Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The inn @ the Northrup Station.. review.



My first trip to Portland was 10 years ago with my now Husband, we had stayed at the Inn at Northrup not only falling in love with each other but falling in love with the city of Portland & this hotel. Now at the time that we stayed there it was only the one story adjacent to the small lobby the front desk. Still it was like a small budded flower, you saw its beauty already but you knew that as it still had to bloom it was going to be even more amazing as they added on the other two stories & sun deck.


The hotel is located in the "Nob Hill" area. The shopping is always amazing on the 23rd street, The Inn is conveniently located along Portland’s celebrated streetcar line giving you easy access, ask the front desk  for your free Portland Streetcar tickets when you check in. Just pull into the hotels free parking spots and go a little green never having to drive your car the entire time you are a guest here. 


There are art gallery's on Nob Hill and the nearby Pearl District you will find that of Portland’s  art and culture await. Boutiques and unique places to shop at, you can always find that special gift & explore "restaurant row", where you will find some restaurants that satisfy every craving!  More than 100 restaurants to be sampled, all within a 10-minute stroll from the Inn.


We went back to "our place" the yummy & wonderful place to eat at called  Bastas where we had their Calamari Fritti and almost the entire happy hour menu between the two of us, we tried just about one of everything, they have weekly specials so make sure that you follow them on Facebook and Twitter. 

Breweries are my husbands true love like most husbands, Portland is the brew pub capital of the world, with being home to dozens of nationally recognized award-winning craft brewers and the Inn places you within walking distance of some of these world famous Brews!!

Theater lovers, while here take advantage of Portland's theater groups and talented Actors, mention that you are coming to one of these and upon making reservations to stay at the Northrup just mention the Portland Center Stage event you will be attending you might just be able to enjoy a complimentary room upgrade!  Also just a hop on to the street car and you can explore and enjoy the Portland Art Museum that is always a popular destination.

The Northrup's history originally started when it was built in the mid 70s, the Inn was rediscovered and transformed by Portland architect Steve Routon.  The decor breathes life to the inn with the original artwork by some very talented local Portland artists. The retro inspired furnishings with the vivd color palate contribute to the eclectic ambiance. Making this one of the funniest hotels I have 
ever stayed in my entire life. This is a bright and bold hotel just like this city!


The vibrant lobby presents an arresting combination of color and artistry, not to mention the outrageously huge jars of mouthwatering candy that never seem to go empty. Satisfy your sweet tooth as you gaze up at the striking display of fused glass. Then belly up to the sleek street-side breakfast bar and watch the Portland Streetcar buzz on by! If you can close your eyes and imagine if Johnny Depp's take on Willy Wonka's character was to have designed a hotel in my mind this is just what it would look like! Wild, crazy and vibrant colors and the fun and wacky designs of shapes and sizes......



The Inn also has beautiful patios, balconies, & the rooftop terrace. An artistically landscaped rooftop terrace presents a wonderful setting for outdoor gatherings, with fun terrace tables and chairs, a BBQ that you can use after a trip down to  the neighborhood Trader Joe's. This makes it that more special for a family trip, cutting costs by using the BBQ & in room kitchenette. Another great idea would be a co-ed wedding party! This would make a perfect place to do a girls getaway or a guys trip. 


When we got to our lovely room, we were so overjoyed by the fact that we had a room that was so big, with a full kitchen, *even a dishwasher* The bed was so comfortable and the extra pillows and the couch.  "Hub's" started our trip by feeling a little off, by the time we got to the exit known by us as the "Great Wolf Lodge" exit he had to pull over and have me drive we got to the hotel and our room wasn't ready yet so we walked around alittle, went to the food truck alley and he got a few bites into his lunch and we had to go back to the hotel.  


We went back to the room, and I got chris into the bed and because of the way the room is set up it is comfortable enough to let him rest and for me to still enjoy the time away.... 


Feel safe in a city that I have no one I know in, I still felt safe enough to walk around. As he got the time to feel better I was able to really enjoy our room, the wifi and two TV's to watch, one in the bed area and one in the living/kitchen area as well. I took a long enjoyable bath, able to make tea in the kitchen area and the staff was so sweet to bring up cold medicine and lemon. They even told us where to get some great soup for "Hub's" to enjoy. 





