Throwback Thursday

That time I wore a Holly Golightly dress to a Breakfast at Tiffany's tea and it was too short.

One of the things I dislike most about Vegas is the lack of afternoon tea options.

Basically, unless you want to go to the Strip, walk through a resort, and pay upwards of $30 per person, there aren't any options. I've been to each afternoon tea in town and while a couple have been nice, a couple were quite sad really. Not worth the money.

We have a Royal Tea Society here in Vegas and I snoop their site from time to time. I always love the idea of taking my mom to tea for mother's day but usually she avoids the Strip so it's a bit more difficult. Back in 2012, the tea society did a lovely Breakfast at Tiffany's themed tea and we decided to check it out.

The ladies were really nice and welcoming, the food was good, and the setting was lovely. 

Random Posts of July #8

I am loving today's Blog Everyday in July prompt because it lets me bitch a bit!

Here is the prompt:

Sorry Not Sorry

I block feeds on FB for people who talk too much about their relationships/weddings/babies/etc. I'm happy for you. I am. But seriously, nobody finds these things as intriguing as you do and nobody needs to see five posts a day about it. Yes,your baby is cute. I look at FB feeds for updates on my friends lives but I don't need a minute by minute set of posts about your wedding crafts or how happy you are that you're getting married and you're so in love etc. #SorryNotSorry

Yes, I had an awesome time at that show. No, it doesn't really bother me that you didn't go with me and I'm okay that I went alone because I didn't feel like waiting around for you to buy tickets and end up getting a crappy seat because you waited until the last minute. Don't make me feel bad for planning ahead and having a great time without you. #SorryNotSorry

Um, who's fault is it that you decided to have several kids and can't go anywhere or travel all the time like I do? I'm tired of people saying "Oh well, I have kids" or "Well if you had kids". I don't have kids. I planned it that way. So don't blame your kids or act resentful that you can't have the same lifestyle because you picked your path and I picked mine. #SorryNotSorry

Now enough bitching. Look at my puppy.

Lately

This post is rather difficult to write.

I usually try to stick with happy positive posts because I always wanted this blog to be a happy positive place where I could see the fun parts and the good memories. That said, it's also MY place, so I feel if I'm going to vent somewhere, it should be here.

The last couple weeks have been consumed dealing with something that's manifested a lot lately. I think it's been an issue for a long time but it's never been more noticeable than it is now. I've been letting the blog queue write itself which really helps because I haven't had the energy or the interest to pay attention to anything.

I've been dealing with severe clinical depression on and off for a long time. Probably more than ten years. Before, it never really seemed to impact my personal life or my relationships. Lately, it's been spreading to all facets of my life and unfortunately, I didn't go to the doctor until it had pretty much reached rock bottom. The feelings of dread, the uncontrollable outbursts, the mood swings. It's a lot to deal with and there's no quick fix.

There are a lot of articles about how to deal when a loved one is suffering depression. They're all pretty accurate. For one, it's not always just sadness. In my case it seems to be a chemical imbalance so medication (I'm trying the more natural stuff first) is necessary to rebalance things. On that note, while lots of places will tell you how hard it is when someone you care about is dealing with depression, they don't always mention that while it's hard to help a loved one through it, as hard as that may be, it's definitely no picnic for the one going through it. I can put on a happy face and try to avoid letting it impact the people around me, but that doesn't mean it isn't impacting me all the time. It's a constant struggle. Some mornings I wake up feeling okay and some I don't want to wake up at all. 

I don't like to talk about it much, but I did feel like documenting it as part of my life was important. 

Sunday Social

 

These are all about 3s!

1. 3 favorite songs right now.
Bartender by Lady A
It'z Just What We Do by FGL
Something Bad by Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood
Great songs for first thing in the morning when I just rolled out of bed and am about to drive to work!

2. 3 favorite movies that remind you of summer.
Avengers- My going away for the summer party in 2012
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants- Not a fave, but still fun for the summer
Despicable Me- Because minions mean summer

3. 3 favorite articles of clothing you own.
J Brand jeans- Got them on sale, most comfortable jeans I own
Gilly Hicks skinny sweatpants- Every girl needs comfortable sweatpants
Junk Gypsy Ts- So soft and comfy for around the house

4. 3 items on your wish list.
Go Pro cam- Come on, I want one.
Ticket to the Route 91 Harvest Festival- This goes in the "definitely buying" category
A new luggage set with coordinating pieces- Just because.

5. 3 books you would recommend to someone.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone- Just do it. 
Confessions of a Shopaholic- So funny and insane.
Happy Happy Happy- Great easy, inspirational read. Couldn't put it down.

Scrapping Saturday

This week I'm sharing a page I scrapped for the Vegas Restaurant Week.

