What happens in Vegas...

I know I said I would do this blog like forever and a day ago but we didn't get Internet until yesterday so here I am! Back on planet earth, lol. The cable guy was here for hours and it took longer being that it is a brand new house that never had cable before. And he stunk. And he was a bit of a douche. But he brought me cable and Internet so I can't hate on him too bad! Haha.

When I was 4 months preggers w/Sophia me and Ant went to Vegas. That kind of sounds like an oxymoron going to "Sin City" with child but we had booked the trip for Ant's 21st and we would not have gotten our money back so we still went. Of course it limited stuff that I could do but we still had a blast! In a few years we'd definitely love to go back. Plus you can go for super cheap right now due to our country being in a recession and the casino's are really suffering. We almost went back in February but it never panned out.

Anywho- first and foremost the very best part of going to Vegas is shopping for it! I went to the Express red box sale and bought super spangly dresses and shirts that I would not normally wear in my everyday life. That is also why I went to the sale there b/c they typically mark stuff down pretty low and the leftover stuff is exactly what I was on the hunt for. However, one thing you can't splurge on (well I can't anyway) is super cute and sexy heels. No stilettos in Vegas, unless your lucky to be able to take a limo or something there. We stayed in the Luxor hotel (very nice but I would like to stay at the Venetian or the Bellagio next time) which is pretty far down on the north end of the strip so we did a LOT of walking. There was a little monorail that took us as far as The Excaliber but the strip is lonnnnnggg. (Tricia, you did good staying at the Bellagio which is not only GORGEOUS but pretty central on the strip) So I did good with cute little flats and sandals. Another awesome thing about the state of Nevada is the dryness in the air (good for hair, not so good for skin) which is a whole lot different for us humid state folks. It's actually perfect weather right now over there.

As far as food goes, there is certainly something for everyone. Buffets for the people who like to eat a hell of a lot, casual dining for the not-so-fussy, and fine cuisine for the refined palette. We kind of ate at a mix of the three. The buffet at The Luxor was the only one that we tried (I was still quite nauseous at the time so it didn't go over well) but it was very good with a huge selection. Here is a list of other restaurants that we visited:

-The Rainforest Cafe in the MGM Grand-pretty basic food with a very fun atmosphere

-Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill at Harrah's- nothing spectacular, kind of like hooters except the girl's are wearing Cowgirl-ish slutty outfits and there are guy waiter's that are wearing normal clothes...kind of sexist but whatev.

-Planet Hollywood in Caesar's-we went through a phase where we collected those stupid glasses (which now reside in a box somewhere) but the food is horrible and the selection is limited

We really didn't take any chances with food plus we were on a serious budget when we were there so we played it safe. However when we go back I would love to check out some of the nicer places, Vegas is a mecca for the avid food enthusiast. A few I would love to try:

-Aureole in Mandalay Bay where "wine fairies" attached to a bungee cord fly up and down a huge wine tower to fetch bottles of wine for tables

-Sensi in The Bellagio

-Japonais in The Mirage (I want to order this dish where you cook your meat on a piping hot rock right at your table)

-The Top of the World at the Stratosphere...I am sure the view is worth it.

I could go on and on here but hopefully one day I can actually write about eating at these places but they just look like a really cool and yummy dining experience.

Another very popular attraction in Vegas is the amazing variety of shows that you may choose to see on your stay. There really is something for everyone. My favs happen to the anything by Cirque Du Soleil. There were about 5 to choose from when we went. Going with the theme of Las Vegas I thought it would be appropriate to see "Zumanity," the naughty side of Cirque. It runs in the New York, New York hotel and I must say it was the best show I have ever seen in my life. The whole thing has this burlesque, fetish-y, raunchy, romantic vibe but it is so tastefully done that it doesn't feel wrong. I paid a little extra for these little plush love seats in the front where you can snuggle with your honey during the performance. The theatre isn't too big though so even in the back you should be able to see just fine. I love love loved it and can't wait to see it again. I even bought the soundtrack. But you simply cannot go wrong with a Cirque Du Soleil show, they are all awe-inspiring and beautiful.

