The TeaZone & Camellia Lounge Brings A Little Tea to Your Cocktail

June 30, 2010

My Nana has been a tea drinker her entire life. Her parents came to the Americas from France in the early 1900s, and they were a huge fan of “tea time.”  That same love of tea got passed onto my Nana, and then to my Mom and then eventually to me.  Any time we get together we put on the kettle and we share a pot of tea while discussing what is happening in our lives.  I have always been taught that tea can cure anything that ales you—you should drink peppermint tea for a stomach ache, echinacea tea for a cold, and chamomile tea if you have trouble sleeping.  I love finding and trying new teas, and The TeaZone and Camellia Lounge located at 510 NW 11th in The Pearl District, has one of the most interesting uses of tea I have ever seen.

I went to the TeaZone during their daily happy hour from 4-7pm.  I had intended on just trying one of their teas, and I had hoped to find a new one that knocked my socks off.  To my surprise the menu did have tea, but it was being used in cocktails!  My two loves in one drink: cocktails and tea.  I had to try this.

The TeaZone has five different specialty cocktails all $5 on their happy hour menu, and I decided on the Mango Madras.  The Mango Madras contains mango black tea infused vodka, orange juice, and hibiscus juice.  It is very light, refreshing and I love the mango tea aftertaste.  It gave me a little kick in energy, and I didn’t have that sluggish feeling after drinking it like you do with some drinks.  This is such an exciting find for me, and I can’t wait to go back to TeaZone and try more of their delicious cocktails.

If you are interested in making your own Tea Cocktail, here is a recipe for a Green Tea Martini to get you started:

Green Tea Martini Infusing Instructions


  • Infuse an entire 750ml bottle of vodka with 6 teabags, by steeping the tea bags for 4 to 6 hours or overnight. You may wish to pour the vodka into a jar or container that will allow you to easily remove the teabags after steeping. (If you want to use a lesser amount of vodka, pour 1/3 of the bottle of vodka into in a jar or with two teabags. )
  • Swirl the jar occasionally: You will see the infusion happening.
  • If you want to use loose tea, the equivalent is one teaspoon of tea for each teabag.

Fashion Item of the Week: The Drape Skirt

June 29, 2010

Perfect for a night out on the town, a lunch date, or even just a trip to the grocery store, the LA Made Anuk drape skirt from Moxie has the perfect mix of sexy chic and comfortable casual.  I love the way the skirt hugs your hips to show off your curves, and has a slight slant up the front to really give you that fun, flirty look.  This skirt is very similar to the one shown in the Alexander Wang collection, but instead of being $395 (pictured on the left) it is only $78 at Moxie (pictured on the right).

Moxie is located at 2400 E. Burnside in Portland, Oregon.

L’Oreal’s New Permanent Hair Dye Could Make Dyeing Your Hair With Ammonia a Thing of the Past!

June 28, 2010

I have been dyeing my hair since I was 15. My hair has stuck with me through multiple colors, bleaching, and over 10 years of ammonia abuse. This is me now pictured on the right! The older I get the more aware I become though of the importance of having healthy hair.  Hair masks and deep conditioners are great for making your locks soft for a short period of time, but they are really just masking the damage and not correcting it.  Does this mean men/women should stop dyeing their hair completely? Absolutely not! What a boring world it would be without our Blue Blacks, Cherry Reds, and Cotton Candy Pinks. I for one don’t ever want to know what it feels like to have dirt brown hair again. So what is a fire engine red head like myself supposed to do in order to not end up bald by the age of 70? The answer my friends is INOA.

The professionals at L’Oreal have created an innovative new permanent haircolor called INOA. INOA, which stands for Innovation No Ammonia, darkens/lightens or covers white hair using—you guessed it—no ammonia! There are already haircolors on the market that are ammonia-free, but the majority of them don’t last long, lack any luster or shine, and don’t improve the condition of your hair. INOA uses an oil-based delivery system, which is unlike any other permanent haircolor available in a salon or department store.

This is the way “normal” permanent haircolor products work—when the tint containing the alkalizing ingredient is combined with the developer it cause’s a chemical reaction that swells the hair permitting the tint to enter the cortex, where the melanin is located, and then the ammonia swells the cuticle of the hair to allow the color pigments to penetrate deep into the hair shaft. I must admit I still don’t really understand what that means, but I know that all that use of chemicals and swelling can’t be good for your hair.  I also know that ammonia clearly dries up your hair, and takes away any sort of shine and smoothness.

