I am perhaps... cheap

Let face it. I like cheap things. But I don't like cheap looking things. This my friends is a dilemma. Especially in fashion.

There are things that look cheap, not slutty-cheap, but so-poorly-made-that-it-may-disintegrate-any-moment-cheap, and they must be avoided at all cost. It doesn't matter how cute the color, cut, print etc if it makes you look like a fifteen-year old who buys tops because "It was only five dollars!"

This is why i love Forever 21 jewelry. Hear me out here. I have gotten more compliments on earrings that I got from F21 than anywhere else. And I have a lot of jewelry. I get more compliments on them than jewelry I designed!

Check these latest:




















They are close approximation of some of the earrings you will find in local PDX boutiques. The difference? About fifteen to twenty dollars in your pocketbook.

I don't always think cheap is the way to go. Trust me, the boots I currently am wearing from Imelda's Shoes werent' cheap and they are worth every penny. But they are also very hard to lose, being knee high black suede boots. Do you know what isn't hard for me to lose? Earrings, necklaces, braclets, but earrings the most. I would say that the average life of a pair of earrings in my care is about one year. Then I will lose only one, and the other one will remain, taunting me. So I must economize on the earrings, because I will always have to buy more.

And yes there is a part of me that loves getting compliments on accessories that were not top dollar. It is not unlike hunting, shopping, and when I get raves about accessories that I tracked down among the tangle of F21's jewelry corners it gives me a sense of a successful hunt. Prize bagged. Cuteness achieved. Savings intact.

I am obsessed with Duck Fat...

There I said it. And I am not even ashamed.

There seem to be all sorts of people frying things up in duck fat around the Pdx metro area these days, and my taste buds love them all. My arteries are lodging a formal protest, but then they are out-voted.

First on the list are the duck fat french fries at Apotheke. It was here that I first heard of frying things in fat from poor Mr. Duckie., and so had to try it. I mean, potatoes good, sea salt good, duck fat probably good (I mean it is the main ingredient of duck confit). Oh my goodness gracious!!! Creaming and starching and oh so lovely. These french fries are perfection, even if Apotheke sometimes makes you feel like you are eating in the lair of a James Bond Villain, and the music has some annoyingly pretentious tendencies (you know that electronic where they repeat a phrase over and over against a beat. I kid you not last time I was there the phrase was “Do you find me annoying?” Well now that you mention it….) The beer list is good if you are loving the Trappists, but after a beer and fries head out because the rest of the menu is just okay.

I have heard the hype and now I am going to taste the reality. Kenny and Zuke’s opened yesterday with bigger and better things sizzling in the duck fat. This is not your mother’s fried chicken. Rumor says that it is a Daily Special involving chicken fried in duck fat, mashed potatoes and graving for $16.75. Ouch!! But I have to try it once, so off I go to see if it is on today’s menu.

That is if I can resist Happy Hour at Clyde Common. I will have to walk past to get to Kenny and Zuke’s, I am weak and wondering what Sister drink is on the menu this week…

Clyde Common ... common might not be the word...

I only read Portland Monthly when it is free... but I am sure glad that I picked up the May issue. One the cover was a burger. But that makes it seem too simple. It was beautiful.

I had to wait two months... two long months. My fiancee (then boyfriend) was in Mexico, and the home of this amazingly perfect looking burger was new and trendy, and I wanted to go with him the first time.

Some things, my friends, are worth the wait. The best burger crown has officially passed to this masterful creation. The bun is chewy on the outside, but amazingly soft on the inside. The meat is cooked to perfection, juicy and flavorful. Instead of the pedestrian ketchup, they include a ramekin of house-made tomato jam that is flavorful without being overpowering. Next to that ramekin is another filled with creme freche with a dark red liquid drizzeled into it. It is harissa and when mixed with the creme with a french fry it is heavenly. The creme freche cuts the heat of the harissa so it is smooth but with bite.

I have eaten this burger three times in the last two and half weeks. It is consitently a knockout. So much so that I have only managed to order something else one time (yes we have been to one restaurant four times in 2.5 weeks, we all have addicitions). I had braised pork shoulder with white beans and it was amazing. But the pull of the burger is awful strong.

And the home of this burger worth raving over... Clyde Common. On 10th and Stark across from the living room theater, in the bottom of the Ace Hotel (worthy of its own blog entry).


A couple things to know about CC:

1. It is loud - this has never bothered me but I know there are those who will find it disturbing. It is the price you pay. The space is very clean, with light woods and clear glass and white walls. Therefore there is nothing to absorb the noise.

2. Communal Tables - downstairs there are three bigger tables, and upstairs are cozy tables for two. So the chances are if your party is between two and ten, then it is likely you will be sitting next to strangers. It can be fun, embrace it.

3. Happy Hour - 3-6, 11-close - great $5 menu, including the burger AND discounted drinks. awesome. Check out the "Sister" drinks. Each week appearing on the menu are drinks like "Younger Sister" or "Twin Sister." I am a sucker for fun naming conventions
4. Wine List - anyone whose house pours include an Earl Burle Cote du Rhone is fine by me.

I'm Back

It has been a long time my poor neglected blog and for that I am truly sorry. But a lot has been happening lately. I have a new favorite restaurant, a new residence, and oh wait... that's right... I AM GETTING MARRIED!!!

That's right Matt and I are going to tie the knot on January 5th, 2008. Blog, you are about to gain a sibling in the form of a wedding blog. I have also created a new blog myPDXwedding.blogspot.com for official use to talk incessantly about my wedding to all of you.

Okay, guys, here we go cause we got a lot to talk about