Vegas, baby
Welcome to Vegas.
(Insert crying-laughing emoji here)
Hi friends! How are you? I’m so glad you’re stoked about the giveaway. Keep those entries coming!
We are back from Vegas after a quick trip to spend time with friends, and enjoy Mother’s Day with our little family.
It was a friends’ birthday -we’ve known them since the good ol’ Valdosta days- and he wanted to celebrate in Vegas, so friends from all over the US came to join in the fun. It was so great to see familiar faces that we’ve known for so long, and somehow our paths always seem to cross again. We stay in touch and tend to pick up where we left off. 🙂 The Pilot went to Vegas on Friday to participate in the shenanigans, while Livi and I stayed in San Diego so I could teach Saturday Zumba. After class, we hopped on a plane to meet up with everyone!
It’s funny because traveling with a little one, especially by myself, used to feel so intimidating. Now, once we’re through security and on the plane, it feels somewhat… relaxing (you know, besides the fact that I’m white-knuckling the arm rests because I don’t like flying). She watches movies on the iPad with her kiddo headphones while I read magazines or the Kindle, and we share some snacks. It’s pretty glorious. I’m enjoying this little relaxing travel time before we change it up a bit in the fall. 🙂
The Pilot picked us up at the airport, we headed to the hotel,
and spent the afternoon out at the pool. The pool area was pretty mellow -minus the hilarious inebriated dudes dancing out on the platforms- and they had a great 1-ft. deep kid-friendly area. After hanging out with everyone, swimming and relaxing, we got ready for a delicious dinner at Mesa Grill.
Last time we went to Mesa Grill, it was kind of meh (which makes me so sad to say because I looooove Bobby Flay). The food wasn’t as good as usual and the service was super slow. We had a large party -13 people- and while the service wasn’t exceptional (but way better than last time), the food was the amazing Mesa Grill standard that made it one of our favorites.
The Pilot and Rita:
and me, pretending my club soda was a Cactus Pear margarita.
We shared some goat cheese queso fundido (the best!!), Sophie’s chopped salad,
and for my entree, I chose the shrimp tamales, which were just as mouthwatering as this picture. They were perfection!
Livi was so tired from swimming, she crashed out in the stroller on our walk to Caesar’s Palace. She spent about 3/4 of our meal absolutely zonked in the stroller at our table until she woke up to have some quesadilla. Party hard. 🙂
After dinner, everyone went to see the Anthony Cools show at Paris (which the Pilot said was HILARIOUS), while Liv and I headed back to the hotel for jammies, tea and movies. We watched Song of the Sea before bed, and it was wonderful. It’s a children’s movie based on Irish folklore with exquisite animation. It was a beautiful story with serene music; highly recommend it.
Sunday morning was breakfast at our one Vegas must-eat spot: Mon Ami Gabi.
The Pilot and I have been quite a few times, but we had to introduce it to Liv. Needless to say, she was a fan.
During our quick stay in Vegas, we spent some time walking around the strip, taking pictures with rough-looking characters
enjoying the Bellagio fountains,
a little shopping,
and we also checked out the giant M&M shop, which Liv thought was the coolest place ever.
Ok, I liked it too… 😉
Now it’s back in the swing of things over here! I taught a nice and sweaty BODYPUMP class this morning, and now it’s time for spin.
Hope you’re having a great day <3
xoxo
Gina
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Looks like a fun weekend! I’ve never been to Mesa Grill but have always wanted to go. I can hardly even look at the picture of the shrimp tamales because I want to eat them so badly! Haha 🙂
I LOVE Mon Ami Gabi and I’ve been to the one in Vegas before. Good choice!
Haha! The M&M place gets me every time too. Glad you guys enjoyed your mini vacay.
I’m in my twenties and don’t have children (yet!), but I seriously enjoyed Song of the Sea. SO MUCH! It was such a beautiful story and gives a nice insight into Irish folklore! Also, I was just in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, so it’s nice to relive it through your post! When I was there we tried Border Grill for their weekend brunch, which was truly delicious!
i think i enjoyed it even more than liv did. so so good 🙂 we will have to check out border grill next time
Yet another post with multiple “glorious” !
ahhhh really??
