Starting today all of our Outerwear is 25% OFF!

We have light cute sweaters perfect for wearing over your fun Spring dresses.

Beautiful light jackets with great details.

We even have some wonderful Men’s jackets on sale.

You wont be disappointed with all our great outerwear, especially at

 25% off!

Update your look & keep warm with our light and super cute outerwear & save 25% off the original price!

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When it comes to writing about Chanukah, it is difficult to delve with authenticity, and to give a tradition it’s due justice, (especially one that is centuries old) without missing key historical events, but if you were born and raised in the Jewish faith then the history of Chanukah is a part of your personal history, but for those of us/you not familiar with the holiday, we at Presents of Mind will do our best to give you the basics.

The Miracle:

During the second century of BCE there was a revolt against Antiochus IV who had oppressed the Jewish people and desecrated the Temple. The revolution was successful, and the Jewish people were able to reclaim the Temple. During the time of the rededication there was not enough oil (kosher oil) to light the menorah which was to be lit every night. They only had enough oil for one day, but miraculously the oil burned for eight days just long enough for them to create new purified oil for the Temple. Chanukah or Hanukkah  or The Festival of Lights was created to commemorate and to celebrate this miracle of light.

Chanukah takes place on the 25th of the ninth month of the Jewish calendar known as Kislev. This month falls around the same months on the Gregorian calendar as November and December. This year Chanukah begins on December 2oth 2011. Chanukah is one of the best known Jewish holidays because of its proximity to Christmas, although it is not the most religious nor the most important of the Jewish holidays.

How it is celebrated:

The menorah is one of the oldest symbols of the Jewish faith. It is the seven branched candelabrum that is lit in the Temple, but what many of us who are not Jewish don’t know is that the candelabrum that is used during Chanukah, the one we all so affectionately call the menorah is actually called the Hanukia. The Hanukia is based off the design of the menorah, but where the menorah has seven branches the Hanukia has nine branches.  There is one candle to represent each of the eight days/ nights that the miracle oil burned in the Temple. The ninth branch which is often placed in the center, and is higher than the other eight is called the shamash. The shamash is meant to light the other eight candles. On the first night a single candle is placed on the far right, and the shamash is lit then three blessings (berakot) are recited, then the candle is lit with the shamash after the blessings are said. The shamash is then returned to the ninth branch, and the candles are left to burn. Each night another candle is added to the Hanukia, and the blessings and lightings are repeated. The candles are always lit from right to left to pay honor to the newest thing first.

A few other traditions:

Fried food is eaten during the holiday in honor of the oil. This is often seen in Latkes also known as potato cakes.

Gelt is small amounts of money, which we now see as chocolate coins. The history of this tradition is that every Jewish person no matter how poor was too celebrate Chanukah, and the poor were to go door to door to gather money in order to afford the Hanukia and the candles. Gelt was to be given to the poor so that everyone could commemorate the miracle equally.

Dreidel is a game that is played. The dreidel is a square top that has four Hebrew letters on each side, Nun, Gimmel, Heh, and Shin. Some sources say that the letters mean: “A great miracle happened here”, but other sources say the letters mean, “nothing”, “all”, “half”, and “put”; which are the rules of the game. It is a gambling game that children play by putting coins or whatever they are betting in the center and then they spin the top. If you get all (gimmel) then you get all the bet, if you get nothing (nun) you win nothing and so on.

Part of our window dressing drawn by Sara Nokes

That is our very simple introduction to Chanukah. If you are in need of a Hanukia, candles or anything fun that you would like in celebration stop by and see what we are carrying. We do sell out, and the holiday is fast approaching.  If you would like to know more about this holiday there are many resources on the web where you can learn more, and in greater detail the history of this tradition, and its significance to the Jewish faith.

Don’t forget this year, 2011, the commemorating of oil, the light, and the miracle begins December 2oth.

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All our tees online and in the store are on sale for 25% off the retail price. Men’s and women’s tees, and tees for toddlers.

We carry designs from Gama-Go, Ames Bros., Fluffy Co., Rise Up, Heavy Rotation, Headline, and Out of Print,and local tee-shirt designs from Little Lark, Season K. Designs, Tender Loving Empire, and tons more!

Gama-Go

Come into the store this Thursday, December 15th, anytime from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and find that perfect tee for yourself or as a gift. A Christmas gift, maybe?

Rise Up

Go to our website and order any t-shirt you like at 25% off, and we will ship it to you or we can hold it for in store pick-up.

Heavy rotation

This special is only available on our Thrifty Thursdays, so be sure to check out our blog or facebook in order to see what thrifty deals we offer each week.

The holiday season is in full gear and we are here to help you find that special gift.

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Fernworks necklaces are like little pieces of artwork hanging from your neck. They make a wonderful gift for the holidays, and anytime. You’ll find that Fernworks jewelry has many tried and true fans, and often times they know exactly what piece they want.

Bird and Vines

 Created and designed by Faryn Davis, each hand made individual piece captures a natural beauty in a resin casting, preserving and freezing the small often-unnoticed bits of the world around us.

