Skin Care Secrets

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Meshell McKinley

This month I’ve decided to spend a lot more time on my skin. I’ve never had a problem with acne or oily skin, so washing my face when in the shower was the most time I dedicated to it. Envious? Don’t be. When you’re not used to working to keep your skin clear, you can fall into the habit of neglecting it. Taking care of your skin is incredibly important, especially if you want to stay looking youthful.

Being a California native I’ve spent plenty of time sun bathing. Having an olive complication thanks to my Middle Eastern roots, I never worried about sun block. While others slathered on the sun screen, I laughed. That’s come back to bite me in the a$$. Sun screen is vital to the health of your skin. The sun’s rays don’t just make you more susceptible to skin cancer, they also cause your skin to lose its elasticity. Too much exposure to the sun can cause wrinkles, sagging, and freckling. To protect your skin, avoid sun bathing for multiple hours a day or hitting the tanning bed. Always put on sun screen. I remember putting on the lowest SPF sunscreen I could find, don’t! Make sure to purchase something with an SPF of 30 or higher. I hate rubbing in sunscreen, so I always opt for the spray-on versions like Coola organic sport sun screen. Purchase it here. Coola has enough SPF to provide protection without leaving your hands or legs white from residue. It also doesn’t seep out of your pores when it’s hot, like traditional lotions will do.

I never was addicted to the tanning bed, but I definitely made visits at least once a month in preparation for the summer. Who doesn’t appreciate the effect of a tan? It can hide those pesky imperfections like nothing else. I liked tanning not just for the look it gave me, but because it relaxed me. Laying down in that warm bed would put me to sleep. I’d listen to some music and just let go of everything going on in my head. While I do miss this experience, it isn’t worth putting myself at risk for skin cancer, nor is it worth even the perfect tan. I’ve never been a fan of spray tans, but there are other options. Jergens Natural Glow will slowly increase the pigment in your skin without making you look orange. Clinque also has a fabulous product for $23. Buy it here.

To help correct some of the sun damage on my face, I started researching moisturizers with SPF. My skin is naturally on the dry side, so applying a moisturizer after washing my face is mandatory. I read that ROC Multi Correxion 4 Zone daily moisturizer was rated by users as one of the top products for reversing sun damage and aging. The ROC moisturizer, “targets four key areas of the face to diminish the look of multiple signs of aging.” The moisturizer has an SPF of 30 which is higher than many make-up counter moisturizers. The moisturizer claims to target the four zones of the face. It claims to diminish the signs of lines and wrinkles from the forehead, decreases the appearance of crows feet from the eye area, removes brown spots and uneven skin tone from your cheeks, and improves elasticity of the jaw line. The ROC 4 zone moisturizer can be purchased at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and Target for around $25 a bottle. This may seem expensive for the size of the bottle, but it’s cheaper than many brand name moisturizers that claim to do the same thing.

To repair deep set wrinkles try L’OREAL’s Revitalift. Botox and similar services can be a scary experience and costly investment. I’ve never tried it myself, and horror stories keep me from making an appointment. I’ve known women who have had it, and I can’t say that I saw too much of a difference. If you do choose to invest in botox, make sure you don’t skimp on the cost in exchange for the right doctor. These days almost anyone can provide injections, so make sure you go to someone who knows what they’re doing. In the meantime Revitalift may provide you with the skin assistance you need. This wrinkle repair cream works overnight to bring elasticity back to your skin, and plumps up the gaps which create wrinkles and lines on your face. Users see results over time. I myself only started seeing results after a couple of months. Your wrinkles weren’t built in a day, so it won’t take a day or two to fix them. Dedicate the time every night and a.m. to taking care of your skin, and you’ll see the results. You can get Revitalift at CVS for just $15.99. Buy it here.

Seafood Pasta the Remix

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Meshell McKinley

I love seafood! Luckily I grew up in California where I have access to fresh seafood whenever I like. My boyfriend on the other hand wasn’t the biggest fan of seafood when we first met. Little by little I started incorporating seafood into his diet. The trick was adding bold flavors, and a component of each dish had to be something he loved.

