It’s not easy for a store to stand out on Southeast Portland’s super hip strip of Hawthorne Boulevard, but the Red Light Clothing Exchange does just that because of its dedication to buying directly from the public and keeping prices affordable for those of every age, shape and degree of quirk.

Red Light is not only the city’s largest independent clothing store, but also “Halloween Central” every October. Whether you’ve been planning your ensemble since November 1 of last year, or you’re scrambling to put something together on October 30, Red Light is Portland’s one-stop shop for all your Halloween needs.

As the days before Halloween get fewer and far between, staff at Red Light go into “Christmas Eve mode,” helping frantic last-minute shoppers craft the perfect costume before the big night. Given the busy time of year, getting the chance to chat with Red Light store manager Erica Easley is sweeter than the sugar rush felt post candy corn binge.

In between managing The Red Light, owning her own knee-sock company, Rock Socks, and keeping homes in both Portland and Los Angeles, Easley sat down to discuss why Red Light shines so brightly in October, who she’d love to trick-or-treat with, and why you are what you eat AND where you shop. Ladies and gentleman, ghosts and goblins, the Queen of ‘Ween herself, Ms. Erica Easley:

What makes The Red Light a special Halloween costume destination?
We plan for Halloween all year. Since we are constantly buying clothes, we see things that we specifically set aside for October. The Portland store opened in October of 1999, so the Halloween tradition has been with us since the beginning. It really is a group passion here, and I think it shows in the way we are able to offer people so many affordable options.

Inquiring minds must know: What is your costume this year?
I still do not know! We all spend so much time around here dedicated to helping others find their outfits that we often don’t consider our own until the day of. Last year I went as Robin Hood. Assisting people wherever they are in the costume planning process is one of the things that makes Red Light special. We can help you if you have an idea a month in advance, but we’re also open Halloween day, just in case. No need to have it all figured out, we just ask that you come in with an open mind. Be creative and flexible and you’ll find exactly what you need.

Do you have a favorite costume from your childhood?
Yes! When I was 6-years-old I went as a punk rocker. Dyed my hair hot pink, shredded my clothes, wore an amazing Boy George T-shirt that I so wish I still owned! Another year I went as a Chinese take-out box, which I think was very creative.

Any favorite scary movies?
Hands down my favorite scary movie is called “The Watcher in the Woods.” It is actually an old Disney movie, but it is very dark and gives me the chills just talking about it! Bette Davis stars as this creepy old lady with an intense voice and you just don’t know what her deal is. Why is she evil? I am definitely more drawn to the psychological thrillers than anything gory or bloody.

Who is your dream Trick-or-Treating partner?
David Lee Roth. No costume, just him as himself, as he is his own best creation. He is so entertaining wherever he is, full of zingers and one-liners, a real performer.

The past few years have seen a rise in the celebrity-parody costume (i.e. Sarah Palin, Jon & Kate Gosselin, The Many Phases of Britney). Who is this year’s most mockable public figure?
People seem to be a bit maxed out on the political stuff as well as the overtly sexy costumes, both of which I am glad to see. The New York Times predicted that BP Oil Rig workers would be big this year, but we haven’t seen any of that yet. A few Chilean Miners here and there. Always popular are the blonde bombshells, Marilyn Monroe, classic movie stars, etc.

Ok, so no Tiger and not a lot of French Maids. Darn. What are you seeing this year?
It’s funny because it hasn’t been a specific person or costume, but rather general themes: circus performers, fairy tail/fantasy creatures, still some Vampires from the Twilight craze. Lots of sequins, spandex, color. It makes it more fun for us to help when people have one piece — a wig, a pair of shoes, a hat — and are willing to go off that and build something really unique.

Apart from Halloween, who or what most influences your fashion aesthetic?
Having fun with clothes is really what shapes my personal style. Everything I wear is based on that notion, and I think colors and patterns are great ways to be creative and experimental. I’ve always been over the top when compared to most people in terms of fashion. I love to wear shorts and knee socks and again, the more color the better. I am influenced by those who embrace the playful, flamboyant side of fashion like I do. People like Cyndi Lauper, Boy George and my ultimate style kindred spirit, Riff Randall from Rock ‘N’ Roll High School (right).

