Tag Archives: vegas

The Train Is Back In The Station

Just returned from about 3 days in Vegas.

This is the third year in a row that we’ve gone in early December. We love it and it’s great to see Sin City decked out in holiday bling, but I must admit that it’s a hard time of the year to be away from home even if it is for just a few days. I thoroughly enjoyed myself, but I was thinking about the 150 Christmas cards that needed to be addressed {that I was SUPPOSED to get out before we left} and the baking that I need to start and the gift for the sweet boy that I need to get together for Jay to put under his work tree…

But the Vegas craziness is behind us and we can now refocus on the holiday hustle & bustle.

I must report that Jay ROCKED the Rock N Roll half marathon which was held after dark this year ~ pretty awesome, but pretty crowded.

Lining up in his corral

It was cah-ray-zee!

If you’re an elite runner or take your running seriously, you probably don’t want to run this race. This is more of a fun, wear a tutu, get married along the route kind of race….we ARE in Vegas after all. Jay really tried to beat his PR, but with the amount of people on the course, it was difficult.

And only in Vegas will you see a caged tiger at the starting line…

*****

And a visit to the strip wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the new{ish} Sugar Factory.

A fun place to visit at least once.

Loading up on gummy dinosaurs…

Not too soon after this, you could find him alternating between sips of milk and a gummy….parenting fail or not??!!??

Oh and the tooth fairy flew into town, found our hotel and slipped a few dollars under Elliott’s pillow…

It was quite the 3 days!

A huge THANK YOU to my sweet in-laws for meeting us over there and celebrating with us.

*****

I missed you all and promise to post regularly now!

Starting on my holiday goodies SOON and have a couple Pinte{recipes} up my sleeve for this week.

Happy 40-sumpin’ Birthday to my other half today, too.

Love you, babe!

XO

Hydrating

I’m bad at drinking water on a daily basis.

When I run or workout, I drink LOTS.

But the “8 glasses a day”…..not so good at it.

I need to hydrate and carb load the next couple days….that’s what the seasoned runners do. 😉

I tried this little pre-race concoction and it’s delish:

Cranberry Pomegranate Emergen-C

+

Vitamin Water ZERO Squeezed {lemonade}

=

Cold fighting, energy boosting, nutrient rich beverage!

Now to get the regular H2O stuff in my body, too!

On another note, I have a pain in the neck. Must’ve tweaked it last night in my sleep. I have to do the whole “turn your entire body” thing when I drive because my neck is so stiff! Ugh….heating pad where are you?

Could be worse.

T-minus 2 days and counting!

DEEP breaths.

Hopeful

I’m so glad Jay decided to run the Santa Clarita Half Marathon yesterday.

{He’s actually in this pic in the back of the pack}

Not only am I so proud of him and his time, but it also got me excited for the Vegas Rock & Roll.

Yes, I may have bitten off more than I can chew considering I have never even done a 5K.

And yes, I should have maybe joined a Team In Training group instead of “training” myself {hilarious, I know!}.

But I know I can do it.

I have 4 hours to complete the 13.1 miles.

Yes, I have done the math and that is an 18 minute mile.

My {goal} is to maintain a 15 minute mile throughout. That will put me at 3 hours and 15 minutes. I got some good insoles. The course is flat. It’ll be chilly. I think I can do it.

It will be close, but my goal is just to finish and get my paws on that medal.

After the morning of December 5, 2010, I may never want to run another 10 feet in my life or I may want to sign up for the one here in SC each year.

I won’t know until I TRY.

Please someone tell me that once you hear that gunshot signaling the start and are amongst the crowd, in the heat of the {half marathon} moment, that you find the will to keep putting one foot in front of the other…narrowing the 13.1 down to 12, down to 11 and so on. The spectators, the bands, the glory of finishing MUST take over and carry you through when you think you cannot go on, right?

Hoping the “runner’s high” hits me HARD!

I am hopeful that all things will come together and I will step on that pad, be proud of my time and be changed forever.

Racing For Rosettes

With my newfound love for making rosettes along with a sweet woman who stopped me and complimented my novice work, I decided that I am going to spread awareness and try to raise some money for CCFA. Next month’s Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & 1/2 is benefitting the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Of America.

{Did I mention that I am attempting the half…key word ~ attempting!}

I am rolling rosettes like mad and am going to be giving them as a thank you for those who would like to make a donation.

With each $5 donation to CCFA, you will receive a large rosette of your choice to add flair to just about anything…

a simple ribbed tank

a tee

a hat

a scarf

a handbag

a throw pillow

a Christmas stocking

They certainly make an ordinary, everyday casual outfit pop!

