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Christmas Recap – Was I Naughty or Nice This Year?

So Christmas just came and went am I right?

Our Christmas this year was a bit crazy seeing as we were traveling on Christmas Eve. We went to Vegas this year with some family and to also visit my family for the holiday. I wanted to try to see everyone this year hoping that it would make up for some loneliness I’ve been trying not to feel this year.


Immediately after our flight back home we went home, dropped our stuff off at home, and went straight to my aunt’s house for her annual Christmas Eve party. We ate more good food, played Cards Against Humanity, and watched the younger cousins perform and share their talents (a Christmas tradition that started when I was probably 10 years old. I’m so glad I don’t have to do it anymore hahaha).

On Christmas Day we had the opportunity to rest a little bit before having Charlie’s family over for dinner. We had quite the spread of food for just he 8 of us but everything was delicious. We had a house full of Ortega’s and 4 fur babies so needless to say it was good times.


As far as gift giving goes, Charlie and I went all out on each other’s gifts this year. I got him a 6-piece knife set by Global and a knife roll bag with his initials stitched on it. But Charlie won by a landslide. He bought me an iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard to match. *Drool* It’s perfect for sketching and is so easy to transport instead of my laptop. Say hello to my new toy!

Apparently, I was nice this year. I’ve been blessed with all the gifts above, amazing family. Yeah, that get me. 🙂 I am extremely grateful for all the people that made this Christmas a good one for me. Hope you had a great Christmas too!


Xoxo,

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Merry Christmas to you! Being Honest


Merry Christmas everyone! I hope your holidays have been full of family, friends, love, and grace of Jesus Christ. This month I have much to be thankful for, but that will be another post in a couple weeks. 🙂

I have to be honest with you, this holiday has been extremely hard for me. I’ve been trying really hard to have some Christmas spirit and for the most part it’s been a happy holiday season. Like I said, I’ve made many memorable memories this Christmas so I’m extremely thankful. But truth be told it’s been hard. This time last year was a whirlwind of emotions. This time last year was the last opportunity I really got to spend time with my mom and dad, in my childhood home, and us together. Just us, no one else. Even then, I tried to be happy but it was hard. For me, this was the beginning of the end.

This is my first holiday without my mom and my dad is now living in the Philippines. The words that probably sum up this year has had to be “change” or “adapt” for me. I miss my mom dearly. I think back on these days last year constantly. A time when I could hold my mom’s hand, give her a hug, and buy her a candle for Christmas like I always do. After this photo my mom’s health took a turn for the worse, I had to speak at my mom’s funeral, we sold my childhood home, and my dad moved to the Philippines.

But it’s ok, because life moves on. God got me. And regardless of whether she’s here or not she has shaped me into the woman I am today. Since I started working at her real estate office a lot of her old colleagues keep telling me I look like her, especially when I smile. It warms my heart every time. And this season I am making a commitment to myself to never forget but to move forward. More on that later 😉

Like I said, Merry Christmas everyone! If there is anything I’ve learned from these past 3 years it’s hold your loved ones close, make an effort to show them how much you mean to them, tell them you love them often, never take them for granted, make memories, and always smile no matter how down you are. Trust me, you’ll thank me later. I’ll be doing that this weekend and in the weeks to come.

Xoxo,

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My Top Vegas Eats On and Off the Strip

Hello from Las Vegas!

I know what you’re probably thinking, what the hell are you doing blogging in Vegas? Why aren’t you out partying? Well, the partying days are over lol. I’m more about eating all the great food, sipping cocktails, and playing a game or 2. Truth is, I’m not so keen on the “typical” Vegas experience. I’m more about just relaxing here and wearing comfortable clothes haha! I didn’t even bring heels this trip.

We’re here for 2 specific reasons: 1. I have family here and wanted to spend some time with them for Christmas. 2. I got offered a free room. As you guys know, for me the best way to experience a city is through food and we have every intention of doing so this trip. We’ve been here tons of times so I’ve kind of created my own list of places that were memorable for me on and off the strip. We’re going to hit some of the places on the list below, but also going to hit some new ones.

One thing I love about Vegas – there are a lot more choices for late night eats here than home! It makes sense since we all know that Vegas is a 24 hour city, but you can find almost any food open at 1 am. Korean food, Japanese, Mexican, Chinese, Wings…the list goes on. In our area of LA all you’ve got is fast food, maybe Mexican food, and Thai food. Anyway, without further ado, here are my recommendations for places to eat in Las Vegas (on and off the strip).

On the strip:

  1. Buffet – Bacchanal Buffet at Caesar’s Palace. This is my favorite buffet. By far. We’re not to this buffet this time because we’re going to the buffet at the M hotel this trip I just have to say how much I like this buffet. The hype is real for me. I LOVE seafood and this buffet has it all. If you’re a seafood lover like me, go here.
  2. Prime Rib – Planet Dailies. We had this at our last trip. And OMG, this is the best value on the strip. THE BEST DEAL. $10 and you get prime rib with you choice of potatoes and steamed vegetables.  You have to go from late lunch/early dinner and it’s while supplies last. But OMG, their prime rib was cooked to perfection.
  3. Cocktail – Uva Bianco cocktail at LAVO Restaurant, Venetian. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to LAVO. But their Uva Bianco cocktail on their drink menu is SO good! Memorable enough that I had to put it on this list.

Off the strip:

  1. Aloha Kitchen. It’s been a while since I’ve been here too, but this place is good for Filipino/Hawaiian food! Their Adobo Omelet put them on the map but everything I’ve gotten there is good.
  2. Buffet: Studio B Buffet at M Hotel. I’ve been here once maybe 5-6 years ago, and we’re planning on going again this trip. But I hear from everyone this is a great buffet to go to. I’ll review it when I post our recap.
  3. Fast Food: Sonics Drive In. Ok, I don’t love Sonics. But we don’t have it in the Valley. So whenever we come here I go.
  4. Oxtail Soup: Market Cafe at California Casino. This is THE place to go if you want some comfort soup. Cheap and delicious, that’s all I need to say.
  5. Container Park: Oaks and Ivy, The Perch. I haven’t been here yet, but I hope to. Truth be told we rarely ever leave the strip in Vegas which is why we haven’t been here yet. But I need to put it on my list. I think the concept of Container Parkis genius. And though I haven’t been there the 2 locations up top are the places I would visit. 🙂

Xoxo,

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