Instagrams & Milk: Vegas In Instas

So ready for the weekend o'er here. Apparently spring break decided to come back and bite me in the butt. I think I'm still in Vegas mode. You know: sleep in, be lazy, go to the pool, stay up til all odd hours of the night. But I need to get back to normal mode. Wake up at 4:30, work, class, gym, homework, bed before 11. That sort of a thing.

In my first class today after I left work at the radio station, I could literally not keep my eyes open. During the fifty minute span of class, I kept fading off. Just taking a look at my notebook would give you an idea of how tired I was. Every bullet point starts with clear legible words and by the end, it fades off into scribbles. Those scribbles are the parts where I went to sleep. It was almost so pathetic it was funny. I would come to, look down, and realize my pen was moving across the paper, but I had no idea what I was writing. And that my friends, is why sleep is important. So I'll be catching up on it over the weekend.

In the meantime, here are some grammy grams from Las Vegas. . .

Find me on Instagram @mrskellwell. We will be insta-friends. It will be insta-good.

Viva Las Vegas

Brian and I have enjoyed some dang good spring breaks together. In 2011 it was a Mexican cruise. In 2012 it was Hawaii. We kept things a little cheaper and more simple by spending this year's week of freedom in Las Vegas. You think we would be sick of Vegas since we've already been three times in our year and a half of marriage. But that crazy town always has something new to offer and I argue that it also has the best people watching in the country. And I like me my people watching. Our days in Sin City didn't disappoint. I think it would be safe to say that we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Conveniently enough, Allstate had conferences in Vegas the exact same week as our spring break, so they picked up the tab for our hotel. Thanks, Allstate! You always keep us in good hands. While I missed BWell while he went to a few business conferences, we still ended up having most of our time together. It was nice to just have some carefree "us" time. The only downside is that it had to end. Boo. 

A few highlights from the trip: 

The Beatles Love Show

It's been on my bucket list for a while now, so we finally decided to just pay up and get tickets. We ended up getting a sweet deal on our seats and we sat on the second row! I think I could smell the acrobats breath as they swung past me, we were that close. I was in my own little Beatles heaven watching my favorite songs come to life on stage and having colorful confetti spill from the ceiling onto my head. Brian loved it too. If you are a fan of the Beatles (like me) I suggest you plan on going to this show at some point in your life.The only negative of this whole event was that we decided it would be a good idea to walk from our hotel to the Mirage. It was a ways. And then we were almost late. And then we were running through a sea of people. And I was wearing heels. Those heels gave me blisters. Whew. We took a cab back.   

Siegfried and Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat 

This was such a hoot. I mean, really. I don't have photos because I had the video camera out the whole time. So perhaps a video will be shown at some point in time. If I was an animal, I would have to be a dolphin. They are precious. I squealed so much through this exhibit that I may have scared some children. The tigers and lions were cool too, but they were so tired. They mostly just napped and occasionally peered at us like we were such idiots for standing around, watching them.


The Aria and their perfect beds

. . .perfect for jumping on, of course. Allstate put us up in the Aria hotel. It was one of the nicest hotels I've ever stayed at. It's only three years old. The beds are stupendously comfy. I wanted to open and reopen the huge curtain to our window over and over again with the remote. I'm kind of a child. My parents are probably disgusted (I swear they taught me better).

Gambling

Yeah, that happened. But don't fret, BWell and I are responsible gamblers. I played at an actual blackjack table for my first time and lucky for me, our dealer was extremely nice. I had a ball until some unkempt, big man sat down next to me and pulled out the largest cigar I've ever laid eyes on. He was such a loud, gross man and he kept blowing his foul cigar smoke right in my face. That ended the game for me and I felt sick the remainder of the night. Bleh. But things could have been worse. I could have been the other guy at our table who was completely wasted. He bet 300 dollars on a few hands (hands that weren't even good, mind you) and lost it all. I bet he's really sad now since he lost so much money. He probably doesn't even remember how he lost it.

M&M World

Fun to see, but don't you dare buy a bag of M&Ms there. It's a scam. Sure, you can get any colors you want but you'll also pay an arm and a leg for them. And I promise they don't taste different just because they came out of the bin from M&M World. I really think they need to sell crispy M&Ms there (make that happen, M&M world!). If they did, I definitely would have splurged.

