Not Another LA Blonde

Tag: life

Las Vegas – Weekend Trip

Good Morning!! For many Californians Vegas is a staple weekend trip. Planning a quick getaway? Go to Vegas. Turning a special age? Go to Vegas. Planning a Bachelor/Bachelorette trip? Go to Vegas. We were supposed to go to Las Vegas last March for hubby’s 30th Birthday but then COVID hit the US and we got a little nervous and ended up cancelling the trip. So I’ll fill you in on the details of our March 2019 trip when we took my brother to Vegas for his 21st Birthday.

Friday:

We took Southwest Airlines out of the Long Beach Airport (talk about an easy airport!) on a Friday morning. We grabbed some breakfast and a drink in the airport before getting on the plane.

We almost always stay at the MGM as hubby and I are both rewards members there. We like to stay in the Stay Well rooms (a little pricier but we feel that they are cleaner). We had to wait a while for my brother and his girlfriend to get in (they were flying in from Idaho) so hubby and I hit the pool for a while and grabbed lunch.

For dinner, we grabbed food from one of the hotel restaurants (TAP Sports Bar). They have classic American staples and it’s the perfect place to watch games on TV. According to the MGM website, it looks like they are currently only open Saturday & Sunday’s.

After eating, we went over to Top Golf where we had made a reservation for a bay. They have a lot of great options for booking and it’s fun for everyone! *They are currently open and taking reservations*

Saturday:

We rented a day bed (perfect for 4 people) on the edge of the lazy river pool. We spent the WHOLE day at the pool! (Cabanas/daybeds can be booked starting March 1, but be sure to read up on their Covid protocol when going to the pool)

We hit the Mexican restaurant (Hecho En Vegas Mexican Grill & Cantina) in the hotel for dinner and then decided that we were not going to join my brother and his girlfriend at the club. *Unfortunately, it looks like this restaurant is temporarily closed due to Covid regulations*

Hubby and I decided to go gamble a little bit and then enjoy the country bar, Losers Lounge (which is open!). Losers Lounge is a country themed bar (hubby and I love country music and have been to stagecoach multiple times).

My brother and his girlfriend went to Hakkasan Night Club located in the MGM and said they had a really fun time. *They are temporarily closed during Covid*

Sunday:

We all had an early flight out of Vegas on Sunday morning so we really didn’t do anything! We packed our bags and off to the airport we went.

Another fun thing to do if you’re up for it is the Wet Republic Ultra Pool Party. They are set to reopen for the 2021 season on March 5.

While there is sooo much to see and do in Vegas, I recommend only traveling if it is essential and done safely! Please be sure to check out the local Covid protocol to wherever you are traveling because it might be different than where you live. Stay safe and healthy everyone!

If you do plan on going to Vegas now or in the future make sure you save this post for your trip!

XOXO

March 1, 2021
Santa Ynez – Weekend Trip

Good Morning friends! Happy Tuesday, I hope y’all had a great weekend! Mine started a little rocky (woke up Friday feeling sooo sick, but still went into work since we are short staffed and then had to go to my high school football game to watch my girls cheer) but then got a little better. Robert and I woke up super early Saturday morning and drove up to Santa Ynez (a little past Santa Barbara) for his cousins 30th Birthday Bash.

Our weekend started by waking up at 4:30 and driving 2.5 hours up the coast of California to meet the rest of the family for a 30th Birthday. We arrived at the hotel and got settled in and then at about 10:30am the festivities for the day started. Our transportation included a private bus that took us to each stop and then dropped us off at dinner at the end of the day. The bus was a redone school bus that was super cool!

Our first stop: Babcock Winery

This winery had a super vintage feel to it. Anything in the winery could be purchased including the décor on the walls. Here we had a private tasting and sampled 3 whites and 3 reds.

Whites:

2016 Soulstruck, Grenache Blanc

Unfortunately, I can’t remember the other 2 whites we tried.

Reds:

2016 Pinot Noir “Ocean’s Ghost”

2016 Rita’s Earth Pinot Noir

2016 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills

To be honest, I wasn’t a huge fan of any of the 6 we tried, but in all fairness I really only like sweet wines and tend to shy away from anything too dry. The birthday girl got her own sample of a sweet wine and it was DELICIOUS! I had to buy a bottle for myself to bring home, it’s the 2014 Late Harvest Pinot Gris “Naughty Little Nectar” .

Second Stop: Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co.

