Namaste Restaurant

Cost: $11.95 at dinner for all you can eat buffet

8303 NE Sandy Blvd.
Open for lunch and dinner


I am kind of new to Indian food, and Namaste restaurant has been the perfect way to try out different dishes to see what I like and dislike. They offer an all you can eat buffet for only $11.95 at dinner (even cheaper at lunch), and my boyfriend and I have become regular customers here.

The worst part about this place is the decor. They bought an old restaurant next to a hotel (I think it used to be a seafood restaurant), and they haven't done anything to make it look nicer or fit in with the Indian theme really.

That being said, the people are all friendly. When you get here they give you a pitcher of water for your table (drinks are additional), and they tell you you can get started.

They usually have at least five to six vegetarian choices, three chicken items, and often they have goat or lamb as well. I stick to the chicken and veggies, but my boyfriend likes both the lamb and goat curries. They have two kinds of rice, some salad items, and two kinds of soup. They also have naan bread and papadum.

My favorite thing, though, is the self-serve homemade mango ice cream. It is GOOD.

Another nice thing about this place is that if you aren't feeling the atmosphere, you can instead opt for takeout. They give you a plastic container with dividers which you can go and fill up. This is probably best to try after you have been to the buffet once or twice, so you know what you like and dislike.

I would recommend this place to anyone. The food is actually pretty good, and it's a fun way to try multiple Indian dishes.

--E

L'Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara

Cost: usually $9.99-$10.99, depending on the store.

Different people have different goals for their mascara needs. The most important thing to me is that my lashes look long and thick. I am not so concerned with whether I get a few clumps or not--I just want my lashes to look big. L'Oreal's Double Extend Beauty Tubes mascara is the best mascara I have ever tried. This mascara has some sort of silicon formula that grabs onto your lashes and adds on a bit of length (it seems impossible, but it really does). I think it has something to do with the white side. Be careful, though--I have tried another brand of two-step mascara that doesn't add as much length.
I like this brand so much that when we had our makeup done for our friend's wedding, I brought along my own mascara to use. Interestingly enough, the makeup artist pulled out the exact same tube of mascara. She agreed that it was the best and that it gave anyone bigger lashes.

One thing that you should be prepared for if you get this mascara, however, is that it is really strange when you wash it off. The first time I washed my face after wearing it freaked me out because it comes off in strands that clump together. It made me think I had some sort of weird spider-like insect on my face!

Before applying mascara:


After applying eyeshadow and mascara (only on the top lashes--too lazy for the bottom):



--E

Organic Bronze Bar

Cost: $20 with Groupon, $50 regular price
0315 SW Montgomery St Suite 380
http://www.organicbronzebar.com/

Some of my new favorite things are daily deal sites such as Groupon, Living Social, and It's Just Deals. I recently decided that I better use my Groupon for an airbrush tan at Organic Bronze Bar. I bought this back before summer started for $20 (normally $50, except they have special Happy Hour prices during the week of $35). I am one pale Portlander, and I have never tried airbrush tanning before, so I wasn't 100% sure what to expect.

I was told on the phone that it was important to come, "Showered, shaved, and exfoliated!" I followed directions and exfoliated that morning as I had never exfoliated before. I had heard horror stories of self-tanning gone wrong due to pesky dead skin cells, and I was not going to fall victim to that!

Organic Bronze Bar is located on the waterfront, and although Google Maps did me wrong, I was able to find it. It is near McCormick and Schmick's and Three Degrees. I was also able to find street parking, but I noticed that they also have pay parking lots down there.

Once inside, I was able to sneak a peek at a few women who just had their tans done. They looked bronze and amazing. I was pretty excited. When it was my turn I was led into a curtained off area. I was told by the tanning lady that I could undress to my level of comfort. They had paper disposable underwear if I wanted to go that route. I opted to wear my bathing suit. Then I went into another curtained area with the tanning lady. She told me to hold out my arms a little, and then she went to work. She was very professional and made me feel comfortable.

The experience wasn't unpleasant in any way. Basically, you stand there and she sprays your entire body with cold tanning formula. She tells you to turn this way and that, double checks her work, does a few touch ups, and then you are done. Then you get to blow dry yourself off for a few minutes, and you are on your way!

To make your tan last longer, you are not supposed to sweat, shower, or exercise for about eight hours after the tan. Then you can shower off. After each shower you are supposed to moisturize. You are supposed to avoid scrubs and exfoliation, and it is supposed to last at least five days.

The most inconvenient part about getting the airbrush tan was the sticky feeling afterward. Since I had to wait to shower, I felt like I was kind of stuck at home until then. I felt like I might get tanning formula on items around me, but it didn't happen. It also washed out of my black clothes and swimming suit.

Of course, the most important question is whether or not I liked the actual tan. I opted for a very light tan because I wanted to look natural (one of the girls at the salon had a darker tan and said she asked to make it look like she went somewhere tropical). I liked the look of the tan because I was not as blindingly white as I normally am, but I didn't get super dark. It wasn't orange at all, and no one said anything about my change in skin tone unless I told them about the tan. I did like it because it made me feel more comfortable wearing shorts and skirts since I wasn't as self-conscious about my skin tone.

However, it was a lot of work for five days of tan (I am on day four, and it is still around but starting to fade a little). I think I would stick to only getting one of these tans for a very special occasion or before going on a vacation. If you are interested in getting one, though, Organic Bronze Bar did a very nice job.

--E