Souvenirs and memories

One thing I didn't mention in my Las Vegas post, was some of the amazing "souvenirs" I came home with (thanks to my boyfriend. He likes to spoil me).

1.) The pink sundress was found at our resort's gift shop, and is the perfect comfy piece to throw on during a hot day with no fuss! It's also a great cover up to wear to the pool. My boyfriend surprised me with it after he ran down to the gift shop to grab me some aloe for my slight sunburn. That was an incredible afternoon in our suite (after getting back from a long day out), relaxing and drinking champagne, talking about anything and everything, and even laughing at cheesy SyFy channel movies on TV, before getting dolled up to go out for dinner and our final night on the town. So, there are really nice memories attached to this dress.

2. ) The white dress is my very first piece of clothing from Bebe, a store I used to wander into when I was about 15 years old, all the while getting snobby looks from the sales women. I probably didn't look like I was actually "in the market" for anything at that age...but still, that rejection sort of stuck with me. This time, however, we were given lots of attention from a nice, "flamboyant" gentleman who worked there. Steve had seen this dress about 3 times in the window display over the course of the weekend, and finally just pulled me into the store saying, "I'm buying you this" (we were already a bit buzzed from the champagne we'd been drinking in the room all afternoon. This may have had something to do with it.). I went to try one on that was a bit too big, while our salesman went to scrounge for my exact size in the back (nice!). He even called me by name when he came back to the dressing room, "Jennifer, I found your size!". Quite a different experience from those days in the mall with my sister at 15.
I'm not a material person, and I don't put any emphasis on name-brands, and certainly not designer clothing (to this day, I don't own anything with a designer label), but I have to say, walking around with that Bebe shopping bag afterward was quite a thrill (Thanks, baby!).

3.) The floor length dress on the right was one I found at H&M, on sale for $12.95 (love this store, and I don't believe we have one where I live. If we do, someone's been holding out on me). However, it seems like their style has gone even more trendy, and I wasn't finding the usual vintage-like, unique stuff that I usually do. This sundress was the exception. I love the color and the black netting in the back.
I think I am going to be wearing this for the first time tonight, for a girlfriend's birthday happy hour. Excited!

In general, we did most of our shopping at the mall connected to Planet Hollywood, because they have unique and fun affordable shops, rather than purely designer stores like the other malls have - although those are fun to browse, even if you can't afford anything! I'm not usually even that impressed by designer stuff, but I must say, I had to peek into Versace in Caesar's Palace after noticing their amazing shoes! Wow. One day....
I continued to be amazed at the attention we received from sales people, even in the super high-end designer places. It put a flattered smile on my face! 

How do you feel about designer duds? Where do you like to shop? Any shopping tips for future Vegas trips? Do share!

Shmear campaign

 Good morning!

Don't worry. I don't actually wake up looking like this. 

This a photo from a few months ago when I had just finished dying my hair.

Ok, so I am definitely convinced now that the restaurants around here have something against my diet/exercise-ambitious self. I have now also obtained coupons from Einstein's Bros Bagels. Can we say yum? There's one right by my apartment, and I've loved it ever since trying it for the first time. It's been a fun place to catch up with friends for an easy late breakfast or lunch in the past. However, I haven't been there in quite a long time...that means I definitely have to take advantage of these coupons, right? (I can talk myself into anything). Breakfast is usually the easiest meal for me to skip. Every article about dieting and healthy eating tells you to eat breakfast like it's practically a law now, but honestly, I'm not usually hungry first thing in the morning. The odd thing is, breakfast foods are some of my absolute favorites! I often like to eat them at night instead. Or, I just end up eating my "breakfast" at a more typical late lunch time, once I actually have an appetite. I think with diet tips, you have to remember what's best for you. Every body is different. If you're starving in the morning, by all means, eat. If you know you have a very slow metabolism and need food to kick start it first thing in the morning, eat something, even if it's just a little fruit or something light. But if you're not hungry, why force yourself? That just doesn't make much sense to me.

Anyway, that's my little diet rant for the day. Which brings me to the fact that I went to Einstein's and got myself an iced latte (which I add 2 packets of Splenda to) and a bagel and cream cheese for breakfast (honestly, I probably wont eat the bagel until later). I ended up waking up really early (I think because my boyfriend was up and out the door a little extra early this morning), and honestly, I felt amazing. Totally refreshed and ready to get up. One of my coupons (free bagel with any drink purchase - score!) was only good before 11am. Since I am rarely awake, up, dressed, and out the door before 11:00am, I decided this would be a perfect morning to use it and emphasize my little change in morning routine.

 This wasn't me today either. This was me bored, sitting in traffic one day a few weeks ago. 

(I have to use these photos somewhere, right? I was cleaning out my phone). 

 Stepping out the door, I noticed how beautiful and cool the morning was. Half way down the stairs, I turned around and walked back inside. I dropped my purse, my gigantic (a.k.a. awesome) sunglasses, and keys and traded them for ratty work out clothing. I stepped back out the door and went for a 20 minute walk/jog (I am still fully intent on doing my regular work out later today, too). Then, I grabbed my stuff once again and headed out for my bagel and coffee. I also remembered once I got to Einstein's (they are always so friendly and cheery there in the morning) that they have bagel "thins" (just a much thinner bagel, but still so good), which I believe are only 220 calories WITH cream cheese. Definite score.

Anyway, not the most interesting tale ever told, but I like to write about the everyday. :) I admire those who see beauty in the mundane.

Hope you're having a fabulous day!

