A Perfect Storm in the City

Last January I had booked a room for the Seattle Gift Show and Market 2016. I was all set with a two bedroom unit.  In December I was preoccupied with Dad's funeral and Christmas.  In January I went online to verify the hotel and print my show passes only to be met with the glaring headline, NEW DATE PATTERN on the gift show site. Great, now I have a beautiful room, no reason to go, and I am past the cancellation date. 

Hubby told me to find some friends and go for fun.  Really? Yes, really.  

Leslie and Marjean agreed to drive down with me on Thursday.  We planned to work in the morning at the museum and then get on the road.  I received an email from Girlfriend Estate Sales with the sales for the week.  On Thursday there would be a sale at a former studio for pin up pictures in downtown Seattle. I found volunteers to cover for the girls and we left in the morning.

Who wouldn't? The pictures were interesting. The sale was downtown and we were going there anyway.  It was a pinup picture studio filled with costumes, props, tiki galore and more mid century modern than you can imagine.  These photos are just a sample of their many photos they had posted for the upcoming sale.

Ohhhh yes, we laughed. And then we laughed some more.  I could hardly think straight and probably should have bought more but it was overwhelming.  So many brassiere and garter sets, so little time...

 

 I kid.  I went for the yellow thermos with the sporty theme.  I ended up with the Sportman picni-table complete with an extra tin and thermos too.  The dinnerware is inside. I had to carry that beast from Post Alley back to downtown and our hotel.  I think she's worth it  though.

Chris, you would have been so proud of me.  I used the negotiating skills you've given me.  Those lessons came in handy.  Leslie overheard the gal running the sale commenting on my skills. Not necessarily in a nice way.  Oh well, I spotted that thermos, I drove two hours to get it and I wasn't going to leave without it just because it was overpriced... There had to be some negotiating.

 Marjean got the grapes! And Aunt Bea's secret recipes.  The tray is perfect with the grapes.

I cannot share what Leslie purchased.

No, don't even go there.

Nothing risque!

She bought gifts so they must remain a secret.

We shopped, we lunched (you know how much I love a good department store lunch), and I took Leslie around the block to City Dog.  Leslie loves dogs and I couldn't wait to show her doggy daycare in the city.

 City Dog could have charged her to go inside and play with the dogs.

I had so much fun with Leslie and Marjean. We enjoyed happy hours, 75% off the sale price kind of sales and a lot of good conversation. It was Therapy Thursday for two days.

On Friday at five the girls packed up and I went to meet my friend, Jean.  Leslie and Marjean took a cab to the the Amtrak station where they caught the train into Bellingham.  

Jean works downtown and commutes from Vashon Island.  We met for a drink at the new Habitant on the third floor in Nordstrom.  I love Jean's enthusiasm and creative energy.  We had a great visit before she had to catch a water taxi and then the ferry home to the island.

I shopped a bit and then walked back to my hotel, called Hubby, and tidied up the place for my next guests.  My sissies Kathi and Melinda were on the Bolt bus, coming to join me for the weekend.

They caught another bus to Westlake Center and walked to the hotel where I met them with a glass of wine and snacks before dinner.

We had missed our sisters trip in November.  Jodi and Lissa had plans so they couldn't join us but we muddled through without them.

On Saturday morning after bargain hunting at Macys we were approached for a make over.  They could take the three of us at the same time.  Why not?  They found Kathi and my eyebrows and tamed Mel's. 

I have stayed at the Camlin many times because my mom-in-love is so generous.  It was the first time though that I was told about the limo that will pick up Camlin guests and take them to Salty's on Alki Beach for dinner. We decided to try it.  The concierge called for us to be picked up at 6:30 p.m. and assured us that as guests of the Camlin we would be guaranteed a window table, he told us the suggested gratuity for the limo driver and we were set.

Now we even had our make up done for our night on the town.

 Our driver gave a us a city tour on our trip to Alki Beach, the food was fabulous and we may have had the best table in the restaurant.  We were living large so we ordered Baked Alaska for dessert.. 

Sunday morning we slept in and then ordered breakfast for in our room while we watched the Seahawks game. The Hawks showed up little too late but overall a fun season with the Seahawks.  After the game I drove us home.

It was the perfect storm.  Considering all of the public transportation and everyone's schedules it was amazing.  It worked like clockwork though and it was a wonderful weekend for me.

I wish I had taken a picture of each gal's luggage because it is fun to see the variety.  I only took a pic of Melinda's because she  had vintage,no wheels!  Marjean had a small back pack, Leslie had an overnight bag and Kathi had a very small tote. I brought my carry on piece of luggage because I was there three nights,  Obviously I had to take three pairs of boots.. It's how I roll.

A big thank you to all my gals for making this weekend work.

 Now, I need to get busy cleaning my treasures.  Have a good day my friends!