Trendy Tuesday: Local Designs & Unique Handmade Pieces at Frock

December 21, 2010

Mix some vintage styles with some Burning Man inspired fashion and you have Frock–a unique boutique that sells independent designs and small runs of rare, one-of-a-kind pieces, and handmade items. As local as it gets, Frock is committed to the local, living economy with a product mix consisting of 90% locally designed and produced items supplemented with 10% regional, independent, and other goods.

It doesn’t matter your age or sex because Frock has something cool for everyone. They have a plethora of items and it was really hard for me to choose my favorites, but here they are!  For women, I would recommend the Stumptown Tee, Peacock Tank Top, Red Floral Applique Tunic, a belt buckle by Namaste, the bike earrings by Handmade Julz, and the What’s Your Poison necklace.

For kids, I love the Octopus Onesie, the Hotdog Hi Five Tee, and the Cat Eye Sunglasses. How cute are these little models by the way!

For the men out there, check out the Cock Tee, Oregon Undies, Lucha Mask Socks and The Hole In One Sweater Cap.

Frock is located at 1439 NE Alberta St. in Portland, Oregon.  Enjoy your holiday shopping (hint, hint) !

Forkfly Merchants Gift Guide

December 15, 2010

Are you scrambling to assign a gift to everyone on your list? Look no further than Forkfly, where our excellent deals with stellar merchants make it easy to find gifts for family and friends. We have a couple suggestions for shops where you can find *stuff* to give, but mostly we focus on experiential gifts — a pilates class, a zoo membership, and other presents that will get your friends and family out and on the go, creating memories and enjoying life.

Shop Adorn

We only have a few retail clothing stores registered with Forkfly, but Shop Adorn‘s amazing Forkfly discount makes up for it. Get 20% off your entire purchase at Shop Adorn with Forkfly! Shop for men, women and kids at shop adorn online, and go in to the store at 4759 NE Fremont to use your Forkfly coupon.

Geometry Pilates

Maybe exercise class isn’t everyone’s idea of a great Christmas present, but I know some people who would love the chance to try a new pilates or yoga studio, and you have to admit, it’s a very wholesome gift. Best of all would be if you bought a private or semiprivate class for yourself and a friend or two. Check out Geometry’s schedule and rates here. Geometry Pilates is located at 821 NW Flanders Suite 225.

Oregon Zoo

Support the Oregon Zoo and show your love for a family (or an individual, or a couple) in your life with the gift of a zoo membership. The Oregon Zoo is easily accessible by MAX, and some memberships include guest passes, which are great for entertaining out-of-town guests or kids’ friends during the long holiday break. Zoo Lights goes on until January 2, so get this present ready for immediate use! The Oregon Zoo store, a great resource for kids’ gifts and toys, has a 10% discount with Forkfly, so get over there to buy for your dinosaur-loving niece or nephew.

Moxie

I have to feature these Tom’s Wedge shoes here because they’re on my personal wish list. So keep that in mind if you know any 23 year old women — not that my taste is universal. Anyway, at Moxie at E Burnside and 24th and online, you can get 15% off one regularly priced item by pulling up your Forkfly mobile site and showing your coupon. Moxie has clothes for men and women, but I like their accessories best — look here for watches, necklaces and wallets for stuffing stockings and decking out wrapped packages.

Oblation

Oblation Papers and Press at 516 NW 12th Ave can be your source for gift cards, holiday cards, craft materials for making presents, or for journals, card sets and other items that can be given as presents themselves. Take a look at their beautiful merchandise online here and stop in the store to buy for your crafty and artistic friends.

Inn @ Northrup Station

My boyfriend and I like to take short “staycations” — that word is so cheesy, but it’s more fun than you realize to get a hotel room outside Portland or even just on the other side of town and spend an evening or two eating out, exploring a new area, and not having to make the bed. If there’s a couple in your life, consider sending them to the Inn @ Northrup Station for a night or two in January to unwind from all the holiday madness. Located at 2025 NW Northrup St near NW 21st and 23rd, Northrup Station offers easy access to shopping, art galleries, theaters and breweries, and I bet it will feel like a whole new city for an East side couple.