Lot's of fun & Free extra's like their continental breakfast, Complimentary continental breakfast is served daily in the lobby from 6:30 to 9:30 am during the week and 6:30 to 10:00 am on weekends. The breakfast was great..yogurt, cereal, waffles, cereal, fruit, juices, teas, coffee, bagels OJ & Coffee! 


Free parking: Self-parking on the property is available for Inn guests on a first-come, first-served basis.
Free help from a bell attendant, Simply contact the front desk for assistance with your luggage.


Free turndown service will be provided upon request. Additionally, housekeeping is able to provide items you may have forgotten such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shower cap and mending kits.
   
Free business center: Our friendly front desk staff is available 24-hours a day to offer facsimile and photocopy services at a nominal fee. An internet connected PC with printer is available for guest to use at a nominal fee.


Free safe deposit boxes: Safe deposit boxes are available at no charge through the Front Desk.

Free wireless internet: Complimentary high speed wireless internet access is included with your stay


Step out the door and transport anywhere you need to go in Portland aboard the portland streetcar. The Inn @ Northrup Station has been a proud sponsor of the Portland Streetcar stop at NW 21st and Northrup. The Portland Streetcar is a convenient and eco-friendly form of transportation taking guests through Northwest Portland, the Pearl District, Downtown Portland, and the South Waterfront. Guests of the Inn @ Northrup Station receive complimentary (FREE) tickets with their stay.


The Inn @ Northrup Station has become known as a unique boutique hotel with a very distinctive Northwest Portland flair! & As Alice in wonderland fell down the rabbit hole when she got to wonderland she felt right at home, that is just how I felt at the Northrup Inn! 

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

A friendship that started by Grace... The Grace body care review!!

In October, while "Hub's" & I went down the Oregon coast we were lucky to meet up with an amazing mother daughter duo, I stumbled across their spa line at two of the "fur" baby stores one in Seaside & my favorite place on the coast Puppy Love. Not knowing at the time that they did a human line as well.  Talking to Natalie on the phone a few months back we clicked. The love that they have for their company and their faith.  
A company that is made from simple grass roots of an American dream. 
In a time when the Economy is going down, these ladies are taking their dreams and making them into reality! 

A few weeks ago when they sent me one of their products to try they decided to have me try the body polish! As I used this for the first time, I truly felt like I had a little Heaven on Earth! The places that I used it on my body felt so soft and smooth and the smell of it was to die for. I can't wait to use their other products!

Grace Body Essentials is a company that believes in changing the World.  Through speaking to the public, creating their natural body products, and working with a variety of charities,                                                              they are changing lives, one person at a time.

Some of their products include but are not limited to...
Whipped Shea Body Butter, 
Black Mud Mask, 
Paraben Free Lotions, 
Speciality Facial Bars, 
Lip Balms - 
at this time they are currently working to bring you 
an all Natural Hair Line!


It is a mother & daughter team that with their combined efforts run this successful business.  
As you can imagine being family isn't always easy,                                         add the fact that they are total opposites!  
Every day they come together with different ideas. 
sometimes making beautiful mistakes, 
Always bringing the best product to their 
clients, friends, and family.  
Grace Body Essentials goal is to use only natural ingredients,                           this includes organic, fair trade, and local.

Some of our ingredients come from Africa as well as Israel, and other places throughout the world.  
They have released the following lines....

Babies & Children - "Itsy, Bitsy Grace"
Fur Babies - " Happy Dog" (Dogs only at the present time)
Manly 
Woman


Their fragrances are personalized with custom orders.  
You can contact them through their website www.gracebody.com
phone if you have hypoallergenic concerns 
503 753-5361 
(they can meet your needs) Or if you are in the area call into 
The Custer House B&B - 
503 738-7825
where there is a boutique and you may experience the products.  
Because they are growing in leaps and bounds they have 
consultants through out the states.
If you would like information on being a consultant please contact them as well.

Alison & Natalie invite you to ....
"Reveal The Real You"

This is a company that is going places and going to those places fast. Do yourself a favor and be the first of your friends and family to fall in love with these fab products. Tell them Kingstongirl sent you to them.... This is the next hottest thing. Don't be left in the dust... 



Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Tell you something Tuesday..........