Vegas foodies are pretty serious about their Restaurant Weeks. We now have two a year, one in spring and one in fall. A number of the best restaurants in town have preset menus and a portion of the proceeds for each goes directly to Three Square; our local food bank and one of the best and most noble charities in town. Back in 2011, I got to attend the kick off party which was hosted at Studio 54. A number of local restaurants and performers partnered for the event so it was a big food and show extravaganza. Since the club was closed for the private event, we got to wander all the restricted sections and sample some amazing food. I try to go out to eat at least once during Restaurant Week since it's such a great event and to be honest, it's probably one of the only times you can get a really amazing three course meal at places like Michael Mina for $50.14. Besides, eating out for charity is kind of awesome, right?

Date Night by Little Butterfly Wings

Prickly Pear by Little Green Frog Designs

A Day in the Life

Hello all!

So I get asked all the time even by my own close friends- "When do you work?"

I know I travel a lot and go to a lot of shows and that's featured quite prominently on the blog so I thought I would clear a few things up. I rarely post about that stuff because seriously, who wants to know what I bought at Walmart? I line up my queue carefully, do a lot of features on older events/trips, and split up the bigger ones so that you don't end up with one super long post that just gets boring because I talk too much (kind of like how this one might end up being...oops). 

I work full time, 40 hours a week. I have a good job working a front desk and doing reservations. It's fairly quiet and I don't have to oversee anyone and it pays decently. Five days a week, I'm there from 8:30AM to 5PM. For real. 

On my days off, a lot of them are spent grocery shopping or running really boring errands. Some days off are spent playing World of Warcraft for six hours and some are spent scrapbooking. I estimate maybe three days this summer will be spent at a crazy Vegas pool and I will immediately regret it because chlorine makes me itch. I may go clubbing three nights this summer as well. But the gist of it is I plan to spend a lot of June sitting around doing nothing since this saves money and funds the travel I so enjoy.

That said, usually right now is about the time I would be roadtripping away from Vegas as much as possible and trying to stay in the water whenever I can. Unfortunately, I have to save money. Boring, right? I have a lot of awesome plans for the fall, though, so stay tuned!

Throwback Thursday

Another Throwback Thursday! I'm trying to schedule these out so I can actually be consistent... I make no promises. :-)

That time I went to a Playboy party.

This week we're having a look at the Midsummer Night's Dream party. Back a few years ago, Playboy would host this party here in vegas at the Palms and it was always amazing. There's usually a fun theme as well but this year it was just a masquerade. The party is typically about $150 per person since it includes open bar but those of us with some hook-ups get in for free. :-)

Great ways to piss off...

The driver on your roadtrip.

On roadtrips, I usually drive because I like driving and I have a pretty good sense of direction. All of my roadtrip companions have been pretty considerate, but the following would probably make me toss them out. 

Sleeping the whole way. My friend Marissa and I made a short roadtrip to LA once a few years back with a really annoying girl who decided she would sleep the whole trip home rather than help us stay awake at midnight. She also yelled at us for telling ghost stories to stay awake... wasn't she supposedly sleeping??? 

Complaining about the route or constantly saying we're going the wrong way (when we're not). If you're not going to help plan or execute the route, Be quiet. You didn't map it before and you're not holding a map or GPS now and since you've never been this way either, how do you know?

Getting your shoes (or bare feet) all over my snacks. Please don't put your feet or shoes on my food. It's gross. It's like sticking your foot in my mouth. You wouldn't do THAT, right?

Ditching your travel mates at your destination because clearly we were just your chauffeurs to your booty call. No joke, this has happened.

Needing to pee every 30 minutes. And talking about it. Constantly. Yes, some people have small bladdars. That's what coffee cans and roadside shoulders are for.

It's National Junk Food Day

In case that wasn't enough encouragement, it's also Monday.

I shall be celebrating this important holiday with a peanut butter Kit Kat bar and some flaming hot Cheetos.

Oh and I'll break out another box of Count Chocula. I think I have six boxes left. 

That should hold me over until October just fine... I think...

What's your fave junk food?

Sunday Social

 

1. What is the most difficult thing you have been through?
When my dad had open heart surgery. It was two years ago and I quit my job and my mom and I went to stay with him for two months for his recovery. It was really sad seeing my dad so weak and in pain. But it was nice to spend so much time with it and I did get to reconnect with someone special that summer too. :-)

2. What was your best birthday?
My birthday in 2012 was pretty awesome. Becca and I went to the American Country Awards, I had a party at Stoney's and rode the bull too many times, and we spent the whole weekend doing NFR shows. Actually, most of my birthdays are pretty awesome BECAUSE of NFR. Oh and because Chris Young does shows for my birthday every year. You know, just because it's my birthday. lol

3. What has been your favorite thing you’ve done in your own city?
Again, my fave things in Vegas are usually associated with NFR. Or ACM. Oddly my fave things to do in Vegas are associated with the country music events and have almost nothing to do with actual Vegas.

