who sold his very first designs to Barney’s, an undisputed bastion of taste. While offering a whimsical quality to more staid designs, he's also pulled off themed neckwear with some sophistication. |
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| 4 | Swingers Party We were good golfers upon our arrival in Oregon. By the following spring we were hacking like beginners and swearing like sailors. A frustrated call to the old man got us this advice: "Do every indoor thing you can find until the sun reappears." Of all the things we tried, the one that provided first-year results (20+ yards to our drive) was strengthening the muscles used in our swing. We recommend the PowerSwing Trainer by Golf Gym to do just that. |
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| Ask a Style Coach: | |||
Bond on the Outside, MacGyver on the Inside Q: I have to bring a lot of stuff to work (phone, work phone, laptop, a technical calculator, magazines, gum, etc.), and all I have is a canvas “man bag” that I also use on weekends. Is it too casual for work? A: As much as we love MacGyver, make sure the look of your professional briefcase doesn’t resemble his cargo pants. Avoid the floppy nylon or canvas computer bag with too many external zippers, straps and pockets. Instead, think 007 for the outside—sleek, strong and in quality leather in a dark neutral tone. And save your pockets and zippers for the inside—buy a briefcase with enough storage to accommodate your MacGyver gadgets. Ask Jandi! Email your questions to: info@InspireStyleCoaching.com |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | This is the Good Stuff! In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the bra, Oh Baby has announced that they’ll begin carrying the exclusive and oh-so-sexy Marlies Dekkers brand. Come see a showcase of pieces from this extraordinary designer at this month's Thursday Nightie... |
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| 2 | Gentlemen, Start Your Engines With this week off from football, where's a guy to go, what's a guy to do? A great option for a boys’ day out this weekend is the Portland Auto Show. An outing that your significant other will certainly want no part of, it's a great place to plan next weekend's festivities. |
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| 3 | Walk Her Down the Red Carpet Portland Art Museum is the place to be on Oscar night! View the 80th Annual Academy Awards in their Kridel Grand Ballroom for an evening benefiting the Northwest Film Center and the Portland Art Museum. You’ll enjoy a celeb-worthy five-course dinner, a live auction, and great prizes. General admission is $125 per person; VIP is $175 pp. What: Oscar Night at PAM |
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| 4 | Lucky Strike Night Wants You! Join the NBA and the Freddy Jones Foundation to benefit Portland’s Youth. A good time for a good cause! There will be an auction for everything from dinner gift certificates to a trip to Anguilla, Burton snowboard gear, VIP tix to Jimmy Kimmel Live, custom shoes and even Knicks suite tix for 10 in Madison Square Garden. What: Lucky Strike Night |
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If you haven't already forwarded this to 5 friends, please do it ASAP for your chance to win that $100 Mario's gift certificate. Also, we need a tech-head to find and write up swell gadgetry for our Mandatory Gear section, so please contact us at picks@portlandpicksformen.com if you’re the nerd we are looking for. |
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