Cheeky Quote Tuesday

Waking Up in Vegas | Travel Diary & Tips

Hi lovely reader! Happy September and Happy Labor Day weekend to you US readers! I hope you are having a relaxing weekend! A few months ago I took a quick three day trip to Las Vegas to see the Queen, Miss Celine Dion. It was my first time visiting so naturally I took loads of pictures and tried to fit as much Vegas into those three days as possible. For me this was the perfect amount of time and I left feeling like I had seen and done everything that I had wanted to. I also did a lot of prior research before by reading blog posts and watching vlogs so hopefully this post can help you out the way other people's posts helped me to get organized and nail down my "Vegas Goals" if you plan to go someday.  

Where I Stayed: Treasure Island
Of course one of the things that Las Vegas is known for is their abundance of hotels. We chose Treasure Island because it was one of the lesser expensive ones yet still nice and in a good location on the strip. There is a Starbucks inside the hotel as well as just outside which I hit up 2/3 mornings for a breakfast sandwich and yogurt parfait before starting the day. The rooms are also nice and the staff was accommodating and helpful!

Things to See: The Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden
One of the first things that I would highly recommend checking out is the Bellagio Conservatory. Located in the Bellagio Hotel, this space is a peaceful parallel to the busy streets outside. It is such a relaxing space and the floral displays are stunning! The designs change each season and definitely create an "Insta-worthy" spot! 

Breakfast/Lunch Spot: Pantry
Another 'Insta-worthy" spot is Pantry located inside The Mirage. We stopped here for lunch one day and it was super cute! They offer a "Breakfast" menu all day as well as a "Eat this if you're not in the mood for breakfast" menu. I had a veggie sandwich with fries and it was so good! 

Things to See: Shoppes/Floral Display at the Palazzo
The Shoppes at the Palazzo is a nice space to walk through and explore. We ran into this gorgeous floral display as well that featured a spinning carousel and hot air balloon of dreams.

Quick Lunch: Bellagio Patisserie
Yes this is a crepe that was made fresh, yes it is huge, yes that is chipotle sauce, yes it was delicious. The Bellagio Patisserie is a great spot is you want to grab a quick, "waiter-less" lunch or breakfast. Their menu offers a variety of pastries, crepes, sandwiches, etc and most of the food is made fresh as you order.

The Best Dinner: Lago
Located inside the Bellagio, Lago by Julian Serrano was the nicest dinner I had during my stay. Simply put, the food was absolutely delicious! The plates are smaller in size but for me the portion was perfect and you can bet I cleaned my plate! I had the cannelloni which was without a doubt the best I've ever had, the meat was so tender and the sauce perfection. They also have outdoor seating which books up quick but offers a gorgeous view of the Bellagio fountains. 

Things to See: Fountains of Bellagio
I have to be honest, when it came to seeing these iconic fountains I knew it was a must do but, I wondered how impressive a "water show" would actually be? Well let me tell you...it was beautiful and mesmerizing! The music mixed with the lighted water that would sky rocket with crescendos made me think this must be what Belle felt like in "Be Our Guest". The water came to life and if you come to Vegas you must check it out!

 

Tres Chic Breakfast/Brunch Spot: Mon Ami Gabi
If you are looking for a classy atmosphere to have a relaxing brunch I would recommend giving "Mon Ami Gabi" a go. They are located just outside the Paris hotel and have an array of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. There is outdoor seating that looks out onto the strip and Bellagio fountains across the street. The food and service is top quality and is a great way to start the day.

Things to See: The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo Hotel
This sanctuary located behind the Flamingo Hotel is home to some lovely and iconic pink flamingos. They are so cute and offer a unique way to spend some time away front the busy strip...also "insta-worthy".

"Damn Good" Dinner: Gordon Ramsay's Pub & Grill
I love me some MasterChef and Hell's Kitchen so I was eager to try one of Mr. Ramsay's many spots on the strip. The pub is located inside Caesar's Palace, directly across from The Colosseum, where Celine Dion's show takes place, making it a perfect pre-show early dinner spot. I ordered the tomato soup which was the best I've ever had and the perfect portion. The menu offers classic English dishes as well as some more "American-esque" options. This is definitely somewhere that I would want to go back to for a more full on later meal!

The Main Event: Celine Dion at Caesars Palace
Simply put, Celine Dion is what brought me to Vegas. It has been a dream of mine to see her for a very long time and I always thought it would be a very long time until I ever might even be able to see her in concert. So when I was surprised with tickets to see her, I cried and basically couldn't believe it was happening until I sat down in that theater and she walked out on stage. 

