Holiday Gift Guide #4 - Where we're shopping

In our final installment of our 2012 Holiday Gift Guide, we are throwing some love to the places that we like to shop for our friends and family. Though as you may suspect a lot of people on our list request shoes, but that gets boring for us so we like to mix it up. Here are 5 of our the top places to shop this holiday season. All local of course!


1. Hand Made Pots: Amy Fields - 13Fields on Etsy

We're like everyone else, we like to do a little online convenience shopping, but we like to keep it local. Which makes Etsy a great place to find beautifully crafted sophisticated gifts that are made here in town. Our favorite Etsy site is 13Fields (http://www.etsy.com/shop/13fields). Amy is a ceramicist who hand makes all her pots and other creations with translucent porcelain and her own hand mixed glazes that are food safe. Amy is part of Start Street Studios in SE Portland, where you can stop by and see her work anytime. She also has her work at Dirty Dishes in NE Portland (5709 NE Fremont). So there are lots of opportunities to pick up a last minute gift from her whether you grab a piece off of Etsy or swing by Dirty Dishes. We personally own several items from Amy, we love the simplicity of her designs. Our favorite being a custom "Pie" mug she made for us.

Etsy 13Fields
http://www.etsy.com/shop/13fields

2. Handmade Ornaments - Thomas Malcolm Cook Studios
It has been a tradition in my household to buy a new ornament for the family Christmas tree every year. Being already a huge fan of Thomas Malcolm Cook's "Burned Bridge" series, I must confess we own a few,  I was super excited to see that he had turned this series into the most unique Christmas ornaments.  It truly amazes me the detail captured in the 2"x2.5" pieces of art. Each ornament created by hand in a style called pyrography, a technique where the artist burns a image into a selected medium. These ornaments are pyrography on birch. My fingers are not even coordinated enough to tie a proper knot, let alone burn anything on wood that would resemble more than a blob.  These extraordinary pieces of art would make a perfect addition to your holiday tree and also could be displayed year around.

Thomas Malcom Cook Studios
http://www.thomasmalcolmcook.com/apps/webstore/

3. Art/Photography Books - Ampersand Gallery & Fine Books

Though I may read a novel on my ipod now and again, the one book that I still want to hold in my hand is an art book. The smell of the paper and the crisp images inspire in away new technology does not. Lucky for me whenever I need a little inspiration, I just pop in next door to Ampersand Gallery & Fine Books (2916 NE Alberta St, STE B). They have a great selection of art and photography books along with vintage ephemera and monthly art installations. Ampersand is a excellent place to grab something for the art buff or photographer on your list. They also have gift certificates!

Ampersand Gallery & Fine Books

2916 NE Alberta St. STE B - Right next door to us

http://www.ampersandvintage.com/

4. Art - Guardino Gallery

Over the last few years we have come to have a strong appreciation for art, in particular local art that is one of a kind. Art can be an investment at times, which is why we love Guardino Gallery's "Little Things" show every December. It is a great opportunity to pick up a small piece of unique art without breaking the budget. I have received art and given art as gifts in the past and they have always been the gifts that I remember though out the years and keep. Guardino Gallery is also just across the street from Pie, how convenient for me!  Guardino's rotates its art shows every Last Thursday and also has a wonderful collection of artisan jewelry. The "Little Things" show will be up though December 25th.

Guardino Gallery

2939 NE Alberta St.

http://www.guardinogallery.com/

5. Portland Couture - Garnish Apparel

This is the place where I buy gifts for myself.  My husband bought be a dress from Garnish about 3 years ago and a love match was made. I love shopping there not only for the locally designed and beautiful Portland made clothing, but for the lovely staff, they make it so fun and easy to shop. If you have a a lady on your list this is the place to go. If you're not sure about picking out a skirt or dress for her, they also have fun items like tights, scarfs, bags, jewelry and gift certificates.

Garnish Apparel

Alberta Location: 1524 NE Alberta St.

Pearl Location: 404 NW 12th

https://www.garnishapparel.com/

Happy Shopping!

Holiday Gift Guide #3 - Men's Footwear

For our third installment of our Holiday Gift Guide we are focusing on men's footwear. To start off here are a few tips to help make giving the gift of shoes easy.

1. Know the his size. The best way to make sure you know what size he wears is to check his favorite shoes. Since different brands size differently, check a couple shoes, this will help us get the best size for him for the style you pick.

2. Know his taste.  Check out what he already has in his closet. What colors and styles does he wear a lot. Take a few pictures, this way when we help you find him the perfect pair we have some references to go off of.

3. Be Bold. Sometimes our favorite men need a little help, buying him something he normally wouldn't wear might encourage him to try something different. If you love it, but he doesn't, he can always exchange it.

Okay, now that you know his size and his style, here are a few fun footwear giving suggestions from Pie.


