Seattle Weekend: a Mother Daughter Trip

Seattle was our destination of choice for many reasons.
It is relatively easy to get to from here and is a friendly city.

The Mayflower Park Hotel is perfectly located near to our favourite shops and has elegant and comfortable accommodations. We feel safe and secure within the hotel and all the staff are cheery and obviously love working there as they take such pride in their work.

Oliver's is the bar in the hotel and is a fun spot to stop for a light lunch or dinner and they mix a mean martini.
Mother doesn't eat very much and I shouldn't eat so much,
so we shared a salad and an entree each evening for dinner....
ditto for lunch.

Mother seated outside Oliver's

We dined there several times after we had walked and shopped for hours.
Our parcels were deposited safely in our room and we had the opportunity to freshen up and spend some quiet time before taking the elevator down to dinner.

Fresh Flowers 

are throughout the Hotel

Enormous displays adorn the Lobby.

Our room was on the 4th floor

view to the west.

The Westin Towers are beyond the building next door.

The Seattle Mariners headquarters 

are housed in this building next door.

The Mayflower Park 

is reflected in the glass.

The weather was warm and the wind was calm.

A few showers fell early but were gone by the time our room service trays were taken away.

Breakfast in our room is something that Mother enjoys.

She likes to greet the day feeling relaxed and fresh 

and she takes longer to get herself ready these days.

I quite liked the luxury of reading the paper and sipping hot coffee

wearing the white robe supplied by the Hotel.

The breakfast trays are beautifully arranged

with white linen cloths

lacy doilies

and a single orchid bloom.

The food was fresh and nourishing and wonderfully plated.

I regret that I forgot to capture an image...

a picture is worth a thousand words.

Shopping in a small radius of the Hotel was not a problem!

Macy's, Nordstrom's, Westlake Center, and Pacific Place Mall

are all a stones throw away!

Mother wore her serious walking shoes...

an ancient pair of Ecco's

apologizing several times for their appearance

(reserving her patent leather, velvet bowed Cole Haan flats for the Hotel)

Mother accompanied me to The Nordstrom Rack 

walking arms linked 

a couple of smiling and carefree gals

going about their business

1 1/2 blocks away 

on a Sunny Sunday morning

She found several things that she is delighted with...

one of which is the elusive leather wallet that she has been searching for for ages

(Thank you Kenneth Cole)

I naturally found shoes!

I am very lucky finding shoes at the Rack.

Now you might be thinking...

I've seen these before.

Yes!

I love this pattern...

so there are 3 pairs of Mee Too NY Snaffle flats in the Hostess's closet,

a Trio.

I do know what I like 

and I keep buying the same or similar styles often!

For example...

Elie Tahari 

Jersey top in Black

goes with all my clothing

so I could not pass it by

and it was half price.

(I have two now with a slight different neck detailing)

Mother and I spent a few hours Saturday in Nordstrom's.

It was a busy place!

No signs of an economic downturn here.

The shoe department was like a mob scene...

there was a fellow on a microphone 

calling out numbers!

 clerks were darting this way and that way

and shoe boxes were stacked 6 high

women were putting their painted toes into every kind of shoe imaginable

Smiles were plentiful...

Mother disapproved of this garish display

she said as much to me

in a quiet tone of course certain that no one would hear

At almost 84, I suppose you can pretty much say whatever you want...

certainly by this age, you have had time to amass a lot of opinions

I saw a fab pair of plastic Valentino flip flops with a big Red Bow

which reminded me of those shoes from the past that we called jellies

for $495

The Chanel shoes were divine in style but even more so in their construction.

I confess there was some sticker shock that registered with both Mother and myself.

We cruised through the jewelry section

where Mother made some purchases.

The varied gems and arty designers works on display were of the highest quality.

 pieces were edgy and many were of a tribal or bohemian nature.

I was introduced to the work of Alexis Bittar

and just today over at 

Lisa's blog

she shows us her lovely bangle.

I found these Sterling Silver drops

simple and understated

quite bland when compared with what filled up the cases

but very "me"

All this shopping and browsing made us both thirsty 

and Mother weary.

I was very conscious of placing sitting and sipping breaks into our days.

We had a delcious tea break in the Nordstrom Grill

a quiet respite from the crowds.

I was served a lemon wedge with my black tea

I honestly was very impressed.

Home Sweet Home

all is safe and sound.

Pepper must have missed me

as she was lounging on the bed as I unpacked my case.

I missed her too.

Look at her fat belly!

I gave her some treats and you can see just how keen she is waiting for the tasty tidbits!

She has not left my side since my arrival.

Summer sandals

by Bandolino

from Macy's

Offered as a "special buy"

for $39.98

affordable

and

oh so comfy.

The only thing black you'll see here is the label

Mother insisted I add some colour 

to my wardrobe

and I willingly did.

I just needed a gentle maternal nudge.

Mother was a nurse before she was a homemaker 

and then when my sister and I left home

she went back to work as the manager of a small boutique.

She has always loved fashion and she has always loved shopping.

I know she is much more confident putting herself together than I am.

Behold the Blue

Eileen Fisher sweater jacket in a light Italian knit.

I think it must have been winter stock

 An Echo scarf helps with the transition of

wearing a white or black top

with black pants

I felt it 

needed "something more" to accent the jacket.

Last but not least

I forgot my sunglasses

so I bought a new pair

and I quite like the larger frames.

I read an article that emphasized the need to wear polarized lenses 

to maintain eye health from the damaging UV rays

there is evidence that macular degeneration 

and cataracts 

may result if protective eye wear is not worn.

So I am making a pledge to wear mine when ever I am out in the sun or driving the car.

The Humble Bungalow is very quiet

 now that the washer and dryer have come to a full stop.

Pepper is snoozing on a pillow in the dappled sun that is streaming through the window.

Dinner tonight is going to be a simple meal

consisting of oven baked chicken pieces 

smothered in chicken chili and faux soy sauce (Braggs)

steamed and buttered green beans 

and twiced baked stuffed potatoes

I am keen to sit and have a pre dinner cocktail with my sweety 

share the details

from the past 3 days

and catch up on his news.

Mother told me she'd be putting her feet up 

and napping in her chair 

while listening to symphonic sounds...

I'll be betting that she'll sleep like a baby!

What a weekend for the memory books....

I am ever so grateful