The edgy and sexy SmashCut Studio, located at 1015 NW Lovejoy St in The Pearl, is now able to provide INOA hair coloring treatments, and employee Brianne Davidson was nice enough to explain to me how INOA works.  Apparently INOA is applied to dry hair not wet hair, and unlike the rotten egg smell you get when using ammonia-based products, INOA actually has a fantastic flowery smell.  Its color dye molecules detract from the oil-based formula and are attracted to the water inside the hair instead.  This means that your hair won’t dry out, and you keep the essential amino acids in your natural hair.  INOA claims that after using their product, “the hair is as smooth as before the color was applied,” with virtually no fading and virtually no damage to your hair.

If INOA is able to do everything it says it does, we are looking at a MAJOR innovation in the haircoloring industry.  People have been using ammonia-based hair dye for over 50 years with little improvements in the products, so this is a very big deal.  Both Brianne and the owner of SmashCut, Victoria Mendeluk, have used INOA on their own hair, and I must admit their hair looked fresh and vibrant, as if they had just dyed it the day before instead of several weeks ago.  Better yet, you would expect for this new dye to be really expensive considering it is state-of-the-art, but at SmashCut it is only around $20 bucks more to use INOA instead of a normal ammonia-based color treatment. There are currently 49 shades available, and within the next year they will carry intense reds and white blondes as well.

INOA is popping up in salons around the country, so visit L’Oreal’s website to see when this fantastic product will be offered in your city.  And if you live in Portland, be sure to make an appointment with SmashCut Studio and be sure to tell us here at Forkfly about your experience!

PDX Weekend Happenings for June 25-27, 2010

June 25, 2010

This weekend is just one big celebration!  Whether you are into tattoos, beer, sustainability, or Live Action Role Playing, there is a party out there to celebrate all our little niches.

INK PARTY


When: Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 9:00pm to 2:30am

Where: Barracuda, Portland NW 2nd & Couch Ave

What: The biggest nightclub in Portland is hosting the largest tattoo showcase in town. Local tattoo and piercing shops will be there to answer any of your questions and show off their work, and tattoo artists will be there doing their thing.  There will be giveaways, contests, henna art, and go-go dancers.  So now is your chance to show off that new dagger tat to a group of people who will most definitely appreciate it.  Heck maybe I will even show up and get a forkfly tattoo.  It could happen!

American Organic Brewers Festival

When: June 25 – 27, 2010; from noon to 9 pm on Saturday and noon to 5pm on Sunday.

Where: Overlook Park in Portland, Oregon

What: Do your part to save the planet one beer at a time! An organic pint that is! The AOBF is an annual celebration to raise awareness about sustainable practices and organic beer. Live music and organic food will also be offered. Admission into the event is free and purchase of a $6 reusable, compostable cornstarch glass is required for tasting beer. Tokens are a $1 apiece.

Medieval Market Day

When: June 26; all day event

Where: Beaverton’s Farmers market, Hall blvd between 3rd and 5th street

What: This Saturday the Beaverton farmers market will take it way back and I mean going back to the medieval times. There will be some historical role-playing from the Society for Creative Anachronism. Also, artisans demonstrating medieval crafts, children’s activities, music, cooking demos, heavy armor, and rapier tournaments.  So all you ladies and lords put on your medieval costume and go back to a time when men fought to defend their land and women took care of all the rest.  Wait that doesn’t sound too much different from now.  Hhmm.

Get Something Sweet and Sour at Seres Restaurant

June 24, 2010

I discovered pear flavored vodka a few months ago, and since that time I am hooked.  It has a nice refreshing sweetness to it with just a hint of sour, and unlike many fruit flavored liquors, it doesn’t taste like cough syrup or a Jolly Rancher candy.  Pear and pomegranate flavored vodkas are definitely big right now, and I have seen them pop up in different drink recipes all around Portland.

