Tag: Things To Do

Home & Garden Show – Not Your Gramma’s Event

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Hi Readers!

Wanted to share that Working Magic Group will be with our partners at the Design District at this weekend’s Home & Garden Show! Sure, there will be some old school flavors and displays, but we are bringing all sorts of COLOR (and flavor!) to our showcase, highlighting the makers and shops of the Central Eastside. Find inspiration from shops like CARGO and City Liquidators (y’all… have you been recently? Mind blown.), artists like Kate Blairstone, color talks and curb appeal brainstorming, and enjoy yummy treats from Salt & Straw and Straightaway Cocktails. Which, btw, just launched a new beverage in partnership with W+K’s Portland is What We Make It campaign. Prettttty sure you’ll get a taste of it, there.

EXTRA BONUS! We’re giving away four sets of tickets to enter the expo! Weather is supposed to be meh, so come dream big and say hi! Also, we’ll be giving away a prize pack you won’t want to miss. Find the details on @workingmagicgroup

Let’s hear it for the dreamers!

See you there,

Gab

Inside Working Magic’s Bag of Tricks: Camping Hack Edition!

Posted on by Living Room Realty

One of the many joys of living in the Pacific Northwest is the access to outdoor recreation and incredible camping in just about any direction. Working Magic loves camping! Forest bathing, friends, campfires (sometimes – be sure to check for fire safety), memory making.

Like many busy folks, getting equipment, food and plans together can be complicated for us, so we thought we’d share some of our favorite camping hacks to make things as easy as possible to get out there.

INCREASE COOLER SPACE & MAKE DINNER EASIER

After a long day of swimming, hiking or laying about the campsite, putting together ingredients to cook in the outdoors can feel like an incredible chore. One of the ways our Client Joy Coordinator, Moira, gets around this is to make and freeze food at home. She recommends doubling batches of soups, stews, chilis and anything you can heat on a stovetop. Add food to a plastic freezer bag and freeze the food flat. When you add these frozen pre-made meals to your cooler, they act as both easy dinners and ice to keep other things cold. Reheating food means you can be eating dinner around the fire in ten minutes or less, and provides lots more time for s’mores.

USE A SHOE ORGANIZER FOR YOUR CAMPING KITCHEN

Hang a shoe organizer from a tree or your camping shade, and fill the pockets with your needed kitchen items – cooking utensils, napkins, utensils, spices, and assorted food prep supplies. You stay organized and keep your kitchen clean. Here’s a great example you can get in a hurry.

USE DORITOS AS KINDLING

If you’re having trouble locating appropriate kindling to light a fire, look no further than your snack bag for Doritos as quick kindling. Apparently, all the delicious starch, oil, and flavorings make ideal conditions for a fire. Corn chips work as well in a pinch!

CARRY BREAKFAST IN A BOTTLE

While there’s nothing better than a delicious breakfast in the outdoors, carrying eggs or throwing together pancake batter can be a hassle in the woods. One way to solve this problem is to plan ahead. Scrambled eggs are much easier to carry when they’re pre-scrambled into a water bottle, no worries about those shells cracking and making a mess. When you’re ready, remove the cap and pour a portion of the eggs into a hot skillet and cook them off. Make sure to carry the bottle in the cooler. If you’re more of a pancake lover, try making the pancake batter at home and then putting the batter into a squeeze bottle. Again, simply squeeze the batter out into a hot pan to cook off the pancakes. You save space, avoid cracked eggs, and have an easy clean-up. Voila!

MAKE A HEADLAMP LANTERN USING WATER JUGS

Two things we always recommend you bring camping are headlamps and water jugs! But did you know that these two things together can create an easy, glowing camping lantern? If you find yourself flintless, out of gas, or in need of an additional light, using the head strap of your head lamp to secure the light against the plastic of a gallon water jug gives you an instant glowing lamp with easy light. Also a great nightlight for the kiddos if they get nervous about no-see-ums.

We hope these tips will help you have an easy and enjoyable camping experience! Off we go for a long weekend – stay tuned to hear about Gab’s adventures in Dosewallips, in the Olympics. More soon!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Til then, high fives! Have fun out there,

Working Magic Group

Article written by Moira Reilly, Client Joy Magician

Vegan eating, shopping, and living in Southeast Portland!

