By Karen Vitt, NEAT editor in chief

We hope you saved some shopping strength this holiday weekend! We’re back from turkey break just in time for today’s GIVE Handmade Sale, a ginormous independent artisan market held at Northeast Portland’s Leftbank Annex from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28.

GIVE began as The Secret Society Sale five years ago, and it’s grown so much in popularity that they’re a movin’ on up to a larger space with a new mission. Organizers Michelle Gay, Julz Nally and Jen Neitzel have wrangled more than 85 of our favorite local vendors into one spectacular space, and turned the whole event into a benefit for Oregon Food Bank.

They’re calling this type of sale “crafting with a cause,” so it’s not just your best bet for finding unique, locally made holiday gifts, but also a great way to help folks in need. Ten percent of sale proceeds will go to Oregon Food Bank, and shoppers are encouraged to bring non-perishable food or to make cash donations at the event.

Shoppers are also encouraged to. . . shop! You can nab jewelry, clothing, accessories, bath and body products, chocolates and food items, cards, stationery and more more more — we really could go on for days. Like, literally.

Our preview of the event vendors turned up jewelry from 2 Monkees, like the sweet owl pendant (top), and sleek, modern styles from Allium Designs; sweet journals made from vintage book covers from Attick Journals; handmade soaps from Scrumptious Suds; gorgeous glassware from Slumptown Glass; and recycled jackets from Bella Sisters (right).

We can’t possbily list ‘em all, but you can preview all the GIVE Handmade Sale vendors here. Better yet, just scoot on over and see for yourself. The first 100 shoppers will receive goodie boxes packed with handmade goods, too, so the time to get your shop on is NOW.

Give Handmade Sale
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28
Left Bank Annex, 101 N. Weidler St.
Admission: Free
www.givehandmadesale.com

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By Erin Flesch, NEAT contributor

A tip of the hat goes out to Bonnet Boutique for making it two years in the haute hat business and brightening the crowns of countless Portlanders + beyond!

Let’s face it, headwear is practically mandatory in this rain-soaked town of ours, and we’re happy to have such a friendly shop dedicated to all of our noggin needs.

In the two years since it’s opened, we’ve grown to not only love, but also to depend on Bonnet’s continuous selection of on-trend and super flattering caps of all kinds.

During Bonnet’s 2nd anniversary sale, happening now through Sunday, Nov. 21, you can save 20 percent on your entire purchase in store.

The sale includes the shop’s stellar selection of knitwear, tweed and everything in between. We love the Knit Bon Bons hats (right), embellished with flowers and pom-poms; and the selection of “Boardwalk Empire” styled 1920’s cloches from Seeberger (top), a family-run company in Germany, which are a surefire style win to will protect your hair from Portland’s notorious wet winter weather.

Bonnet 2-Year Anniversary Sale
412 N.W. 11th Ave.; 503-954-2271
www.bonnetboutique.com

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Flora is four-a (ok, sorry, we couldn’t really help that)… and downtown Portland’s most luscious botanical boutique will celebrate its fourth anniversary with a party and sale from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. this Wednesday, Nov. 17.

Stop by to save 20 percent storewide on modern, nature inspired designs for you and your home. Everything in the cheery shop is hand-picked or hand-made with a botanical bent, including colorful art, jewelry, cards, tea, scents and lotions, personal accessories and more.

Enjoy tea and cupcakes while you shop for new treats, including Theo and Cleopatra fragrances; local leather wallets and handbags from Nicole Cipriano; candles and soaps from Lucia; jewelry from Paper Wings and more. Plus, to celebrate the event — and give you a nice way to relax post-shopping — Flora is offering a special giveaway for The Neat Sheet readers:

Win a post-shopping relaxation spa gift set! As part of Flora’s four-year anniversary sale event, the boutique will gift one lucky Neat Sheet reader a set of natural modern spa goods. The set includes Rose Aqua Vitae floral water fragrance; three French Broyee soaps; an Ayate exfoliation cloth; a Lucia Tea Leaf and Wild Honey organic soy candle (shown top); and Le Palais de Thés Fleur de Geisha muslin tea bags. To win this set (worth $68), just leave a comment on this post or send an email with the subject title “FLORA” to neatsheet@karenvitt.com. We’ll pick a random lucky winner on Wednesday, Dec. 15 — just in time for relaxation before the holidays kick into full gear, or to gift to a friend.