Seres Restaurant, located at 1105 NW Lovejoy St in The Pearl, serves up a wonderful Sweet & Sour Drop just in time for summer.  The drink contains Absolut Pear, Triple Sec, and lemon juice.  Just thinking about this drink makes me salivate. This cocktail is regularly $8, but if you go during one of their numerous happy hour times you can get it for $6.  The bartender at Seres definitely knows what he is doing and will treat you right!

If you would like to try another drink using Absolut Pear vodka, here is a recipe for a Pear Martini.

Pear Martini

  • 2 oz. pear vodka
  • splash of grapefruit juice
  • squeeze of fresh lime

Combine ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake, and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime, lemon, orange, or even a pear slice!  As always, if you have a cool new drink you think I should try, send me a comment or message me on Twitter.  Thanks from all of us at Forkfly!

Fashion in the City of Angels

June 22, 2010

Los Angeles is one of the top shopping destinations in the world.  There are enough independent boutiques to suit all kinds of tastes. But for a genuine LA shopping experience you must venture out on to Melrose Ave in Hollywood. The shops on Melrose cater more towards the younger crowd, and the clothes tend to be funkier and cheaper than in other parts of LA.


As American, which is located on the corner of Melrose and Martel, has a large variety of items—from long floral flowery dresses to combat boots. They have a huge selection of almost anything you could ever want. It’s a pretty big store, so be prepared to really look around. Everything is very organized and labeled clearly so there really is no problem navigating through the store. American has an impressive selection of coats, like the one below, that can be worn over a flirty floral dress to keep you warm on brisk summer nights.


Chantell on the corner of Poinsettia and Melrose is called the “shopping gem on Melrose.” Sometimes the shops on Melrose can be a little homogenous but not Chantell.  They have an assortment to choose from not found in other boutiques on the Ave. This boutique can be characterized as carrying “misses wear” which ranges from teens to thirty’s wear. There are tons of floral and geometric patterned dresses all made of very light material. Onesie’s and rompers is another popular item that is lining the walls at Chantell.

Forkfly’s Guide to the Weekend Fun

June 18, 2010

Portland is all about alternative forms of transportation, and this weekend June 18-20 we all have several opportunities to witness the more risque/sexier modes of getting around.  From roller skating, to naked bike riding, to a huge classic car show, Portland is on the move!

Rose City Rollers Season 5 Championship


When: June 19, 2010, 5:45 pm to 9:30 pm

Where: Portland Expo Center

What:

For those not in the know, Rose City Rollers is Portland’s very own Roller Derby league. This weekend Rose City Rollers are having their 5th annual Championship Bout. The Heartless Heathers and the High Rollers are advancing to the finals to battle it out for glory and the championship title. But wait, there’s more! Other home teams, the Guns N Rollers and the Breakneck Betties, will be butting heads for 3rd and 4th place titles.

If you’ve never visited a Roller Derby event, this would be a great one to attend. Warning, sitting beside the track puts you in close proximity to all the intense derby action and places you at higher risk of involvement with a skater collision. Please make sure to arrive early to guarantee seating that you will feel comfortable with.

Tickets are $16.00 for General Admission.

Portland Naked Bike Ride


When: June 19, 2010, 9:00pm – 11:30pm, Ride at 10 PM

Where: TBA

What:

The Portland Naked Bike Ride is the largest all naked bike ride in North America, and possibly the world! The purpose of this ride is to protest against fossil fuel dependence in a fun and friendly way (some might argue “too friendly”). Since 2005, the Portland Naked Bike Ride has grown from 150 riders to over 5,000. The motto and dress code for this event is “as bare as you dare”.

If you are feeling adventurous be sure and check the event out! Some important things to keep in mind from their FAQ:

How much should I strip down? The dress code is officially “As bare as you dare.” Guys typically wear shoes and maybe a helmet. For women there is no consensus – shoes and a helmet make some happy, while others add some combination of a bra, panties, and/or stockings. Strip down to whatever level will maximize your fun. We wouldn’t presume to tell you what that level is.

What can I do to stay warm? Wearing shoes and a helmet help. Big socks. Arm warmers (old socks with the toes snipped off). Maybe a Superman cape. Sadly, I haven’t figured out a way to use those chemical hand warmers while naked, though they sound like they’d be great. If you have any suggestions, please mention them in the forum.

Isn’t this illegal? The city of Portland wishes it was. See The Law.