Red fiber

Faryn Davis’s necklaces are either found objects painstakingly layered like these red strands of dyed fiber encased in resin or designs hand drawn in acrylic and ink on resin, layer-over-layer, as seen with the bird and vines three piece pendant. Each one is then hand cut, and polished then strung on smooth, nylon-coated, flexible steel wire with a pure silver lobster claw clasp.

Since each piece is handmade no two will be exactly a like. The design may be similar but each one will have a subtle uniqueness that will make it all your own.

The pieces are inspired by the world around us, and you cannot help, but to get a sense of wistful youthful peace when looking at her work; a painted red kite flying over the silhouette of a wire fence with wisps of real grass or a hand painted dandelion with bits of its white umbrella seeds floating to grant a wish.

Kite

Faryn Davis is not only a jewelry maker, but a fine artist as well, and you can find her art pieces in the G. Gibson Gallery in Seattle, Washington. As much as we would love to carry some of her art pieces we are honored, and delighted to carry these tiny works of art.

Ladybug

A Fernworks design is a piece of jewelry and art to treasure for a lifetime.

That is why we are excited to offer Fernworks on sale for our Thrifty Thursday. Come into the store or purchase one on-line.

*Not all the designs pictured are in the store all at one time, but we often do get similar designs. Come in to see what we have!

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Since this Thursday is Thanksgiving we’ve decided to move our Thrifty Thursday to Wednesday so you can still get a great deal on winter outerwear.

This is your final chance to come in and get any winter outerwear for 25% off. That means, scarves, hats, gloves, coats, sweaters, anything that keeps you bundled and warm for the winter.

But wait! There’s more!

This Friday is Black Friday and we are open till 8 p.m.

As you know this is a big day for the large box stores with their brand names, but we’d like to introduce you to a knew way to experience Black Friday. Presents of Mind is joining several other small stores and local businesses to participate in Little Boxes PDX a city wide shopping event.

Come in to participating stores  and ask for a raffle ticket for your chance to win some awesome prizes! You are allowed one raffle each store, but you can enter as many times as you like. It’s a great way to see all of the incredible locally owned businesses that we have in Portland.

When you come into Presents of Mind be sure to show us any one of your receipts from one of the participating little boxes shops and we will give you 10% off of your Presents of Mind purchase.

It’s a great kick off weekend for some christmas shopping:

Wednesday is Thrifty, come in and get 25% off any winter outerwear.

Thursday is Thanksgiving…mmmm pumpkin pie.

Friday is Black Friday local style, be sure to stop by participating little boxes stores for a chance to win prizes, get 10% off purchases (with show of receipts from a participating store), and see what’s happening in your town.

See- Wednesday through Friday nothing but fun. We would say you can get all of your shopping for Christmas done before December 1st,but we wont because we don’t want you to miss out on Crafty Wonderland, this Dec 10th and Dec 11th. Check future blog posts for upcoming information on this event. Portland local is pretty darn spectacular and you are going to find a unique and special gift guaranteed.

See you Wednesday, November 23rd for our 25% off winter outerwear! And check back to our blog to find out what is next up for our Thrifty Thursdays when you can find deals of 25% off selected items.

This Friday November 25th we are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for Black Friday.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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Jacket $120.00

We have a great selection of hats for men this winter that are not only functional i.e. warm, but they are also cool as @*#$! They’re money!

$36.00

We have jackets and overcoats to fit or transform your personal style.

$100.00

This is our first year carrying this large a selection of men’s hats, and with such varying styles. We are excited to see the dudes dressing up for the season.

Black Hat $36.00

So be sure to stop in for our Thrifty Thursdays to check out what our special deals are and you may find that special gift for that special someone.

Stay warm and stay dry this winter! Oh and stay stylish, oh, you know you can’t help yourself!

$120.00

Presents of Mind is open everyday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Come in and check us out!

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This Thursday October 20th all of our skirts, blouses, and dresses will be on sale for 25% off.

Top $24.00, Skirt $40.00

$40.00

 We have so many new styles we can barely fit them onto our dress rack!

$48.00

You can not imagine the pain of working here. There are so many new clothing items our employees have a hard time not wanting to purchase everything. Some are even excited when something doesn’t fit! “Oh thank God, it doesn’t fit me! My rent will be paid!”

$42.00

$49.00

We had so many dresses that there was no way that we were able to get them all photographed, and every day we are receiving new shipments. Each one more adorable than the last.

$68.00

$64.00

We need you to help us out by making room for even  more styles.
For one day only these dresses will be available for 25% off the retail prices you see posted here on today’s blog.

$44.00

$52.00

 Since we’ve had such a wonderfully late fall in Portland this year, there is still time to wear some of the lighter dresses sans tights and boots (although that look is so cute it never grows old).

Yellow dress $48.00

Stop by the store as you are wandering up Hawthorne and see what you like. As we had mentioned there are many styles and designs that we were not able to capture on film. If something doesn’t grab your fancy in the blog photos we may still have something on the rounder that you just have to try on and take home.

