CRAVE CRUSH the urban girl's blog to all that you CRAVE

Best of Portland: Happy Hours with the Gal Pals

March 3, 2010 by Katelin | Comments (0)

As a capital of creative cuisine, Portland offers an abundant supply of dining destinations. The only downside to living in this mecca of fantastic fare is the toll it can take on one’s wallet, so we are delivering the perfect anecdote to this mouthwatering dilemma: happy hours! Great places to get small plates, cheap drinks, and enjoy new atmospheres with friends, happy hours are perfect for frugal foodies. Here are some of our favorite places around town.

Casa Del Matador
Everyday 4-6pm & 10-1am
Extremely dedicated to providing a true tex-mex experience, the industry veterans behind Casa Del Matador have created an impressive restaurant reflective of their inspiration everywhere from the décor to the food. The interior is artfully decorated with unique woodworking, antique light fixtures, custom ironwork, and an open fireplace set atop one of the tables. Prices range from four to five dollars for food, and the flavors are unforgettable. The famous Texas Sized Nachos are piled high with melted cheese, chopped onions, black beans, pico de gallo, and somehow manage to stay crisp all the way through. Other happy hour menu items include the very flavorful Spicy Fried Calamari, Tex-Mex Spring Rolls (served with a sweet chili sesame plum sauce—YUM!), Chorizo Quesadillas, and many more. Although a drink purchase is not required, the tequila bar is stocked with over 95 varieties, and the margaritas are poured very generously (get the best for your buck!). Find Casa Del Matador at 1438 NW 23rd Ave., and 2424 E. Burnside St.

Mint/820
Mon- Tues 4-8pm, ALL NIGHT Wed, & 4-6:30 Thurs-Sun
This Pan-American Bistro takes influences from the Pacific North West, the Mediterranean, and Latin America offering a happy hour menu with varied options. Tucked away, this slim little restaurant is cozy and low lit for a swankier happy hour atmosphere. Happy hour menu items include Sweet Potato Fries ($3.50), Fried Stuffed Risotto Balls ($6), Cuban Lamb Burger ($8), Spicy Caesar Salad ($6), soup ($4), and daily specials. The drink menu is also one of Mint’s best assets; the Avocado Daiquiri, Pineapple Drop, Bella (Blackberry puree, vodka, and lemon lime), and Ruby (beet infused vodka with a splash of lemon lime juice) are all great options, and Mint offers many, many more. Even better, drinks are just $6 during happy hour. Find Mint/820 at 816 N. Russell St.

Bernie’s Southern Bistro
Tues-Sun 4-6pm
The phrase southern comfort sure does apply here. Bernie’s Southern Bistro offers the best in southern comfort food at excellent prices. During Bernie’s happy hour each dish is just $3! Menu items include the Po’ Boy Sandwich (your choice of chicken or fried green tomatoes), Creole Meatloaf Sandwich, Cornmeal Fried Okra, Mac n’ Cheese (creamy, cheesy, and SO delicious), Hush Puppies with an amazing jalapeno marmalade, Fried Dill Pickles, Bananas Foster Bread Pudding, and more. Also, the Southern Bell (gin, fresh lime, rashberry liqueur, and soda) is perfectly refreshing and just five dollars along with four other drink specials. House Chardonnay and Cabernet are also just $4 during happy hour. Bernie’s Southern Bistro is one of the best deals in town; find it at 2904 NE Alberta St.

Ciao Vito
Everyday at 4pm
Also located on NE Alberta at 2203, Ciao Vito offers a very different kind of happy hour. Here, under candlelight and crystal chandeliers, guests are invited to try modern takes on classic Italian dishes. A heaping plate of Ken’s Artisan bread, olives, and white bean spread is just $2, while other menu items like Spaghetti Agli’Olio, Fried Crispy Meatballs, Sugo of Pork with Fried Crispy Polenta, Butter Leaf Lettuce Salad with Olive Oil and Cabernet Sauvignon Vinegar, and Fried Potato Fritters in Roasted Red Pepper Sauce, are all between $5-8. Also, the antipasti platter is a great option for trying small bites of everything, with salted meats, cured olives, cheese, frittatas, and more. The staff is very knowledgeable about available wine pairings, and the owner is most often just a table away chatting with diners.

DragonFish
Mon-Sat 4-6pm & 9-close, Sunday 3pm-close
Those of you with sushi habits know how expensive keeping up with crab roll cravings can be. Fortunately, DragonFish’s newly revamped happy hour offers some great dishes at low prices. Half rolls and small plates like Caramel Ginger Chicken, Miso Soup, Hoisin BBQ Ribs, and Salmon Katsu cost between two and five dollars each with a minimum drink purchase. Dragonfish also has a trendy drink list, with items like Guava Mai-Tai’s, Lemongrass Lime Ricky’s, Electric Blowfishes, and Peachy Samurai Martinis for $5. Sake ($3), beer ($3.50), and Wine ($4) are also available during happy hour. Dragonfish is located at 909 SW Park Ave.