Did your own personal style needs lead you to create Rock Socks?
Yes. Like I said, I love wearing brightly colored knee socks, but it was so hard to find any options other than plain, striped or argyle. It started during the 2008 Presidential Election with a pair of Obama socks and just took off from there as more and more people started asking about them. Now Rock Socks (below right) are carried in several shops locally as well as all over the country, and even in Canada and Japan.

Speaking of local shops, what other stores do you frequent in Portland?
Smut, The Monticello Antique Marketplace, a shop on Mississippi called Flutter that has such unique displays. And of course, I love shopping at Red Light!

Do you feel a sense of community among independent store owners?
I tend to keep a low-profile when associating with other business owners, but I do wish more consumers would start thinking about clothing and retail like they think about food. The big push out here is toward restaurants that source from local farms and the whole green movement that encourages consumers to buy locally. That same sense of responsibility needs to translate to the retail industry because it supports the same goal of making neighborhoods and communities unique and sustainable. There are so many opportunities in Portland to shop in beautifully curated stores and get a very personal experience that you cannot find at malls.

As the seasons shift, what is your must-have list for Fall/Winter?
I am always in the market for a great pair of boots that can withstand all the stomping around necessary during a Portland winter. I am also on the hunt for some great gloves, I have a hard time finding good ones that are warm and durable but also unique.

So, one more Halloween question before we release you back into the frenzy… It is you vs. Freddy Krueger in an epic battle over who gets the last piece of Halloween Candy from your stash: 1) What is the Candy, and 2) Who would win and why?
Oh man. The candy is definitely Junior Mints, chocolate + mint is my winning combo. And I regret to say that they would belong to Mr. Krueger. I would totally lose and be torn apart while trying to run through the woods! I am scared so easily, it would be no contest.

Easley is not only the epitome of effortless personal style, but she also gains points for her honesty! Thank you so much for your time. We’ll let you return to the store and work your magic. Until next year, Happy Halloween!

The Red Light Clothing Exchange
3590 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.; 503-963-8888
www.redlightclothingexchange.com

Rock Socks
www.rocksocks.net

If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up!

Share on Facebook

By Monique Balas, NEAT contributor

This just in, Portland! Block off Thursday, Nov. 11 on your shopping calendar (we know you’ve already got it open for Veteran’s Day, right?) because H&M is officially opening! This could be our most exciting day since May 27, when we first heard the legendary store was opening an Oregon location.

We are so grateful to the Swedes for sharing their awesomeness with us Portlanders — between Ikea, Broder and now H&M, we may have to scrap our plans to move to Stockholm!

“With the grand opening of H&M Pioneer Place, we are so excited to announce our very first location in Oregon,” says Daniel Kulle, U.S. President for H&M, in a press release. “As H&M celebrates our 10-year anniversary in the U.S. in 2010, opening in Oregon shows our continued dedication to bringing new locations to our consumers across the country and expanding our presence throughout the U.S. market.”

This will be the first Oregon outpost for H&M, which is the third largest clothing retailer in the world, and judging from the enthusiastic response we’re getting from The Neat Sheet readers alone, it’s safe to say Portland shoppers are eager to get their fashionable fingers on the brand’s affordable, design-driven clothing and accessories.

We’re especially excited about their Fall 2010 Collection (top and right), which focuses on sustainable style, including organic and recycled fabrics (aw, did they tailor those just for us Oregon folks?) — not to mention dresses starting at $19.95, sweaters for $14.95, and jackets for $29.95.

This location will offer collections for women, men and young adults and features separate sections for denim, accessories, maternity, and lingerie. You’ll also find H&M’s fantastic children’s collection, featuring cute clothes for kids of all ages.