4. What is your idea of the perfect date night?
I've enjoyed many nights of take-out or attempting to cook along with a movie on the couch. Those have always been my fave.

5. Have you ever been to a blogging conference?
If so which one(s)? If not do you want to?
I have not but I would love to meet some of the fellow bloggers I chat with! Granted conferences freak me out a bit so I think I'd be more interested in a blogging happy hour.
LOL

Scrapping Saturday

I used this awesome kit from Little Butterfly Wings to scrap one of the most awesome parties of the year that Vegas has. AFAN (Aid for AIDS in Southern Nevada) is a great organization that raises money for AIDS research. Every year they host a huge black and white party and partner with a number of restaurants, shops, and shows around town. There's a ton of entertainment, lots of great food and drinks, and fun things to see. Such a great time for a great cause!!!

Butterfly Basics- Black & White Edition by Little Butterfly Wings

Get This Party Started by Trixie Scraps

Song Bird by Little Green Frog Designs

Blogmopolitan Quiz!!!

I have always loved this link-up by Two Thirds Hazel, but never got around to participating!

So excited to be part of it this time. :-)

Throwback Thursday

That time I made a bunch of friends in an elevator.

Since I've wrapped the posts on my friend Tara's bachelorette weekend, I decided to do a throwback to when I met these lovely ladies.

I had to go to the Palms one night to pick up tickets for a super awesome party (that post is up next week) and was told to meet my host at Nove where they were doing ladies night. I got into the elevator with a fun group of girls who were in town for a bachelorette party. When we got to the restaurant we ended up sitting together at the bar for free appetizers and drinks and had such a blast that we all decided to go upstairs to the club and then to the other tower for another club. I rarely meet people that I just enjoy being around right away but these girls were awesome. We hung out again a couple nights later at another club and have been friends ever since. The girls love Vegas and come out usually ever year so usually when they're here, I get my clubbing fix for the entire season.

Here's a pic in the elevator on the way back down from the club the night I met these awesome ladies. :-)

Great ways to piss off...

 

 Your coworker.

Standing around doing nothing while I sit here and answer the phones. 

Taking the same amount of time to do two things that it took me to do fifteen.

Constantly asking me how to do the same thing instead of taking notes and figuring out how to do it yourself.

Complaining about another coworker and then going and doing the exact thing you were complaining about them doing right afterward.

Standing in front of me waiting for me to help you with something when I'm already doing a million other things and you know that.

Being unavailable to assist a customer when I'm busy because you're on a personal call.

Being REALLY obvious you're on a personal call. 

Not getting anything done because you're in the middle of telling someone your life story.

Telling the same story to each coworker separately in the same room so that I have to hear the same story over and over about five times.

Then coming back and telling me like I haven't already heard it. Five times. 

While I was trying to get work done.

Pool Days in Vegas

I really enjoyed the rain last week and wish it would have stuck around longer. Even so, we took advantage of the slightly lower temperature and hit up Daylight; one of the remaining dayclubs in vegas (because it's still fairly new) that I haven't been to yet. I make a point to check out each one once (same with clubs), and now I can check this one off my list!

Daylight was a good size and on a Friday afternoon, not crazy busy. Since my host put us on the list, we had drink tickets (gotta love free club soda and pineapple on a hot day). The pool isn't heated like most of the over 21 pools but it was too hot to notice anyway. Nice view of Mandalay Bay and the construction of the new signage for the Delano. We left before it got crazy busy. :-)

Sunday Social & Random Posts of July #2

 

1. Tell us about the family you grew up in, parents, siblings, grandparents.I have a huge extended family but I'm an only child and grew up quite far away from the relatives in California (after all, Georgia is on the other side of the country). I think when I was younger, I was pretty close with my first cousins because we would see them at least once a year. Now that I'm older, I've gotten much closer to my third cousins on my mom's side and it's great having such close family members.

2. Tell us about your husband, fiancé, boyfriend, significant other.He stalks this page when he gets bored so... I'll just say he's awesome.

3. Tell us about your children. If you don’t have children, talk about your future children.I have one little boy named Roger. He's seven years old. As for actual children, I don't plan to have any.Here is a picture of Roger with his head inside an empty ice cream carton.

4. Tell us about your best friends. How long have you known them? How did you meet?My two best friends are girls I thought were bitches when I first met them. Incidentally, they were both my bosses at some point or other whilst we were besties so clearly, I don't have a lot of conflict with management. I've known Melissa for about eight years and Ash for about three years. I met them both at work and we've been causing all kinds of trouble ever since. 