1. Boots

With winter comes the cold, the wet and the wearing your hiking boots for everything. Let's up his game this winter and get him out of those hiking boots and into some street chic boots that not only look good but are functional too. We have a couple great options from Timberland, Palladium and an old favorite, Dr. Martens. These boots will feel as comfortable as his hiking boots, while taking his urban style up a notch. Win/Win.

Timberland Earthkeepers City Lite Boot - $125 (Color: Black Leather, water resistant)

Palladium Pampa Hi Lite Lea - $95 (Color: Sunrise, water resistant)

Dr.Marten's Vegan 8-Eyelet Boot - $130 (Color: Black, water proof)

Timberland EK City Lite, Palladium Pampa  Hi Lite & Dr.Martens vegan boot

2. Sneakers

Portland is the perfect place to be a guy that loves his sneakers. We all love our canvas and hemp kicks for biking and hanging out in the summer, but come winter are favorite sneakers are usually shelved due to weather related issues. Fear not, we have sneakers in stock that not only keep his laid back style in check, but will also keep his feet warm and dry for the next 8 months.  Our favorites styles are from Teva & Unstitched Utilities.

Un. Utilities Umbria & Next Day Low - $75-$70 (These are made from Tyvek & waterproof/vegan)

Teva Roller Leather - $85 (Colors: Bungee Cord & Black - water resistant)

Uns. Utilities Umbria & Next Day Low,  Teva Roller

4. Made in the USA

Do you have a guy on your list that would like to have everything he owned made in the USA?  Well I think we can do one better, how about made in Portland? We have two Keen styles that are actually built here in North Portland at Keen's new assembly plant on Swan Island. Keen employees 50 people at this factory, so not only are you supporting USA manufacturing when you purchase a pair of these shoes, you are also supporting Portland jobs. Another Win/Win.

Keen Ontario - $140 (Color: Black Oiled Leather, water resistant, oil/slip resistant)

Keen NOPO Lace - $162 (Color: Black, waterproof, oil/slip resistant)

Keen Ontario & NOPO Lace

5. Barefoot/Minimal

If you haven't heard, here at Pie we like barefoot/minimal shoes. So if your guy is a barefoot enthusiast like us, Pie is the place to shop for all your holiday barefoot needs. We have styles for running, walking, crossfit as well as styles that are work appropriate. Brands include, Vivobarefoot, New Balance Minimus, Merrell Barefoot, Leming & Vibram Fivingers. 

Vivobarefoot Evo II - $135 (15% off until 12/31 $114.75 - Colors: Blue/Yellow & Black/Yellow, Vegan, water resistant)

New Balance Minimus - $120 (Color: Black/Red, this style is water & odor resistant, vegan)

Vibram FiveFingers Komodosport - $110 (Color: Black/Burgundy, this style is for crossfit, vegan)

Vivobarefoot EVO 11, NB Minimus & Vibram Fivingers

Vivobarefoot Gobi Boot - $155 (Colors: Brown Suede & Black Leather, water resistant)

Vivobarefoot Ra - $135 (Colors: Black & Brown Leather, water resistant)

Merrell Barefoot Radius Glove - $115 (Color: Boulder, water resistant)

Leming Primal Origins - $90 (Colors: All Black & Earth Brown, Vegan)

Vivobarefoot Gobi & Ra, Merrell Radius Glove & Leming Primal Origins

6. Slippers

Slippers are on my husbands list this year. Requirements are easy to get on and off and he could remodel the house in them if he chooses.  Lucky for me we have a few option at Pie that could handle these requirements and just warm his feet too.

Keen Trillium Slipper - $74 (Colors: Forest & Navy, wool upper)

Patagonia Maui Moc - $95 (Colors: Boulder, leather upper, water resistant)

Barefooters Slip On - $99 (Colors: Blue & Black, material cork & silicone, with cork foot bed)

Keen Trillium Slipper, Patagonia Maui Moc & Barefooters slip on

At the end of the day if it seems a little daunting to pick out a pair of shoes that he's going to like or will fit just so, remember a gift certificate is never the wrong size! You can pick-up a gift certificate in store or give us a call and we can mail one out to you or to your special guy. (503.288.1999)

Check back next week for our final installment of this year's gift guides. We will be covering all of our favorite local places to shop for gifts, with some great non-shoe last minute gift ideas.

Happy Shopping!

Holiday Gift Guide #2 - Women's Footwear

For our second installment of our Holiday Gift Guide we are focusing on women's footwear. To start off here are a few tips to help make giving the gift of shoes easy.

1. Know the her size. The best way to make sure you know what size she wears is to check her favorite shoes. Since different brands size differently, check a couple shoes, this will help us get the best size for her for the style you pick.

2. Know her taste.  Check out what she already has in her closet. What colors and styles does she wear a lot. Take a few pictures, this way when we help you find her the perfect pair we have some references to go off of.