To celebrate the grand opening, the first 300 shoppers will get an H&M T-shirt and an Access to Fashion Pass, ranging from $10 to $300. Lucky early shoppers will also get great offers and giveaways.

Um, can we just set up camp there now?

H&M Portland Opening
Thursday, November 11
Pioneer Place, 700 S.W. Fifth Avenue; 503-228-5800
www.hm.com

If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up!

Share on Facebook

By Monique Balas, NEAT contributor

When it comes to swimsuits, we find fall and winter so inspiring: We can pick out a cute ’suit in November and work out all winter until it fits. (Or dang it all, how about we don’t work out and just choose the most flattering suit we can find).

Luckily, we’ll have plenty of options to choose from at the new Popina Swimwear store in the Pearl District. The second addition to local designer Pamela Levenson’s retro-inspired swimwear empire will celebrate the Popina Swimwear Pearl District Grand Opening on Thursday, Nov. 4 (First Thursday!) and will feature 25 to 30 swimwear and activewear brands.

The Levensons want to offer Westside women a centralized swimwear shopping location, but rest assured the Eastside shop will remain open (4831 N.E. 42nd Ave.). In addition to the Popina Swimwear collection, the new 1,800-square foot Pearl District store will offer brands including Vitamin A, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren and Aerin Rose (which goes up to a G-cup!). The Popina Pearl store will be the largest women’s swimwear store in the Northwest.

“Our goal is to be a world-class swimwear store. If you’re in Paris or Germany or New York, you’d still say, ‘This is one of the best swimwear shops I’ve ever been to,’ ” co-owner Will Levenson said.

The grand opening will feature a swimwear fashion show produced by Back Fence PDX and a chance to win two round-trip Alaska Airlines tickets to Hawaii (drawing will be December 31) if you sign up for Popina’s mailing list, Club Maillot.

At the grand opening party, you’ll enjoy adult beverages from New Deal Vodka, Kona Brewing and Hip Chicks Do Wine, and yummy treats by Cupcake Jones. All that, and Studio Luxe in the Pearl will provide free manicures, hand massages and waxing. Um, does it get any better than this?

Actually, it does – 5 percent of Pearl store sales will be donated to Willamette Riverkeeper in November and December, so the only guilt you’ll feel is from the cupcakes! And maybe from not working out.

Popina Swimwear Grand Opening Party in the Pearl
6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4
318 N.W. 11th Ave.; 503-282-5159
www.popinaswimwear.com

If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your site. We need your help to spread the word!

Share on Facebook

Portland’s variety of local vintage clothing shops and second hand stores keep our shopping scene fun and interesting, and we’re happy to announce the arrival of a new addition to the mix – and this one has got a extra twist. Palace of Industry, a vintage boutique tucked away in North Portland, has just opened up and it’s more than just a cute collective of well-edited clothing and old fashioned décor — it is also part bar and café!

Putting our two favorite things together (drinking + shopping) in one stop is more than enough to get us in the door, and once we stepped inside we knew we’d be staying for awhile, and possibly calling friends over to meet us for a glass of afternoon Pinot, cup of homemade chowder and the chance to discover some well worn treasures.

Palace of Industry carries an excellent selection of women’s, men’s and children’s clothing, as well as household items, books, art, furniture, and other compulsory ephemera, with some new stuff thrown in to keep things fresh.

The atmosphere is so chill, you’ll feel like you’re hanging out in the basement of the some super cool grandma with killer taste (and booze) that you can shop from too! We’re gonna chock this up to another win for the North Portland shopping scene. Congrats, Palace of Industry!

Palace of Industry
5426 N. Gay Avenue; 503-477-7313
http://www.facebook.com/palaceofindustry

If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up!

Share on Facebook

PedX Shoes is preggers y’all, and they’re due to have a fully grown hybrid shoe baby named Manifesto (if anyone is interested in writing a true life PDX fashion comic book, this could be your starting point).

