Portland, OR

Never have I lived in a city where thrift store/secondhand store/used goods store shopping is so big. In most cities, if I am in a Goodwill, I have my run of the store. But here in Portland, these stores are crowded. And it’s not just the crappy economy…

I mean, vintage, sure, that’s always hot in certain sub-populations all over the place, and sure, you will see a large percentage of those populations (hipsters, goths, etc.) at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army store. But in P-town, you will see all ilks of society, picking through the books, or browsing the kitchen stuff, looking for treasure.

That said, I checked out the newest Goodwill store in the Woodstock Neighborhood. It’s just south of the intersection of SE Woodstock and SE 52nd Avenue. It’s that awful yellowy-beige, manilla-folder color, and it’s shaped like a big box, but the facade has some windows and the blue tile design that Goodwill stores always have. You certainly don’t shop at Goodwill for the architectural charm.

Anyhoo, I had to find a laptop bag, and rather than plunking down a lot of money for a new, dandy laptop bag, I thought that it would be a good excuse to stop by the new Goodwill. I really didn’t expect to find anything, but as soon as I walked in the door, I had this competitive urge to find a proper bag.

To the left was the big wall of purses. I headed there as a starting point. Ah ha, I saw that past the purses there were shelves for backpacks, duffels, briefcases. But wait, a woman was in front of the area. My arrival made her aware of her position, and she slid closer to the purses. But then, out of nowhere, this old skinny Alan Alda-type guy is right next to me. Hi, personal space, please. He starts grabbing for bags, like right in front of me. Hold on there, buddy, I was here first.

He didn’t care. So, I didn’t care. I paid him no attention as I reached out for the prospects on the shelf. Of course, thinking laptop bag, I am looking at the black bags with straps. No padding though. And Alda starts looking at briefcases, so I could relax. We are going after different things.

I found a crazy blue bag, that was brand-new. The little bag for your power cord inside the bag was still wrapped in plastic. Score. But then, a little kid has trapped me against the shelves, with this old guy to the left of me, and the kid’s mom, complete with stroller, to my right.

If I haven’t mentioned it before, I am not a good shopper. I get freaked out when I feel boxed in by people. I started coughing, the old guy backed away, and I ducked out of the trap. Ahh.

It was such a harrowing experience that I didn’t look for anything else. And then, of course, when I was waiting in line to pay, the person in front of me was the old guy. How did he get there so fast? And he had a store credit voucher (the place has only been open 4 days, mind you — perhaps it’s from another store, or he just shows up everyday to invade other shoppers’ personal spaces and then sprints to the check-out to further drive that same shopper absolutely crazy!!), and some manager had to be called to help the cashier check him out. Three and half minutes later, and I’m free with a laptop case and a package of Sweettarts for $3.68. Not bad.

Upon rereading those last few paragraphs, it may not have sounded like such a pleasant shopping experience, but I guess for me the ends justifies the means.

Goodwill, Woodstock, Salvation Army, Portland, thrift, secondhand, used, shopping, vintage, clothing, books, treasure, economy

Yesterday’s post about shopping for antiques in Portland got me thinking about recycling and all that it encompasses. As such, I wanted to draw your attention to Freecycle, if you haven’t checked it out already. Freecycle groups are popping up in many cities, so even if you are not a Portlander, you can find a freecycle site for your own city. Or you could start one…

A simple google search for “Portland Freecycle” will give you the best starting point for the Portland Freecycle site. I noticed that the freecycle site is also listed on Tribe.net, but once on that site, I had a hard time accessing it. Maybe it’s just me, but as FreeCycle is under the auspices of Yahoo groups, it is probably just best to go to the home page via Yahoo.

Here’s how it works: People enter listings or “offers” for things that they no longer need or want, and if it is something that you can use or want, you simply click on the listing, and there is a handy little “reply” button that you click on to write to the person giving the item away. There are some basic rules. Everything must be free, legal, and all ages-appropriate. Now, that last rule is a little odd, but really all it means is no porn or other “adult” items. Not that I see a big after-market for lovingly used dildoes, but you really never know, do you? This is Portland.

On the flip side, you can also add a “WANTED” listing for something that you are looking for and hope to find. This is a great way to not only get things for free, but also to help someone clean out their closets.