Posted on by Bonnie Roseman

Where to get your (plant-based) munch on, broken down by quadrant: Part #2

We’re so excited to continue the Rose City tour with highlights from the Southeast – which is home to some of our top picks in all of Portland!
Known popularly for its cool & trendy vibe, you could certainly wander through the neighborhoods and discover any number of hip gastropubs and vegan delights. But if you want to live and eat like a local, read on for our personal recommendations and a couple of hidden gems!
We would be remiss if we did not give a special shoutout to Belmont Street. A lot may have changed since our Beloved Belmont post in 2019, but only for the better as it has become a veritable oasis of plant based culinary treasures!

Lilla

The only place to go when you are craving ethical Italian!
Where are they? 960 SE Madison Street
What do they offer?  The first fully vegan Italian restaurant since Portobello closed in 2016, Lilla is the creation of Indian-American chef Sanjay Chandrasekaran. Popularly known for his restaurant The Sudra (see Part 1 of the tour!), Chef Chandrasekaran prepares mouth-watering vegan temptations.
What do they value? Lilla is located in the spot where vegan Middle Eastern restaurant Tiny Aviv once sat. When Tiny Aviv closed, Chandrasekaran decided to continue the lease with a new concept, and Lilla was born! You can find the best Italian-style comfort foods, all while enjoying the fact that they are plant based and cruelty-free!
Menu – Click here
Lilla

Mirisata

Vegan Sri Lankan dishes of EPIC proportion!
Where are they? 2420 SE Belmont Street
What do they offer? Fully plant-based menu (plus brunch!) in casual atmosphere with counter service.
What do they value? Mirisata is proud to be worker-owned. They do not have a traditional “head chef” but instead collaborate on every dish to make original creations! Loosely translated from Sinhala, the name means “spicy curry” – and while not everything on their menu is spicy, you can be sure each item will be packed with flavor!
Our favs? First of all, prepare yourself for HUGE portion sizes! Our lunch there lasted all week, and Kendall took some to her non-vegan parents – they loved it! You have to try the Dolphin-style Kottu and Polos Cutlets.
Menu – Click here

Mirisata

Obon Shokudo

Meatless takes on Japanese comfort food
Where are they? 720 SE Grand Ave
What do they offer? Feel-good Japanese homestyle favorites that hit the spot!
What do they value? Obon owners Humiko Hozumi and Jason Duffany started their vegan concept by selling in farmers markets, then to the Morrison Market food hall, and finally to their brick and mortar location! Homestyle food is very important to them, with lots of house-made fermented foods and broths inspired by Hozumi’s family recipes.
Our favs? Hands-down, the Kakiage and the Kenchinjiru! They even have FREE dog sushi!
Menu – Click here
Obon Shokudo

Cultured Kindness

Vegan Cheese Shop
Where are they? 1217 SE Stark Street
What do they offer? Small-batch, ethically-sourced vegan cashew cheeses.
What do they value? From their website: Cultured Kindness conducts business as a socially responsible member of its community. Their mission is to spread ethical veganism by removing the obstacles that prevent people from choosing a vegan lifestyle. They believe that veganism is better for the planet, for individual health, and most certainly for the animals who suffer in the dairy industry.
Our favs? Cultured Kindness recently catered a Broker’s Open for us. We love the Mushroom Melt, as well as their cheese and cracker boards!
Menu – Click here
Cultured Kindness

Norah

Succulent seasonal Thai and pan-Asian fare!
Where are they? 3801 SE Belmont Street
What do they offer? 100% plant based pan-Asian food and inspired cocktails, with a menu that rotates seasonally. Nan and Prae are from southern Thailand, and draw inspiration from the region. (Norah’s sister restaurant is vegan-friendly Mestizo!)
What do they value? Norah is woman-owned. “The name Norah refers to a traditional dance reserved for celebrations and community gatherings in Southern Thailand where Nan and Prae grew up. The dance is a symbol of community vitality. We hope to bring that same energy of togetherness to the food we serve.”
Our fav? The Cauliflower Curry is INCREDIBLE! (roasted cauliflower, house curry & pickles, jasmine rice)
Menu – Click here
Norah

Plus – Bakeries and Grocery Stores!

