Retail Therapist

Sure, there are only so many Himalaya-dwelling goats to go around—but despite that, the cashmere pashmina scarf (product of said creature) has become so ubiquitous that it’s just not all that interesting or luxurious-seeming anymore. And so we move on to other, more interesting scarves that don’t evoke visions of high altitude sweat shops overflowing with sherpas combing the underbellies of their prized goats. To wit: the yellow and gray infinity scarf, above, $220, from Zelda’s.

Festive, cream-colored scarf with sequins, $68, and punk-inspired “oh, snap” scarf in coral, $48, both from Free People.

“I’m whimsical, but don’t mess with me” squirrel scarf, $17, Exit Real World; pink and purple “what, me pashmina?” scarf, $20, Idom; striped “cashmere for the people” scarves in green or pink, $202, Souchi.

All scarf names were completely fabricated by RT. Expect confused looks if you ask for them by name.

Zelda’s Shoe Bar, 633 NW 23rd Ave. MAP
Souchi, 807 NW 23rd Ave., (503) 525-0043. MAP
Idom Boutique, 827 NW 23rd Ave., (503) 477-6818.
Free People, 817 NW 23rd Ave., (503) 226-8099.

The J. Crew outlet at the Woodburn Company Stores mall is having a Black Friday sale from midnight, Nov. 27, until 8am, Nov. 27. Hellish? You bet. Massive savings? You better you bet. J. Crew Outlet, Woodburn Company Stores, 1001 Arney Road, Woodburn, (503) 981-0689

Retail Therapist needed to pick up some cards, wrapping paper and ribbon today, so she headed up to the Paper Source on NW 23rd. Paper Source is a Chicago-based chain of high-end paperies where you can find pretty much any kind of wrapping paper or art paper you’d ever need, supplies for scrapbooking and bookbinding, and a very creative selection of  gifts for everyone in your life. RT was wowed by the options. RT likes the Puzzle Calendar, $12.50, pictured above…

the Russian nesting doll-inspired Matrushka Measuring Cups, $13.95…

and the (drum roll, please) tabletop letterpress machine, $150. Amazing.

Paper Source, 638 N.W. 23rd Ave., (503) 226-8000.

We all dream of being well heeled, says the copy on page 61 of the most recent J. Crew catalog, in which we are introduced to J. Crew’s Shoe of the Month Club and are encouraged to indulge the girl who’s been very, very good with 12 new pairs, to arrive on a monthly basis throughout the year. Retail Therapist’s sources say it’s $1800, which works out to $150 per month; J. Crew’s stylists pick the shoes, so every month is a surprise; the styles are always from the most current catalog; and you can choose between flats or heels or a mix of both. You can exchange shoes for a different size, but there are no backsies. Just the mixture of thrill and risk you were looking for? Call 866-739-5944 to subscribe.

Last Friday’s Big Chill at Grand Central Bowl embodied the two greatest aspects of a chilly, damp Portland winter—snowboarding and seasonal beers. A Brrr (beer) ice luge greeted visitors to the second floor of the lounge, where party-goers could sample chilled Widmer’s Brrr brew while bobbing their heads to tunes by DJ Clint Kuper, before heading downstairs for the snowboarding fashion show. New gear from the U.S. Outdoor Store included dozens of snazzy jackets, goggles and pants from brands like Oakley, Burton and Volcom. Although RT wasn’t lucky enough to win any free gear, she does need a new pair of snow goggles. Thirty-eight shopping days left until Christmas.

Yellow is the new khaki.

Visit NW shopping gem Idom and get 20 percent off all new Autumn pieces in the store through Sunday November 15th! It’s worth braving the recent unpredictable weather to shop Idom’s great collection of original pieces. RT is giving serious consideration to this holiday-ready dress. The lustrous fabric was designed and made especially for Idom. Romance in Durango dress, $396; idomdesigns.com; 827 NW 23rd Avenue.

Retail Therapist has been an admirer of Pigeon Toe Ceramics for some time now, and just received word that they’ll be included in the fourth annual Sunday Best holiday sale at Ace Cleaners on November 28 and 29. All of Pigeon Toe’s work is hand-thrown or -built of ceramic clay and each piece seems both flawlessly perfect and hand-touched. In addition to the Pleat Cup, $33 for a set of two, pictured above, Pigeon Toe Ceramics has a great selection of planters, pots, cups, bowls, creamers and other vessels that defy conventional labels. Some of RT’s favorites are the Tripod Pots.  Pigeon Toe Ceramics is available at Ink & Peat and other stores around town, as well as on their website.

The Sunday Best holiday sale is Saturday, Nov. 28 and Sunday, Nov. 29, at Ace Cleaners, 403 SW 10th (at Stark).

Union Rose, the happening boutique with 100 percent locally sourced clothing and accessories—including pieces designed and made by the owners—is moving from its NE Portland location to an outpost in the Montavilla business district at 7909 SE Stark. They’ll be open seven days a week in their new location, from 10:30am-6pm. But, get thee to their current location and save 20% off everything today and tomorrow. Crocheted fingerless gloves, $30. Union Rose, 2023 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., (503) 287-4242. MAP

There’s a cool new online shelter magazine that almost replicates the experience of flipping through a real magazine. It’s called Lonny (which refers to London and New York), and was created by a former Domino magazine market assistant and her photographer partner—using mostly volunteer labor and working around full-time jobs. Check it out at www.lonnymag.com.

(Hey, Richard.) A certain Portland alternative newsweekly publisher who shall remain last nameless has a serious addiction to buying blank books of the upscale variety. His most recent binge yielded a collection of Writersblok bamboo paper notebooks in a variety of sizes (set of two large ruled journals, $10; set of four mini notebooks, $8), a set of softcover Writersblok stitched journals with a subtle dot pattern printed on the pages ($10), a very posh Rhodia lined journal with a padded hardcover and elastic closure in bright orange ($25), and a Xonex pocket-size blank journal with latex-infused pages—for durability ($5.50). All available at Powell’s.

Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside, (503) 228-4651.