desert sabbatical: charleston antique mall

Charleston Antique Mall is 16,000 square feet of pure heaven.  I spent about three hours wandering through the booths.  I love the hunt.  I laughed out loud several times due to the strange mix of run-of-the-mill antiques and bizarre/gaudy items.  It was great fun! 

307 W Charleston Blvd
Las Vegas
702.228.4783

Tip: Check out the directions to the entrance of the shop.  It's a bit tricky.  

desert sabbatical: textures of the vegas strip


1. Anthropologie in the Forum Shops of Caesar's Palace.
2. I believe this light fixture is outside Tommy Bahama's at Caesar's Palace.
3. MAC in the Forum Shops of Caesar's Palace.
4. Sculpture in Caesar's Palace.
5. I wish I could remember where I shot this dress.
6. The conservatory at the Bellagio. 
7. The beautiful Chihuly piece hanging in the lobby of the Bellagio.

blogs with style


I adore the vintage nautical banner and chic design of Darling Savage's blog!



Another blog design I dig belongs to the talented Mary Kate McDevitt.  I love the hand-drawn accents.

What blog designs inspire you?

desert sabbatical: red rock canyon

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is located 15 miles west of Las Vegas.  My sister and I checked out the Visitors Center and drove the 13 mile scenic drive on Thursday.  It was absolutely gorgeous!  I shot something like 90 pictures.  I'll post more tomorrow.
I dropped Bethany off at the airport this afternoon.  She's headed back to Portland.  We had so much fun this week.  I miss her already.

desert sabbatical in sin city


My cousin, Jennifer, presented me with an irresistible opportunity to stay at her house in Vegas while she traveled through Europe.  I was happy to leave behind dreary gray skies of the Oregon coast.  I've spent the past week swimming, shopping, sightseeing and relaxing.  My sister, Bethany, flew down for a few days to celebrate her birthday.  We've had a blast!

My new flats I bought at Ross.
The aquarium at the Silverton casino and lodge.


The Bass Pro Shops in the Silverton casino was enormous and full of taxidermy animals of all kinds.

Bethany added a new elongated penny to her collection.

I dig this raccoon bench!


Definitely the coolest sporting goods store I've ever been to.

Happy Birthday, Bethany!

PS: Stay tuned for pictures from our visit to Red Rock Canyon.