Got a favorite we didn’t mention? Comment below to share your favorite places with fellow readers, we know you’ve all got a little frugal foodie in you!

Interview with Entrepreness Tiffanee Bean of Mabel and Zora Boutique

February 26, 2010 by Katelin | Comments (3)

Inspired by the bold style of the seventies, Tiffanee Bean and husband Corey, opened Mabel and Zora four years ago with a distinct style and a talent for stocking the merchandise every woman craves. The styles are bold and bright, the accessories are classy and sassy, and the glamorous selection of dresses makes fahsionistas all over Portland weak in the knees. I caught up with Tiffanee to talk about the journey she and Corey have taken in opening Mabel and Zora, and their plans for the future. This couple couldn’t have been more fun to chat with, and Tiffanee’s passion for the colorful spirit of the shop is apparent in every aspect. I can’t wait to go back!

Tiffanee, you are the owner of an adorable shop, tell us how you started your business.
I’ve worked in retail and merchandise for a very long time. Earlier on, I worked in a store where the owner worked mostly remotely, so I basically got to run the place on my own. That’s where much of the inspiration to start my own shop began. On March 13th we’ll have been in the Pearl for two years! Also, when I was younger my grandmother had this great shop with white carpet and great clothes, and it was one of maybe only two shops in town. It was a gathering spot for women to get together and shop and have fun, and that’s what I wanted to do here. I spoke with her for a long time about opening my store, and it finally became a reality. I didn’t want to sell vintage or recycled clothing, I wanted to stay modern and true to the style of dress today, but maintain the same spirit of her shop. Though white carpet is VERY impractical for a Portland shop, so we’ve got these white marble floors and they’re about as close we can get. Overall, I’m really happy with the styling of the shop. There are a few things every now and then that I would change, but I love it.

You named Mabel and Zora after your cats, and designed it after Doris Day movies. What are some of your other inspirations?
I’m so in love with things from the past. I’ve always been one of those people that people say ‘you were born in the wrong era’. I’m not sure that’s true, but I’m obsessed with different eras. I’ve gone through all kinds of era obsessions, the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s … Right now I’m kind of stuck on my grandmother’s era and happy to be there. Two lines that we carry, Milly and Trina Turk are very retro style and I love them.

What do you like most about owning your own business? And what aspects of the business do you manage?
My husband and I cover all aspects of the business. I handle most all of the buying, financial accounting, etc …  and Corey takes care of the staffing and spends the most time in the store. It’s a big job! What I like most about owning my own business is getting to run things the way I want to. It’s also scary because there is no one to go to but yourself if you don’t know how to do something, or something goes wrong. Being a business owner is really difficult, and definitely requires a certain type of person. I know quite a few people that have spoken to me about starting their own businesses and have found out that the stress is too much. It requires quite all of your attention.

How fun to work with your husband everyday! Was that something that you planned early on?
Corey was actually a chef when we opened Mabel and Zora on Alberta. Initially it was just me running the store, and I think three weeks later (“two weeks later”—Corey shouts from the back!)–Two weeks later, I admitted that I needed to hire someone to help out in the store. Corey said, ‘why not me?’ and we decided to take that leap and have us both work full-time on getting this shop off the ground. It was quite a risk, giving up our substantial source of income, but it paid off and we’ve since been able to hire wonderful employees for both of our shops. We’ve become a family, and stay close even with employees that no longer work for us. That’s a kind of relationship that many people don’t have, and we feel lucky to have achieved that.

When you opened this location in the Pearl District, did you feel that your clientele changed too?
I think if anything, we were able to gain even more customers. Most of our regular customers continued to shop here, and we were shocked to find that so many of our new visitors hadn’t heard of us or even the Alberta District before. Also in opening this location, we gained access to the very large tourist destination that is the Pearl District. During the summer it’s like we’re in a real destination city and it’s fun! Overall, we attract an older customer with great taste, and we’ve been able to just build on that client base in the Pearl.

What is your favorite place to take a break in the Pearl?
We are definitely Hot Lips Pizza people. We go there almost every day, and it is so good! Also the park is right at the end of our block, so we love to walk there in the summer and watch the puppies, and of course get Cool Moon Ice Cream. That stuff is too good! We even get it during the winter, I’m sure people think we’re crazy, walking around in the rain with ice cream.

Since you do all of the buying for Mabel and Zora, what is your favorite season to stock for?
Summer! I love dresses and bright colors. Summer is so much fun, and it’s the perfect season for my favorite clothes.