Shoofly Vegan Bakery & Cafe

Local, fresh-baked vegan treats and wholesale items
Where are they? 2505 SE 11th Ave, Suite 101
What do they offer? An amazing concept, combining café and wholesale bakery – you can stop in to have goodies made fresh daily, OR buy their treats wholesale to sell in your own establishment! Click here to see all of the locations that proudly sell Shoofly products!
What do they value? It’s really important to Shoofly to use as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. You can be assured that their treats are made IN Portland, and with love!
Cakes & Special Orders

Shoofly

Cutiee Buys|Coffee Beer

Part convenience mart, part grocery store, everything delicious…and cute!

Where are they? 4138 & 4142 SE 42nd Ave
What do they offer? As the name might suggest, Cutiee Buys is a super cute convenience and grocery story…that’s ALL vegan! Next door at the iconic Coffee Beer, you’ll find…you guessed it…a selection of coffee and beer and plenty of tables indoors and outdoors to chat or simply relax.
What do they value? They value cuteness and kindness, and want everyone to feel welcome!
Coffee Beer menu
Cutiee Buys | Coffee Beer

Even More Vegan Favorites!

Eat, drink, and be ethically merry!
**At 8 years old, I had a revelation that animals meant too much to me to eat….then one day, I lost my vegetarian way. Years later, as I learned more about the planet and her inhabitants, I realized that, just as I avoid fossil fuels, I needed to wean myself off of animal products. While not everyone is ready to go vegan, in a city with such amazing options, perhaps it’s time for Meatless Mondays, or hey, how about Meatless March! – Bonnie

Get Outta Here! Quick Getaways for the Long Weekend✌️

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Hi, Readers!

Double vax’ed and ready to rumble? Looking for a last-minute way to celebrate a long weekend and the beginning of summer? Me tooooo.✌️

That’s the great thing about Portland. Head 90 minutes in any direction and the topography, adventure potential and climate changes. Bust out the road trip playlist and head east for a day trip to one of our favorite road boogies: The beautiful Columbia River Gorge.

Hiking in the gorge is incredible. There is so much to explore and it’s filled with the most beautiful views, waterfalls and overall a great experience to share with family and friends. Kids and Grandparents alike can mosey or hustle – be sure to pack snacks and water (m&m’s are our secret bribe/weapon for that last elevation gain), and don’t forget to steer clear of overlooks and edges, tempting as it is. 

Weekends are lively in Hood River, it’s the windsurfing capital of the world. Wind channels flow through the Columbia River Gorge and create ideal conditions for kitesurfing, SUP and other water sports. While it’s still a little cold for us to SUP, we love to swing by the waterfront to see the epic air caught by kitesurfers and grab a bite from one of the many great spots along the waterfront. 

For those who want to wind down for the weekend (it’s been a LONNNNG year!) head to a spa day, walk around town and stop in and check out some cool shops. Oooh, the treasures! 

Here’s a quick list to bookmark – have fun and if you decide to go, let me know what you end up doing – maybe I’ll see you on the trails!

Till then, high fives!

 

 

 

 

Hikes: (Easy to Moderate Trails) 

Activities: 

 

Grub: 

Shops: 

Spas: 

Newberg Spotlight: Champoeg State Heritage Park

Posted on by Living Room Realty

Newberg Spotlight: Champoeg State Heritage Park

Champoeg State Heritage Park

Just south of Newberg lies the Champoeg State Heritage Area, a glimpse into a bygone era or Oregon history. Filled with forests, wetlands, and fields, this park is a beautiful place to explore.

This area was where Oregon’s first provisional government was formed by a historical vote in 1843, and a small thriving town of 200 was also founded here. A flood wiped away the original town, however the history of this area earned it a place on the National Register of Historical Places.

Paved walkways make for lovely strolling and bike riding through the park, white the river is a haven for kayakers. You can also fish the Willamette river right from the dock. There is an 18-hole disc golf course, and plenty of scenic picnic spots. It’s a lovely place to visit for the day, but if you want to stay there are multiple camping options.

For more info about camping or additional amenities, visit the official website HERE. Enjoy the beauty and history of a true treasure in Oregon!

Newberg Spotlight: Champoeg State Heritage Park

COVID Summer: 5 Ideas to Beat Boredom and Find Fun Close to Home

Posted on by Sharon Bloudek

As summer is now underway, I find myself longing for the adventures of summers past—exciting vacations, epic road trips, BBQs, and lots of time with friends and extended family. I miss all of that. We all do. While summer at home (all. the. time.) isn’t necessarily what I would choose to do, I try to remind myself how lucky I am to live where I do. There are still plenty of adventures to be had close to home—and none of them involve lost luggage or the procurement of Fast Passes. Get ready for some good, old-fashioned, close-to-home fun! 

