viva las vegas!

the strip (looking north)

at the beginning of august, craig and i packed our bags and hopped a flight to vegas.  we'd never been to "sin city" before, so we were both excited and wary of what we might find in the middle of the nevada dessert.

we met a couple of our good friends out there, which obviously sweetened the deal.  and after a lot of sun, cocktails and walking, we concluded that vegas is certainly a must-see at least once.  it's like an over-the-top disney world for adults :-)

one of our favorite things we did was a helicopter ride to the grand canyon.  we actually landed in the base of the canyon for a champagne dinner!  it was totally awesome!!

inside the bellagio

the exterior of new york, new york

we had just checked into the flamingo, and wanted some lunch -- we weren't there 5 min when the bartender started dancing on the bar as the wait staff danced in the aisles.  oh, yeah...we're in vegas.

enjoying a "fish bowl" with my ladies (from left to right: me, amy, ashley)

lounging by the flamingo's pool

our ride to the grand canyon

the eiffel tower...sort of...

the luxor

flying over the grand canyon!

view from the bellagio of the strip

more pics of the canyon

mandalay bay's over 21 pool

inside the wynn

craig and me in the base of the grand canyon!

as you would expect, the pics don't do the canyon justice -- it was truly breathtaking.  i'd tell you more about our trip, but as you know..."what happens in vegas, stays in vegas".  lol

time at the beach

friends of ours were kind enough to gift my family a few days at their gorgeous beach house in avalon, nj.  despite the fact that the wind kept us from lounging on the beach, we enjoyed long walks, exploring town, and quite a bit of poolside relaxing!  below are just a few images of our time in avalon.

avalon beach

spiked arnold palmers -- the beach is better with cocktails

gorgeous bay house that we spotted while walking

ash & han before their bike ride (my friend and my sis)

coffees while waiting for breakfast at uncle bill's pancake house

pictures from our weekend away

craig and i spent last weekend up in the lake george area of ny to celebrate his 25th birthday.  (the trip was his b-day gift.)  we stayed in the same b&b that we stayed at 6 years ago when we first traveled there together.  we had a fabulous weekend...despite the rain....so i thought i'd share a few highlights from our trip.



every afternoon the innkeeper made homemade goodies for the guests -- behold our ganache tarts



street in lake george, ny



me and craig



craig enjoying inn at erlowest's bar/lounge

drinks at bistro la roux

snapped this while driving -- yes, that is a gorilla dragging a vacuum...

our breakfast at the b&b



course #5 of our five course gourmet extravaganza.  cinnabon pancakes = divine!!!

market in saratoga springs

it goes without saying, but we had an awesome time -- and way too much food : )

what i'm looking forward to....

picture credit {here}

i'm a little sick and was thinking about a way to brighten my spirits since i'm feeling under the weather.  and really, nothing makes me happier than thinking about wonderful things in the works : )  lucky for me, there are a lot of really exciting/fun/happy things on the horizon.  some that come around yearly.  others just once in a lifetime.  so here we go.  i'm looking forward to...

picture credit {here}

erin's wedding!!!  the great pumpkin charlie brown.  halloween (in lambertville and seeing the houses all decorated).  craig & my 5 year anniversary (and also our "wedding minus 1yr" anniversary).  engagement photo shoot in rittenhouse square.  apple picking (and baking delicious treats).  looking at rehearsal dinner places.  my (25th) birthday.  and of course thanksgiving (and the start of the holiday season).  i'll stop there so i don't get too ahead of myself...

i think i'm feeling a little better already : )  



halloween in lambertville.  picture credit {here}



so, what are you looking forward to this fall?



$1 fun

craig came home very excited this evening (and with good reason).  a guy from work passed along a flyer for a "dollar stroll".  what is a dollar stroll you ask?  (yeah, i didn't know either...)  well, evidently baltimore ave in the university city district of philadelphia is offering it.  from 5:30 to 8:30pm tomorrow night participating merchants and restaurants will be offering $1 specials - very cool and exciting, right?!  stuff like...$1 desserts, espresso, tea, coffee, spring rolls, yoga class, chicken skewers, ice cream, beer, cupcakes and the list goes on...

dollar stroll

so if you're in the philly area tomorrow night you should definitely check it out!  (we'll be there for sure : )  for more information about the dollar stroll click {here}.

only a few days left to enter the vintage purse giveaway!!!

couch picnicker (the new couch potato)

every once in a while, you need a super relaxing evening at home.  you know the kind i'm talking about.  simple meal.  favorite show.  pjs on.  well, that's exactly what craig and i needed the other night.  so we turned to our time tested formula - the couch picnic. 

craig - the couch picnicker

our couch conveniently converts futon-style into a lovely full size bed.  so, when we're feeling especially lazy, we lay it down and enjoy our dinner picnic-style.  it's really a wonderful arrangement.  we sit, cross-legged with the food spread out before us and chat, chow down and enjoy some quality tv as we take a mini-vaca from reality.

the other night we enjoyed simple salads - 1/4 head ice berg lettuce still in its wedge form, fresh tomato, avocado with an avocado/balsamic vinaigrette.  yum.  to flesh it out a bit (and make it fun) i also put out a small spread of interactive options.  homemade bread (yes the leftovers from the party) with my mom's basil pesto and erin's cauliflower curry as toppings.

wedge salad

this set-up totally classes up traditional couch potato behavior.  there are no plastic trays of previously frozen food.  no open pizza boxes with a massacre inside.  our couch picnic included actual plates, real (fabric) napkins and utensils (gasp!).

the next time you're in need of low-key night at home, couch picnic it up.  let me know if you like it.  (but i have a feeling you will...)

homemade bread & spreads