Written by Forkfly intern Eleanor R. Brown

Trendy Tuesday: Designer Lables at Here We Go Again

December 14, 2010

Many of my friends who dress in an eclectic “Portland” style shop at Red Light and Buffalo Exchange, resale shops where low prices and a hip selection allow for larger hauls than mall stores or even Forever 21. Here We Go Again is also a resale shop, but they do things a little differently, and they have their eye on a more high-end array of products.

Resale shopping is an art. You have to be patient and persistent to find just the right item, and you have to be willing to go with your gut and buy on impulse when you love something because it probably won’t be there next time you go in. Here We Go Again ensures that you will always have something to marvel at by focusing on designer labels and top-condition merchandise. I’ve often had my clothes turned away at Buffalo Exchange, and I think they’re probably even pickier at Here We Go Again. Check out the instructions for consignment and the list of “Labels We Love,” including Bebe, Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana… you get the idea.

Of course, the discriminating taste at Here We Go Again is what makes it a “deluxe resale boutique,” and they have some truly amazing clothes and shoes for prices way below retail. Take a look at these ankle boots they featured recently.

I’m crazy for ankle boots this winter. So many high heel styles are inappropriate for our rainy Portland winters, but ankle boots pair practical coverage with the irresistible cuteness of heels. Here We Go Again stays on top of fashion trends, and these boots from their John’s Landing store are the most recently featured items on their Web site and Facebook page. Keep in mind that these might already be gone, but if so, they’ve been replaced with something just a little different and just as cute. Oh, the excitement of resale shops.

As you may imagine, along with designer labels come handbags, wallets and pouches in high quality leather and other materials. Two recently posted items that caught my eye:

Here we have two purses with widely varying prices, which I think is great for a resale shop, especially one focusing on high-end labels like Here We Go Again. The purple cross-body purse is by Linea Pelle and costs $69; the big leather bag is by Gustto and selling for $255. That’s a lot of money, but the bag retails for $625, so it’s an amazing deal.

The four items pictured above are from the John’s Landing location, at 0511 SW Carolina St in Portland. Here We Go Again also has a location at 2438 NE Broadway. With the city-wide coverage provided by those two locations, you have got to swing by one (or both!) of their stores and see for yourself the amazing selection and prices offered by this deluxe resale boutique.

Trendy Tuesday: The Urban Cowgirl

December 7, 2010

Uma Thurman in “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” brought a home-on-the-prairie-meets-casual-New-York-chique style to her character.  The cowgirl hat mixed with her rawhide jacket and striped cotton shirt was the perfect combination of new and old style.  Based on the current collections available at Free People, many designers apparently agree.

Slip dresses, fur vests, long flowing skirts and denim jackets line the walls of  the clothing boutique Free People, located at 817 NW 23rd Ave.  It is a look they call “Easy Rider” and the clothing really embodies the freedom and edginess connected with that name.  Some of my favorite pieces available right now are The Easy Rider Dress, Levis Denim Vest, and the Chiffon & Lace Slip.

But it is Free People’s gorgeous western inspired jewelry and accessory collection appropriately titled “the Old West” that really turns any outfit into a cowgirl masterpiece.  The collection contains a lot of leather, fringe, jade, copper and feather pieces, like the ones shown below.

For these and other great styles head on down to Free People’s shop in Portland, or find them online here.

PDX Weekend Happenings: December 4-5

December 3, 2010

This weekend we’ve got the whole city covered, with events ranging from St. Johns in deep North Portland to the West Side and over to Southeast and Northeast. This week’s list makes a counter-clockwise trip around our fair city, encountering a Christmas tree lighting, a seasonal ale festival, a dinner in the dark and a holiday craft bazaar. Happy December, everyone!