If you don't want to do a show, don't fret. In most of the hotels, there are tons of attractions and free exhibits to check out. the lion habitat at the MGM Grand, the Sirens of Treasure Island, the fountains at the Bellagio, the gondolas with the singing gondoliers at the Venetian (which is where we spent most of our time). We also checked out the Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay hotel, not free but fun nonetheless. And you can't forget the shopping. In the hotels, most of the stores are catered towards the big spenders but its still fun to browse and pretend. For us frugal folk, check out the fashion show mall by the Wynn and if you don't mind venturing off-strip there are some amazing deals to be found at the nearby Outlet stores. I think you can take the deuce bus there (the easiest and cheapest way to get around other than walking). And never rule out the pools at the hotels, you may not be able to swim unless you're a guest at the hotel but you can still have a drink/snack poolside and relish the vibe. The Wynn, The Palm, and Mandalay Bay all have beautiful pools with beautiful people. Also-don't forget the real reason people go to Vegas...gambling! There is plenty of that, lol!

While we were only there 5 days, we had a blast and would certainly return. I would stay longer next time to allow myself to get used to the time change (3 hours behind for us east coasters) and to be able to more spend time in each of the hotels. I would also like to check out the spas and nightlife which I did not get around to at the time. There really is tons to do! No matter where you go or what you do, Vegas is super fun and exciting and I doubt there is a person who regrets visiting (unless they lost all their money or something). Tricia-have a blast, relax, indulge...I can't wait to hear your thoughts when you return! And bring febreeze b/c they smoke everywhere out there, lol! Love you! Ciao! xoxoxo

Welcome to Pennsylvania!

Good Morning! Today is my last day with the kids (tear, sniff sniff) due to my new home being 40 minutes away. Emily has spring break starting tomorrow and then the kids will begin pre-school/daycare. It is sad and I am going to miss them but it will be good all around. They will get to meet new kids and make new friends. I loved the fact that Sophia was able to spend 5 days a week with her cousins and they have such a bond that is worth its weight in gold. Now me and Em have a good excuse to hang out more and eat sushi, lol.

Speaking of my new house, we have finally closed and moved in! It is so exciting and I am so in love with it. I am so relieved that the stress of buying and moving is over. I was so stressed that I thought my eyeballs were going to pop out. We ended up living with my in-laws for a few days due to the delay of the closing but they were great about making us feel at home and I have to admit it was a little sad when we left to go spend our first night in the house. I enjoyed waking up and having coffee with Vicki and Bill and having dinner with them at night. Sophia was so cute, she made her own little routine and bonded with their dog, Tequila. It is nice living closer to them, we are only 10 minutes down the road. Moving on to the topic of living in Milford. Even though it is only about 20 minutes from the NY border and 40 minutes from Middletown, the differences are vast. First of all, the pace is alotttt slowwwwer. The speed limits are slower, the cars drive slower, people take their time. Everyone seems more relaxed, even the deer are friendlier. They don't even run away when a car drives by. They just continue to eat along the side of the road and do their thing (this could be a problem however and I hope I don't have to do a blog post on actually hitting one). We also have wild turkeys and bears. I haven't actually seen a bear but I hear that they are quite fond of garbage cans so I am sure I will soon. We are still waiting on our dining room and living room furniture so as soon as we get those I will post some pics. We also have a guest bedroom now so if anyone needs a place to stay when they visit, come join me in the sticks of Pennsylvania!!

