Tiger Tiger Salon
TigerTigerSalon- $10 off cut or color with Alisa
Here’s is what every single mom dreams of: sexy, shower-and-go-highlights-do-the-rest hair.
Thanks to Alisa at Tiger Tiger Salon (who is a mother of triplets! and totally gets stylish no-fuss-dos) this single mom has a rockin new summer-worthy cut and color, and you can too (well, for all you Portlanders at least. Other web-based specials coming soon, so stay tuned no matter where you reside!)
Single Parent Specials subscribers can get $10 off cut and color services if you book with Alisa. Call the Salon today and don’t forget to mention SPS when you are in the chair! 503-282-1115 or email info@TigerTigerSalon.com
Chiron’s Bridge
Chiron’s Bridge - 10% off any session.
Its no wonder why kings, queens and royalty of all kinds used to have astrologers on staff: astrologer’s rock, and we want one too! There was a day when (to paraphrase Ben Franklin) decisions on war and peace and what to cook for dinner were not made until a respected astrologer had been consulted. After a session with Liz Thill of Chiron’s Bridge, we see why.
Prior to meeting Liz, our experience with astrology was limited to the cheesy horoscopes at the back of juicy gossip magazines… We took it about as seriously as a fortune cookie. But now we see things WAY differently! Everyone we know could benefit from a session with Liz. She helps those who are looking for a deeper knowledge of themselves; those who have questions about their career and relationships; those who want to know how they can be a more effective parent. Just give her your children’s birthdates and she’ll give you tons of insight into what the heck is going on in that Dora-the-Explorer brain of theirs. In sum, Liz takes our zodiac charts and transforms them into a guidebook we can personally use to make it easier to go with the flow of life instead of against it.
J.P. Morgan once said, “Anyone can be a millionaire but to become a billionaire you need an astrologer.” Thanks to Liz we are feeling renewed in our power to transform our lives and trust our intuition. In our humble opinion, it might very well be that anyone can be a parent, but to be a single parent you’ll want an astrologer. Visit ChironsBridge.com to schedule an appointment with Liz and tell her we say “Thanks for the heads up about Mars in retrograde; you weren’t kidding!” And don’t forget to mention you are a Single Parent Specials Subscriber because you, darling, get 10% off any session. =)
You can reach Liz and Chiron’s Bridge via email at liz@chironsbridge.com or by phone at 503.333.6868.
Black Wagon
Black Wagon–15% off (everything but bedding and furniture).
We may not have been the coolest cats in our class, but that doesn’t mean our kiddo-s can’t be! All it might take is one stop to Blackwagon, known as THE style destination for babies and kids. Some of our favorite brands are Appaman, Egg & Avocado, and Glug Baby. But since they don’t make clothes in momma sizes (unless you are Posh Spice and can fit in to a 2T tee-shirt), we can live vicariously “in the cool” through our little ones.
We also love their hip children’s books and journals, like “The First 1000 days” and “Andy Warhols Colors.” One author we are particularly fond of is Lisa Brown who has written such titles as “Baby Do My Banking,” “Baby Make Me Breakfast,” and “Baby Fix My Car.” ( Might we also suggest “Baby Take Out the Poopy Diaper Garbage” ? ) Since we are characteristically sans partner, it would be quite nice if our little ones learned to share in the household duties from the earliest age possible. What, you think 18 months is too young to give a child a wrench? Maybe you are right, and if we dressed them in the adorable duds from Blackwagon we probably want to keep them from any grease stains.
Black Wagon has a great gift registry, so why not go big for your superstar’s next b-day and register them there? In the meantime, you can enjoy 15% off everything but bedding and furniture. And if you ever find yourself in the Mississippi Neighborhood in Portland, check out their flagship store and say hi to Megan and Sara for us—they are definitely uber-cool mamas with a vision for mini-me style.