North Portland: St. Johns Winter Fest

What: The St. Johns Winter Fest is a huge Dickens-themed celebration. The central event is the Christmas tree lighting at St. Johns Main Street Plaza, where Mayor Sam Adams will do the honors. There will also be a farmer’s market, Moonstruck Chocolate samples and prizes, a fire pit and movies, a Dickens character look-alike contest and so much more.

Event Details: I believe the event is free; I have not found a ticket price listed anywhere. Find more information on the plethora of planned activities here.

When: Sunday, December 5 from 10 am to 10 pm.

Where: In and around St. Johns Main Street Plaza, on the corner of N. Lombard and N. Philadelphia.

West Side: Portland Holiday Ale Festive in Pioneer Square

What: The Portland Holiday Ale Festival takes place in Pioneer Square under a heated tent. The event features food, merchandise and of course beer tasting. More than 50 winter ales will be featured, all crafted specifically for this event — you won’t find these brews at the Plaid!

Event Details: Tickets are $20 in advance (you can buy them here) and that price gets you a mug and 10 beer tickets; additional beer tickets are $1. Admission is $25 at the door, and free re-admission is allowed the following day as long as you have your wristband and your mug. This event is 21 and over.

When: Saturday, December 4 from 11 am to 10 pm and Sunday, December 5 from 11 am to 5 pm.

Where: At Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW 6th Ave in Portland.

Southeast Portland: The Portland Blind Cafe 2

What: Enjoy a gluten-free vegetarian/vegan meal, served by blind people in the pitch dark. Join in discussion about blindness, advocacy and spacial awareness, and enjoy live music in the dark. Experience a new awareness of your senses and build community unity through this moving event.

Event Details: Buy tickets online here. Read more about the event here. Proceeds go in part to support the visually impaired and blind, and in part to PAWS, a seeing-eye-dog training program.

When: Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4. Check in at 7 pm, dinner begins at 7:30.

Where: At Tabor Space in Mt. Tabor Presbyterian at 5441 SE Belmont Ave.

Northeast Portland: Laurelhurst Winter Bazaar

What: The Laurelhurst bazaar features local and unique holiday shopping from more than 50 independent artisans and vendors. There will also be a raffle, a silent art auction, activities for kids, food and more!

Event Details: The event is a fundraiser for the Laurelhurst Parent Teacher Association, but I cannot find an admission price. Perhaps some of the vendor’s profits or the food proceeds go to the school.

When: Saturday, December 4 from 9 am to 5 pm.

Where: Laurelhurt School, 840 NE 41st Ave in Portland.

Written by Forkfly intern Eleanor R. Brown

Green Friday with Portland Pedal Power

November 24, 2010

Join Portland Pedal Power and Seven Planet for Green Friday, a sustainability-oriented event with green merchandise, geocaching, a food drive and more!

Portland Pedal Power, a bike-powered delivery service with connections to restaurants and retail stores, can deliver all manner of food and goods, and their partnerships help their affiliates to be more sustainable and locally minded. This organization is also active in the Portland community and involved with events like their upcoming answer to Black Friday, dubbed Green Friday. In partnership with Seven Planet, which is the first green general store chain in the world, Portland Pedal Power brings you a shopping event that will leave you feeling better about the state of your soul and the world than maxing out your credit card at Nordstrom ever does.

From 10 am until 6 pm, Seven Planet on NW 4th and Couch will headquarter the event, while geocaching activities go on around NW. Seven Planet, which began in Idaho, sells organic, sustainable, locally sourced and fully “green” apparel, groceries, health and household products and more. Their products look great, but as you would expect, this stuff is more expensive than what you would find at Fred Meyer. But their amazing 20% discount on everything in the store during the Green Friday event makes it so worthwhile to do some shopping there. Bring in 5 nonperishable food items to donate for the Oregon Food Bank and receive an additional 10% off your purchases, for maximum savings of 30%!

This event is about more than shopping, though. Through the promotional material one can tell how excited Portland Pedal Power is about Friday’s geocaching activity. Geocaching is a treasure hunt using GPS and social media, so if you follow Portland Pedal Power and Seven Planet on Facebook and Twitter, you can see the clues they will publish throughout the day. Be the first to find two Pedal Power bicycles and win prizes! Find Seven Planet on FB here and Portland Pedal Power here.

