Train Travel

We're traveling via the 'ol Railroad today to start our vacation. Granted, this railroad has wifi and we're sitting in business clas, so a little different from the "classic" train.  We're heading to Portland for a mini vacation; really just a few days away from everything to relax, take a break and pretty much do nothing except eat, drink and quietly compare everything to Seattle.  That's pretty much what a vacation is all about, right?

We took the 7:30AM Amtrak train this morning, leaving from King Street Station:

But the real treat is inside......

King Street Station

The King Street Station originally opened in 1906, and a restoration was just completed in April of this year; truly a sight to see.  The ceiling used to be hidden by acoustical tiles (see here) which were removed during the restoration to reveal the incredible detail you see in that picture. (More info about King Street Station restoration project here) 

Union Station

We had to make a quick Starbucks run before boarding and got to pass Union Station on the way, which I've heard is equally impressibe inside.  We'll be passing through on the way back so we'll have the opportunity to see for ourselves.

Narrows Bridge

Once on board the train, we settled in to our spacious Business Class seats and relaxed to take in the impressive scenery.  Above you see a shot of the Narrows, we tried for a shot of Mt. Rainier as well but it just didn't want to turn out.

Golden Tidbit:

Although not available for purchase (at least not the original), there's only one appropriate tidbit for today's rail post; the Golden Spike driven at Promontory Point. 

Golden Quote: "Railway termini are our gates to the glorious and the unknown.  Through them we pass out into adventure and sunshine, to them, alas! we return." -E. M. Foster

Prada Perfection

Have you been shopping lately? I have and Resort/Cruise Collections are out in full force.  Pastels (particularly mint green & pale pinks), Whites/Neutrals, graphic prints and..... neon (yes, still).  Sidebar: I'm all for neon as workout wear; high visibility is important:

Puma Windblock hoodie, on sale for $70 right now; I have this and LOVE it

This leads me to my point today.  I have been on the hunt for the perfect purse lately, and have been waiting for my current one to fail me any day now.  Resort collections do NOT help to find the classic black perfect purse, but offer a plethora of orange, teal and pale pink.  Not exactly classic. I'm at the point where I'm ready to make an investment in the right piece, I just have to find it. Correction, I have found it but Prada is not quite on my level yet, so here we have the original idea and the attainable possibility:

Retails for about $1700 @ Bergdorfs

Retails for about $230

Anyone who's ever searched for the perfect purse knows this is the struggle; ideal vs reality.  But I digress. Since Resort season is upon us, let's talk vacations.  Where's you're ideal getaway? Maybe just a weekend, or a true 2 week decompression trip, what helps you relax?
For me it's Sonoma, but I'll take a solid day of wine tasting in Woodinville in a pinch.

Golden Tidbit:

There are a lot of things that you should pack for vacation, but sunglasses are the #1 must-have. These Gold Helene Aviators from Banana Republic fit the bill perfectly! ($98 and come with a leather case)

Golden Quote: "No matter what happens, travel gives you a story to tell." -Jewish Proverb