A weekend getaway... to Vegas!

Happy almost-weekend, everyone! This past weekend, I drove four-and-a-half hours to Las Vegas to meet up with some Seattle friends, Brittany (a roommate from college) and Erin (who I met at Britt's wedding last year). They were in town to see a Garth Brooks concert and when Brittany told me about it a few weeks ago, I didn't want to pass up the chance to revisit Vegas or catch up with an old friend, even if it did mean driving almost 600-miles roundtrip, alone, in my beat-up car. (We both happily survived!)

It was a quick-but-completely-awesome trip, from Friday night to Sunday afternoon, and ever since getting home I've been recovering, working and battling a cold that I thought was getting better but struck back with a vengeance last night. Turns out Brittany and Erin have also had colds since Tuesday, which means we all must have caught the bug in Sin City. Even still, I'd say it was totally worth it!

These were the girls to go to Vegas with. We spent most of our time dancing, drinking, shopping and all-around being girly. Absolutely no gambling. In my book, that's the way to do Vegas up right! We even went to a "show." But more on that in a minute...

I'd like to share a few more pictures and stories, if you'd like to see and hear...

We stayed at the Trump International Hotel, which is located on the northern end of the Strip. We had a fabulous suite on the 57th floor with a kitchenette (not that we really used it; room service, on the other hand, we took full advantage of), a couch that pulled-out into a queen bed (which I slept on), and a view of the Strip! You have to imagine this view all lit up and glamorous at night time. Of course the only problem with being on one end of the Strip is you have to cab it everywhere! But at least we didn't have to hike all over Vegas in our heels, either.

And I can't forget to mention this. Our room was so fabulous and the bathroom so fancy that there was even a TV in the mirror! Hilarious. Even more so when I turned it on and it was tuned to the Disney Channel.

Friday night we got our groove on at Mix Lounge at THEhotel. The club is located at the top of THEhotel--which is part of the Mandalay Bay-- and this is us on the terrace overlooking all the sparkling casinos. My drink of choice, of course, was a vodka cranberry.

Now, that show I told you about? Well, Erin loves cowboys (and Britt and I really couldn't argue with her; who doesn't love a man in a Stetson?) so on Saturday we went to the Professional Bull Riding Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center! Can you believe it? That's not your typical Vegas activity, but it was actually a good time. (Minus the scarily-steep seating. I have an unnatural fear of bleachers. Don't ask me why, I just do. Practically had a panic attack climbing to our seats.)

The bulls got the best of most riders, throwing them off within a few seconds.

But some cowboys hung on for an impressively long time! Unfortunately, the dude who rode the best was injured when he was finally flung from the bull-- he landed on his back-- but we were told later that the injuries weren't serious. Thank goodness.

Though it wasn't initially my idea of a good time, I have to say I'm glad Erin made us go watch PBR. Like my bestie told me later, how many of my friends can say they've done that?

Later that night, the girls and I went out to LAX Nightclub at the Luxor, which had a much bigger dance floor than Mix and I believe a much younger crowd, too! (The Jabbawockeez and Criss Angel were there, as well.) It was a good time and we didn't get home until the wee hours of the morning... This picture is one I snapped of us still looking fresh faced, waiting at the bar for our first drink.

Sunday morning I took Britt and Erin to the airport and then got on the road. I took this shot while driving the 15, near Hesperia, I think. There was a huge cloud hugging the mountain in front of me, and I later drove literally straight through it. Once I got on the other side, the sky had turned from sunny to dark and gloomy.

When I got home, I literally passed out. There really is no other way to end a trip to Vegas.

There you have it, the recap of my exciting getaway to fabulous Las Vegas. Funny thing is, I have absolutely no plans for Halloween. No costume either. Hopefully I'll get over this cold and make some plans. Till then, tell me what you'll be up to this October 31. And you know what I really want to know: what are you dressing up as?

