Monday, March 26, 2012

Vegas 2012

Oh, Vegas. You never disappoint. You're always up and ready for anything. The slowest time of the day is 8AM-10AM, believe it or not. None of the shops are open, other than the 24 hour Starbucks that are everywhere you look. Mind you, you can pretty much get anything, anytime anywhere. It really is the city that never sleeps.

So this was our third trip to Vegas. We first went in 2008 with a bunch of people, stayed at the MGM Grand and it was a TON of fun. Then we went last year, and decided to go on an early 5th anniversary trip this last week...because this summer we'll be wanting to spend our vacation with Braden!
Las Vegas 2012
We stayed at Treasure Island again, and it didn't disappoint. I'm not totally up to snuff on my Vegas history, but I think it's one of the older hotels. They have definitely upgraded and remodeled, but we love it most for it's location. Pretty central on the strip, close to both north and south bus stops, Fashion Show Mall is right next door, and our favorite place to buy show tickets, Tix 4 Tonight. Seriously, unless you're going to Vegas and need to see a certain show or act, or a big show like Garth Brooks or Celine Dion, buy your tickets when they're there. It's so worth the savings! We've gotten in to see every show we've wanted to, except this time - Terry Fator. He was sold out, so next time we'll know!
Las Vegas 2012
Las Vegas 2012
We didn't see a show the first night, but the second night we went to Cirque du Soleil Ka at the MGM. It had it's slow parts, but overall it was flippin' amazing! The stage itself is unreal. For those Bachelor Pad fans out there, this was one of the challenges they had last year - remember them being on the harnesses and essentially walking straight up a stage? Yup, it's that one!
Las Vegas 2012
The second night we went to the show Absinthe. It was at Caesar's Palace - which is STUNNING! The show itself...I don't recommend. The chairs were awful, you had to be in the venue and wait 1/2 hour for the show to start, general admission...the acts were pretty good, ranging from tumblers to tight rope walkers, but the comedy was extremely vulgar. I'm no prude, but it was pretty out there.
Absinthe
We shopped. Did the north outlet mall, which is the only outlet place we go. Not a lot of luck for me, but I got some birthday gifts for my nieces and some stuff for Braden from the Disney Store. He LOVES his new Cars toys, hasn't let them out of his sight since. I did Fashion Show Mall by myself (bliss) while Jay played black jack, and they have the biggest Forever 21 I've ever seen. In a store that size, last year I had about 8 shirts I wanted to get but narrowed it down to 5. This year? NOTHING. Such bad luck.
F21
But, then came Nordstrom! How I love your American department stores! They have 5 major department stores in Fashion Show Mall. CRAZY! I found me some Toms. Some CHEAP Toms. So I got 2 pairs for me and 1 pair for Braden!
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We highly recommend dinner, or probably any meal, at Sugar Factory. It's not all candy, though they have a LOT of it, but the meal selection was phenomenal. Plus, if you can get out on the patio, this is your view:
Las Vegas 2012
Las Vegas 2012
photo
And then this is the inside...
Las Vegas 2012
Sugar Factory
 We really like going in and touring the different hotels and casinos. How "Sex & The City" is The Cosmopolitan? It is perfectly pink & sparkly!
Las Vegas 2012

Our one and only picture. No one can take pictures with my DSLR except me - I swear! It angers me so much!
Las Vegas 2012
I sure enjoyed the opportunity to get dressed up a bit! The first top and dress are from F21 and the last top is from Smart Set.
Mama's Nights Out
And I close with...who doesn't love the strip at night? It's just so amazing! (My fave pic from this trip):
Las Vegas 2012
Las Vegas 2012
Las Vegas 2012
Las Vegas 2012
Las Vegas 2012
Las Vegas 2012
Las Vegas 2012
Okay, question for my photographer friends:

How do you take a picture of PEOPLE at night?

I have tried all the settings I can think of and the flash just ends up washing out faces. I've turned the flash exposure as low as it can go. Is the only thing that can save me an external flash/speedlite? (I shoot with a Canon Rebel Xti) Thanks in advance!

And just a little WestJet humor on our flight home. Generally, we love flying WestJet!

Sarah

13 comments:

  1. SO fun!! After seeing your pictures on Instagram over the weekend, I told my husband that we really need an adult trip out there soon!! Looks like you had a fantastic time!!

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    1. Oh it's SO much fun, there's always lots of good deals too!

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  2. I want to go tooooooo!! :-((((( I'm glad you had so much fun, but I just am getting over my Maui jealously! Ha!! We are going to Seattle in June so hopefully we'll have some family fun then!

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    1. Well, we won't be traveling for a long time now! ;) I hope you have a good trip to Seattle!

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  3. Great pictures!!! Sadly I have never been to Vegas. We were only 70 miles away when DH's uncles car broke down in the middle of Death Valley. He was too darn cheap to have AAA tow him (a service that would have been free!) so instead we stayed in a very seedy motel in Death Valley for the night, missing out on the show we had tickets for. We were rather poor college students so he paid our way for the trip. Ha some trip that was! Needless to say the next time we go to visit his uncle in San Diego and he suggests a road trip to Vegas we will be renting our own car.

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    1. Thank you thank you! Yeah that doesn't sound like a very good attempted trip to Vegas! Better luck next time!

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  4. your pics are amazing! we stayed right across the street from treasure island when we were there last month [my first trip]. loved it!

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    1. Thank you! Love Vegas too, isn't it fun!

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  5. Looks awesome! I was following your pictures on IG. This Mama and her Papa need a grown up trip ASAP! Happy Anniversary!

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  6. A photographer friend once told me that the kit flash you get with a normal DSLR is crap. She loved her Speedlite and told me it made all the difference. I want one for my Canon Rebel now! I am still working with the kit lens, too. Boo!

    Great photos, by the way. Looks like a super fun trip!

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    1. Yes I am getting one soon I hope! And thanks for the comment.

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  7. Looks amazing!!! I LOVE the pictures. I am hoping we can go to Vegas for our anniversary too! We went for our one year anniversary 5 years ago:) Happy anniversary to you!

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    1. Well I hope you do go, I always love hearing about people's vacations! Have fun in Maui!

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