Tuesday, June 15 2010 ⇄

For those who live in this great city and read my blog, you’re not surprised to see Portland mentioned again in Monocle’s lineup of Top 25 liveable cities. It was last mentioned in their pages in 2008. There’s no doubt Portland gets a spot because it’s filled with distinctive shops, restaurants, bars, and cafés—some of which I talk about here. 

When I moved here four years ago, I had no idea what to expect, but I enjoy every minute of it. Being the foodie and coffee lover that I am, I’m never disappointed. When it comes to food and drinks, there’s always something new to try. What I post on the blog is only a sliver of the deliciousness that this town serves up.

The city is bike friendly and getting around town couldn’t be any easier via public transportation. I won’t waste your time anymore with my biased opinions, below you’ll find some stats from Monocle.

  • Population: 582,000; greater metropolitan area, 2.2 million.
  • International flights: just two long-haul, to Amsterdam and Tokyo.
  • Crime: 19 murders; domestic break-ins 3,594.
  • Tolerance: Portland was the first major US city to elect an openly gay mayor. All couples may register as domestic partners. 
  • Public transport: Cycle commuting has roughly quadrupled over the past decade.
  • Culture: Powell’s Books claims to be the world’s largest independent bookstore.
  • Chain test: Zara, 0; Starbucks, 44.
  • Key upcoming developments: a controversial proposed expressway bridge into Washington State, a fifth line for the light-rail service, a €550m expansion of the cycling network over 20 years.
Filed ↓ Monocle Portland
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Wednesday, May 19 2010 ⇄
The fashion section of the latest Monocle (Issue 34 Volume 40) is loaded with great garb suggestions. There’s mention of Alexander Olch, Hamilton’s latest 1883 line (I’m anxiously waiting for the PR department to contact me and request my size.), LGR glasses, and Warby Parker’s affordable frames.  There’s also mention of the collaboration between J.Crew and Japan’s Warehouse denim, which launches this month. For those not in the denim geek loop, the denim is woven with Memphis cotton, shipped from the US and then loomed and dyed in Japan. (via Monocle) According to the Los Angeles Times, the price tag is going to be somewhere around $300 and they’re only coming in a 34-inch inseam. Don’t frown too hard short stuff, J.Crew is going to crank up the Union Special 43200 sewing machine and hem those suckers for no charge. 

The fashion section of the latest Monocle (Issue 34 Volume 40) is loaded with great garb suggestions. There’s mention of Alexander Olch, Hamilton’s latest 1883 line (I’m anxiously waiting for the PR department to contact me and request my size.), LGR glasses, and Warby Parker’s affordable frames. 

There’s also mention of the collaboration between J.Crew and Japan’s Warehouse denim, which launches this month. For those not in the denim geek loop, the denim is woven with Memphis cotton, shipped from the US and then loomed and dyed in Japan. (via Monocle)

According to the Los Angeles Times, the price tag is going to be somewhere around $300 and they’re only coming in a 34-inch inseam. Don’t frown too hard short stuff, J.Crew is going to crank up the Union Special 43200 sewing machine and hem those suckers for no charge. 

Filed ↓ Monocle briefing
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