What are some challenges with buying for your store?
Editing, editing, editing. When we used to go to market, we would look at everything and always over-buy. Now, we try to be more focused, find what we came for, and leave! It helps us to be more consistent with the clothes that we stock. I’ve found that the things that I like sells, and the things I’m not so sure about end up on the sale rack. I’ve had to learn to really trust myself. Though I do have to keep our customers in mind as well. I love kitsch, I swear I’m making our house into the Brady Bunch house, and I love it! If Corey would let me have green shag carpet we would. But I have to remember that not everyone has my exact taste. Also, we’re making a real effort to find clothes that fit all different body types. It’s challenging, but we do our best to find good pieces to accommodate everyone in a flattering way. Another challenge, is being aware of trends. Again, we’re trying really hard to stay true to the specific types of clothes that we’ve built our store’s reputation on and the items that we’re excited about. If there’s an airline stewardess-looking dress in a bright color, we’re definitely getting it. But it can get really hard when you go to market and literally EVERYONE is wearing fringe, or pink. It feels like once a trend becomes popular you can’t get away from it. We want to stay modern and trendy, but maintain our individual style.

Portland’s fashion scene seems largely focused on supporting local designers. Do you feel a responsibility to this movement or does it interfere with your stylistic vision?
It’s true that there are many great designers here in Portland. But they are also represented in a lot of boutiques. We wanted to stay away from being just another local Portland boutique and offer something different and uniquely us. We pay a lot of attention to the practices of the companies we buy from and in some cases have had to stop carrying certain brands over disagreements in practices. In our opinion, it’s important to support brands that we can get behind AND fit with the style of our store and customers. Ultimately that means that we don’t carry a ton of Portland made products, but pay close attention to where and how the items we purchase are made. For example, we carry almost everything that Trina Turk designs and over 70% of it is made in America. We also carry Angela Arnold jewelry, a lot of Betsy & Iya, and many of my sister-in-law’s designs, all Portland made.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
There are several different rewarding aspects. The first is more of a daily reward, and that’s having customers walk away happy. Like yesterday, we had a customer come in fifteen minutes before closing. She had driven from Salem, and had been shopping all day for a dress to wear to a wedding. She had a very slim, tall, athletic build and couldn’t find a thing to fit her. I suggested a sleeveless cowl neck dress, and it looked stunning on her! She was SO excited because all day, no one had helped her or suggested anything like the dress. She left so happy, originally thinking that she would have to go home empty-handed, and we were able to give her something she loved and felt confident in. That felt really good.

But I don’t work in the store all of the time, so I don’t get to be a part of everyone’s shopping successes. For me the most constant reward is the fact that we’ve been in business for almost four years. It feels like such a great accomplishment, that even if the store were to close tomorrow I wouldn’t regret it because of what a great experience it’s been.

What is this season’s must-have item in the shop?
Bright colors! Big sellers for spring have been our items in peacock teal. It seems like everyone has to have something in that shade this season, it has blown off the racks. Also here in Portland, I think long sleeved, bright colored cardigans are a must. In other parts of the country, springtime means sundresses and sandals, but here we have to stay a little more covered up, so bright colored cardigans are great.

What is the most important staple of your own closet?
All of my Trina Turk outfits, she’s probably my favorite designer. She is from Palm Springs, and I just visited her store. It looked almost identical to ours! She loves the same kind of jet set, bold colors, seventies design aesthetic that I do. It was like a brain share between the two of us. So all of the items I have of hers are in a special section of my closet.

Do you have plans for the future of Mabel & Zora?
For the moment, our biggest initiative is introducing our own clothing line. There are sometimes gaps that you wish you fill in your store, but can’t find what you’re looking for. Introducing our own line would help us to supply our customers with everything we want to offer them, and give customers an even better reason to shop here since our line will be sold exclusively at Mabel and Zora! But since I’m still in school, that is awhile down the road. For now we’re happy with where we are, we want to continue to evolve our buying, and enjoy starting our family.

Best of Portland: Baby Shower Gifts

February 17, 2010 by Katelin | Comments (1)

Baby showers are all about getting together with girlfriends, celebrating new life, and passing on war-stories to the mommies-to-be. But too often, the excitement of celebrating our friends’ new journeys is overshadowed by the stress of searching for the perfect shower gift. Here are some go-to shops in town where great gifts are found in a fraction of the time, with party-stopping results guaranteed!

Black Wagon. Located in Portland’s eclectic Mississippi neighborhood, Black Wagon is know to outfit babies with hip parents and trendy taste. Regulars to this shop regard it is as their secret weapon to remaining the coolest parents, aunts, and godparents. It has even been described as the place that rockstars go to dress their children. With a unique selection of locally made items, Black Wagon is committed to supporting sustainability and independent designers, while providing shoppers with the best selection of unique baby supplies and gifts. Some favorite shower items are the Mary-Jane t-stap socks, and selection of Amy Wilson Sanger books about baby’s first international foods like, Hola Jalapeño and Yum Yum Dim Sum. In accordance with Black Wagon’s ‘happy camper’ policy, the staff is well informed on the items in stock and always willing to help shoppers find the items or gifts for which they search. Black Wagon is a family friendly shop, and a fun place to duck in and quickly cross shower-shopping off your list. Find Black Wagon at 3964 N. Mississippi Avenue.

