The Ledgewood Hotel in Yakima review!!

                            

Last weekend we went to the Yakamia valley, Visiting our little sister Allie, she is a school teacher and the girls and I were excited to go. What more could a girls weekend need besides each other some wine tasting and a hotel that made us feel right at home. The drive over was beautiful, it had been a few years sense the last time that I went over the pass. Our first stop was at the North Bend outlets. We found a ton of things we wanted to buy but we were good and saved our money but we will be going back sometime soon!

We then went to Allies apartment, grabbed her and then headed out to dinner. We ate the most amazing burgers & fries at this hole in the wall burger joint. The prices over in Yakamia were amazing. We looked around the mall and did a little shopping, after we were done we headed to the hotel for the night......

                                

The Ledgestone was beautiful! It was jam packed with kids and their sports teams. When we got there we checked in with their ever so friendly front desk staff was so helpful, they even helped us find our way to them when the GPS was having a hard time. Ledgestone Hotel offer unique contemporary  feeling to their suites. It truly reflects their commitment to offer spacious suites with “Essence of Home” All the amenities go above and beyond expectation at a amazing reasonable rate. Making their goal of making sensible ways to reduce the travel costs for every single one of their guests. They want you to feel like  you could easily  prepare meals in your guest room kitchen or use the complimentary laundry equipment to get all that vacation clothes clean.

                        

Our room had everything we needed. We kept telling Kerry that this is what she needed for her first apartment! It had a two person kitchen table, fridge, oven, microwave oven, coffee maker, cook top stove, sink, all the cups,plates and silverware, there was even a DISHWASHER!!!!  The living area had a couch, flatscreen TV, Coffee table, nice lamps and a really comfortable chair. The couch is a fold out so that you can have an extra pull out in case your kids or in our case the Mom comes!  The guest room feels more like a small home than a standard hotel room, with features you would see in a house, apartment or condominium, larger than typical hotel rooms, We kept telling our younger sister Kerry that this would be the perfect first time apartment or condo for her.


Each room comes with these beautiful details, that are so wonderful that the hotel owners thought of for each of us guests.

• Luxury bed package featuring deluxe linens and a cozy synthetic down blanket 
• Well-lit work desk
• Flat-screen TVs in both the living room and bedroom
• MP3-compatible alarm clock radio
• Spacious closet with a convenient clothes basket
• Iron and board
• Hair dryer
• Vanity mirror with 3x magnification

The Bathroom had a wonderful tub, a nice vanity with their own hairdryer and vanity mirror. It shows you how much thought really went into their comfort for all their guest here. The wonderful line that they used for the shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, soap, each Tarocco products feature olive oil with extracts of Sicillian Red (Blood) Oranges, whuch are rich in Vitamin C and other powerful antioxidants. The smell of these products sent me instantly on a mini vacation. 

The lobby had a coffee area, a computer work station for all the guests to enjoy,a vending room, and even a workout room. It was so nice, it would be just what I would be looking for as a great place to hang my hat on a long road trip. Perfect to climb out of the family car, strech out and enjoy some space.

                         

With perks like these things you will question why you would think about staying anywhere else when visiting.

Alaska Air Miles with every stay   Wireless Internet access throughout the hotel Weekly housekeeping services Fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, two-burner ceramic cook top, toaster, coffee maker, dishwasher and dining table

Sleep easier when you are able to  know that this hotel’s professional night security personnel adds an additional sense of well being while away from home. The only thing that made me not happy about this entire stay was the thought that if I want to stay at another property I would have to go to Alaska to do so, meaning that I know where I will stay when I go there!  I hope that I will find out that soon they will be going all over the United States so I can stay at a home away from home with them, they stick to their motto. Making sure that your as comfortable as you would be at your own home and where you are welcome to feel a little like family.

We can not wait to come back and stay here the next time we come to visit our little sister. 

The next time you are in town you should stay here as well. 

Thrilling Thursday Linky Party! ( Crafts and more )

Here is a fun craft project. I had to borrow the pictures because I can not find my camera :( So enjoy from the blog hop today :)


using heavy card stock.

The skill in these albums is co-ordination, making sure the album blends together in theme and colors. This is easy to do by matching shades of colors together and sticking to a strict theme. Alternatively you can pick up a Scrapbook themed kit from your supply store and use the ready selected designs, stickers and embellishments making co-ordination very easy.



To start with you need to paint your album. If you are adding background paper you only need to paint the edges, if you are leaving it wood style you can try different techniques such as crackling. Crackle: To crackle a section of your album you will need to apply a thick coat of crackle medium to the plain wood and allow it to set as per the instructions on the Crackle medium bottle. Then go over the crackle with your pink paint. Work quickly and try not to overlap your brush strokes as this covers the crackle design. You will see it begin to crackle straight away.



Once it has dried your ready to continue with your album. Place your background paper onto the other board pieces mixing and matching your papers and layout designs.







Then using the supplies you have decorate your album, usually "less is more" is a crafters motto, but with this album it's almost "The more the merrier" when it comes to embellishing.



Once you are happy with your layouts bind your album together using wire rings or large curtain rings. Just thread them through the pre-drilled album holes.

