Weekend Trip: Viva Las Vegas

This past weekend a group of friends and I went to Vegas to celebrate an upcoming birthday and an anniversary.  We didn't get there until after 10 or 11 Friday night, didn't go to bed 'til after 5, and didn't stop laughing all night.  

Here are a couple of things that are essential for a summer weekend in Vegas.  This isn't everything, of course, but these are some of the things that I either found most useful or that I wish I had remembered to bring.

Vegas Essentials by desertgirls featuring necessities

First up, I brought  my Boscia Super Cool De-Puffing Eye Balm.  I bought this at Sephora at the beginning of the summer, and it was so nice to have it for when I returned to my room after a long night and for in the morning afternoon when I finally woke up.  

On the way to Vegas, I wore a maxi dress- it was perfect for the trip because it was comfortable for the ride and perfect for the hot temperatures that greeted us on the strip.  The dress featured here is from Hobbs.  The python print is perfect for sin city, no?

What I wish that I brought was a little wristlet in addition to the beach bag that I pictured.  I only brought my Kate Spade bag, which was way too big to carry around the casino. I had to fashion my own little mini bag out of what I had- a leather wallet and a gold necklace.  

In a pinch, it worked out beautifully.  I am just so damned resourceful.  I think that would totally get me some kind of badge if I was part of Troop Beverly Hills.  Anyway, a little wristlet, like this one from BCBG would be ideal to carry your room key, i.d., some cash, a lipstick, and some visine.  (All that icky smoke in the casinos kills my eyes!)

BCBG Harlow Mini Envelope Clutch with Wristlet

An eye mask (the one pictured is Chanel) is ideal for those of you who stay out too late drinking gambling exploring.  With the help of the mask and some Advil, you can work off your hangover exploring while you sleep.  And the light from that pesky old sun won't wake you up.

When you finally do wake up the next day, what better way to spend it (actually, shopping is the correct answer here) than poolside?!  A bathing suit, beach bag, floppy hat, some magazines...  Oh, and a great pair of sunglasses are important too.

And how great is this cover up by Lemlem?  I lovelove it.  (Lamelame, I know.  Don't judge.)

Lemlem cover up

The only thing I didn't mention from the collage are the sandals- the color, silver, acts as a neutral and goes with the dress and can be worn poolside.  This will leave plenty of room in your luggage to bring other shoes as needed, for the rest of your wardrobe.  

I brought a versatile pair of shorts that I could easily throw on with one shirt for day and then dress up with a different top for night.  I also brought a couple of dresses for the evening, too.  I wasn't sure exactly what we would be doing, and I wanted to be prepared (that, by the way, should warrant another merit badge from Shelly Long and Troop Beverly Hills).  

I also brought some bottled water and some new biscuits from Nabisco called belVita.  If you haven't tried these yet, you should- they are tasty and pretty healthy and filling, since they are a breakfast biscuit.  (I actually originally tried them because they were labeled "biscuits" and not "cookies," and I am a huge dork and love all kinds of Londony/English things, like biscuits, so I wanted to buy them mainly for that reason.  I am a marketer's dream client, I'm telling you.)

So what are your Vegas essentials?  Anything I didn't include in my little list?  

~Lori

More of the "right amount of wrong"

The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas has added another quirky commercial to its repertoire, and it's as entertaining as the first.  I am not sure how long the commercial has been out; some internet snooping says that it made its full length debut during the Grammys.  It features "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen and some more of the hotel's quirky patrons, this time poolside.





I love the mix of people and fashion; it is what you would hope to see upon visiting Las Vegas.  At least, it is along the lines of what I would hope to see when I visit Las Vegas.  Instead, you tend to see a lot of inappropriately dressed individuals walking around.  I know, I know, it's Vegas, right?  I think some people use that as an excuse to walk down the street dressed like Pretty Woman's list of "Fashion Dont's."  To them I say you can be sexy without being slutty.  Look at the blond in the commercial; her bathing suit is sexy and the cut even makes it seem a little risque, but it is not at all trashy.  All I'm saying is, There's a way to do it, people!  I like the Vegas imagined in these commercials.  It's just the right amount of wrong!  (I went for the obvious pun.  Forgive me; it's been a long day.)

Here are some high end swimsuits, available this season.  I must admit, I think some of the designer swimsuits beg the question, is it the $400+ price tag that takes a suit from trashy to sexy?  Hmmm...  Actually, I think I have a good answer:  it is not the price tag that takes something from trashy to sexy; it is the woman wearing that something.  It depends on how you wear something, how you hold yourself, and how you feel.  It's a good idea to always remember that you have to wear your clothes; do NOT let your clothes wear you!

Overtly sexy; buy it here

Balamain, available here.
See?  Sexy in a subtle way
(unless you turn to the side!)

Michael Kors; get it here
(and show off your tiny little waist- even if it isn't SO tiny,
the belt helps show off your shape and defines your waist!)

She would fit in seamlessly in that commercial.
Get the suit here.

Hello, High Waisted Shorts.  We meet again.
Buy these here and you can be sweet and sexy at the same time!

~Lori

Fornasetti Wallpaper

Cosmopolitan Hotel closet-
previous post

I did a post recently on the Cosmpolitan hotel in Vegas (because I love the commercial and song!), which led me to do a search on the hotel itself, to see what decor they went with.  One of the images was of a closet.  What kind of hotel showcases an empty closet?!  It might not make much sense, unless you look at the back of the closet, which is covered in Fornasetti wallpaper.  What a cool touch!  In the spirit of that closet, here are some more amazing wallpapers by Fornasetti.  Wallpaper was so big in the eighties, and then went out, and was having a moment again.  No matter what, it is a big commitment.  A wall in a closet is perfect for what can truly be seen as unique art.

Mediterranea

Riflesso

Ex Libris

Frutto Proibito

This last image obviously isn't wallpaper, but it is Fornasetti, and it is awesome.  It's a 1960 (out of production) storage container.

found here

Of course, if you aren't ready for wallpapering a closet, you can always paint it a fun color, like Rebecca did here.

~Lori

Just the Right Amount of Wrong

I love this commercial.  It is quirky, and I love the song, which is by Parov Stelar and is electroswing.  It makes me want to go stay in this hotel and have some weird little adventure.

The hotel is the Cosmopolitan in Vegas, and the commercial sets it up as having "Just the right amount of wrong."
The song samples Lil Harden Armstrong and Her Swing Orchestra's song, "Oriental Swing."  Lil Harden Armstrong was the second wife of Louis Armstrong.  She was a beautiful, talented jazz musician.  Of course I like the original version, but I also like that Parov Stelar has made it modern for a younger audience to enjoy.

Beautiful!

Look at this closet (in the hotel)!  I like the Fornasetti wallpaper.
Available here.

Bedroom at the Cosmopolitan, Vegas
I love the simplicity of those bedspreads!  So classic!

~Lori