A hobby of mine is to mimic recipes I experience while dining out. Over the weekend we had a late lunch at Bravo in Santa Monica. I ordered a seafood dish, which my boyfriend loved. I decided to mimic the dish for dinner last night, but remixed it by adding my own twist. It’s very important to put your own spin on recipes. Take what you love about a dish, and make it your own.

The dish I had ordered was tilapia served with risotto and steamed vegetables. I decided to swap the risotto for pasta. I had never tried whole wheat pasta before, so I thought I would give it a try. I picked up two large pieces of tilapia from the market. My boyfriend loves capers, so I thought I would add them to the dish as well.

I drizzled olive oil over the fish, and then seasoned the fillets with Italian seasonings, red pepper flakes, and garlic salt. I cooked the fish in a mix of olive and vegetable oil. While the fish was cooking, I boiled water and cooked the whole wheat pasta. When the pasta was cooked I added olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper flakes then mixed. I plated the pasta, added the capers, and placed the fish off to the side.

The dish was a success with my boyfriend, who would have never ordered seafood in his life. You can get anyone to eat anything if you incorporate things they love into a dish. Remember leave out the red pepper flakes if you or your guests can’t handle spice.

Hope you enjoy this dish as much as we did.

Oz Screening: I’m Off to See the Wizard

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Meshell McKinley

This weekend I was lucky enough to get to see a screening of Oz: The Great and Powerful at the Walt Disney Studio lot in Burbank, California. This wasn’t my first time seeing a screening at this beautiful theater, but it was my boyfriend’s first time. He was impressed by the light show introduction, and the plush red reclining seats. I was more excited about the film I was about to see.

I have been anxiously awaiting the opening of this film for months now. What’s there not to love? Amazing fashion worn by the three lovely witches, the always hilarious James Franco, and the magic and mystery that comes with every Disney film. If I was going to attend the screening, I had to look the part. To prepare for the release of Oz, I bought a few “OZ inspired” items. Emerald is the color of the year, and you can find it in plenty of stores. Sephora recently released a new emerald make up line. Find out more about it here. With my emerald dress, gold belt, green eye shadow and nail polish I was ready and off to see the wizard! See how I connected with my witchy side below:

To purchase this Oz inspired emerald dress, visit Venus here. Sizes run big, so order a size smaller than usual. To learn more about the film visit here. And go see Oz: The Great and Powerful out in theaters now!

Minty Fresh

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Meshell McKinley

My new obsession this month is with the color mint. Whether it’s dark or light in hue, mint is a fabulous color. It can highlight a great tan, or even compensate for a lack of one. Three purchases this month have me really excited. Check out my new buys:

It all started with a trip to Las Vegas. My boyfriend’s little sister flew from New Jersey to celebrate her 21st birthday. She was having an amazing time, but learned a very important lesson the hard way, when visiting Vegas pack your hottest pair of comfortable shoes. Sure Vegas is the city of excess, and we all want to look hot, but when in Vegas you want to party all night long, and that requires a comfortable pair of shoes. I would never suggest wearing an frumpy pair of flats, but there are plenty of sexy styles that won’t kill your feet. We took a trip to the Fashion Show Mall to find her a pair of shoes that she could dance in the rest of her trip. Of course we had to stop by Aldo, and of course I had to find a pair of shoes I just had to have.

These mint leather sandals were too good to pass up. The heel is low enough for me to be able to wear them whether I’m going out on date night or attending a conference. The silver heel adds a bit of sex appeal, to an otherwise average shoe style. The shoe is light, easy to walk in, and comfortable to wear. The mint hue brought out the tan in my legs, which need a lot more sun light if you ask me. You can find these shoes at your local Aldo store or online here for $80.

