Retail Therapist

Retail Therapist has not kicked her sandal boot problem, is still completely obsessed with last year’s Trippen ‘Kilt’ sandal, and is pleased that there are lots of open-toed, lace-up and strapped heels to feed her addiction this spring. These three (above) remind her of last spring’s inaccessible Ann Demeulemeester lace-up sandal boots and the YSL caged bootie. Clockwise, from left: Miss Sixty ‘Carine’ bootie, $169.95, Nordstrom, 701 SW Broadway, (503) 224-6666; Jeffrey Campbell ‘Syd,’ on sale for $129.95 and  ‘Halo 2′ lace-up boot, $149.95, both at Solestruck, 718 NW 11th, 800-494-1260.

Things are looking up for Project Runway 7, which has just become 20 percent less annoying. Ping and Jesus have bitten the dust.

The downside of last night’s episode was that it was yet another adventure in invasive product placement. Designers had one day to make evening wear for an event sponsored by a certain iconic soup company, whose name shall go unmentioned in protest of the obvious. Designers also had to incorporate the soup’s logo into their designs.

Retail Therapist regrets to inform you her early appreciation for Anna has diminished. Anna’s contribution to last night’s challenge produced a crime against wide-shouldered humanity (pictured above). This landed her in the bottom two—but she was saved by Jesus, who was crucified for his own fashion sins.

Portland’s Janeane and Vancouver’s Seth Aaron remain.

Retail Therapist is happy to say goodbye to the utili-kilt and a big hello to the utility jacket. Everyone and her brother seems to be wearing these lately. RT especially likes this men’s version by Nom de Guerre, on sale for $446 at Frances May. Looking for something that leaves you with a little more money for guns and ammo? Try Andy & Bax, where RT’s sources say you can pick up a variety of government-issue models for $10. Frances May, 1013 SW Washington Street, (503) 227-3402. MAP; Andy & Bax, 324 SE Grand Ave., (503) 234-7538. MAP

Even if you confuse Peyton Manning with Peyton Place, you have to appreciate the Super Bowl for inspiring Mario’s and Mercantile to have major sales events.

Mercantile is giving you a straight-up 50 percent discount on all sale merchandise starting today and ending at 5pm on Super Bowl Sunday. You can also enter to win the Mercantile Super Bowl Ring. RT doesn’t know what the ring looks like, but Mercantile has a lovely selection of jewelry, including a great collection of vintage pieces. Mercantile, 729 SW Alder St., (503) 223-6649. MAP

Mario’s is throwing a “women’s tailgate party” on Friday, Feb. 5, and Saturday, Feb. 6, featuring an additional 30 percent off all sale merchandise. On Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 7), they’re offering 50 percent off all sale merchandise. RT is hoping to pick up a Lanvin frock for under $100. She’ll keep you posted. Mario’s downtown, 833 SW Broadway, (503) 227-3477. MAP; Mario’s 3.10 at Bridgeport Village, (503) 601-7310.

Fresh off the plane from New York after a great run with their Nau pop-up shop, the folks at Lizard Lounge are reinstating their first Thursday series. Tonight you can shop, sip and listen to live music to benefit Falling Whistles, the campaign for Peace in Congo. That is, if you’re pro-peace in Congo. Otherwise you can just shop, sip and listen to the music for your own selfish reasons. Lizard Lounge, 1323 NW Irving St., (503) 416-7476. MAP

RT recently stumbled upon these lovely mauve vases ($20) at Tilde in Sellwood. Upon further investigation, she learned that they were made by store employee Andrea Loeffler. Loeffler studied ceramics at Lewis and Clark College and is a partner in Radius Studios, a fully-equipped artists’ workshop under the Morrison Street bridge, where she and other creatives get their art on. See these vases and more at Tilde, 7919 SE 13th Ave, (503) 234-9600. MAP

Retail Therapist is a big fan of the handwritten note and card for even the most obscure of occasions. Here in Portland, we’re fortunate enough to have many creative local purveyors of non-mainstream cards and stationery. A sampling of spring offerings from southeast Portland’s Egg Press landed in RT’s mailbox recently, and it does not disappoint. It includes beautiful cards for Mother’s Day, some whimsically wry options for Father’s Day, a variety of different ways to say “congratulations,” and a few cards that just offer a general warm fuzzy to the recipient. Such as the card pictured above, featuring everyone’s favorite mythical hominid with a caption that says “You’re out of sight!” Most cards are available for purchase individually and in sets, and are available at several local retailers. Prices range from $3 for individual cards to $14 for a box (quantities vary). Go to www.eggpress.com to find a local retailer or to shop online.

Retail Therapist returned from her completely undeserved but much appreciated island vacation yesterday, and has just now tunneled to the surface of an email avalanche. RT hopes you enjoyed the testosterone-fueled posts of the last few days and would like to thank her understudy for doing such a bang-up manly job of covering the retail beat. To tide you over this morning until RT has time to do a big, post-vacation download, check out the sale on Portland-based online retailer Little Lark’s website. The heart-shaped wool felt pillow pictured above is a Valentine’s Day steal at just $26. www.alittlelark.com

In a man’s quest to dress well, there remains one nagging concern: looking like a fancy boy. The challenge is to look good while avoiding that point of affectation at which clothes become “outfits.” Colors can be too coordinated, creases too crisp, shoes too shiny. But there’s a one-word answer to this dilemma: boots. A quality pair looks at home with slacks and cashmere and yet is immune to affected fanciness (so long as you steer clear of knife toes and snakeskin).

So here are a few of RT’s favorite boots around Portland.

Fittingly timeless from the country’s longest continuously operating shoemaker, Frye Oliver Inside Zip boot says, I look good but, yeah, I’ll kick your ass ($215 at Johnny Sole, 815 SW Alder St., 225-1241).

As its name suggests, the re-soleable Wolverine 1000 Mile Boot is built to last, handcrafted in the U.S. of A from vaunted Horween cowhide, with a price tag to match ($325 at Johnny Sole, 815 SW Alder St., 225-1241).

This Wodehouse Chukka is part of Timberland’s boutique “Timberland Boot Company” line ($275 at Lizard Lounge, 1323 NW Irving St., 416-7476).

Alden’s Indy Boot is ideal for a stroll out to the barn to check on your thoroughbreds ($345 at John Helmer, 968 SW Broadway, 223-4976).

Sure watches may be obsolete, what with your smartphone beaming satellite-calibrated time directly to your frontal cortex via Bluetooth—but they’re still fucking cool. And for guys, watches and wedding rings are basically the extent of acceptable jewelry (at least until Wyclef comes out with a rubber wristband to benefit Haiti). If your checking account isn’t yet ready for a stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual—the understated pinnacle of timeless timepieces—that doesn’t mean you can’t own a quality watch. Like Bertucci’s A-2T, available at REI (1405 NW Johnson).

At just $100, this classic field watch may be the world’s best value in wrist-based timekeeping. The A-2T’s solid titanium body, two-ply nylon band (which can be changed sans tools) and superb engineering add up to a sturdy, stylish and manly wristwatch.

The full Bertucci line can be seen on its website, including RT’s pick the “sculpted” B-1T ($134.95).