Vegas Recap {Part 5}

Last day of the Vegas Recap!

Now the answer to the question you've all been wondering: what did you wear?!

I'm new at this whole blogging thing and am pretty horrible at taking pictures plus I just feel awkward taking solo shots in the mirror or whatnot. But, I do have some fashionable friends so here are a few snippets of what we wore...

Kelsey rocked this navy sequin skirt from Forever 21 with a black tank. Love the mix of sparkles and casual.

 

Sara put together this black scalloped skirt with a loose, sheer, orange top. All from Charlotte Russe. 

I paired this zippered skirt in pink with a black, cropped short sleeve top. All from H&M. 

 

I love how fashionable yet affordable all these looks are!

Thanks for reliving my Vegas trip with me all week! Hope you enjoyed it!

What happens in Vegas, goes on the blog,
Laura

Vegas Recap {Part 4}

Day 4 of the Vegas Recap and the most fun, as well. 

We did more than just eat and sleep in Vegas, we went out, as well!

We stayed at the Bellagio but we also just so happened to have gone out both nights in the Bellagio, too. It was super convenient and easy for us to leave when we felt like it!

Night One: Hyde

via

We didn't plan on going here but when we walked by after dinner, we were easily talked into it by one of the many club promoters out front. The only seats are table service (typical) and we are cheaper than that so we grabbed our free drinks and staked a claim at the front of the club, on the patio that overlooks the infamous Bellagio fountains. It was very unique to be there and see the fountains performance all night long. The club itself has a small dance floor in the middle and some girls wearing odd bird masks and shooting nerf guns. I could've done without that part. It was pretty low key and a little crowded but for our first night there, it hit the spot. I'd recommend it if only for the fountain show!

Night Two: The Bank

via

The Bank is also in the Bellagio and is a little more club-ish than Hyde. It has tiered seating down to the dance floor and multiple bars. Not to mention that occasionally they drop money from the ceiling, hence the name. They also drop fake snow from the ceiling but I haven't quite figured out why yet. Akon was performing the night we went but he didn't end up starting until about 3:00am when most of us were gone.

The Bank had a fun atmosphere, great music and lots of areas to dance or stand without feeling crowded. It's important to note that they do not cash checks or take deposits here. Just FYI.

I should've grabbed more money from the ceiling,
Laura

Vegas Recap {Part 3}

 One of the most pivotal decisions in an evening of bachelorette-ing is where to eat dinner. You want somewhere fun, that can handle the bride-to-be dressed up in her pink bachelorette belt, bride glasses and green boa. But, also somewhere filling (for the night ahead) and delicious.


Enter Hussong's Cantina Taqueria  in Mandalay Bay. A laid-back, friendly, incredibly yummy Mexican restaurant with great service!


The highlights include: skinny margaritas, guacamole, nachos and chimichangas. All of us but one ordered the chimichanga and it did not disappoint! It was by far the best chimichanga we all had ever had! And we know our chimichangas! How many times can I say chimichanga? Chimichanga.

And who doesn't love a restaurant with a mariachi band that knows current rap songs and accompanied us in our rendition of "Oklahoma!"? Nobody, that's who.

Hussong's in Mandalay Bay! Check it out!


Chimichanga,
Laura

Vegas Recap {Part 2}

Vegas is in the desert. And deserts are supposedly hot.

Saturday, when we were in Vegas, it was cold. And windy. And cloudy.

So, what do you do in Vegas with bad weather? Eat and gamble, of course!

We ate lunch at Serendipity 3, just outside of Caesar's Palace. There is a sit down restaurant but the wait was too long so we grabbed something to go at the outdoor window.

The pizza and sweet potato fries (lunch of champions) were great, especially the day after going out, but the real star here was the Peanut Butter Frozen Hot Chocolate.

I'll say it again in case you didn't comprehend that: Peanut. Butter. Frozen. Hot. Chocolate.

I've made frozen hot chocolate before but never even thought to add in my favorite food ever! (Be looking for this recipe on the blog soon!)

Another noteworthy contender: the largest doughnut ever. Seriously! Have you ever seen something like that?

I would definitely recommend Serendipity 3 for a quick bite to eat or just a yummy, frozen drink sent from Heaven above.

That doughnut is seriously huge,
Laura

Vegas Recap {Part 1}

My besties and I had a fabulous time in Vegas a few weekends ago and this week I will share the highlights of where we stayed, what we ate and what we wore!