In my own experience on Portland’s Freecycle, I was looking for one of those old-timey push mowers that have the metal blades that turn as you push it. I have a small yard, with two patches of grass, and really, I don’t see the need to use electricity or gas for a yard so small. I put a “wanted” posting on Freecycle, not expecting much, but within the day, I received a very nice email from a woman who had such a mower to get rid of, as she and her husband had taken out all of the grass in their yard and instead put in vegetables (which is a great idea if you are looking to be a little more self-sustainable). And I got a great little mower — for free.

I also got a new home for my little turtle. I must have received five or six offers from very nice people that had aquariums to give away. And Turtle got a very nice ten-gallon aquarium — for free.

So, in my two recent experiences, I got an old-timey push mower and an aquarium. Two rather odd things to expect to get for free, right? Most days on Freecycle, I see listings for moving boxes, furniture, children’s items, that kind of stuff. Although, some listings are for very odd items. Egg incubator, anyone?

Portland, Freecycle, recycling, Yahoo, tribe.net

If you know who these men are, chances are you “antique.”

Ok, first, I am not one to “antique” as a verb, per se, but I am an avid viewer of PBS’ Antiques Roadshow, as well as Bargain Hunt on BBC, and I do have quite a collection of antiquated technology (cameras, a turn dial adding machine, a late 1920’s typewriter), but again, I am not one to antique.

No, really.

Fine, I antique. There I said it and admission is the first step to recovery, right?

Since I moved to Portland, I have heard it mentioned that the Sellwood neighborhood is kind of known for its antique shops. I resisted as long as I could, though I did happen to visit some antique shops out in Yamhill, and today, I decided to spend Earth Day finding treasures from the past. Recycling as it were.

I thought today would be a good day for it. Raining, for the most part, grey, and slightly chilly. And it may have been a good day to visit the plentiful antique shops in Sellwood, but I will never know personally. I didn’t arrive until a little after 5pm, and alas most, if not all, of the shops had closed up for the day. The world is not scheduled for slow-pokes like me.

So, my advice to anyone who decides to go “antiquing” in Sellwood: Show up before five. And there are not one but two areas for the antique shops. The first is along SE Milwaukie also known as 17th or 16th ave in that area, past and around the intersection at SE Bybee. There is a second more-densely-antique-shop-populated area along 13th around SE Tacoma. I didn’t know that, so maybe someone else out there can benefit from this information.

Sellwood, Portland, Antiques Roadshow, Bargain Hunt, antiquing, Yamhill, Earth Day

It never ceases to amaze me how happy everyone that works at Trader Joe’s is. It is almost creepy. Good, but creepy. There must be something to that.

Is it the atmosphere of a grocery store that makes these people so happy? No. Lots of grocery stores have less-than-one-hundred-percent-happy staffs. Although now that I think about it, even the Woodstock Safeway has a very happy and helpful staff, so is it something to do with grocery stores? Is it something to do with Portland? It makes me want to work in a grocery store here. Did I mention that the New Seasons 7 Corners staff is insanely happy as well.

Even the smaller markets here seem to radiate happiness, except when the two high school kids are working at the stand on 29th and where is that, Reedway? You know the one by the Eastmoreland Golf Club. Although it is not that the two kids are un-happy, I think they just get shy around me. I have boobs.

Anyway, I am going to investigate this more. I am convinced that there are some disgruntled grocery store employees here in Portland. Maybe I will try to get a part-time job at one of these magical happy stores, and see what makes them tick. Or is it all indoctrination? For TJ’s, I wouldn’t doubt it. I can also see the Whole Foods staff doing morning calisthenics (is that how that is spelled?) and singing a joyful song about the first of May. Anyway you spell it, I want some. In a re-usable bag, please.

Trader Joe’s, Portland, Oregon, Safeway, grocery stores, Eastmoreland Golf Club, New Seasons, Woodstock, Reedway, Whole Foods

Last Wednesday I attended my first CRAVE Portland party and promised a review … my general opinion? I won’t be buying a ticket for another party, nor will I let someone else buy me one.

1 $15 ticket
42 vendors
7 sponsers
3 friends who had to stop at every booth and talk to every person there
3 gratis henna-ings from a fantastic artist from Roving Horse (mine is still on my arm)
1 free mini-massage
1 drink ticket
2 Yazi Ginger Vodka infused drink options (we each had the Yazi Ginger Vodka Cosmo – marvelous drink!)
26 gasps at prices of things