After kicking ass and taking orders in the women’s shoe business for the past seven years, the owners of PedX on Alberta Street have finally taken a major step and expanded their family. Manifesto will be open for business starting Saturday, August 21 on Mississippi Avenue, and they are having a baby shower of sorts on Saturday, Sept. 4 to introduce their bundle of joy to the public.

Not wanting to leave Portland’s stylish XY chromosome card-carrying males alone and shoeless, Manifesto was created to give dapper dudes a place to experience the truly awesome experience of shoe lust (usually an affliction of the ladies). Manifesto is poised to have a huge selection of shoes and accessories for men AND women. Brands you can expect to find in the shop are Jeffrey Campbell, Goorin Bros., Red Wings, Toms, Miz Mooz + many more.

For the celebratory opening next week, Manifesto will serve beer and other beverages (on the house, baby!) and DJ Nick Dean will provide some manly tunes from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Look for food carts outside, and throughout the day there will be giveaways from brands like UK’s Cushe, J. Shoes and Dean bags, among others. Congrats PedX parents! Your boy is beautiful.

Manifesto Grand Opening Party
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, August 21
3806 N. Mississippi Ave.
www.manifestoshoes.com

Images courtesy Manifesto. If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan, following us on Twitter and/or linking to us from your website or blog. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up!

Share on Facebook

Darn, those Swedes are tight-lipped! Rumors have circulated in local fashion circles for years about an H&M store coming to Portland, but until today we haven’t been able to confirm the speculation. And frankly, it’s still a little confusing. That said, it’s looking positive – and here is what we can tell you:

Sources in both Seattle and Portland, including The Neat Sheet’s friend and retail reporter Laura Gunderson at The Oregonian, are reporting that Swedish retail giant H&M will open in downtown Portland’s Pioneer Place this coming summer.

However, moments ago we received this official statement from Nicole Christie, H&M Communications Manager: “We are of course looking to expand nationally including in the Pacific Northwest area, but we have no confirmation of a new location at this point in time.” And on top of that, Sandra Rollinson of Pioneer Place will only confirm they are opening a new Japan Sushi Express joint in the Food Court this January. We love sushi, so that’s cool, but not exactly the scoop we were seeking.

Why all the contradictory information and dodgy statements? Our best guess is H&M (which operates 1,800 freaking awesome, affordable and trendy stores in 35 countries) is close to closing a deal to open in Portland’s Pioneer Place this summer, but they can’t spill the beans before inking the final negotiations. Fair enough, right?

UPDATE, Saturday, Dec. 19: The Neat Sheet sticks by our previous report that the latest Portland H&M rumor has not been confirmed by either the company or Pioneer Place Mall. However, reports by man-about-town Byron Beck yesterday and The Oregonian today claim unnamed real estate developers have leaked H&M will take over the Saks Fifth Avenue Men’s space at Southwest Fourth Avenue and Yamhill Street. Bottom line – this is a pretty solid rumor and likely true, though still no one seems to be able to confirm it.

UPDATE, Monday, April, 25: DJC Oregon has an update on the continuing H&M-in-Portland speculation, but still no confirmation from H&M. According to DJC, an invitation to bid has been released to build out a former Saks Fifth Avenue men’s store space in Pioneer Place to an H&M retail clothing store. The project is scheduled to begin June 7, which would put the speculative H&M opening date in late summer. Ish. Neat. Read the complete DJC article here.

UPDATE, Thursday, May 27 – Confirmed! Thanks to Laura Gunderson, our NEAT shopping reporter pal at The Oregonian, we finally have the official word that H&M will open in Portland at Pioneer Place this fall. Read the full story here!

Pioneer Place
700 S.W. Fifth Ave.; 503-228-5800
www.pioneerplace.com

If you like what you see on The Neat Sheet, please consider becoming our Facebook Fan and/or linking to us from your site. We need your help to spread the word so we can keep it up!

Share on Facebook

Why are they calling this weather an Arctic Blast? It doesn’t sound like much fun at all (yuk yuk). Ok, but seriously, holiday shopping in freezing rain is the pits, and we’re on the frenzied two-week countdown to Christmas.