Well yesterday the spring around here is still in full swing, yes we have had rain but it was hit or miss and while that sun was out I decided that I would get out and clean some of my garden beds, I planted some flowers. This was what it looked like to start off.
Spring fever is hitting me hard and I have so much I want to do and so much I have planned. We have a breeze way between our house and our neighbors home, on this side of our yard, I have plans for a few kids toys and a picnic table. A great place that the little one I nanny & my niece and nephews when they come visit can play in the shade from the shadow of the two houses. 


I look forward to going to a few of the farmers markets in the next month that I can grow flowers & veggies. We had a wonderful garden last summer and the joy that we had when we were able to eat and share the wonderful veggies & fruits. This is something I'm going to try with container gardens so a trip to the library is in the near future plans. Being able to travel I see so many fun and wonderful things to landscape and try. 
 I'm in love with Lady bugs & they make the pops of red in the gloomy Seattle weather that we get to have off & on till summer.  We are going to do some entertaining and the yard is the perfect place to enjoy the long wonderful days of the summer near the sound. We can watch the city lights dance upon the water, the sail boats, ferry boats going from Kingston to Seattle to the fuel dock., & the tugs going in and out of the ports, once in a while we can watch the Eagles soar all from our deck on the front of our house. 
We have moved around a great deal, over the years that we have been married. I have only a few houses that I was in love with, of course the 1st one we made a home in together in Kingston, we both worked right down the street so it was great to walk to and from our home to work..  We then had another house in Hansville on Point No Point Road, we had so many wonderful ideas, but didn't have enough money to pull it off, the house was amazing and watching the ships pass by was always a delight & at night we would leave the sliding glass door open so we could read and listen to the waves.  After that we had a home again in Kingston & we loved this place in fact it was on property that when my family homesteaded here in Kingston they owned, buying a piece of that back was wonderful, for the past few years after we sold our home we have floated around and trying to find another home that I was in love with as much as those three houses were a hard thing to do, finally we found our home that we are in now & I'm in love again. We will be here for years to come if we have anything to say about it. 
I look forward to making this even more of our home. I can't wait to do things to this place that makes it feel like home even more. So we are working on the outside when its not raining and we are doing things to the inside when it is.  So on Tuesdays I will post about things to that we are doing around the house, what you are doing around your house and ideas on what we all are doing for the Spring Cleaning! :) 



Monday, March 21, 2011

Our stay at Hotel Vintage Plaza... the love affair continues....



9 1/2 years ago Hub’s and I went to Portland Oregon for our first time as a couple.  We were close to getting engaged and thought that getting away for a little romantic night would be a good thing for us to see if we could travel well together. This sparked our love to travel and a turning point in our relationship. “Hub’s” and I are always traveling. Going here or there trying new places exploring as many different North American places we can check off our been there done that list!  First on the top of the list is Portland.