Black Wagon is located at 3964 N. Mississippi Ave, Portland, Oregon 97227 toll free number: 866.916.0004
It’s Just Lunch
It’s Just Lunch– $100 off year package
Okay, we admit it, we’ve tried online dating. We said we would never do it, but the fact that our sister found her doting husband via Yahoo personals, made it impossible to completly discredit it. So, we tried a few online dating services ourselves, and what did we find? Well, lets just say the web and romance do not mix well for us. We had such high hopes, however the actual experience left something to be desired…
Here’s what happened: we divulged our every hope, dream, turn-on, and turn-off that we could think of, and then chose a picture of ourselves that was cute and accurate. We stress accurate because it turns out not everybody in the online dating world shares the same ethics on the importance of choosing a picture that reflects how you actually look now. Take Pete, for example. When we came across his online profile he seemed like a real catch…he was an architect, loved the outdoors and dogs, had traveled to Patagonia, wanted kids, and judging by the picture he posted, was in his early 30s and ruggedly good-looking. After a few “winks” back and forth and introductory emails, we met for coffee. And to this day we still wonder, what happened to Pete? Who kidnapped our Pete?
To make a long story short, the man we met was NOT the man we thought we were going to meet. There were some vague similarities (yes, he was an architect; yes, he loved dogs) but it would be a LARGE stretch of the imagination to say he was still in his 30s. We are by no means ageists! (bring on the salt-n-pepper haired sexy 40 and 50 year olds!) But what is a major turn-off, and just plain weird is somebody who misrepresents himself…or herself.
The truth is, in the online dating world you never can know for sure until that first meeting, and that just isn’t our cup of tea. We thought for a second we would have to throw in the dating towel or hopelessly sit back and wait for Mr. Right to show up at our door. Thank GOD we found out about It’s Just Lunch!They are like good ol’ fashioned matchmakers. We signed up and are so excited to hand over our “prospecting” to them. Not only do they meet all their clients in person, so they can get to know them and screen them, they also bring a fun and personal touch back to dating. Plus, we love how they handle EVERYTHING for us –from finding us our potential “match”, to coordinating our schedules, to making the actual reservations for us.
We single parents are busy people and known to be a little guarded when it comes to dating. Kelly, the owner of Portland’s Its Just Lunch, gets that. She is a fellow single momma and wants to encourage all of us to give love and dating another shot, the easy way…the “its just lunch way.” She is offering Single Parent Specials Subscribers, $100 off a year’s membership. We can’t wait to give it a shot! Now that we have somebody who’s got our back, and we don’t have to worry about any “re-Pete” experiences. Get it? “Repeat, re-Pete”, we are so clever, we crack ourselves up!
Call Kelly at 503.248.9995 or visit their website, It’s Just Lunch Portland
Seaplane
Seaplane–10% off new spring collection
We like to fancy ourselves fashionable, especially for the minivan crowd, but after careful examination by our personal stylist, PDX Shopgirl (see below) our closets and wardrobe reveal they are in desperate need of a little revamping.
On our next trip to Target (a weekly affair) we promise to stick only to our shopping list of diapers and toiletries. As tempting as it may be to wander into the clothing department and pick up a few cute items, we will restrain ourselves, because we get an amazing opportunity to shop at Seaplane, one of Portland’s most famous and fashionable boutiques. Yes, Target has some great clothing staples, but there is nothing like a Portland boutique to give you some real style. Seaplane is giving Single Parent Special’s Subscribers 10% off on their hip spring line. And there is no wonder Seaplane has been featured in W magazine, Lucky, Elle and more…because this hip NW 23rd boutique is one of the most progressive independent design collectives on the West Coast.
On our next play-date we will come dressed in our new frocks, and we will be the envy of all the mothers, many of whom would gladly trade in their husbands if it meant they could indulge in a little discount shopping at Seaplane too!
Seaplane is located 827 NW 23rd , Portland OR 503.234.2409
PDX Shopgirl
PDX Shopgirl- 20% off personal consultation
Just last weekend we had the opportunity to go out on the town sans children (and you betcha we seized it!) but what almost held us back was looking into our closets and noticing the only cocktail attire we had was sadly covered in dust and screaming of decade old flair. In a creative attempt to save the evening, we decided it was “80s night” and proudly squeezed into our faithful turquoise mini and pink stiletto heels. Digital cameras flashing, the vision of two single moms in ridiculously short mini-skirts and blue-eyeshadow will be preserved for posterity and the horror of our sons forever.