I always believed this but can actually confirm after seeing her show, that Celine Dion is without a doubt the definition of a lovely human being. She is humble, thankful, hilarious, and just as talented now as she was when she first started out. She was raw and honest with what she was feeling and left everything on that stage. 

You know you've been to a good show when you walk out and would give anything to come back the next night and the next to see it all over again! I would literally fly down there for a day, see her show and fly home, which may or may not be added to my bucket list and remain there each year... Seeing her show on the last day of my trip was the perfect way to end my Vegas experience.

I hope this post was helpful if you are considering or planning on going to Las Vegas. I tried to include as many links as possible and will list some of the vlogs I watched and blog posts I read that helped me to plan my trip.
Also, this post post is in no way sponsored.

Have you been to Vegas before and have other favorites??

Vegas Vlogs & Blogs I watched/read:

-"How to Spend One Day in Vegas" -In the Frow

-In the Frow Vegas Vlog

-Lynette Marie Vegas Vlog, another one by Lynette

-Las Vegas for First Timers -The Belle Voyage

Hunter for Target | Wishlist

Hello lovely reader! Last month I was beyond intrigued when I saw that Target's latest collaboration was going to be with Hunter. My first encounter with the Hunter brand was purchasing a pair of their Original Boots Tour Rainboots which are top quality and my go-to for rainy days. I studied them for a semester long project and they really are a class brand. Their products continue to move forward yet stay true to the British brand's identity. I love their styles, imagery, marketing, and could not wait to see what this new endeavor would bring.

After previewing the collection online the other day all I can say is they did not disappoint. The prices points are soooo reasonable! There's a diverse range of options from apparel and boots to coolers and hammocks. I'm most interested to see what the quality will be like but quite frankly I don't believe Hunter would but their name on something that wasn't good, so I have faith! I pulled together my top picks that I will be aiming for this Saturday April 14th when the collection becomes available below.

Hooded Trench Coat

Super chic and versatile with a stripe detail to give it a sporty feel, love.

Exaggerated Sleeve Sweatshirt Dress with Pockets

Okay so I didn't even realize this had pockets until I went back to see the proper title....sold!

Embossed Sweatshirt

I am all about a nice classic logo crewneck and really like how this one is embossed rather than screenprinted.

Medium Backpack

This shade of purple is one of my favorite colors and I think this bag would be perfect for travel days or outdoor adventures.

Cooler Backpack

This would fall under the category of "I don't actually need this but think it's really cool so maybe I do..."

Bubble Umbrella

I like bubble umbrellas and Hunter and the pink is cute for spring showers, done.

So these are my favorites from the collection! What pieces are you hoping to snag? Xx

Building a Sustainable Closet | Spring Cleaning

Hello lovely readers! According to the calendar it is officially spring! With that comes the need to transition closets from winter to spring and take part in some spring cleaning. I like to consider myself an organized person and love to make sure everything is in its place when it comes to my combing through my wardrobe. I used to absolutely dread giving clothes away but within the last few years I have gotten much better at it. I have tried to make my wardrobe more sustainable as I have gotten older and that is what I want to talk to you about today!

As someone who studies fashion I have come to learn the impact that our purchasing and disposing of clothing can have on the environment. Unfortunately there are more negative facts than positive which is why it is important to take initiative in making an effort to build sustainable wardrobes! There are a few things you can do that may seem small but can add up to make a huge impact. 

The best place to start is looking at what you currently own. What pieces do you wear the most/least? Are these things that you would wear in a year or two? For me these questions are the best way to decide what to keep, donate, or recycle. 

While I love to get a few new trendy pieces each season, when shopping I try to keep the majority of my purchases to classic garments with a modern twist and not fill my closet with things I won't wear next year. This will make your wardrobe sustainable because it will last. 

In relation to lasting clothing it also helps to pay attention to the quality of what you are buying. The common misconception within fashion is that higher prices = higher quality...this is not always the case. Often times with pricing we are paying more for brand names because of the logos on a tag rather than the fibers in the fabric. This is great news for those of us who do not have a limitless budget and have to be mindful of what we are spending. Brands such as Pact offer sustainably manufactured basics that won't break the bank. Everlane is also a great company that is all about transparency. The Good Trade offers a list of "35 Fair Trade & Ethic Clothing Brands" that cover all style types and price ranges from Patagonia to Eileen Fisher.