5. Tell us about any other special people in your life.

I have been so blessed to have so many great friends and special people in my life that listing them would be boring and lengthy. They've all been featured here at some point or other. :-)

I'm also linking up with the Blog Everyday in July Link Up!
Here is the prompt:
One Thing You Cannot Live Without

Sadly it would probably be my phone. I was very resistant to getting an iPhone originally because I didn't want to depend on my device so much but when my Blackberry spontaneously committed suicide on my birthday a few years ago, I didn't have a lot of choices. I do everything on this stupid phone. I shop with inflight wifi (cuz what other way to make a flight go fast then to do some shopping), I check my bank accounts, I blog, I budget, etc. Life exists on this stupid phone. I gave my old one to Marc because his phone was cursed or something and now that he's got it activated, I think he's in love with the stupid thing. At least he can no longer give me crap for my obsession. :-)

Scrapping Saturday

I finally got to scrapping some of my Dallas pics! Here's a page from the Pink Pistol.

Country Girl by Kristin Cronin-Barrow 

Home on the Range: Lil Cowgirl by Jenn Barrette 

Outdoor Girl by Miss Mis Designs 

PB&J by Little Green Frog Designs

Title Work extracted from Logo

I think I hoarded over a dozen boxes last October. I've yet to reach a panic inducing shortage like the previous year. I hope to keep it that way.

Random Posts of July #1

Morning!!!

So I found this super amazing link-up and just had to join in! It's so great for filling in that blank in my blog brain on days I have nothing in the queue!!!

Today's prompt was Pinterest Funnies. 

Sadly since plotting my Walking Dead road trip and the awesomeness that is those Walking Dead specials helping us psychos make it to the next season, here is what I've been finding funny. 

And that is as far as my sense of humor is going to go today! Happy Friday to those who get a weekend off! For me it's Sunday. Boo.

Geeking Out with Cousins

So a few weeks ago one of my fave cousins, Karissa and her husband came to town. Yay! I hadn't seen Karissa since her wonderful wedding in Tampa last year, so I was super excited to get to hang out with her and her husband Shannon for an evening.

They were staying at Golden Nugget (if you ever need a hotel in downtown Vegas, this would be my best suggestion) so we decided to explore Fremont East. I had yet to visit the Container Park that I'd heard to much about so we wandered over for dinner. Such a cute locals hangout in downtown! The buildings are actually made up of large containers and there are all kinds of cute shops and restaurants. We were there on Doggie Date Night so everyone had dogs with them. We grabbed dinner at Big Ern's BBQ which was pretty awesome and dessert at Chillspot which has delicious (especially in the 100 degree heat) gourmet popsicles. 

We wandered back to the main part of Fremont East after this and we all got excited (especially Shannon) to go play some video games at Insert Coins, the lounge/video game bar with retro arcade games. I've only been here once before and it's pretty awesome. About $2.50 in quarters later (on the Terminator 2 machine), and my hands were cramping and it was time to call it a night. A visit to this really cool gaming/comic/geek memorabilia store and we parted way. Such a great evening!

Sunday Social

1. What is your favorite genre of music?
I love love love country music. I know it seems weird but I did grow up in Georgia. :-)

2. What is your favorite genre of movies?
I love comedies because laughing always makes everything feel better. But I do love action and sci fi too. And sometimes horror. I think for me it's more of a mood thing.

3. Do you watch reality TV? If so what was the first show you remember watching?
I remember watching Joe Millionaire years ago and thinking it was like the most ridiculous concept but it was hilarious and I watched the entire show to the end.

4. Who is an actress you’d want to be BFF’s with?
Um, Jennifer Lawrence just like everyone else, right? lol Of course if this just said celebrity to be BFF's with, I'd pick Miranda Lambert. :-)

5. Who is an actor you’d be happy to be stuck on an island with?
Tom Hiddleston. I love his voice and could sit around listening to him talk without getting annoyed for months. :-P

Scrapping Saturday

Happy Saturday!

I've now had two Saturdays off in a row! So spoiled! Not really.

Hope everyone had a fabulous and safe July 4th holiday!!! I cannot wait to scrap mine. :-)

On that note, since I've now started working as a blog team member for one of my fave scrap designers ever, Little Butterfly Wings, I decided to showcase just a couple more pages I made with her super amazing kits!!! If you're a scrapper, check out her blog! I'm guesting there on Mondays with some fun pieces!!!

Oh Candy Candy by Little Butterfly Wings & Kaye Winiecki 

Prickly Pear by Little Green Frog Designs

Sunfilled Memories & One of a Kind by Little Butterfly Wings

Song Bird by Little Green Frog Designs