Now, we have always adopted the credo that being a mother does not have to mean being a fashion bore, but on a night like last weekend we dangerously walked the line of looking a bit like a wh-(rhymes with bore). It’s a good thing we have an appointment scheduled with PDX Shopgirl, Dani Juhala, to help us take a look at our current wardrobe and update it a bit. Keeping up with the trends, knowing what looks good on our (ever-changing) bodies and knowing what styles are age-appropriate (what? you mean are past our mini-skirt and ankle boot prime?), are not things either celebrities or single mothers have a whole lot of time for. That’s why there are personal stylists! The good news is, you don’t have to star in the next Hollywood blockbuster to afford one. SPS subscribers get 20% off a personal consultation and a special gift when they call Dani. Dani has made it her mission to help mothers like herself express their personal style and flatter their figures with comfort, versatility and fun…we wish we met her a weekend sooner.
To think she could have cured us from Peg Bundy Syndrome, aka wearing-clothes-2-sizes-two-small-in-colors-and/or-patterns-two-generations-too-young, and saved us from the incrimenating photos that will soon surface on the web.
2 B Well
2BWell Wellness Center- 30% off cosmetic acupuncture packages, 20% off all other services
Who would have thought being poked with dozens of needles all over your body could be, well, quite pleasurable? As strange as it may sound, its true. Acupuncture is a glorious way to relax, rejuvenate, and squeeze in some much needed body-balancing and peace of mind. Every time we take a trip to 2BWell Wellness Center its like a mini vacation. From the moment we pull into their parking lot (where relaxing music is streaming to help their clients smooth the transition from stress to tranquility), we notice a difference in our day.
Whether we go for an acupuncture appointment with Siamak (one of their four acupuncturist), or a massage with Lisa or Justin, or check in with our naturopath, Julie, or just swing by to say “hi” to their awesome office staff Natalie and Emily, a visit to 2 B well makes our day.
And now we have even more of a reason to pop on by: to beautify! We feel super special to be in on an anti-aging secret shared by Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow– cosmetic acupuncture. If, like us, you love the idea of minimizing those pre-mature wrinkles brought on by the stress and strain of parenthood, but don’t like the idea of botox, you should see Siamak. Not only is he the premier cosmetic acupuncturist around–with more than 10 years of experience–, he is offering Single Parent Specials subscribers 30% off any of 2BWell cosmetic acupuncture packages, and 20% off all other services.
2 B Well Wellness Center is located 5935 Willow Ln Lake Oswego, OR 97034 503.655.0044
Urban Waxx
Urban Waxx- 20% off any service
Ever had a Brazilian? Not your typical play-date conversation, but after our visit to Urban Waxx we couldn’t stop talking about it. How silly we were to think it was something only for pole-dancers and panty-phobic celebrities! It doesn’t matter who you are or what kind of intimate audience you do or don’t have, a Brazilian is something you do for you! We asked all our momma friends and it turns out we were just behind the times– many of our friends had already become devoted Brazilian fans themselves.
Once you try it, you’ll see why, there is nothing like being silky smooth. Life all of a sudden becomes a little simpler, and you might even walk with a little skip in your step. Shannon and Mindy at Urban Waxx are so sweet and fun! At moments during our gab-fest (Shannon’s a new mom) we forgot what we were even in the middle of doing-oh yeah! waxing our private parts, lol! Thank you Mindy for making newbies like us feel super comfortable. Really, guys and girls, it’s not as painful as you think, just as long as you go to someone like Mindy or Shannon at Urban Waxx. If you aren’t ready for the full monty, visit them for Bikini wax or eye-brow wax instead…and if you are a Single Parent Specials subscriber you get 20% off any of their services!
