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For busy working women, the suit is often the easiest outfit to throw on in the morning. In general, this feature is not about interview suits for women, which should be as classic and basic as you get — instead, this feature is about the slightly different suit that is fashionable, yet professional.
The Brooks Brothers Stellita linen blazer is a classic, and I love this season's version — a bright navy with a happy blue and white lining. The matching pants (Lucia) are a slender cut that sit lower on the waist and, I think, look very flattering on their own. The blazer (Stellita Fit Two-Button Linen Blend Jacket) is $268 and the trousers (Lucia Fit Linen Blend Trousers) are $228.
(L-all)
Sales of note for 9.16.24
- Nordstrom – Summer Sale, save up to 60%
- Ann Taylor – Extra 30% off sale
- Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
- Boden – 15% off new styles
- Eloquii – Extra 50% off sale
- J.Crew – 30% off wear-now styles
- J.Crew Factory – (ends 9/16 PM): 40% off everything + extra 70% off sale with code
- Lo & Sons – Warehouse sale, up to 70% off
- M.M.LaFleur – Save 25% sitewide
- Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
- Talbots – Extra 25% off all tops + markdowns
- Target – Car-seat trade-in event through 9/28 — bring in an old car seat to get a 20% discount on other baby/toddler stuff.
- White House Black Market – 40% off select styles
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And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!
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Anon
Billable hour question. Does your minimum billable hour requirement include hours written off by the partner? For example, say you bill/enter 40 hours of work on a file. The partner takes a look at the bill and decides they’re not going to charge the client for 10 of those hours and they’re written off before the bill goes out. Hence, the firm only collects for 30 of your 40 billed hours. For your minimum billable hour requirement, do you have 30 or 40 hours?
JJ
At most firms that I know of, you have billed 40 hours even if the partner writes off those 10. However, those 10 will affect your realization rate as an associate, which is the measure of how much money the firm makes off of how many hours you bill.
Cat
40 (Biglaw). I have heard of other firms where you’d only get credit for 30 – they tend to have higher associate turnover/unhappiness, particularly if the partners are eager to write off time to keep clients happy.
However, either way, in the long term, it’s best to get a reputation as an associate with a high realization rate (i.e., percentage of billable hours that are actually billed to the client).
Diana Barry
+1. My firm (smaller) does (1) billable hours and (2) collections. They don’t directly tie them – so you don’t have a realization rate that is written down. I think this is because there are a large number of litigation matters and delinquent clients so the collections can lag year-over-year.
Anonymous
40 counts toward the hours requirement. However they keep track of how much you have written off (which seems a little unfair to me, because there is so much luck involved in determining that). I’ve heard it doesn’t matter as a junior and mid-level but can become more important as you get more senior. Also can be brought up if they are looking to get rid of you.
Anonymous
Also in some specialties (patent prosecution is the one I’m aware of), there are caps on how much you can bill and if you’re told you can bill 30 hours, only 30 hours will count toward your billable requirement, even if you work 40 (or more). But in most other areas, you bill what you work and it all counts towards your hours requirement even if it gets written off.
sweetknee
My firm only counts what’s collected on. I am a partner, and usually err on the side of underbilling, so that ‘s not an issue for me personally, but sometimes its hard on the associates. That being said, we have a pretty low billable hour requirement every year anyway, so it kind of evens out.
SA-litagor
Ditto, my firm does not have a billable hours requirement so our bonuses are calculated based on actual collections. So those cuts actually hurt.
Ellen
Yay! Brook’s Brother’s! I love Brook’s Brother’s, Kat, but I need a skirt, NOT slack’s with their blazer’s. The manageing partner will NOT reimburse for slack’s and Frank HATES slack’s. FOOEY! b/c the price is not bad!!
As for the OP, I have never heard of the manageing partner REDUCEING your hour’s! When I started, I billed alot less, but then after studying the manageing partner and haveing counseled me on billeing practices, he billed MORE of my hours, and taught me that everything I do is worth a certain NUMBER of hour’s, even if I ONLEY spend 10 or 15 minutes on something. For example, a m’otion to dismiss will ALWAYS be at least 4 hour’s, even if I am ONLEY cutteing and pasteing from another motion. Of course, if I do alot of work on a m’otion to dismiss, I can bill ALOT more then 4 hours. The same for court apearance’s.
