SEX AND THE CITY 2!!!

Since my girlfriends and I left the theater after the LAST Sex and the City movie, I have been PRAYING for the next movie to come out. May 27, 2010 my wish was granted!!



In Ms. Bradshaw-spirit, three of my girlfriends and I got together for our self-awarded Movie of the Year. We decided to reserve tickets at one of Marcus Theater's "CineDine" theaters...

Image Courtesy of Marcus Theaters

I LOVED the CineDine theater!! It was great to have reserved seats for such a PACKED movie. We sat down, got our menus, and ordered. We were served within the first twenty minutes of the movie, and our dinners were all surprisingly great, especially for movie theater food!!

Image Courtesy of Daily Mail, UK

As for the movie itself, I loved it. I loved the fact that the girls went to an exotic destination for this movie... It made the setting and the clothing more interesting. I thought there were a couple cheesy scenes that weren't as well done (karaoke scene??) but I thought the movie was GREAT overall!! It made me want to pack up all my best girlfriends and take a vacay in Abu-Dhabi!!!

After the movie E, A, and I went to a nearby bar for martinis... Then A and I went downtown to a club that was having "Moroccan Night" in honor of SATC2!! We sipped on "Flirtinis" while sitting in cushioned areas draped-off with colorful silks and glowing with little Moroccan lanterns... It was the perfect way to celebrate SATC2!!

Flirtini
From Drink of the Week

Ingredients

1 oz. Vodka
2 oz. Champagne
2 oz. Pineapple Juice

Directions
Combine vodka, Champagne, and pineapple juice in a highball or collins glass filled with ice. For a party multiply recipe and mix in a pitcher.

Makes 1 cocktail.

Enjoy!! Xoxo B

A Long Weekend in Vegas...

A little Las Vegas review.... :)

As one last "hurrah" before my internship begins, I went to Las Vegas for a long weekend. I've been to Vegas several times now, and here's my take on it... Yes, the promotions for clubs and less-than-classy pool parties can get annoying and old after a while, but there are not many places where you can shop at Louis, Chanel, AND Louboutin before catching "Phantom of the Opera" and maybe a midnight meal (and NOT the fast-food kind). Vegas is based primarily on the service industry... You can be treated like a queen and feel completely pampered if you're willing to pay the price. While I have trouble justifying SOME of the spa services, tables at clubs, and show prices, I can't ignore the fact that while so many places in the US have allowed their standard of customer service to slide, Vegas has not. In fact, their economy depends on it.

(The standard room at Red Rock)

I stayed at the Red Rock Resort and Casino (off the Strip) for the first time. I thought the rooms at Red Rock were great... Very comfortable, contemporary, and open. I liked being able to look out my window and see the canyons and the Las Vegas Strip in the distance. Red Rock felt more relaxing to me than hotels on the Strip... A little more quiet, HUGE pool area, and various activities to break up the club-club-club agenda such as a movie theater, bowling, and the hiking trails through the canyons behind the hotel.

The pool area at Red Rock was SO much fun... And it's HUGE!!

The lobby bar area... The crystal chandelier was absolutely breathtaking.

I thought Lavo nightclub inside the Palazzo was a gorgeous club... Very "decadent", just like the rest of the Palazzo!! The only setback I noticed was how CROWDED Lavo got... It's one of the smaller clubs and as more and more people packed in, it became a little more difficult to dance without elbowing or backing into someone.

The gaming floor at Aria in City Center.

I absolutely could NOT wait to see the new "City Center" because I had seen commercials for Aria!! City Center didn't disappoint... It is both massive and gorgeous. In addition, it seems to have SO much within it... Great nightclubs, great gambling, great restaurants, and great shops. Everything is brand new and very open - nothing about City Center felt crowded!!

While at Aria, this little beauty caught my eye!! I thought it was very fitting that I play the SATC slot machine just DAYS before SATC #2 was released!! :) The slot machine was so cute... I loved playing the little games that require the user to "pick a ring box" or ""pick a bag". I think Ms. Bradshaw would approve!!

Jet!!

I liked the music better at Jet than Lavo, and the dance floor definitely wasn't as crowded. The bartenders were more friendly, and they love to let you try the different shots and drinks they've created. There was a VERY diverse crowd... You couldn't really categorize the type of people that Jet attracts. Overall, I would probably go again, but there are better clubs in Vegas.

**I found all of these photos online!! I didn't want to lug my camera all over with me!!

Black Hills Hiking Trip!!

When my law school professor extended an invite to all his students for his annual hiking trip, it was NOT my typical activity... But yet I was interested. As an eternal girly-girl who has a bad habit of occasional "ditz"... I have always felt that I've been put in a category upon first glance or first meeting. But not many people know that I have a passion for cars of all types or that I like target shooting with my dad. I like challenging myself by trying new things or doing an activity that I normally wouldn't do... So I viewed this proposed hiking trip as a new challenge, one that had some physical benefits as well!!

Then... my professor announced that the hiking trip would be moved to the Black Hills of South Dakota, which is also where my family's lodge is located. A different type of workout, the ability to see my mom on Mother's Day, and an excuse to stay at my family's lodge (which is honestly the most relaxing place I have ever been) were ALL I needed to sign up for the hiking trip and start buying my hiking gear at Scheel's the next day.

NOT cute... But VERY comfy!!

So... The day after Erika's graduation party, my good friend Sarah, a lovely girl from our law school who I had not yet met - Jaci, and I left at the ungodly hour of 6:30 am. Nearly nine hours later, we reached the Black Hills...

The night we arrived (Saturday) we unpacked and had a complete girl's night: pizza and "Sex and the City". The next morning we woke up around 6:00 am to get dressed and have breakfast... It was Mother's Day and my amazing mother deserves THE WORLD - - (she came to my house for TWO WEEKS during finals to help me out, then drove - with ALL our puppies, no less - to our lodge so that she could spend some time relaxing with my friends and me) - - So it made me feel SO happy to be able to give her a big hug and watch her open her Mother's Day gifts!!

Then... Dressed in LOTS of layers to keep warm, we left the lodge to meet up with the rest of our group and drive to the start of our hike. We drove to Custer State Park and began our hike at the stunning Sylvan Lake. If you've never been, the Black Hills are truly gorgeous... Acres and acres of gorgeous pine trees, mountains, and possibly the freshest air you will ever breathe.



After a lot of inclines and declines, snow, and even some fallen trees for about three hours, we were MORE than grateful to stop right before the peak to eat our packed lunches on a rock ledge!! After climbing about 15 more minutes, we reached the top!! In a word, it was BREATHTAKING... I felt like we could see for MILES... We could even see the back of Mt. Rushmore. The best part was looking down at where we came from... And feeling SUCH a sense of accomplishment from coming the whole way.


And as for a workout... Hiking was a great way for me to get outside and switch up my normal routine. If you're looking for an amazing way to target your thighs and behind, try hiking!! We hiked for SEVEN hours... And definitely felt the effects!!


After a four-hour nap, we had a home-cooked dinner in our pajamas. And for dessert?? "Bumbleberry" pie, vanilla ice cream, and "Gone With the Wind" :) We were SO thankful for the time to relax and unwind...

"Bumbleberry Pie" - So delicious!!

When Monday started out with a rain/snow mix, the rest of our group decided to go sightseeing by car, and get ready to leave early Tuesday morning. Since we were so comfy at the lodge, WE spent all of Monday sleeping in, making late-brunch breakfast burritos, and curling up on the couches by the fire and watching movies. (Would you believe that it was my FIRST TIME watching "Dirty Dancing"?!)

Tuesday was our sightseeing day... We started at Mt. Rushmore, which is one of my favorites because you can just FEEL that all-American spirit as you walk around!! It was dreary and rainy... But we made the best of it and checked out the museum at the foot of the mountain.


After grabbing lattes at Mt. Rushmore, we drove to one of the original "Wild West" saloons in Keystone, SD. The saloon is a little piece of the old gold mining world of South Dakota... Being inside the Red Garter Saloon just made me want to put on a dress with a bustle and throw a big feather in my hair!!


Our last stop was the Chief Crazy Horse monument (which is still a work in progress) outside Custer, SD. I was first amazed by HOW MUCH there was to do in the "welcome center" - we watched a movie, looked at a Native American art gallery, walked through the gift shop, visited the sculptor's studio, and even had a late lunch at a restaurant there.


