CRAVE portland innovatively connects urban gals to the sassiest, gutsiest, most inspiring people they need to know in Portland. Our modern marketplace of soirees, gatherings and online networking serves as your ambassador to everything there is to CRAVE about the Rose City.
CRAVEguide
FIND US
SUBSCRIBE 
- Photos |
- Calendar |
- Mailing List |
CRAVE CRUSH the urban girl's blog to all that you CRAVE
Interview with Entrepreness Anne Bocci of Anne Bocci Boutique & Gallery
Anne Bocci is a sweet and personable individual who not only takes pride in her boutique and her own jewelry designs, but also the creative work of others. When it comes to supporting and promoting independent designers and artists, call on Anne to be the one to receive that distinctly unique line with an open mind. Packed floor to ceiling with indie apparel, art, designer clothes, different jewelry, and oddities, Anne works like a museum curator to pick out the best lines that represent her boutique and her customers’. Anne’s boutique and art gallery, located in the heart of Multnomah Village, is cozy and vibrant–especially on a fun First Friday! In addition, Anne carries clothing designs from current Project Runway contestant, Seth Aaron Henderson!
Read our interview with Anne …
What three words describe your boutique best?
Tiny, artisan, eclectic. Hmm, maybe just a little unique shop in Multnomah Village. Since my boutique is teeny-tiny, I must choose my designers and pieces carefully. One of the designers I have had in here since day-one is Seth Aaron Henderson, a NW emerging apparel designer who is on Project Runway right now.
You also call your business a “gallery”- what kind of art or artists do you showcase?
When I first had the idea to open the boutique three years ago, no one was really mixing fine art with fashion. I love art and artists and wanted to showcase painters, wood turners, and mixed media artists alongside fashion designers and emerging artists. Maybe just blurring the line between boutique and gallery in the traditional sense. It used to be that tradition meant that fine art must be displayed on a clean white barren walls with nothing much around it. But these days, artists are seeking alternative spaces. Art venues aren’t necessarily limited to traditional galleries anymore. Now it’s becoming more common and other boutiques and venues are mixing the two. Not a week goes by, where a fine artist or designer doesn’t come to show me their pieces. I wish I had a bigger space!
At a fashion event, what would you most likely be doing?
Definitely, I’d be the one to make sure all the guests’ glasses were full, making the introductions, and seeing that everyone was having a good time.
Do you have a mentor or role model in your life?
My mentor is the father that raised me. As a baby I was adopted. I know today that I’m truly blessed to be raised my dad who provided a stable loving environment. He took over raising me and my adopted brother because our adopted mother was hospitalized. When I look back it was quite a feat for my father to care for two small kids by himself. When Mother’s Day comes around, I often find myself sending dad a card.
What do you love most about your job?
I like to personally interact with my customers. I’m not one who sits behind a desk and looks up from reading a book. I really want to help pick out that jaw-dropping silk red dress or create the perfect statement necklace or earrings to go with a dress they already have. The other thing I like most about my job is the customers. Getting to learn about their lives, their tastes, and their likes and dislikes.
I also love working with the designers and artists directly and am thrilled when I can call them directly to let them know their pieces have sold. One of my best-selling lines is Suzabelle from Seattle. She’s known for her coats and dresses and was named by Forbes Magazine as “the emerging designer to watch.”
Since I’m the owner, buyer, webmaster, party planner and sales person, I do like that I’m totally in charge and can make decisions at the drop of a pin for the customer. I can make the call, the mark-down, or the ultimate decision right then and there. It’s not like I have to call the manager or home office to get an answer. I remember when Gorden Dent, one of my handbag designers, first cold-called me on the phone wanting to show me his line. I said, “Sure, come show me now.” He was totally blown away because he had phoned so many boutiques and stores only to hear that the manager or buyer wasn’t available to see him.
I can see you really love you job! Last question for you, Anne — What do you have to say about shopping locally?
Lately, so many people now are instant businesses with their Etsy accounts, home parties, temporary pop-up stores and online sales. I just want to thank everyone who supports a true brick and mortar store. There’s something to be said about walking into your neighborhood boutique and touching and feeling the garment, trying it on, and hearing the story of how it’s made. Thanks for supporting your local family businesses!