There are 5 locations for the is Brewery, we stopped at the one in Los Olivos. This is where we had lunch which was actually really good. We had the upstairs room all to ourselves with a private bartender. For lunch we had salad, tri-tip, bbq chicken, garlic bread, chili, and a potato salad. I’m not a huge craft beer kinda gal, so I opted for a flight of beers. My beers included:

Fig Mtn Light, FMB “101” Blonde Ale, Gibraltor, and Hoppy Poppy IPA

Third Stop: Beckmen Vinyards

We got to this stop at about 3:30 in the afternoon and to be honest, everyone was pretty much done. I think that everyone went a little too hard at lunch with the beers! This winery was a little bit different and didn’t offer a group tasting. We sat outside in a gazebo and someone from the winery came out with 6 different types of wines. He explained them to us and then left us to pour our own tasting. I didn’t really feel like this was a good sales tactic and no one from our group bought any wines here. The grounds were nice, and there were some late harvest grapes still on the vines.

Fourth Stop: Maverick Saloon

This was our last stop for the day. We went in for happy hour, then walked a few doors down for a private dinner (I can’t remember the name of the place we had dinner). This is totally a dive bar type place. They have dollar bills hanging from the ceiling that customers can put up themselves. After dinner we came back and there was a live band playing. Since it was the Saturday before Halloween, they were having a costume party!

Sunday morning we packed up, had lunch at Sandbar in Santa Barbara. The mexican food was actually pretty good and the watermelon margaritas were to die for!

I love being able to do quick weekend getaways like this one and would love to be able to go back up and stay the weekend in Solvang (super cute looking Danish town). I hope you all had an amazing weekend. Let me know if you have any questions about anthing I did this weekend; I’m happy to answer anything you might want to know!

XOXO

February 4, 2021
Shop Pink

I did this same post last year, but we all know Breast Cancer is something that affects so many people. Why not do the most we can to give back.

Unfortunately, I think it’s safe to say that we all probably know someone who has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and hopefully they have overcome their battle, but I know many have not. In any situation, you always wish there was something more you could do to help out.

I’ve rounded up a few items that I felt were good products that also give back during the month of October. We all know y’all were going to go out and shop anyway, so why not do it at a few places that donate back to Breast Cancer Awareness? You can shop all the products here.

IT Cosmetics Love Beauty Full Love is the Foundation Brush – Price = $30.00

For each one purchased during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, IT Cosmetics will donate one to the Look Good Feel Better Program, “to help women face the appearance-related side effects of cancer with confidence.”

Estee Lauder Powerful Pink Color Collection – Price = $35.00

Evelyn H. Lauder founded The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in 1993 to help fund “the most promising breast cancer research worldwide.” 100% of the profits from each purchase of this four-piece color collection go towards the foundation.

Better Skin Amaze Balm – Price = $36.00

The Better Skin Co. is donating 100% of the October proceeds from their Limited Edition Pink Gold Amaze Balm to the Young Survival Coalition (YSC). YSC is specifically devoted to the critical issues unique to young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. Scented with a hint of grapefruit, coconut oil, avocado, sunflower, evening primrose and sea buckthorn, this balm nourishes your skin.

Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair – Price = $98.00

When you buy a bright pink bottle, Estee Lauder will donate 20% to the Look Good Feel Better charity.

Sand & Sky Flash Perfection Exfoliating Treatment – Price = $33.00

In search of a new exfoliator? Sand & Sky’s Flash Perfection Exfoliating Treatment works wonders on skin, gently scrubbing away dry skin, dirt, and oil while refining pores and increasing that glowing, dewy look. All through the month of October, 30% of the sales will go towards the Look Good Feel Better Organization.

Clinique Limited Edition Moisturizing Lotion – Price = $39.00

Limited-edition bottle of our famous yellow lotion in a jumbo size for a great cause. Adorned with a 5-charm key ring including the Pink Ribbon. $10 from each sale will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Sonia Kashuk Proudly Pink Five-Piece Purse Brush Set – Price = $15.99

This quality set is perfect for achieving any gorgeous makeup look, plus it also comes in a chic silver carrying case. Target is donating 15% of the purchase price to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Bobbi Brown 2-pc. Pinks with Purpose Lip Color Duo – Price = $45.00

Dusty Pink and Electric Pink duo. Use these lip liners with any pink lip shade for more fuller, luscious lips. With every set purchased, Bobbi Brown will donate $10 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Tory Burch Support Breast Cancer Research – Price = Varies

From October 1 – October 31, 2018, Tory Burch is donating 20% from this purchase (in pink color only) to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Beauty for Real Blush + Glo – Price = $24

A blush and luminizer in one compact stick? Makeup just got a lot easier. Wear both products over your foundation to highlight or to sculpt and warm your eye look. Beauty for Real will donate 25% of the sale to Women Beyond Cancer.

Happy shopping y’all! Let me know if you know of any other brands that are donating during the month of October.

XOXO

P.S Check out my Instagram Not Another LA Blonde and see my day to day life!

October 11, 2018