So, if I created the Perfectly Packed clothing system for folks who hate to pack or hate to shop, why would I be writing about the terrific shopping trip I recently made to Seattle?  Because I hate to shop when I have to, but love it when I can just wander and see what interests me.  So I took myself on a solo shopping trip to do both and it was the most fun I have had in a long time.

I stayed at the Sheraton in the heart of downtown.  The location was perfect for easy access to the major stores; the hotel was attractive; the staff helpful; and the rooms nicely appointed and comfy:

 

 

 

 

 

First stop, Nordstrom…… I stepped off the elevator at the Special Occasion section and was immediately approached by a very stylish and attractive young woman, Krystal, who proved to be the most amazing sales associate I have had the pleasure to work with….ever…….bar none!  I found the perfect dress right away but actually purchasing it turned out to be quite the adventure.   Suffice to say, it was through Krystal’s determined  assistance that the adventure had a happy ending mere hours before I flew out!  More on this in another blog.

With the special dress looked after, it was off to ‘shop until I dropped.’  So next stop, Macy’s….

 

 

 

 

 

 

……..and all the stores in between.  Happily I emerged with shoes….okay, more than one pair!!

The day was young, so I zipped over to J Crew, shopping all the while, where I cruised for ideas before chancing on a fashion show in the mall and bumped into a fashion blogger who gave me the inside scoop on some of the designers.  Although there was a bit of shopping time left, my feet refused to go any further and back to the hotel I went.  Fatigue and sore feet meant a bag of M&M’s from the mini bar and a cup of coffee from the great in-room machine for dinner that night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Out early the next day and back to J Crew where the lovely Lisa helped me sort through way too many choices.  I walked out with jeans, tees, a sweater and a J Crew credit card….very dangerous!  Clearly I did not restrain myself as my purchases necessitated a trip back to the hotel to drop my finds before I could head  out again to see what other damage I could do.  Fortunately I was lured away from the stores to explore Pike’s Market, always a must when I am in Seattle.  I dodged a few fish as I strolled past.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also spent a few minutes watching a life-size chess match

….pretty much like watching paint dry but it was a lovely day and I hated to go back in.

 

 

 

 

 

A few more purchases – travel robe and pyjamas from Nordstrom; ballet flats from Banana Republic; brilliant turquoise lucite drop earrings (Norstrom again;) and another trip to the room to drop the day’s haul; rest my feet; and decide where to go for dinner.  Looking for a pub type meal took me into a place called Von’s…. which turned out to be a well known Seattle landmark specializing in slow roasted meats and special drinks.  With some skepticism, I ordered a pulled pork and coleslaw sandwich with fries…

…seriously, meat and coleslaw in a bun??  Turned out to be a heavenly combo….and very filling!

 

 

 

 

My final day gave me time to pick up the dress I had ordered and squeeze in the purchase of a black boyfriend jacket (again, thanks to the knowledgeble Krystal at Norstrom) before heading to the airport.  Here’s the sum total of my hard core shopping trip.  Talk about satisfying….