Viva Las Vegas - Part Two!!

EF and I woke up, wondering why it was so bright in our room... The fact that it was 11:30 am in the middle of the desert may have given us a clue.  It was Friday... And we were in Vegas!!

Friday

EF and I decided to order room service from Vdara... That way, we could get ready for the pool while we waited.  Thirty minutes later, EF and I were smelling like coconuts and our brunch was on our table:

  
Vdara's room service was delicious!!  They have some really fun, contemporary dishes... They make their own kettle chips (you can see them next to my club sandwich in the pic) and they are to die forrr!!!  I tried some of EF's mac-n-cheese, and it was fab too.

I wore my Beach Bunny swimsuit and caftan my mom bought me for my birthday.  It is my favorite swimsuit of all time!!  I saw a girl wearing the same suit, only in black... It was cute, but there's just something about the tan lace against the coral... It's so summery!! 

We spent the day at Wet Republic - the "ultra pool" at MGM Grand.  Basically, it just has lots of music, usually a DJ, and different kinds of events like celebrity appearances, bikini contests, and guest DJs.  It's kind of like a club during the day.

One of the nightlife websites in Las Vegas, Spy On Vegas, was hosting a "Hot 100" contest at Wet Republic.  Our friend EM took 3rd place!!  She is so gorgeous, it was no surprise to us!!

After playing in the pool all afternoon, it was time to get ready to meet Ms. Holly Madison!!!  Okay, I know a lot of people have mixed reviews on her... I realize some people disapprove of her relationship with Hef, her posing in Playboy, and her being famous for "taking her clothes off".  I'm not going to argue against your opinions, I'm just going to tell you why I like her...

I first started watching Holly on the show The Girls Next Door.  She was my favorite because she likes old movies, she loves animals, and she has a huge heart for everyone around her.  I've seen every episode of TGND, and I truly believe she was in love with Hef.  She completely melted when she was around him, she put a lot of thought into surprising him and giving him gifts, and she was truly bothered by the fact that her and Hef weren't married.  Since then, I have become a huge Holly fan because of her charity work for animals, her honesty regarding her body image issues, and the immense devotion she shows her friends.  I think she's a really genuine person who has created an image or brand, and is taking it all the way to the bank.  She probably couldn't become a millionaire from being a chemical engineer, so why criticize her for making her millions the way she can??

Okay, now that I'm done with that little rant... :)

On our way back from Wet Republic, EF and I stopped at CVS so I could get a few things to finish a little project for Holly.  I had taken one of the blank calendars from Archiver's scrapbooking store, and I decorated it with all the reasons I think she's awesome.  I got the basic idea from the little book I made my ex on Valentine's Day... There's just something about being reminded of why people love you and have your back. 

The first page of the calendar I made Holly...

It's a cute gift idea for anyone!!

EF and I also stocked up on bottled water, and I bought a hideous sundress so I wouldn't just be wearing a bikini and cover-up for my walk back to our hotel!!  I wish I had taken a photo to show you... It looked like it was made from a grandma's old 1970's couch.  

The view from our room... Vegas at night!!

I love the lights... The city looks like it's sparkling!!

After showering and primping, EF and I were off to meet Miss Madison!!  Planet Hollywood sells tickets for a meet-and-greet with Holly.  You go into a theater with about 20 people, they pour each of you a glass of champagne, Holly comes out to toast you, and then she takes photos with each person and signs a photo for you.

EF and I... We could not wait to meet her!!

EF and I with Holly... She is so sweet!!

 Her skin is absolutely flawless in person... 

And whoever said she was getting big is CRAZY. 

She is so tiny!!

 EF and I posing by one of Holly's posters.

After meeting Holly, AB picked EF and I up, and we all headed to XS.  We had VIP passes for XS as well, which proved just as valuable as the night before... We were whisked through all the lines in less than a minute.  XS is a truly beautiful club... It's extremely large, and surrounds a glowing pool.  My friend from waaaay back in undergrad, CB, works there.  She was working Friday, and it was so good to see her, even though she was busy and I was only able to see her for a second!! 