If I go downtown, I get 4 hours for EACH court apearance, and if I have 8 cases, I will get to bill 32 hours PLUS 2 hours of travel time for each case, even tho I ONLEY travel down there once, so you see that you can bill MORE, not less, hours, and we get paid MORE b/c we bill more.
I therefore recomend that you go back to your manageing partner and instruct him (or her–YAY, if True) that you can make more if you bill more. YAY!
BTW, I was out earlier b/c I had to get the sclubby banker OUT of my apartement with Myrna’s help. He drank to much and fell asleep on my couch and we could NOT moove him until he woke up at NOON today! FOOEY! I have to stay away from Banker’s b/c they drink to much. I do NOT want to marry a Banker. I want a guy who does NOT drink at all. Sheketovits was also a drunk, and he was NOT even a banker, just a BA in Accounting. If I could find a non-drinking WORKEING CPA, that would be ideal. He could make money, then come home and help me with the k’ids. FOOEY on drunken husband’s who are to tired to do anything but sleep it off like this schmoe.
Does anyone in the HIVE have a HUSBAND for me? I am almost 34 with NO prospect’s, even tho I am an attorney who is ADMITTED in NYS and is a PARTNER! Why cant I find a decent HUSBAND???
Wildkitten
Tinder Plus?
Mpls
Sigh…patch pockets. I would like this better without patch pockets.
Do men’s suits have patch pockets as often as women’s suits do? (A quick google search says yes – there goes that rant).
Sydney Bristow
I really like this suit except for the jacket pocket. Those just never look right with my chest.
BB
I love the patch pockets! :) And yes, they are totally a menswear thing. I like the variety with more traditional welt pockets, and I find that they’re a touch more casual. This is good for me because I’m in a business casual environment where I dress up occasionally and this helps me blend in a bit more.
Hildegarde
I also thought this was lovely until I saw the patch pockets. They look like they belong on children’s clothing to me. This just prevents me from wearing them, though; I recognize they are common (too common!) on adult clothing, so I don’t think they actually look inappropriate on anyone else.
Bonnie
I don’t mind patch pockets on this jacket. They fit in well with the more casual look of a linen suit.
Wildkitten
Patch pockets are summery and therefore I love them because I am so over winter.
Keeping up
How do you keep up with former co-workers? I am going to call a former co-worker/mentor from my last job to meet for coffee (time & place convenient to her) but only a few years into my career and have never done this before (I’ve never stayed in the same city after moving on from a job before).
– Do we talk about work only, or is now the time to start being more friend-like? (I know she has a husband and kids, but I don’t know much about them).
– Is it okay to gossip a little? I know she’ll have a certain someone at OldJob to vent about, which I think is harmless, but maybe I should avoid it?
– Would it be okay to ask her whether she thinks her boss (my former boss) will give me a reference (boss was somewhat annoyed when I moved on).
– How long should I expect/how do you end coffee? Please break it down real simple for me, I’m not the most socially-savvy person by any means!
tesyaa
If your main reason for getting together is to ask about the reference, do you need to have coffee to ask that? If she’s really busy, the coffee might be an imposition. If you and she genuinely want to catch up, going for coffee is OK.
keeping up
The reference issue is more curiosity since I won’t be job searching again for a while. I considered calling her just to chat instead of coffee but we were pretty good work-only friends so I’m really hoping to continue that.
Hollis
1. Just see how the convo goes and flow with it. My meetings with old co-workers are usually more personal now that we don’t have work in common.
2. Yes, fine to gossip as long as you’re not saying stuff that’s going to get back to the person. Be conscious of the fact that she might be friends/still in touch with some folks you may not have liked.
3. Yes, you can ask this, but better yet, can she serve as your reference?
4. Get up after about 45 mins. or maybe an hour. Just have some kind of handy phrase like, “I’m sure you have to get back to work,” or just stand up and say “Thank you again for meeting up with me – it’s been great to catch up” and then leave. If you want to be extra nice, you can send a brief e-mail to her and tell her you enjoyed talking with her and that’s it. Send her a linkedin invite if you’re not already linkedin.
Also, this is a really great thing to do for you personally and professionally, so congrats on taking the step to reach out. I wish I had been better at keeping in touch with my former co-workers.
keeping up
Thank you! I’m going to ask her as well but I’m really anxious about the issue with my ex-boss/her boss, so I just wanted to make sure it’s not too needy/weird to ask her opinion on it!
Anonymous
Trying to post yet again…thoughts on the Mac mini anyone? I’m looking for an under $600 desktop to buy soon and I’d love any input!