Decorate the rings with knotted ribbons, cord and lace for a truly shabby rustic look.

Blog hops! :)

Check out this great blog hop!!! Lets do this and celebrate! :) This is alwys a fun hop to do! 

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! I am so excited - my daughter is turning 1 on Friday!  I am in serious need for some hoppin' (and escaping from birthday details) so I hope you join in! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and do a little blog hopping!



  This week we have our Guest Hostess- Elaina from A Time Out For Mommy. She is a fellow mommy blogger with some great stuff. If you didn't visit her last week, be sure to stop on over and say hello!


Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun. There are a few rules though:

1. Follow the hostesses, Haute Mom! Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.

2. Follow our guest hostess A Time Out For Mommy.

3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.

4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.


So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. Go to the links above and join in!!

My First V-log with The Maxwell Hotel in Seattle.

Purse for a good Paws!

I love my "fur" babies more then I think most people can understand. I have three shitzu's. Sophie is the oldest and the one that has been with me for every good time and bad time I have had. She lays with me when I am sick. Even when I'm mad at the world or the entire world is mad at me she is right there. She has a few health problems and watching her hurt is heartbreaking. 

Then I have Howie who is more like the real life version of Scooby doo! He never makes does anything like a dog more like a cat and he makes me laugh every day with his surfer boy attitude he makes life seem so easy! He sings to the song "Great escape" and follows me around the house at all times. 

Then there is Minnie, She came into our life last summer and she is so sweet, we got her when she was only a few weeks old. She was so tiny. We could fit her into our hand and just hold her there, making her be a cuddle-love lickie kissie mama's little girl. I just love love her and so does everyone we meet! Minnie is a big people "person." I love how sweet she is.  Because of my love for animals this is a cause that is a big part of my heart! I hope you will join me in helping raise funds for PAWS TOO! Look at all that they do!

 So with that being said, when I was told about this amazing event to help other fun babies and their families out there I decided that I had to get involved for this event! 

This is to help raise funds for a great local program Called PAWS. 

The Event is going to be held downtown Poulsbo at the wonderful 

Purse for the Paws

Sogno di Vino Restaurant. 

May 15th 2:00PM to 4:00PM!  

This is going to be a fun afternoon event! 

Aimed at women who love their girl time, drinks, and appetizers. 

Match that up with the love for animals & the love of Purses 

and you have an unbeatable combo to raise funds for PAWS!


http://animoto.com/play/dECu0DPhcjw7XeOX09LezA
Click on this Link to see a preview of the Purses. 

Proceeds from the silent auction of purses ad accessories are going to go towards the Hartstone spay/neuter fund, this fund provides assistance through PAWS to North Kitsap low income pet owners for pet sterilization and vaccines.  The program works through local veterinary clinics to offer minimal cost to  spay/neuter procedures that otherwise could be unable to be payable making it out of reach. 

A surgery that could run up costs would already be undoable with a family that can't afford to put food on the table half the time, would be unthinkable. 

With this program low income families fill out a PAWS financial assistance form at any vet or clinic or any of the food banks in Bainbridge, Poulsbo Kingston. Some questions need to be answered including proof of income and ownership of the animal.  This has been successful for over 35 years. A big bonus is the fact that it has already had a hand in helping reduce the local population of unwanted pets, but it also helps to control contagious and deadly diseases.

A big thank you to PAWS for their "Paw" in helping more then 250 local families with their pet sterilization's in 2010. This year in 2011 they have high hopes that, that number will be even higher.  Before all of this I was unaware that if this is unchecked local dogs and cats populations will skyrocket, with an average of six puppies per litter, babies then grow quickly then have puppies of their own. Then soon they are in the thousands! 

Now spicing up the venue for the fundraiser is the famous local best selling Author Susan Wiggs, the events lead sponsor and long time supporter of keep the pet population down through spay/neuter. For this fundraiser she cleaned out her very own collection of designer purses, that she has acquired.

Not only can you come and bid on one of her bags but on one of her best selling books that she has Autographed ad added to the gift bags!
This is so exciting for me to come and meet her! 

What a great Mothers day gift!!! You can give yourself or tell your child or husband that this is just what you want!  This way you can have that relaxing afternoon with your girlfriends, all the while bidding on that purse that you just can not live without! 

Now just for you Kingstongirl fans if you buy at ticket you get a FREE PAWS Canvas tote that you can have at the event! Just mention that you are coming with Kingstongirl when you buy your tickets online at www.northkitsappaws.org See you there!!!!

            #Leave me a comment on your fur babies story! #

A star filled night at the Maxwell

Staying at the Maxwell was an experience, not just a stay at another stuffy hotel. The first thing you notice is the pineapple welcoming you from the street & looking up at you on the lobby floor. The pineapple is the universal symbol of hospitality and welcome all over the world for centuries. It is said that Christopher Columbus and his men, gave this to the people of Guadeloupe as a sign of thanks. Now it is still the symbol of welcome, warmth, kindness and generosity. This is just what the Maxwell hotel symbolizes and at the same time embraces. 

