Favorite Haunts
Shopping is something I do best. No doubt about it. Recently I went in search of a cool and unique baby shower gift and stumbled upon this store on Hawthorne across from Peet’s Coffee. They have the cutest, local clothing and some beautiful books. My favorite item, however, was a booklet of apology cards for parents with young children ranging from saying sorry to the restaurant you just made a chaotic mess to the poor next door neighbor who has been kept up with the screaming all hours of the night.
I have fallen in love with a quirky, delightful, and completely original hotel on the Oregon coast called the Sylvia Beach Hotel and I try to visit as often as I can get away. Last February I whisked Bryan away for a weekend as a Valentine’s day gift and then this summer I took a group of women on a college reunion/retreat there as well. The hotel is run by two wonderful ladies who love to encourage community and connection between people. Each of the rooms has a literary figure as its theme. There’s the Emily Dickinson room, the Mark Twain room, the Edgar Allen Poe room–you get the idea. There is also a large library and common area full of old, comfortable furniture with a beautiful view of the ocean. You can sit and read by the fire all day or take a stroll along the beach. The hotel also has a restaurant called the Tables of Content where you have an opportunity to meet other guests since you sit family style. For anyone who loves things out of the ordinary and who appreciates good books as well as a little peace and quiet, this is the place to go. Do be warned, however, there are cats who roam freely and may join you at bedtime and it is not a hotel that I recommend taking children to. You simply won’t reap the benefits and you’ll probably end up annoying other guests since lots of people come here for rest and solitude.
I know, I know, it’s a little cliche to enjoy shopping at Bridgeport when there are so many lovely little boutiques in my area but I can’t help it. I am in love with the Container Store and Crate and Barrell.
It’s the time of year where there is a Farmers market around every corner here in Portland. My personal favorite takes place every Thursday from 3:30-7:30pm at SE 20th and Salmon (between Belmont and Hawthorne).
Butterscotch is a cute little shop with everything you could ever need for your wife, daughter, niece, grandmother or any other female relative or friend. This is one of my preferred “gift” shops as I call those stores that I regularly depend on for the little gifts that matter (birthdays, graduations, anniversaries)
One of my favorite places to shop is the White House/Black Market store on NW 23rd and Glisan.