A Vegas Jaunt

It had been far too long since my last Vegas trip (I think the last time was May?!), so with another four day weekend last weekend, we knew where we wanted to go! 

We landed Thursday morning around noon and headed right to the hotel (due to Martha Jewart's intense love of gambling we all got hooked up with free rooms at Aria. WOOT!) to get settled in. After a quick lunch at the buffet and an hour or two at the slot machines, I asked R what he was in the mood to do next. His response? "Let's go to the aquarium at Mandalay Bay!" Okayyyyyy. Who am I to deny a man a tour of a shark tank?!

Dude, I love your coat.

Um, these were the biggest fish I've ever seen in my life. Each one was the size of my couch.

SHARK!!!!! I was terrified.

I always forget there's more to Vegas than just high end boutiques, penny slots, Cirque de Soleil shows and gourmet restaurants :) the aquarium was actually pretty cool, albeit small, and R got to stick his hands in a tank and pet some stingrays, so really it was a win-win all around.

That night we did something cool - we headed off the strip for dinner at Lotus of Siam. Have you heard of it? It was ranked "Best Thai Restaurant in America" by food critic Jonathan Gold, who I worship, and after reading about it for years I'm SO glad we tried it. We ordered some curries, a sour sausage/crispy rice appetizer, giant garlic prawns, and more, and in addition to being crazy delicious, it was inexpensive - I highly recommend it if you're up to going off the strip and being adventurous! 

The next day we slept late, lounged by the pool and got some sun, and OH YEAH WENT TO PLANET HOLLYWOOD AND BOUGHT SOME BRITNEY SPEARS TICKETS. Yeah, you read that right. Come February me and some pals will be rocking out to Britney like it's 1999, ya'll. CANNOT WAIT. #SHELIVES

A trip to Vegas is not complete without a visit to my very favorite restaurant, Craftsteak. We ordered all our faves: heirloom tomato salad, charcuterie platter, wagyu steak tartare, filet mignon, roasted mushrooms... we were happy campers, yes indeed. 

Plus, seconds before sitting down, there was a fistfight in front of the hostesses station, so you know I was ALL about that! These two had to calm me down in order to take the picture :)

We came home late Saturday night - my mama and I spent the majority of the last day shopping in Fashion Show Mall, and R got to hang out with a friend at Aria. Macy's was having a sick sale so I stocked up on some basic black leggings, a fun leather vest, and the most amazing leopard blazer.

Oh! Forgot to mention - when we were checking into the hotel I casually mentioned that we had just gotten engaged... and the hotel clerk said "Me too!" So not only did we get to bond over that... but he also sent up some delicious chocolate-covered strawberries! Awesome.

Vegas, can't wait to see you again REAL soon! Counting down the days til BRITNEY 2014... except I have a feeling I'll be back again before that!