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October 2nd, 2009
It is that time of year … for Portland Fashion Week, when the up-and-coming talent unveils their spring lines. And because Portland’s fashion-elite are at the forefront of sustainable clothing, and this is a rapidly growing trend nationwide, we could actually be sporting the latest fashions before the snobs in NYC and L.A.. Of course in preparation for the festivities, we'd normally ask our sweetheart for advice on what to wear. But we're becoming convinced that in an attempt to make us "less marketable to the opposite sex" as it were, she steers us toward some unflattering garments from time to time. Are we alone here? Feel free to weigh in if you've share this suspicion, and email us at picks@portlandpicksformen.com. |
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Portland Picks for Men: |
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| 1 | A Colorful Past
Many years ago, a friend of ours developed a form of mental martial arts called Dis Fu. The doctrine was simple: if you really liked a girl, you would pretend that you didn’t. What separates Dis Fu from other reverse-psychology tactics is that the art is not in being dismissive or arrogant, but being true to yourself—it was a reminder to not get lost in trying too hard so your best qualities could shine—leaving her impressed and curious. Billy Goat Vintage is a new vintage store on NE Alberta that's full of personality and promise for practitioners of the art of Dis Fu. Obviously a labor of love, the owners offer vintage clothes that are as crafty and colorful as the space they created. We’re not being glib here; the clothes tend to be patterned or have some eye-popping tonal quality to them. Handmade unisex buckles and other crafty accessories beckon from the glass cases, and coats, slacks, ties and hats of particular quality can also be found. BGV is a unified idea at work, and if their aesthetic matches your needs, you may be on your way to a meaningful relationship. Billy Goat Vintage (Men’s & Women’s) |
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| 2 | Give Us This Day Our Deli Sandwich Okay, now we’re talkin’ about sandwiches. The East Side Deli is kinda like the Ramones of delis and that’s why we love it. With so much culinary diversity these days, it seems no one will leave a functioning idea alone anymore. Not ED—they get it! Simple, straightforward sandwiches built to kick your ass. Laminated menus and erasable pens beckon from an obvious place, a simple series of choices steer you toward your perfect nosh, and then you sit and read (or stare) until they call your name. Best part? When you get your sandwich it’s awesome, hearty, and only $5.50. And hey—they have vegan meats, too. Stop buying your deli sandwiches at the grocery store—you’ll be so stoked with East Side Deli that you’ll think back to when fist-pumping was something people did to show excitement. East Side Delicatessen |
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| 3 | Open Your Pie Hole We eat the absolute vilest stuff on earth when we’re preparing for a night out. We tell ourselves it’s just to guard against drinking on an empty stomach, but there’s really no excuse for all that processed, fried, greasy slime we shove down our maws. If we’d only had Stone Pie Joe’s to count on, we would never have gotten ourselves into this situation. Joe’s specializes in baked pies densely packed with quality ingredients; it’s sort of like the best, freshest chicken pot pie you’ve ever had, only the filling isn’t reduced to just chicken and veggies. You’ve got your pick of an ever-rotating 16 varieties of pies to choose from, including curried potato and yams, an egg/cheese/bacon combo, and meaty spiced pork or beef with corn, spices, potatoes, mushrooms and a slew of other veggies. Best of all, you can eat these mini-pies like hamburgers, making them an ideal grab-and-go option when you’re in a hurry to hit as many bars as possible in a night. It’s the best way to silence that grumbling stomach quickly—without resorting to fast-food suicide. Stone Pie Joe’s |
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Mandatory Gear: |
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| 1 | It Works for Files… We recently attended a trade show. This one had a theme: ”Under the Big Top,” which made it that much more hellish. What we were reminded of upon our return to the office, though, was that we are in desperate need of a business-card filing system. In our search we stumbled upon this mini filing cabinet. In addition to looking ever so kitschy on our desk, it has proven an invaluably efficient method for keeping track of all those clowns. |
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| 2 | Staples There are certain garments that should be in every man’s wardrobe. Without regard to complexion, personal style or taste, they simply…work. One such item is the charcoal v-neck for autumn. Not only does charcoal work on everybody, but it works with almost any color. Get something in a nice smooth wool, and this baby will make the transition from office (over a colorful dress shirt) to the sports bar (over a white tee) to watch football with the boys. |
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| 3 | No Excuses
Last ski season we were on our second time out trying out some new gear, when the worst thing imaginable happened…theft. After our shock subsided, we realized we should have made the proper precautionary investment. So this year we’re using this handy cable lock. With a handy three-number combination, this pocket-sized bad boy boasts a full four feet of cable, making it easy to tie your gear (or bike in the summer) around just about anything available (think: trees). |
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Hip Happenings: |
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| 1 | If a Tree Fell in the Forest…
The Timbers won the 2009 USL First Division Commissioner's Cup as the regular-season champion, resulting in a first-round buy to the semifinal round. Finishing with the league's best record for the second time since 2001, getting out there to see what will likely be this year’s Championship team is a no-brainer. What: Portland Timbers Playoff Debut |
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| 2 | North 45’s Oktoberfest Wanna see some Bavarian Babes? Head to North 45’s Oktoberfest, where a costume party (with a Best Bavarian Babe contest) is just part of the fun on their tented patio. Enjoy live music by the Groove Minors, authentic German food , and of course, lots of German beer. Grab your lederhosen and head on down! What: Oktoberfest |
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| 3 | Mmmm… Beer Local beer lovers! Enjoy a weekend of festivities at Skamania Lodge with the Celebration of Beer Weekend package. One-night accommodations in a Superior Forest View guestroom, 20 tickets to Cheers for Beers, Kegs and Eggs Brunch for two with complimentary Bloody Mary and beer chaser, and two commemorative etched beer mugs. Enter the 9-hole golf tourney too! What: Celebration of Beer Weekend |
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| 4 | Know a Hard-Workin’ Man? HairM is searching for Portland’s Hardest Working Man in conjunction with their 6-year anniversary in the Rose City. Nominate your candidate for Portland’s Hardest Working Man (can be anyone over 21), and he might win a day of pampering at HairM, dinner at Fenouil, and a night at Hotel Lucia! (And there’s something for you, too, if he wins.) What: Portland’s Hardest Working Man contest |
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| 7 | So Fresh and So Clean At least 75 of Oregon's breweries lie within 100 miles of hop fields, so no wonder Oregon has become the epicenter of "'fresh hop" beer production. This year’s harvest sees Oregon Bounty and Oregon Brewer’s Guild partnering with local breweries for the Fresh Hop Beer Tastival. If you’ve never had fresh hop beer, do yourself a favor. What: Fresh Hop Beer Tastival |
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