Daily Latte ♥ With Miss Au

Being a Starwood member actually has its perks once in awhile!

The first time was in Zhong Shan , China where all my requests prior to arrival were granted! Including Starwood Member floor only..(Separate post to follow later)

This time, I was offered an exceptional rate to stay at The Nines, Portland!  Being in central downtown..directly across the pioneer square and attached to (First three floors) Macy’s department store…why not? After self-valet parking one block away, I entered the lobby.. stopped to stare at the Philippe Starck like chandelier and finally taking the cool elevator to the fourth floor reception. Immediately, I was welcomed by beautiful sheer curtains and hanging art..I looked up to the screaming ceiling and started to take in the historical atmosphere of the once Meier & Frank Building (http://www.thenines.com/history).

My hungry tummy reminded me of my goal and I quickly headed to the Urban Farmer restaurant to make reservations for dinner..you will know why later in the photos.

Hotel Features:

• BeeKind toiletries by Gilchrist & Soames.
• Top floor Departure restaurant and bar (The place to be seen in Downtown Portland)
• Best modern steakhouse : Urban Farmer
• Frank Sinatra Suite

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The birds eye view of the Urban farmer restaurant….perhaps taken from the Frank Sinatra suite?

The pretty sheer curtains.

The chic superior room

Urban Farmer

Tender Pork loin..just right.

Delicious Cream Spinach side

Couldn’t resist! Back for Breakfast the next morning!

Fresh dungeness Crab Meat Omelet

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More about The Nines: http://www.thenines.com/

Become a Starwood member: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/

Niyama meaning “spiritual observances” ….the newest luxury resort addition to the honeymoon heaven Maldives.

Contemporary, vibrant and stylish sets the tone for Niyama consisting of 86 studios and pavilions.

Features:

• The first 24 hour Spa in Maldives
• The world’s first underwater night club
• Offshore “Floating” restaurant only accessible by boat

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Check out the beautiful photos below!

Hmmm…slightly reminds me of W Maldives?

More on Maldives: http://www.visitmaldives.com/en/news_posts/78

Vera . Wang

The dream wedding dress…nothing but Vera,Nothing! *Nods to self*

Apparently, we are lucky enough in Vancouver,BC to have one place carrying Vera’s collection: Blush Bridal. Thank God!

And Thank You to lovely Vera, there is now a more price-conscious line “WHITE” at David’s bridal…simpler but equally stunning!

More Vera: http://www.davidsbridal.com/Browse_White-by-Vera-Wang

Just last week,I purchased my first digital piano and since that day..WOW.  I truly feel like I’m “flying to the moon!” I can’t be happier! Just like what my marketing 101  professor said , “After taking this course, you will see the world in a completely different perspective!”  I think it perfectly applies to what I am feeling right now… Happy. Lighthearted. Positive.Spirited. Hopeful.Loved.Blessed!

Confucius’s saying: 无欲速，无见小利。欲速则不达，见小利则大事不成也 ( roughly translates to “haste brings no success; haste makes waste; more haste, less speed.”)

Just like any dream wedding or success in life, I must walk towards it step by step without haste

Credit:Bvlgari

I recently started reading “Getting the most out of Life” – by Derrick Sweet. Its extremely light reading giving positive advice, I would recommend to students and especially young adults who have just graduated. This book brings the reader back to the real simple things in life, real simple…LAUGH  for no reason! Set time aside for yourself everyday for self reflection and understand yourself and your decisions….and  how people are often having an internal struggle with their lower self.

The introduction:

“What you’ll discover in the following pages may not be necessarily be new — in fact, most of it is thousands of years old. You might say, in fact,that what you’ll read is just common sense. Unfortunately, what may be considered “common sense” is seldom commonly practiced.”

I specially enjoy the small exercises the author encourages readers to try. It makes me think..stimulates me

growing = learning

Just came back from a weekend trip to Seattle

This time my bf and I decided to save some bucks for shopping (Amazing exchange rate!!) and opted for the Holiday Inn Express downtown, a roomy king suite with flat screen TV and an over-sized shower head, free hot breakfast with cinnamon rolls,scrambled eggs,bacon and free wi-fi… not bad not bad.

The premium outlets had some good deals, especially Calvin Klein (clutches,lingerie,shirts) and Kenneth Cole (shoes,belts).  Downtown shopping was also a surprise, Macy’s had great deals on brand name shoes and wonderful customer service also. Nordstorm was fun..reminded me of Holt Renfrew but much less intimidating…i wonder why.

As for dining, our first meal was happy hour at Thoa —- a Vietnamese fusion fine dining restaurant. It was right beside the waterfront and the pike place market. We enjoyed the happy hour menu, edamame beans,pot stickers, spring rolls and the original Vietnamese french style pork sandwich. It wasn’t amazing but it was refreshing. The decor is really pretty, rice paper lanterns and paper umbrellas filled the ceiling and thatch umbrellas just covered over-sized booths.

The first night we headed to the super busy Toulouse Petite, an escape for adults, restaurant and open lounge layout, described as the best happy hour menu in the nation with 75 choices at $5. A raw decor with lots of wood and a vibrant bar scene.

The second night, we made our way to the famous “The Georgian” at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel but to our disappointment they didn’t serve the restaurant week menu on weekends. The decor is simply elegant, with Victorian style lounge chaise chairs, screaming high ceilings garnished by gleaming chandeliers….a definite indulgence.

A short stroll to the waterfront was torturing experience with the harsh wind beating at us and slapping our skin from all directions. Nevertheless, we made it to the crab pot and within half an hour we were seated without a reservation. We chose the Westport on the menu and was surprised by the original freshness of the crab legs, corn  and mussles… a must to complete the Seattle experience .

To end our trip, we enjoyed a scrumptious Sunday brunch at the Palisade Restaurant at the Marina, a must if you have the time. Excellent attentive service, excellent crab mahi mahi and Kobe steak, excellent dessert—-the chocolate creme brulee!! hhHHHMMMm goood!! And a fantastic view of the marina and downtown Seattle.

Touring the city in our smart was a great choice… compact parking spaces were never a problem. Overall, it was great…a stay of 2 or more days…visit the 24 hour metropolitan market for groceries and fine wines

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