Whirlwind

Oh, was that the weekend?
I barely noticed as it flew by. It was a busy, stressful couple of days with lots of unexpected things coming up. We pushed through it relatively unscathed (ha), and luckily, it ended relaxingly with a couple of Coronas and pigging out on some Chinese take out. I think my stomach is hating me today for that, after adjusting to an entire week of healthy, fresh foods since returning from Vegas. Definitely feeling the "blahs" today, but life is good.

 Photo credit: FashionToast

How was your weekend?

I need to get a work out in, and then I'm off to get some errands done. I'm hoping I may be able to squeeze a little pool time in today, lost from this weekend (Plus, I have two completely untouched magazines, which arrived in the mail last week, that I'd love to finally break into!). Tonight, I'm going to Steve's flag football game and then out with the gang to one of our favorite sports bars. It'll be all I can do to not totally pig out again tonight, because their BBQ southwest egg rolls (which they call "Tailpipes") are to. die. for.

Hope you have a great day! xx

p.s. I think Dunkin Donuts knows whenever I am on a diet, because they sent me a ton of fabulous coupons. Luckily, most of them are for lattes, which I can get relatively low-calorie. I really love their iced caramel lattes. Maybe I'll pick one of those up to take down to the pool. ::grin::

Just a thought...

 I am convinced that behind every happily-neurotic woman, is a really good man.
A variation on the old saying about men and their women. We have to give some credit where it's due. :)

Short but sweet post today. Time to get in a really good work out before the weekend, and then get to preparing the stat reports for work (boo). I hope you have a lovely weekend and I will see you Monday. I think I have some fun posts lined up for next week. I've been taking a lot of photos lately and feeling a little more inspired in things to write about. Go have fun! xx

A toast

Ok, so I am kind of in love with the girl from FashionToast. I came across this model's blog last night and had to drag myself away from looking through it when bedtime came around. I absolutely dig this girl's style (and did I mention, she admits that she rarely buys jeans from anywhere but thrift stores?). Plus, she has a lot of intimate-like photos from her jet setting lifestyle, which seems to often take her to Japan. Infact, can I just be her?!

I think I'll just bring up a random page of this blog whenever I need an idea of what to wear for the day.

 Why is it not Fall so I can try this look immediately?

 A super casual and comfy "sloppy" sweater (as she calls them), but with a hot pair of jeans and killer shoes. Yes!

HOT hair.

 Genius contrast. Words cannot express the coolness.


Wait are you waiting for? Go check out FashionToast and be inspired! xx

Smiles for June

Happy June!

I'm still really trying to get back on track after vacation: working out, eating right, getting the apartment in shape, doing random errands (including getting some food in my fridge!), and working.

But first, I begin with my morning routine: Kathie Lee and Hoda, a cup of coffee, and blog-browsing. Everything looks a little more doable after I take a few moments to get my head together.

Hope this Wednesday treats you well! How do you charge up in the morning in order to take on your day?? Goodness knows, we could all use more tips in that area!

Home again, home again

This past week has been quite a whirlwind! My boyfriend and I flew to Las Vegas last Wednesday evening, and after some small hiccups (a delayed flight, screaming babies, runway problems once we finally landed, which had us sitting in the plane for another 20 minutes, and a shuttle to our hotel which took much too long to arrive), we made it to our lovely apartment-like, one bedroom suite just off The Strip.

The whole trip was amazing, and it would be difficult to write it all down here. But here are some highlights:

Food!

 Our first stop was Mr. Lucky's 24/7 at the Hard Rock Casino. Open 24 hours (perfect, since we got into town on the late side), they offer a steak and shrimp dinner, complete with mashed potatoes and a salad for just $7.77. It's a secret kept off the menu, so be sure to request it if you ever find yourself there. It was absolutely delicious!

 

Our second night, we enjoyed a romantic dinner at "Mon Ami Gabi" in the Paris hotel. We started with a bottle of their own pinot noir and worked our way to the amazing scallops and asparagus, and sirloin steak and "frites" (thinly sliced strips of fried potatoes). We finished the meal by sharing some creme brulee' for dessert. Afterwards, we headed out to watch the fountains in front of the Bellagio hotel. A beautiful evening all around!

Fashion!

Between the airports and the Vegas Strip, people-watching was like a sport! I saw some really great looks and style ideas, and I was happy to do my part by debuting a few new outfits (see first two photos), as well as bringing out some old favorites that were perfect for Vegas, such as this pinstripe jumpsuit above.



Fun!

 Rum and grapefruit juice was my drink of choice most of the time. All the bars in Vegas seem to use fresh fruit juice (not easy to find in Texas. If they have it at all, it's some flavored liquid that comes out of the soda gun). So refreshing!

 Spending time at the resort's pool.

Bubble baths with champagne (I love to add cherries!).

 Drinks and cigars at the Baccarat, a sophisticated little bar in the Bellagio.

Playing slots...in moderation. I had to try the Sex and the City one!


Just having a few days to bond with my boyfriend in a totally different setting, and showing him a place he'd never been before was really what it was all about.
We got home late Saturday evening, and I pretty much spent Sunday sleeping off the effects of the vacation (which included a ton of walking! Sore feet - even in flats!). I was thankful that Steve and I had Sunday and Monday off (Memorial Day). It was like we still got a full weekend to enjoy, even after our trip.

Memorial Day was great, but not low key by any means. I spent the day shooting a new film I'm in, where I play the title character. The day was spent in a car in a hot garage (green screen shots) or outside at a park (beautiful, but windy, dusty, and humid), so by the time I got home, I was beat! However, the shoot is going well so far and I'm working with very fun and talented people!


I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend and are adjusting back to real life on this Tuesday! xx

Vegas Vacation

I'll be in Vegas until Saturday night! Hope everyone has a great week!