Kids grow like weeds and always seem to have drawers full of clothes that don’t fit them.  So last week at my house we went through closets and drawers to reduce and recycle.  Three bags to Goodwill later we noticed a little shopping was in order for some new items for Spring.  Fred Meyers was having a huge sale and clearance was an additional 40-70% off!  Everything from camouflage cargo shorts to ruffled curtains were on sale and priced to move.  Racks and racks of clothes and merchandise scattered around the store on long tables.  We got basic tee’s, shorts, and some home decor.  The kids even had fun shopping too, as you can see.  If you want to fill up your drawers or spruce up for Spring without emptying your wallet head to one of the several locations of Fred Meyers because the sale is still going on!

Shopping at Fred Meyer

This Saturday, Feb. 26^th, from noon to 10pm Portlanders will flock to North 45 to do what Portlanders do best…sample beer.  The annual party has 50 Belgian beers, with mugs and tokens available at the door.  North45 has been open over four years and this event was especially created to give people a chance to sample some of the best beer on earth without committing to a bottle or big price tag.  This makes this a great opportunity to try that one rare beer you have always courted!  Beginner beer drinkers and connoisseurs alike are encouraged to attend.  Bring your appetite since North 45 will be serving up their famous fresh northwest mussels eight different ways alongside pommes frites.  The fun starts early and ends late inside the bar and outside in the tented heated patio.  Hope to see you there…cheers!  North 45 is located at 517 NW 21^st Avenue Portland, Oregon, 97209 and can be reached at 503-248-6317 and found online at www.North45pub.com.   North 45 is a locally owned pub with a world-centric theme that offers brews, drinks, and gourmet grub.

A good pair of jeans can make your backside look great!  But designer denim can be expensive.  But between now and Monday February the 28th you can take your old, worn, outdated or ill-fitting jeans to Lily Atelier and get a $20. credit towards a new pair!  A lot of the designer jeans that live at my house used to live at Lily Atelier and owner Dawn Stanchfield stocks dozens of styles to fit almost every body type.  They have boot cut, skinny, distressed, white, capris, straight leg, trousers, colored and classic wash to select from in the charming boutique in downtown Camas.  You can also feel good that your old unwanted pairs of pants will be donated to people in need.  Good for the planet, good for your wallet, and good for womankind.  It’s a win-win-win!  Lily Atelier is located at 237 NE 4th Avenue, Camas, Washington, 98607 and can be reached at 360-834-9215.

My friend Kalka spends a lot of time in downtown Vancouver for her work.  So when I asked her where a good place to eat was, she was quick to say Rosemary’s Cafe.  My fiancee and I walked hand-in-hand into the charming cafe that reminded us of a granny’s house.   The place smelled like cookies and the staff wore mis-matched aprons in vintage patterns…just like my Nana’s house.  The breakfast and lunch place offered everything you would expect to find but the menu also promised that they had the ‘world’s best chicken salad” sandwich.  Obviously curious we tried the prized menu item and it was wonderful!  It was very different and featured pineapple, but wasn’t too sweet.  We sat by the window and sipped tea out of quaint floral cups and saucers and watched the rain come down outside.  It was the perfect place to be right then and we loved it.  Kalka was right.  If you can’t go to your grandmother’s house then pop into Rosemary’s Cafe located at 1001 Main Street, Vancouver, Washington 98660 and can be reached at 360-737-7611.

When you have children you meet a lot of parents.  And when you have a shopping website (www.NicolleShops.com) you visit a lot of stores.  So, it was only natural that I would become interested when one of Kaden’s school mates Moms opened up her own store.  I had watched the Mompreneur named Rose make beautiful hand-made pillows out of her home and was excited when the business grew and moved to a little space on N.E. Fremont.  Named after her nick-name, Rosabode, is full of girly, flirty, furry items.  In addition to pillows and throws you can find funky faux fur vests, tunics, skirts, dresses, gloves, belts, scarves, hats and accessories.  My daughter Kaden and I went in there right before Valentine’s and she fell in love with a giant pink hat that looked like it would be worn Where the Wild Things Are.  It came in several colors and patterns but she chose hot pink (that’s my girl)!  She has worn that hat everyday since and wouldn’t even take it off for a family nerf gun fight.  Rosabode will even do custom orders and measured and made me a black dress for an upcoming event!  Cute, colorful and usually sewing all day in the back of her little shop, you can find Rosabode at 4225 NE Fremont Street, Portland, Oregon 97213 and learn more at www.rosabode.com.

Kaden wears a furry hat in her nerf gun battle.

I have been invited to a party this Sunday night and get to extend the invite to YOU!  It is at the new Circa33 that opened its doors on October 1st on SE Belmont and 33rd and has quickly become a favorite haunt with its inspired menu and 1930’s décor.   The soiree promises to be the first of many annual prohibition parties to celebrate the seductiveness of the bar scene at the turn of the century.  The evening’s festivities will start at 4pm with the sultry music styling’s of the Karla Harris Quartet beginning at7pm.   Jazz musician, Karla Harris is one of the Northwest’s premier singers with an expressive vocal style who commands the stage and is backed by the incredibly talented Mike Horsefall, Todd Strait and Scott Steed.  This is a costume party and patrons are encouraged to come have a roaring good time.  The staff will be dressed the period and Zoot Suits, hats, suspenders, flapper fringe, dress gloves, and boas are all encouraged.  Come enjoy prohibition cocktails, bath tub gin and themed featured menu items on Sunday February 20th 2011. Sounds like a fun time, I’ll see you there!  Circa33 is located at 3348 SE Belmont, Portland, Oregon 97217 and can be reached at #503-477-7682 or found online at www.Circa33bar.com.