Food

Enough said. I think I gained ten pounds.

A few other things that happened that I shan't forget to mention. . .I drove down the strip to the mall all by myself. I didn't even hyperventilate. Pat on the back for Kelsey. Of course, the pool was a hit. 80 degrees, me likey. We also made friends with our cab drivers because it's one of my favorite things to do. Oh, and Brian bought some dude's album from off the street. We were just innocently walking the strip and he runs toward us, asking us if we'll buy his cd. While I'm thinking to myself, "Who is this crazy guy?" Brian starts pulling cash out of his wallet and says, "Sure, here man!" And then the guy signed it for him. He said, "Who can I write this out to?" Guess what Brian said? "You can make it out to King Brian. That's what they call me."
Something about Vegas turns my husband into a high roller wannabe. I have to say, it's very amusing.

I also have a plethora of iPhone pictures from this trip that will most likely make it on this blog at some point in time. So it aint over yet, folks. Fasten your seat belts.

Because I Care. Duh.

I'm in Sin City right now. As I type this post, I'm looking out a huge window over all the flashy buildings. I'm just waiting for Brian to get out of a business meeting so we can go down to the pool and let our pasty bodies see some sun.

And since I probably won't be posting again while I'm on my little vacation, I thought I would at least leave you all with a treat. I went to a blogger meetup last week and the gals there were super fly. You will want to check out their blogs for pure entertainment and enlightenment. You won't be disappointed.

^^that's us, becoming pals^^

And here are the bloggity blogs: 

sincerely, laura

This Little Blonde

Happiness Is

Imma Walking Fashion Crime

and sam sam

words, ramblings, and the random

K. Until next time. I'm gonna go get a sunburn now. 

Sunday Best: Shoulda Coulda Woulda

dress: Modcloth, leggings: JCPenny, heels: Kmart, necklace: Buckle, earrings: Claire's, headband: ?

I shoulda started packing for this Vegas trip days ago because then I would be in bed right now. I'll never learn. 

This lovely mustard item coulda been a bridesmaid dress for my wedding. I had all my bridesmaids mismatched but they all wore mustard yellow. We ordered this dress and when it came in the mail, we realized it would be way too short. And leggings were a no go since BWell and I were married in early August (heat wave). But instead of sending it back, my mom just said, "Keep it. It's cute." And now it's a forever favorite. Mustard yellow just makes my heart go pitter-patter. Swoon. 

I woulda worn boots with this outfit if I had known how blustery of a day it would turn out to be. The whole week was sunny and delightful. So on Friday, I got brave and let my white feet blind the world by wearing these heels. It was still sunny(ish) but a cold wind blew all day. It's not my fault I go into work at 5:30 every morning. It's hard to predict weather conditions when you leave your house to stars and moon still in the sky. Oh well. Life goes on. And by the end of this week, let's hope my ghostly feet shall be a few shades darker. 

Happy Spring Break. See ya'll later this week. 

Instagrams & Milk: Vegas Style

So we got back from our road trip last Friday. You know, the one where we drove to Arizona to hike and camp for a few days, and then drove back to Vegas for Brian's work conference. That road trip. And I gathered a handful of photos on my phone from that trip. Most of them are from Vegas, but a couple are from the drive. Most of them in Vegas I was by myself, but a couple Brian was out of meetings and with me. I think some people were worried I would be bored in Vegas for three days with Brian busy all day. But I actually enjoyed the alone time. It was relaxing. And you know what? I went to a restaurant by myself and ordered a bunch of food to eat by myself, and it felt so liberating.

Here are some Instagrams. . .Vegas style, of course.

Brian's exact words about this incident were: "I married a five year old." The good news is we're almost to Vegas! 

Hello, Route 66 with your beautiful cars

Dear Ronnie Jace, this is for you. Happy late birthday.

Just checking into the Wynn after camping in the wilderness for several days. No big.

Nike store. NFL. I'm American. 

 What a lovely background. 

Cheesecake Factory has my heart. And my stomach. 

Poolside in Vegas. Flying solo until BWell gets out of meetings. 