As we started to drive more and more from Seattle the gas stations prices were getting higher and higher every time I past the gas station. $4.08 a gallon is more then milk, a case of diet coke, or a grande extra white chocolate mocha give me a break this sucks! If we had planned a little bit better the train would have been a great choice. Traveling from Portland to We then dropped by the bagel shop to grab a dozen along with some cream cheese, then a stop off at trader joe’s to go and get the picnic stuff. I like doing this because you can more then likely always have a room with a fridge. In case  we pack the cooler in the back seat. This always saves on the expense of eating out. which in Portland is always a food coma. 
So I decided that I needed to check out some digs in Portland I knew right away that I had to ask if we could check out another Kimpton property! You know my love affair with their hotels. My goal with the Kimpton hotels is to go to every single one of them! This is my dream and for the love I feel for this hotel I hope that they allow me to do so! ( *hint*hint*) We were told that this was the first Kimpton hotel that branched out of the San Fransico bay area. With that in mind as I looked around the hotel I could feel the bay area charm. 
Before we even made it to the hotel the front manager Ben emailed me to make sure that we were ready for our stay with them. We were greeted by the doorman dressed in theme, with their big smiles and warm welcome, they parked the car while we went to look around because our room wasn’t ready yet. ( It was 10:30 in the morning) When we came back our luggage was in the room and because it was our 10th anniversary together ( not married) they did a turn down service and had a bottle of  champagne & two glass waiting for our return. A very thoughtful thing to do.  These are the things that makes Kimpton stand out from other hotels. The attention to details that they show each customer that stays in their hotels feel, makes me question staying anywhere else. 
The boutique hotels that the Kimptons are known for is amazing and as always   their staff was absolutely wonderful. The lobby was warm and welcoming and a perfect place to hang out and enjoy their nightly wine tastings sharing and listening to wonderful stories from the other people that were staying there as well. We met one couple that was doing their travels from San Diego all the way to Seattle only staying at Kimpton properties. They had just left San Fransico, leaving very early that morning. It made me excited to be going there myself for us to enjoy a few of their properties in the bay area. I couldn’t be more excited. 
I highly recommend spending a little extra and book an Executive King Room.We stayed in their Deluxe King Guestroom feature custom furnishings in  shades of persimmon, cream and soft brown that create a contemporary, sophisticated atmosphere, yet not so contemporary that it isn’t relaxing.  Many rooms offer spellbinding city views,  pillow-top king-size bed, & a 37-inch flat panel LCD television, a work desk and chair, armoire with private bar and mini-refrigerator and as always the top of the line luxury bath amenities.  Our room didn’t have a view of the city but that of the hotel across the way,  I would have also loved to have a spa room and a little more wow! Not that this room wasn’t nice, I just wanted to try to experience what I have in Seattle at those hotels, they always seem to make the wow factor a one two punch. 
The next time I stay here these are the two places that I would have to stay in one of these rooms. The amazing and beautiful Starlight Guestroom. There are Nine of these type of rooms onsite this room is able to invite you to sleep under the stars!!!! The Conservatory windows overhead allow for stargazing from the comfort of your pillow-top queen-size bed. The Sleek modern furnishings make you feel like a celebrity. Although pets are not allowed in this type of room, this is still on my top ten list of rooms to stay in for traveling! Now if they could take me in to spend a night here my heart might just skip a few beats. 
Another room I would love to stay at is the Garden Spa Guestroom, 
there are only three of these special rooms in the hotel located on their 9th floor and include a pillow-top queen-size bed and 150-squarefoot outdoor cedar balcony with a 2-person chlorinated hot tub enclosed by a lattice privacy screen. I would love to sit in this hot tub with the “hub’s” while drinking one of Portland’s own micro brews and one of the wonderful Voodoo doughnuts and gazing out into the  skyline of the beautiful city of Portland. 
The location was amazing!!! The one thing I love when I stay places is to just park the car and walk everywhere else. This hotel made it possible for us to do this,  we could walk to everything, where ever you would like to go to. If you want to go someplace else that would be a little to far to walk you can hop on Portlands amazing transit system. I wish I could bottle it up and take it back up to Seattle with me, it would be nice to not have to own a car to get around they city area. 
 Onsite is the wonderful and highly award winning restaurantjust steps from the Vintage Plaza lobby, Pazzo. I honestly can't say enough great things about this place to eat at!!! They also give you a 30% off coupon for you to use while you are staying here to enjoy in Pazzo. Their menu brings together the Old World tradition with the rich and fresh foods of the Pacific Northwest. It has a stone wood-burning pizza oven that’s smells simply awaken your senses to the promise of a lovely and amazing meal.  That promise is kept with outstanding service and Chef John Eisenhart's creative food worthy coma. 
While we were there we enjoyed a few things on the fab menu, I had the GNOCCHI handmade potato pillows, wild boar sparerib ragú, with a side of yummy brussels sprouts and pancetta.  “hub’s” had the mouth watering RAVIOLI braised beef cheek-filled pasta, tangerine, black garlic along with the side of cardoncello mushroom sauté & a side of panissa, with truffle salt. It was a great experience and topped with bottle of a regional Italian white wine Friulano, a Le Vigne Zamo, Friuli, from 2008.  We didn’t have any room in our tummy’s for the desert menu so the next time we eat at Pazzo we will start with the desert menu first. 
 In addition to Portland's beloved Pazzo, you'll also find the casual Pazzoria Bakery & Café at Hotel Vintage Plaza. Pazzoria Bakery & Café is an authentic Italian café in the heart of downtown Portland. Let yourself be transported to Italy as you bite into Pazzoria's own artisan breads and pastries, made every day by hand. Treat yourself to, A mouth watering delicious variety of traditional Italian breakfast pastries perfect espresso drinks, freshly squeezed juices, Italian sodas, wine and beer. Whatever you are looking for this bakery has it for you.
We are so glad that we stayed at the Hotel Vintage Plaza it is still Green like all the other Kimpton Properties & just like their earth friendly ideas it makes me happy that  all their hotels care as much.   When I go back to Portland I will stay here, it is no surprise that my love affair continues......... Next time I will be bringing my "fur" babies with me, allowing us to experience the dog  friendly city that Portland is & the red carpet that the Hotel Vintage Plaza does for all their fur baby guests. My "Fur" babies deserve this!


