Stumbled upon

We were walking around Chinatown in Portland when one of the children suddenly realized they had to go to the bathroom - "NOW".  In Atlanta, that is an annoying yet solvable problem, because there are bathrooms available in every store.  However, in Portland every store has a sign on the door that says, "No public bathrooms - Don't even ask"  (probably due to the large homeless population.) 

So, we went from store to store trying to figure out what to do.  Finally I realized I was just going to have to make a deal.  We walked into a restaurant and I said to the hostess, "Can I pay you to let her use the bathroom?"  The hostess was a little taken aback and mumbled some words as she pointed to where the bathroom was.  I don't think she quoted a price, but as we were coming out of the bathroom discussing what size tip to give her, we realized how good it smelled in the restaurant.  Instead of handing the hostess money, we asked to be seated. 

They had some unique food, and it turned out to be a really cool place.  Of course, we weren't able to eat much of our dinner later, but at least we got something yummy for our bathroom fee.

New York shops and restaurants

Not only are the people in New York amazing to look at, so are the shops and restaurants.  They offer fabulous products but are also artwork in and of themselves.  The level of detail in the decor is amazing.

One evening, my friend Elizabeth and I walked into All Saints (which has some great clothes - not cheap - but deconstructed and unique).  I was delighted by the wall of old sewing machines.  I also thought the sales girl looked great, so I took a picture of her in front of the sewing machines -

Then, we went into Madewell.  I really like their wall of old records -

After I took this picture, I got shut down.  Evidently, these super cool New York stores don't want anyone to copy their decor ideas.  I'm more of the mindset that Viktor had on Project Runway last night when someone informed him that he was being copied.  He said he didn't care, because he could do it better. 

So, I had to take the rest of my pictures from the outside.  I'm not sure what the point of the skeleton is, but the wall of photos at this Kiehl's store is cool -

And I love this chandelier on the rusted beams  -

Here is a shot I took from my lap in a restaurant that did not allow photos (Elizabeth made me do it) -

I won't reveal the name of the restaurant (because I don't remember it).

The names of this restaurant and tea house are clever -

Everything about the Standard Hotel is creative - from the plaid vests on the waiters -

...to the hotel rooms up above -

I hope you don't have to walk up all of those stairs to get to your hotel room.

And here is how they dress the bell boys.  It is very "current" -

Chelsea Market is a corridor of food shops set in what was originally a biscuit bakery -  

They have maintained a lot of the original fixtures and architecture -

The Chelsea Market shops feature unique items like chocolate balsamic vinegar, flavored milks, and these cupcakes -



Then, of course, in New York you can always find stores with more selection than you've ever seen in your life.  Sunglasses -



...scarves -



...and hats -

There are fascinating little details everywhere -