Radish + Tender Loving Empire throw PDX Pride Photo Contest
Local screenprinting shop/record label/handmade consignment shop Tender Loving Empire is relocating to the heart of the city, setting up in more spacious digs right next door to killer boutique Radish Underground. To celebrate, the two shops are teaming up to hold a playful PDX Pride Photo Contest now through the new store opening date of Thursday, May 6. The two shops invite you to send in your most creative photos of y'all throwing the PDX hand sign, popularized by Tender Loving Empire's T-shirt design (right). The most fun, creative and positively "Portland" pic wins a PDX package they've put together of local ...
Seth Aaron hammers it home on Project Runway 7, Ep. 7
By Erin Flesch, NEAT Contributor Project Runway is back people, and it’s manlier than ever. It’s been two weeks since we saw Seth Aaron Henderson walk away with a win, and homegirl Janeane Marie Ceccanti walk away with nothing. Since we knew Henderson was safe with his win-mandated immunity for this challenge, we were able to relax and just focus on the clothes this week. And by clothes, we mean sheet metal. This week’s episode, entitled “Hard Wear,” was the season’s first non-fabric challenge. Contestants were given $100 and sent to a local hardware store with the task of creating a look ...
Gourmet doughnuts are raising Portland’s dessert bar
By Karen Vitt, NEAT editor in chief D'oh! Nuts, someone should have introduced gourmet doughnut desserts to Portland years ago! Hot and fresh and timed to put a twist on the designer doughnut trend sweeping the nation, a few inventive local chefs have now decided it's time to make the doughnuts – but to make them fancy, and serve them for dessert. Drizzled with caramel sauce and topped with chocolate or ice cream, the sophisticated doughnut desserts we're seeing take the designer doughnut trend one step further. First there was the cupcake craze, then there was the "weird" doughnut phase a la Voodoo ...
Neat TREND: French nautical fashions sail into PDX
By Erin Flesch, NEAT contributor Most people – at least those with a highly functioning ability to suspend reality – have pictured themselves sailing down the French Rivera on a yacht, wind blowing through their hair while they effortlessly evoke the sexiness of Bridget Bardot mixed with the classic style of Audrey Hepburn. That, of course, is the essence of French nautical, a trend based on the fact that even if you never set foot on a yacht, at least you can look like you belong on one. French nautical or “port style,” as we like to call it, is a ...
Alice in Portland (er, Wonderland) fantastical spring fashion
By Karen Vitt, NEAT editor in chief We’re mad as a hatter over “Alice in Wonderland” buzz, and we’re not alone. As Tim Burton’s take on the classic Lewis Carroll fantasy adventure tale tumbles into theaters Friday, it’s evident that fashion designers, jewelry makers and artists on a local and national level have been whipped into a creative frenzy. Drawing inspiration from the whimsical world in Carroll’s beloved story, spring fashion is filled with loopy tea party references, cornflower blue dresses and all the things of wonder Alice stumbled upon throughout her fantastical journey – late-running rabbits and vintage timepieces, girlish ribbons, teapots, ...
Look what’s new! Neat Portland spring shopping guide
News of new spring fashion arrivals in Portland stores keeps pouring in at such a rate we've decided to round 'em up. From top trends (florals, nauticals, nudes) to comfy, transitional basics, here's a local look at what's new in store: Amai Unmei – Portland designer Allison Covington has just received a colorful new shipment of spring rain gear to her Northwest 23rd Avenue boutique. Shop for rubber Wellington style rain boots in pretty prints, including some with a bit of higher heel and laces up the front; and fashionable umbrellas in bright, graphic designs to cut through any gray day. 2275 ...
Portland’s best + worst Oscar fashion picks for 2010
Last night's Academy Awards ceremony may have lacked in terms of controversy on stage ('Zzzzzzzzzzz), but there is still plenty to debate about the looks we saw on the red carpet. Where the show itself was a bland, stiff and over-commercialized spectacle, at least we were surprised to see some exciting and unexpected use of color and prints in the 2010 Oscar fashions. [caption id="attachment_9515" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Zoe Saldana in Givenchy. Photo by Richard Harbaugh / © A.M.P.A.S."][/caption] While the experts had predicted an overall subdued trend for the evening, many starlets instead turned out in brilliant blue and red gowns, and a ...
Neat TREND: Canadian Tuxedos give Portland the blues
By Erin Flesch, NEAT Contributor Why yes, it does appear that hell has in fact frozen over. In an unexpected turn of events (seriously, we didn’t see this one coming) we at The Neat Sheet are officially dubbing the Canadian Tuxedo our Neat Tuesday Trend of the Week. Not for the faint of heart, this daring denim-on-denim look boldly flies in the face of everything we’ve been told about what is and what is not “stylish,” namely that it is never okay to pair jeans with a denim shirt or jacket. Most people, we think, usually come out of the womb with ...