Little Urbanites. Across town in the Pearl District, Little Urbanites is another children’s shop store know for its hip stock of baby necessities. Owned by a mother-daughter duo, Little Urbanites carries clothes, toys, and décor that both look and do good. Many of the clothes and accessories are made of organic fibers, like the Pixel Organic Sheets, BabySoy kimono bodysuits, and Beba Bean Bamboo Sacques and hats. They even carry no chemical softener, BPA free pacifiers. Just a short stroll from Jamison Square Park, this shop is a great place to find quality gifts for baby showers. Be sure to follow their blog to get great gift inspiration and stay updated on sale events!

Grasshopper. Located on NE Alberta at 1816, Grasshopper is run by a great group of gals, and offers many organic American-made clothes, as well as an impressive selection of toys and books. Very proud of their extensive collection, Grasshopper’s book selection includes new titles as well as classic favorites, like Blueberries for Sal, and the FunPrint Drawing Book. Other great gift ideas include Baby’s First Canvas Kit, for making prints of baby’s feet and hands, painted canvas nightlights, giraffe growth chart, and sock monkeys, mermaids, and ballerinas. Additionally, Grasshopper offers a multitude of smaller gifts under ten dollars by the register, and a sale bin chock full of goodies. Best of all, gift-wrapping is free! Join Grasshopper’s mailing list online to get up-to-date information about sales and promotions!

Best of Portland: Cupcakes

February 10, 2010 by Katelin | Comments (0)

Cupcakes have quickly become the new darling of the dessert world, and we here in Portland are stout supporters of this tasty trend. Never ones to shy away from a challenge, Portland’s culinary artists have outdone themselves with these filled and frosted creations. The little cakes found in the bakeries below are sure to leave you with the certainty that your waistline will never be the same after your first bite of these mouth-watering treats. But what are a few extra calories when compared to pure bliss?

Cupcake Jones. I discovered Cupcake Jones, on NW 10th and Everett St., shortly after its opening in 2007, and have been addicted ever since. Owners Lisa and Peter have created a truly unique treat with their jumbo filled cupcakes in amazingly inventive flavors. Some of my favorites include the Cherry Cheesecake (white velvet cake filled with homemade cherry filling and topped with cheesecake icing and a homemade graham cracker crumble), and Peter’s Chocolate Mint (devil’s food cake filled with chocolate mint ganache). Simply sinful. Their Red Velvet is also their most popular flavor! The staff here is spectacular, the quality and flavors are flawless, and the samples are endless! What more can you ask for? Except perhaps a frequent buyer card …

Saint Cupcake. Now with two locations in Portland, Saint Cupcake bakes five flavors of vegan cupcakes, hot cinnamon rolls daily, and even cupcakes whipped up from co-owner, Jami’s, grandmother’s recipes! Any way you slice it, the sweets found here are labors of love and uniquely Saint Cupcake creations! The Big Top Cupcake is even frosted by color according to the mood of the baker of the day! Stop in for fun flavors like the Fat Elvis (banana chocolate chip poundcake with peanut butter fudge), the Malt Ball, or the Toasted Coconut Cream … hand toasted coconut flakes, toffee chips, and creamy vanilla cream cheese icing. You’ll have to try it, because the name doesn’t do it justice! Find Saint Cupcakes at 407 NW 17th Ave., and 3300 SE Belmont, and online!

Bliss Bake Shop. Located at 4708 NW Bethany Blvd., Bliss Bake Shop bakes batches of delicious cupcakes daily, on a rotating menu. Bliss’ cupcake flavors include Creamsicle Bliss, S’mores Bliss, Luscious Lemon Raspberry Bliss, and many more. This is a great little shop to bring kids to, with a truckload of sweets to delight them, and a play area to distract them (so you don’t go home with the whole store in hand). Bliss even employs the owner’s kids as full-time taste testers! Quality guaranteed! Now serving vegan and gluten free cupcakes, stop in and give these cute cakes a taste!

Interview with Entrepreness, Jillian Rabe

February 5, 2010 by Katelin | Comments (5)

As a freelance event planner, model, film, print, and runway producer, Jillian Rabe is one busy entrepreness. Quickly becoming a fixture in Portland’s fashion scene, Jillian’s name seems to be ubiquitous through all hip happenings in town, including co-producing our fabulous runway show at the 2009 Holiday Cravings Party! Jillian is a friend to some of the coolest designers in town, a colleague to the most mobile entreprenesses, and a partner within many of Portland’s most connected organizations. She brings fresh enthusiasm and immense talent to the projects she is involved in, be it traversing language barriers while producing international fashion shows, or sharing blossoming new boutiques with us through her famous video blog entries. Jillian Rabe is a woman on the move, so we caught up with her to give you the inside scoop!

In 2008, you left a corporate marketing position in order to pursue a career as an independent event planner and model. What motivated this move?
I feel most successful when I am helping people. After 1 ½ years in a cubicle working hard but still finding myself assigned to tasks that rarely resulted in feeling like I was contributing anything of value to the bigger picture – I began to feel depressed and directionless. When I expressed these concerns to my manager, she looked at me for a moment and flatly replied, “welcome to the real world.” I wrote my letter of resignation shortly after and I remember believing that if I wound up disappointed in not finding the REAL world I believed existed, that I was just going to have to take a deep breath and create it myself.

