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By candace kramer, June 1, 2011 2:09 pm

Hello friends! Hope you had a fantastic holiday weekend. We went on my favorite quick getaway and caught the train up to Seattle. I absolutely love the train ride – reading magazines, sipping wine and just relaxing. By the time I arrive, I have unwound and I’m ready to enjoy the city! Traffic and parking can really burst my weekend escape bubble…Speaking of trains, I recently headed over to the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation site to discover an exciting event coming up on June 30th – The Willamette Bridge groundbreaking – which will bring light rail, cyclists and pedestrians straight by the Engine House & Rail Heritage Center. For more info go here.

Okay…on to Seattle…We stayed at the fabulous Hotel Max. This place is all about art and photography – featuring 39 local artists! Each floor has its own vibe and influence…we stayed on the Rock n’ Roll floor!

Images via here

With its eclectic mix of luxury, art and culture we would definitely stay here again and I love that it’s sister hotel – Hotel Lucia – is right here in Portland.

Okay, now for a couple of my fav restaurants that we hit…and yes, a little I SPY bathroom design to boot!

For a decadent French breakfast complete with a cocktail happy hour, you can’t miss Toulouse Petit Kitchen. I had to have a French mimosa with my crispy beignets and pork cheeks confit with eggs! I told you it was decadent!

image

Think of funky-bistro with a bayou twist (so fun) and the bathrooms didn’t disappoint either…

Honey hued with a mix of tile, stone and bronze the bathrooms were very elegant. I love the little detail of the fleur de lis in the flooring. So très French…

For dinner we headed to Barolo Ristorante…Glamorous and sexy with a good dose of modern Italian flair…this place is a must!

Images via here

The food was impeccable, with an impressive wine list. It’s a hot spot for sure…just look for the flashy cars pulling up to the front!

On to the gorgeous bathrooms…dripping with glitter and shine…I just love the beaded curtain below the counter top! Genius.

Image via here

It was such a wonderful weekend and by taking the train we avoided all the hassles (and pollution) of driving the car. Consider taking the train for your next weekend getaway.

Now all we need is one of these…

Image via here

Meet China’s amazing new bullet train…I’m dying to ride this one! This would get me to Seattle in about an hour! Get with the program Amtrak! Seriously!

Where have you traveled by train? Did you enjoy it?

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By candace kramer, November 18, 2010 11:17 pm

You all know how much I love trains and one of my favorite trips is up to Seattle via Amtrak.  It is time to relax and read, sip some wine and watch the scenery of fall colors pass by. Remember that freak fall day when it was 70 degrees out, well off I went to catch the Picasso Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso, Paris at the SAM museum.

Image via mike

I stayed at the boutique Hotel Andra, which is a beautifully restored building that blends its history with modern style…

Image via Hotel Andra

However…the surprise inside was the – yes, you know, the bathroom! I had to do a little I SPY bathroom investigating!

How exciting to see a shower with no curb! How thrilling to see a handicap/accessible, spa inspired bathroom looking so glam! A small space with sooooo much in it!

Mirrors, mirrors- a girl can not have enough! Perfect wood cubby shelves are tucked into the corner and provide amble storage, right at  eye level!Aging in place, showers with hand held sprays and grab bars. I love the gray slate next to the mosaic shower tiles. Fabulous contrast!

It is the LITTLE things – like a towel bar that does double duty with glass shelf.

Hotel Andra - modern & classy – close to all the action downtown – lets go!

We visited a most impressive outdoor park – the Olympic Sculpture Park, – map. This amazing piece of land crosses both a freeway and train tracks! What an ingenious way to beautify the landscape that slices through the city’s industrial structures.  With its outdoor sculptures and manicured grounds that vary in scale and texture, it’s a must see in any season!

Architecture, landscapes, sculptures, sunshine, I am in heaven, time for some wine…

Be sure to visit all of Tom Douglas restaurants, the Dahlia Lounge & Lola are close by and have this northwest/Asian fresh seafood scene. Small bowls full of glorious creative concoctions!

Images via Lola

Be sure you take a mini vacation – the Northwest has so many treats in store for us- where have you been lately or where you like to go?

Have a great weekend!

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By candace kramer, October 29, 2010 12:13 pm

I recently celebrated my birthday. It was a wonderful day full of adventure. One of the ways, I get my gardening/nature fix, is to get out into the wilderness of Oregon. What better backyard than our gorgeous state parks! I couldn’t think of a more fantastic venue for my birthday. To further illustrate my endless youthful energy…ha…I thought a bike ride through the Gorge would be the perfect activity!

Our path: The Mosier Twin Tunnel Trail in the Columbia River Gorge. This trail is for everyone – walkers, runners, families and is even handicap accessible!

Yes! There is light at the end of tunnel! Love this shot!

I love how whimsical these pine cone sculptures are! We just stumbled upon them…in the middle of nowhere!

What a gorgeous place for a pit stop…

Images via Double Mountain Brewery

We ended the afternoon gobbling up some fresh wood-fire pizza and washing it down with a couple of  delectable beers at the lovely Double Mountain Brewery in Hood River. I have to mention that hung on the brewery’s walls was some breathtaking photography of Hood River and the surrounding area by Blane Franger…go check out his portfolio here.

So you are probably wondering…okay so when do I jet off to Luxembourg? Well…let’s just say I had a little “stay-cation” from my laptop via my friend’s blog…so much fun…wanna go on a “Vicarious Vacation” too? Check it out here!

All in all, I had a fabulous day and I want to thank all of you who so graciously sent me birthday wishes!

Don’t wait for your birthday, get out in your state parks and play!

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By candace kramer, September 28, 2010 1:05 pm

I have been organizing my photos from all of my adventures this summer and I had to share with you our experience at the Blaue Gans Art Hotel in Salzburg, Germany. It holds rank as the oldest inn in town – I’m talking 660 years old! But In 2002, it was masterfully remodeled transforming it into a true work of Art. Its designers’ expertly blending the old with the ultra modern, creating beautiful architectural juxtapositions.

Super sleek exterior above…

Centuries old caverns below! This stone vault lies beneath the restaurant! How cool is that?

Can you imagine having a private event down here!? Pretty amazing!

The dining room was a delight with its crisp white chairs and tables contrasted with the rich, old wood floors, paneling and historic murals.

Now for the rooms! They were fabulous. Too cool!

How beautiful is that antique door that opens to a minimalist modern suite?

The above pics are via the hotel’s lovely website. I couldn’t resist taking a handful of my own…

I love the shocking chartreuse against the coolness of the tile. The floating wood towel shelf is a nice touch and adds warmth to the palette.

Our room was beautiful, simple and extremely functional.

To top off this amazing trip we had an official Rick Steves spotting. I ran after him trying to get a picture! ha!

What do you think of pairing old with new? Do you do this in your home?

Have a great Tuesday!