Seattlites – this is it.  Go here.  If you’re looking for a massage therapist, you should call on Carissa first. The atmosphere at Clear Awakening is so serene, even though the little house is located in the hustle and bustle of lower Queen Anne. The room was charming – decked out in ice blue, with chocolate accents. Light softly filtered in through the blinds, and the music wasn’t your normal “nothing” music – it was relate-able, sort of jazzy and ultimately relaxing.

Now, my last massage was ages ago (a year?) at Dreamclinic and they’re good.  However, when I first went in, my LMP told me that I’d have to schedule a second appointment because she couldn’t get the muscles in my back to relax enough that she could work with them. This visit was different. If I felt myself tense up, Carissa had a little trick to get the muscles to relax again. I spent the session pulling a little trick I learned from Savasana (a yoga pose) – every time a thought would pop into my mind, I recognized it and brushed it away. I was in sort of a meditative trance (which isn’t a hard state to accomplish during massage) and it allowed me to just clear out my mind-space.

At the end of my session I felt better than I have in weeks – relaxed, rested, but totally clear.  The session was a total investment in my overall well being and peace of mind.  Now if I can just get through this week, I’ll be set! �

To learn more about Clear Awakening, visit their site, or check out the blog (especially this post).

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I showed up and immediately spotted Alix Rose who looked absolutely fabulous in a pair of red ruched skinnies.  We talked for a minute or two, grabbed a glass of vino and were met by Jen – our fantastic tour guide at the Hotel Max.

Alix and Jen!

The food was fantastic.  If you get a chance, try those mushroom dumplings.  They’re amazing.  Red fin is a great place to go for happy hour – with $3.50 wells and a long list of under-$4 beers (and they’re good beers – they have Mothership Whit on tap which is DELISH!).  I met a few TOTALLY cute tweeps, like Charity!

Twitter names were entered into a raffle for fun door prizes and yours truly won a gift certificate for a spa in Bellevue.  Not bad!  Chemical peel SOUNDS scary, but according to Web MD, it’s not a bad idea for fair-skinned ladies.  We’ll see! 

I won a gift card and I smile like a goofball.

Soon, Agent Noir arrived along with Sara of Spun and Jordana from Clutch22.

Agent Noir

Sara and Jordana

You can see my flash was running a little hot.  Birdie needs to buy a diffuser, methinks!

We snacked and yacked and I had a chance to meet Matt Wakefield (who writes at Crap for a Buck – is too funny!) and Amy Hale (who is ridiculously adorable and writes a great eco-friendly blog) just as we embarked on our tour of the hotel.

Amy!

The Wakefields love Spun!

Don’t you think that color looks great on Matt??  I definitely do! 

The Hotel Max has a striking design concept.  It’s very memorable.  About their hotel, they say:

The historical Vance Hotel which opened in the beginning of the 20th century was well-known as a landmark with its neon-lit sign “Vance Hotel” clearly seen in the city’s landscape. In 2005, the Vance Hotel was transformed into the Hotel Max introducing Seattle to an experience of art and luxury combined. The Hotel Max showcases 39 local Seattle artists and photographers, along with nationally known artists.

It’s a tribute to fantastic and lush design, Seattle art and the amazing music scene the Emerald City has to offer.  I could yack about it, but a photo is worth a thousand words, right??

Hotel Max front desk

Sara poses on the 5th floor.

Fifth Floor Jordana - saucy!

The Fifth floor is devoted to Rock!

Each door to each room is one of a kind – with photos of the city’s history, landmarks and charm.  I won’t give it away (here, but you can see them on my flickr!) who lives in that fifth floor hall, but this mini-shrine to Seattle “scene” makes a girl proud of her fair city!

We checked out a few hotel rooms (and their bathrooms…), did a fun interview with Jordana and Clutch22, had a photoshoot in the lobby and a mini-shoot outside the hotel.

They have bathrooms! We're totally into this...

Jordana and Amy survey the scene

Cozy-looking bed, and they feature Seattle artists.

Jordana interviews Alix...

Photoshoot - Hold the Phone!!

Who doesn't like to ride on luggage carts?

Group photo in the lobby

Street Style

It was a successful Tweetup and the Hotel Max was a gracious host!  You can bet this little bird will be recommending these luscious digs to travel-savy friends.  Hell, I live here and I’d love to stay at the Hotel Max (and I may just do that!).  Even if you’re not staying, do check out Red Fin for their fantastic happy hour, tasty sushi, and delicious mushroom dumplings.

Thank you so much to Jen, Scott- the hotel Max’s “Top Dog”, and all the staff at the Hotel Max and Red Fin for inviting us to your place!

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