Too many laughs to count

1 goody bag which included
15 regular business cards
12 business post cards
2 unscene urban navigators (of The Pearl/streetcar line)
1 pen with a feather topper & butterfly thing attached (from fancy pants)
1 magnetic clip (from Kids Central Kitchen)
1 cheap compact mirror (from Divine Jewelry by espi
1 cookie (from Beaverton Bakery made for NW Kids magazine) – printed cookies have chewy frosting … it’s tasty, but weird … maybe I’m not supposed to eat that part … LOL
1 $10 Urban Waxx gift card
1 bar of Angel Delight soap (Toning Tangerine & Orange soap for heavenly scented bodies!) – I have no idea where this soap came from … it does smell marvelous though
1 trashy romance novel, Raintree: Inferno by Linda Howard – I plan on giving this to my grandmother for Christmas … I know she’ll get more read out of it than I will

~~*~*~*~*~~

Unfortunately, very few of the vendors stuck out in my mind, but the few that did deserve to have their information shared with you all!

Goosey Press - I spoke to Amy Smith, owner & operator of this “collection of greeting cards, invitations, gift tags and wrapping paper inspired by vintage Mother Goose silhouettes.” I absolutely recommend checking out Goosey Press’ website!

Buchic Bamboo Clothing – have you ever felt bamboo clothes? They are fantastic! Lori talked to my friends and I about her special socks (they wick away sweat and never smell!) and the fantastic yoga pants her company sells.

Magali Corzo designs clothes that are wearable and fashionable. The prices were within reason, and the designer was easy to talk to, and offers to do custom pieces and colors if you have suggestions!

About Portland OR, Portland OR, Portland, Crave Portland, CastAway, Portland vendors, Roving Horse Henna, Yazi Ginger Vodka, Kids Central Kitchen, Divine Jewelry by espi, Beaverton Bakery, NW Kids, Urban Waxx, Goosey Press, Buchic, Magali Corzo

Tomorrow evening, my friend Oh Unsober One and I are getting together for the first time in MONTHS (when there isn’t babysitting or photography involved) and we’re having a Girl’s Night Out! We’re going to an (apparently a regular) event here in Portland called CRAVE. I’ve never been, I don’t know that Oh Unsober One has ever been either, so it will probably be an experience for the both of us!

A CRAVE party seems to just be the epitome of a wide-scale Girl’s Night Out … shopping is involved (if you want - there will be no shopping for this broke ass Portlander … click on those ads people!) … drinking is involved (if it’s free, this Portlander might take part in a few bits of imbibing) … pampering is involved (I saw photographs of manicures AND peidcures happening … oh let us pray this stuff is free!) and it seems to be encouraging a light-hearted evening of girly time. I’m totally looking forward to it, and do plan on blogging all about it after I get home so that you all will be jealous of my girly time.

Quick! Give me something to write 60 words about!

It rained a lot this week. It did not snow, though. I think, last estimate I heard, there was over three inches of rain in two days. Impressive. It rains all winter in Portland, but very rarely do we get two solid days (Sunday and Monday) of HEAVY precipitation. I stayed in away from most of it, but when I did go out on Sunday evening (grocery shopping), my hat blew off because it was so windy on top of all that rain!

Do you know anyone who needs a Giant Sedona DX mountain bike for Christmas?

So, I saw someone else doing a meme about their city, and thought that it would be a perfect post for here. Mind you, these are all my opinions, and you may not agree, but that’s kinda what I want; I want to know what you think I should go check out! Broaden my horizons and tell me to change my tastes in Portland!

Best Place To Eat: I never tire of eating at Rose’s Deli & Bakery. This is a Portland based (with shops in Sherwood, on NW 23rd and downtown near 5th & Clay) deli with the tastiest turkey clubs I’ve ever had. When I worked near the 5th & Clay location, I would eat there as a splurge during lunchtime. Besides two or three people in that office, it’s what I miss most about working there!

Best Shopping Mall: None of ‘em. I am not much for malls. There is the Lloyd Center, Washington Square, Bridgeport Village and Clackamas Town Center, but I’m not a huge fan of any of ‘em. If I have to pick one … I’d go with Bridgeport, because their stores are a bit more high end. I prefer to shop at the Goodwill on NW 22nd and Burnside!

Best Tourist Attraction: Hands down, Powells wins this for me. I’ve never been in a cooler bookstore, and I love going in. I have to either take a large amount of money into the bookstore, or take no money at all in order to survive. With seven locations across Portland, it is easily accessible no matter where in town you’re at, and I absolutely recommend it!

In less than two weeks, Portland Fashion Week will invade our beautiful city. Yes, like New York City, Portland, Oregon has a fashion week - too bad we’re not featured on Project Runway, right? Guess we’re not quite as cool yet!