Anonymous
Any experience with any of the following realty companies generally: Keller Williams, Coldwell Banker, Berkshire Hathaway? Question to ask realtors in a phone interview?
No Yelp in my area & I will probably only be able to make one in-person trip to house hunt. I’m buying, not selling, in case that wasn’t clear.
BB
I found a lot of really great questions in Home Buying for Dummies. Basically, you want to make sure that they are experts in your region/price range, so How many did you buy in the past year in this area? What was the price range? Ask for references.
Maddie Ross
All of those companies you mention are big, national names with smaller local brokerages. Basically it’s like a franchised restaurant in some ways. All of them are generally reputable nationwide and you’re better off asking local people about the local practices and agents.
OP
That’s what I figured but I thought it was worth asking in case any of them had a national reputation.
AIMS
Agents will be different even in the same company. Is there anyone you could ask for a more specific recommendation? Maybe even post the location here.
Anon
The realty companies don’t matter, it’s the individual agent that does. You can get a good or bad agent at any of those companies.
Katniss Everdeen
Where are you trying to find an agent? I’m sure people will have recommendations.
Miss Behaved
Grr. My flight from JFK to San Juan was cancelled so now I’m on hold with American. I’ve had more than my share of weather-related problems.
tesyaa
Good luck, hope you get to Vieques…
la vie en bleu
Oh No!!!! That is the worst. Crossing my fingers it all still works out!
Sydney Bristow
Oh no! Good luck! Fingers crossed you make it and get some much needed sunshine.
ETA: I’ve heard that sometimes your an get through to someone faster if you call the international line. That and Twitter can sometimes come in handy for getting customer service help quickly.
Anon
+500 to Twitter.
Coach Laura
Good luck!
Hollis
My boss’ wife gave birth to a premature baby, who will be in NICU for awhile. What would be an appropriate time to give him a baby gift, and would it be better if I got a group together to contribute towards something, or just buy something myself? I’m the most senior associate in the group and I’ve actually never worked for someone who had a baby before. I’ve also never met his wife before so we aren’t particularly close, although I obviously interact with my boss daily. I’m also familiar with the “don’t give upward” notion so I have never bought a gift for a manager before, but I feel like buying something for the baby is not the same thing. Any thoughts on this?
Hollis
Also, how much would you spend on your boss’ gift? I normally spend about $25-$30 on blankets or nursing covers for new moms, but I am certainly not buying my boss a nursing cover!
Maddie Ross
Not a “boss” per se, but when I had my baby I received gifts from across the office – from partners who could arguably be my boss, and from younger associates, paralegals and other staff. In my personal opinion, baby gifts are not the same as other “gifting up” situations. No experience with NICU babies, but I would say to get the same type of baby gift you might get for another baby. The baby will likely come home at some point soon and need all of the same gear and cute stuff.
Anon
Is the baby very very early or very ill? Or very tiny? Do they have other children?
If you want to do something nice, see if you can help them out with their very complicated logistics — helping with other children, meals, etc. Sort of: we love you and we’re thinking of you and we want to help (maybe not the love part).
Can always get baby gift later, but weird to give a baby gift that they can’t use now b/c they have a 3 pound baby and you get them something for a 7-pounder.
D. Meagle
Depending on your group’s relationship with the boss, food is a nice gift in this situation. When my baby was in the NICU, life was very hectic as we were trying to be around and normal for our other kids while spending as much time as possible in the NICU. Received a bunch of fresh direct freezer meals and other food type gifts, they were greatly appreciated as preparing meals was not a high priority. We did receive some gifts right away, some when we announced baby was home from NICU. If they are registered, that is a good place to look. Otherwise, blankets are always a safe bet.
AIMS
What kind of fresh direct meals? I have a somewhat similar situation and would like to send a more or less ready dinner to someone I work with, but for various reasons don’t want to cook it myself.
anon
something monogrammed? Knit a hat & blanket? What about a really nice picture frame & a snapfish credit? It is possible that they will be overrun with soft things like blankets and clothes, but at the same time, preemies need a little extra tlc, and it is still winter in much of the country so hats/blankets may still be appreciated.
TO Lawyer
+1 One of my friends is a neo-natal nurse and all the nurses spend a lot of time knitting hats on the side for the babies because they need extra warmth. I think a hat and a blanket would be a great idea,
Claire M
I would go with a group gift and, assuming baby is expected to be discharged, I would buy a normal baby gift. Or go with a food subscription or something similar per D. Meagle’s suggestion.
