Who: Mikey, Chuck, and P.J. aka The Cool Kids
Where: NW 5th Ave
Cutest thing about Portland: Kids like to dance!
Photo by: AM

I got into quite a debate last night about my new find from the Goodwill Bins, a fabulous pair of vintage Jordache high-waisted jeans. Personally, I think they are fantastic. They actually fit better than any other jeans I own (extra bonus: remember that these are from The Bins, so there was no trying on prior to purchase). They are in great condition. They probably cost less then $1. They have just a bit of stretch and they are freakin’ Jordache. All of the ladies around agreed that they are fantastic, as long as you can pull them off. No poochie bellies allowed. BUT, the boys on the other hand said my “Mom Jeans” are so not sexy and that they made my butt look to long. What? Most of us would not be here today if the men of the 70’s did not find their ladies sexy in high-waisted jeans. What about the real Charlie’s Angels (not the Drew Barrymore crap), they were totally hot in theirs. Are the boys of the 21st century too used to seeing butt cracks and thongs thanks to the low-rise phenomenon that it made them immune to change and style?

Alright, I need some more input here. Let’s put this to a vote.
High or Not High??

Yesterday I got a long overdue eyebrow wax at the new Urban Waxx salon on NW 18th & Marshall. It’s only been open since last month, by owner Shannon Conley, who has over 10 years experience—if you’re interested, she’s had the distinction of waxing Rachel McAdams and Renee Zellweger. The space, which is a bright safety orange on the outside and hip/zen on the inside, is great, as is the staff—Conley managed to poach the excellent JoAnne Woods from her job helping people find their perfect pair of jeans at Nolita—Woods’ boyfriend, a graphic designer, also helped out with the graphics that decorate the walls as well as their business cards and the sign outside. I am a total baby when it comes to waxing, I think it hurts like hell, and I have to say that Conley’s touch was super gentle. My eyes didn’t well up with tears even once. Her other specialty is Brazilian waxing, which we all know can be a trying experience, but her light hand on the eyebrows is a good omen—in fact, check out her blog, where she recounts her own first Brazilian, and what a nightmare it was, even mentioning the dreaded tweezing, which I actually always thought was standard procedure, and which is no small contribution to the fact that I haven’t had one in probably six years. Bottom line is the woman knows her waxes. (And yes, they wax men too.) It’s kind of the off-season for body waxing, but if you are in the market, especially if you fear and hate pain, I would recommend checking these cool, friendly ladies out.

It’s time to make good on your pledge! The Gallery at the Museum of Contemporary Craft has invited artists from across North America to participate in their annual Handmade for the Holidays event. Items from a wide range of mediums, tastes, and price points will be available. Paula Deer’s Mountain View hat (second item down) made from reclaimed wool with vintage quilt lining is especially fun.

Handmade for Holidays opens tomorrow at the Museum of Contemporary Craft (724 NW Davis) and runs through Jan. 6.

Not to be missed: Nolita (923 NW 10th) is having a sale this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, with 20% off the entire store, plus treats and libations. Now’s the time to snatch up premium denim for men and women (assisted by the most professional “how does my ass look” consultants in town), plus delectable separates to wear with ‘em. Literally everything I have ever gotten at this store becomes such an instant staple that I have to make extra effort not to wear it too much, lest people think I don’t wash my clothes. I tend heavily towards Velvet and Mike & Chris, but that’s just the tip of an iceberg that includes the resurrected Helmut Lang, J.Lindeberg, Prairie Underground, James Perse, Rag and Bone and many more.

(A runway look from the current season of Rag and Bone)

If you’re cruising SE Portland this evening, consider dropping by ElizaBeth Rohloff’s salon and design lab, where you can choose your own materials for hat and bag designs, as well as custom clothing. It’s from 5-8 pm at 1323 SE 15th, and there will be light refreshments, tea, beer, and wine to help you decide. I like this simple envelope clutch:

Drop by the Lizard Lounge (1323 NW Irving) this Friday for 20% off regular priced items throughout the store, as well as 25% off denim for men and women, including Joe’s Jeans, Antik, and more. And, if you can’t make it on Friday, don’t worry—the sale runs through November 21st.

(Joe’s)

And she knows how to use them, especially when she is wearing Cronert Creazioni tights and overknee socks. These remarkable Italian stockings are available at Moxie (2400 E. Burnside).

Their houndstooth socks and multi-patterned tights will brighten up any gloomy day!

Keeping on top of all the craft sales, classes, knitting circles, and new artists in this town is quite a task. Now thanks to DIY Alert!, all you need to do is check out their website and handy calendar to be up to date on the latest happenings. You can also subscribe to receive weekly newsletters full of news, profiles, and projects.

Know about a craft sale or event that they are missing? Suggestions are welcome, just shoot them an e-mail.

Confession: Though I’ve publicly recommended that others do so, I haven’t purchased a coat this season. Nor did I last year. And not because two years ago I shrewdly invested in some wonderful creation that will last me for 10 years, either. Nope, I’ve been skating by on layering, being cold, or repeatedly dry cleaning an ancient camel hair plucked from the sale rack of now-defunct N.A.C. and a proper English riding coat, which I actually love, but which is black wool, and an attractant to cat fur, rendering it embarrassing to wear most of the time. By most standards I’m long overdue for a proper new, warm coat. So I’m looking. And check it out: Leanimal (Leanne Marshall) was once again a primary highlight of Portland Fashion Week, and all signs seem to indicate her onward and upward status. I’ve been wanting to snag a piece of her line before her star rises way out of my price range. And not only are her one-or-very-few-of a kind coats at Foundation Garments (2712 NE Alberta) right now… they’re very reasonably priced. See them all here, my faves below.

After Saturday’s Moth Love show (see post below) there will be precious few fashion shows until Spring, at which point I hope all of you are planning one. In case you are, but are stuck on a good venue, consider Dirty Little Secret (1909 NE MLK). Amie contacted me a bit ago hoping to let people know that they are open to hosting fashion and trunk shows, and if you haven’t been to the salon in some time, you may not have seen the huge expansion that has allowed them to offer a full range of services beyond hair. This is an especially great offer if you’re just starting out—don’t think you need to rent out a huge space to make it happen! Contact Amie for details, and in the meantime she sent in some photos to give you an idea of the potential:

Here’s a little preview of Moth Love, the newly re-christened Gretchen Jones line, which will debut this Saturday the 17th at Amalee along with complimenting jewelry and accessories from Anna Korte. Check the next Sold Out column for all the deets. (These photos by Minh Tran.)