Anne Bocci Boutique & Gallery
Proudly showcasing independent artists & designers
7824 SW Capitol Hwy.
Portland, OR 97219
(503) 452-3711
Open Tuesday-Saturday 11:30-5:30PM
Until 9PM every First Friday of the month
Best of Portland: Best Places for Inner Peace
Good afternoon, Portland! For most of us, it’s another exciting, but busy day with meetings and deadlines … but don’t forget to take a breather at some point. There are many unique spots in Portland that would help to revitalize! Take a look.
Aequis Spa
422 NW 13th Ave.
(503) 223-7847
Founded by Megan Klein in 2000, Aequis Spa began as a mere idea with a small hot tub, and expanded to an all-encompassing health and relaxation spa in the Pearl. Megan has grown into what seems to be a master of her field, having gained a variety of experiences through Tony Robbins’ spa, Namale Spa, in Fiji, and is regularly being recruited for new projects. “Every guest of Aequis is honored as a sacred individual.” This draws out their approach to each client and the quality of their services. Aequis is not just a business; it is a sanctuary and a refuge in the heart of the city. In contrast to other spas, Aequis provides unique, rare offerings, including various world therapies and wellness rituals, hand and foot ‘cures,’ couple’s retreat, and special events, along with intricate massage rituals, including ayurveda, facials and beauty care. Aequis has continuously won awards of “Best Spa,” “Best Facial,” and “Best Massage” over the years. Check out their website for full listings and details.
The DragonTree: A Holistic Day Spa
2768 NW Thurman Street
(503) 221-4123
Described as small and warm, DragonTree compliments other local spas nicely. Founded by Briana Borten in 2003, DragonTree is interesting in how it focuses not on any one given visit, but on your overall journey towards balance and rejuvenation, and serves as a resource for tools and education in self-maintenance and healing techniques. So you will get more than a massage or a facial; you will walk out with ways to continue your journey towards wellness independently. DragonTree provides a variety of services ranging from skin care and waxing to massages, acupuncture, spas and ayurveda.
Bagby Hot Springs
Estacada, OR
Don’t forget to take advantage of Oregon’s natural wonders as well as our local businesses! We are lucky to live in the midst of mountains, rivers, forests and…. hot tubs? Yup! Check out Bagby Hot Springs in Estacada, OR. You’ll drive through green valleys and scenic views of Mount Hood, park your car, take an easy 3-mile hike past a 50 foot waterfall, and reach a cabin with hollowed-out cedar logs serving as 8-foot-long bathtubs. It’s open all year. Best part? It’s cheap! There is a Northwest Forest Pass fee of $5, or $30 per season.
Celebrating Women’s History Month
Did you know that March is Women’s History Month? Women’s History Month can be traced back to 1911 when the first International Women’s Day was celebrated. But it didn’t become a month long celebration until 1987. The popularity of women’s history celebrations continues to spread as more people are becoming aware of the contributions of women and girls. A President’s Commission on the Celebration of Women in History in America recently sponsored hearings in many parts of the country. The Women’s Progress Commission will soon conduct hearings to promote interest in preserving areas that are relevant in American women’s history. Some of the groups promoting this interest are state historical societies, women’s organizations, and groups such as the Girl Scouts of the USA. CRAVE would like to celebrate Women’s History month by selecting five women who have made a positive impact in the last ten years.
Hillary Clinton
During the last decade, she was First Lady, Senator, serious presidential candidate of a major political party, and Secretary of State, First former First Lady to hold major elective office, January 2001 (Senator from New York); first woman candidate for U.S. president to almost win a nomination from a major political party (declared candidacy January 2007, conceded June 2008) and first former First Lady to serve in the cabinet, in her capacity of U.S. Secretary of State, confirmed January 2009. All of this after her presidential husband cheated on her for the whole world to see. Need I say more?