I found these photos online... We didn't take many photos this night!!

We put these flowers in our hair at the club like two little senoritas!!  :)

And... This is when we came home :)  Goodnight/Good Morning, Las Vegas!!!

Vegas Tips: 

**Don't bring any type of gum, mints, etc. to the "ultra pools" in Vegas.  They are really strict about drug use, so they search you and your bags and take anything that could be drug-related.  I felt kind of robbed... They took my kleenex, band-aids, mints, Powerade, and anti-bacterial hand wipes.  They aren't messing around, and they throw everything away, so don't risk bringing it!! 

**Drink a LOT of water if you visit the pools.  It's easy to get dehydrated and people often drink alcohol at the "ultra pools" so they are dehydrating themselves even more.  Don't risk being THAT girl who is drunk and sick by 3 pm.

**Remember to eat!!  It's so easy to forget that you're hungry when you're out in the sun and playing in the pool... All of a sudden, Erika and I realized we were starving!!  We wanted to eat a horse by the time we got back to our hotel!! 

**Take your camera everywhere!!  You never know when you'll see a celebrity, and you want to remember to take photos of you and your friends too... It's easy to forget to take them once you start dancing and having fun!!  

OOTN: Going Out in Vegas - Night #1!!

Makeup Used: 
Chanel Matte Lumiere foundation
Physicians Formula Mood-Boosting blush
Sephora Collection Sun Disk bronzer
MAC Paint Pot in Dangerous Cuvee
MAC eyeshadow in Unflappable
MAC Plushglass in Ample Pink

What I'm Wearing:
Studded, ruched dress by XOXO
Studded heels by Vince Camuto
Shoulder-sweeping earrings from Icing
Chain-detail ring by Kenneth Cole
Random mixture of gold bangles

Enjoy!!

Xoxo B.

Viva Las Vegas - Part One!!

This past weekend, EF and I made the trip to Vegas for a once-in-a-lifetime girls' trip.  EF and I have been friends for over 24 years - our entire lives.  Most of that time we have been unhealthily obsessed with Britney Spears.

So when we found out Britney's Femme Fatale tour was coming to Vegas, we knew it would be a fantastic opportunity for a girls' trip.  I asked my mom about the trip, and she agreed that I could go because I got an A in one of my law school classes.  (This was a huge deal to me, because I'm not someone that just flies through law school without studying... It takes A LOT for me to get an A.)  I got a great deal on a flight-and-hotel-combo through Expedia, EF and I found tickets, and we were on our way to Vegas, baby!!!

Thursday: 

My flight got in earlier than EF's, which turned out perfectly because I forgot all my skincare products - typical Brittany.  I was able to check into the hotel early - thank you, Vdara!! - and put away a few of my things before venturing out to find a Sephora.  I came back, got a bite to eat at the hotel cafe, took a nap, and started getting ready.

Finished product... Ready to go out!!!

(OOTN vlog coming soon...)

EF's friend who lives in Vegas (EM) picked her up at the airport and brought her to our hotel so EF could change before we went out.  EM, EF, and I went to the nightclub Tryst.  We had VIP passes, which are COMPLETELY worth it if you go to Vegas... You are whisked to the front of every line, without question.  Instead of wasting any of your time standing in line with your 5-inch heels killing, you'll be already in and on the dance floor!! 

Tryst was SO beautiful inside... A glowing waterfall,

trees and ferns, and a pool.

The glowing waterfall behind us!! 

EF, EM, and I!!

We had so much fun dancing ourselves silly... We loved Tryst!!  I would definitely recommend it if you're planning a trip to Vegas... It's beautiful inside, and you'll feel like you're at a little tropical island!!

