Leather and Lace

Whitney Port, Taylor Swift, and Britney Snow all have the look. Do you? I may be behind the times a bit, but I can’t help but notice the trend of lace tights. Whether you dress them up or throw on a leather jacket and make them punk, they seem to be a universal look that nearly anyone can pull off. Wear them to school, work or out on the town. Just be sure to hand wash them when you are done and not carelessly throw them in the dryer. Otherwise you will end up with holey and ripped tights that make you look like you work on 22^nd and Burnside, if you catch my drift. Below are a few links to websites where I have found some fun and not wildly expensive lace tights. 

My Tights

$7-20.00

Urban Outfitters

$14-35.00

Express

$16-30.00

Portland's 34th International Film Festival

Whether you are a film connoisseur, looking to expand your cultural experiences, or are just wanting a night out on the town, check out the 34^th Annual Portland International Film Festival. This ever so popular event kicks off on February 10^th and lasts until the February 26^th. With over 100 international shorts and feature films shown through out the festival, there is bound to be one or two that will appeal to your interest. While the official film schedule isn’t released until February 1^st, the premier film has been announced. The festival will open February 10^th at the Newmark Theater in the Portland Center for the Performing Arts with a French film titled Potiche. From director François Ozon, “This light hearted, sharp-tongued comedy stars two of the most acclaimed and beloved French actors of all time, Catherine Deneuve and Gérard Deparieu.”

Films will be shown around town through out the duration of the festival. Some of the venues include Cinemagic, Hollywood Theatre, Newmark Theatre, Regal Broadway Metroplex, Cinema 21, and the Film Center’s own Whitsell Auditorium. If international film and cinematic genius wasn’t enough to interest you, the film festival will also have a variety of parties and visiting artists to join in on the film’s festivities.

The Portland International Film Festival is the largest film festival in Oregon and has drawn an audience of over 35,000 in past years. With this slue of events being so successful, large names such as The Oregonian, Regal Entertainment Group, Wieden+Kennedy, and Nel Centro have signed on as sponsors.

If you’re interested in watching a variety of films, but don’t want to pay for admission, you might consider becoming a volunteer. Volunteers are used year round for line control, ticket sales, and marketing. Volunteers earn free admission to the films at the festival as well as the Northwest Film Center’s programs throughout the year. Check out the Northwest Film Center’s website for volunteer opportunities.

So expand your horizons, put on those reading glasses and read those subtitles.

RIP City on a Budget

Aldridge, Pryzbilla, Fernandez, Batum and Miller are just some of the all stars that lead the Blazers’ starting lineup.  While watching them on television can be fun, what better way to actually explore Portland then to attend a live Blazers game? If you want the excitement of a live stadium cheering but not the steep prices of Rose Quarter tickets, then you should check out stubhub.com. While you might have used this website to purchase tickets to your favorite indie band at the Crystal Ballroom, who would have thought you can purchase tickets for the Rose Garden starting at just $1.99! Games featuring the Sacramento Kings, Boston Celtics, and San Antonia Spurs offer tickets at competitive prices. While the seats might not be courtside, you can still kick back, enjoy a beer and hope that the blimp rains Pizza Hut© coupons over your section. If cheap tickets weren’t enough for you, be sure to get to the arena early so you can get your face airbrushed with the famous red, black and white colors of the Blazers FOR FREE. Don’t worry, even if the Blazers don't win, you can still count on the free Chalupa© coupon at the end of the game (if they score 100 points…). 

Portland's 6th Annual Chocolate Fest

Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. Willy Wonka has nothing on the annual Chocolate Fest Portland hosts each year. This 6^th annual gooey goodness event is being held at the Oregon Convention Center from January 21^st – 23^rd. For just $10.00 (on Saturday and Sunday) you can taste test from a variety of fine chocolatiers, sample wine, watch presentations and demonstrations and rub shoulders with some fellow chocolate aficionados. Whether you like white, dark, or milk chocolate, this Fest has it all. You can learn to make a chocolate martini or sculpt a chocolate masterpiece, both of which are just a few among many other activities that will prove to be a blast for all ages. 

Oregon Convention Center

777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd 97232

(503)235-7575