Neat street: Pedaling into spring, North Portland style
A cold, grey front may be moving back in, but spring sprang in Portland for one glorious Saturday, when gals about town tucked flowers behind their ears, hopped on their bikes and pedaled fast to catch the sun. Anya Hankin was one such pretty pedaler, who we found moving at fast clip in a blur of blue up North Russell Street and onto Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. We finally caught up with Hankin oustide the Nike Factory Store to ask about her blue helmet, blue bike and blue dress combo – and to ask if it's difficult to ride in ...
TRAVEL: Savor Cannon Beach food + wine on spring break
By Erin Flesch, NEAT contributor You know, spring break is not just for rowdy teens with a penchant for beer bongs and promiscuity. Grownups deserve a shake-off-the-winter-blues vacation as well. Those in search of more sophisticated fun (as in sip, not chug) would be well advised to check out the Savor Cannon Beach Wine and Culinary Festival at Cannon Beach over the weekend of Friday March 12 through Sunday, March 14. Oregon's go-to "charming coastal town," situated a mere 70 miles from Portland, has a varied and surprisingly cutting-edge gastronomic scene, sure to impress even the most discerning of PDX foodies in ...
Neat SALE
Meringue boutique, one of our favorite Lake Oswego designer destinations, will hold...
This just in! Northwest online boutique ShopMapel.com will offer a 25 percent happy...
While some of us are super excited about tumbling down a rabbit hole this weekend,...
It’s hard to believe we’ve been shopping Imelda’s and Louie’s...
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Neat EVENT
Lovely lingerie boutique Oh Baby has brought in pretty new pieces for spring,...
California Closets owner Judy Romano and several independent local fashion...
Ellington, our local handbag heroes, invite shoppers to swing by the store...
Pearl District boutique Parallel invites spring shoppers to stop by for...
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Neat STUFF
By Karen Vitt, NEAT editor in chief D’oh! Nuts, someone should have introduced gourmet doughnut desserts to Portland years ago! Hot and fresh and timed to put a twist on the designer doughnut trend sweeping the nation, a few inventive local chefs have now decided it’s time to make the doughnuts – but to make them fancy, and serve them... [Read more of this article]
WeMa Designs fashion designer Wendi Martin is taking out Portland’s recycling just in time for spring showers: The inventive local designer has created a stylish, modern raincoat made from recycled plastic water and beverage bottles. Available exclusively at Physical Element boutique in Portland and through local online retailer pdxboutique.com,... [Read more of this article]
Some news is just too good to not rehash: The New York times reported today that Mattel will soon roll out a new collection of Mad Men Barbie Dolls! Four dolls retailing for about $75 will be based on the lead characters from AMC’s hit “Mad Men” TV show – Don and Betty Draper, of course, plus Don’s Sterling Cooper business... [Read more of this article]
Want to win a pampering weekend in Oregon wine country? We’re talking glamorous accommodations at The Allison Inn & Spa in Newberg (above), plus $250 worth of spa services, dining and tours of two Willamette Valley wineries? Um, yes! The Willamette Valley Wineries Association (WVWA) has put together a brilliant Wine Country Getaway Raffle... [Read more of this article]
By Erin Flesch, NEAT Contributor Why yes, it does appear that hell has in fact frozen over. In an unexpected turn of events (seriously, we didn’t see this one coming) we at The Neat Sheet are officially dubbing the Canadian Tuxedo our Neat Tuesday Trend of the Week. Not for the faint of heart, this daring denim-on-denim look boldly flies in the face... [Read more of this article]
Seattle-based designer department store Nordstrom today announced the launch of its new and expanded online Wedding Shop, plus in-person wedding stylists in 10 locations across the country (sorry, Portland, the closest is situated in Seattle). No matter – you can still visit the online Nordstrom Wedding Shop for dresses and apparel for your entire... [Read more of this article]
Last night’s Academy Awards ceremony may have lacked in terms of controversy on stage (‘Zzzzzzzzzzz), but there is still plenty to debate about the looks we saw on the red carpet. Where the show itself was a bland, stiff and over-commercialized spectacle, at least we were surprised to see some exciting and unexpected use of color and prints... [Read more of this article]
With plucky Sandra Bullock up against the legendary Meryl Streep for Best Actress, James Cameron competing against his ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow for Best Directing, and our dashing hero George Clooney challenging beloved Jeff Bridges for Best Actor, tomorrow night’s 82nd Annual Academy Awards is setting up for a smashing show, likely filled... [Read more of this article]
