waking up in Vegas
Hi friends! How are you?? How was the weekend?
We’re back in Tucson after an incredibly fun time in Vegas. It had been a year since our last trip, and we were so pumped to meet up with our friends Betsy and Jeremy for a weekend of basketball and shenanigans at the Pac-12 tournament.
Our flight left early Friday morning, and when we arrived to the Bellagio, our room was ready. We checked in,
and headed with Betsy and Jeremy to our favorite spot for brunch: Mon Ami Gabi. We’ve had a few different breakfasts in Vegas and we always end back up at Mon Ami. Their breakfast is always amazing -they have the ideal mix of sweet and savory offerings- and they have delicious mimosas and Bloody Marys.
I rolled with the gluten-free eggs florentine, and it was everything: perfectly-cooked eggs, crispy gluten-free toast, and a creamy spinach and artichoke sauce.
After brunch, we went back to the hotel to relax before dinner, and lounged at the pool for a while.
(Swimsuit is here! I was looking for a cute “mom suit” that I could chase the girls around in without having to worry about pieces moving around, and it’s become my favorite swimsuit.)
With my favorite guy:
I fell asleep at the pool (oops), and we decided to hit up the gym before dinner. It was shoulders, chest and triceps day, so I toasted my upper body and got in 20 minutes of HIIT on the spin bike while listening to the POSH podcast. The Bellagio gym is pretty impressive, especially for a hotel gym. They have all of the essential strength equipment, plus a surplus of cardio machines -the only thing I missed was a TRX- and we ended up working out twice during downtime on our trip.
After our workout, we met for dinner at Yellowtail. We ordered a bunch of sushi and appetizers to share while we chatted and watched watched the fountains show from the patio.
(We missed them so much.)
After dinner, it was b-ball time!
We had tickets for the last two rounds of the basketball tournament, and I was SO stoked to cheer for my beloved Wildcats. I tried to keep my heckling to a minimum since Betsy went to UCLA and was cheering for the Bruins. 😉 It was such a great game, and it was insane how many people were packed into the stadium: 19,000. As the game let out, the escalators and swarms of red shirts were chanting “U of A!” down the Las Vegas strip.
We went back to the Bellagio and got drinks and snacks for people-watching (the people-watching in Vegas is unlike anything else haha), and then called it a night.
Saturday morning… we didn’t really end up seeing. The Pilot and I decided to sleep “until we woke up,” and that ended up being the bold time of 1pm. 1pm Vegas time = 2pm Tucson time. I can’t even remember the last time I slept that late, and it was so glorious I can’t even begin to articulate it. It’s funny because during this trip, my body was in complete confusion. “Why are you horizontal with your eyes closed for so long? Wait, it’s cocktail time? Ok, now it’s gym time, so we’re being healthy. Wait, now we’re sleeping at the pool. Now you’re jumping up and down screaming and chanting.” It had no clue if it was cocktail time, gym time, crazy cheering Wildcat time, or what. In Vegas, you just roll with it.
We grabbed the fastest brunch in the history of mankind at the Bellagio Cafe, and I took a piece of toast to munch on my way to Planet Hollywood to hit up DryBar with Betsy.
DryBar always feels like the best treat, and I love the way they style my hair (it lasts for so long!) + the super girly movies on the TV screens. This DryBar also had a full bar and a DJ. I sipped coffee and watched pieces of “Now and Then” while chatting with Katie, who reads the blog!!! She did such a beautiful job on my hair, and I definitely felt more awake after the whole experience haha.
Betsy and I shopped around the Miracle Mile shops -I picked up this lotus bracelet from Alex and Ani- and met up with the boys (who were hitting the poker tables) at the caviar bar for a quick snack.
We shared a cheese board, caviar, and got some drinks. Everything was delicious, but the star of the show was the truffle popcorn.
We did a quick change for dinner,
(dress is from Express)
then headed down to Smith & Wollensky, which is the Pilot’s favorite Vegas restaurant. It’s a steakhouse, and while we were all pretty full from our giant afternoon snack, we rallied.
I had my outfit for the game stuffed into my purse, so I could represent the Cats for the Pac-12 Tournament game,
and we made the trek down to the arena.
The game was a liiiiiiittle on the stressful side. Arizona was ahead the entire time, but you could cut the tension with a knife. No one really celebrated until the buzzer, and even then, we weren’t nearly as loud and celebratory as the previous night.
It was an awesome game, and we were so happy we could be there to see the Wildcats win.
(It kinda looks like we’re in the middle of traffic, but we were on a meridian.)
We debated doing the whole club thing -Bruno Mars was playing at the Bellagio- but by the time we got back, we were ready to chill. Betsy and Jeremy called it a night, and the Pilot and I went down to the hotel bar to hang out for a while.
