Footwear That Doesn’t Leave a Footprint

Ever since we watched An Inconvenient Truth we’ve become hyperaware of how what we do affects the planet. Because of this, we’ve started biking to work, eating locally grown produce and even buying toilet paper that’s made from recycled materials. We’d like to extend this earth friendly way to our wardrobe but there’s one problem—we don’t wanna look like hippies.

Pie Footwear offers quality shoes that not only cut down our carbon footprint, but are extremely stylish. Enjoy earth-conscious lines like Ethletic, which makes classic, minimalist yet hip sneakers that are environmentally (made from organic cotton and natural latex) and socially (fair trade) responsible. And Simple provides a wide range of shoes made from hemp, organic cotton, bamboo and recycled car tires (but don’t worry, they don’t look like the sandals you get in Mexico). If, however, you’re in need of dress shoes we suggest a pair of sleek Justin shoes by Novacas which—despite looking like high-quality leather—are vegan!

So hop on your bike and head on down to Pie Footwear for a pair of guilt-free kicks. Mention PPFM and receive 10% off a pair of Hush Puppies. Righteous.

Pie Footwear
2916 NE Alberta St
Portland, OR 97211
503.288.1999
www.piefootwear.net

Dishing It Up

If you’ve been eating Indian food in Portland, you’re probably getting pretty sick of buffet-style mediocrity, right? Considering it can be the most flavorful cuisine out there, it’s perplexing that so many restaurants are still dishing out watered-down fare and skimping on the spices.

Thankfully, Indish just opened its doors in Northwest and offers all the traditional flavors you’ve been missing. Their focus is on Northern-style Indian cuisine, rather than the far more common (and sauce-laden) Southern style, making it a truly unique addition to Portland’s foreign cuisine scene. Authentic roti dishes allow the diner to customize a meal, starting with a main course like Punjabi chicken or the vegetarian cheese dish Paneer Dopiaza, and pair it with hearty sides like Bombay potatoes or lentils. Flatbread wraps, samosas and onion pakoras are also tasty options.

Operated by a wife who cooks and her husband who serves, Indish is homey and comfortable with leather couches and friendly service, even if the spare, industrial design and ’50s American standards music seem a little out of place. But hey, as long as the food remains this delicious, we can tolerate a little eccentricity.

Indish
305 NW 21st Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
www.indishrestaurant.com

Seeing Stars

Everyone’s got their poison of choice after a hard day at the office. For us, it’s bourbon. Luckily, we found a place downtown that stocks the good stuff and knows how to mix it for our friends who don’t drink it straight.

Chances are good that the newly renovated Red Star stocks your poison, too. Aside from a cocktail menu just for bourbon, there’s also one for all those other liquors, including their house specialty, the aptly named Red Star, which combines vanilla Stoli with raspberry liqueur and lemon juice. Or if wine or beer is your thing, there are 11 taps of local microbrews and a decent mix of reds and whites.

With its comfortable, men’s club-like décor, Red Star is exactly the kind of place you should be treating yourself to after work. It gets even better with their $4 happy hour menu (including fried crab and corn beignets, muffaletta sliders stacked with house-cured meats and smoked provolone cheese). Depending on the night, you might even find a good drink special. That’s what we call seeing stars.

Red Star Tavern
506 SW Washington St.
Portland, OR 97204
503.222.0005
www.redstartavern.com

Bottle GOPener

We are constantly on the lookout for items that serve a function, but also improve the aesthetic of our home or office. Understated silver pieces are perfect for this and our latest find was this sleek, sophisticated bottle opener.

And because it is in the shape of an elephant it may be the perfect Christmas gift for our Republican friends who will be drinking away their sorrows should things not go their way this November.

Drain You

Whether you’re without wife or just lucky enough to have a second bathroom all to yourself, your grooming domain needs to be masculine. (This doesn’t mean flaunting the mildew in the corners of your shower.)

We mean no fluffy shower mats that look like they were designed by Martha Stewart. You need to check out this handsome, maze-design teak mat. And because this wood comes from a plantation, you’re not hurting the rain forest.

No… Wire… Hangers!

With winter coming up we have been pulling out our heavier shirts, pants, jackets, and suits. And this, in turn, has reminded us of something our tailor told us long ago: “If you want your clothes to last and maintain their shape, invest in wooden hangers.” 

Truer words were never spoken. Plastic or wire numbers will leave your heavy apparel with unintended shapes, the least flattering being “shoulder nipples.”  These days, though, we like the value and sustainability of the bamboo alternative.

Bamboo Hangers

Portland Fashion Week
 
Portland Fashion Week will be rocking the runways of PDX with some of the hottest (and greenest) designers this side of NYC.  Men’s fashion is here, too—and it’s good, good stuff. You can see the forefront of fashion at your feet as local and national talent present their vision for fall 08 and spring 09.
 
What: Portland Fashion Week
When: Through Oct. 12
Where: 1330 NW 14th Ave.
Visit: www.PortlandFashionWeek.net

Enjoy Lower Fremont's Second Friday Artwalk

Dine at Acadia, take the kids to eat at the County Cork pub, or have a wine or specialty beer at La Bodega. Then hit the sidewalk sale and stores. Between Splurge, Sofia, Poppy & Ivy, Back Yard Birdshop and the guest artists, you can enjoy fashion, art and crafts from 40+ local artists and crafty peeps.

Go Green at the Shoe Mill

The Shoe Mill just introduced Planet Walkers® by Simple®—eco-friendly footwear that you can feel good about—and in! They use low-chrome leather from certified tanneries, a cork and compression-molded recycled EVA midsole, and outsoles of 60% latex rubber and 40% recycled car-tire composite—perfect for Portland weather. You can do good and look good!

What: Planet Walkers at the Shoe Mill
When: Get yours today!
Where: Lloyd Center and Washington Square
Call: 503.284.3420 and 503.684.1244