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Finally I get round to drawing a line under our Pacific Northwest holiday business trip! Sorry for the delay. Blame the jet-lag and the insanely busy week we’ve just had.

Anyway, for my last travel-related post (for this trip at least), I’d just like to catch you up on some other highlights from our stay in stunning Seattle, home of Starbucks.

Right, this’ll be a bit random. First-up, we love this ‘Sculpture Park Pocket Beach’…

It stays pretty quiet, providing a welcome retreat. A bit pebbly but perfect for a paddle.

This man-made beach is also home to some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen…

Oh, to live by the water, sigh. Plus, it looks equally good during the day or at dusk…

Actually, on our last full day, we timed our walk down to the water perfectly, seeing the sun gradually fall away behind Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountain Range…

In the foreground, above and below, exhibits in the Olympic Sculpture Park – really worth a look if you’re visiting – great pieces, with Elliot Bay and downtown views.

We took a water taxi to West Seattle, part of the mainland but the best way to travel.

We crossed in under ten minutes, taking in great skyline views along the way…

On the other side, the views are beautifully framed with green, groomed waterfront…

West Seattle has real sandy beaches, complete with mountain views(!) and an active seal population, apparently. Not to be fed or harassed. Click image to read the sign…

Oh, one last thing I must mention. We checked out some properties whilst there and I couldn’t help snapping this private deck view of Mount Rainier. Pretty cool eh?

We saw so many interesting things in Seattle and during the rest of the trip, I could create a separate blog (but I won’t). I hope you’ve enjoyed some of the highlights.

We’re back stateside again in ten days. First stop, NYC, for the International Gift Fair, then the obligatory hop back to our beloved Boston, for…um…research purposes

Just a very short post to introduce two new members of the Olli & Lime team. Meet mini donkeys Morris and Morris, “the memo’s best friend[s]“, recruited in Portland…

Designed by Yaacov Kaufman for MB, and bought from our favourite stationers, Paper Source, who’ve an impressive (growing) list of locations, some of which we’ve visited.

These beautiful, yet functional, charcoal-coloured memo holders will resdide on our new glass office desks. Oh, one last travel post on the way, then back to reality

Whenever visiting a new city, we imagine living there. What would we do? Where would we eat? Where would we shop? And most importantly, where would we live?

Downtown Seattle condos are pricey but you can get a bargain just a few blocks out. The South Lake Union neighbourhood, just north of downtown, is a prime example.

At the forefront of recent development is Microsoft’s ‘other’ big player, multi-billionaire investor, Paul Allen, owner of the Seahawks, Sounders and (Portland) Trail Blazers.

Allen has reportedly invested over $200 million of his own money in the area (as at 2005). Whether motivated by philanthropy, capitalism or megalomania, who cares?

The area is certainly on the up. South Lake Union Discovery Center is the best place to check out what’s happening. If you’re in the area, I recommend paying a visit.

If only for the interactive replica of downtown Seattle (above) and other scale models. I love this kinda stuff. Hope the condos are designed with equal attention to detail.

Back to the neighbourhood. It’s clearly not quite finished yet but a dedicated Streetcar is running, there are further development plans and a lake-side park is well under way.

One of our stockists, Tottini, is also based there; the reason we took the short trip from downtown. We popped in to say hello and enjoyed a very warm welcome.

Oh, I must mention Velocity Art & Design, just a couple of doors up. They stock some of our non-baby stuff online and in store. A very cool shop, well worth a visit.

Back to the question, would we live in South Lake Union? Um, maybe. Though not quite there yet, it will happen and now seems a good time to buy. It’s a possible

We’re definitely not ones for following the tourist path but, as time is short, we decided to take in some of Seattle’s more obvious attractions. Here’s a quick action replay…

I tackled the Space Needle solo due to Karen’s vertigo issues. Not cheap but one of the better viewing decks. Lots of gadgets and info, plus great views of a great city.

Though we could have walked from our hotel, we took the monorail over to the Space Needle, both built for the 1962 Century 21 Exposition, AKA the Seattle World’s Fair.

100+ year-old Pike Place Market is home to an eclectic mix of traders, most bizarrely (I thought) a fish market where staff routinely hurl three-foot fish across the counter!

It was also home to the original Starbucks store, before they relocated, a block away. Check out the visual branding, which is presumably more akin to the original look.

We also took the Duck Tour, which initially felt like a mistake but turned out to be fun, if not hugely informative, and we did see parts of the city we otherwise wouldn’t have.