3. Be Bold. Sometimes the best gifts are the ones you know we want, but won't buy for ourselves because "it's just not practical." If you love it, but she doesn't, she can always exchange it.

Okay, now that you know her size and her style, here are a few fun footwear giving suggestions from Pie.


1. Sseko Sandals
A Portland based company, Sseko Designs is a not just for profit company. Sseko sandals are handmade in Uganda, but women earning money to further their education by going to university. In Uganda there are not many opportunities for women to earn the money needed to move on past prep school to a university. Sseko Designs provide women with a living wage, opening the doors to opportunities they would not have not had otherwise.  Sseko Sandals are DIY. You buy your base (whole sizes) and then you buy your straps and lace up or style the sandal anyway you like. With a YouTube site dedicated to videos of all the different ways you can lace up your Sseko's and the instructions for the classic tie method on the back of each strap package, lacing them up is super easy even if you aren't very crafty. For a limited time we also have a cute tote that comes with each purchase of a base & strap set.

Sizes: 6-11 (whole sizes)
Price: Leather Base $45, Straps $15

Sseko Sandals - Base, Straps, Tote & Tie Guide

2. Slippers from Keen & Patagonia

Women seem to be prone to have cold feet and hands. Though we many not be able to help with the hands part, we definitely got the feet part covered!  We've got some really cozy slipper/shoes from Patagonia & Keen. I like to call them slipper/shoes because they all have out soles that can be worn inside and out. You know for taking the garbage out, walking the dog before bed or running to the grocery store, all things we rarely want to put "real" shoes on to do. With a pair of these slippers, she will be able keep her toes warm around the house as well as on that late night ice cream run.

Keen Trillium Wool Slipper : $75 (colors: brown & black)

Keen Howser Slipper: $62 (vegan - colors: black & mauve)

Patagonia Advocate Lace: $75 (vegan - colors: red delicious & espresso)

Keen Trillium, Patagonia Advocate Lace & Keen Howser

3. Sneakers - Teva, Keen & Unstitched Utilites

Portland is a pretty casual place, which is one of the many reasons we love it here and one of the reasons that a good sneaker is a staple in any women's wardrobe. You can never go wrong with giving a fun pair of kick-around shoes, which is a staple for our Saturday brunch attire. Some of our favorite sneakers this fall have been the Teva Freewheel, Keen Arcata & Unstitched Utilities Hang Up Slip On.

Teva Freewheel - $75 (Suede, Colors: black, chocolate & port royal)

Keen Arcata - $75 (Leather, Colors: black/grey & madder brown)

Unstitched Utilities

Hang Up Slip On - $55 (Made of Tyvek - waterproof/vegan, Colors: Pale Blue, Black & Orange)

Teva Freewheel, Keen Arcata & Unstitched Utilities Hang Up Slip On

4. Minimal (Barefoot) Shoes

Is your lady into the barefoot minimalist footwear movement or do you want her to be? If you said yes to either of these Pie is the place to do your holiday footwear shopping. We have a great selection of minimal shoes (including boots) for women from brands such as Vivobarefoot, LEMS Footwear (aka Leming, aka Stem), Merrell Barefoot collection, Vibram Fivefingers and New Balance. We have a little of everything from casual/dress to traditional athletic styles. Pictured below are three of our favorites.

Vivobarefoot Lucy Lite - $105 (Colors: Aubergine, Grey/Turquoise & Black - this style is vegan)

New Balance Minimus - $120 (Color: Grey/Raspberry - this style is vegan & water resistant)

Vibram FiveFingers Speed - $100 (Colors: Blue/White & Grape/Grey - this style is vegan)

Vivobarefoot Lucy Lite, NB Minimus & Vibram FiveFingers Speed

5. TOMS Shoes

TOMS shoes is the gift that keeps on giving. For every pair of TOMS shoes purchased TOMS gives a pair of shoes to a child in need as part of their One-for-One program. To date TOMS has given over 1 million shoes away. That's a lot of kids with happy feet. TOMS is mostly know for the Classic, their original slip on style, but now they have expanded their line to include wedges, wedge booties, lace up sneakers & boots and ballet flats. 

TOMS Wedge: $92 (Color: Black Suede)

TOMS Cord Classic: $54 (Color: Plum)

TOMS Earthwise Metallic: $54 (Color: Gold Metallic - this style is vegan)

TOMS Wedge Bootie & Classics

Still feeling nervous about buying shoes for the women on your list? Let us help your special someone pick out the perfect pair of shoes with a gift certificate. You can pick up a gift certificate in store or give us a call (503.288.1999) and we will mail one out to you.

Happy Shopping!

Pie Footwear Gift Certificates rock!

Next week: Gift Guide #3 a guide to Men's shoes.