We made friends with a group of British people... They were hilarious, making us laugh with their impression of Americans and their curiosity at Vegas and things like bachelor and bachelorette parties.  We kept asking them to say things like "Harry Potter"... I think I have at least five recordings on my phone!!  :)

When we left the club, we shared a cab ride with one of the Brits who didn't want to stay out as late as his friends.  We told the cabbie we all wanted to see the wedding chapel from The Hangover and he got really excited, and promptly drove us there... Asking me if I had gotten a marriage license earlier that day.  Hahahahaha!!!  That's where our "brilliant plan" began... We all got out of the cab, and our British friend and I posed in front of the chapel.  If you follow me on Twitter, you might have seen my tweet about 4 or 5 am, proclaiming "Just got married"!!!  I know it was a mean trick... But you can all rest assured, eloping to Vegas will not be part of my wedding plans!!!

The cabbie thought we were absolutely hilarious; he laughed the whole way to our hotel.  EF and I said goodbye and ended up crashing in our hotel room just as the sun was coming up.

A Few Vegas Tips: 

**Buy bottled water to keep in your hotel fridge so you don't have to pay the astronomical prices the hotel charges.  It's important to stay hydrated - Vegas is a desert, and any alcohol will dehydrate you even more!!   

**Stay with your group... Stay within each other's sight, even while dancing or going to the restroom.

**Don't drink too much... It's important to stay responsible and be aware of your surroundings.  When you're coherent, you're able to recognize creepers or warning signs.

**It's common to share cabs when it's late and everyone is trying to get back to their hotels... Before you get in, tell the cab driver exactly where each of you are going so that he makes sure each person gets out at the right spot, and each person pays their fair share.

**Carry cash!!  Some of the cabs don't take credit cards, and they don't always tell you when you first get in.  Also, don't forget to tip... All of our cab drivers in Vegas were super nice and very cheerful, so we were happy to tip them!!

Vdara Hotel Room Tour!!

A quick tour of our room at Vdara Las Vegas!!



http://vdara.com/

Xoxo B.

Beauty From The Inside Out!!

One A Day VitaCraves Gummies (multi-vitamin) - $7.99

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/one-a-day-vita-craves-co...

Borba Products:

See Elle Fowler's (AllThatGlitters21) video on Borba products:
http://youtu.be/CqRwPPmEyCA

     

Bridal Bliss!!

I am in the midst of packing... And unpacking... And packing again.  My house is a bit chaotic.  Where there's not piles of shoes and clothes, there are piles of homework and papers for my FIT class.  Ever since I got back from the Hen Party in SD I feel like I am going, going, going... Drowning in a never-ending list of to-do's.  But when my friend SL invited me to come help her choose a wedding dress, I didn't even hesitate!!

Last Friday night I got about two hours of tossing, turning sleep... Long story... But bright and early Saturday morning I was on my way to help find The Dress!!  SL only lives two hours away, so it wasn't a long drive... Nothing that a bottle of Crystal Light water and some Twizzlers can't fix!!  :)

I was a bridesmaid in one wedding before, but I've never been shopping for a wedding dress with the bride.  I was so excited, but I didn't really know what my role was (besides seeing various episodes of Say Yes To The Dress, I had no clue).  Little did I know that my role would be "Girl Tearing Up While Friend Stands in Wedding Dress"... Yes.  I cried.

SL's first appointment went perfectly... The boutique was beautiful, clean, and cool compared to the muggy, 85-degree day outside.  SL's mother, grandmother, and I sat perched on a comfy couch with flowery pillow, waiting for the dressing room curtain to open.  SL tried on several dresses, and all of them looked gorgeous on her.  Then the attendant put the veil on her.  All of a sudden, I wasn't looking at my friend playing dress up... There was this grown-up, stunning woman standing in front of me!!  SL's mother had tears in her eyes, even SL started to get a bit teary-eyed!!  It was obvious - the fact that SL was getting married had just hit us.  It was an incredible feeling.

Although SL remained partial to the first dress she tried on, we went to her second appointment to try on a few more dresses.  The second boutique ended up providing entertainment rather than potential dresses.  I don't think they had the air conditioning on at all, and they put SL and I in a room the size of a tiny linen closet!!  And if you have ever tried on a wedding dress, or helped your friend try one on, you know there is not room for two people and several 10-pound dresses in a linen closet.  The attendant was running around a bit, so I helped SL try on her dresses, and the attendant demonstrated how I should lace the back of her corsets.  Oh. My. Word.  At one point, I was crouched on the floor under SL's dress, trying to figure out where the crinoline was caught up at.  I finally figured it out.  Let's just say SL and I became very close friends that day.

A few dresses later, I was attempting to lace up the back of a dress that had at least four of the loops for the laces missing.  I kept trying to get the laces straight and keep the corset even, but it wasn't working... Underneath the hot lights of the dressing area, sweat was starting to run down my temples.  SL said, "Wow.  It is REALLY hot in here."  I leaned to her side and said, "LOOK at me!!!"  We immediately burst into laughter (probably the fifth time during our hour there) and the sales girl kept coming over, slightly nervous... "Is everything okay?!"  Finally, SL decided enough was enough... She knew nothing would compare to Dress #1.

We went back to the first boutique, and SL tried on her top 2 dresses for our little audience, which now included her sister and best friend.  It was when she tried on Dress #1 again that I lost it... She just looked so absolutely beautiful; she truly glowed when she had the dress on.  I could envision her walking down the aisle of a cavernous, Catholic church... I could see her fiance at the end when she took his breath away... It had to be this dress!!  And it was... we could all see it.

A few transactions later, SL had her dress, her veil, she had chosen a bridesmaid dress, and we had ordered 3/4 of the bridesmaid dresses.  It was a very successful day. 

Congratulations on finding your dress, Miss SL!!  It is going to be a beautiful, beautiful day.  :)

Xoxo B.

Note:  These photos are NOT SL's dress, shoes, or bridesmaid dresses... And I will not be posting photos until after the wedding, promise!!  All the photos came from weheartit.com. 

Scrapping With The Stars!!

Thursday - Day 1

Every year, one of the "hens" guides us in making a project or two the first day.  Our first project was fairly quick and simple... A few pieces of scrapbooking paper and a stamp put into a frame with a white board marker velcro-ed to the side to turn it into a message board!!  It was a really cute and useful idea... And it put everyone into the scrapbooking mood!!

Our friend CH heard me saying that Mom was about to shank me... And she said, "What did you say?!"  Apparently the term "shank" is used a little differently there... It's a rather naughty slang term!!  Of course, this followed by me asking CH to tell me more naughty British slang... A few of which I shared on Twitter :)

 

Our next project took the rest of the morning... It was a long, narrow calendar to track all your friends' birthdays.  We used scrapbooking paper, stamps, markers, and colored pencils to decorate the pages of each month.  October was my favorite!!!

We had a delicious catered lunch - beef brisket sandwiches, cole slaw, BBQ baked beans, and fresh fruit salad.  For dessert, we had these delicious chocolate cupcakes the caterer made.  Mom and one of the hens made each of the cupcake holders out of paper on a Cricut machine... They spent hours putting them all together!!  Everyone was talking about saving them to put in their scrapbooks, they looked so cute!!

Mom and I made up little leopard print treat bags for after lunch with Ferrero Rocher and Godiva chocolates, Orbit gum, and little notepads to stick in a purse.  We even found big, blingy cocktail rings at Dillard's... Which we thought were perfect for all our STAR hens!!  :) 

After lunch some people finished up their calendars or worked on other projects, and some of us started getting ready for the photographer to arrive that afternoon!!  The photographer did individual shots of each of the "hens" and even a few mother-daughter shots... Then did some group shots.  After that, my mom had the photographer do a separate session with me... We took photos out in the fields, on the rocks,  and next to my Dad's woodpile.  I can't wait to show you a few of them when they're done!!  I think everyone felt like "stars" after we were done - there were two women who had never had professional photos taken - so that was really cool to see them go through the process and enjoy themselves.

After the shoot was over, I think we were all near starving!!  We had a catered dinner that night - stuffed mushrooms, sweet potatoes, lemon basil chicken, and green beans almondine.  For dessert, the caterers had made this delicious yellow cake with a touch of pineapple inside.

 Myself and two of the hens!!  

Can you tell I was thrilled to get my PJ's on?!  

I had them on before dinner even started!!  :)

I think this was the night some of us decided to watch "Easy A".


Friday - Day 2

Every morning, we put out cereals, fruits, and different bagels and English muffins for breakfast.  It's so fun and relaxing to have breakfast in our PJ's every morning with each other... None of us expect to look beautiful, we just like to chat and start our day.

The second day of the Hen Party always starts with free time... Some people go hiking or walking, some stay at the house to work on projects, some go to the local boutiques and wineries, and some venture out even further to go on trail rides or visit the local tourist attractions - Mount Rushmore, Bear Country, crystal caves, etc.  Everyone gets lunch while they're out or has something quick and easy at the house. 

One of my relatives and I love going hiking... So this year, we decided we would tackle a mountain we've never hiked before!!

It was a little chilly that morning, so we bundled up and packed Kleenex... But it definitely didn't stop our eyes watering  and noses running the whole time!!  About halfway up, we came upon this little meadow, full of these adorable little yellow flowers.  We decided to be a little silly and take a few photos there... Please excuse the no-makeup-watery-eyes  :)

We kept hiking, and walked to the other side of the mountain. (Bluff? Peak? Is that a better word?)  We loved being able to see for miles... It was so, so pretty.  And even though there was more wind at the top, the sun was finally shining a little more, so we weren't cold anymore.

We hiked back down, had a quick bite for lunch, and started getting ready for the evening's festivities!!

This limo came to pick us up and take us to a ballroom dancing class in a city nearby!!  When we got in the limo, we passed out little aqua bags of gold-wrapped wedding mints and aqua-colored Sixlets.  There were bottles of chilled champagne already in the limo... Perfect to get us loosened up for our dance lesson!!

Mom and I at the dance studio!!  We were so excited, can you tell?!

Our dance instructor and her husband, who demonstrated each dance together before they taught it to us!!  They were adorable, and were really great teachers!!

After our dance class, we went to Delmonico Grill in downtown Rapid City for dinner.  We had a private room upstairs (anyone knows that hens + wine = lots of loud story-telling and laughter!!)  We had never been there before, but it was delicious.  If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend.  We started with a few appetizers - baked brie, bruschetta, and calamari.  I ordered the field greens salad with raspberry vinaigrette, and the tenderloin medallions and wild-caught gulf prawns with asparagus.  It was perfectly done... We were all stuffed when we got into the limo that night!!

A shot my mom took of the inside of our limo on the way back... 

There were lots of stories and laughing the whole way home.  :)

Saturday - Day 3

Saturday was our "Jammie Day", where we stay in our pajamas all day!!  It was a good thing, because I had forgotten about a paper that was due for my FIT class, and I was up most of the night finishing it.  The caterer brought breakfast - French toast, bacon, sausage, and fruit garnished with mint!!

After breakfast, we had our Close To My Heart class and made these adorable birthday pages:

Then it was time to start on our projects again... I got so much done this day!!  I was thrilled... Here's a quick look at what I accomplished... (Please keep in mind I am very behind on my scrapbooking!!)

A road trip to the Black Hills after my sophomore year in undergrad with my friends.

The second set of pages in my Black Hills layout.

My sorority sister's 21st birthday party... Right before my junior year of undergrad.

My friend's wedding... This one was kind of hard for me to do, I debated on it so much because her husband passed away in March.  But my mom encouraged me to do it; she said it's part of my life, and I should document those memories as I would have if I scrapbooked the day after their wedding. 

 

The second set of pages in the wedding layout.  Even though their wedding was four years ago, I feel good about making the pages.  It made me remember how happy we all were that day  :)

Saturday afternoon we did another Close To My Heart scrapbook class!! 

At the end of Jammie Day, we always pile into the TV room and watch a good, girly movie.  This year's movie - because it combined dancing, glitz, and glamour - was "Burlesque"!!  Most of the women hadn't seen it, and ended up loving it!!  We all had the songs stuck in our heads, not to mention the image of "Jack" holding that box of cookies!!  ;)

All in all, it was a very successful Hen Party!!

I can't wait 'til next year!!


Xoxo B.

Hen Party 2011

If you don't follow me on Twitter, you might be wondering why I've been so MIA lately... We just finished our 10th annual "Hen Party" - an all-girls scrapbooking retreat at my family's lodge in South Dakota.  My mom started the tradition with two friends from England and a relative who all enjoy scrapbooking and crafts.  At first the party was just a few friends, getting together for a day of working on projects... But as the years have gone by, the event has turned into sixteen women who work on projects and enjoy catered dinners and themed activities for three full days!!  Everyone waits to get their invitation to that year's "Hen Party" in the mail... The photo below is our invitation from this year, complete with printed itinerary inside.  This year's theme??  Scrapping With The Stars!!

Our colors were Tiffany blue, chocolate brown, gold, and leopard print!!  Of course, when Mom and I got manicures and pedicures a day before the event started, we had to get China Glaze's "For Audrey" on our nails and toes!! 

A photo of our lodge... And the beautiful, blue, South Dakota sky behind it.  The thing I love most about being at the lodge is the crisp, clean air with almost no humidity... And the fresh, pine smell that lingers outside during my walks and inside around the house. 

I wasn't able to come to the 2010 Hen Party because I was doing my internship, but the year before (when I was finally deemed a "hen" and was able to fully participate) I had certain little duties to help get ready.  This year, one of my duties was to decorate the bear bench in our entryway... He's one of the first things our guests see when they arrive, and he just has to look cute and cheerful!!  This year, I decided he should be decked out with teal/aqua flowers and a glitzy star around his neck  :)

Our main eating area next to the kitchen has to have two extra tables added to hold all the "hens"!!  We added simple Tiffany blue plastic tablecloths, gold placemats with silverware tied with leopard ribbons, and blue and gold sequins and confetti sprinkled in the middle of each table.  I found the aqua and gold candles and mirror circles at Hobby Lobby and decided they would look festive as little centerpieces.   

I made these gold, glitzy stars with the names of all the hens and Mom and her friend tied them to the chandelier with aqua and gold ribbons. 

One of the guests gave Mom this floral centerpiece as a hostess gift... It was so bright and cheerful, it was a treat to look at while we had breakfast, lunch, and dinner!!

One of the smaller tables and a close-up of the cute leopard ribbon Mom used to tie the silverware.

Our guests from England and our guest from Texas usually fly in the night before the Hen Party.  Then the rest of our guests arrive the next day, which was Wednesday this year.  Wednesday night we had dinner catered for the hens, most of whom had been driving all day!!  We had mandarin and cashew salads, chicken Oscar, asparagus, French bread, and raspberry parfaits for dessert.  

Then we all go into the fireside room for our kickoff... We popped open champagne and played a quick Hen Party trivia game, then passed out our t-shirts and slippers!! 

After another t-shirt company flaked out on the t-shirt color, I ended up designing our t-shirts last minute!!  I made the t-shirts on CustomInk.com... They were so helpful, and were able to complete the totally-custom shirts and ship them out within the week.  I think they turned out absolutely perfect!!

We give out slippers every year for then hens to wear around the lodge!!  We usually like to be comfy during the party, so the slippers are a necessity!! 

Each year, Mom gives the hens a little trinket or two... Since this year was our ten year anniversary, it was a bit more special.  Everyone got these cute little personalized bags from Thirty-One...

I found these Vanilla Orchid hand lotions in leopard-print tubes... And Mom found the little gifts from Tiffany & Co.

The necklaces were so pretty and delicate.  They fit our theme perfectly... The tiny Tiffany blue heart, and really, where else would a "star" shop for her jewelry?!  ;)

After everyone opened their gifts, we talked about the plan for the next few days.  One of our British friends CH, who is a fantastic storyteller, told us some hilarious stories and re-enacted some of her hilarious adventures with our other British hen LW.  Once most of us were tearing up from laughter, we went off to get some rest for the next day.

I'm going to separate the Hen Party posts into two, so it's not too much at once!!  I'll post the next Hen Party post tomorrow... Stay tuned!!  :)

Xoxo B.