First up, we stayed the infamous Bellagio hotel and it was absolutely gorgeous!

The fountains are stunning and we ate a restaurant there that overlooked them and it was such a unique experience.
We had two adjoining rooms in the back Spa Tower and, I will admit, it was quite the hike back to this tower. Apparently this, is the newest tower at the Bellagio with nicer rooms but after a long night out, wearing uncomfortable shoes, it felt like we were walking to California (maybe a little exaggeration...).

There were 7 of us girls and the large bathrooms, multiple plugs and full-length mirrors really helped us not all be on top of each other while we were getting ready each morning and night!

Probably my favorite part of the rooms was the automated curtains. It was so nice to lay in the super comfy beds in the morning and open the blinds from my warm, cozy spot. It's the little things, you know?
The hotel has great restaurants, clubs (more on that later) and gambling! The conservatory is gorgeous and smells amazing and I could have bathed in this chocolate fountain.

Overall, it is a pricey stay because of the great location and the "name" of staying at the Bellagio but we really enjoyed our time there!

I wish I had automatic curtains at my house,
Laura

Beach Wishes

The hubster and I are headed to the beach today for Spring Break (pro of being a teacher!) and all I can think about is...

Sun Dresses  

 

Cute Suits

 

Messy Braids

 

Great Shades

 

And a good book

 

Come to me, hammock, 

Laura

Missing Oklahoma...

Oklahoma...where the wind comes sweeping down the plain and the Spring thunderstorms are incomparable. Every year when the weather turns warmer, I long for a loud, cool Oklahoma rainstorm.

 

 

 

1/2/3

Missing that right now, 

Laura

Simple Math

My students were giving animal presentations and one boy, while presenting his facts about a tarantula, said, "Tarantulas have eight legs but sometimes they can lose their legs."

I was attempting to prompt him about how they can lose their legs but they grow back and I asked, "Well, what happens if they lose a leg?"

His immediate response, "Well, then they have seven legs!" :)

Maybe I should have been a little more specific in my questioning...

It's simple math Mrs. Ellison!

Gotta love it,
Laura

I really love my...{face lotion}

Another post in the I really love my... series!

I really love my Eltamd UV Clear lotion!

Just like my face wash, this was recommended to me by a dermatologist a few years ago and I haven't looked back! It is gentle enough on my sensitive skin yet is strong enough to keep away breakouts without drying out my skin. I use it once daily, in the mornings after washing my face. I also love that it has SPF 46 so I don't have to worry about putting on sunscreen throughout the day while I am out hiking, running and just being so Colorado-ish.

I order mine a few at a time through either Amazon.com or Derm Store.

Still keeping that skin smooth,

Laura

Edible Spray Paint

Have y'all seen this?!?
Edible Spray Paint! My mind is going crazy thinking of how and when I can use this ASAP!

What will they think of next?

Laura

Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Scones

You think you know a lot about your significant other...and then you get married...and you learn that your husband likes scones. Scones? Yes, scones. He's so sophisticated.

I put a twist on chocolate chip scones by adding delicious cinnamon to create a yummy treat for any time of the day!

Gather your ingredients.

(Full recipe is at bottom of post).

White flour, wheat flour, buttermilk, sugar, butter, baking powder, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, chocolate chips, one egg and one egg white



I used a pastry blender to combine the cold butter in the dry ingredients but you could just use two knifes, as well.

I'm always a little apprehensive about rolling out dough but this dough was super easy to work with and it was compliant while I formed it into a circle about 3/4 in. thick. Good, dough.

Cut into twelve triangles and pull apart slightly.

I sprinkled this little gem on top before baking. If you have a Trader Joe's near you- pick some up next time you are there! It would be great on french toast, too!

Ta-Da!



Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Scones

Recipe adapted from Skinny Taste

Yield: 12 servings

Prep Time: 10 min. Total Time: 30 min.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup cold buttermilk

1/4 cup sugar (plus more for sprinkling)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 cup all purpose flour 
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1 tsp cinnamon (plus more for sprinkling)
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp chilled butter (must be cold) cut into small pieces
3/4 cup chocolate chips
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
1 1/2 tbsp sugar

Directions:
1. Whisk together the buttermilk, sugar, vanilla and egg in a medium bowl.

2. Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Cut in chilled butter with a pastry blender (or 2 knifes) until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

3. Fold in chocolate chips and add milk mixture stirring just until moist.

4. Place dough on a floured surface and knead gently with floured hands.
5. Form dough into a 9 in. circle on a greased baking sheet and cut completely into 12 triangles.

6. Brush egg white and sprinkle scones with cinnamon and sugar.

7. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Enjoy!
Laura



I Wanna Dance With Somebody

I love this version of the Whitney Houston classic, sung by my fellow Tulsan, Ben Rector.



Happy Thursday!
Laura

Roasted Squash

Roasting veggies is my favorite, go-to side dish for every dinner! It's great with any type of vegetable and this time around I used butternut squash.

I simply peeled and chopped the butternut squash into pieces all around the same size, tossed them with EVOO, salt, pepper and honey. I placed them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with foil. Roast at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes or until tender.

Instead of a simple side dish for these beauties, I added them to a salad with goat cheese, dried cranberries and pine nuts tossed with balsamic vinaigrette.

Yum!

Roast away,

Laura

Ethel the Owl

It was the first week of my first year of teaching and in order to nip tattling in the bud, I had placed a owl beanie baby on top of the white board named Ethel. Whenever a child had a tattle, they whispered it to Ethel and she flew down to my desk after school every night and told me what had happened that day.

They were so into it.

There was also a bathroom in this classroom and, the first few months, I used this bathroom, as well as the students, so I wasn't leaving them completely alone in the classroom.

So, it was about 30 minutes before the end of the school day (maybe the 4th or 5th day of school) and I really had to use the bathroom so I told them that I was going in here to the bathroom and to keep working because Ethel was watching. (Scary, huh?) The second I start using the bathroom (TMI?) I hear the office calling to my classroom over the loudspeaker and so I hurry and finish up and bust open the bathroom door to see my entire class dead silent, staring at the ceiling where the speaker was located. One sweet friend looks over to me, terrified, and says, "Ethel says that Brooke needs to go to the office."

It took everything in me not to start busting out laughing but I somehow held it together enough to say, "Ok Brooke, you heard Ethel, grab your backpack and head to the office."

It was silent the rest of the day.

Teaching is a lot like acting,
Laura

Basic Smoothie

Although the pb smoothie is my fav, sometimes I have to watch my peanut butter intake, ya know? Or maybe you don't know...anyways, here is the basic recipe I follow when making my smoothies:

1 cup liquid (milk, any type of juice, water)
1 frozen banana
Scant cup greek yogurt (any flavor)

Optional Add-Ins:
Spinach (Yes, spinach. I promise you can't taste it!)
Flavored Extracts (Coconut is my fav.)

Blend together! Easy enough!

Check out this variation:

1 frozen banana, scant cup honey vanilla yogurt, 1 cup green goodness juice, splash of coconut extract



Nastiest picture ever? Perhaps.



So smooth.

I love how thick the banana and yogurt make the smoothies! We usually have a couple juice options on hand like this Green Goodness, carrot juice, V8 splash, etc. I also buy the individual yogurt cups in various flavors when they are on sale to switch things up a little bit, too!

Try it out and let me know what you think!

Breakfast of Champions,
Laura

Heels vs. Flats

Some days (especially those spent mindlessly wandering DSW), I wish my job was the kind where it made sense to wear shoes like this...

or this...

or even this...

But then I remember how much I love my job and my students and that my feet would kill me if I wore heels all the time. Instead, I can wear shoes like this...

or this...

and especially this...

I'll take them all,

Laura

The Chimpantie Breed

After discussing Jane Goodall and chimpanzees in kindergarten this week, we did a journal entry about what we know about the topic. At the end of the writing time, we were sharing what we had written and one sweet friend says,

"Chimpanties make and use tools."

I wasn't sure if you all were aware of the rare breed of Chimpanzees called the Chimpantie!

Made me smile,
Laura

Vegas Attire

My first trip (besides just driving through) to Vegas is in a few week's for my bestie's bachelorette party! I cannot wait to be with my best girlfriends, get dressed up and celebrate our friend's upcoming wedding!

Here are some outfit options I've been perusing for our trip...opinions?

Sequin Mini Dress

Tulle & Bustier

Sweetheart Dress

Bandage Dress

Great Combo

Still browsing around! It's a big decision, you know.

Viva Las Vegas,

Laura