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah was the first black billionaire, as reported by Forbes in April 2004. Although she is not in politics or changing laws, her power and conviction is known the world over. She has used her power again and again to shed light on good causes on everything from women who are sold into slavery to animal cruelty. Her latest endeavor is getting people to stop talking and texting on the phone while driving. She puts massive amounts of money into charitable causes and her show is now approaching an unbelievable 25 year run. In 2009 she announced that the The Oprah Winfrey Show will end in 2011. It’s hard to find a woman who doesn’t know who she is.
Melinda Gates
Melinda Gates is the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is the largest transparently operated private foundation in the world. The foundation is “driven by the interests and passions of the Gates family.” The primary aims of the foundation are, globally, to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, and in America, to expand educational opportunities and access to information technology. The foundation, based in Seattle, Washington, has an endowment of US$35.1 billion as of October 1, 2008. The scale of the foundation and the way it seeks to apply business techniques to giving makes it one of the leaders in the philanthrocapitalism revolution in global philanthropy. In 2007 its founders were ranked as the second most generous philanthropists in America. Bill and Melinda were also named Time magazine’s Persons of the Year in December 2005.
Michelle Obama
Because Michelle is the first African American first lady and the first wife of an African American President, she has an influence and gets attention that prior first ladies may not have received. Michelle represents the loving, working mother who came from difficult circumstances, had the opportunity to attend an Ivy League school, and achieve great things in the causes that she’s taken on as a lawyer, and now, as a first lady. Even her fashion sense is turning heads because she tends to wear little known designers, giving them well-deserved attention, instead of going for the more typical pricier names that everyone would expect. When Michelle decided to grow a vegetable garden outside the White-House, all of a sudden it was all the rage. Right now she is taking on reducing childhood obesity and encouraging children to have a healthy active lifestyle.
Ellen DeGeneres
Though it is easy to argue that Ellen doesn’t have half the achievements under her belt as any of the rest of these women do, her talk show and her name have become so synonymous with positivity and acceptance, it seems that laughter really is the best medicine. Besides being widely adored and accepted as an openly gay woman, Ellen and her talk show have won the daytime Emmy for Best Talk Show and talk show host 4 years in a row and the show averages about 3.0 million viewers per episode, according to daytime television ratings, which makes it one of the highest-viewed daytime shows. The refreshing style of her humor and the unyielding extent of her kindness make her a stand out woman of the last decade.
Information from wikipedia.com.
Interview with Entrepreness Alexis Achten of Jasmine Photography
Alexis Achten is the face behind the camera lens, although her good looks and charm could undoubtedly put her in front of flashing lights and camera shutters any day. Always on the look out for new and refreshing urban scenery as backdrops for happy couples and families, Alexis has an eye for capturing the most memorable moments. She also provides brides and grooms to-be with the most well-rounded experience as the creator of The Art of Weddings, a bridal event like no other! Also, check out her blog for some stylish photos!
Read our interview with Alexis of Jasmine Photography.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m from the Midwest–Wisconsin, and have lived in Portland for eight years. I have a degree in fine arts, and first worked for another photographer before starting my own photography business six years ago.
Your specialty is wedding and portrait photography – is there another type of photographer that you like to do?
Although I don’t really promote it I also do commercial work. In addition, I have done photography for small businesses and have experience with interior and food photography as well as some fashion editorial.
What unique services or products do you offer?
We do a lot of customizing for weddings, and also work with couples from start to finish to know exactly what they want on their special day and deliver it to them. We also offer clean, modern photo album design which we do in-house.
Do you have staff or team members who help you out on your shoots?
I have an assistant for weddings, but it’s usually just me. This is on purpose, because I feel like I have a vision and I want to have full control of that at all times.
Where are some of your favorite spots to shoot in Portland?
I don’t like to go to the same spots and try to personalize it according to the couple. I’m always looking for fresh and new urban backgrounds to shoot.
What is a meaningful moment you were able to capture on film that sticks out in your mind?
The most meaningful moments to me are the ones that are captured quickly, here one second and gone the next. This happens especially with families and children, when a young child finally smiles or looks in your direction just in a time frame long enough for you to get it on film.