Once I had these shoes I needed something to wear with them. I came across this skirt on Lulus.com. The style is a little 1950’s which I think matches the style of the shoe perfectly. The only issue I encountered when the skirt arrived was the tulle underlay. It added a lot more volume to the skirt, which can be unflattering. I simply cut the tulle from under the skirt (it came off very easily) and the skirt fell closer to my hips. The color was described as mint, and it’s a very rich mint tone. The skirt is high waisted, so a cropped t-shirt or tank works well with it. I bought two different shirts from Express to go with this outfit. You can find them here. I purchased this skirt here at $45 with free shipping.

The bracelet is also from Lulus.com. The light blue tone matched the soft mint tone of my Aldo heels, and the fake jewels add a little sparkle. This bracelet can be found online here for just $16. For my neck piece I found a pretty mint toned necklace at Express. The necklace can be found here or in stores for $40, but buy one necklace at Express right now, and get the second for $9.50.

I hope you fall in love with mint this month like I did!

The Wedding Planner

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Meshell McKinley

Ever had a guy bring up marriage in the early stages of dating? Believe it or not it happens. I call these men “wedding planners.” It’s a funny notion, since we’re raised to believe that men can’t commit. Personal experience would tell me the same for the most part, but then there are the “wedding planners”, guys who bring up marriage early on in a relationship. At first it may seem like a breath of fresh air, a guy who isn’t afraid of putting his feelings out there, he’s honest, and real. Then you’re forced to face the reality of, “if it seems to good to be true, it probably is.”

Jenny had ended a relationship, and was in the stage of singledom where she felt as though she was done. She no longer saw herself getting married, and she was okay with it. She couldn’t even see herself being in a serious relationship. She was happy being single, and spending time traveling and being with her girls. One night a few guy friends of hers asked her to come out with them. Jenny typically didn’t go out unless one of her girl friends was by her side, but she was in a confident place in her life where she thought why not? She got ready and headed to the hotel where she would be meeting up with her guy friends.

When she got there the hotel room was full of women, not that it surprised her knowing her guy friends well. There was only one guy in the room, leaning up against a wall. He seemed afraid to talk to anybody, which seemed odd because he was very attractive. Jenny sat there talking to one of the girls, and noticed that he didn’t hold a conversation long with anyone. Girls would attempt to talk to him, but his responses were always short. He didn’t seem to have an interest in anyone. When the girl sitting next to her got up to use the restroom, the attractive guy came and sat beside her. It was awkward, because he didn’t say anything. He just sat next to her sipping on his drink. Finally Jenny had to say something. She hadn’t wanted to give him the satisfaction of letting him think she was into him, but the awkward silence was killing her. She broke the silence by introducing herself, and they were having a nice conversation when her guy friends announced it was time to head to the club.

When Jenny left that hotel room she thought it would be the last time she would talk to Jim. When they got to the club everyone was dancing and having a good time, but Jim just stood there drinking his drink. From time to time Jenny caught him glancing at her, but told herself to think nothing of it. After an hour had gone by Jim finally walked up to her and asked her if she wanted to join him outside. They walked out onto the balcony, and began to have what ended up being a great conversation. Jim started out by talking about how he wasn’t in town to meet anyone. He was a former marine here visiting Jenny’s friend who had fought alongside him. He was only in town for a couple of days, and not looking to start anything with anyone. He said that he wasn’t talking to girls who approached him, because he didn’t want to lead them on. When Jenny heard all of this she thought for sure he was letting her know that this wasn’t going to go anywhere. He lived in Texas, so Jenny had no expectations. She was simply having a conversation with a cute guy.

He never let her out of his site for the rest of the night, holding her hand and leading her wherever they went. Throughout the rest of his days in L.A. Jim tried to spend time with Jenny. She wasn’t interested since she knew he was going back home, and wasn’t looking to start anything. After turning him down over the weekend, she finally said yes to having lunch. When Jim left to Texas he promised to keep in touch with her, and wanted to get to know her better. Jenny shrugged this off, knowing that men will say just about anything. But Jim kept his word and over several weeks they would communicate day and night. He was charming, but Jenny found it odd that he was so serious about her after hanging out only a couple of times. He mentioned over and over how she was a girl he’d want to marry, that he had a big house and wanted her there with him. He spoke about missing her so much, but Jenny wondered how someone could miss someone they barely knew.