9 1/2 years ago Hub’s and I went to Portland Oregon for our first time as a couple.  We were close to getting engaged and thought that getting away for a little romantic night would be a good thing for us to see if we could travel well together. This sparked our love to travel and a turning point in our relationship. “Hub’s” and I are always traveling. Going here or there trying new places exploring as many different North American places we can check off our been there done that list!  First on the top of the list is Portland.

As we started to drive more and more the gas stations prices were getting higher and higher every time I pass the gas station. $4.08 a gallon is more then milk, a case of diet coke, or a grande extra white chocolate mocha give me a break this sucks! We then dropped by the bagel shop to grab a dozen along with some cream cheese, then a stop off at trader joe’s to go and get the picnic stuff. I like doing this because you can more then likely always have a room with a fridge. In case  we pack the cooler in the back seat. This always saves on the expense of eating out. which in Portland is always a food coma.


So I decided that I needed to check out some digs in Portland I knew right away that I had to ask if we could check out another Kimpton property! You know my love affair with their hotels. My goal with the Kimpton hotels is to go to every single one of them! This is my dream and for the love I feel for this hotel I hope that they allow me to do so! ( *hint*hint*) We were told that this was the first Kimpton hotel that branched out of the San Fransico bay area. With that in mind as I looked around the hotel I could feel the bay area charm.

Before we even made it to the hotel the front manager Ben emailed me to make sure that we were ready for our stay with them. We were greeted by the doorman dressed in theme, with their big smiles and warm welcome, they parked the car while we went to look around because our room wasn’t ready yet. ( It was 10:30 in the morning) When we came back our luggage was in the room and because it was our 10th anniversary together ( not married) they did a turn down service and had a bottle of  champagne & two glass waiting for our return. A very thoughtful thing to do.  These are the things that makes Kimpton stand out from other hotels. The attention to details that they show each customer that stays in their hotels feel, makes me question staying anywhere else.

The boutique hotels that the Kimptons are known for is amazing and as always   their staff was absolutely wonderful. The lobby was warm and welcoming and a perfect place to hang out and enjoy their nightly wine tastings sharing and listening to wonderful stories from the other people that were staying there as well. We met one couple that was doing their travels from San Diego all the way to Seattle only staying at Kimpton properties. They had just left San Fransico, leaving very early that morning. It made me excited to be going there myself for us to enjoy a few of their properties in the bay area. I couldn’t be more excited.

I highly recommend spending a little extra and book an Executive King Room.
We stayed in their Deluxe King Guestroom feature custom furnishings in  shades of persimmon, cream and soft brown that create a contemporary, sophisticated atmosphere, yet not so contemporary that it isn’t relaxing.  Many rooms offer spellbinding city views,  pillow-top king-size bed, & a 37-inch flat panel LCD television, a work desk and chair, armoire with private bar and mini-refrigerator and as always the top of the line luxury bath amenities.  Our room didn’t have a view of the city but that of the hotel across the way,  I would have also loved to have a spa room and a little more wow! Not that this room wasn’t nice, I just wanted to try to experience what I have in Seattle at those hotels, they always seem to make the wow factor a one two punch.

The next time I stay here these are the two places that I would have to stay in one of these rooms. The amazing and beautiful Starlight Guestroom. There are Nine of these type of rooms onsite this room is able to invite you to sleep under the stars!!!! The Conservatory windows overhead allow for stargazing from the comfort of your pillow-top queen-size bed. The Sleek modern furnishings make you feel like a celebrity. Although pets are not allowed in this type of room, this is still on my top ten list of rooms to stay in for traveling! Now if they could take
me in to spend a night here my heart might just skip a few beats.