Pool Rat 

Eating lunch on the strip while flying solo. I am such fun company. 

Why use mirrors when you can just use the reflection of the humongous window in your room?

Virgin drink hour 

 Smell you later, hotel. It's been real. 

We enjoyed our road trip. . .but we were more than ready to get home and cuddle this cute thang.

We Lost Ourselves in the Bright Lights

Since I have now been 21 for a week and three days, I suppose it's about time to blog about my birthday. Call it cliche, but I spent my 21st birthday in Las Vegas. Sin City.

I didn't get wasted on alcoholic beverages and I didn't even go to a strip club either. But I had the most wild fun that a Mormon girl could have in Vegas. You know, ordering virgin drinks, making quarter bets on blackjack, and becoming a victim of secondhand smoke. Really though, it was such an exciting three days spent with my pal, BWell.

After our super quick flight from Salt Lake on Wednesday (day before my birthday), we rented a car and drove out to the Las Vegas temple. Sadly, I forgot my recommend at home but it was still so nice walking around the grounds and taking pictures. We also ate breakfast at a random little diner and I happily ordered the chocolate chip pancakes topped with whipped cream.

We then hit up the outlets and we both went a little crazy. Believe it or not, Brian ended up with the most purchases by the time we got out of those outlets. He got lots of classy clothes for work including a handsome Tommy Hilfiger wool coat. We both purchased swimsuits. And I snagged a t-shirt for $4.00 which I thought was pretty cool.

After we wore ourselves right out from all the walking and shopping, we checked into the Monte Carlo and rested up in our room before dinner. When the time came for dinner and our show, we made the stroll along the strip toward our destination. My heart felt so happy as my eyes were filled with the flashing of colorful neon lights, I held hands with my favorite person in the world, and I knew come midnight it would be my birthday.

I woke up the morning of my birthday to breakfast in bed and a plethora of sweet texts and phone calls from people wishing me happy birthday. I also was lucky enough to open a few small presents from some family members that Brian had so kindly packed in the suitcase. I then thought it would be highly appropriate to go shopping at Forever 21 in honor of me turning the age of 21. After wandering around the huge multilevel store, I ended up with a huge stack of clothes I loved, but I narrowed it down to a pair of floral print pants and two sweaters. Go me.

For lunch, we ate at Raising Canes. Apparently it's this really popular chicken place in the South, so Brian ate there lots on his mission. He was pretty excited about going there. Like ridiculously excited actually. He had a little kid smile plastered on his face the entire time.

I really wanted cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory, so after exploring the strip, we did that too. The wait was pretty long, but luckily there were two open seats for us at the bar, which I can now legally sit at. Upon sitting down, the bartender asked for my id, which I proudly gave him. After he examined it for a moment and glanced over at the calendar, he turned back to me with a huge smile and said, "Well, happy birthday!" He was a really good bartender. I ordered some type of mango virgin drink (which was amazing) and the Hershey bar cheesecake. When he brought our cheesecakes out, my heart skipped a beat because my slice of cake looked amazing. Not only was it about double the size of a regular slice, but it was covered in sprinkles and had a candle sizzling on top. On the rim of the plate it was also written in chocolate, 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU'.

After we let our cheesecake sit for a while, we went on the New York New York Roller Coaster, because roller coasters are one of my favorite things. I laughed so hard the entire time, and while waiting in line we found a sign that reminded us of Luna our cat which made me miss her (we left her with Brian's Grandma).

Later that night, we dressed all fancy and enjoyed some time in the casino. Everyone continued to id me. But I didn't mind because every time they did, they would then graciously offer me a happy birthday. Gambling was pretty fun. We lost track of time and didn't head up to our room until like 2 or 3 am.

The next day we slept in after a late night at the casino. When I awoke, I realized I had completely lost my voice and had a cold. But all was well. I just whispered all day and we enjoyed a buffet at the Luxor before heading to the airport. You know what is beautiful about buffets? You can combine Mexican food, Chinese food, Italian food, and American food and it is totally fine. No one questions your strange food combinations.

Vegas was fun. It was just the adventure I needed to kick off the age of 21 right. Props to Brian for the best birthday vacation ever. We lost ourselves in the bright lights. I want to get lost again sometime soon.