1. Fruit Picking. Drive just 10 or 15 minutes outside of the city, and you can’t throw a stone without hitting a family-owned farm. Strawberry season is over, but the time is right for blueberries and raspberries, and it will be time for peaches before you know it. (Yes, that’s right—multiple farm trips this summer!) Trust me: it can take a long while to fill a flat of berries. If you have kids with you, sent each off with his or her pint container and a challenge to be the first to fill it to the top. 

What to do with all of that perfectly ripe, fresh fruit? Fruit + granola + yogurt for breakfast, fruit salad for lunch or dinner, fruit with ice cream for dessert. Bake muffins or cobbler. Make jam. Or, freeze fruit to enjoy during the cold months—peaches and berries can be thawed in a bowl of hot oatmeal on a chilly winter morning. 

Whether you head north out of Portland to Sauvie Island, south to Yamhill County, or any other direction, you can find yourself on a farm in no time. However, a little planning ahead is wise, especially during peak season. Check the website of the farm you hope to visit to make sure the fruit you want to pick is in season and to find out public picking hours. This year, be sure to familiarize yourself with the farm’s Covid19-related policies. Bring water to drink, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and a face mask. Go early in the day to avoid high heat and peak crowds!

2. Farmer’s Market. Chances are good that your favorite neighborhood farmer’s market is in operation this summer, albeit with new safety measures in place. The Portland Farmer’s Market, Beaverton Farmer’s Market, Hillsdale Farmer’s Market, and Lake Oswego Farmer’s Market are just a few popular area markets to check out this summer. While there are fewer vendors than in previous years (and no yummy samples!), a weekly farmer’s market trip is still a great way to procure fresh produce (corn-on-the-cob and snap peas!), pantry staples (locally-made pasta), and even gourmet treats (fancy cheese and local honey)—and to support local growers! Many markets have dedicated hours for vulnerable populations, and many allow you to place pre-orders with your favorite vendors. Some markets even offer drive-thru order pick-up. Once again, your best bet is to visit the website for your favorite market to familiarize yourself with new policies, and to plan to visit the market early in the day when it’s less crowded.

3. Picnic. What to do with the delicious food you’ve gathered? Plan a picnic! This is also one way to ease the stress of social distancing in a safe, responsible manner. Invite friends to meet you at a park for a picnic dinner. Everyone brings their blankets and food, and you maintain the requisite distance as you enjoy good food and better company. Not up for socializing just yet? Dining al fresco at home in your very own yard can be just as enjoyable, a welcome change from the everyday.

4. Hiking. If you feel as though you’ve walked every square inch of your neighborhood the past few months, it might be time to explore outside of your comfort zone. Portland is home to an extensive system of urban hiking trails. Yes, hiking within the city is almost as easy as walking out your front door! A wealth of resources are available to help you find a city trail that’s the distance and level right for you.

 If you want to get away from it all, that beautiful mountain is almost as close as it looks, and over 1,000 miles of trails in the Mt. Hood National Forest are waiting for you. Travel just a bit farther to Mt. Adams and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the crowds will thin—and it’s still an easy day trip from Portland!

As with everything these days, a bit of planning goes a long way. Arriving at trailheads early means beating the crowds (and better parking!). While not required, masks are still a good idea on crowded trails. And remember: whether you’re hiking a trail in the city or the wilderness, preparation is of the utmost importance. Check out the National Park Service website for essential tips on hiking safety and wilderness survival.

5. Bicycling. Portland is well-known as a cycling-friendly city, and with even fewer cars on the road these days, this summer might be the time to explore one (or more) of the many urban bike routes in the city. Or, venture beyond the city limits and pedal along the Banks-Vernonia State Trail, Oregon’s first “rails-to-trail” state park. More leisurely (but just as picturesque!) paths along the Willamette River are found at Champoeg State Park and  Willamette Mission State Park, just a quick drive south on I-5. Be sure to check park websites for hours of operation and day-use rates! As with hiking, be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, and first aid supplies, when you head out for a ride—and don’t forget your helmet!

As much as I love and miss the hectic summers of years past, I do recall that when I am away, I long to be home to enjoy the unbeatable Oregon summertime. This is my year to do just that! What are your favorite summer activities in and around Portland?