On Saturday I was asked to help out at the Bashakill Winery in Westbrookville. It was so much fun and I met a bunch of really cool people. Em & Kev even visited me and hung out. Wine is something that I love love love so it was a job that was right up my alley! I brought home a few bottles to share and they disappeared quite fast. I can honestly say that his wine is the best I have ever had. First of all, it is 100% organic and pesticide free, and every wine is very different from the other and so full of flavor. I am going to be helping him out on May 16th for an evening event that he is hosting. He is having a live band and two of the guys are original band members of Meatloaf. I am quite excited about it and am looking forward to another fun night of "work" there. Check out the website: http://www.bashakillvineyards.com

I am not going to be able to post for about a week due to our cable not being hooked up til next Thursday. However, I am going to do another blog post today on my tips for visiting Las Vegas. My cousin, Tricia and her hubby, Joe are going on a vacation there so I figured it would be a good way to help her out with her planning. I hope everyone is doing great and having an awesome Wednesday! The weekend will be here in a few days! Saturday is Sophia's 2nd birthday so we are going to have a busy day and Sunday is Easter but unfortunately I have to work so I hope everyone eats plenty of ham for me! Ciao! xoxoxo

Fresh coat of paint.

I began blogging to give myself a place where I could empty my head, share my thoughts, outlet my creativity, and stay connected with my loved ones. I did not realize the hold that it would soon have on me. Therapeutic indeed, everyday I look forward to this special time where I can curl up and release. On that note, I have decided to branch away from my default layout and give myself more of an individual identity. The cupcakes represent the title of my blog, "La Dolce Vita", italian for "The Sweet Life". I use this phrase often, not only b/c it is in a beloved language that I am determine to learn, but it reminds me that underneath all of the blood, sweat, and tears...life is indeed, still beautiful. Please let me know what you all think of "my new look."

Strong words are like a band-aid when you're feeling wounded & weak...

I am in an awful mood. Its cold and rainy. We're still waiting to close on our f'ing house. I am living out of a freaking U-Haul. And my 2 cats are staying with Ant's bff, Pasquale, so I miss them very much. I just want to be settled already. I hate having a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. To top it off I just read some very sad news on one of my favorite cousin's blog. It just made me cry and cry b/c they are such amazing people and deserve the best. I love them very much but they are strong and I know that they will get through this together. In respect to all of this sadness and anxiety I would just like to use this blog to share some of my favorite quotes that have honestly helped me when times have gotten rough. They are honestly words that I live by. Maybe they aren't geared towards the stress that I am having but in any situation they have come in handy and helped ease my mind. I hope everyone is as happy as I am that it is Friday. Enjoy your weekend! Ciao bella's and bello's!!! xoxox

Starting with Einstein (known for his pure geniusness, I highly agree):

"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions. "-Albert Einstein (this one is special b/c I totally think he is talking about the Law of Attraction here and since I am an avid believer in this, I find it fascinating that Einstein used it to govern his life as well)

"I never think of the future - it comes soon enough." Albert Einstein

"I shall never believe that God plays dice with the world." Albert Einstein

"I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right." Albert Einstein

"Everyone should be respected as an individual, but no one idolized." Albert Einstein (we are all equals in our own right, no one is better than the other and we should be respected for who we are and how we are all unique and different)

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." Albert Einstein (My Absolute Favorite quote of all time, my next tattoo will be of these words. It is so special to me for many, many reasons that are very personal and sacred but I feel I am a stronger person b/c of it and I have finally been able to respect myself and love myself for who I am and not what other's think I should be.)

"No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it."Albert Einstein

"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value." Albert Einstein

Other assorted quotes that I like as well:

"In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends."
John Churton Collins

"It has been my philosophy of life that difficulties vanish when faced boldly." Isaac Asimov

"You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind."Author Unknown

"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life" Winston Churchill

"At the end of the game, the king and the pawn go back in the same box." italian proverb (another personal favorite)

***Pretty much I could go on and on with a compilation of words that inspire, motivate, and lift my chin up in this crazy game of life. Please feel free to share your favorite quotes as well!***

If only...

I would kill for a vacation right now. Anywhere is good but preferably somewhere like this:

Ahhhh if only............

My quote for the week.....

Ok, not that it is any big secret or anything...but Moving is F'in stressful!!! I know I have done it several times before but every time we have just accumulated sooo much stuff and now that we have Sophia our stuff has tripled in size. Argh. I just keep telling myself that by this time next week it will be better and that unpacking is so much easier than packing and moving. And at least it is for a house so we will not have to do this again anytime soon. So this brings me to share with you all exactly how I feel right now: