48 hours in Vegas

While there are plenty of ways for someone to spend 48 hours in Vegas, we opt for amazing Japanese food, the pool and a hike. 

Red Rock Canyon

This is a beautiful place just 30 minutes outside of Vegas. I love taking in the nature in Nevada because the landscape is so vastly different than Oregon's. 

Raku

Whoops, was so entranced by this place we forgot to take photos so I grabbed this one off the internet. All I'll say is it is the best tofu I've ever had. 

New, old stuff

Left: sweater - Buffalo Exchange, shirt - UO, purse - Wanderlust, boots - Nordstrom
Right: coat - Standard Issue Clothing Co., 

The past few weeks I've been raiding our closets and selling stuff to Wanderlust, Rerun and Buffalo Exchange (I was on a month-long wait list for Rerun!) By the time I got to Buffalo, they only took $5 worth of store credit, so I bought this darling cardigan that you see on the left. It's great because I'm always trying to find a way to wear leggings instead of jeans.

Also a few months ago when Brandon and I went to Los Angeles, I picked up this parka at a great vintage store in Little Tokyo called Standard Issue Clothing Co. It's one of those stores that sells army surplus gear and old Harley Davidson shirts that start at $100 (gulp). It's beautifully curated, but not contrived.

Gorge-ous weekend, har har

This past weekend Brandon and I stayed the night in Hood River and went hiking in the Gorge. I usually don't like getting a hotel room in a place that's only an hour away from home, but the weather was so nice this weekend we wanted to be in the Gorge as much as possible.

The first day we headed up to Eagle Caves, which are on these awesome cliffs above an abandoned school. Ever since our trip to Spain last summer, I've been trying to find my Trevijano equivalent, you know, arid land and flying vultures, and I think this is our spot!

That night we grabbed some pizza at Double Mountain (one of my favorite places in the world) and stayed the night at the Hood River Hotel.

The following morning we headed up to Coyote Wall for another hike. There's something so rewarding when you can see Mt Hood. The wildflowers are just starting to bloom so I can't wait to go again in another month.

Going to Vegas... again

I tend to get cabin fever during this time of the year and like to plan quick weekend getaways. Although we don't gamble, I'm starting to really like Las Vegas for the food, sun and direct flight. We're headed there in a few weeks and as usual, I'm planning every minute of our time there. That sounds like a horrible idea, but it's not! I just want to make sure we eat, sleep and swim well. 

Here's what I have in mind:

Tropicana Hotel

Surprisingly, Vegas can be chilly even in April so just in case, I booked a room at the Tropicana Hotel. This is the only hotel on the strip that has both an indoor and outdoor pool. 

Raku

Oh man, I am excited about this. Last year we weren't able to get a table at Raku restaurant because it's a tiny place that books up fast. I just made a reservation this evening (3 weeks in advance!) and am already salivating over their skewers. We recently got the inside scoop on a Korean restaurant too. I love Las Vegas's Chinatown. 

Impersonators

This is the only part I haven't figured out yet. Over the past year I've really gotten into impersonators and tribute bands thanks to the Pink Feather and Cool Breeze. I'd love to catch an impersonator show at some bar off the strip but it's been difficult to find. I found a few Dolly Parton impersonators as well as Tina Turners, but I can't find any show dates. 

What I wore to a brain lecture

cardigan - J.Crew, shirt - gifted, skirt - thrifted, shoes - Sperry Top-Sider, hat - Forever 21

For my mom's birthday, I bought us tickets for one of OHSU's brain lecture series. This one in particular "The subconscious mind: What are our deep and secret thoughts?" with David Engleman was very interesting. He discussed synesthesia, perception  brain damage and "under the hood" of the conscious mind. Highly recommend it!

What I'm wearing to First Friday

dress - Wanderlust (it's Jantzen!), purse - my sister's, tights - H&M, shoes - thrifted, belt - gifted, bracelet - The Base Project

The other night I watched Rosemary's Baby (frightening by the way!) and was inspired by the clothes and decor. I picked up this great dress last night at Wanderlust and am wearing it tonight for their First Friday event with Hula Seventy.

Also - isn't this purse awesome? It was my sister's during her college heydays in the early 90s. I almost donated it last year, but decided to keep it. It comes with a matching ball cap!

Every day is the 14th

dress - Urban Outfitters, sweater - J.Crew, leggings - Marshall's, belt - thifted, shoes - some story in Chile, necklace - Forever 21, coat - Frock, hat - Love to Love You

This may sound odd but one of my most favorite Outkast song's is Happy Valentine's Day - do you remember this song?

So good!
Over time I've learned to embrace Valentine's Day. It started years ago when my roommate and I had just got an apartment together. We were both single and decided to make the most of Valentine's by making fondue, buying each flowers and watching Adventures in Babysitting. Ever since then, I've loved this day because it's a reason to splurge, for example this year: Olympic Provisions Sopressata salami ($10), Rogue River blue cheese ($36.99 per lb!) and some lovely flowers by Anna Mara.

Happy Valentine's Day!