Urban Waxx is located 1036 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 503.219.WAXX
Zenana Spa and Wellness Center
Zenana Spa and Wellness Center–Free childcare with purchase of any service
We thought we’d died and gone to heaven. A kid-friendly spa? Are you serious!? You mean momma can bring her kids to get her nails done and not have to worry about smudging the fresh coat of “Viva la Vixen Rose” on her toes because she is chasing after her toddlers? This is awesome…but even more than that, it’s meant to be: Zenana, one of the owners of Zenana Spa and Wellness Center, made it her mission to provide women and their families with a safe, accepting environment to receive spa and wellness services, education and support. She envisioned creating a family-friendly place where mothers could be pampered and get their much deserved R&R. We are big fans of the center and Zenana (who was once a single momma herself).
Just today we were in there enjoying a manicure and a facial. When we stepped into this moroccan palace style spa we were a bundle of frenetic energy, when we stepped out we were zeroing in on an almost zen state of mind. One thing is for certain: there is a major difference between getting your nails done at the corner salon and getting them done at Zenana Spa and Wellness Center. Colleen, our talented nail technician made a point to not just slap on a coat of color, but to tend to our state of mind. Our favorite part was the hand massage which sent tingles of joy down our spine as she relieved all the tension held in our arms. This month you can’t use the kids as an excuse not to pamper yourself because Zenana is offering SPS memebers free child-care when they come in to enjoy any of their services!
Zenana Spa and Wellness Center is located at 2024 SE Clinton Street
Portland, OR 97202 503.238.6262
Bask in the Sun
Bask in the Sun Tanning- Buy one, get one free
Okay, we know…our dermatologist wouldn’t be very happy to hear we have been tanning. But to paraphrase the Oracle of Delphi, we remember these two very important things : 1) Know thyself and 2) Everything in Moderation. We take that to mean tanning too…and we know ourselves, we NEED a tan!
Contrary to what the weather would like to impose, Oregonians do not have to sport a pasty complexion. If you were like us and missed out on vacationing someplace exotic and warm this year, don’t be sad! Treat yourself to some tan lines courtesy of Bask in the Sun and adopt one of your children’s favorite games, play “make believe.” Do like we do when we relax in their Open Sun bed…We visualize we are lying in the warm sun by an infinity pool in Mexico with a pina colada on its way.
And it isn’t hard to imagine you are lounging poolside at some 5 star resort, because the whole vibe of Bask in the Sun is high class style and sophistication—definitely not your typical tanning establishment. We were so impressed by the décor and cleanliness and the helpfulness of their staff, we can’t wait to come back next week!
Missing spring break ain’t so bad, as long as we treat ourselves to some tans at Bask. We don’t know which we like more: the time alone in the tanning bed to cat-nap, or the marvelous way a little color brightens up our whole appearance and mood! Mention you are an SPS subscriber and receive a buy one, get one free discount! Also, stay-tuned for upcoming discounts on their state-of-the-art sunless tanning. We can’t wait to give it a try. Jessica is a real artist and perfectionist we hear when it comes to painting on the bronze!
P.S. If you feel like you need to tell a little white lie to your dermatologist, we won’t hold that against you. Just remember: don’t don one of those cute little stickers you can use to mark the progress of your tan….those are a dead give away, and your doc will catch you red -handed and bunny-branded! =)
Bask in the Sun Tanning is located 7117 SW Macadam, Portland OR 503.452.0344
Tumbleville Studios
Tumbleville- 20% off Tumbling, 10% off Yoga.
Here is a gem: We found a place that teaches the kiddies cartwheels and you zen-like flexibility and patience. Gail Bruner of Tumbleville offers tumbling classes for kids and yoga classes for adults. She is so sweet and giving of her time and energy, not to mention she totally gets the single mom life. She was raised by a single mom (a single mom of two sets of twins, no less! Yeah, we aren’t kidding!)
Gail is a saint. Not only does she teach yoga to inmates at Coffee Creek and patients at OHSU, she is offering Single Parent Specials subscribers 20% off tumbling classes and 10% off yoga classes. Psyche up your inner om, tell the kids they are free to be monkeys for the afternoon, and mention SPS when you book a class. We are firm believers that cartwheels and downward dogs do more than just exercise the body, they thrill the spirit as well!
Tumbleville Studios is located at 8730 Terwilliger Blvd. Portland, OR 97219 503.841.1460
