Seattle Great Wheel

I had a fantastic visit to Seattle last week.  I visited favorite spots and some venues new to me, one of which just opened the end of June, 2012.

The Seattle Great Wheel is a brand new attraction on the Seattle waterfront.  

175 feet high.  42 enclosed gondolas.  $13/ticket

Views from the wheel are breathtaking and the perfect photo ops.

Sleepy in Seattle

After three active days in Seattle, I'm exhausted.  BUT, my alarm is set for 3:45 am for a 6 AM flight and part two of my vacation.

This photo was taken in Volunteer Park, Seattle.  The placement of this sculpture makes it about impossible to pass up a photo with a view of the Seattle Space Needle in the center of the "wheel".

The weather put on quite a show this week with perfectly blue skies and warm temperatures.  Having lived here for 3 years (quite a while ago) I know that Seattleites treasure these days because they are rare.  

Swimming in Lake Washington at Madison Park.

I can't resist a stroll through the Pike Place Market...the oldest continuing public market in the country.  Opened in 1907, this farmers' market attracts 10 million visitors a year!  

I bought the best peach I've ever eaten at the market this week.  I had to eat it over the sink as it was so juicy. (and delicious!)

A rooftop herb and vegetable garden growing in downtown Seattle.

A view of Seattle from a Duck tour on Lake Union.

On to Montana for fishing and hiking.  

Have a fabulous weekend.

Hotel Hospitality

I love a hotel that reminds you what day it is when you enter the elevator,

and provides all the essentials to brew a French Press pot of coffee in your room!

Simple pleasures that mean a lot.

DIY: Bottle Stoppers

Crate and Barrel $4.95 each

I was walking around Crate and Barrel on Saturday and spotted these colorful bottle stoppers.  Then I walked into Anthropologie and spotted some fantastic drawer knobs.

So I thought, why not use a drawer knob on a cork for a bottle stopper?

I purchased the appropriate sized corks from a craft store.  Using a hack saw, I cut off the screw end of the knob to fit the cork.  

 
Mark the center of the cork.  Drive an awl through the cork as a path to keep the screw straight as you screw it into the cork.

Done!  and no glue gun necessary.

I really like the way these bottle stoppers look on my bar cart.

I'm going to be on the lookout for antique and unusual drawer knobs for more stopper options.  

Travel Organization

Travel Totes by spiralstyle 

Beach tote bag / Tumi travel handbag / Longchamp travel handbag / Louis Vuitton tote

Yesterday I posted about Pinch Provisions, little kits of necessities so that if you are in a pinch, you are prepared.  This post is about being prepared while traveling.

I'm traveling to the west coast today.  I always take this leather Tumi tote with me on a plane.  I've had it for at least a decade.  I keep it "stocked" so it is always ready.

There is a big, zipped pocket inside where I keep these essentials.  

Pockets on the outside contain these items.  I have a hardshell case for the sunglasses and eye glasses.  Spare glasses are a must if you need eye glasses.  Having your eye glass or contact prescription with you is a good idea too.  Water!!!  Take a bottle on the plane with you!!  A folded fabric bag (I like Baggu) is so versatile, for shopping, dirty laundry, beach bag or gym bag.  An umbrella is vital.  Earphones are handy.  

Having a few healthy snacks with you is essential.  You may miss meals with a plane delay or if you are (horrors!) stuck on the tarmac waiting.  

What would your essentials be?  Do you have a bag ready and waiting for travel?

Pinch Provisions

Pinch Provisions has a kits for emergencies, when you are "in a pinch".

Pinch Provision mini emergency kit $15 J. Crew

I was strolling through J. Crew the other day and spotted these colorful, mini-emergency kits.  Just 3 1/2 x 2 x 2, these tiny kits contains 17 essentials for "a gal's tiny troubles".  

Some of the contents are earring backs, stain remover, emery board, pain reliever and sewing kit.  That means 12 more items in the kit!!  At just $15.  Who couldn't use one of these kits in their desk drawer at work, gym bag, or travel bag?  Wouldn't these make great gifts at a shower, stocking stuffer, Secret Santa, or hostess gift?  This particular kit is exclusive to J. Crew stores.  You can order kits here.  AND you can order refills of the things you've used, like the towelettes.  Check that out here.

Pinch Provisions has the guys covered too. 

Hemergency kit $25

At $25, guys get a razor and shaving cream, toothbrush and toothpaste, safety pin, shoeshine towelette and extra button along with lots of other good stuff.  Check it out here.

There are more specific kits.  This is a dorm survival kit. $25

I like the College Survival Kit complete with laundry instructions. $49

There are several wedding specific kits and two kits for moms.

Have you been in a pinch when one of these kits would have been a life saver?

Summer Rain

Ah!!!  Summer Rain

We had much needed rain today.  The kind that really soaks the ground, not just settles the dust.  

image 

I vaguely remembered some songs with summer rain in the title.  I went to the iTunes store and entered "summer rain" for a search.  No less than 20 different songs popped up with Summer Rain as the title.  My favorite Summer Rain song is by Johnny Rivers.  You can click here to listen to the song.

I used an old, ratty, falling apart umbrella today. I think it is time to splurge on a new one, one with some color.  Any one of these would do nicely.

Stylish Umbrellas by spiralstyle featuring a folding umbrella

Enjoy your weekend...rain or shine!