What advice can you give to other women looking to reach similar success in their professional lives?

1. Make it a point to be the first person to smile, introduce yourself and give a firm handshake! It is never a bad idea to let people know who you are – especially if you know what you’re capable of bringing to the table.

2. Everyone has a bellybutton! The fact of the matter is that no matter who you are talking to – famous, future employer or cute guy – that underneath it all, they are just a person…

3. Always follow your gut instinct! Even if along the way you may not feel like a decision was the right one, being honest with yourself is the only sure way to know that you tried everything possible to ‘make it happen.’

Producing and walking in fashion shows must be very hectic, what is it like to play both roles in a day?
I love my job. And guess what? Models do have brains! I was producing events before becoming a professional model – and discovering that I could combine the two in a runway setting was just awesome. It does get quite hectic – but that’s where teamwork comes in. I’ll work for several months or weeks on a runway (depending on the size of it) and then start pulling in assistants when the task list gets too huge. By the time the show comes around, I have great communication with my backstage and front house managers, giving me enough control to still manage the overall production, but then slip backstage to change right before I need to start walking. Communication and organization are everything.

Do you have a mentor or a role model?
My sister Megan is my role model. She has demonstrated to me all her life that being natural and true to yourself is when you shine the brightest. Kerry Yu and May Tee are my mentors. They have both shown me what beautiful, strong, intelligent women can be capable of if they put their minds to something.

If you could work with any designer to produce or walk in their show, who would it be?
Emilia Kaye. She is an amazing storytelling artist. With each one of her pieces being a true one-of-a-kind garment of wearable art.

What gave you the idea to video blog the shows you’re involved in, shops you visit, etc.?
When I was 9, I started my own radio show by recording myself on cassette tapes, I got my hand on a camcorder when I was 15, and I started filming my entire life my senior year in high school. Video blogging was a natural addiction for me as I hit the digital world. To be honest, I just really like filming things. The business part of it started when clients started watching and hiring me to come document their behind-the-scenes too. I think its funny that people like to have me around with my flip cam just because I love to do it so much and because I look like a dork always walking around talking to myself.

You recently traveled to Beijing for fashion week, what challenges do producing in foreign countries present?
LANGUAGE BARRIER! Learning Mandarin is next on my agenda. China Fashion Week was awesome because it opened my eyes up so much to the international market. The show I produced in Zheng Zhou featured Portland designers exclusively which was such a privilege to coordinate and manage. We were working with professional teams in hair, makeup, and AV – so the hardest part for me was just getting the fittings and lineup organized in a way that people knew where they were supposed to be and when. Everything worked out great. Our show was on the front page of the paper the next day featuring Portland fashion on every street corner!

You have a goal of making 60% of your closet Portland-made fashion. What do you love about Portland fashion and why is the goal important to you?
Portland fashion to me is a movement – we’re not New York, we’re not LA – we’re Portland! With our own style and personality. I just love this city so much because of its eclectic attitude toward everything! Choosing to be local in my wardrobe purchases was simply a tangible way for me to “practice what I preach.” It’s important to me because when the fashion industry flourishes here – we all will. It’s a ripple effect – and if fashion is successful … photographers, models, stylists, local publications, TV, film, hair and makeup artists, graphic designers, event planners, etc. will all experience growth.

American fashion currently seems to revolve around Los Angeles and New York, how do you see Portland growing as a fashion capital?
We need more local manufacturing power and more high-end production value. Manufacturing is important because it would allow our designers to source and produce more locally/efficiently; thus enabling us to export and better fund the local economy. And I am hugely dedicated to producing runway in Portland that can become competitive with larger markets as well. When I think of Portland as a fashion capital – I see it as a destination for people who want to experience our unmatched character in design, show appeal, education, personality, and business development opportunities. I see it becoming a place that is at the top of an emerging or existing designer’s list to relocate because they know that Portland offers world-class opportunities with a personable and interconnected approach.

What exciting projects are you currently working on?
Here is my current list – in no particular order, with lots of room for elaboration if anyone is interested in learning more or getting involved!

• Producing runway for the Chinese New Year
• Exclusive partnering with 94.7 Alternative Portland radio as their fashion liaison
• Producing runway for non-profit, Dress For Success
• Planning my 2010 trip back to Beijing, Zheng Zhou and Shanghai (with Kerry Yu/Portland Fashion Synergy – lots of plans for action to be announced)
• Coordinating the press conferences surrounding our China trip
• Projects scheduled with RYZ, The Art Institute of Portland, Looptworks, Lyon Films
• And even working CRAVE Portland on a few new ideas!

This is what I have going on until April, anyway…

I love Portland. I am thankful for the people I have encountered and look forward with open arms to everything to come.

