Fashion Expert Kevin Lennox looking ever so fashionable

SPRING THING: With spring coming, it’s time to put some color in your wardrobe. Luckily Downtown retailers are prepared with a series of events called Spring into Fashion.

From NOW to April 7th, stores and restaurants are hosting trunk shows and parties, offering special offers and serving special drinks. More than 30 retailers and restaurants are participating, making this a chance for shoppers to find just the right style for spring in Portland.

There are fashion events happening all over downtown. April 4th, Radish Underground will host First Thursday event featuring fresh designs, accessories and artwork as well as an opportunity to give gently loved clothes to Dress for Success Oregon to get 5% off purchases.On April 6th, Bettie Page Clothing is holding their Grand Opening party with music, a photo booth, discounts and giveaways. And on April 7th Brooks Brothers is teaching anyone who wants to learn how to tie a bow tie.

Another fun happening will be at Pendleton Woolen Mills. On April 4th, 5-7 p.m. Pendleton is launching a signature brand for Pendleton Woolen Mills: The Thomas Kay Collection. The trunk show runs all week, but on April 4, you can enjoy Pendleton lager while checking out this exciting line of classic, yet modern cut clothing collection for men and women.

There will be events all throughout Downtown all week so for more information about Spring into Color and a complete list of participating businesses and events, visit downtownportland.org/spring-into-color/. See you there!

TO GET AN INSIDE SCOOP ON SPRING I TALKED TO FASHION EXPERT KEVIN LENNOX:

With Spring approaching, what are the hot new styles the savvy trend spotter should be looking out for?
Well Byron, my personal faves are luxe leather, bold stripes, and of course COLOR.

Colors are big, especially in Portland. What should a shopper think about when choosing colorful clothing?
What’s interesting right now is that instead one particular color being a trend, it’s every bright color in the rainbow. The danger in that though, is wearing nothing but color can go clown, so be judicious.

Downtown Portland has seen a lot of new stores open. What retailers get you excited about spring?
There are several, but the ones I really look to, are Tory Burch, TJ Maxx, and Bettie Page and XCVI. These four really show the incredible range of fashion available in Downtown Portland.

What’s the best way to add color if your wardrobe is otherwise neutral?
I’d definitely say take it slow out of the gate, but still have fun. Start with one color, and work your way up to as many as you feel comfortable with.... Short of going clown.

Mixing and matching clothing has always been important to Portland’s style, what are the do’s and don’ts of mixing and matching colors?
Do use color to help express your self, but don’t let it overpower you. Do choose to wear bright color on a grey dreary day, don’t create your own rainbow ensemble.

Where will we find you during Spring into Color?
Oh I’ll be hitting up all the events I can!

Cyril's Sasha Davies and friend show off sections from the wheel of Schlosseberger

WHEEL DEAL: Small shop. Big cheese.  One of the most common plights of a small cheese shop in just two words: big wheels. Cyril’s at Clay Pigeon Winery, a new urban artisan winery and tasting room along Portland's Central Eastside Industrial corridor, confronted this plight by using Kickstarter to encourage Portlanders to help purchase a big wheel of cheese each month for their Community Supported Cheese Club.

Yes, it's just one more thing that keeps Portland weird.

Cheese lovers who purchase each month’s cheese will be invited to Cyril’s to pick up their cheese at a complimentary tasting party, which we did on Thursday night for the " Schlossberger Edition”. These cheese club member only events include a public cracking and wrapping of the cheese, tastes of a wine and beer that winemaker Michael Claypool recommends would pair with the cheese, and artisan edibles to complement the cheese.

Yes, it's cheesy. And so good.

Cooking for Kids inside the private dining room at Gruner

FOOD FETE: Cooking for Kids is a culinary fundraiser for Morrison Child and Family Services where Portland top chefs and Northwest wineries join together to present a gourmet dinner where approximately 20 people each (depending on the venue) mix and mingle with top winemakers and chefs.

On Tuesday we had the incredible opportunity to join some friends from Boeing and Pacific Power in the private dining room of Gruner where we dined on an incredible meal created by Chef Christopher Israel (loved the risotto!) paired with wines from Teutonic.

Freedom To Marry supporters, and KGW's Reggie Aqui in front of Federal Courthouse

FREEDOM RALLY: As indicated by Basic Rights Oregon in a recent press release " a clear majority of Americans support marriage for same sex couples, and a growing number of states have acted to protect the basic freedoms of lesbian and gay Americans."

To celebrate that fact rallies were held in all 50 states on Tuesday, including a large national rally in Washington D.C. on the steps of the Supreme Court.

In Portland, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, Oregon Labor Commission Brad Avakian, Freedom to Marry Public Engagement Director Thalia Zepatos, and Basic Rights Oregon board chair Vanessa Usui spoke to a group of over 350 supporters in front of the Federal Courthouse. Here are photos from that event.

Sam Adams inspects the grilled veggie and fish at Stephen Cassell's home

HAPPY PASSOVER: Stephen Cassell hosted a wonderful Passover dinner on Monday night that included guests such as author Peter Zuckerman, my favorite Portland mayor Sam Adams, director Alicia J. Rose (who just signed on to direct her first full-length feature), fashion maven Marti Zimlin and other friends and family.

As Stephen said in his invite, "the great thing about passover is a lot of wine is consumed."  As for the Dinner, the Seder itself lasted about an hour and included a delicious Matzah Ball Soup with Chicken stock, Salmon, Salad, Grilled Vegetables, Passover safe deserts, and a starch. I even had a little gefilte fish. Mazel!