April in Review

If there was ever a month that went by so fast that I even forgot to blog -- it would be April. 

April was a whirlwind. I had to look back at pictures just to remember all of this month. Most of my time was spent hovered over my laptop, getting the majority of my major projects and speeches for the semester finished. Now that those are done, I am just a short two weeks away from this semester being done. I feel like I can actually breathe and take the time to read blog posts that I have missed so much, and maybe just draft a few of my own. 

Early April, we took a trip to Las Vegas. We went to attend the grand opening of the brand new T-Mobile Arena which just so happened to be featuring The Killers and Wayne Newton! We are all major fans of The Killers, so excited was an understatement. I was able to check out The Park which is new as well and located right in front of the T-Mobile Arena. I didn't want to come home, it was amazing. Check out the post I wrote on my top five favorite things to do in Las Vegas because I edited it recently to include this area of the Strip - it is my new favorite. 

I tried Shake Shack for the first time, and now I understand the hype - it's delicious! I also had to visit the Sprinkles ATM while we were in town, and got my mom and sisters hooked. Now they know why we had to go. We visited with family friends, but the trip felt too short. 

Last week, my mom and I took a day trip to Santa Monica and the Third Street Promenade for a little girls day. The weather was seriously perfect, and I cannot wait for it to get a bit warmer so we can lay out on the beach. 

For now - it's back to hustling to finish up these last few weeks of school. I have a few posts in mind so keep an eye out for those coming soon!  

Top Five Free Things to do in Las Vegas

After living in Las Vegas for quite some time and many trips after, I have found that some of my favorite things to do in Vegas are actually free! When I travel anywhere, I like to look online for a few things that are either free, or little cost. When you're traveling you already have the expense of hotel, travel, food, etc. So it is always nice to have a few things to do that are free.

The Park | This is the newest edition to the Las Vegas strip, and honestly my new favorite. We recently went back to Vegas for a trip and it was right after the grand opening of The Park. I was blown away at how pretty everything was and the amount there was to do right in that area. We were staying at the Excalibur which is really close, and attended a concert at the brand new T-Mobile Arena which is located at the end of The Park. It is an environment that feels so fresh and separate from the hustle of the strip, and I didn't want to leave! It is an outdoor dining and entertainment area that has so many delicious restaurants and bar areas (including Shake Shack). There are tons of picnic benches and fun lawn type games set up - life size jenga, connect four, corn hole, which is right up my alley. One night there was a live band, and the next a DJ, so it is definitely a form of free entertainment.

Bellagio Fountains |  I remember in high school my friends and I would drive down to the strip just to watch the fountains, even though we had seen them a million times. They just never get old. I will definitely say to try and go at night, because the experience is a must.  Each time feels different because they use different music and choreography for the fountains!

Conservatory | The Conservatory at Bellagio has to be on this list as well. The theme changes for the season, so if you go now, it will be something new for spring. The displays are so beautiful and make for great pictures.

Fremont Street Light Show - Every evening, multiple times a night there is a LED light show along with music. Although it isn't on the strip it's worth taking the drive to downtown Las Vegas at least to see it once. While you're there, they also have zip lining but that is at an extra fee. Maybe one day I'll try that. During the warmer months there are also many bands that preform outdoors for no cost.

Atlantis Show at Caesars Forum Shops - Not only is Caesars Palace a great place to go if you want to do some amazing shopping, but they also have a mini show that occurs every hour and it's completely free. It's a short and sweet show, plus it's located right next to the three story H&M so you can also get some shopping in.

c u r r e n t l y.

I'm back, and after my last post I feel like a weight has been lifted. To anyone who commented or emailed me personally, thank you so so much. I have been doing a lot of soul searching and I can honestly say that I have a lot of hope. I can't say that has been the case right after the fact, but things are looking up.

I feel like I have so much to update you guys on and things I want to share, so today I'm gonna do a little bit of that.

Currently...

Reading | Savor by Shauna Niequist -- this book has been such a life saver lately. I am using it as my daily devotional, although I must admit that I read more than just the one page a day. Little did I know how much I would need this book at the time I ordered it. I feel like I can relate to Shauna on so many different levels of feelings. This book has given me light in a dark time, I highly recommend it. I also can't wait to try out some of the recipes that she has featured.

Eating | this skinny baked chicken parmesan. I was so excited to see a healthier version of one of my favorite dinners. I usually make a salad and serve the chicken on a bed of whole wheat angel hair pasta. It is delicious!  

Loving | CoverGirl Super Sizer by Lash Blast mascara. I was sent this mascara to try out and oh my goodness it is a new favorite. I have heard that it compares to the Benefit Roller Lash mascara, but since I haven't tried it I can't say for sure. It really does give great volume.

Looking forward to | VEGAS. If you didn't know, I lived in Vegas for five years and I have been dying to go back for a visit recently. Joe and I booked our room for his birthday at the end of next month!

Wanting | a new bathing suit and cover up for said Vegas trip. I plan on sipping drinks by the pool during the day and am in desperate need of a new suit, please recommend one with a push up style...I need it.

Planning | My sisters baby shower. It's at the end of this month and I am so excited. I cannot wait to shower my baby niece in SO many cute clothes. She is already beyond spoiled and I don't care one bit. The amount of love I already have for her is too much to explain. I got to feel her kick a few days ago and I think at that moment I really fell in love.

Looking Forward

I always need something to look forward to - just to get me through the work week, school, or just pure stress. Even if I'm at work and all I have to look forward to is going home, bringing home Chipotle for me and my fiance, and binge watching our favorite show - that's enough for me. Sometimes planning out fun things to do throughout your week can help you get through the sometimes boring daily routine. Even saving for bigger trips a few months away is such a good motivator to work harder and save for something fun. Sometimes I even have to give myself a little treat from Starbucks mid day just so I can get through the work day - gotta earn those gold member stars anyway, right? 

I finally finished with the Spring semester which was something major I was looking forward to, and I couldn't be more happy! After taking my round of child development classes I am even more excited for my future career.

We have some fun things coming up in June that I just can't wait for - Las Vegas to be exact! If you didn't know, my family (mom, sisters, and grandparents) and I lived in Vegas for five years, from the time I was 13 until after I was 18. I consider it home because that's where I have the most memories from. Anytime we get to go back I get so excited, a little nostalgic and a lot sad. Looking forward can sometimes be a hard thing, especially when I get the bad case of nostalgia. It's so easy for me to think that things we're better living in Nevada, but really without moving back to California I wouldn't be engaged! I am so excited to go back with Joe, my mom, sisters, and now my sisters boyfriend Anthony. It's so much fun to show people around the city you love, especially ones who have never been!

I am definitely counting down the days until our trip, and I just love having things to look forward to!

Can't forget about the wedding as something to look forward to! - Less than five months away!


What are somethings you guys are looking forward to right now?