Fortunately, we can still shop online at select Portland retailers who are making it easy to finish our shopping right from home (penguin pajamas and brandied egg nog optional). Shop these neat local online boutiques right now and you’ll receive your packages well before Christmas:

Le Train Bleu – Shop from a gorgeous cache of clothing, shoes, jewelry and more from local and independent designers. Our neat gift picks include Fair Isle fingerless Caravan gloves (above); over-the-knee ’20s Cuban heel stockings; Calicut beaded necklaces; plus beautiful scarves, and prettily packaged perfumes and soaps. www.letrainbleu.com

pdxBoutique – Find clothing, jewelry, gloves, handbags and home decor from local-only Portland designers. We love Grayling’s Cavern Necklace (right), wool knit jersey hats from ElizaBeth Rohloff, and the perfect-fit, wear-anywhere WeMa winter wrap dress. Plus, use the code “NEATSHEET” at checkout and you’ll save 20 percent on your entire purchase, including sale items. www.pdxboutique.com

Pin-Me Apparel – You can now shop this favorite Mississippi boutique from your sofa, grabbing up cool clothing, handbags and jewelry from local and indie designers. Neat picks are classic shoulder bags in cool prints from Orla Kiely, everyone’s favorite Prairie Underground hoodies, and superfantastically sexy-yet-functional black rubber high heeled ankle boots from Melissa Ashanti. www.pin-me-apparel.com

Frock Boutique – New to the Web shopping scene, Alberta favorite Frock now sells Portland-made goods and unique gift items online. Find house-made, one-of-a-kind screenprinted Portland Heart t-shirts and scarves, perfect gifts for Portland-philes; cute, colorful socks from local legwear champs Sock It To Me; and wildlife motif earrings from Passion Flower. www.frockboutique.com

Moxie – Another online newbie, this East Burnside boutique is now a top Web destination for on-trend clothing and accessories for women and men. Shop for bright Brixton Portman hats, Bill Adler textured leather wallets, and our ever-favorite Crazy Coconut St. John’s Bridge pillows and hoodies. www.moxiepdx.com

Greenloop – This popular Portland-based sustainable style site carries eco-friendly clothing and accessories for men and women (you can also find their goods at Seven Planet in the Pearl). Shop for fun, unique gifts including recycled tire watches from ReFinding, cute little ready-to-ride bicycle sets from Loves to Ride; and colorful, recycled “Angie” phone or iPod holders from Aster & Sage. www.thegreenloop.com

Mabel and Zora – Trendsetting Pearl District boutique Mabel and Zora offers online shopping for dresses, separates, luggage, jewelry and gifts. We found flirty party dresses, like this red Adrianna Papell Cap Sleeve Jersey Dress, fun Catherine Manuell AeroTrolley luggage sets in red mock croc, and Chain Leila silver and gold bangle bracelets marked down by 50 percent. www.mableandzora.com

Powells Books – And finally, of course, there’s our beloved Powell’s Books, where you can get expert advice and then either shop online for popular books, audio books and DVDs to be delivered to your home, or you can have Powell’s hold ‘em for you to pick up downtown when this Arctic Blast passes. Two neat gift picks we know your friends will love are Jesse McLean’s “Kings of Madison Avenue: The Unoffical Guide to Mad Men” book or the latest “Star Trek” DVD, which portrays the crew’s maiden voyage and is totally fun to watch even if you aren’t a Trekkie. www.powells.com

Hey wait, this online shopping weather is a blast after all!

Share on Facebook

Gifts that give back are the only way to go this holiday shopping season. Creative Portland shops and businesses have dreamed up so many inspiring and generous ways to help others this year, we can’t help but want to shop local and spend money on things that will benefit people in need, children, pets – even chimpanzees and baby raccoons!

Here’s a look at the city’s best benefit shopping (clothing, jewelry, art and gifts) so we can all feel good giving and receiving this year.