What if I see a cop? Say “Thank you!” They’re corking the streets for us.

Can I participate without a bike? We’ve had skateboarders join us before. Anything human-powered is welcome.

For more information see http://www.worldnakedbikeride.com (NSFW warning)

Rose City Round-up


When: June 18-19; 11am to 11pm

Where: Jubitz Travel Center, Portland, OR

What: The Rose City Round-up is a celebration of the hotrod lifestyle here in Portland.  The event has a classic car show on Saturday, and music, food and vendors on both days.

It is free to get into the event, but they are asking for a food donation of two non-perishable food items per a person, which will be donated to the Oregon Food Bank.  There is an amazing line up of bands and sexy entertainment each night, and it is $10 to get into each nightly show or $15 for both nights.

If you are into gorgeous classic cars and the rockabilly lifestyle, you don’t want to miss this.  I know I won’t!

A Unique European Health & Beauty Treatment Comes to the Northwest!

June 17, 2010

Your feet sink into the cool white sand as you make your way over to one of the comfy beach chairs just beckoning to be utilized.  You breathe in the refreshing pure air and feel your lungs adjust to the change in climate.  The sound of a spring trickling near by lulls you to sleep as you close your eyes and imagine you are on some deserted island.  Except for this island is located in the heart of Portland, OR in the Pearl District, and that’s not sand you are walking on it is 11,000 lbs of Dead Sea salt.

The Salt Grotto, located at 906 NW 14th Ave, opened their doors to Portland in January, and they offer a unique health and beauty service that is the only one of its kind in the Northwest, and one of only three grottos in the entire U.S.  The Grotto isn’t exactly an exotic beach getaway, but it does simulate the euphoric, refreshed feeling that you get when you are at the beach, using a method called Halotherapy.

Halotherapy, which is a branch of Speleotherapy, has been around in Europe since the 19th century and involves the practice of receiving prolonged exposure in a salt/mineral cave or grotto.  The salt is said to have healing properties that can help alleviate a number of health problems, such as asthma, allergies, sleeping disorders, eczema, arthritis and cardiovascular problems.  During medieval times the monks were believed to have taken  the sick into salt caves and let them breathe in the salt particles.  Obviously natural salt caves aren’t around every corner though, so physicians and researchers developed a way to create an artificial environment that will emulate the conditions in the natural caves. 

The atmosphere in the Grotto is almost identical to a natural salt cave in terms of physical, chemical and biological conditions, including its healing properties.  Salts from Poland and Pakistan line the Grotto’s walls, and Dead Sea salt covers the entirety of the room’s floor.  With a high content of sodium chloride, which has anti-allergic and anti-fungal properties, the purity of air in the Grotto is said to be actually ten times higher than outside.  Many people have seen substantial improvements in their health conditions in as little as seven visits.

You don’t have to have any health conditions to benefit from a 45 minute Grotto session though.  The pure air is refreshing and relaxing, and the different salts have anti-aging properties.  After spending just 10 minutes lounging in the climate controlled room,  I felt my eyesight get clearer, my skin felt tighter and softer, and I felt the most relaxed I had been in a very long time.   The design of the room is way more like a trip to a nice quiet beach than a cold dark cave, thankfully.  The room is kept at a perfect 75 degrees, soft blankets are available on every relaxation chair, the lights are dimmed, and pleasant music is played to give you the best possible experience.  Many people bring a book to read, or they meditate, but of course the majority of people can’t resist getting in a much-needed catnap.

What is so great about Halotherapy is that because it is completely natural it is safe for seniors, pregnant women, and children of all ages.  It is common in Europe for parents to bring their babies/toddlers in for a session to help boost their immune systems.  The Grotto even has a children’s area equipped with pails, shovels, tractors and everything a kid might need when typically playing in the sand at the beach.

The owner of the Salt Grotto, Karla, has lived in Portland for over 12 years and said that she is thrilled to be able to bring such a beneficial service to the Northwest at such an inexpensive price.  One 45 minute session is only $25 in her grotto, compared to $45-$100 in Chicago or New York.  Karla says she kept the price so low because she wants everyone regardless of his or her income to be able to come in and get the treatment.  She recommends healthy people coming in once a week, and people who are using the treatments to improve a health condition should come in twice a week.  To go along with your salt session the Grotto also offers massages, European mineral water, mineral skin care, Himalayan salt and onyx lamps, and soon will carry a line of European beauty products made from beer and wine (they smell wonderful).