Jim couldn’t understand why Jenny was so hesitant to believe his feelings were true. He messaged her best friends who he had met during his trip to California. He told them he wanted to be with her, and asked them how he could get through to her. Finally Jenny agreed to visit him in Texas. He bought her a flight, and planned the whole trip. Jenny couldn’t help, but to start to get excited. Could this guy be for real? If he was doing all of this he must really like her? After all who would put all this time, effort, and money into someone they didn’t care about?

The time came and she had a wonderful time in Texas. They did a lot of domestic things together, cooking together, watching movies, staying up late. She actually started to see the life she could have if they worked out. Things were great, but then towards the end of the trip Jenny got a feeling that this would be the last she would see of Jim. He began to talk about how much he hated Los Angeles, and Jenny didn’t plan on moving out of the state. How could it work? Still she enjoyed the rest of the trip, and when he took her to the airport he told her to call him when she landed. They kissed and said good bye.

When Jenny got home she gave Jim a call, but there was no answer. She texted him the next day, and there was no reply. Then she was deleted from his Facebook page. He finally reached out to her and told her that he was just, “cleaning up his Facebook page.” Two days later he was engaged. Jenny’s mutual friend broke the news to her. How he was engaged two weeks after spending time with her, Jenny didn’t understand. Jim got married, and divorced in less than two years. Jenny never heard from him again, and was better for it.

The lesson here is not that there are no good men in the world. It’s not that men can’t commit, or that you should be worried if someone wants to be serious early on in the relationship. The lesson is that marriage is a big deal, and anyone who is willing to enter into it after a couple of dates isn’t in the right mindset. Getting to know someone takes time. Even if someone is in love with you after knowing you for two days, they don’t really love all of you. It takes more than two days to know someone, to know their personality, their interests, their goals. You might be in love with certain aspects of a person, but not the person as a whole, and that’s what you need in order to enter into marriage. If someone starts to talk to you about marriage that early on, ask yourself what their motives are. Find out more about their relationship history, and you’ll have a better idea of if it’s going to last or not.

Under the Sea

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Meshell McKinley

I love the sea. The blue hues of the water, the pink and peach tones of the coral, the color combos have always been a favorite of mine. This next outfit was inspired by the sea. The necklace can be found at Express in stores and online. The shirt can also be found at Express in stores currently. The skirt is from H&M, but no longer in stores, but check out these peach colored options at Polyvore.

Sabotage! Friends or Foes?

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Meshell McKinley

The hardest part about weight loss is keeping the weight off. The ability to keep the pounds off takes self-motivation, but it also requires support. Our loved ones and peers influence many aspects of our lives, and that includes what and when we eat.

When we meet up with friends it’s over drinks or dinner. When we’re dating someone new most dates include food. When we get comfortable in a relationship, we sit at home snacking together in front of a TV. The ones we love get used to our personalities, our habits, and the way we look. Change can be uncomfortable and unwelcomed, but what do you do when you need to change for your health? You can’t put the needs of others before the needs of yourself especially when it comes to your health.

When I lost 85 pounds after high school many of my relationships changed. Friends became foes, my boyfriend became jealous and abusive, and my family found it hard to believe that it was actually happening. My relationships with everyone changed, and not for the better at first. If I was a less self assured person, if I had any doubt of the importance of being healthy, I would have let these negative behaviors derail my goals. Certain friends would encourage bad eating habits, others would put me down to tare down my newly found self-esteem. Jealous friends would say things to belittle me and my appearance. My boyfriend at the time became verbally abusive, in fear that my increased confidence inspired by my weight loss would cause me to cheat or leave him.