Do you like to work most with brides, grooms, children, couples, or pets?
I love working with the couple for their wedding and being a part of their celebration.
You must be busy with your photography business as well as being the creator of Art of Weddings. Tell us more about how you started this bridal event.
I started Art of Weddings five years ago as a way to get all the best vendors and creative professionals together in one place, once a year so that they can network and show their talent and skill to newly engaged couples looking for photography, catering, wedding attire, etc. This past event we got about 35 vendors together, which was a pretty intimate group
What are some of the challenges you face having your own business?
In the beginning it was pretty rough, but over the past six years I’m working at a comfortable pace for myself now. I was super busy and felt like I was saying “yes” to everything. Now I know I don’t need to and will probably book about 20 events a year (nearly every weekend in the summer, basically!) but it keeps me busy but not in over my head.
Where do you see yourself or your business 5 years down the road?
I’m in the process of refreshing, and will limit or take on fewer events so that I can do more fine art work for myself. Although that may mean that I won’t be able to work with everyone that I want to, doing fine art will undoubtedly increase my creativity and enhance my photography.
CRAVE Portland Business Chat
Early Sunday morning on February 28th, CRAVE Portland hosted its first business chat with an intimate group of female entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners at Parallel Boutique. Speaker Kate Fulford highlighted various aspects of being the “Hostess of the Shop” while Cecilia Doan (CRAVE Portland’s social media coordinator) provided interpersonal online marketing tips for communicating effectively with customers. The discussion was lighthearted, interactive, and included special giveaways and raffles!
Thank you to the following businesses for your support and in making our event such a success: Two Tarts Bakery, Little Green Grocer, and KOi at Studio1–a new restaurant venture by Bo Kwon of highly-demanded food cart, Koi Fusion. Special thanks to Tez Hartney for hosting our event at her beautiful store, which carries lines such as Paul & Joe Sister, MAYTEE, and Rag & Bone.
Visit our Facebook fan page for more photos!
Best of Portland: Happy Hours with the Gal Pals
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!
The Best Movies to Watch with Your Girlfriends
What would we do without our girlfriends? They keep us sane when things get crazy, offer a shoulder to cry on when things get tough, encourage us to buy those shoes we just can’t live without, pig out on junk food with us after a bad breakup, and always, always make us laugh. One of our favorite things to do with our best gal pals is to pile onto the couch with plenty of buttered popcorn and indulge in a chick-flick movie-fest. Check out our picks for the movies to watch with your best girlfriends and start planning your next girl’s night in!
Beaches
Grab your tissues for this one. Its a tear-jerker but its also the story of a friendship that lasts a lifetime – CC and Hilary were totally BFF.
Thelma and Louise
Two best friends on a wild adventure, together until the end, and Brad Pitt? Sign us up!
Steel Magnolias
This one is another sob-story, but we love the story of this group of women who are there for each other through all of life’s ups and downs.
Bridget Jones’ Diary
Because Bridget’s kooky antics make us laugh every time and remind us everyone does silly things from time to time.
Fried Green Tomatoes
A testament to the strength of a woman and what she’ll do for her friends.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Because we all love Audrey Hepburn and we all have a little bit of Miss Holly Golightly in us.
Grease
A true guilty pleasure that we love to sing along to with our girls – a definite pick-me-up.
Sixteen Candles
Because we swoon over Jake Ryan and every girl’s high-school fantasy come true, every time we see it.
Dirty Dancing
Another guilty pleasure and classic that we know by heart and can watch with our girlfriends, time and time again.
Mean Girls
It may not be might not be your typical girl-power, female bonding kind of movie, but we all learn a lesson in the end – to support the women in our lives. Plus, its hilarious.
We could go on and on, but we’ll stop here and let you start planning which flicks to view at your next girl’s night. Hooray for girlfriends!
Interview with Entrepreness Tiffanee Bean of Mabel and Zora Boutique
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.