Sunday morning, we had one last Vegas breakfast: the quintessential Vegas buffet. We tried the Paris buffet, and it was pretty good. Any time I can have macarons with coffee, I’m pretty happy about life.
The Pilot and I got in another workout at the gym (legs day. boom), and then walked around the Strip. Before grabbing our luggage to head to the airport, we went back to the downstairs cafe for an afternoon snack. We had coffees + Bailey’s, shared the cheeseboard again, and enjoyed more of the truffle popcorn.
Before we knew it, we were on a plane, heading back to the girls and pups. Madre watched the crew this weekend -she’s the real MVP- and they had the best time with their nanas. While it’s definitely good for the soul to get some downtime every now and again, my heart misses them the second I’m away.
I hope you had a happy weekend, too! What were you up to? Did anyone run the SD half?
What’s your vacation fitness mentality? Do you get in *official workouts* or do more of the sightseeing thing? For me, it depends on how long we’re there and how much downtime we have. If I have time to time a class or get in a hotel workout, I’ll do it, or I’ll just enjoy exploring our destination on foot and get back into the routine when we’re home.
See you soon, friends!
xoxo
Gina
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Looks like a fun trip! Brings back memories of my own from Vegas- I went with my girlfriends right after I graduated college. We had one week before we started our real jobs and decided we needed to go to Vegas, haha. For a future trip, I highly recommend brunch at the Wicked Spoon inside the Cosmopolitan. Everything served in tiny plates/frying pans/baking dishes etc. The Bellagio buffet (main buffet) is also awesome- the steel cut oats are like heaven.
When on vacation, I usually always bring a workout outfit or two with me but go into it with low expectations. If I’m feeling it and a workout fits in the schedule (or I really WANT to do one), then I’ll make it happen. If not, I don’t stress it and let my body enjoy the rest for the week without any official workouts- usually just some long walks on the beach. Vacation is meant for enjoying 🙂
I agree with the fitness part for vacations – if it happens, great, if not, no big deal! 🙂
i wish we would have done the bellagio buffet instead of paris. it was pretty good, but i heard the bellagio one was amazing. i’ll definitely check out the cosmopolitan on a future trip!
same! i totally agree. but i also enjoy any downtime opportunity i have to workout, since it’s usually pretty frantic trying to fit them in at home
Great point- it’s nice to not feel rushed after work and everything else so I totally get that!
That sounds like so much fun! I was never one for sleeping in on vacation, but now that we have a baby, I feel like all I’ll do is sleep the first time we take a trip without him. Sounds amazing!!
my first trip away from liv, i slept for 13 hours. you will love it haha
Looks like such a fun weekend!! Congrats on the win, too!
thank you!
For me, it depends on the type of vacation. If I’m doing a lot of walking and sight seeing, then I don’t do official workouts unless I feel like it. Otherwise, I always try to fit in a workout even when I’m away from home. Many years of consulting on the road, I got used to doing workouts wherever I was so it’s NBD.
Don’t you just love uninterrupted time with the hubs?! Is your swim cover from the same place?? It’s so cute!!
it’s so weird and amazing. we got to have full conversations all weekend <3
thank you! it's from stella and dot
Looks like you totally savored the vacay! My vacation fitness mentality is usually to kill two birds with one stone: head out the door and go for a run, explore the city on road or go through the neighborhoods or just run along the beach, wherever you are. I always feel more justified in indulging in ALL the foods afterwards. 🙂 I just got back from a work trip in LA last week, and somehow I managed to fit runs down Rodeo Drive in the early morning. It just gave me such a boost.
Also: I’m loving all the food photos and all the outfits from this post!
hahah same.
sounds like such an awesome way to get in a morning sweat <3
thank you! hope you had a great weekend, too
Vacation workouts are tricky. I think mainly because I try and sleep in and enjoy lazy mornings drinking coffee and staying in pj’s. I usually bring running sneakers and some body-weight workout that takes less than 30 minutes. This past vacation I spent a lot of time bike riding with my parents, as it was a perfect way to chat sans kids.
that’s such a great way to get in extra activity <3
i hope you had a wonderful weekend, too!
I never workout on holiday! I find I’m generally more active from the site seeing and will try and sneak in some exercise while out and about doing things (cue doing the 600 stairs somewhere rather than than taking a gondola), so I don’t feel the need to hit up a gym or workout class.
Looks like a great trip to Vegas 🙂
I love Vegas and it looks like you had so much fun!!
My vacation mentality is basically: eating intuitively (as I always do) and squeezing in some miles if I had the time and the resources to do it (a treadmill or a safe course where I won’t get lost). For that reason, I always pack my running shoes.
yes, that’s such a great way to do it!