Snapshots from Vegas

On Friday night, Ashley, Jamila and I danced till our feet hurt at Luxor's ultra lounge, CatHouse.

Getting our groove on at CatHouse. All it took was one drink!

Posing outside Luxor. aka, the crotch shot.

Enjoying a delicious "breakfast" (it was 1 p.m.) at The Cafe at the Monte Carlo. 

Is that Eggs Benedict you spy? Why, yes it is.

High rises and Aria at the new City Center. We browsed the Louis Vuitton inside (Ashley's a fan) and tried on $600 "stunna shades."

Slurping our yard cup frozen drinks. Mine was blue ice and strawberry lemonade.

More sweets. Jamila and I show off our frosting shots picked up at The Cupcakery. Hers: heavy cream with shimmering pink sprinkles. Mine: rich chocolate with white jimmies.

Saturday night dinner at Tacos & Tequila consisted of a heaping of chicken nachos with a chipotle cheese sauce and creme fraiche, and a white peach margarita to wash it all down. So good I'm still dreaming about it.

It was almost time to leave but we couldn't check out Sunday and say goodbye before spending some time at the pool.

Jamila wanted to get some sun. I just didn't want to get burned. You know I have on 50 spf!

Friends and fun. A perfect combination.

Bright lights, Sin City

Vegas, baby, here I come!

So, I'm taking a semi-impromptu trip to Las Vegas this weekend. I say "semi-impromptu" because although I knew about this trip three weeks ago, I didn't decide until, oh, today that I was actually going to go.

(See, things have been very tight financially since the boy lost his job, and the idea of blowing hundreds of dollars in "Sin City" didn't sit well with me. But you know what? I already missed out on the Vegas trip my friends took the weekend before my birthday-- total bummer-- and I don't want to be sitting around this weekend wishing I had gone. So there it is. I'm going.)

I'm very excited not just because I haven't been to Vegas in forever-- I've only been once since I turned 21 and it wasn't exactly a great trip, but that's another story-- but because I will be going with my long lost college roommate, Jamila. (We still call each other "roomie" even to this day!) We lived together sophomore year, put together in the spring semester after things with our other roommates didn't work out, and we have loved each other ever since!

I still remember the day I first met her. I was so nervous because I didn't know what to expect. All I had was a name from the housing office and I wasn't even quite sure how to say it! And in walks the cutest Trinidadian girl (raised in Nor Cal near Berkeley, known by many as a land of liberals and hippies; not to say that's a bad thing!) with braids in her hair and a closet full of colorful clothes. On the surface, we may seem totally different. She is vibrant and outgoing. I'm shy and soft spoken. But we just clicked. We'd stay up nights talking about boys and family and life in general as we each lay in bed. She convinced me that it is okay to wear big, dangly earrings even when your hair is up-- actually, it's better! And I know that even though I haven't seen her in ages (she's been working in Afghanistan and is just back in the states for a vaycay), we will fall right back into our friendship, like we hadn't missed a beat. Fun times ahead!

Circa Christmas 2005. Gosh, I was so much skinnier back then!

Her friend Ashley, who I haven't met, is coming, too. Us gals will be staying at the Luxor (that pyramid hotel below) for two nights and then coming back Sunday afternoon. While they say what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, I'll be sure to fill you in (save any embarrassing stories or photos!) when I get back.

Till then, I hope you have wonderful weekends, too! If you're willing to share, I'd love to hear some of your Vegas stories. Spill in the comments! (I promise not to judge!)

Oh, and I really hope I get to see the "Welcome" sign this time! For some reason, in the three or four times I've been to or through Vegas, I've never actually seen it. How do I miss it? I want a picture of me standing in front!

Also on the to-do list: Take more pics with Jamila! (Which won't be hard to do.) It was so difficult to find a shot of us together (I could only find ones from that Christmas part)! What, did I not use my camera back then? I'm so snappy happy now :)

Toodles!

xo,


Vegas images via we heart it, here, here and here.