Mabel and Zora – This trendsetting Pearl District boutique will donate a percentage of all December sales to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Shop for jackets from Trina Turk (right), party dresses from LA Made and Sweet Pea, jewelry and more to benefit the children’s wish-granting organization. 748 N.W. 11th Ave.; 503-241-5696. www.mabelandzora.com

Lizard Lounge – House label Horny Toad Clothing invites customers to donate gently used clothing at Goodwill locations nationwide (or to Lizard Lounge ?in the Pearl) throughout December, then leave a comment about the experience at hornytoad.com and save 15 percent on new Horny Toad clothing, including cute cotton dresses. 1323 N.W. Irving St.; 503-416-7476. www.lizardloungepdx.com

Crave Portland – Shop the Holiday Cravings party for fashion and gifts, and 50 percent of proceeds from $20 VIP ticket sales will benefit the American Cancer Society. 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 9? at the Bison Building, 419 N.E. Tenth Ave.; 504-747-3681. ?www.craveportland.com

Sole – Save on Portland’s hottest shoes, jewelry and accessories throughout December when you bring in cans of food for Oregon Food Bank. Donate five cans and save 10 percent on any single item, or donate 10 cans to save 20 percent. 1033 N.W. Couch St.; 503-222-SOLE. www.4mysole.com

Saks Fifth Avenue – Shop in store or online with Saks Gifts for a Cause and proceeds from select items will benefit select charities. For example, $2 from every sale of children’s book Twinkle Twinkle Little Flake will benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital. 850 S.W. Fifth Ave.; 503-226-3200. www.saks.com

Grand Central Bakery Cafes – Grand Central is decking the walls of its six Portland bakery cafes with colorful artwork and handmade tapestries by women of rural Weya in eastern Zimbabwe, Africa. All of the art is for sale, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the Zimbabwe Artists Project (ZAP), a life-saving nonprofit organization founded by Portlander Dick Adams, a retired Lewis and Clark College professor of sociology. www.grandcentralbakery.com

Cupcake Jones – Every Tuesday, this sweet bake shop will donate 10 percent of proceeds from cupcake sales and orders to a different charity, including DePaul Industries, Metropolitan Family Service and more. 307 N.W. Tenth Ave.; 503-222-4404. www.cupcakejones.net

Buffalo Exchange Coats for Cubs – Come to any Buffalo Exchange now through Earth Day (Thursday, April 22), and bring any real or faux fur clothing or accessories to benefit The Humane Society of the United States. Donations of fur apparel, trim and accessories (hats & gloves) will be used as bedding to provide comfort for orphaned and injured wildlife. ?1036 W. Burnside, 503-222-3418; ?and 1420 S.E. 37th Ave., 503-234-1302. Read The Neat Sheet’s Coast for Cubs article here.

Michael Allen Harrison Benefit Concert – Popular Portland pianist Harrison will perform a benefit concert at The Old Church to benefit DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital, 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. 1422 S.W. Eleventh Ave. Order your DoveLewis + Michael Allen Harrison benefit concert tickets here.

Santa Paws – Fetching pet photos make a fantastic gift, especially for pet-crazy Portlanders! Bring your pet to sit for a photo with Santa, and proceeds will benefit DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 5 at ASA Flats Lobby, 1200 N.W. Marshall St.; or 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 and Wednesday, Dec. 16. at Bridgeport Village, 7455 S.W. Bridgeport Rd., Tigard. www.bridgeport-village.com

Hotel Fifty and H5O bistro & bar – Purchase handmade ornaments from the tree in the lobby of Hotel 50 through Thursday, Dec. 31, and $5 from every purchase will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon. The ornaments were made by students from The Goddard School and Prune Hill Elementary, both in Camas, Wash. Also, H5O bistro & bar (inside the hotel), will hold a canned food drive now through Monday, Dec. 30 to benefit the Oregon Food Bank. Patrons will receive a $5 dining credit for every five non-perishable food items donated, including canned meats, vegetables and fruit, canned or boxed meals, peanut butter, canned or dried beans, pasta, rice, cereal and 100 percent fruit juice. 50 S.W. Morrison St.; 503-221-0711. www.hotelfifty.com

