I don't know if there really are more babies born in spring, but there are definitely more stores celebrating birthdays. This year's anniversary season was heralded by the whopping month-long celebration of events and giveaways at Lille Boutique, and last week's fête celebrating Frances May hitting the year-two mark was probably one of the most bumpin' store parties I've ever attended. The ball keeps rolling, and how many bottles of champagne are blazed through remains to be seen.

Northwest Portland's Bubble Boutique is up next, celebrating four years of supplying the well-heeled women of the Pearl District and beyond with forward-thinking pieces carefully selected from an international pool of brands. Get in on the fun with 20-30 percent discounts on all spring merchandise, kicking off at Thursday's party and running through Sunday. (Bubble Boutique Fourth Anniversary Party, 1100 NW Glisan, Ste. 1B, Thurs May 27, 6-9 pm)

Flutter is also gearing up to mark their fourth year, with live music by Djangophiles and tarot readings to accompany your champagne. It's a great excuse to check out the ever-revolving curios that intentionally clutter up the shop, from toiletries to antiques, taxidermy, and one-of-a-kind clothing. (Flutter Fourth Anniversary Party, 3948 N Mississippi, Thurs June 3, 5-9 pm, music at 6 pm) Right behind Flutter comes Parallel's second birthday celebration, with 20 percent off merchandise storewide. (Parallel Second Anniversary Party, 1022A NW Johnson, Fri June 4, 5-8 pm)

As for brand-new arrivals, don't miss the grand opening of Pigeon Toe Ceramics, in the studio space formerly occupied by Adam Arnold Studio. Featuring not only the Pigeon Toe line of ceramics designed by the talented Lisa Jones, but an assortment of small household goods from hard-to-find designers as close as San Francisco and as far flung as Denmark. (Pigeon Toe Grand Opening, 727 SE Morrison, Fri June 4, 6-9 pm, w/DJ Bad Wizard & Fantastic Fax)

Not new, but perhaps new to you, is Quaint, the tiny consignment shop Mani Gharahgozly has been running out of her home for two years. Portland style website the Neat Sheet wrote it up as "recently opened," but although that turned out not to be the case, it was news to me. Gharahgozly told me she consigns "anything cute," but a look at the merchandise tells you that "cute" includes naught-but-the-best names like Cavalli, Ferragamo, and Gaultier. (By appointment: 880-4512)

Finally, another reminder for Portland apparel designers to get their applications together for the second Content show, returning to the Ace Hotel on October 2. I'm looking forward to having greater involvement this year by helping to jury submissions—as opposed to last year, when designers were tapped individually to participate. The submission format is a great opportunity for emerging and new-to-Portland artists to get valuable exposure at one of the must-attend fashion events of the year. Submissions are due on June 20, check content-portland.com and mod.portlandmercury.com for details and updates.