Vegas Work-cation

First off, this blog title is a joke because my impending work week in Vegas will be the farthest thing from any sort of vacation; but hey, it's still a trip to Vegas!

I manage marketing for a manufacturing company and we have one of our biggest trade shows in Las Vegas next week: IFPE 2014. It's a fluid power show co-exhibiting with a major construction show, so needless to say, my normal Vegas outfits won't be welcome -- especially around co-workers and customers! And even though all I'll want to do after a long day at the show is curl up in bed and watch TV, I know I'll be up and down the Strip managing customer dinners and showing people around.

Technically I'm staying at the Wynn; though I'm only be here a few hours that week...

I've been in the manufacturing industry for the past four years and I've managed to keep a sense a style without looking too ridiculous at corporate events. After a day in a company branded polo and dress pants, I need to dress like a 20-something! This would be my perfect Vegas work night outfit.

1. Basic black blazer // 2. Playful dark nails // 3. Ballin' Ray-Bans // 4. The perfect statement necklace // 5. A bold lip // 6. Jeggings (don't hate)

I would put cute shoes on this list; but I'll honestly be in the comfiest flats I can find (I've even been known to go out in flip flops, oops.) An 8 hour show times 5 days equals really sore feet at the end of every night.

PS: I did manage to get one night for myself and I'm seeing Celine Dion in concert. I can't wait to see her perform!!

Neglecting Myself

I was talking with a friend the other day and started explaining how lately I've been trying to make more time for myself.

It seems funny to say that. I don't have any pets, no significant other and there are no kids vying for my attention. But despite my lack of "responsibilities," I still struggle to set aside time for what makes me happy. In an attempt to do everything, I end up missing out on what I really want to do. And if I'm facing this now, what happens when bigger things start taking up more of my time?

This blog is one attempt to make more time for what I love: writing and sharing my thoughts. I'm also making a solid effort to go to the gym a few times a week (even if that means before work *shudder*) and giving myself nights off to spend with my DVR.

Fast Company had an article recently about neglecting our own creativity and how to work around it. One of the big things I took from it was when everything is grabbing your attention, you don't give yourself time to be creative and discover new things.

So here's to being selfish and making time for me this week!

Ok, maybe not this week because I have a huge work event next week... But a solid work/life balance will be back in March!

Happy Hour: Vellum

Happy Friday!

My work day is almost done and I'm ready for happy hour! I'm always on the hunt for good specials downtown and Vellum fits the bill.

Nestled right on Main Street, they have happy hour every day from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Food and beer start at $2. I love stopping in here with friends and sitting at the bar for a few drinks. Order the fried beets (served with creamy goat cheese) and the Brunswick cocktail -- you will not be disappointed!

The rye whiskey cocktail is finished with some red wine, a combination I can't get enough of.

The rest of the menu looks great too. One of these days I'll make it past the bar and check it out. For now, I'm enjoying my fried beets and cocktail. Cheers!

The Lunch Room

There's nothing that can make you feel more like an Ann Arborite, than sitting in a vegan restaurant in the middle of Kerrytown. And after months of following The Lunch Room on Instagram and seeing all of their delicious animal product-free options, I finally got to stop in.

Their Instagram post about hot chocolate on a day when I was snowed in and losing my mind convinced me to get out of my apartment and head to Kerrytown. 

And what convinced me to come back? The adorable atmosphere, amazingly nice staff and this lunch combo.

This was gone in a matter of minutes...

I'm the type of person that can't order without asking a million questions and seeing if they can modify my dish just perfectly so. (If you've ever seen the movie, When Harry Met Sally, I'm Sally.) I know I'm being difficult, but I really appreciate when someone doesn't mind walking me through everything on their menu and explaining what's in the dish and how something is made. That's the kind of service you can expect at The Lunch Room.

I decided to order a lunch combo (which comes with two half sandwiches and a side) because it was so hard to pick one thing off of their menu. The mac and cheese and BBQ tofu slider were pretty good, but the tempeh reuben sandwich was my favorite! It had layers of sauerkraut, spicy "mayo" and grilled tempeh that was so briney and delicious, I wanted more! Plus the sauerkraut came from The Brinery, a local shop.

I had to get the hot chocolate (non-dairy, of course!) and it was the perfect finish on a freezing and snowy day. 

They also had the cutest table signs / decor.

I definitely need to come back for another reuben and to check out their brunch menu. Even for a non-vegan, the food here is definitely worth at least one stop in!

My Ode to Lululemon

When I moved back to Ann Arbor from Chicago I was a little worried I'd miss having all of my favorite stores close by. But the stores in the new Arbor Hills complex have helped (though they've hurt my bank account...)

My favorite store opening there? Lululemon, of course!

I have a slight obsession with anything Lululemon. The clothes are amazing, plus the stores are involved with local gyms / studios and they have fun events. My recent favorite was yoga at Crisler Center.

Last week Lulu unveiled a spring sneak peek and I basically want everything in the video:



And who wouldn't want to live in this sweater?

Just bought it in tan, but black seems like a justifiable purchase -- right?

I could write a novel about my love for all things Lulu (despite some recent PR mishaps), but I'll instead leave you with a little Detroit-themed love. Happy early Valentine's Day!

Monday Musings: I Just Wanna Sleep

Well I guess it's time for me to jump on the bandwagon!

I've toyed with the idea of starting a blog since moving back to Ann Arbor and now that we're in the middle of the worst winter ever, I have more time on my hands to experiment with this.

As my blog title suggests, a lot of my posts will be about Ann Arbor and things I'm rediscovering about this great town. I grew up in the Ann Arbor-area and graduated from the University of Michigan and after a quick two year stint in Chicago I'm back in the Mitten state for good (fingers crossed...) You can find more about me in the About Me section.

For now, I'll leave you with my Monday Musing. Here's to hoping I get enough sleep this week and make some nice things!

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