Still I knew what I wanted for me. I was tired of not being able to wear what I wanted to wear. I was tired of being looked at and stereotyped. I wanted to feel healthy, lighter, free. I wanted to be confident about my appearance, and I didn’t want anyone else to have an unfair advantage over me. Everything changed when I lost weight. I lost friends, I lost a relationship, but I gained so much more. I made new friends, I found a better boyfriend, I went out so much more, discovered new places, and enjoyed my twenties like I never would have been able to do had I not lost the weight. I also added years onto me life, and prevented myself from getting any of the diseases associated with obesity.

The path wasn’t easy, especially for me with my thyroid condition, but I overcame everything and lost the weight. I’ve kept it off for over ten years now, and will never allow the weight to come back. No matter who wants you to stay the same, if change is what you need to be happy, you can’t let anyone hold you back. Be the you that you always wanted to be, and you’ll always be happy regardless of who else is in or not in your life.

When He’s Just Not That Into You

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Meshell McKinley

Books have been written about it, movies have been made, multiple conversations have been had, and yet we’re still having trouble figuring out when a guy just isn’t that interested. I think the problem lies in the fact that sometimes mixed signals can serve as an excuse to stay with someone who is otherwise terrible for you. Despite what he says, his actions will tell a better story. Here is a real life example of when you have to look at a specific action, and not words or actions from the past (names have been changed to provide privacy):

Where are You?

Steve and Emily were dating for four months. They spent every weekend with each other. They lived an hour away from each other and both worked full time, so they rarely spent a weekday together. Still, when she would come to town on Friday he never let her go home until work on Monday. He had introduced her to his family and friends. They went on double dates with her friends, and they spent lots of time hanging out with his. He would compliment her constantly, and they never had an argument.

Although the weekends were great, she started to feel like it was odd that they never communicated during the week. The drive made it hard to see each other, but shouldn’t he call or text once and a while? She let it go, because of their busy schedules. One Friday night she went up to see him, and the next morning he was gone. She called him and he was golfing. She found it weird that he went off without letting her know he was leaving, and she felt awkward waiting around his apartment for him. She decided to leave, but later that day he begged her to come back. He said he’d make it up to her with dinner. They had a nice dinner, but when he went to pay his card was declined. Normally this wouldn’t have been a major issue, but Emily had explained earlier that day how her card had been closed for security reasons. He told her that it would be okay, that he was going to run to his apartment and come back to pay.

His apartment was only a couple blocks away, so Emily didn’t understand why it was taking so long for him to return. She finally decided to call him, and figure out what was taking so long. “Hey what’s up where are you?” Steve has the nerve to say. “What do you mean where am I? I’m at the restaurant where you left me,” Emily says. He was in a bar down the street hanging out with his friends. “Why don’t you come here?” he asked like she had just gotten into town, like he hadn’t just left her 15 minutes ago. When she asked him, What about the bill?” he said that he had left his ID with the waitress, and that he would go back and pay the waitress later. Steve had left her in a restaurant with the check without a way to pay, and had gone to a bar.

She left that night feeling angry and confused. He had been so great in the beginning. He had made a difference in her life, and she enjoyed the time they spent together. She started listing all of the reasons why he must care about her, even though leaving her at that restaurant in that way was a clear indication that he definitely did not. He called her repeatedly that night, but she never picked up. Days turned into two weeks before she saw him again. He had texted and called her consistently apologizing and begging her to see him. She finally felt as though she had punished him enough, and the honest truth was that she missed his company.

She got ready and headed over to see him. They had a great night, and she felt reassured that he did care about her. The next morning they had planned to spend the day together at the beach. He was making breakfast when she decided to make the bed. She threw the blanket off to fix the sheets when she discovered it. A pair of freshly rolled off panties that weren’t hers. Her heart dropped, but in all actuality what did she expect? All of the facts she had ignored, all of the red flags she concealed, all came back to stare her in the face.