Now do you see why we got all excited and started rhyming?

Flora
917 S.W. Washington St.; 503-227-056
www.florapdx.com

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By Karen Vitt, NEAT editor in chief

Happy Veteran’s Day! Thank you so very much for protecting our beautiful country, and also for giving some of lucky gals a day off from work. Is it OK if we honor the troops by going shopping? Because Moxie, one of our favorite East Burnside boutiques, will mark down everything storewide by 20 to 60 percent now through Sunday, Nov. 14.

Save on new merch and plenty of fall fashion, including coats from Tulle and Pink Martini (top and right), sweaters and dresses from LA Made, denim from Level 99, boots and shoes from J Shoes, plus jewelry, hats and scarves from tons of indie and local designers. You can also nab the same discounts in the Moxie online store using coupon code “Fall10″ at checkout.

We definitely want to nab this mid-length black Pink Martini Criss-Cross Jacket (right), which is a super steal because it can be worn three different ways.

Also save the date of Saturday, Nov. 20 from noon to 4 p.m. for an in-store event showcasing local jewelry from Subtle Charms and vintage velvet jackets by Juanita. You’ll be able to purchase a fitted black velvet jacket and have it painted with a custom design of your choice. Stay tuned for more deets!

Moxie Boutique
2400 E. Burnside St.; 503-296-6943
www.moxiepdx.com

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By Karen Vitt, NEAT editor in chief

Southeast Portland’s premiere vintage boutique Xtabay Vintage will host a trunk show and sale featuring Charles & Victoria by local designer Rachel Ancliffe, noon to 6 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 6.

The shop will present Charles & Victoria’s latest collection for fall and winter (top and right), featuring high-waisted wool and sateen pants, embroidered wool coats, twill coats, and wool and sateen skirts — all in sizes 0 to 14, and in nicely neutral shades of black, camel, deep blue and purple.

Did we mention you’ll also save 75 percent on all these new pieces during the trunk show? And if for some shameful reason you can’t make it out on Friday, you can also get the same savings through the Charles & Victoria online store.

We recommend attending the Xtabay event, however. That way you can also be among the first to snatch up the vintage boutique’s best new arrivals. We’ll race you for this short-and-sweet emerald green cocktail dress and this graphic black and white late 1950’s couture dress.

Charles + Victoria Trunk Show + Sale
Xtabay Vintage, 2515 S.E. Clinton St.; 503-230-2899
www.xtabayvintage.blogspot.com

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By Karen Vitt, NEAT editor in chief

Sometimes things just don’t turn out as you’d expect. And sometimes that’s fantastic! Case in point, Solestruck, the stellar local shoe shop that began as an online retailer, then opened a “temporary” pop-up shop in October 2009 and became so popular they stayed open for good — and for the good of local footwear fetishists.

Solestruck will celebrate its unexpected footwear fortune with a day-long Solestruck Anniversary Party + Sale in its now permanent Pearl District retail store from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 23. Shoe shoppers will save 15 percent storewide, plus enjoy food and drink and raffle prizes.

Come congratulate the Solestruck peeps on this local shopping success story, and snap up the hottest shoes from brands including Rachel Comey, Sam Edelman, Jeffrey Campbell (top), Camper, United Nude, Matiko, Matt Bernson, Clarks, BB Dakota and many more.

We’ll be jumping on some of our favorite Fall 2010 footwear trends, like this pair of Jeffrey Campbell Buff Fur leopard-print wooden platform heels, funky Sam Edelman Winsford shearling clog booties (right — oh yeah, we’re still into fall’s neat clog boot trend!), and Seychelles Meteor Shower III lace-up combat inspired boots that remind of how much we love Grunge fashion, then AND now.

Grunge? Oh yeah, just another Northwest success story to be proud of.

Solestruck
718 N.W. 11th Ave.; 503-224-3591
www.solestruck.com

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By Karen Vitt, NEAT editor in chief

How’s your day job going? If you need a little pick-me-up, all you cubicle dwellers out there should be as excited as we are that Covet Boutique now offers online shopping.

Downtown Portland’s chic boutique opened an online store last month, and now we’re sharing this neat deal with our readers: Save 15 percent on your entire purchase at the Covet Boutique Online Store from Oct. 21 to Oct. 31 when you use coupon code “oct2131″ at checkout. Plus, you’ll get free shipping on all orders of $250 or more.