The Beautiful Karla Harris Jazz Singer

Inside Circa33 on SE Belmont & 33rd

 

What's Nicolle cooking??

When I was a child I used to tell my Mom that I didn’t like seafood.  She told me “that’s like saying you don’t like music, because their are so many different kinds”.  Years later, while I went to college I worked at some of the nicest seafood restaurants in the region and got to sample hundreds of different dishes focused on fish.  Mom was right.  So many different kinds, so many different preparations, so many different pairings that change the taste and texture!  While there, I worked as a bartender to pay my way through school and also had the same learning curve when it came to wine.  How could all those look-a-like bottles be so different in flavor and mouth-feel?  It was fun to experiment with pairings and prepare for the inevitable request for suggestions.  Now, all grown up and a Mom myself, I try to get creative with entertaining to ensure that my family and friends try new things and have a great time.  With a simple self serve buffet of food and drinks you can relax and enjoy the party.  I really like the Trader Joe’s fish in the freezer section because its flash frozen, affordable and they have a large selection.  When we are embarking on a new recipe (like below) and don’t know which wine would complement it, we ask the guys at Great Wine Buys.  The gentlemen there are so sweet and helpful they should call the shop Great Wine Guys.  They feature wines from regions around the world and can help create the perfect menu for your in-home wine and seafood festival.  Trader Joe’s has multiple locations and Great Wine Buys can be found at 1515 NE Broadway, Portland, Oregon 97232 and reached at 503-287-2897.  Tell them Nicolle sent ya!

Ingredients

• 6 ounces cooked fish, such as baked cod, halibut, snapper or tilapia 
• 4 flour or wheat tortillas
• 1/2 cup pico de gallo
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• Mixed stir fried vegetables, recipe below
• Lime wedges

Directions

Mixed Stir-Fried Vegetables:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 cup sliced red onion
• 1 carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
• 1 bunch asparagus (optional), ends trimmed and spears cut into 2-inch pieces

It was my friend’s birthday last week and she wanted to go to a new place that just opened up to celebrate.  I was excited to go somewhere new and we met at Frank’s Noodle House on NE Broadway.  You can’t help notice as you walk up the stairs that this restaurant is in an old Portland house that has been converted for commercial use.  There was a line to put your name in and a bit of a wait as the new hot-spot has been popular since opening its’ doors.  Frank’s reputation for being a great chef lived on after he left Du Kuh Bee in Beaverton.  His new menu featured a large selection of Chinese family-style entrees and Korean barbecue.  The noodles are hand made and were much larger then I expected.  They were good, but the pork fried rice was amazing.  It had a smokey flavor that was very tasty.  We also loved the chicken barbecue which was moist, tender and very flavorful.  If you like Chinese cuisine served in a casual atmosphere then you will like the food at Frank’s Noodle House.  But bring your patience with you because the service is sloooooow.  Many patrons, including us, had to repeatedly ask for forgotten drinks, appetizers, the check, etc.  But, good things come to those that wait.  Frank’s Noodle House is located at 822 NE Broadway Portland, Oregon, 97232 and can be reached at 503-288-1007.  They are open Monday through Saturday 11am-9pm.

Frank's Noodle House Menu Item

This is Mojo!

I live with a handsome pure bred boxer puppy named Mojo.  We got him last year and he is sweet, funny and super super smart… he knows two languages and three dozen tricks!  We A-D-O-R-E that dog and make sure to treat and feed him well.  When we first got him we researched where to locally buy great quality food at a reasonable price.  Our search lead us to All for Paws pet store.  They feature all human-grade ingredients with no by-products, no fillers, and no chemical preservatives.   In addition to food they also have toys, treats, dishes, collars, leashes, gifts, cat towers, and lots of locally made products.  There are a lot of great pet stores in Portland but this is my favorite because of the “shop dog” named Fancy Pants.  Fancy Pants comes to work everyday ready to meet and greet two-legged and four-legged customers and does some of the funniest tricks I have ever seen!  If you go in try to get him to “go crazy” because you will crack up!  His co-worker (and owner) Kelli is very sweet and knowledgeable and always very helpful if you are a pet lover looking for a pet store.  Tell them Nicolle sent ya!  All for Paws is located at 1430 NW 23^rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97210 and you can find out more information at www.all-for-paws.com.

This Valentine’s Day cupcakes have replaced boxes of chocolates!  Sorry Forest.  The little cups of cake are as beautiful as they are yummy at the bakery Cupcake Jones owned by the married duo, sassy/sexy Lisa Watson and uber-handsome Peter Shanky.  Stop by and get your sweetie, kids, or even your dog (they have canine cups) a mouthful of yummy!  Tell them Nicolle sent ya!  Cupcake Jones is located at:

307 NW 10th Avenue, Portland, OR. 97209 and you can find more information at www.cupcakejones.net.