We received gifts when baby was still in NICU and after she got home. Timing didn’t bother me either way. I wouldn’t feel any need to spend more than you normally would / feel comfortable with.
Coach Laura
My sister has been a NICU RN for 30 years, so my advice is based on her recommendations when I was in a similar position. I wouldn’t give something specifically to the baby unless you’re 99.9% sure that the baby will live. It they were close family members, yes, I can see giving a monogrammed item but otherwise no, not until baby goes home from NICU and not for a boss. Right now I’d give meal delivery service as someone else mentioned or perhaps a gift card to a quick-serve restaurant near the hospital. Then maybe a group gift of a baby item when the baby goes home.
Networking
I am actively seeking a new job and am miserable in my current role. At an industry event last night I met a very senior person in a company/department I would love to work at. We seemed to really hit it off on an interpersonal level, and he wrote down my contact info so we could connect on LinkedIn. Is there a way to indicate to him I am interested in jobs and ask if there are any open opportunities? He does know my boss in a professional setting, but it seems unlikely he would pass it on that I reached out.
a.k.
Take the contact and approach him for an informational interview. Follow up and schedule coffee, or ask if you could meet with him to better understand his company and the different roles, and whether they value certain types of experience or credentials. That way it is clear that you are interested, but foremost in the company and less of “I need a job” directness.
CA State of Mind
On topic: Love the color of this suit, hate the pockets. I also just trend towards black suits and colors that go with black more, that don’t always work with blue. I have a beautiful blue suit (pants and skirt) and don’t think I’m in the market for another.
HOWEVER, I did purchase the gray nordies suit from a couple weeks ago and I am just aching for an occasion to wear it. Not only is it way more stylish than most suits I own, it looks great on me and the leather trim I was doubtful of is actually awesome.
Off topic: It is spring and over the past three years I have managed to yo-yo my weight up and down like mad. I used to be a member (and team leader…uh, oops?) of the people who love [this site] at Spark People [dot] com. I see that the group is inactive, but it used to be super helpful to me to have that chat/support outlet.
This is a calling all comers post to come on back and get ready for the skin-baring spring and summer weather! (Even though it doesn’t feel like it’s ever going to get warm in certain areas of this particular country…)
Thanks!
MOH
My sister is getting married next year, and she’s asked me to be her MOH. I’m so excited for her, I love her fiancé and I’m so honored to be her MOH. My sister is really svelte (around a size 0/2), as is the rest of her wedding party, and I am…a solid size 12. I’m really nervous about shopping for dresses, I think my sister is hoping for the whole party to be in something fitted and in a pale blue (her wedding colors are blue and silver).
I am really apprehensive about dresses and looking like a whale beside everyone. I may be able to lose weight for the wedding, but really, I am nervous about dress shopping and not fitting into any dresses since I know bridal sizes run small. Some other women in the wedding party are also a little bit mean, and I know they’ll judge my size. Not sure what to do.
tesyaa
Since you’re MOH you don’t have to wear the same dress as the other bridesmaids. Wear what flatters you. Problem solved.
MOH
It’s not a matter of what I end up picking, it’s a matter of the buying experience
January
Can you shop separately with your sister? I do agree that bridal sizes seem to run small, so that could be a problem for you, but it might be easier for you and she to pick some options ahead of time without the mean girls around. Not that you can tell your sister that you think her friends are mean…
Anon
I think this may be your best approach. If you’re concerned about the style/cut that she may choose, see if there are other options within the same family. That is to say, if she chooses a strapless or similar style, see if yours could have straps, or a one-shoulder, or something that will help the dress itself fit you better.
In the end, she may not end up choosing a dress that is universally flattering. Unfortunately, that is kind of the way it goes. I was a bridesmaid for my bff in a pale yellow drop-waist strapless dress, as a short, stout, fair/pale blonde with giant b00bs, and it was horrible. But, that’s what she wanted, and that’s what I wore.
tesyaa
Sorry, I misunderstood. I don’t know if this will make you feel better, but many people who have no body image concerns whatsoever find shopping for bridesmaid dresses a hellish experience. If some people are going to be nasty about it, do yourself a favor and avoid shopping with them. Avoid them as much as you can, period!
Anon
I’ve been there. I didn’t lose weight but did help guide the dress choice a little (fortunately, my now-SIL didn’t have an emotional investment in a particular BM dress). At size 12, you should be OK at finding options. I am a size 16 and still looked great in a one-shouldered dress.
