’Struck It!

Of the many things in this world that are consistently better imagined than they are in real life, serenading another person is at the top of the list. Embarrassing, yes; but it’s the serenade’s ability to convince its victim that it’s a great idea—before completely reversing the intended effect—that makes it so formidable. It’s painful to watch, to receive, and to do—like throwing a “suck it” gesture to someone in anger and accidentally punching yourself in the sack.

If digispace can qualify for imagination, then SoleStruck Pop-Up Store is on the opposite end of this spectrum. Normally an online store for selling hip shoes and boots to men and women, SS has opened a temporary retail location in the Pearl and stocked it with their most popular styles. The men’s section offers a small number of dress boots, but mostly concentrates on the casual, time-tested styles they know we love. Unisex Vans in many colors, desert boots and stylish sneakers speak well of their ability to woo an audience.

You better check it out soon tho’ (before Jan. 31, 2010), cuz Pop-Up Stores—like near mortal embarrassment—are only temporary.

SoleStruck Pop-Up Store
718 NW 11th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
503.224.3591
www.solestruck.com

Je Ne Sais Quaff

We’re strong proponents of living the good life, especially when it costs the same as living the so-so life.

Which is why our after-work drinking sessions have recently migrated to Fenouil in the Pearl. You might expect the fancy, bi-level French restaurant to swindle you with a plate of stinky cheese for your paycheck until you discover their bargain happy hour menu. Featuring gourmet French cuisine from 4 to 6:30 pm, and from 2 until close every Sunday, you’ll pay the same price for fine dining that you’d drop for a plate of fried batter down the block. Options include smoked salmon, steamed mussels, braised beef, and the exceptional paella.

While the portions aren’t massive, they’re more than enough to quiet a raging hunger and accompany one of Fenouil’s many inventive cocktails. Summer favorites included Le Viet Nam, a zesty, refreshing gin cocktail infused with pepper, muddled with cilantro and lime, and splashed with a little Grand Marnier, and the Summer Fashion with its fruity blending of oranges and cherries with bourbon, ginger ale, and bitters. We can’t wait to see what autumn brings.

Fenouil
900 NW 11th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
503.525.2225
www.fenouilinthepearl.com

Glassy-Eyed

The more automated our industrial practices become, the more sentimental we get for the old days when folks used their hands for more than just pushing buttons. Elements Glass hearkens back to the days of the skilled artisan—before large factories put most of them out of business and sent the rest slumming to flea markets and county fairs.

Based in a large warehouse deep in the industrial sector of Northwest, Elements is resurrecting the fine tradition of old school glass-blowing  with beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses where aspiring artistes can try their hand and bring home some self-made art to show for it.

Of course, not everyone’s cut out for this kind of thing. For those looking to appreciate rather than create, there’s a showroom of unique glass vases, sculptures, cups, bowls and other shaped vessels. It’s a great destination for art-lovers sick of the Pearl or for anyone interested in seeing a part of an “underappreciated” local art scene. And with prices ranging from penny-pincher to Rockefeller, Elements is the perfect spot for knocking out some early holiday shopping or treating your crib to a little old-school elegance.

Elements Glass Studio + Gallery
1979 NW Vaughn St.
Portland, OR 97209
503.228.0575
www.elementsglass.com

Photo courtesy of www.babygirlboutique.com.

Recycled Sound

What do cassette tapes, skinny ties, and handmade products have in common? Besides being popular in the 1980s, they are now coming together in a creative way around your neck in a long overdue, neck-related upgrade to your wardrobe.

Woven from 50% recycled audio cassette tape and 50% thread, these ties look great, are good for the environment, and are audible when rubbed over a tape head. Great gifts, particularly if you love a sick whale beat!

Sonic Neckties

Just Slap a Stache on That

Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast, hardware nut, or just a regular old hemophiliac, you probably will have some need of a bandage or two in the near future. While most bandages are either boring or designed for 5-year-olds, these we recently stumbled across are beauties.

Presented in an assorted tin of 25 bandages, these fancy moustaches will protect your boo-boo from germs, dirt, and irritation while reminding everyone around you that moustaches aren’t just for pervs and hipsters.

Moustache Bandages

Mini Monitor

Even if we’re not software geeks, there is rarely a time when we couldn’t use a bit of extra desktop real-estate.  Be it for spreadsheets, IM, fantasy football, or sadistically watching the death clock, it’s nice to have something always on your screen. 

The Mimo Mini USB Monitor gives you an extra 7 inches of screen (touch or normal) connected through your USB with no need for extra power or cords.  Swivel it to portrait or landscape to suit your fancy. Simple as that.

USB Screen

Lucas Bols, the world’s oldest distilled spirits brand, continues to invite connoisseurs of classic cocktailing with Genever. A classic white spirit created almost two centuries ago, it was described by Jerry Thomas (author of the world’s first cocktail book, in 1862) as one of only four basic cocktail spirits. While we love it on rocks, a popular choice is The Holland House:

1 ¾ shots of Bols Genever
¾ shot of Dry Vermouth
½ shot of freshly squeezed lime juice
¼ shot of maraschino liqueur

Shake the ingredients with large ice cubes and double-strain into a glass. Rim with a zest of lemon. Enjoy.

www.bolsgenever.nl

Did You Ever Know That I Love Heros?

If downtown is lacking one thing in lunch options, it’s (quality) Italian. The staple stuff you crave. So we were seriously stoked when we learned that Mama Mia Trattoria is now offering a “Craving Menu.” Each day a $7 special with classics like lasagna and meatball heros are available. It’s the wind beneath our wings.

What: Mama Mia Trattoria’s Lunch Craving Menu
When:  Monday–Friday, 11:30 am–2:30 pm  
Where: 439 SW 2nd Ave.
Call: 503.295.6464
Visit: www.mamamiatrattoria.com

A Christmas Roast?

A while back, we featured Roast Greeting Cards, a whole series of the most cantankerous, funny well-wishing tools out there. They were so thankful that they’re offering a 15% discount for PPFM readers. Just in time for your holiday needs! Enter the code below and thank us later… just not with one of these cards.

What: 15% off for PPFM Customers + Free Shipping on 4 items or more
Discount Code: PDXMEN
When: Now
Visit: www.roastgreetings.com

Y-Chrome: The Art of Barbering

Next Friday will be a great day for barbering—it’s the grand opening of Y-Chrome, an affordable place to get classic services like haircuts, shaves and shoeshines. It’s a modern twist on the old-school barbershop—the barbers wear white coats, but you drink local micros. On Dec. 2, bring in an unwrapped toy to donate and get a free haircut, or come by from 6-10 for the grand-opening party.

What: Y-Chrome grand-opening party
When: Wednesday, Dec. 2. 6–10 pm
Where: 609 SW Washington
Visit: www.y-chromebarbering.com