I will have some pins, magnets, headbands and I also have one pair of raspberry maryjanes {size 10 ~ they run small} with 2 zebra rosettes on each.

{I cannot take credit at all for these darling shoes…I saw them here and fell in love! Then I spotted them on clearance at Target and grabbed a couple pairs to experiment with. They turned out super cute!}

I made some hair clips, too:

I also picked up some bangles and took some rosettes and a glue gun to them:

Elastic headbands:

{back}

Refrigerator magnets:

*****

I apologize for this post being all over the place, bad photos, etc. but I just wanted to share my fundraising attempts as fast as possible!

Several people have stopped me and asked about these rosettes, so I figured I’d just glue them onto anything that isn’t nailed down and carry them around and when someone asks, I can pull them out and see if they’re interested!

Wouldn’t hurt, right?

If you’re local and want to check them out, contact me and we can meet up.

If you’re afar, let me know and we can work out some payment and shipping arrangements.

I will be in SD for Turkey Day so I will be pedaling my wares then, too! 😉

Thanks for looking and let me know what you like/don’t like…I just made a bunch of stuff not knowing what will be a hit and what won’t. I’m flying by the seat of my pants here!

So, start your holiday shopping and benefit CCFA at the same time!

Many thanks and much love!

Perfect Celebration

We’re back from Vegas…

it really was the perfect celebration.

Starting with this delivered to our room just minutes after arriving:

A sweet {and bubbly} gift from two of my girls in Nor Cal.

Thanks, Mel & Linz ~ it was the ultimate surprise to kick off the weekend!

I was introduced to Bahama Breeze many moons ago while visiting my bestie, Dee, in Orlando. I was hooked…there is a location in Vegas. Let me just say that thanks to my bro-in-law I discovered the West Indies Beef Patties this time around and….um, YUM! The Jerk Chicken Pasta is also a must.

{Pineapple-Coconut Martini}

Birthday Breakfast:

We spent the afternoon of my b-day at the pool. The weather was gorgeous. I literally laid on the lounge chair and did nothing. It was stupendous. Jay took Holden to the room and bubbled in parlay cards with U-Rod and Lola and Elliott swam. I didn’t have to keep an eye on anyone, take anyone to the bathroom or fill a sippy cup for several hours! MAGIC I tell you….

Jay and I went to a “fancy dinner” at Mon Ami Gabi. I have walked by this bistro a gazillion times…envious of all who sit up along the strip out on the patio sipping their wine and enjoying French cuisine! Now it was OUR turn. I insisted we sit outside even though the wait was almost 2 hours.

Oh man….

we slurped French Onion Soup and slathered warm brie with honey and roasted garlic onto fresh baguettes. We sipped {more} wine and viewed the Bellagio water show every 15 minutes. We ordered out-of-this-world entreés ~ Lemon Chicken Paillard and Steak Roquefort. We chatted. And sipped. And took it all in. We enjoyed a “Joyeux Anniversaire” cream puff compliments of our sweet, ever so pleasant server.

You have got to try this place.

Seriously.

A meal to remember.

After dinner, we strolled back into Paris and noticed a lounge band…I love me some Vegas lounge music. They were doing current Lady Gaga stuff and taking it back old skool ~ running the gamut. I decided we’d set up shop and sit…who needs an expensive Vegas show when you have these guys?

I was a total cheeseball and went up to request a song from the DJ during the band’s break.

Uh, how can you NOT dance to the song you requested…

“California Girls we’re undeniable

fine, fresh, fierce we got it on lock

West Coast represent

now put your hands up

Oooooh Oh Oooooh”

Oh YES I did!

I may have even danced with a 21 year old guy in bunny ears and pink glasses for a brief minute.

We stayed out ’til 2:14am! I was so impressed….

And as if keeping an eye on the kiddos for well over 12 hours wasn’t enough, my in-laws treated the family to Lion King. It was amazing and Elliott loved it…and so did Holdy until he fell asleep right before intermission!

Such a special treat.

We finished off our Saturday evening with a trip to Serendipity3.

We skipped the frozen hot chocolate this time, but it is a must if you ever visit this little gem of a place!

The kiddos held up very well. We visited M&M’s World and, might I add, that place is ridiculous and not at all kid friendly. How much m&m paraphernalia can they produce? Apparently enough to fill like 4 stories! Oh. my. word. I’m good with my 68¢ bag of m&m pretzels from Wal-mart.

But the kids had a great time at the New York, New York arcade, Lion Habitat, pool and just being spoiled by Lolo and Lola!

The. Perfect. Celebration.

