So I’m still in love with my ombre highlights, but was convinced I’d never be able to get my hair to look as good as it did the day I left the salon. I watched my stylist curl my hair with the flat iron, and even asked her to walk me through it step-by-step, but I still couldn’t get it to work! But I watched a few tutorials (including this one by Style-Ish) and after a lot of trial and error, I’m happy with the results! For me, the trick seemed to be taking small sections and releasing the clamp on my flatiron a split second before I get to the ends of my hair. I also used Bumble & Bumble’s Thickening Hairspray while my hair was damp and finished it off with a liddlebit of Grooming Creme.

[Voila! As opposed to "viola" or "wah laa" as I've seen it creatively spelled]

Here’s a full-body shot. Before we get there, please note that I did not intend for my shirt+shorts tuck-in to look so…crotchy, but I snapped this photo on my way out the door to rehearsal tonight. Please also enjoy the peek into my closet!

[tee: Boutique in San Francisco; shorts: J.Crew (old, but similar here); necklace: J.Crew Factory; skull bracelet: BaubleBar; watch: Nixon; wedges: Zara]

Please also note the two tumbleweed-sized hairballs my cats have left. Sigh. I love this t-shirt, and I can’t remember which boutique in San Francisco it came from, but the fabric is so soft and I love the asymmetry.
Maybe I’ll spend the last few hours of my weekend cleaning my dresser and my room!

[tee: J.Crew (similar); jeans: Gap 'sexy boyfriend'; shoes: Zara]

Happy weekend!

[feline karma dress, Anthropologie]

I liked this dress, but didn’t love it, and certainly didn’t want to justify the price tag. The shoulders would also have to be taken in, and I’d like it to hit me an inch higher. If it ever goes on super-clearance in my size, I might have to snag it, though – the print is too cute!

Now on to the successes!

[sexy boyfriend jean: Gap; cheetah-print skirt: Loft; french hen sweater, striped tee (similar): J.Crew; hoodie: Gapfit; tee: ABC Store Las Vegas]

I’m totally excited to wear all of these – just need the weather to cooperate!

We arrived Friday afternoon, checked into our room at the Flamingo, and headed off to a happy hour crawl!

[t-shirt, coated denim shorts: Forever 21; wedges: TOMS; jewelery: BaubleBar, Nixon, Gorjana, Stella & Dot, T+J Designs]

I spotted this tiger shirt at the mall, and immediately cracked up. It got me a lot of attention, but my favorite comment was from a little kid who grabbed his mom’s hand, and said “Look, a tiger!” I enjoy observant children, apparently. FYI these wedges are incredibly comfortable. We walked and walked and walked and WALKED, and not once did my feet hurt. I may buy them in every color.

We had drinks/appetizers at Michael Mina’s American Fish, where we split small plates of tuna tartare on crispy sushi rice cakes, the lobster roll, the crab cake, and the mac and cheese; and then at Nob Hill Tavern, where I discovered gin is not my friend. See my Yelp review for the saga, as well as a heartwarming tale of what good can come when you hire nice bartenders.

Here’s a montage, because I like those, too!

[purse: H&M]

The top photo on the right hand side is from our late-night happy hour/dessert-fest at Max Brenner. We had the corn croquettes, the tempura bananas with toffee and chocolate fondue, and I had an Americano with a peanut butter liqueur. My friend had some sort of cake-flavored martini, which was also crazy good.

Saturday was pool time, and then a spin through the Cosmopolitan hotel (which is also where we had our last meal before leaving. We also had a fancy dinner at Sage at the Aria on Saturday night. If you can get there before they realize that their tasting menu portions are far too generous, GO! I also befriended a man who ordered a $100 pour of whiskey. I semi-recall telling him to “ball so hard” I believe. Guess their cocktails are stronger than I thought!

[gelato x 9]

Sunday’s brunch was at the Wicked Spoon. The brunch buffet is only $29, and for an extra $8, it comes with all the champagne, bloody marys, or mimosas you can drink! As we were on our way out of town, I didn’t partake, but that’s a pretty sweet deal! Pro tip: get there before 11:00 if you want quick seating (and if you also want to taunt the 500 people standing in line to get in at that time), and make sure you try the gelato bar! My favorites were the salted peanut (top middle), the mango (bottom right) and I will say the Thai tea (bottom left) tasted exactly like a frozen Thai iced tea.

[fatman from above]

In a stroke of genius, I took today off from work. I spent the morning resting, re-earning the trust of the cats who thought I’d abandoned them, and trying to get the last remnants of smoke out of my hair. I also took advantage of having a Monday off by hitting up the mall for some fall fashion! I’ll show you my purchases in my next post.

Viva Las Vegas! And Viva Sleeping In,

[blouse: Forever 21 (similar here); pants: J.Crew; heels: BCBG; watch: Nixon; lips: Face Stockholm 'Chili Flake']

Happy Monday!

[dress: BCBG; sunnies: Kate Spade; wedges: Toms; watch: Nixon; jewels: T+J Designs and Stella & Dot; lips: MAC - Impassioned]

Happy Monday!

[new hair - ombre]

[enjoying the view at Torrey Pines State Park after a morning hike]

[trying to keep cool with Violet]

[trying out some red lips - Make Up For Ever #40 (similar) and #8 lip pencil]

[top: H&M (recent); pants: Banana Republic Factory; shoes: J.Crew (sold out, but love these!); lips: Face Stockholm 'Chili Flake' (buy it here)]

Here’s a close up of my accessories. I love delicate rings and a chunky gold watch. Please also excuse my pained expression. I managed to hurt my neck/back this weekend, and wound up at my first-ever chiropractic adjustment appointment today. It was nice, but I’m still a little sore!

[watch: Nixon; ring: Mimi & Red; bow ring/star ring/etched bangle/iPhone topper: t+j designs; renegade cluster bracelet: Stella & Dot]

How fun is that rhinestone bow? It’s like fabulous little hat for my phone

Stay cool, everyone!

['Keeper" top/shorts: J.Crew (shorts gifted); bag: H&M; lips: Face Stockholm for J.Crew 'Chili Flake']