Best of Portland: Local Olympians

February 3, 2010 by Katelin | Comments (0)

The Winter Olympics are just 9 days away, and 313 miles up the road from us here in Portland. Fortunately, for those not making the trip this year, we have plenty of Olympic spirit right in our backyard. Portland boasts many successful Olympians originating and residing right here in town, and below are just a few local heroes deserving of our praise. Also, don’t forget to catch the opening ceremony on February 12th. On Deck Sports Bar & Grill in the Pearl is offering a Widmer Snowboard giveaway and food and beverage specials from February 12th to the 28th. The Oregon Sports Authority and KGW are also hosting a live public viewing event of the Vancouver ceremonies in Pioneer Square with interviews with Oregon Olympians, warm drinks, and a hockey goal-scoring challenge on the 12th! Who knows, you may just meet one of the Olympians below!

Marla Runyan: Marathon Runner
Marla Runyan, a Eugene resident, is an inspiration in many ways. She won third place in the 2000 US Olympic 1500 meters at 4 minutes and 6.44 seconds at 31-years-old. And she happens to have suffered from Stargardt’s disease, a degeneration of the retina, since she was nine. There is a hole in the centre of her vision, turning her competitors into mere blurs of figures.

“My peripheral vision is intact and this enables me to get around very well. I can walk or run without assistance, and I can even navigate through a crowded room. But in these instances, I wouldn’t be able to recognize the people around me. I never really think that much about my vision as much as the media does. And I don’t think my competitors do either. I just think about my personality and the person I am. I’m definitely an athlete.” - The Independent

In the 1992 Olympics, Runyan had won the 100, 200, 400 and long jump, achieving status of a Paralympian champion, and in 1996 winning the pentathlon. But she didn’t stop there and pushed her way into the Olympics. “I never said to myself, I want to be the first legally blind Olympian. I just said I wanted to be on an Olympic team.” It is clear that Runyan does not allow for her physical condition to define who she is. Her story will inspire each of us to rethink our own hesitations and inhibitions.

Phillip Dunn: Speed Walking
Phillip Dunn began his journey to the Olympics at the age of ten when he unexpectedly entered the 1,500m race walk at his school track meet. In the following years, Dunn remained involved in track and field, cross country, and speed walking competitions, eventually making his first Olympic team in the year 2000. Dunn continued his move upward the next year, winning the U.S 50km title, and achieved his first ever #1 US ranking after attaining a personal record of 3:56:30 at the 2002 World Cup. In 2004, Dunn made his second Olympic team by placing 3rd at the 50km Olympic Trials, and bettered the Olympic A standard with a time of 3:59:12. Dunn placed 35th at the Games that year. 2006 was Dunn’s best year in the 50km competition, as he posted the fasted time achieved by an American that season! Two years ago Dunn once again achieved acclaim when he won the Olympic trials by a margin of two and a half minutes. What an impressive record of achievement!

Gary Wallesen: Triathlon
A long-time Portlander, Gary has been competing in triathlons since 1985. Blue Lake was his first. He is a member of the Ironheads multi-sport racing team and is currently focused on the 70.3mi race. Wallesen typically competes in the Sprint, Olympic, 2x Olympic (approx 70.3 mi/113.1km), Long course (approx 140.6 mi/225.3km). But it’s not just about a race for him; it is a way of life. Wallesen has managed to entrench himself in this world, having cultivated a professional niche within his passion. He is a certified Race Director as well as partner for Athletes Lounge, a triathlon store located in Hillsboro. Wallesen also designed the triathlon route in Forest Grove, OR, which was submitted for the Ironman Oregon 2009. This competition would qualify triathletes for Ironman Hawai’i– the most rigorous and challenging triathlon in the world. Multiple routes were submitted throughout the state, though it seems that Forest Grove lost to Lincoln City as the route for Ironman Oregon. You can follow Wallesen’s blog here.

Olympians native to the Northwest competing in the 2010 Winter Olympics include Erik Fisher in alpine skiing, Daron Rahives in Freestyle Skiing, Morgan Arritola in cross country skiing, and Seattle’s Apolo Ohno in short tract skating. Be sure to cheer extra loud!

- by Katelin Villamil and Katerina Margolin

Best of Portland: Cruise Wear

January 27, 2010 by Katelin | Comments (3)

I love living here in Portland. I love my regular coffee and cupcake spots in town. I love my roommates, Casa del Matador’s happy hour nachos, and the view of Mount Hood on my drive up I-5. That being said, there is only so much rain a girl can take, and I have hit my limit. This Portland precipitation has intervened with many a good hairdo, crept up the hem of my jeans too many times; and with endless showers on the way, I can’t think of a better time to plan a cruise to somewhere tropical. Doesn’t sunny and seventy sound wonderful? Here are a few great places to find the on-deck essentials for those of you planning an offshore getaway this spring. Anchors away!