On October 19th, Allison Covington, owner of Amai Unmei - a local apparel design business - will be featured in Portland’s 2007 Fashion Week. Allison has lived in Portland since 1989 when she moved here to attend Reed College. As it does with new-comers, Portland drew her in and she hasn’t left since.

When Allison isn’t creating clean-lined, feminine dresses and coats, her alter-ego is a typical Portlander - spending her time outside “either climbing at Smith Rock or skiing on Mt. Hood, enjoying the Oregon landscape!” Designing in Portland has allowed her to express her creativity alongside other fashion designers. Contrary to what many in Los Angeles & New York think, Portland designers aren’t only creating sportswear! Despite the fact that Portland isn’t considered a “main hub” on the fashion map, and sourcing isn’t always readily available, Allison loves that Portland appreciates small businesses. It seems to have given her the perfect opportunity for Amai Unmei to flourish. Her line provides Portland women with wearable apparel that has a “modern twist.” Clothing-wise, Portland’s motto is probably “anything goes,” but Allison designs & provides special occasion clothes for women who want to look wonderful and feel comfortable. Amai Unmei allows women to buy incredibly fashionable clothes without emptying their pocketbooks as well!

Allison Covington will be featured on the evening of October 19th at Portland’s Fashion Week, but you don’t have to wait until then to see her timeless and classic designs. You can view the full Fall 2007 Collection immediately, and as of Monday, October 8th, you can visit the extensive e-boutique on her website as well. If you would like to see her line in person before splurging on a beautiful piece, purchase tickets to Portland’s Fashion Week and enjoy your evening. (If you do choose to purchase tickets, let me know, I’m probably going to do the same and enjoy Allison Covington’s Amai Unmei Fall 2007 line in person!)

“The Amai Unmei woman is confident, sassy, and assured with a feminine grace that is as unmistakable as it is unforgettable. She is the part of us that is refined; the part of us that is elegant; the part of us that shines. She is savvy and sensible. She is discerning and distinguished. The Amai Unmei woman is contemporary in her love for clean lines, meticulous fit, and impeccable style.

She disregards fads and furor. Distinctive, she knows herself and her needs and always stands out in any crowd. The woman who wears Amai Unmei is a woman of fresh initiative and inventive capacity: a confident woman that follows her own sweet destiny. Her wardrobe is meticulous and up-to date with a luxurious flair. In Amai Unmei, a woman sustains her most valuable distinction – her inimitable allure and individual spirit of identity.”

About Portland OR, Portland OR, Portland, Portland fashion designer, Amai Unmei, Allison Covington, Portland Fashion Week, fashion shows, new fashion lines

photo courtesy of Sarah Gould

On my drive home from work today I got to thinking about the things in Portland that I love, so I mentally made a list!

10. I love the weather, whether it’s sunny or rainy, I love the weather. If it rains I wear different clothes. If it’s sunny I roll my windows down while driving.

9. I love driving in Portland. Yes, I love driving in Portland. Most people bitch & moan about the traffic, but I don’t mind it. I like to drive on the freeways, the highways, the main streets, the back streets and down golf cart paths. (Okay, I’ve never tried that last one!)

8. I love SEEING Portland. This is probably why I don’t mind driving in town. I get to see my beautiful city.

(more…)

For the first time ever, I attended Alberta Streets ever growing, LAST THURSDAY, which is very different from the Pearl District’s First Thursday.

If you are expecting Posh galleries, and people dressed in their finest fashions think again. What you will encounter is an amazingly eclectic array of people from all parts of Portland uniting to celebrate the indivduality in the Portland Art’s Scene.

What you will find is tons of tables covered in homemade art, clothing made from tablecloths, photos of portland, original abstract artworks, tons of home made jewelery, vegan cucakes, mosaics, collages, etc. (check out some art here.. www.artonalberta.org )

Check it out, Last Thursday, will be the Last Thursday of every month. The next date will be.. August 30th, hope to see you all there.

Well the time is here my friends, you have seen it on the tv, read it in the newspaper and the internet. For those of you that don’t know about IKEA
(www.IKEA.com) it is probably the most affordable, sleekest, modern and well set up furniture store that is in existance.

For a little history on IKEA, it is a furniture company based in the Netherlands. First opening in Sweden, IKEA’s popularity spread from Europe to the US like wildfire. Their company states, “We shall offer a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them.”

Now franchised in 31 countries, finally Portland, OR is getting the love it deserves. No longer will you have to drive up to Seattle to get affordable, fun and functional furniture, it will finally be in our own backyard.

