Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Now, who doesn't love Vegas? Ok ok, I know some of you don't like it all, and I also know some of you haven't even gone before. And honestly, when I hear that, my mouth drops and I am completely shocked. YOU HAVE TO GO! At least once! It is truly an amazing place so full of playfulness, riskyness, and nonstop energy. I came home thinking, Man, I really need a vacation from my vacation! So much walking, gambling, staying up late gambling, eating, walking more, staying up late more, thinking hard about bets........But don't let that deter you from going. The energy you feel just from walking off the plane is unreal! Slot machines galore...and trust me, people actually sit down and play those machines at the airport.

Anyway, my family is definitely a VEGAS family- we go to vegas more than our fair share every year. But for us, it really is a break from the daily grind. Time for us to let loose, gamble, splurge on buffets and decadent meals, and really just do whatever we feel. There is so much to do on the strip! And if we feel tired, we just go up to our room and rest. But really, who sleeps in Vegas? :)

Bellagio Cafe Burger with fries, some kind of mayo and the best
pickled pickles!!

OMG. You have to try this.
Raspberry Brioche French Toast.
So amazing you don't even need syrup!

View of the Bellagio pool from our Bellagio room!

Introducing, THE COSMOPOLITAN

One of our favorite restaurants off the strip at Gold Coast, Ping Pang Pong.
If you want authentic Chinese food and dim sum where the locals go,
this is the place. Everything we've tried here is so delicious.
This is one of my favorites- Fried Tofu. Surprisingly light and fluffy!

Another favorite from Ping Pang Pong- Garlic Green Beans.
If you like garlic like me, you will love this dish.
I don't even like green beans that much!

Joe's Stone Crab- A fine dining restaurant in Caesar's Forum Shops,
recommended to me by one of my best friends, Linds.
Stone Crab is slightly less sweet than Alaskan King Crab,
but this place is worth trying.

A little tidbit about Stone Crab that I learned from Linds. As you can see in my above picture, they serve you just the meaty claws, not the whole crab. Fisherman catch the crabs, break off just the claws and throw the crabs back. The cool thing? The crabs regenerate their claws! So don't worry, they aren't clawless!!! What a beautiful thing evolution is, huh??

Now, back to the grind.

Keds: A Childhood Favorite

I remember Keds (shoes) were very popular when I was a kid. Remember the good 'ol days? Running around freely in them with no care in the world. Times have definitely changed. Yes, I'm talking figuratively, but also literally. Keds has taken on a whole new maturity, sophistication and style. They have collaborated with many different fashion designers, one being Alice + Olivia. I put them on for the first time today, and absolutely fell in love with them! So comfy and cool! And if you like bling, well, this is definitely the shoe for you!

Here are two ways to wear it:
1) Casual for everyday wear with shorts and a tank
or 2) What I like to call, "Brunch with the girls" wear, with a pretty floral dress and Keds, and you're ready to go! Easy-breezy!

Casually-Chic

Getting ready for my friend's fundraiser at Ige's in Aiea, I imagined what I would want to wear. "Something comfortable, casual, but still trendy and chic." Loving my stripes as usual, I came up with my striped maxi skirt (from The Butik) and black blouse, as well as my new Steve Madden gladiator sandals which I am so in love with! I also love love love my new Ginger13 necklace from Bamboo Sky! It was made for this outfit!

I love how my doggy is peeking through here!

Cinnamon's

I was ecstatic to pick up my friend Lindsay from her house in Maunawili this morning after work. Currently, Linds lives in San Diego with her bf. She has not been home for years, and it was so nice to catch up with her. We came to know of each other when she lived on my dorm floor in my Freshman year of college. We had a Public Speaking class together and naturally, became close. We then decided to live together Sophomore year and well...the rest is history! Linds has been one of my best friends ever since. I tell her all the time that she will be in my wedding party someday!

After driving through rainy and muddy Maunawili, I decided Kailua would be a nice place to get some brunch that wasn't too far away. In my mind, Kailua is the spot for brunch/lunch/breakfast restaurants. If you want traditional and hearty breakfast food (ie- eggs, bacon, hash browns, omelets etc), Kailua is the way to go! After much research/yelping on my part the night before, I finally settled on Cinnamon's. I had been to Boots and Kimo's (known for their Pancakes with Mac Nut Syrup) many times, and know very well that Cinnamon's is their biggest neighborhood competitor. Cinnamon's is famous for their Red Velvet Pancakes and Guava Chiffon Pancakes. I already knew in my mind that we would have to share one of 'em.

FYI, some other great options in Kailua are Crepes No Ka 'Oi, Baci Bistro and Kalapawai Cafe and Deli. I've been to Crepes No Ka 'Oi and had "The Godfather," which is their melted mozzarella/tomato/fresh basil crepe with a drizzle of EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and Balsamic Vinegar. It is basically a Caprese (salad) in a crepe! SO YUMMY! I'll definitely have to do a post on this place very soon!! I'm craving it just talking about it!

As far as the other restaurants I listed, Baci Bistro and Kalapawai I have never been to, but have heard very highly-regarded reviews. Those are musts for the blog...but later!

Here goes with CINNAMON'S!

Cinnamon Roll- not bad, but me and Linds preferred Cinnabon

Half order Kalua Pig Eggs Benedict- BEST Eggs Bene I've EVER had. SO delicious.

Usually comes with hash browns, but they ran out, so I had a choice of either
home fries or rice. Rice it is! 

I usually think most Eggs Bene Hollandaise sauce is mediocre,
but this one was creamy and tasty- not bland at all.
The Kalua Pig was exactly how I like it- shredded well, not fatty and SALTY!
I almost wanted to eat JUST the Kalua Pig and rice! It was that good.

Guava Chiffon Pancakes

Linds' French Toast

All in all, I would only come back for the Kalua Pig Eggs Benedict. It was really that good. It was even worth the high price of $10.25 for a HALF order. Full order was $13.25, but next time, I'm skipping the Pancakes and Cinnamon Rolls, and going straight for the full order Eggs Bene!

Another Picture To Make Your Mouths Water

I am a foodie and mostly take pictures of already prepared food...but here is a sammy I made!

Peanut Butter & Bananas!

A Cloudy Day is No Match for a Sunny Disposition

Before I post some pictures on fashion, I really wanted to thank all of my followers, friends and family for the positive comments, support and encouragement. It means the world to me just to hear a simple, "Kim, I read your blog!" or "Your blog looks good, Kim!" or even better, "Your food pictures always make me SO hungry!!!"

Whether you're near or far, in school or working, I really do hope my food pictures and critiques invite you to try new foods and restaurants. I encourage you to expand your horizons. And it is cruel, but I'm secretly happy to hear my pictures make your mouths water. Haha! That means I'm doing something right, right??

Your comments brighten my day! And speaking of a bright, sunny day...

I love my new umbrella!!

Leopard nails!