Mpls
I’m also a solid size 12 and I didn’t have any issues with sizing (David’s Bridal and it’s upper scale cousin that I can’t remember the name of). I don’t think you’ll have trouble with sizing unless your sis goes obscure with her dress choices.
ErinF
Some designers use — I forget what they’re called, sample sizes? So a 12 is really like an 8 or 6. I wore a size 8 in most dresses when I got married but my wedding dress was either a 12 or 14. The good news is that ALL the bridesmaids’ sizes will go up.
Anon
I felt the same way when I was MOH for both my sister and my best friend. I had recently had a baby and was just feeling very self-conscious. However, my best friend liked the idea of everyone picking a different dress in the same color and so I was able to find something with lots of ruching that I felt looked nice. We went to a couple of different stores before we found our dresses. My sister wanted us all in the same dress, so that was a little harder, but still found something nice. All the bridal stores we went to had dresses in all different sizes. And just ignore any mean comments. You are there for your sister and that is all that matters. Easier said than done, I know…
Care
Is it possible for the two of you to go shopping without the other bridesmaids first? I only took my sister (and MOH) dress shopping to begin with because I wanted a dress that looked perfect on her. I wasn’t as worried about the other girls because they weren’t going to be in the family pictures as well as the bridal party ones.
(Former) Clueless Summer
You will definitely fit into the same line of dresses as the other girls and most bridal shops carry a really big variety of sizes for bridesmaid dresses. So don’t worry about that! Yes, bridal sizes run a size or two small (and shady dress stores try to get you to size up so they can cash in on alterations) but you will be fine as a size 12. Whether the same type of dresses will be flattering or comfortable on you as the other girls is another matter. Does your sister feel strongly about everyone being in the same dress? Could you do the same colour and different styles? Or can your dress be different as you are the MOH?
I recently got married and let my bridal party choose their own dresses. It made sure everyone got to wear something flattering…because sure, my size 6 friend loves strapless, but neither my size 10 or my size 00 friend do (strapless can be as uncomfortable on AA cups as it can on G cups). However, as a bigger girl myself, I am sensitive to picking flattering styles. You should casually ask your sister to consider different dresses for her girls and see what she thinks.
kc esq
Err… size 12 isn’t a mutant size last I checked. Bridal sizes should definitely accommodate you. Nonetheless, I have found that it is easier for everyone to try to shop regular retail stores that have branched into bridesmaid dresses. And the sizing is more predictable. Ann Taylor worked for me personally, but I know that White House Black Market and Nordstrom have joined J Crew in the non-bridal group.
Lady Tetra
+1 I am a size 14, and have worn Ann Taylor and J Crew bridesmaid dresses with no problem.
Anon
Bridal dress sizes run small, but I don’t think bridesmaids dresses do. I’ve found that they run huge – I’m usually a 6 or an 8, but I could fit into a 4 from David’s Bridal and some other company I can’t remember, and they still needed alterations to make the bodice smaller. They usually stock one in each size and most brands sizing ranges usually accommodate plus sizes or at least to 16. You’ll be fine.
Wildkitten
I’m a 12 and my most recent bridesmaid dress is a 20, from a wedding supplier but not David’s. I know size is just a number but I am still traumatized that anyone thinks sizing like that is a good idea.
Anon
I’m a 12 and my wedding dress was a 22… so, ya.
Scarlett
You’ll be fine – bridal sizes run small but they go up the normal range. You might end up in a 14 or a 16 because of that but you’ll definitely find a dress.
sweetknee
I have a question for the Hive. I am considering applying for an in house position. The ad says that the resume and cover letter should go to “Jamie Smith” at (email address). I can’t tell if Jamie is a man or a woman. He/She is not on linked in that I can find, and our bar directory does not contain photographs. The bar directory only tells me that he/she has been out of law school more than 3 years.
The company website does not have photographs either.
Should I address the cover letter to Mr. or Ms. ? I hate to do ” Sir or Madam” since I know the person’s name, but can’t really tell what prefix to use.
Advice ?
Anon
Can you google hizzer name and see if they are listed on the Internet with some gender context? You’d be surprised what you can find there.
Jules
Why not just “Dear Jamie Smith”? Or call and ask the receptionist — I have done this before, called to find out if someone with a gender-neutral or just unfamiliar name is male or female or how to pronounce someone’s name before I spoke to him or her.
mascot
Yeah, it probably isn’t the first time someone has called the company with that question.