Sunglasses: Mink, Free People, Sunglass Hut

While the sun is still on hiatus, it can be hard to find shades here in Portland. Popping into smaller shops like Mink on Hawthorne Street, or Free People on NW 23rd could turn up some vintage, funky frames. Otherwise, the Sunglass Hut at 638 SW Alder St., stocks a wide variety of sun-blocking spectacles year-round. The Sunglass Hut’s staff skillfully helps customers find frames perfect for each unique face from a stockpile of well-respected brands.

For those of you with prescription needs, we’re told Blink is the place to go. With a tirelessly helpful and friendly staff, even the eye exam is rumored to be enjoyable! Stop in and say hi to Dr. Armstrong and his fantastic selection of frames at 2719 SE 21st Ave.

Swim Suits: Poppi Swim & Sport

Featuring its own line, Popina, this bathing suit boutique stocks a great supply of vintage inspired swimwear as well as contemporary pieces from Tommy Bahama, Jantzen, Kechika, Jag, L*Space, and many more. Taking into account the needs of the shoppers they encounter on a daily basis, the staff is directly involved in the creation of the Popina line, creating countless fantastic suits and accessories. Tops come in sizes up to an E cup, and individual pieces can be custom designed to include fabrics or cuts specific to each shopper’s taste. Poppi Swim & Sport is located at 4831 NE 42nd Avenue.

Sandals: Ether & Shoefly

While you may plan to kick them off for the majority of your cruise, you’ll need a pair of good sandals for trekking around on docked days. A great place to start is Ether on NW 23rd. Located amidst the often-unaffordable boutiques of NW 23rd Ave., Ether comes as a welcomed surprise with a great selection of trendy footwear at shockingly low prices. These shoes may not last forever, but they’re perfect for a season or two of wear. Ether also has a great stock of bags and jewelry at equally affordable prices that will compliment your cruise wear collection flawlessly.

If you’re in the market for slightly fancier footwear, but still very affordable, stop into Shoefly on NW 11th Street. This shop stocks shoes by Frye, Sam Edelman, Shie Mihara, and many others, in fun and trendy styles like retro wooden platforms and faux snakeskin sandals. The selection is great and the sales are even better. Shoefly’s stock may start out pricey, but during the ‘buy one, get one half off’ sales, they become much more affordable! Join their online mailing list to stay updated, and find this fantastic footwear in the Pearl at 718 NW 11th Ave.

Best of Portland: Evening Wear

January 20, 2010 by Katelin | Comments (2)

Each January I make a slue of resolutions, and promptly talk myself out of completing the majority of them. However, this year, spurred on by too many Sex & the City marathons, I have resolved to make room for more elegant experiences in the upcoming year. Though my sparse selection of evening wear is threatening to dissuade me, my envy for the beautiful gowns, jeweled shoes, and cute clutches is giving me a steadfast resolve. Here are the three places I am starting my search for new eveningwear. See you there!

Bubble Boutique. Located in the Pearl District, Bubble Boutique is a go-to shop for the frocks that fashionistas crave. This elegant, Parisian-style boutique offers shoppers a unique, personalized experience, ensuring a successful end to often exhausting dress shopping. This bright, clean space is punctuated by chic details like sparkling chandeliers, inspiring displays, and a comfortable seating area for shopping companions. Many of Bubble Boutique’s items are supplied by exclusive labels such as Nellie Partow, Loeffler Randall, and Gerard Darel, and are the perfect little dresses for parties and fancier gatherings. Bubble Boutique is located in the Pearl District at 1100 NW Glisan.

Xtabay Vintage Clothing Boutique. As ‘vintage’ quickly became one of the most utilized words of 2009, it seems only fitting that Xtabay should make our list this week. The unique selection found in this shop is the product of Xtabay’s hard working proprietress, Liz Gross. Handpicked by Liz, the well-edited and quickly rotating merchandise ranges from rare ‘20’s finds, to full-skirted ‘50’s dress, to sexy ‘60’s minis and beyond. Xtabay is a great place to find wonderfully unique dresses and accompanying accessories, sure to make you the center of much envy and the receiver of more than a few inquiries. Xtabay’s blog is a great place to get a feel for their recent inventory and what’s to come next. Stop in at 2515 SE Clinton St.

Cocoon Silk. Specializing in one hundred percent Cambodian silk, lace, and embroidery, Cocoon Silk has a wide selection of beautiful gowns cut and embellished by these luxurious fabrics. However, the shop’s main claim to fame is its impressive in-house tailoring, offering custom design and fitting services to shoppers in search of beautiful eveningwear, made to one’s precise specifications. Stop in at either of the two locations (Nw 23rd & Pearl District) for a chance to design the dress of your dreams– or to pick up something unimagined but equally fabulous and fantastically fitting.

Best of Portland: Places to Experience the Holidays

December 22, 2009 by Katelin | Comments (0)

In a city renowned for its unique eateries, spectacular shows, and exceptional opportunities for adventure, it’s no wonder Portland offers a host of great places to experience the best of the holiday season. It is time to take advantage of those well-deserved vacation days, so this week we’re bringing you Portland’s most magnificent places to enjoy the holidays from here through the New Year!

