Greetings from sunny and warm Las Vegas!
My early wake up call was well worth it as I’ve had the entire afternoon to relax poolside.
Newark Airport was empty this morning when I arrived which meant that I flew through check-in and security within 10 minutes.
It was still dark when I boarded flight #1 to Cincinnati.
I slept the entire flight which was made even easier since the flight was only half full. I had the luxury of sprawling out across my row.
When we landed in Cincinnati at 8am I was starving! There weren’t many breakfast options in our terminal which made finding a healthy option a bit more difficult than usual. The Starbucks didn’t serve hot breakfasts and the McDonalds line was wrapped around the corner. Luckily, I remembered that Subway now serves breakfast.
The egg white, ham, and cheese melt on a whole wheat english muffin was filling and delicious! At 4 grams of fat you can’t beat this for an airport option. I paired this with a Dannon Light & Fit yogurt and a bottle of water.
This breakfast kept me going the entire flight to Las Vegas. This flight, while packed, was wonderful due to the plane’s newness. There were power outlets and televisions at every seat and I enjoyed plenty of leg room in my exit row seat. Thanks to the internet, I had a great time keeping tabs on all my friends running and walking the More Half Marathon via Twitter!
Time flew quickly due to my many distractions and before I knew it we were landing in Las Vegas!
The airport itself was a madhouse packed with hungover vacationers, gamblers, and lots of smoking. I quickly stopped at the Starbucks for a banana and water.
Luckily, within fifteen minutes I had retrieved my luggage and was in the shorter than normal taxi line. Last year when I came to Vegas for our national meeting the taxi line took over an hour!
The dessert terrain and bright blue sky greeted me as soon as we hit the interstate towards the Strip.
Our hotel is definitely an upgrade as well versus last year’s location! The staff has been very helpful so far and each of our rooms are suites! Theodora was amazed when I sent her pictures of the amazing room we’ll share this weekend!
After jumping up and down with excitement, I calmed down enough to unpack everything neatly into the drawers and closet. If I stay in a hotel more than one night, I always unpack immediately so I feel at home.
My next stop was poolside, in hopes of enjoying my book, relaxing, and getting some color. The pool area is perfect as it has a balance of relaxing areas and then also a huge wave pool and lazy river near the DJ. Today I stayed near the cabanas, away from the noise so I could focus on my book and enjoy my own tunes. I also shelled out $17 for Banana Boat Deep Tanning Sunscreen since I forgot to pack one of my many bottles at home. Oops, at least I protected my skin while I was out in the sun!
I ordered a grilled chicken caeser salad around 4pm EST/1pm Pacitic time as my stomach was making sounds and the time change started to hit me. I was surprised that this huge salad was only $9 and happily enjoyed it with dressing on the side.
After three hours of sun, I was ready to chill in my room before this evening’s festivities begin. Tonight I’m enjoying a casual dinner with a few of my other co-workers who came in early for our national meeting.
See you later!
Question: Have you been to Las Vegas before? If so, any recommendations of shows, clubs, or restaurants?
[6].jpg){kind=link}
[4].jpg){kind=link}
[3].jpg){kind=link}
[3].jpg){kind=link}
[4].jpg){kind=link}
[3].jpg){kind=link}
[3].jpg){kind=link}
[9].jpg){kind=link}
[3].jpg){kind=link}
[3].jpg){kind=link}
[3].jpg){kind=link}
[3].jpg){kind=link}
[3].jpg){kind=link}
[5].jpg){kind=link}
Cirque Du Soleil’s “Love” (Beatles Show) at the Mirage is incredible (seen it 4 times)! As for eats, Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill at Ceaser’s and Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Paris are my faves.
You’re the 3rd person to suggest Mon Ami Gabi so maybe we’ll have to try it. I’m trying to avoid restaurants that I’ve gone to in NYC like Mesa Grill. Cirque sounds really good!
Did you try Mon Ami Gabi? There is one really close to my apt in Chicago and I’ve never tried it! I’ve heard it is delish!
It looks beautiful there! Enjoy yourself!
It is absolutely gorgeous today! I hope this weather is around Fri and Saturday when Theodora is here!
We love going to Las Vegas! We always stay at the Bellagio and eat and shop around there mostly, but some of our favorite places are Fix at Bellagio, Joe’s Stone Crab at Forum Shops, Spago at Forum Shops, and Mon Ami Gabi at Paris. We also went to BLT Burger the last time we were there, and always try some ice cream from one of the fancy shops like in the Bellagio. The Wynn and Palazzo are fun to see, but the Forum Shops are our favorite for shopping.
Marci thanks for all the suggestions. Tomorrow night my team is having dinner at the Bellagio and I can’t wait to take in the sites!
We stayed in the same hotel during the summer. We saw Ka, and because of all the late nights everyone in our group fell asleep during the show, but from what I did see it was a great show!
Hi, I am a Las Vegas local who reads your blog daily! Nice to meet you. 🙂
I would also recommend Mon Ami Gabi since it has fabulous views of the Bellagio fountains and great affordable food. My hubby and I also like to go to Grand Lux Cafe at the Palazzo when we go to the Strip(which isn’t very often if you can believe it 🙂 Craftsteak(MGM)and Yellowtail(Bellagio) are also very good.
Be sure to check out the Conservatory at the Bellagio and the new Cosmopolitan hotel. Hope my suggestions help!
Have fun!
Hi Jacqui! Do you have a blog as well? Thanks for the great suggestions. I’m heading over to the Bellagio tonight for dinner and can’t wait to see it!
Subway FTW.
So jealous you’re in sunny vegas! I’ve only been once before. We stayed at the Venetian and landed an amazing suite with great amenities and a gorgeous rooftop pool. This morning my bf looked at my pathetically pale legs on the way to the gym and teased “man, you’re really rocking some color.” I would KILL to be where you are right now!
Have a blast!
It took me way too long to figure out FTW, Emily. 🙂 Haha, if it’s any consolation I laid out for 4 hours yesterday with SPF 8 tanning dry oil and BARELY got any color. I’m a little tanner but not as much as I hoped!
I am kinda sorta dying to go to Las Vegas!! Very jelous!! When I was in St. Thomas I also had to buy lotion and it cost me 35 dollars.. Crazyness!
Wahoo Vegas! I was actually there last weekend — one of my Philly friends is doing his dental residency there and lives right off the strip. We went to Mon Ami Gabi and the food was average but the view of the fountains is awesome! If you go there for brunch/lunch, get a bloody mary. Also had Blue Ribbon sushi in the Cosmopolitan. If you like dancing and the club scene, check out Marquee or Tao. Marquee has an amazing roofdeck and view 🙂 We also saw KA and I fell asleep, granted I had been traveling all day… Have fun girl!
Wait, do you know Lauren Manni??
YES!!! I went with her! WHAT! Are you a penn stater?? Email meeee! haha