NYC tech
Call the company and ask? But give a fake name when you call :)
brokentoe
Call the general number of the company and ask. You don’t have to identify yourself.
kc esq
Is the name really Jamie? If it is, and your internet sleuthing really can’t give any clues, and you don’t know anyone with a contact there who could ask, then assume then listed name of “Jamie” is female. The other option is to skew informal, avoid the Mr./ Ms. title and address the cover letter “Dear Jamie.” I personally would rather get a cover letter sent to my correct first name than one listing an incorrect title, but I might be in the minority.
Anonymous
Call after hours so you can listen to the contact’s voicemail greeting (assuming he/she recorded one).
breakfast
If you prepare a batch of single serving quiche/frittata for the week or month, how do you store and prepare them? For example, do you freeze them and defrost in the microwave? Store in fridge for the week and eat cold?
I love the color of this suit.
AIMS
I think a week’s batch would be fine in the fridge in some kind of Ziploc or Tupperware; for a month, I’d say you’d need to freeze them; I’ve seen paper towel inside Tupperware/Ziploc recommended as a solution to freezer burn. You can defrost on the counter overnight or pop in the microwave for 1 min. You could also heat up in a 250 degree oven, which is what I do when I make quiche ahead.
Senior Attorney
Can you call his/her office and just ask?
Anon
You guys, I’m waiting to hear back from the vet about my elderly dog. He’s 17 and I think they’re going to tell me his kidneys are failing, which is crushing for so many reasons, one of which is that he’s been so healthy and upbeat. He’s been so well loved and I know that everyone has to go at some point, but I’m really not ready to let go :(
BankrAtty
I’m so sorry. Try not to borrow trouble and wait until you hear from the vet. Hang in there.
Portland Bound!
I’m headed to Portland with my sweetie for the Easter long weekend. It’ll be my first time there (his second), and beyond the very basics (Stumptown coffee, Powell’s City of Books, Voodoo Doughnuts, bicycle riding), Im not sure what we should be doing. Any and all recommendations would be super welcome. We’re staying at an AirBNB near the Ace Hotel, so to the extent recommendations include good places to get good breakfast basics or other at-home nibbles, that would be great. Yay weekend!
Seattle Freeze
I mostly stay up here in the Seattle area, but found this on the Portland sub-reddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/Portland/wiki/index#wiki_i.27m_visiting_your_city.2C_what.27s_there_to_do.3F
and
http://www.reddit.com/r/Portland/wiki/index#wiki_i.27m_looking_for_somewhere_to_eat.2C_what_sounds_good.3F
Anonymous
Eat and drink everything. Tilt. Byways Cafe. Broder. Multnomah Whiskey Library. Clyde Common. Kenny & Zukes. Little Big Burger.
For Voodoo, the line can be crazy long at the downtown location, so if you just want to try the donuts, consider Voodoo Too, the eastside location. Or go to Blue Star Donuts, which is also fabulous.
Check out Portland Saturday Market, a true institution, and the Saturday Farmer’s Market. Go to an 80s or 90s video dance night at the Crystal Ballroom.
Anonymous
Food-wise, I loved Mucca Osteria (I think it was recommended to me here when I asked about PDX trip-planning). Salt & Straw ice cream is amazing. I thought Voodoo was way better than Blue Star (which is funny, because I thought I was going to totally feel the opposite). I thought Pine State Biscuit was a little overhyped but worth a visit especially if you can go on a weekday and avoid the line.
Anonypotamus
Take the light rail to Washington City Park if the weather is nice. Great place to walk around and the views are spectacular.
Annon
I live in Portland so I hope the weather when you come will be as nice as it has been recently–60’s and sunny! Sounds like you are staying in the West End (bordering the Pearl & downtown)- there’s a ton of food & shopping. I second the Multnomah Whiskey Library, Clyde Common, Pepe le Moco, and Teardrop for drinks. Whole Foods is in the Pearl and you can’t go wrong using Yelp for food recommendations–a foodie’s paradise. I personally like Blue Star over Voodoo but maybe you’ll want to try both. I live right be Salt & Straw on 23rd so go early or prepare for long lines. Check out the Art Museum (Italian fashion exhibit through May) and perhaps my favorite is the Japanese Garden (the adjoining Rose Garden may even have some blooms). There’s also tons of trails in Forest Park. I hope you have a great time!