When you are a guest at the Maxwell you are family. That must be because the Michelle Foreman Barnet, the president & COO of the Columbia West Properties named it after her son showing what a true labor of love, a reflection on how much she put into this place. That when you are a guest in her hotel you just as loved as the boy the hotel is named after. With this being so Family friendly even your "fur" babies can join in on the family with it being dog-friendly, also feel free to rest easy with the hotel is safe with 100 percent smoke-free! 

The best part of an independently operated hotel is that this is their baby, they can do things like they have at the Maxwell that most chain hotels can not. They have a great tie to the Arts community. 

The Location is ideal located at the base of Queen Anne hill adjacent to the Seattle Center and the world-famous Space Needle, The Maxwell Hotel has strong ties to Seattle’s arts community. So close to Seattle’s top destinations like the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the Seattle Opera, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet also directly across the street is the famous Teatro ZinZanni ! These are just a few of the things that make it a great place to stay! Maxwell hotel is the place to stay when you truly want to be in the middle of it all! 

Walking into the lobby of the Maxwell, is a lovely space, with nooks and crannies to hide in and an inviting fireplace to keep you warm on a grey and gloomy Seattle day, making you feel perfectly happy to steal a day away in the comfortable wingback chairs. A wonderful surprise for me and my sweet tooth, a Yummy complimentary cup cake! They  are offered everyday in the late afternoon, what a nice touch.. I had a lemon and ginger with butter cream frosting... I would go back just for these. 

With the Whimsical feeling you get just Stepping into this lobby, It shines like a hollywood star, with all the extra details that the staff goes above & beyond. With stunning design and decor, fun, artful elements of whimsy, all the while the traditional elegance you want to see in a highend hotel. It is all under one roof.  

Having 139 guestrooms, 1,600 square feet of meeting feet!! With SMART board technology, As all of my readers know I'm always looking for great places for retreats & blogger conferences. They have a POOL!!! This isn't something you see every day in Seattle! 

The swimming pool had tiles hand made through out the pool and the pools entry way area, hand painted by local children. Guest like me will find this along with the other personal touches thoughtful and full of meaning. 

Having also onsite exercise facility, complimentary internet, a lobby espresso bar, eco friendly in room recycling & what is even cooler is that they have bicycle check out! 

With rooms for everyone they have a few to choose from! :) 

Here is a list with pictures taken from the hotel.

An aria is music in any expressive melody, usually, but not always, performed by a singer. Practice your Aria in the walk in shower or relax and enjoy views of Queen Anne Hill or the Space Needle from this Single King Room!

 A duet is a musical composition or piece for two performers. They say this is Great for groups and families! This is the room we had and it  feature Two Queen Beds, and the best part of the entire room to me was the cute chair and foot stool.  Our view was of the   Seattle’s famous icons, the Space Needle.! 

The view wasn't where you could sit in your bed and look out but standing in the big window in the entry of the room. 

An ensemble is a cast in which the principal performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance in a dramatic production.

You’ll feel very important in the spacious Junior Suites. Enjoy yourself and your large posse crash after a long night at the EMP! With Two Queen Beds, a sitting area with a sofa sleeper, walk-in shower and a  bonus – 

a view of the Space Needle.

“Prima donna” is Italian for “first lady.” The term was used to designate the person to whom the prime roles would be given.

Warning! In these Junior Suites you will be spoiled just like a “Prima Donna”. These spacious rooms feature Two King Beds, a comfy seating area complete with sofa sleeper, spa tub, separate walk-in shower and a view of the Space Needle. You go girl! Find Seattle lodging downtown at The Maxwell Hotel.

With their sumptuous, pillow top beds allowing you to relax in a personal space that will feel like a home away from home. Each of their downtown Seattle accommodations feature amenities that will make you glad that you were staying with them. Special things that they added to their room,  like a microwave oven complete with a welcoming packet of popcorn and a mini refrigerator to store your favorite beverages and snacks.!!! 

    Also in the art deco room is a 42” Flat Panel TV and DVD player, with movies you can check out for free in the lobby, ( we didn't find any we hadn't seen already so we were a little sad about the selection) If we had known that they had DVD's there we would have brought some from redbox!  also they have cable that is Family Friendly! & HBO! 

    Grab your I-pod from the car and start playing your tunes through their iPod docking station. We went to the bakery up on Queen and and got two Apple pie cheese cakes that we ate along with the hotel rooms Keurig® pod coffee maker, we enjoyed a Tully's coffee without leaving the room! Another nice touch!

    The personal in-room safe will hold anything you might worry about while you are playing the day or dancing the night away.....

    

Along with a nice little desk you are able to 

    Very chic and Stylish room with a bathrooms with a walk in shower, black marble counter tops, hairdryer and aromatic amenities from one of my favorites, Gilchrist and Soames.  

The only thing I missed was a big soaking tub! 

I loved the Maxwell making it my new go to hotel for when I am spending a night at the theater or a fun concert at the Key or even the EMP! 

I really loved doing my review at the Maxwell and hope that they will invite me to review their other local hotels!  It was a wonderful stay and The Maxwell made me feel like a Star! Oh wait a minute, that treatment wasn't just for me? Nope they treat all their guest like stars!