He was a wealthy young guy living at the beach. He went out almost every night, he never called or texted her during the week, he left her in a restaurant for God sake. She was disappointed, but couldn’t help laughing at herself for letting it happen like it did. She finished making the bed, used a tissue to put the panties on top of the bed and then walked out into the living room. His roommate was sitting there and saw her exiting. “Hey buddy your girl is escaping,” he shouted to Steve who was still in the kitchen cooking obliviously. He came out into the living room, “Where are you going?” he asked. She didn’t feel like he was worth making a scene over, what would that get her? She would just look like a crazy girl in front of his roommate, and it wouldn’t effect him at all. “I have plans with my brother I forgot about, and I have to go. I’ll see you another time.”

Steve looked confused, and he kept pushing for a better answer. She walked out the door, and was already down the stairs when he rushed outside after her. “I thought we had plans? What do you mean you have plans with your brother? Why are you leaving?” Emily just smiled and said, “Why don’t you just go back into your bedroom and take a look at what’s on your bed. You’ll know why I’m leaving.” Steve asked her why she wouldn’t just talk to him, but she walked off towards her car and left.

Steve found the panties of course, and tried to make up lies. He said that they were from a long time ago, that they had been there from before he met her. “That’s even more disgusting Steve, you never wash your sheets?” she asked. He even tried asking, “Aren’t they yours?” Like she wouldn’t recognize her own. She told him that they were better off ending things, that he was young and clearly not done fooling around, and that she didn’t want to be with someone who was sleeping with other people. They had never had the conversation about being exclusive, so it was her fault for assuming they were.

Sometimes we want to like a guy so much, we give ourselves 100 reasons why he cares. We look at things he says and does, to excuse why we’re with him, even though he’s provided clear proof he’s just not that into the relationship. Time is too precious, and there are too many guys out there who would actually care, to waste your time with someone who doesn’t.

February: Things I love (This Month)

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Meshell McKinley

I get really obsessed with certain products, and then play them out until I can’t have anymore. I like what I like, and I don’t stop liking it until I do. Right now I’m obsessed with:

SNACKS

Special K Fruit & Yogurt Cereal

I have always been a fan of special K, a cereal I can eat to help me keep the pounds from fighting their way back. I can however, eat more than one bowl of special K at a sitting, negating the dietary benefits of the cereal. That’s why I love the new fruit and yogurt version. This new twist on the classic fills you up much quicker than the regular cereal. Added bonus: the dried berry clusters transform the remainder milk left into the bowl into a bowl of strawberry milk. Find the fruit and yogurt special K at your local market.

Pretzel Crisps & Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges

When I was around 5 years old I used to spend a lot of time with my Arabic uncle Emad. He would give me these triangle of soft cheese as a snack. He ate a lot of traditional food back then, so I thought he was giving me some special Arabic cheese. Fast forward 20 years later, and I finally realize that those yummy cheese triangles came from Vons. The laughing cow makes a variety of flavors now including a delicious sun dried tomato flavor. At just 50 calories for the regular, and 35 for the light version, these cheese wedges can calm your hunger pains when you’re in between meals. OMG do I love pretzel crisps. So much better than a regular cracker. At just 110 calories for 11 crisps, you can enjoy this treat guilt free. I’ve recently topped my pretzel crisps with the Laughing Cow swiss cheese flavored soft cheese. It’s a great snack and fills me up.

MAKE-UP

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

For years I went without using foundation. I hate the feel of caked on make-up, and I was fortunate to avoid acne growing up. It wasn’t until two years ago that I started to think I needed a little foundation. I started using M.A.C tinted moisturizer, because it gave my skin a little color, concealed small imperfections, and protected my skin with it’s SPF. I used the tinted moisturizer for almost two years, but started to notice that it gave me an orange look, especially in pictures. I was afraid to try a true foundation, but the girl at the NARS make up counter insisted a try their foundation. She said it was light, and she wasn’t lying. I am in love with this product. She worked with me to find the perfect color for my skin. The light coverage hid what I wanted it to, but didn’t leave my skin feeling or looking cakey. My skin looks smooth and soft. The best part is that my skin doesn’t look white in pictures. Most foundations contain a chemical that turns white under a flash, but it’s not found in NARS foundation. The only downside is that the foundation can dry skin if you already have an issue, so always put on moisturizer before applying the foundation. NARS sheer glow foundation can be found at your local department store for $44.