Peek into the CRAVE Closet
Our very own Melody Biringer had her closet raided! MyCloset.com, a website dedicated to airing people’s dirty laundry (literally), recently featured the CRAVEcompany founder in its scintillating Celebrity Closets installment. Among the hangers and hampers, a myriad of wardrobe gems were unearthed from all over the world. Woolen leg-warmers from Amsterdam, Ilse Jacobsen rain boots from Seattle, a bold purple dress from Vancouver, BC… how can that much cuteness exist in one closet? Lucky for us, Melody divulged a few of her shopping secrets and we can all check out her fashion favorites for ourselves. Below check out some of her most-cherished boutiques.
Moscow (moscowdesign.nl)
Runstraat 8, 1111 AA, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Horseshoe (horseshoeseattle.com)
5344 Ballard Avenue Northwest Seattle, WA 98107
Lambs Ear (lambsearshoes.com)
3516 Fremont Place No.inesgloves.com Seattle, WA 98103
Ines Gloves (inesgloves.com)
Oudezijds Achterburgwal 132 1012 DV Amsterdam, Netherlands
JC Studio (jcstudio.ca)
46 West 6th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5Y 1K1
sonja | clothes to live in (sonjatacoma.com)
2701 N 21st St, Tacoma, WA 98406
Switch Shoes (switch-shoes.com)
7871 Southwest Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219
For a truly in depth look into the world of women-owned boutiques, check out the CRAVEguide for a city near you. These books are brimming with local women you need to know, whether you want to satisfy a craving for your closet, appetite, business, or piece of mind.
Best of Portland: Home Organization
The days are getting longer and the air is finally getting warmer, which means it’s time for Spring Cleaning. This is a good thing, since the piles of mail and magazines, cluttered closet space, and a limitless amount of other junk have accumulated beyond what is acceptable. We have researched some great local resources for organizing your life and the space you live in! Take a look:
Home Ec.
3327 SE Hawthorne
Home Ec. vintage housewares and furnishings store offers a diverse range of house-hold products, including kitchenware, furniture, appliances, art, pin-ups, vintage iron-ons, records, barware, and miscellanous useful items (or useless, but pleasing to the home, nonetheless– it’s all relative, right?) from the 50’s – 70’s. Home Ec. was rated the #1 antique/home furnishing store in the Portland area on Citysearch.com for three consecutive years, and has been featured on Fox Channel 12’s “Good Day Lifestyles ,”as well as Channel 2’s “AM Northwest.” Publications have also printed articles featuring Home Ec., including Small Business Journal, The Oregonian, Willamette Week, Portlandpicks.com and the Portland Mercury. Make sure you don’t sleep on this timeless shop that has been raved about!
Organize in Style / The Shebang
Krista Colvin, Owner
Household organization is more than choosing the right storage shelves, filing cabinets, post-its, and knife collection; it requires strategy, tact, and vision. That’s where Krista Colvin steps in. Krista Colvin is the Lifestyle Expert for AM Northwest, creator of The Shebang–the smart woman’s guide to doing it all. She runs her home, office, and she’ll help run yours, too! Follow her blog, to tune into monthly projects, weekly to-do lists, featured guest experts, and various tools and tactics on how to organize your life and the space you live in.
The Rebuilding Center
3625 N. Mississippi
If you’re undertaking a more rigorous and ambitious home organization project, such as remodeling the office or repairing that door that you’ve been meaning to fix for the past 7 months, you should look into the ReBuilding Center. Founded by volunteers in 1998, The ReBuilding Center carries the region’s largest volume of used building and remodeling materials. It provides resources that make home repairs affordable to everyone, with the goal of promoting the reuse of salvaged and reclaimed materials. Three hundred visitors come to The ReBuilding Center every day to browse the ever-changing inventory that includes sinks, tubs, tile, lumber, doors, windows, trim and much more. Other services include free pick-up, classes and workshops on how to safely work with used building materials, and volunteer opportunities. The Center has been a winner of the Oregon Ethics in Business Award, Oregon Entrepreneurs Forum Award, and The City of Portland’s “BEST Business Award.”
CRAVE GUIDES
CATEGORIES
- CRAVEbusiness
General business posts - CRAVElifestyle
General lifestyle posts