$49.00

$49.00

Every Thursday we present a new selection of items on sale at 25% off for you our customers. It is our Thrifty Thursday offering you the chance to pick up that perfect gift for a special 25% off the retail price.

Whatever your personal style we have something that will fit you. We have accessories and purses to match; we probably have a journal that will match your new outfit.

$40.00

Party, date, work, or just out feeling good we know how nice it is to have a new outfit, or to switch up your personal style and try a new look. Whatever your motivation for dolling up with a new blouse, skirt or dress be sure to swing by Presents of Mind and see if we have that something special that screams out: you.

Come this Thursday October 20th and find that dress, blouse or skirt for 25% off the retail price!

$64.00

$39.00

We want to thank you for supporting us through the years so be sure to check back every Thursday to see what we have on sale.

$45.00

Thank you for making it possible for us to be here, and be a part of the Hawthorne community for 22 wonderful years!

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$32.00

It is fall and that means accessories; meaning hats, scarves, and gloves. We have all three, but we just have to show you our incredible collection of new hats.

$40.00

Women’s hats, as we know them today, structured and with brims and hatbands, did not come about as a fashion accessory until the 16th century.

$36.00

In fact, the word Milliner came from the 18th century and means hat maker. This word came from Milan since in the 18th century Milan made the best hats. If you were a superb hat maker than you could attain the title of Milliner (which used to be a profession for women).

Since the 16th century hats have gone through many transformations sometimes bringing back old styles or incorporating predominantly men’s styles into women’s hat designs. 

Women’s hats have been designed to look like helmets, ornate bonnets, and some of the craziest/creative hat designs can be seen at the Derby, and of course Lady Gaga’s next hat may be an airplane landing on a landing strip. We don’t have anything quite as “elegant” as that but we do have some pretty awesome hats.

$40.00

We have so many adorable styles from which to choose. If you’re feeling funky, flirty, passionate, or dynamic we have a hat that will compliment your style, in fact, it will be the crown of your unique style.

$31.00

We are having a heyday with all the great new clothing, coats, hats, and gloves that are coming in. It is a challenge to keep our employees from wanting to buy everything up. What is truly wonderful about a hat is that it can change the entire look of an outfit. Some of those fabulous dresses that you saw on the previous post would look so fantastic with one of these new hats.

$40.00

Don’t worry fellas, we have hats for you too. You’ll have to check out the next blog posts to see what we’ve got for the guys, or just come in and see for yourself, but todays post is devoted to the lady hats. Not that these hats can’t swing both ways.

$31.00

Come into Presents of Mind and check out our new dresses and new coats. They are beautiful! Be sure to check back to the blog to see what new shots we have of coats and men’s wear.

Now that you are lookin’ hip be sure to invite your friends over for a little beatnik party and listen to some records and read some poetry. Why not? Oh, just do whatever you want, you’ll look good, whatever it is.

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We received so many adorable salt and pepper shakers, teapots and matching cups, and pretty plates with bumbles bees, every little woodland creature adorning kitchen and picnic-ware, you’d swear we were on cute overload or something.

Summer is here and the kids are out of school and people are up late and you want to host a dinner party, or a bunch, a picnic, anything combining food, fun, and conversation. But, what about the decorative table settings?

Oh my, this is something to really think about, after all it isn’t a real gathering around a table of food without some squirrel salt and pepper shakers is it?

We understand, and we are here for you, really, with eggplant or frogs, or whatever type of salt and pepper shaker you want for your table. We have more than that… for this Thursday’s Thrifty special we are offering all housewares on sale for 25% off the retail price.

Any mugs, teapots, dishes, decorative plates, vases, containers, they are all on sale for one day only:October 6th.

Come into Presents of Mind and find exactly what you need or that kitchy gift that you know your friend would love, and pick it up for 25% off the retail price.

Also check out our cool house page on our website and see which select items are also on sale for 25% off the retail price.

Afterwards, invite some friends over and dazzle them with your frickin’ adorable bird and rose teapot with matching cups and saucers! Geeze! Cuuuuute!

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We have totes, handbags, and Chico backpacks, and other styles of bags that make getting around with your stuff more convenient. And, of course, you will look stylish and cute!

If you come in Thursday September 29th, you will find all of our bags (except baby bags) on sale for a 25% off.

Be sure to check out our website, especially if you can’t come in person, and see what bags we have available for you online for 25% off the retail price.

Our Crystalyn Kae bags will also be on sale for 25% off for one day only. If you haven’t checked out these awesome purses you should follow this link and read all about them.

You can never have too many bags, and by purchasing shopping bags you are helping to sustain the planet by lowering the use of paper and plastic bags. There-by preserving our trees and keeping the landfills empty of plastic bags.

Thrifty Thursday is an every Thursday event, created for you to help you manage your budget while still being able to pick up a little something for yourself or a gift for a friend or loved one.

Presents of Mind is open mon-thurs: 10:00-7:00 & Fri-Sat: 10:00-8:00

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