Zoolights at the Oregon Zoo. The allure of exotic animals and mouth-watering elephant ears (the sweet treat of choice for many Portlander’s) has made the Oregon Zoo a top destination since the 1800’s. With the addition of a little holiday magic, this collection of creatures transforms after nightfall. From five o’clock on, the zoo remains open in limited areas, illuminated by over 200 swinging, diving, and leaping animated animals. Mountain goats, leopards, tigers, sea lions, sea otters, polar bears, farm animals, and elephants can still be observed, accompanied by these animated animals. Those visiting the zoo earlier in the day are invited to stay for the zoo light experience, provided they stay in the park until at least four o’clock. Otherwise, tickets cost between $6 and $9, with the option to purchase packages including rides on the zoo train. Views from the train offer some unavailable to those on foot, and a feeling of immersion in the zoo aglow adds something special the experience. The Oregon Zoolights is a great place for dates, and perfect outing for kids of all ages!

See the Nutcracker. Touted by the Oregonian as “a profound pleasure to see,” attending a showing of the George Blanchine’s Nutcracker is a must this holiday season. Few outings rival the sheer traditional value of entering this world of Sugarplum Fairies, dancing snowflakes, and waltzing flowers, as performed by the Oregon Ballet Theater. In true Portland fashion, a visit to the Keller Auditorium offers a complete experience, including festive entertainment in the lobby, and even nightly visits from Santa Clause! It’s a great time to start memorable traditions with loved ones! Visit OBT for ticket information.

Tinsel, Trees, & Tradition at the Pittock Mansion. Previously home to Portland Pioneers, Henry and Georgiana Pittock, the Pittock mansion has stood as a community landmark since 1965. This year, in celebration of Oregon’s 150 years of statehood, many of the rooms have been decorated to reflect different Christmas traditions, including Christmas tree decoration, holiday feast preparation, Christmas card writing, Christmas music playing, and gift giving. This historic mansion is a great destination year-round, and offers an exciting twist on its already impressive offering with this festive redecoration for the holiday season. Open until January 3rd, Tinsel, Trees, & Tradition is an ideal holiday destination for history buffs!

So take your coffee or eggnog to go, and come experience the best of Portland’s holiday happenings! Happy holidays to all!

Best of Portland: Holiday Party Wear

December 15, 2009 by Katelin | Comments (3)

‘Tis the season for festive fêtes, and I can’t help but get excited for my annual holiday celebrations. However, each year I undoubtedly find myself standing panic-stricken inside my closet with just one hour to unearth something fabulous for the evening ahead, and not one suitable ensemble in sight. This year I am eliminating my usual wardrobe woes and am pledging to find Portland’s best shops for holiday attire, appropriate for all occasions from work parties to cozy cocktails with the gals!

Mink Located at 3418 SE Hawthorne, Mink is well known for its extensive collection of party dresses year-round, catering to the needs of those shopping for both upscale outings and casual affairs. This season’s stock includes a large supply of Weston Wear, BCBG holiday dresses, pieces from Corey Lynn Calter, as well as many items for those looking to make better use of their attire investments. “Women this year want something they can wear more than once, so we’ve got a great selection of cross-over dresses for wintertime” says Austin, a manager at Mink. Perfect for glamming up with heels, or pairing with tights and boots, Mink’s dresses range from jersey to lux fabrics, and pair perfectly with their great selection of cropped cover-ups and jackets. Prices run between $110-198 for dresses, and the amazingly helpful staff can’t be beat!

Mabel and Zora Nestled in the Pearl on NW 11th Ave., his beautiful boutique may be decked out in yellow, but it is anything but mellow….as a self proclaimed sanctuary of sequence and sparkles, Mabel and Zora prides itself on providing glitz and glam to the modern woman, while making nods to the retro glamour of Doris Day films. Beaded tops and sparkly dresses abound here, complemented by a great selection of separates, jeans, and jewelry. Mabel and Zora stocks, Trina Turk, Ella Moss, Kersh, Max & Cleo, Betsy & Iya jewelry, and many more. Prices range from $58-$300, and for a lady in search of shine and shimmer, Mabel and Zora is this winter’s wonderland.

The English Dept In my recurring dream of being invited to an exclusive party, picked up in a limo by a handsome date, and swept off to an evening of elegance and luxury…I imagine I bough my dress at The English Dept. The owner, Elizabeth Dye, stocks her intimate boutique with many of her own designs and those of her favorite designers from around the world. Elizabeth’s focus is bridal dresses, but she keeps the English Dept. well supplied with special occasion dresses so intricate, distinctive, and fashion-forward that it is impossible not to gape at her divine mind. Each item comes with a story of vintage fabrics and inspiration drawn from literature and centuries passed, and Elizabeth even invites shoppers to consult on pieces for their own special occasions. Be it a high-collared silk shrug or handmade dress, a piece purchased from The English Dept. will surely be a splurge but is also an investment in one’s self-distinction. The English Dept. is located at 1124 SW Alder Street.

Happy shopping!

Next Page »