Where did you get the swimsuit cover up?
stella and dot 🙂
Ahhhhhh I love Vegas and it’s been so long since I’ve been there. Looks like you had a blast! I usually try to get workouts in whenever I’m on vacation – usually a quick HIIT that I can do in the room or I’ll go for a run. Then there are those vacations where I do absolutely nothing and it’s usually pretty amazing. So I guess I just listen to my body wants, and abide by whatever it says.
that’s such a great way to do it <3
I definitely feel best when i eat as normal as possible (but still indulge of course!) and keep up with my exercise routine. Actually on vaca i probably end up working out more bc i have help watching my little one. Swimsuit is on point btw!
agreed. our meal at the steakhouse was so rich, and my body was like what is happening hahah
and so true about the extra childcare. it makes it way easier to work out!
i hope you had a great weekend <3
Your Vegas posts make me want to go there! I may have to plan a short trip there soon 🙂
yesssss! it’s so much fun
All this time reading your blog I didn’t realize you did splits for your own personal fitness routine. I would love to hear more about this. I have trouble doing muscle splits because I never know what days or how many I will workout, and I love using Classpass and doing full body workouts (barre, spin, Barrys full body day, etc). Would love your thoughts on this.
i change it up a lot. i was really into full body circuits for a while, but have tried to get back into a solid strength split. it doesn’t always happen and sometimes i end up taking classes for all of my workouts. it really helps to plan out my routine for the week in advance, because then i know if i’ll be doing classes or my own things
Oh, Vegas! So fun! Glad you had a great time with your friends. It’s the perfect place for a couples trip. We went with another couple back in August. As far as workouts on vacation — I don’t always do them. I did a yoga class on the High Roller last time in Vegas, and outside of a hike, that was it for fitness. LOVING your bathing suit and Express dress, by the way!
thank you, friend! yes, it’s so perfect for couples trips. the restaurants and shopping are the best 🙂
So happy the Wildcats won and thankful we took that quick trip to Tucson so Logan had some gear to wear! Looks like a fun trip!!! Love love your swimsuit!!!
yessss! u of a gear on little kids is the best 🙂
hope you had a great weekend <3
So fun! I could definitely use a weekend like that with my husband!
Is your wildcats sweatshirt new? Love!
i got it a few weeks ago at victoria’s secret- i think they still have them online!
Looked like a great trip! And that black bathing suit is too dye for! So cute got get me one lol
thank you!!
Oh my goodness, that swimsuit. Gorgeous! Most of our “vacations” are centered around working out- mountain biking, trail running, paddle boarding! Makes staying in shape pretty easy 😉
thank you!! i love vacations like that- you get the chance to be active and explore at the same time
Love all the inside tips for Vegas. It’s so much fun following around your college team to the big events (but also stressful when the score is close, as you mentioned). You look so fab in every outfit. Where did you find your denim cut-offs?
Love your jean shorts! Where did you get them?
stitch fix! i’ll check the brand for ya
Your vegas trip looked like fun…and sleeping til afternoon…yaasss!!!
I always pack workout clothes on vacay but rarely use them…although lately I’ve been good at trying diff classes when traveling. My fave classes to try are pole & barre….one time in Nashville I was roped into acro yoga…which was quite interesting. Pretty sure my back was screaming bloody mercy…hahaha!
Btw…I love your HIIT Sprint Ladders…thats my fave “get back on the running wagon” workout…
Ooh what did you order from Smith & Wollensky’s? Would you recommend going there?
i got the filet and we all shared the mushrooms, onion rings, and spinach. it was good, but really rich/heavy. i like the food at craft steak more, and also love tao and mesa grill when they aren’t having an off night
Do you mind if I ask when you started eating beef? I remember for a couple years you were eating more pescetarian and then you added white meat back in but I didn’t realize you ate beef now. I currently eat pescetarian so I’m curious. Did it bother your stomach at all when you had beef for the first time after?
yeah i hadn’t had beef for probably 7 years when i started eating steak again? it was the summer before i got pregnant with p. i was pretty sure i was anemic, because all i could think about was steak. so i went to whole foods, got a couple of organic grassfed steaks, the pilot grilled them, and i ate the entire thing. i didn’t feel sick at all… i felt amazing. since then i’ve had steaks here and there. i very rarely get them from restaurants (because i don’t love the sources), but at home, we’ll grill steaks here and there. i’ve also been loving the steak dishes in our sun basket meals
Ah! So so jealous! I just love Vegas- clearly lots to do and eat! On vacation, I usually don’t workout as much as I normally do. I’ll try to get in about 4 workouts a week for that week instead of my usual 5, but then again I don’t take many long vacations!
ADORABLE Clothes! I want that mom suit and I’m not a mom ha ha! So jealous you got to see the cats win!
Looks amazing! Where is your purse from that you fit your outfit change in? Looks adorable and expandable haha