72 hrs in LAs Vegas for my best friends wedding! Pt. 1
- Shauntee Joseph
- Jan 10
- 6 min read
What I wore, where I ate, and how I woke up with crusty eyes
Happiest New Year!
I come to you throat raw, ears plugged, sinuses packed with green mucus, and crusty-eyed BUT in the best of spirits. “Why”, do you ask? Because my best friend of 18 years got married on 12/30 and my cup runneth? ranneth? over with joy and happiness for the love that has found her. My best friend Bianca is a Puerto Rickun (IYKYK) hopelessly romantic gypsy woman. She eloped with a dashing Welsh rock star in what the New York Times has called the least Las Vegas neighborhood in Las Vegas, The Arts District.
I flew from Oakland to Vegas neck wrapped like a mummy feeling like I had a cold coming on but determined to be of help to my twin flame. Here’s the breakdown.
What I packed:
I'm a notorious over-packer for those of you who are new here. I should have pared down because I was flying Spirit and they charge you for everything including air but naturally, I overpacked (duh) and checked a bag. Since I was only planning on being in town for 72 hrs ( Moonlighting for 48 of them as a bridal assistant) I needed to be comfy casual and warm. I packed 2 graphic Tee shirts, 1 pair of jeans, 1 jumpsuit, 1 loungewear set, and 1 pair of knit pants. 1 pair of sneakers, a Kantha work jacket, and a wool scarf. I also packed my dress for the elopement, a jacket to go over my dress 2 sandal options, and some jewelry.
evening travel
What I wore:
I'm a stickler for on-flight attire. I like my clothes to 1. Be easy enough to pass security without being fussy. 2. Be comfortable enough to chill on the plane and 3. To have enough versatile wearability to transition from plane to plans on the ground without a hitch. My flight was arriving in Las Vegas at 8:30 pm and the weather was chilly so I opted for my Mother The Specialist zip-front stretch-cotton corduroy jumpsuit, a J Crew wool leo print scarf wrapped 25 times around my throat, a kantha work jacket, and Nike Sky highs.
Casio Slim vintage watch in gold, J Crew Leopard print scarf. Mother blue corduroy jumpsuit, Nike Sky high in Olive (these are 11 years old this year, you guys!) Thrifted Kantha work jacket. Gucci eyeglasses.
Captains Log:
6 pm: It has been 1 hour since speaking to the gypsy bride, and I fear the soar throat and slight chill I feel will progress unless I am drugged immediately upon arrival to my destination. Slight sinus headache coming on. Right ear is plugged.
9:30 pm Upon arrival of the bride and groom's home, slight chills have become considerable. Entire face is congested, and both ears are plugged assumed from air travel but now confirmed that inflamed and clogged sinuses are the primary cause. Marching band playing at full decibel range inside my head. Both bride and groom are working. Showered. Raided medicine cabinets. Drugging myself with decongestant and pain relief in hopes of falling asleep and awakening renewed.
Day 1: Breakfast + Errands
I woke up feeling better and was still determined to complete the errand list sent via text from the bride who had already left for work. Her fiance ran out early to grab decor and bouquet flowers (the first errand on my list.) By the time I woke and dressed I was ready to help him load the flowers into buckets of water.
What I wore:
Mustarrrrd Adidas cropped tee, vintage St. John knit pants, twisted gold hoops, vintage Monet golden ball necklace, J crew scarf, Nike Sky highs, Gap metallic cardigan, Burberry Felicity glasses, Casio slim vintage watch in gold
What I ate:
Makers and Finders, Henderson LV
Rock Star fiance and I decided to have breakfast together before he also headed back to work. He chose Makers and Finders. I had been to the downtown location many many years ago with the gypsy bride but couldn't recall at the time because…head cold drugs. I asked for menu suggestions and Rock Star fiance insisted on “anything with braised short ribs” and by insisted I mean lightly suggested and I pounced like a house cat. But first tea for two with honey, because finance was getting over a bug while I felt pinned under one. The menu was amazing and I landed on the Latin hash with Braised Short ribs, House Potatoes, Roasted Peppers, Caramelized Onions, and an egg over medium. Fiance had the Shorty Benny which was Espresso braised Angus beef, baby kale, blistered tomato, 2 Poached Eggs, and Salsa Verde Hollandaise. Gahh! We also shared a short-rib empanada that made me want to cry it was so good.
The Latin Hash, the Shorty Benny, Short Rob Empanada
After breakfast, I put on my travel clothes and fiance dropped me at work with Gypsy Bride so that I could pick up her car for errands, After my list was complete I stopped by Trader Joe's to pick up some groceries for dinner and dessert for the couple so they wouldn’t have to worry about what to eat after work.
When I got home I slipped into a washable ribbed cardigan set from Uniqlo ( I may need it in every color) to make dinner for my favorite couple. “ I believe that makes this your 3rd outfit today,” Rock Star fiance said upon arrival with my husband in tow whom he picked up from the airport on the way home from work to which I replied, “ Does it?” After dinner and dessert Gypsie Bride and I packed up our things to stay the night at The English in the Arts District near their ceremony and reception venues.
Captains Log:
Laying down to bed at 2 am. Cough congestion and headache hit me like a roadrunner prank on Wile. E Coyote. Dying, and trying desperately not to awaken the sleeping beauty Gypsie bride with mucus coughs and honking of the nose while I rewrite my speech. Help.
Day 2: venue Set Up + Wedding!
I woke up early unable to sleep feeling like this with more crust more congestion more coughing…and the most perfectly pretty best friend who was about to be married in 8 hours! I was all out of meds. So I got dressed and high-tailed it downtown, my old high school stomping ground, to pick up some provision drugs for the Big Day.
What I wore:
Vintage Police tee, Universal Threads High Waisted Leo Jeans, Twisted hoops, Vintage Monet golden ball necklace, Nike Sky Highs, Gucci glasses
what I ate:
The Pepper Club at Hotel English
By the time I got back to the hotel, my belly was growling and my throat screaming. I felt I needed to rewrite my toast speech for the reception for the third time after dinner with both Gypsy Bride and Rock Star fiance. I needed tea, and tasty's toot sweet. Luckily the restaurant at the hotel The Pepper Club was open early. The menu was a mix of classics with a twist. Fried chicken with mochi waffles, Avocado toast on Japanese style bread, Ube stuffed french toast. I ordered half a mochi-marbled waffle with mixed fruit with maple syrup and cried for nearly an hour and a half over how grateful I was that good love found my friend and my speech which didn't help my congestion. I was crying and blowing my nose and ordering cup after cup of tea. Finally, the waiter asked," Are you ok honey?" " Yes," I said " But noooo, but yes." geez.
After breakfast, I walked down the block to get a quick pedicure at The Beauty Shoppe Super cute and my nail tech was amazing. I scooted back to the hotel and picked up a tea for my bestie to take with her to her hair appointment. After she left I hopped in the shower changed my clothes and walked over to her reception venue at Art Square to help set up her reception space which she insisted would take "A half hour to 45 mins max"... 2 hours later...I was racing back to the hotel to change into my wedding clothes!
I agonized about what to wear for months and ordered 2 dresses, on Poshmark, one from Zara and the other from Anthropologie. Both were cute but horrible and wrong. Subscribe below to get pinged on Pt. 2 of my crusty-eyed adventure in Vegas to see what I wore and what we ate at my best friend's elopement!
See you soon!
Xoxo,
Shauntee
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