Pretty glorious
Thanks for your help!
scared me for a second. there were only two, which is one too many. so i changed it 😉
I ate at Mesa Grill a couple of years ago and everything I had was super spicy, which is not really my thing! But I loved the setting! Glad you guys had fun! And yes, that was a quick trip!
It’s so cool to see that you did Vegas as a family! I have never been and I’m going for my first time with my boyfriend in July. It seems like there is something there for everyone, so I’m excited!
Looks like so much fun!! I’ve never been to Vegas,but i live near nyc so I go pretty often and this post reminds me of Times Square with the m&m store and skeevy characters!
Looks like a great trip! We absolutely love Vegas and try to make a trip out there every couple of years. Where did you stay this time?
I had Bobby Flay’s daughter, Sophie, as a student. I’m guessing she has something to do with that salad!
livi is basically the cutest thing ever. looks like such a fun trip! <3
Glad you had such a great getaway in Vegas, especially with Livi. I don’t see Vegas being overly child friendly.
I love that minion street character! And I need to watch that Irish cartoon! It sounds great!
The Mickey and Minnie? Hilarious!
I wish flying was relaxing! We have waaaaay too much stuff. One thing that I have found really helpful for traveling with a baby is to go to the lounges. It is worth it even if you have to pay because there are comfy seats, designated changing areas for babies and so much more comfortable.
this time we didn’t have to deal with the stuff because tom took everything up with him on friday. all i had was a gym bag and purse, which NEVER happens haha
I would love to go to Vegas. Someday! I also wouldn’t mind a plate of Liv’s blueberry French toast. It looks deliciously wonderful. I’m a sucker for breakfast food and could probably be content with it three meals a day. 🙂
i love your striped maxi dress! where’s it from?
have a good day!
thank you! it’s from shopbop; it’s 30% off right now, too! here’s the link: http://bit.ly/1H1xZuo
That breakfast looks delicious!
i want it every day haha
I love Vegas!! I am going in a couple weeks too 🙂
ohhhh have fun!!
Looks like such a fun time! I have never been to Vegas and I’m not sure that I want to go now that I have been in recovery for awhile. I think that the longer I am though the easier it becomes. I know there are plenty of ways to enjoy yourself without drinking (as evidenced by this post!).
totally. there are so many other fun things to do there!! and if you want a fresh juice or something delicious sans alcohol, canyon ranch is the perfect spot (venetian/palazzo)
Love the dress you wore to dinner at Mesa Grill! It looks beautiful on you.
thank you so much, lovely <3
Love Vegas!!!!!!!!! What is your absolute favorite restaurant? I’m headed out in the summer and would love recommendations. I should mention I am gluten-free vegan 🙂
xo, Lauren @ http://alovelysideproject.com
you will LOVE canyon ranch in the venetian/palazzo. they have so many veg and gf options!
Thank you so much!!! 🙂
What kind of kiddo headphones did you get for livi?
she has these: http://www.amazon.com/Kidz-Gear-Wired-Headphones-Kids/dp/B00AXE9YD2/ref=sr_1_2?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1431450147&sr=1-2&keywords=kid+headphones they’re awesome
flying with 1 child seems like nothing now haha. I’m SOOOO looking forward to my Nashville trip in July though – with NO BABIES! ha! I told Patrick I’m going to get a coffee simply because I’ll have a free hand to carry it on the plane, and I’m sure I’ll sleep at some point so I’m doing it big and bringing my eye mask. 🙂
I went to Vegas for the first time last month! We were there for 8 days for a photography conference (I don’t recommend that stretch of time for Vegas.) I had a great meal at Gordon Ramsay’s Burgr, which was also reasonably priced. Such an interesting, bizarre city! Can’t wait to go back next year.
Looks like a fun trip! My husband and I usually go to Vegas every year since we have a timeshare there, but I’m currently 5 months pregnant and was thinking I’d have to skip it this year. I am mostly worried about being around all the casinos and cigarette smoke being pregnant. Did you find this to be an issue at all?
No- thankfully a lot of the newer casinos are smoke free