Portland is very lucky to have such an innovative health and beauty service right in our own Pearl District and I thank Karla for bringing this European phenomenon to the Northwest.  I personally enjoyed my time so much that I have already booked another session for this week!  To book your own session call the Salt Grotto at (971) 255-1053.

For more information check out these YouTube interviews on the Portland Salt Grotto:

Salt Grotto Portland

Salt Grotto Portland Mattoni Mineral Water

The Tijuana Speedball is a Drink with a Kick!

June 16, 2010

I am most definitely an adult beverage connoisseur.  I get a lot of joy out of trying a restaurant, brewery, winery or bar’s signature drink, and it is my goal on every adventure to hopefully discover a new fave.  Sometimes I find a gem, and sometimes I leave less than impressed, but regardless of the outcome it is always a fun journey.

Last week while hanging out with colleagues, an acquaintance of mine was raving about her favorite cocktail the Tijuana Speedball and told me I must try it.  With a name like that I imagined the drink to be something so spicy lava would erupt from the glass as soon as it touched my lips, but as we made our way to Bluehour, located at 250 NW Ave, where the drink was being made, I found out it is actually more like a dessert than a drink.  The Tijuana Speedball is a combination of tequila, Kahlua, Irish cream and coffee.  The Bluehour bartender topped off the drink with three coffee beans, and served it in a chilled martini glass.  I’m not sure if the name is fitting for this drink, but the drink is fitting for anyone who loves espresso ice cream because that is exactly what it tastes like.  It is smooth, not too sweet, and gives you a good kick of caffeine.  Everyone needs a great dessert drink every once in awhile, and I have definitely found mine!

Want to make your own Tijuana Speedball?  I found the recipe, so happy concocting!

The Tijuana Speedball
1 shot of espresso
1.5 oz repasado tequila
1.5 oz Kahlua
1.0 oz Bailey’s

Have a favorite beer, cocktail, or wine that you think I need to try in Portland or Vancouver?  Leave me a comment or message me on Twitter, and I will highlight that drink in my next blog.

Treat Yourself to a Fun Retro Style in “The City by the Bay”

June 15, 2010

Haight and Ashbury is one of San Francisco’s most well known and eclectic communities. This cross road was once known for its cutting edge social scene in the 1970’s, but has since continued its popularity by housing a variety of clothing stores and cafes. In walking down Haight Street one can find an abundance of unique boutiques that provide locals and visitors with clothing from a variety of decades. The retro vibe has become increasingly more popular in San Francisco, and the shops in Haight Street reflect this growing trend.

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Dema, one of Haight’s most well known boutiques, offers flirty and 1960’s inspired dresses and skirts. Perfect for a night out on the town or a day in the park, Dema’s fashion is affordable and unique. Dema carries a variety of dress designs that are flattering to every body type, like the dress shown to the right, and are ideal for any occasion. To finish off any look, they also carry an assortment of accessories including the ultra comfortable espadrilles by Pare Gabia.

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Your browser may not support display of this image.Decades of Fashion, pictured below, is a vintage shop located on Haight Street that carries a variety of items from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. If you’re bummed that your mom didn’t save her bell bottoms from high school, or your grandmother didn’t hold onto that vintage tweed jacket, no need to worry. You can find all your vintage needs at this one stop shop boutique. Customers have even said that “this has got to be the best vintage shop I’ve ever been in.” Stop in and grab an affordable find, and pair it with modern accessories for a fresh summer look.

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Vintage is certainly a popular look in the bay area, and the trend even has crossed over to the glasses they wear.  Large black rimmed glasses have recently been dubbed as hipster, and everyone from Britney Spears to Woody Allen has been seen rocking them. Even if you don’t have a prescribed need to wear these glasses, they are fun to throw on and change up any look. Bang-On, located on Haight street stocks a variety of frames that are suitable for any face shape. Their glasses are not only fun, but insanely affordable. Pick up a pair for a measly $10.00!  Pair these glasses with a flirty retro inspired dress from Dema and you’ve got yourself a fun bay area look.

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