Another room I would love to stay at is the Garden Spa Guestroom,
there are only three of these special rooms in the hotel located on their 9th floor and include a pillow-top queen-size bed and 150-squarefoot outdoor cedar balcony with a 2-person chlorinated hot tub enclosed by a lattice privacy screen. I would love to sit in this hot tub with the “hub’s” while drinking one of Portland’s own micro brews and one of the wonderful Voodoo doughnuts and gazing out into the  skyline of the beautiful city of Portland.

The location was amazing!!! The one thing I love when I stay places is to just park the car and walk everywhere else. This hotel made it possible for us to do this,  we could walk to everything, where ever you would like to go to. If you want to go someplace else that would be a little to far to walk you can hop on Portlands amazing transit system. I wish I could bottle it up and take it back up to Seattle with me, it would be nice to not have to own a car to get around they city area.

Onsite is the wonderful and highly award winning restaurantjust steps from the Vintage Plaza lobby, Pazzo. I honestly can't say enough great things about this place to eat at!!! They also give you a 30% off coupon for you to use while you are staying here to enjoy in Pazzo. Their menu brings together the Old World tradition with the rich and fresh foods of the Pacific Northwest. It has a stone wood-burning pizza oven that’s smells simply awaken your senses to the promise of a lovely and amazing meal.  That promise is kept with outstanding service and Chef John Eisenhart's creative food worthy coma.

While we were there we enjoyed a few things on the fab menu, I had the GNOCCHI
handmade potato pillows, wild boar sparerib ragú, with a side of yummy brussels sprouts and pancetta.  “hub’s” had the mouth watering RAVIOLI braised beef cheek-filled pasta, tangerine, black garlic along with the side of cardoncello mushroom sauté & a side of panissa, with truffle salt. It was a great experience and topped with bottle of a regional Italian white wine Friulano, a Le Vigne Zamo, Friuli, from 2008.  We didn’t have any room in our tummy’s for the desert menu so the next time we eat at Pazzo we will start with the desert menu first.

In addition to Portland's beloved Pazzo, you'll also find the casual Pazzoria Bakery & Café at Hotel Vintage Plaza. Pazzoria Bakery & Café is an authentic Italian café in the heart of downtown Portland. Let yourself be transported to Italy as you bite into Pazzoria's own artisan breads and pastries, made every day by hand. Treat yourself to, A mouth watering delicious variety of traditional Italian breakfast pastries perfect espresso drinks, freshly squeezed juices, Italian sodas, wine and beer. Whatever you are looking for this bakery has it for you.





Sunday, March 20, 2011

Spring is here!!!!

Well it is the first day of Spring!! What are some of the fun things that you do to celebrate spring? Living in a suburb an hour ferry ride from Seattle I love the beginning and end of every season. I love the change that I feel with the different types of weather that we get, I at times wish it would stop raining but when it hasn't done it in a few weeks I miss it.  At this moment in time I am done with the cold & rain & I'm ready for sunshine, fresh cut grass, the starts of all the new flowers. Longer days and sunlight. baseball games & new openings of the farmers market's.
 When the sunshine came into my bedroom windows, it was like a spring fever had been struck in me so I got up and dressed headed to the garage and began getting the things I need to garden and get the outside in shape.  So I grabbed my "green" mower and mowed my front yard then because it was the first day of spring I decided that I would mow my neighbors front yard as well!  So after that I hit the back yard  and mowed our yard. A few weeks ago "Hub's" and I made the start to our patio, we only have about 12 more bricks to complete the entire project.  So I weeded and racked up the old leaves, and got the outside lights hung up and the Flamingo light & the patio table and chairs ready for the dinner parties and BBQ's that we are pre-paring for entertaining, we also put the firepit and chairs out. 
 Weeding and laying down the new dirt & bark we are able to then start the planting of flowers, and make our yard and home sparkle.  I'm beyond ready for the spring, this winter has lasted far longer then it should have, the ice and snow and power outages. Trying to hold back on taking the winter clothes packing them up and putting them away and pulling out the summer & spring clothes and flip flops.


I have many goals for the next few months and I know that I have busy over the past few weeks. Some of these goals are over the next few months I have many hotel reviews to do, having a few in Seattle, Port Townsend, Lake Chelan, Yakima, Portland, then Southern & Northern California. With Kingstongirl getting bigger and better each passing day, it is making me be on my toes,   So I know that Spring is just the start of the busy time of year & the one year blogging anniversary for me as Kingstongirl!!! 








