A Baby is Brewing...

Big News!

My sweet hubby and I have a baby girl on the way!

I found out that I was expecting right before I went to Vegas for my bestie's bachelorette party. Remember that?

Both my husband and I wanted to wait to tell everyone the exciting news until I was further along but I knew that if I went to Vegas, for a bachelorette party, and did not even have one celebratory drink, there would be some questions. So, I decided to let them know that first night there before the bachelorette festivities were underway!

Side note: I called the bride-to-be earlier in the week to tell her and asked her if it would be okay to do a little announcement in Vegas. The last thing I wanted to do was take attention off of her weekend because of this news! She was so excited and did not mind one bit!

Gather your supplies: tea bags, strips of colored paper, (and pretend you see these in the picture) glue and a marker.

Fold the paper in half and crease the top.

Write the big news on one side...

...and the date on the other side!

(At this point, we didn't know our exact due date as the Dr. wouldn't see me until 8 weeks along but I knew it would be in the Fall! Our exact due date is October 31, 2012.)

Glue each side to the tea bag label and let dry.



Wrap it up in what would look like a cute Bachelorette gift for everyone and try to contain your excitement/nervousness! 

 

My girlfriends were SO surprised and it was so fun for me to watch their faces as they slowly opened the packages and put together what was happening!

This could not have been easier and such a cute way to announce your big arrival!

Baby's First Trip to Vegas,
Laura

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

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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

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