IKEA opens on July 25th, the first 100 customers in line will receive a free signature armchair, right out of the IKEA store.

Make a day of your experience there, not only do they offer a place for you to drop your children off so that you have freedom to shop, but they also have a food court with a vast array of affordable and tasty food. Their specialty the swedish meatball with a lingonberry sauce.

Check it out for yourself, or you can wait a couple weeks and just visit when the traffic dies down to see what the fuss is all about.

Oregon has always been a mecca for hippies and outdoor lovers alike, and Portland is no exception. But aside from the ever popular outdoor sports of hiking, biking, kayaking, mountain climbing, sight-seeing, skating, skiing, snowboarding, and all of the other great outdoor activities that Portlanders and Oregonians love so much, there is an entire culture of people that embrace the hippy bohemian lifestyle. It has become a part of Portland’s reputation, part of its style, and part of the locals’ way of life. From eclectic dining experiences to eccentric style and fashion, themed restaurants to street fairs and waterfront festivals, Portland one proud-to-be-weird city!

Just a few examples of some of the weird things you can eat and strange things to do while in Portland:

• Voodoo Doughnuts - Not your typical doughnuts! Open 24 hours, 6 days a week, and lots of strange toppings on their menu. Things you may have heard of, things you’ve probably never dreamed of, such as vegan doughnuts, maple-bacon donuts, cock-n-ball or voodoo doll doughnuts, cereal-topped doughnuts, and even a Doughnut & Wedding Chapel, where for $175 you can get married and have doughnuts and coffee with 10 of your favorite people! They even have a Doughnut Eating Contest on the first Friday of the month!
• Apizza Scholls - Some of the greatest pizza, and the strangest rules, you’ve ever imagined. But you’ve got to time out your trip just right, because they open at 5:00 p.m., and when the fresh hand-made dough is gone - they close up shop! The rules are, no more than three toppings, no more than one meat topping, and no substitutions on house pizzas. Why? According to the pizza chef, too many toppings prevent crust from cooking to perfection!
• Horse Project - You’ll just have to find your own place within this project, whether you choose to find pretty ponies in the streets, decorate them, or just laugh at them, they’re everywhere. Just make up your own adventure, but be sure to check out the history of the project!
• GrassHut - Check out some really funky art at the Grass Hut on Burnside. Their blog is pretty strange too, but if you’re in the mood to take a wild and funky trip to their gallery to check out some of their artwork, you won’t be disappointed!
• My Father’s Place - For some great nighttime fun, and a taste of the truly fun and weird people in Portland, take a load off and go for a drink while you ponder the concept of mannequin parts on the ceiling - seriously!

portland, oregon, art, nightlife, weird, fun places, food, strange, pizza, donuts

In a move to bring more awareness to Oregon’s hunger issues, Governor Kulongoski has gone on the food stamp diet, or as he’s calling it, the Food Stamp Challenge. Using the same amount that the average food stamp recipient would receive on food stamps - just $21 - the Governor shopped at a Salem Fred Meyer’s grocery store for his week’s worth of food. Of course, since he and his wife share the same meals, together they are allowed $42 total for the week.

Some of the items that he chose to buy with his tiny budget were a 5-lb. sack of potatos, three cups of instant noodle soup, two zucchini, a bunch of bananas, one whole chicken, one gallon of milk, granola, bread, peanut butter and jelly. Among the items that the first lady Mary thought to have on hand: Coffee, eggs, lettuce, onions, and pesto. He reportedly had to put back a few bananas and one of the noodle soups to stay under the budget.

Looking around Portland for some great fashion buys? We’ve got you covered - with five funky fashion finds in this really awesome city. There’s funky fashion everywhere out here in Oregon, and many people design their own clothing and either sell it or sport it on the streets. So here’s a pretty funky collection of five great clothing stores, botiques, and places to shop to create a funky fashion style all of your own.

• DaisyRock - Funky hats accessories and clothing designed by Portland artist Amy Daileda. Handcrafted out of earth friendly fabrics.
• Frock Boutique - Fresh, fabulous fashions right in the heart of the arts district of Portland, on NE Alberta St. Hats, jewelry, clothing, sunglasses, belt buckles, pin-up art, and more.
• Gypsy Chic - Sassy style, jewelry and accessories located on N. Mississippi in Portland.
• Dragon Lily - Local and independent designers, specializing in dresses and jewelry.
• Totinette - Jewelry handmade and crafted by a local indie designer.