Here is my to do list for the spring! 






1)  Go on walks every afternoon.


2)  Enjoy the farmers markets weekly.


3)  Play in the dirt a few days a week.


4)  Try new recipe's to use on the BBQ 


5)  Go to a M's game at Safeco field.


6)  Celebrate our 9th anniversary for "hub's" and I


7)  Clean our house from top to bottom (deep clean)


8)  Decorate for spring!! ( easter bunnies!)


9)   Have family over for a spring brunch.


10) Go to Port Townsend for a day of collecting sea glass & enjoying their local co-op grocery store!


11) paint the guest room and warm buttery yellow.


12) Clean the windows inside and out.( they really need it!)


13) Go feed the birds with Ayla at battle point park.


14)  Craft as much as I can to get ready to sell things at Farmers Markets & Craft fairs.


15) Enjoy the last spring before being a mommy.






What are some of your favorite things to do in the spring???  

Monday, March 14, 2011

Argosy is your place to go for every event in your life.


To celebrate that new dates and times come out tomorrow for the up and coming holiday season of the winter of 2011! I know that the 2010 holiday season is only a few months behind us, but this is the best time to start making those plans.

For 60 years, Argosy Cruises has helped the people that are lucky enough to ride their ships, through celebrating the breathtaking and amazing beauty of the Pacific Northwest. This is one of the best Seattle area attraction. It was Founded as the Spring Street Water Taxi and then through the years operating as Seattle Harbor Tours and now as Argosy Cruises, the family-owned and operated company has become the Northwest's premier cruise company operating from the historic downtown Seattle waterfront, South Lake Union and Kirkland City Dock. Bringing endless joy to all that are able to ride and enjoy this for the special moments that for generations families and loved ones have enjoyed. 

When myself and the Hub’s went this past December, we were able to enjoy a wonderful festive night aboard the Argosy Christmas Ship, a fun and wonderful holiday celebration that is a great way to make the holiday season feel just a little more special. You can either join in the fun on board on one of the parade ships that follow, or join your friends and neighbors to gather together for your own beach side, caroling tradition. If you own your own boat, feel welcome to add lights to your boat and join in the festival and help form the largest holiday floating parade in the world! Nightly ships set sail to different Puget Sound waterfront communities, over 45 all together. A portion of all ticket sales benefits The Seattle Times Fund For The Needy, an program that raises money for several charitable organizations in the Puget Sound area.
Like we did, you can ride the official Christmas Ship. The lead Ship is called the Spirit of Seattle and has the choir on board that sings out to shore,  all other boats follow. Every night from November 28th through the 23rd of December, the Christmas Ship, takes its place at the head of the parade as the Official Christmas Ship. On board, a local featured choir sings 20-minute programs at scheduled locations. The choir is broadcast over the speaker systems, letting those on shore join in the festivities. On board, Santa mingles with guests, spreading cheer. Certain holiday activities keep guests entertained between choral performances: sing-a-longs, a "Ho-Ho-Ho" contest, a children's activity corner, and the camaraderie that the holiday spirit brings out.

Some nights are also followed by the Royal Argosy, Seattle's Dinner Boat. This allows you to follow in the parade while having a meal, and the live entertainment while you dine at the privacy of your own table. The Royal Argosy only follows the parade on some of the evenings. Make sure that you plan on this in advance to make sure you make it. The elegant Royal Argosy that is decorated beautifully for the holidays it is a perfect way to create a holiday tradition.
Always welcome is for you to bring out your own boat and join in by following the parade with your friends and family.  If you want to check it out from shore they post the many wonderful locations in the schedule, join in with the many wonderful people that do this as every year. A great way to meet new friends, as you share in the fun of a cold crisp Pacific Northwest bonfires and the love of the community involvement. 

Don't want to wait till next winter to go on a cruise well your in luck you don't have to wait. Once you go on one cruise around our beautiful area of water ways of the PNW, you will be wanting to go enjoy all of the special events that Argosy puts together. Weddings, business meetings, family reunions, Mother's Day, Easter, Fathers day, 
fourth of July! You name it they do it & they do it well. 
No matter what you are looking for set your focus towards Argosy! 
You will never be happier you did !