Disney Collection for Sephora

For Christmas my boyfriend’s little sister bought me the Cinderella eye shadow palette by Sephora. Not only is the case beautiful, but the eye shadow variety is amazing. I hate it when I have to use a ton of eye shadow just to make the color pop. That’s not the case with this eye shadow palette. The color pops with a small amount of shadow, and lasts throughout the day. The variety was awesome as well, with shadow colors ranging from purple to brown. No matter what outfit I put on, there is an eye shadow to match. Sephora recently released the newest set which is called the Jasmine collection. View the collection here. You can order from Sephora online with no shipping cost for $55. A great price for the amount and variety of shadows you get.

Shopping

Lulu’s

I tend to purchase a lot of clothing from one particular store. I’ll find an outfit I love, and keep going back. This month I’ve been obsessed with Lulus.com. I love pretty, delicate things, and Lulu’s has so many lovely things to choose from. I’ve purchased four dresses from them so far, and one pair of heels. If you love to look feminine, you have to check Lulu’s out. Visit them here.

Travel: Viva Las Vegas

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Meshell McKinley

As I prepare to leave for Vegas this week, I am inspired to post about my love for the real city that never sleeps. My love affair with Las Vegas began when I was 7, and my extended family took a trip to Las Vegas. I’ve celebrated many a milestone in Vegas. I was at the club at midnight for my 21st, drove straight there after graduating college, and spent every birthday there ever since. Now it’s my boyfriend’s little sister’s turn. She turns 21 this week, and we’re taking her to sin city to celebrate right.

Las Vegas is a shape shifter a cameleon. It can be the city you want it to be. Most people know Las Vegas as sin city, but there’s more than just sin going on in this lively city. With critically acclaimed restaurants featuring world famous chefs, top rated spas, live stage performances, and shopping locations Vegas can fulfill your every desire.

When I visit Vegas there are a few things I have to do. Here is a list of my top Vegas destinations:

Surrender: Nightclub Encore Hotel

Attempting to get me to go to a Hollywood club these days is a dangerous mission. I did the Hollywood scene early on in my 20s and enjoyed it, but now it’s just tired. However, mention going out in Vegas and I’m always game. There’s something different about the atmosphere, the people, the music that makes it more enjoyable. My biggest issue with staying out past midnight these days is that my heels become unbearable. Unless you’re up for buying a table, or get invited to one, standing around all night becomes painful. Which is why I love Surrender. Partially indoors, partially outdoors, this club has something for everyone. The inside is beautifully decorated, but the outside is amazing. With LED lights, water fountains, and a pool reflecting light, the scenery at Surrender is worth the price of admission. There’s always a hot DJ performing, and the crowd is well mixed. Palm trees and bright lights make you feel like you’re in Miami. The best part of the outdoor area is that there are places where you can sit and rest your feet, even if you don’t have a table. Drinks don’t come cheap at around $18 a cocktail, but then again you are in Vegas. The indoor dance floor is small, but that’s because party goers can dance anywhere they like in the massive outdoor area. To buy a ticket or book a table reservation visit here.

Chateau: Nightclub Paris Casino

Located at the top of the Paris Casino Chateau is as romantic as a Vegas club gets. The Paris Casino itself is a wonder to behold. The replica of the Eiffel Tower is a wonder, and the Arc de Triomphe truly makes you feel as though you are driving around the streets of Paris. To enter Chateau you walk up a beautiful stairway located inside the casino. When you first enter Chateau it looks like any other Vegas club. The black walls, DJ stand, and dance floor are nothing out of the ordinary. Then you take a trip to the balcony where the magic happens. Located beside the Eiffel Tower replica, the balcony provides a view of the entire Vegas strip. Big bulbs light the Chateau sign above the bar. The light from the bulbs reflected on the white furniture turns the entire balcony gold. You can’t leave Vegas without experiencing this view. To book your table visit here.