Once you have decided on the pieces that you no longer want, the best thing you can do with these items is to upcycle, recycle, or donate. For those who may not know, upcycling basically means you are taking a piece and giving it new life. Maybe you can physically edit a top to look different than before or maybe you discover a new way to style it. You can also donate gently used items to various charity shops or organizations that will resell the items or give them to someone in need. Finally, if your clothing is beyond "gently used" you can recycle it just as you would paper or plastic. There are places who recycle textiles and offer drop off points such as H&M and Madewell.

I hope this post has been informative and inspiring to you for your spring wardrobe! How do you keep your wardrobe sustainable? Xx

Sparkling at the Brits | OOTD

Hello lovely reader! For all you fabulous people across the pond, today is an exciting day in the world of music because tonight is the Brit Awards 2018!! Last year while living in London I was lucky enough to make one of my dreams come true and attend this legendary event in music. I had the best time and it was an incredible night that I will never forget. To anyone attending I hope you have a fantastic evening and to those who wish they were going like me, you can watch the show live on YouTube and if you get the AXS channel they are playing it this evening! So as an homage to that magical night I thought would share what I wore with you all.

Blouse: Original-H&M (no longer available), Similar on ASOS, Cute alternative on Zara

Sequin/Velvet Bomber Jacket: Original-Primark, Similar on ASOS, Rebecca Taylor (what mine may have been "inspired by")

Black Skinny Pants: Original-TJMaxx (no longer available), Similar on ASOS

Boots: Original Anne Klein (no longer available), Similar on ASOS, Similar ALDO

Who are you most looking forward to seeing perform? Xx

The Limited Edition Epigraph Collection | Warby Parker

Hello lovely reader! I hope you are doing well. Today I am very excited to help Warby Parker announce their new Epigraph collection. After learning about the meaning behind it and seeing some of the images, I can honestly say that I really like it! Authenticity when posting is something that I believe to be important. If the brand or product is not something that I genuinely like, would buy, or care about, I am not going to talk about it. So believe me when I share things like this that it is sincere! Not only do I admire them as a business and for the great charity work that they do, but I also like their aesthetic and the thought that goes into their collections.

The "Epigraph Collection" is the title of this newest line with glasses and sunglasses in styles ranging from classic smart, to rectangular and even a bit of a cat eye. When speaking to them I learned that they "employed a custom metal end piece with an integrated hinge, which elevates the frame’s aesthetic." These Italian-made frames and metal details give a modern twist to each look.

You may be wondering what an "epigraph" is, as I was, so I did some research. The definition of an epigraph is, "a short quotation or saying at the beginning of a book or chapter, intended to suggest its theme." As soon as I read this, I started thinking about how I often use fashion, my choices of what I wear and how I accessorize, as my own physical version of an epigraph. What I choose to wear can offer a summary of who I am or how I am feeling on a certain day, what my "theme" is. I believe that for many of us how we present ourselves offers a great insight into who we are or who we want to become. That is one of the reasons why I love fashion and this industry so much. 

I have picked out a few of my favorites below that can help to shed some insight on your theme of the day.

You may be feeling nostalgic and want to have a good 50s/60s cat-eye throwback with "Louise". I love the dusty pink color of these glasses with the mix of darker shades.

I really like the simplicity of these glasses especially in black with the rose gold metal detailing on the sides. One word...Smart.

Or maybe you want to amp up the sophistication with the Alcott style. I immediately picture these glasses with a crisp white collared shirt tucked into some navy tie waist dress pants and a bold lip.

My very favorite pieces from the line are the Winnie sunglasses which come in pink and black. So gorgeous! The black has a lovely rose gold metal detailing and the I love the shade of pink for the spring with the gold detailing.

Thank you to Warby Parker for the chance to get an early preview of the latest collection and giving me the opportunity to share it with all of you! I also would like to say that I am not getting paid for this post or if you click any of the links. 

What I Got For My Birthday

Hello lovely reader! The other day I was trying to get my little space on the internet organized, sorting photos, deleting old notes, etc. and  discovered deep in the depths of my drafts a "What I Got For My Birthday" post from two years ago! I went through what I had and pretty much all of the items are still available and are products that I still use/like and if not I shared alternatives that are similar! I thought I would share it with you today as a "Draft Find". Enjoy!

This exact birthday set is no longer available but they do have a 2018 version!

dw HOME "Birthday Cake" Candle This is one of my favorite candles ever, it smells amazing!

Marc Jacobs "Highliner Gel Eye Crayon"
Marc Jacobs "Le Marc Lip Cream" - Creamy Nude Rose

Benefit "Roller Lash" Mascara

Soap & Glory "Hand Food" Hand Cream This is my absolute go to for the winter months!

Fashion Lives: Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis  Gorgeous book, perfect for a coffee table or bookshelf piece.

Ellie Goulding - Delirium