Here are 4 amazing things that everyone should know about the Crazy Horse monument:
1. When it is completed, it will be the biggest monument IN THE WORLD.
2. All of Mount Rushmore could fit into the head of Chief Crazy Horse.
3. The sculptors and Indian chiefs who have commissioned the monument have turned down $10 million donations from the federal government - TWICE - so that taxpayers aren't forced to contribute to the monument.
4. The "Native American Taco" I ate for lunch at the Falling Waters restaurant was quite possibly the best thing I have ever tasted!! You MUST try it!!!


That evening, my father arrived at the lodge for a quick trip home in the States. It was SO great to see him and my mother for a few days... And I think both the girls agreed that this laid-back vacation was JUST what we needed after two weeks of stressful law school finals!! Verdict = success :)

Miss Erika's Graduation Party!!!

After 2 weeks of law school finals, I couldn't wait to attend a graduation party for my best friend of 23 years!! Erika lived across the street from me from the time we were born until we went off to college... Ever since I can remember, Erika and I have shared everything from Barbies to secrets to trips all over the world.

I thought and thought about the perfect gift for a friend who has been in my life for so long... And finally decided on a Pandora charm bracelet. For those of you who have not yet experienced the fantastic addiction that is Pandora... The company offers a variety of glass, wood, silver, and gold charms and beads that can be mixed and combined to create the perfect bracelet or necklace.

(Images Courtesy of: pancharmbracelets.com)

A Pandora shop recently opened nearby (trouble, trouble) and since my mother had been staying with me during finals to cook, clean, and encourage me to study, Mom and I ventured out to Pandora so I could put together the perfect charm bracelet for Erika. I started with the basic silver bracelet, and found three adorable charms: a big silver heart with a clear crystal in the center (Erika has a HUGE heart, and hopes to become a children's counselor), a silver dangling graduation cap, and a ring of sparkling pink crystals for a little "girly-ness"!! The thing that I liked most about the idea of a Pandora bracelet is the fact that friends and family can give Erika charms for events and holidays in the future - and for an affordable price!!

(Images Courtesy of: pancharmbracelets.com)

To finish Erika's gift, I ordered her 2 dozen of my FAVORITE frosted sugar cookies - From Eileen's Cookie Co. Of course, they HAD to have pink frosting with white frosted 'E's!!


It felt WONDERFUL to dress up and do my makeup!! Few people realize that during law school exams, every HOUR of studying counts, showers must be scheduled, and I am thinking about studying even while blowing out my hair!! Needless to say, I was beginning to feel like the "old Brittany" as I steamed my new Lilly dress and cardigan... And even MORE like the "old Brittany" as I blasted some Britney remixes on the way to Miss Erika's party :)



Erika's boyfriend hosted her party at his home... All our close friends were there, and it felt fantastic to laugh, enjoy dinner, and take photos together. I had forgotten the comfort and safe feeling of a small hometown as Erika's family and I shared memories together... When you grow up in such a small place, you become so familiar with those you go to school with, those you go to church with, and even the people you see each time you go to the grocery store or the bank. Talking with all of them was like going home and seeing the street between our houses, our grade school playground, and the many adventures of high school.

At the end of the evening, I returned home to finish packing with Sarah for our hiking trip the next day... Departure time = 6:00 am!!!

"Do you think she just woke up one morning and said, 'I think I'll go to law school today'?"

Professor Callahan's reaction in "Legally Blonde" was not much different than most people when I told them I was going to law school...

I have always been a bubbly, outgoing, girly-girl... As the daughter of a dance teacher you can imagine my life growing up: dance lessons, cheerleading, and even dancing with the Illinois Ballet Company. Needless to say, sports and academics usually took a backseat to anything art or dance-related.

I began thinking about going to law school around the end of high school. I had developed a strong passion for the fashion and beauty industry - only made worse with trips to Paris, London, and Milan. But I was at a huge crossroads: Should I go into a career that I LOVE but is risky... Or should I follow a career path that is interesting to me, but stable??

Well... I am just finishing my FIRST YEAR in law school... And let me tell you, it has been quite the ride. There are days I cry, days I laugh, days I am so stressed I could (and sometimes do) scream, and days that I am so thankful because I have met some truly amazing people in law school. I have been debating on creating a blog for most of this year... And I finally decided to do it. I want to share my experiences (both in school and out of school) with you... I want to give my inner fashionista an outlet... And I want to learn from you!!!

So... Here goes EVERYTHING!!!

Xoxo Britt