Laughing Planet Cafe Endangered Chimpanzee Benefit – Dr. Sheri Speede, a former Beaverton veterinarian, will speak about her work rescuing chimpanzees at the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center, which she founded in Africa’s Republic of Cameroon in 1999. Benefits from December sales of chimp T-shirts, hats and beer (yes, you heard right, BEER!) will benefit the rescue center. The event is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 at Laughing Planet, 4110 S.E Woodstock Blvd.; 503-788-2921. Read more Laughing Planet Chimpanzee Benefit coverage on The Neat Sheet.

Kiehls Handcare for the Cure – In support of AIDS awareness, the renowned New York City apothecary and its Portland location will donate 100 percent of sales of its limited edition Hand Care for a Cure hand salve to amfAR to help fight HIV/AIDS. 712 N.W. 23rd Ave.; 503-223-7676. www.kiehls.com

Russell Street Holiday Festival – Portland’s ever stylish Icon Tattoo will host a day-long festival and benefit shopping party on Saturday, Dec. 5 from noon to 8 p.m. Shop the handmade bazaar, enjoy Gingered Mint cocktails, music and more, plus free goodie bags for the first 50 guests, courtesy of The Neat Sheet and generous local merchants. 100 percent of sale and drink proceeds will benefit p:ear, Portland’s homeless and transitional youth. www.icontattoo.net

Share on Facebook

Shoppers who’ve been missing out on Alberta’s funky fresh Frock Boutique – whether they live across town or in another city entirely – can now shop Frock’s fun stash of local and independent clothing and accessories online at frockboutique.com.

Opened in 2003 by Ali Wykhuis (shown left sporting a Knot Ugly handmade hat by Portland designer Jen Neitzel) and Angie Heiney, Frock has evolved into a mecca for Portland-made goods and unique gift items, including a house-made line of one-of-a-kind screenprinted Portland Heart t-shirts and scarves, which feature an artful inked black heart calling out beloved Portland neighborhoods.

Other items popular with Portland shoppers include a vast line of cute, colorful socks from local legwear champs Sock It To Me; wildlife motif earrings from Portland’s Passion Flower (right), made from Shrinky Dink style plastic; handmade hair clips and rings of Czech glass, Swarovski crystal and semi precious stones by Portland jewelry designer Deborah Funches; and The Beaver State undies from Frozen Peas.

Frock’s online shop is now up and running, so have at it from wherever you are.

Frock Boutique
1439 N.E. Alberta St.; 503-595-0379
www.frockboutique.com

Share on Facebook

Popular letterpress card maker Egg Press and chic, modern online business boutique Office have combined forces to set up a joint holiday pop-up shop in downtown Portland. Egg Press opened the shop this weekend, and will be joined by Office on Saturday, Dec. 12. The joint pop-up will remain open through Thursday, Dec. 24.

Shop now for sweet, handmade letterpress cards by Egg Press for the holidays and beyond. Always cute and clever, you’ll find cards with gnomes riding bicycles and critters monkeying around (one literally, right). Plus, they’ll be doing creative gift-wrapping and silkscreening.

Then, starting Saturday, Dec. 12, Office will join the pop-up party with fun home and office goods. Expect notebooks, calendars, travel guides and art prints from Portland designers; 20 percent markdowns on Blu Dot Furniture; some rare vintage office products; and stylish new work bags and laptop bags from popular brands Burton, Gravis and Jack Spade.

Save the date for a swanky, in-store holiday cocktail party from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, featuring New Deal Vodka. And don’t forget to buy plenty of thank-you cards for all the sweet Portland pop-up shop gifts you’ll be getting this year!

Office PDX + Egg Press Pop-up Shop
Saturday, Dec. 12 through Thursday, Dec. 24
Open daily noon to 6 p.m.; 625 S.W. 4th Ave.
www.officepdx.com
www.eggpress.com

Share on Facebook