Shop from your desk for zipper leggings from Velvet, cute cargos from Citizens of Humanity, colorful shawls from Epice, basic layering tees from Michael Stars, scarves from Missoni and more fall finds from truly covetable labels including Fluxus and Calleen Cordero. There’s also some gorgeous jewelry to be had.

We’re especially keen on the utterly wearable AND affordable pieces from Tresics, like the Tresics black side-pocket-dress (right, just $63);  and the Tresics Hoody Dress ($58). We could wear both of these pieces every single day, and we’re pretty sure we’ve got daily use for this hot Haley Shoulder Bag from Linea Pelle, too.

Now put down that spreadsheet and get to work. And by work, we mean shopping.

Covet Boutique
429 S.W. 10th Ave.; 503-222-6838
www.lovecovet.com

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We’re heading into party season, people, but in Portland that still means jeans. Sure, we’ll want some sexy little cocktail dresses for super special nights, but more often than not our holiday attire simply will consist of flattering designer denim and flirty tops. To that end, it’s time to make a booty call to Meringue Boutique.

Lake Oswego’s trendy stop for designer denim, dresses and rainbows of date-worthy tees and tops, is holding a Donate Your Denim Drive now through Tuesday, Nov. 30. Shoppers who bring in a pair of gently used designer jeans will save 20 percent on a new pair of jeans, plus they’ll receive a $25 gift card to use on the next purchase. Your used denim will be donated to a local women’s shelter to help a sister out.

The deal is valid at both Meringue Boutiques in Lake Oswego and Salem, where you’ll save on our favorite designer denim brands — you know, the kind that do the most for your backside. We’re talking about 7 For All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, William Rast, True Religion, Joe’s Jeans and Genetic Denim (top image). Plus, find cute dresses, tops, sweaters, coats and more from Ella Moss, Bailey 44, Vince, Juicy Couture, Twisted Heart and others.

We’re pretty sure this designer denim deal falls under the category of “writing a check your butt can cash.”

Meringue Boutique
385 First St., Lake Oswego; 503-635-1063
and in Salem at 333 State St.; 503-365-7725
www.meringueboutique.com

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Our favorite local online designer retailer keeps receiving more and more gorgeous new things for fall, and now it’s all on sale!  Shop Le Train Bleu now through Monday, Oct. 18 and save 30 percent storewide using coupon code 101010 at checkout.

Our neat picks from the latest arrivals, which also are included in the sale (yip!), are the Dear Creatures Anna Sweater Blouse (top), which just begs to be packed home for the holidays; tons of cool, cozy sweaters, like the Elm Cardigan by Brand and Melville; dresses, tops and sweaters that transition nicely through the seasons from Suzabelle, including a few winter coats — the bright cobalt blue Suzabelle Darfield Jacket (right) is a real beauty.

Also find more clothing and accessories on sale for Fall 2010 from UK label YMC, Rachel Comey and more, plus cool apothecary items from Portland General Store.

Le Train Bleu
www.letrainbleu.com

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By Erin Flesch, NEAT contributor

We love the consistent deals offered up at Mercantile week after week. Last week we told you about the downtown boutique department store’s annual coat drive. If you didn’t end up getting a chance to stop by, here is another reason to visit. Now through Saturday, October 10, you can receive a not-too-shabby $25 off any purchase of Theory brand clothing at Mercantile to spruce up your fall/winter wardrobe.

Shop Theory’s favorite fall looks, such as sexy motorcycle jackets, double-breasted blazers, classic work pants, scrumptious sweaters and work-to-play silk tops. Check out this cool, long-sleeve and form-fitting Madelina print dress ($295) that looks so chic and sexy with black tights and booties. Or grab this Darlin blazer ($395) and wear it over everything in your closet for the next six months. Lookin’ good.

It’s a well known fact that fall dressing is the most fun of all the seasons. Theory is one of our go-to brands during this time of year because they’ve got great tailoring, trendy pieces that mix well with our older stuff, and they always look sophisticated and well made.

Theory Deal at Mercantile
Thursday, October 7 through Saturday, October 10
729 S.W. Alder St.; 503-223-6649
www.mercantileportland.com

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