By Erin Flesch, NEAT Contributor Project Runway is back people, and it’s manlier than ever. It’s been two weeks since we saw Seth Aaron Henderson walk away with a win, and homegirl Janeane Marie Ceccanti walk away with nothing. Since we knew Henderson was safe with his win-mandated immunity for this challenge, we were able to relax and just focus... [Read more of this article]
By Karen Vitt, NEAT editor in chief We’re mad as a hatter over “Alice in Wonderland” buzz, and we’re not alone. As Tim Burton’s take on the classic Lewis Carroll fantasy adventure tale tumbles into theaters Friday, it’s evident that fashion designers, jewelry makers and artists on a local and national level have been whipped into a creative... [Read more of this article]
By Erin Flesch, NEAT contributor Most people – at least those with a highly functioning ability to suspend reality – have pictured themselves sailing down the French Rivera on a yacht, wind blowing through their hair while they effortlessly evoke the sexiness of Bridget Bardot mixed with the classic style of Audrey Hepburn. That, of course, is... [Read more of this article]
Who knew Portland serves as home base for the world’s premiere online retailer of furry critter slippers?! True that, fur sure! Ok, technically bunnyslippers.com is headquartered in Sandy, Ore., but close enough. The point is this local company offers online shoppers more than 45 varieties of novelty and animal slippers, including eight different... [Read more of this article]
News of new spring fashion arrivals in Portland stores keeps pouring in at such a rate we’ve decided to round ‘em up. From top trends (florals, nauticals, nudes) to comfy, transitional basics, here’s a local look at what’s new in store: Amai Unmei – Portland designer Allison Covington has just received a colorful new shipment... [Read more of this article]
By Erin Flesch, NEAT contributor You know, spring break is not just for rowdy teens with a penchant for beer bongs and promiscuity. Grownups deserve a shake-off-the-winter-blues vacation as well. Those in search of more sophisticated fun (as in sip, not chug) would be well advised to check out the Savor Cannon Beach Wine and Culinary Festival at Cannon... [Read more of this article]
By Erin Flesch, NEAT Contributor Every now and then a trend comes along that just feels distinctly Portland. Right now, oxford shoes are that trend. A little bit vintage, appropriately kooky and a whole lot of cool (in that I’m-not-trying way), oxfords are the perfect mascot for our city’s collective style aesthetic. Nope, this isn't Sarah... [Read more of this article]
Seasonal Affective Disorder much? Vancouver, B.C.-based natural cosmetics company LUSH has just launched a new line of perky products to turn your frown upside down. There’s the Up You Gets Emotibomb (above left), which is a bath bomb of lemon essential oil to make the mornings more enjoyable (is that possible?!); the Therapy Massage Bar (center),... [Read more of this article]
Fashion fans and music lovers packed into Fez Ballroom Saturday night for Doom Town Productions’ annual Sweet F.A. Rock ‘n Roll Fashion Show, a madcap celebration of killer music, offbeat fashion and some of Portland’s most rockin’ people. The event was staged to look like the chaotic aftermath of a turn-of-the-century celebration,... [Read more of this article]
It may be just a spring tease, but the weekend’s warm weather and yet another sunny Monday has us rarin’ to shed our winter skins and shop for spring. First stop, Hawthorne’s MINK boutique, where they’ve just received a new shipment of Grayling jewelry by local designer Katy Kippen, plus springy new clothing and accessories... [Read more of this article]
Fresh off her debut appearance at the POOL Trade Show in Las Vegas (the coolest indie fashion showcase around for emerging labels), Portland jewelry designer Emily Baker has launched a new Sword + Fern Web site to better showcase the nature-inspired designs she crafts in her Lower East Burnside studio-slash-shop. Baker’s line of recycled and... [Read more of this article]
Local screenprinting shop/record label/handmade consignment shop Tender Loving Empire is relocating to the heart of the city, setting up in more spacious digs right next door to killer boutique Radish Underground. To celebrate, the two shops are teaming up to hold a playful PDX Pride Photo Contest now through the new store opening date of Thursday,... [Read more of this article]
Hooray for haute handbags! Local label Ellington is giving away another new handbag as part of its monthly bag-of-the-month giveaway contests. Last month they gave away a black leather Sophia hobo, and this month you can enter to win a new style for spring – the Lindsay tote in black crushed nylon with edgy ruching details and a stow-away compartment... [Read more of this article]
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