As a very little girl, 5 or 6 maybe, I remember being mesmerized by TV ads for the Bon Marche (sounded so exotic) and a magical place built somewhere off the I-5 called South Center Mall. I guess that was the beginning of my fascination with the city of Seattle. Spending a few days across the border with my mom and sisters was a rare and wonderful treat and made back-to-school shopping a much anticipated event.

I’ll never forget the Louis Feraud Paris coat I found in a little boutique downtown for about 95% off! It made the massive tension headache I got from driving the 2 hours from Blaine to 3rd St with the e-brake on all worthwhile. OK, I was 16 with a new license and didn’t know highway driving shouldn’t feel like giving birth.

Over the years I’ve expanded my knowledge of Seattle to include not only great shopping spots but fantastic places to eat, drink and people watch. I always have a good time with my girlfriends, one big advantage ~ being able to share driving duties : )

First stop is to one of several Haggen stores between Birch Bay and Everett. This is where we pick up a few bottles of red so we have a little something to sip upon arrival at our hotel. The selection is excellent and the prices make me want to weep. Most are close to one third what we pay in Canada! It’s so not fair! Yes, I love my wine (but that’s another story). Look for the green and red logo on the signage at most exits.
No need to mention the two outlet malls along I-5. The parking is plentiful, the stuff is not always the best deal and there are few flirting opportunities available. Enough said.

One of the prettiest restaurants in the city is the Icon Grill in the heart of Seattle at 5^th and Virginia. An easy cab ride from most hotels allows you to put on your sexiest heels and cutest LBD (jeans are fine, too) and be surrounded by the pink blown glass creations from some of Seattle’s best artists. The atmosphere is funky/gorgeous and the food is Upscale Comfort and well-priced. Appetizers and desserts can easily be shared. Happy Hour is Monday to Friday 4-6pm but get there early as the room fills quickly. Make a reservation if you plan to go on a Friday or Saturday night.

After dinner, if you want to keep the night going, walk over to one of the venues in the area like Jazz Alley www.jazzalley.com for live music or Noc Noc www.clubnocnoc.com for a chance to dance.

Both places serve excellent drinks and have good atmosphere. Not great if you’re with a group of friends who need to talk though, and sometimes that’s the whole point of a girlfriend getaway. So, in that case, I would recommend heading off to Black Bottle wine bar on 3rd. www.blackbottleseattle.com

Black Bottle is a cool place, minimalist décor with a fair drinks list and menu items made-to-order fresh from sustainable ingredients. If you come early after shopping in the Belltown area it’s possible to try a selection of the many inventive tapas and still have time and money left for clubbing later. I like the fact that you can grab a table and hang out and chat comfortably without feeling like the management wishes you’d move along. Open noon until 2am.

Shopping with a bunch of girlfriends anywhere only works when you all realize finding something specific you really need is so not the point.That’s called errand shopping and best done alone. Shopping with more than one woman is about the impulse buy, that little revealing find that’s out of your comfort zone or the shoes way above your normal price range but that all your friends insist are the real ‘you’. It’s about the fun of discovering new boutiques and designers and walking for miles drinking lattes and feeling like you have the whole day to share your stories and laughs. It’s about running across a great sale and everyone buying the same item in six different colors. It’s about feeling connected.

That said, here are a few places I like to check out just to warm up my batteries.

Every girlfriend trip to Seattle should include a pop into Nordstrom’s Rack at 3^rd and Pine. Be prepared to search through a ton of ho hum stuff just to find the hidden gems. The shoe shop on the 2nd floor is almost overwhelming but when you score here you score big and leave happy.

2nd Ave from Pike to Belltown is one long stretch of quirky boutiques, art galleries and trendy shops. Try Polite Society at 1924 1st Ave for a mix of chic designer labels and affordable accessories.

I’ve been thinking a lot about Seattle all week.  Usually this starts to happen about once a month when I’m feeling particularly…vulnerable.  Seattle’s my ‘Calgon, take me away’ lifesaver, if that makes any sense at all.  It does to me.

I’m actually feeling more serene now…like I’ve just gone on a short vacation!  When I take off on the real one I’m gonna want some company.  I need to find a good blues hangout.  Who’s in?