We watched our beloved Red Sox beat the Mariners. Great ballpark, with way more comfortable seats than we’re used to! Good timing, as the Sox lost the next game.

We haven’t just been doing ‘touristy’ things! Much more to come on everything else we’ve checked out. First though, we’re off to explore this fine city some more

As we hop from city to city, we can’t help comparing. Thought I’d go through some things immediately apparent about Seattle. First though, here’s where we’re staying.

Right, it’s a big city. The population is almost identical to Portland and Vancouver; it just has more of a big city feel. Bigger buildings, more traffic, more of a buzz about it.

The shopping is better. More big-brand names, more independents too. There’s just more of everything. I’m sure if we were in Portland, we’d probably come here to shop!

It’s edgier. I guess coming from Vancouver and Portland it’s unfair to say it’s dirty; it’s no dirtier than most large cities, but it does have that dusty, big city, alive, edgy feel.

There’s more water. An obvious one, but the implications are what’s important; an overt connection, influencing industry, attitude, getting around; all aspects of life here.

Overall initial reaction; an impressive, cool, vibrant city. And we’ve only dipped our toes in. Hmmm…we need two more weeks, rather than the few days we have left

Whether we return to the city or not, and I’m almost 100% certain we will, one area will leave a lasting impression on us, Portland’s capital of cool; The Pearl District.

Like most cities, Portland has experienced an economic slump. But ‘The Pearl’ is thriving. Bustling cafes, bars and restaurants, flanked by well-planned park spaces.

This district, northwest of downtown, is home to much of Portland’s creative arts community. Converted warehouses neighbour ultra-modern glass and steel towers.

Industrial warehouses were built from the late 1800s to store goods transported to Portland by rail. Evidence of this former function has been thoughtfully preserved.

These buildings now house Portland’s priciest condos/apartments and it’s easy to see why. The condo we viewed on the top floor of this R-H building had 26ft ceilings!

The upshot is, if we come back we’ll stay in the Pearl. There’s even a chance that it may be for longer than just a holiday. Plenty to consider before then so we’ll see

Public parks are plentiful in Portland. One of our favourites so far is Jamison Square, an oasis for young families, perfectly placed in the heart of The Pearl District.

Central to the park is a wading pool, which fills via water jets, then recedes in a timed cycle. This provides endless amusement for tiny tots and parents. And us, actually.

The park is flanked by expensive condos, plus some great cafes and restaurants. We’ve been to this place a couple of times. It has a really cool feel inside and out.

They serve great fresh food, local brews, traditional cola and lattes with a creative twist. Oh, and an impressive range of delicious cakes, freshly baked every day.

There are two baby stores in close proximity, on NW 10th and 11th Ave, either side of the square. Both are well placed for passing trade from parents frequenting the park.

Little Urbanites is a cool place for kids clothes, toys and gifts. Posh Boutique is a well-established Portland entity, with a big selection of modern bedding and décor.

And Jamison Square isn’t just for kids and families. This guy brought his, seemingly unfazed, cat along to watch the fun unfold. And I thought cats didn’t like water.

All in all, Jamison Square is the perfect place to be on a warm summer’s day

Of all the US cities we’ve visited, Portland has the best public transport by far; Max Light Rail, Portland Streetcar, commuter rail and bus, all under the TriMet banner.

So what makes it so great? First, it’s free within the centre. In fact, nobody seems to pay a fare outside the free zone, perhaps why the tickets say “Welcome to Portland”.

It’s on time. Clear digital displays tell you when the next Streetcar is on its way and sure enough, it arrives when they say it will, thanks mostly to a lack of city traffic.

It’s all above ground. This means you get to see where you’re going and where you’re coming from, which is great when you’re trying to get your bearings in a new place.

Even further above ground is the Portland Aerial Tram – or cable car to you and me – which gives some incredible views of the city…and Mount Hood, the closest peak.

This modern, efficient and clean service runs specially for OHSU staff to get to and from the Waterfront…many of them residing in recent condo developments below.

One negative is that the Streetcar, which we have used the most as it fits our route, doesn’t run very late. Though with a bit of planning this isn’t much of a problem

A diversion from our ‘travel diary’, courtesy of Olli & Lime customer Elizabeth, of Burlington Township, NJ, who’s just finished kitting-out a nursery for daughter, Kate.

Elizabeth sent in these great pics of her beautiful baby girl and an Olli & Lime nursery featuring our George design bedding, alphabet wall mural and George/Billie wall art.

Elizabeth kindly says “I have been so happy with your products. I have had so many compliments on them.” That’s what we like to hear! Thanks so much for sharing