Everything I LOVE about Vegas minus the buffets and crazy pool parties!

Thank you to my family for celebrating with me first class all the way.

And I LOVE that I came home to my sunflowers looking just as gorgeous as when we left…

40s lookin’ pretty darn good!

*****

“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth.”
{William W. Purkey}

Joie de Vivre

In 15 days we’ll be on our way to Paris, Sin City…

I envision macarons, brie & baguettes.

Croissants & pan au chocolat.

Wine & more wine.

{I’d better pack my New Balances!}

I love {to the zillionth power} this picture!

It was taken in Paris {again, the hotel in Vegas not the European city} 9 months ago when we were there for Jay’s fortieth.

*****

Looking forward to entering my 40s with a bang and a {hearty or carefree enjoyment of life}.

Joie de vivre.

Look out 40….here I come!

Spoiled

Mmmmm….

Starting my Friday out by striking a match and taking it to a tea light under some Pumpkin Nectarine home fragrance oil.

The ceiling fan is spreading the scent throughout the house.

Fall is definitely in the air.

*****

In 6 weeks from today we’ll be in Paris for my 40th!

Well, OK…this Paris, but I am SO excited:

{photo source}

A HUGE thank you to my sweet father-in-law for arranging this!

He may or may not LOVE Vegas.

It’ll be trés magnifique!

*****

{mcclaincycle.com}

Also, Jay bought me my beach cruiser. Should be here next week!

Been wanting one since my carefree days of living in Pacific Beach back in college.

If I could just reminisce for a moment…

My best friend, Denise, and I lived in a, we’ll just call it “beachy slum”, 2-bedroom apartment just steps from Mission Bay.

I used to wear a pair of brown clogs around the place because I didn’t want my feet to touch the NASTY carpet and she’d make fun of me.

We would try to catch cockroaches under plastic tumblers.

The front door was hollow and I don’t believe was intended for a FRONT door….bedroom door maybe.

Oh my…

I think the rent was $600.

We split it 3 ways, but I had my own room so I paid a little more.

Oh my….

those were the days.

I used to help Dee do bra and CD inventories, but that’s a whole different post for a whole different day.

I LOVED living in this little rundown triplex.

So many memories.

So long ago.

SOOOOOO different from life as it is today.

And I wouldn’t change ANY of it for the world.

Thanks for letting me go back and remember times past!

Now, where was I?

Oh yes, the bike…it’s an early b-day gift from my sweet and generous hubby.

I cannot wait to lay eyes on it.

Now to look for a fun helmet to compliment the beachy, Hawaiian feel.

Thinking about embellishing whatever helmet I find with a little bling…

Planning some fun family bike outings as Jay also just purchased a 2 seat trailer for the back of his bike. This year we’re planning on enjoying the holiday lights at Griffith Park on bikes. I’ll have to figure out how to drink my salted caramel hot chocolate and ride a bike at the same time!

Oh, the joys of living in So Cal….

I truly am spoiled.

*****

The happiest of Fridays to you!

6 Months And Counting

In exactly 6 months from today I will be forty.

GULP!

Ten years ago I celebrated my 30th in Vegas. Man, 10 years ago!

A lot has happened in that time…lots and lots of major life changes:

Traveled lots for work, met Jay, bought a house, got 2 dogs, got engaged, got married, had a baby, moved to Nor Cal, sold a house, bought another house, had another baby, moved to LA county….

Looking forward to what the next 6 months bring before I hit the big 4-oh.

Lord only knows what goodness will come in the next 10. Excited to find out!

Here are a few shots from my 30th in Vegas:

{Me, Alisah, Noreen, my sister Becky & Shannon}

Funny thing…about 4 years after this pic was taken, Jay bought me the same cheetah cowboy hat while we were in Vegas at a company function. How I would love the zebra cutie now, too. I wonder if it’s still there at The Rainforest Café almost a decade later? Adore animal print ~ but in moderation!

Anyhoo, in 6 months I look forward to celebrating 10 more years in some capacity like I did in Vegas in ’00.

The countdown has begun…..

13.1

OK…I’m putting it out there so I have NO excuses.

I am planning on signing up for the Las Vegas Rock N Roll Half Marathon on December 5, 2010.

We were in Vegas last weekend when this was going on. I thought, “If The Biggest Loser peeps can do a FULL marathon, then I can certainly do a half with almost a year to prepare, right?”

So, there you have it. It’s out there and now I HAVE to do it!

Maybe I should ask for these from Santa this year:

nike-air-max-running-shoes13.1 miles…here I come!

Peppermint Brownies tomorrow ~ I promise! (Had to commit to the half-marathon first!)