Hello friends and neighbors!

As winter settles into Portland, I’m leaning all the way into the cozy season—and keeping things close to home. There’s something special about this time of year in our little corner of Oregon: twinkling lights in neighborhood districts, warm drinks after a chilly walk, and brilliant creativity and handmade goods around corner after corner.

This month, I’m rounding up my favorite local ways to enjoy the season, from small shops perfect for holiday gifting to nearby activities that make winter feel a little brighter. Whether you’re looking to support Portland businesses or just want ideas for getting out of the house when it’s cold and rainy, I’ve got you covered.

Here’s to making the most of winter right where we are. Let’s bundle up, explore, and show some love to the community that makes Portland feel like home.

A WARM COAT. A COZY BLANKET.

For the less fortunate, these warm items
are essential during the winter months.

As part of Windermere’s long-standing commitment to help those in need, our office (220 A Ave, Ste 200, Lake Oswego, OR 97034) will be collecting coats, blankets, and other warm winter necessities THROUGH DECEMBER 19, M–F, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

We invite you to join us in the effort.

Help us share the warmth this winter by bringing new or gently-used coats, blankets, gloves, knit caps, or other warm items.

2 bd | 2.5 ba | 2157 sqft | MLS#: 218335800

Located in the wonderful 55+ Condolea community, this light-filled end unit offers comfort, space, and scenic views. The inviting kitchen flows into a cozy nook and generous family room, where a slider opens to an expansive deck with a gas BBQ hookup—perfect for relaxed gatherings or taking in the beautiful surroundings.

The formal living and dining rooms feature abundant natural light and a charming fireplace, creating warm, welcoming spaces for everyday living. The large primary ensuite includes three closets for exceptional storage. A lower-level bedroom with its own full bath adds great flexibility for guests or hobbies, along with additional storage options.

With brand-new carpet, fresh paint throughout, and only one shared wall, this home is move-in ready and wonderfully private. A standout opportunity in one of the area’s most desirable 55+ communities.

Offered at $528,000

This month I want to talk about a different metric for understanding our real estate market: absorption rate.
Absorption rate in real estate measures how quickly homes are selling in a specific market. It’s calculated by comparing the number of homes sold over a period of time to the number of homes currently available. A higher absorption rate means homes are selling quickly (a hotter or seller-leaning market), while a lower rate means homes are taking longer to sell (a cooler or buyer-leaning market). It’s a simple way to gauge supply, demand, and overall market speed.

source: Portland Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. (RMLS)

Artists at NW Marine Art Works are opening their studio doors on December 6th and 7th for the annual Open Studios + Holiday Market. 

This one of a kind event provides the opportunity to visit the studios where art is created and shop directly from makers this holiday season.

Kimberly is my favorite local jeweler and I treat myself to pieces from her each year. You can find her online (linked) or at NW Marine Artworks. :)

A Stone’s Throw uses fashion to support our community. 5-10% of all sales go to non-profits, with over $95k donated since 2019.

Help Kimberly crest $100k donated before 2025 ends and give beautiful, high-quality gifts!

Interested in encaustic art?

The wax will be HOT … and so will the cider.

Come shop, visit for a bit, watch a demo or even paint with Kelly or just escape the internet vultures and the big bad boys of capitalism for an afternoon.

DECEMBER 7TH &. DECEMBER 14TH. NOON-4 PM-ish

Urbanite takes care to choose small, local, locally sourced, BIPOC & woman owned products and items. Sustainability and quality are paramount. This lifestyle store not only caters to your individual tastes but also promotes mindful community based purchases that enrich the foundation of our city.

The Multnomah Arts Center Winter Arts & Crafts Sale is Dec. 4–6th.

Shop unique, handcrafted items from local artists, with all proceeds benefitting community arts education!

From photos with Santa to a $1 screening of A Christmas Story - there are loads of events scheduled at various business in the Sellwood Moreland Business Alliance. Some of my favs are Tasi, Plural, Portal Tea, Spice Pilgrim, Cloud Cap Games,Wallace Books, and Oodles toy store.

This delightful holiday market has been delivering magic since 2018. Let’s dance and sing and make good cheer for Christmas comes but once each year!

Now through Christmas 

Thursday - Sunday

11:00am - 4:00pm

What are you into this month? I am always interested in hearing about fun stuff around our beloved PDX and I love a good book recommendation or song/album suggestion. 😊

As always, feel free to reach out to me anytime with questions or just to catch up. I'm here to help in any way I can! 

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