The Spa: Encore Casino

I literally couldn’t believe what I was seeing when I first walked into the spa at the Encore spa. I was there to workout, but was distracted by the amazing furniture and attention to detail. The couches, the lighting, it’s reminiscent of a Moroccan palace. One of the best ways to enjoy Las Vegas is to purchase a spa service. Practically every casino features a spa where you can enjoy massages, facials, and spa amenities like hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms. When you’re in need of relaxation the spa at the Encore is just what you need. Feel like a princess for the day at this lavish indoor spa facility. Prices for massages range between $150 and $250 on weekends, facials are priced at similar rates. The spa offers waxing services as well. If you’d like to stay in shape while on vacation, the gym at the Encore is located within the spa. The facility is smaller than other casino gyms, but features brand new top of the line equipment. You can also request a personal trainer. To view the whole Encore spa service menu visit here.

Margaritaville: Restaurant Flamingo Casino

Enough with the pricey destinations right? Margaritaville is not the destination when you’re looking for class and eligance. Margaritaville is the place to go when you need something hearty to soak up all the alcohol you drank the night before, or when you want to continue drinking throughout the afternoon. The giant volcano located next to the bar erupts throughout the day as they play the Margartiville theme song. Don’t sit too close to the giant glass next to the volcano. A dancer takes a slide down into the glass filled with water, swishing a way and getting you wet. The best nachos I’ve ever had are found at Margaritville, along with a pretty amazing margarita. These nachos come piled as a high as a mini mountain. Definitely for sharing, this cheesy dish comes with your choice of steak or chicken. Order these nachos and you won’t be disappointed. To view the full menu visit here.

Serendipity: Restaurant Caesar’s Casino

I first obsessed over a frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity in New York. I was on a family vacation, and was miserable. I had become deathly ill during the trip, and had an icicle fall from a building and hit me over the head (don’t ask). Nothing was going my way. I couldn’t eat anything, nothing tasted good, and my brother insisted on going to Serendipity because it was in one of his favorite films. The New York location is tiny, but charming. I ordered my frozen hot chocolate, because I had seen it in one of my favorite films One Fine Day. It was amazing. Fast forward a few years later, and a larger Serendipity location was built in Las Vegas in front of Caesar’s Palace Casino. The restaurant isn’t as charming as the New York location, but serves all the same treats that make the original so famous. Still nothing beats my frozen hot chocolate. If you’re in a hurry, the window located at the back of the restaurant serves quick items to go. To see a full menu visit the website here.

Wynn Buffet: Wynn Hotel & Casino

You can’t leave Vegas without eating at a buffet, it’s a staple. Practically every casino has one. I’ve heard people swear by the Bellagio buffet, the Mirage buffet, the Paris buffet, but they are all wrong. The buffet at the Wynn hotel is by far the best. The buffet at the Paris Casino is charming. I was excited to dine there, because the inside reminded me of Fantasy Land inside the Disneyland park. cobbled floors, lamp posts, and charming homes make up the inside of the restaurant. It’s such a shame that the food doesn’t hold up to the decor. The Bellagio buffet was boring, and the interior was nothing special. The Mirage buffet is great for seafood, but again nothing to die for. Then there is the Wynn buffet with it’s huge flower bouquets, vibrant colors, and amazing food choices. There are many more choices for the health conscious eater as well. Buffet prices vary depending on time of day, but it’s typically around $30 per person.

Fashion Show Mall

Located next to Treasure Island, and across from the Venetian hotel, the Fashion Show Mall has everything you need. There are plenty of malls and store locations on the strip, but the Fashion Show Mall has it all in one place. No matter how much I travel I always find that I’ve left something behind. Whether you need a party dress for going out, flats to walk around the strip in, or a swimsuit to hit the hot tub, the Fashion Show Mall has what you need. If you’re looking for a good deal check out the outlets on your way into the strip.

I hope you get a chance to visit the strip soon, and check out these incredible destinations.