Have an excellent Thanksgiving tomorrow, and if you feel like shopping on Friday November 26, make it to Seven Planet where you’ll find great savings on high-quality, sustainable and local products. Seven Planet is located at 412 NW Couch St in Portland and the event takes place from 10am to 6pm.

Written by Forkfly intern Eleanor R. Brown

Trendy Tuesday: Shopping Locally at Kazoodles Toys in Vancouver

November 23, 2010

Thanksgiving is still to come (just a couple days!), but the Christmas music is already playing 24/7 on the radio. With about a month to go to those various gift-giving holidays, it’s time to start thinking about what to buy for the people you love. We all enjoy presents, but what’s more fun than picking out a toy for a child in your life and watching them open it with rapt appreciation? At Kazoodles Toy Store in Vancouver, you will find unique, fun gifts for the kids in your life.

Kazoodles was opened by Bob and Mary Sisson in 2006 to fill a niche market they had detected in the Vancouver area. They wanted to find safe, quality, unique toys for their grandkids without having to come to Portland, so they made it happen. Earlier this year, they opened a sister store. Kazoodles is independently and locally owned, scoring it big points with those who look to avoid supporting big corporations with their holiday dollars. Current social-awareness movements like No Corporate Christmas make independent retailers like Kazoodles especially trendy and attractive places to do your holiday shopping.

Let’s take a look at some of the great toys they offer!

The first thing that caught my eye, this “faux bow” by Marky Sparky, may seem like a reckless choice, but Kazoodles strongly emphasizes safety in the toys they sell, and this product won the Astra Best Toy award for Best Active Toy of 2010. The bow is recommended for those eight and older, and costs $24.99. I know kids who spend so much time in front of a screen, anything that gets them moving (even to shoot things) is a good thing in my book.

If you feel otherwise, Kazoodles has a lot more to offer, too!

This next product is a splurge at $169.99, but I am a sucker for dollhouses. Playmobile has the best sets and accessories, with lots of detail to make the scenes versatile and fun. This Furnished School Building will keep boys and girls entertained for hours during long cold days inside. And I certainly won’t judge if you choose to join the kids and play with it. Those figures are just too cute to leave alone.

For a creative activity that will captivate a budding artist, get the Create Your Own Pop-Up Books kit for $19.99. The kit includes blank books, markers and design ideas to get your young friend started on her pop-up masterpiece. These three recommendations barely scratch the surface of Kazoodle’s huge, excellent selection. Look at their website to see tons more great gift options, and search by age, activity or brand.

Even better than browsing on the website is browsing in the store, so check out Kazoodles at their original location, 575 W 8th St in Vancouver, or at their new location, 13503 SE Mill Plain Blvd, #B-3, also in Vancouver.

Forkfly Daily Deal: The Tea Zone and Camellia Lounge

November 18, 2010

Get any cocktail during Happy Hour from 4-7pm daily at the Happy Hour price!

Here are three things just right off the bat that you might not know about Tea Zone:

1.) They offer tea classes and events!

2.) They sell much more than just hot tea.  They also have specialty cold tea concoctions and yummy food!

3.) They have proved that flavored teas can be turned into some delightful cocktails!

The Tea Zone holds classes focused around the thing they love best, tea, two or three times a month.  Class topics include things like the health benefits of drinking tea, the different types, and the proper way to serve it.  Reservations are required.  Along with their classes, The Tea Zone also holds some cool events.  They will be serving Holiday Afternoon High Tea throughout the entire month of December, which includes a 1-Person Pot of Premium Tea of Your Choice and a Plate of Delicious Savories and Sweets.  Champagne & Spirits are also available, and it is all for the low price of $18.95 per a person.  Fun!

Sure The Tea Zone’s allure is their huge selection of loose teas available for purchase, but they also have several types of tea tonics, bubble tea, fruit tea blast smoothies, and tea lattes; as well as, a large food menu with vegan and gluten free items.

Their tea cocktails are a real treat!  Try a warm drink like The Aristocrat, which mixes Earl Grey Supreme, almond, milk and Tuaca, or a cold drink like the #1 Fun, which uses Black currant tea vodka, blueberry/strawberry vodka, fresh lemon, sugar syrup, hibiscus, and is served up.  And remember that during Happy Hour all of their cocktails are only $5 for Forkfliers!

The Tea Zone and Camellia Lounge is located in The Pearl District at 510 NW 11th Ave. Find their deal with Forkfly here and enjoy your tea!

Trendy Tuesday: Fall Fashion at Shop Adorn

November 2, 2010

I go to school at Portland State, where I like to spend time between classes sitting in the park blocks and watching people as they go by. It’s not unlike window shopping; every day I spot a style I’d love to emulate. Shop Adorn, a NE Portland boutique with a website that ships all over the US, offers designer styles at non-designer prices, and they’re carrying some of the fall fashions seen around Portland.

First, the all-important fall jacket.

Portland in the fall is all about layers. While heavy coats will emerge later in the season, for now Portland is rockin’ the hoodie-under-a-jacket look. Hoodies are pretty indispensable considering our wet climate (and our reluctance to use umbrellas), and a jacket that fits comfortably over your favorite sweatshirt will keep you warm and dry all autumn long. Above on the left is a men’s bomber jacket by Obey for $108; on the right, a women’s Kut from the Kloth jacket in Olive for $60.

The cool weather calls for some warm staples, like this heavy cotton button-down and this gray sweater dress. (That cowl neck keeps you warm the same way a scarf does, and the silk blend fabric is insulating — stay cozy all day in this dress!) Lanzo shirt by WeSC, $68; L.A.M.B. dress, $195.

And the finishing touches on this fall wardrobe are accessories you can throw in your backpack and pull out when it gets a little nippy or the rain starts coming down. Fingerless gloves are essential for those of us with touchscreen smartphones; these Coal gloves are only $15 and they’ll be handy all winter long. The $25 acrylic hat, also by Coal, will keep you dry and warm.

Visit Shop Adorn at 4759 NE Fremont to stock up on your fall staples, and use Forkfly to get 20% off your entire Shop Adorn purchase!

Written by Forkfly intern Eleanor Brown

Trendy Tuesday!: The Green Approach to Business

October 19, 2010

As slow as the progress might be, one can’t deny that businesses have made some much needed steps in the green direction over the past few years.  More and more consumers are bringing their own bag when shopping, many grocery stores have stopped offering plastic bags, companies are replacing their outdated light bulbs and appliances with energy saving ones, and even though all of this is commendable, it is businesses like Oblation Papers & Press that are helping keep Portland ranked the number one greenest city in America.

Oblation Papers, located in The Pearl District, say that they, “Have been attracted to the benefits and practicality of recycling since they opened in 1989.”   Oblation includes a letterpress print shop, urban paper mill, retail store, flat printing and a wholesale product line.  Every day they take unwanted paper products, convert them back into pulp, and make it into fresh, new paper.

Twenty years later they are still making paper and following recycling principals. Their concerns for conservation affect everything they do, including their design process. Their fiber source is now 100% cotton, acid-free, and recovered from the garment industry. They supply a machine-made envelope option with their printed work that is made from 100% post consumer waste.  To reduce waste,  they have a line of wedding invitations with only a single envelope and RSVP postcard. Their digital design department provides several environmentally friendly paper options, and prints using solid ink technology, which generates approximately 90% less waste than typical color printers. They also use soy inks and citrus solvents.

But the most impressive part about this company is that they are proud supporters of wind energy, and use this sustainable power option to run their business!  Way to go guys you are truly an inspiration to businesses everywhere!  Support green companies like Oblation right here on Forkfly, and get $5 off a purchase of $25 or more from Oblation through the end of this month.

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