THINGS TO DO AND EAT IN VEGAS - Bardot in Aria

Vegas in 2020

W
e had planned our annual Vegas trip for June (we usually plan it at our annual Christmas pajama party) and when the pandemic hit we thought we could possibly still make it. We were Zoom calling in quarantine saying yes I think it’ll be ok…and then shut.down. Womp womp. So we decided to reschedule our trip because even when things are rocky you don’t have to let it ruin anything, just modify it! So 4 of 6 of us in the group headed back to Vegas this time we stayed at Encore instead of Delano.

Vegas is different during this time. Mask wearing is strict and mandatory everywhere in public. Maybe if you’re walking on the strip no one cares because it’s outside but once you walk into a building, you have to have your mask on – signs everywhere, employees telling you, cameras seeing your every move to send an employee to tell you. At the Wynn resort though you could sit in your chair and take it off and relax. I would say that Vegas seemed more strict than Phoenix but that could also be my own observation since I was out a lot so it felt that way. It is what it is and we still went and so we didn’t complain because chose to be out! We had a blast though and we also got to do something different – rail biking!

Bell Lexus North Scottsdale gifted a loaner car, the LS500 which is a sweet ride for the trip up – I drove all the way there and back because the ride was so smooth!! Thanks Jen for taking my photo! We took this at Hoover Dam and I parked the car not in a parking spot, but where the view was. There weren’t a lot of people and this was really the perfect spot I’m so glad we waited for the right place to show off this ride (test drive one you will fall in love, I didn’t want to give it back).

lexus LS500 white car 2020

Dinner at Bardot

We always have a big fancy dinner on the agenda, we can count on one, sometimes we have two! This was our big one and we booked a French restaurant called Bardot which is located in Aria.

Dining Tip: When planning to go to Vegas, book reservations ahead of time, the good restaurants will be full. Book at least a week or more! This also ensures you get a good table – also, don’t let the hostess sit you in some table in a corner by the kitchen when you have a reservation. Talk to someone and make sure you get the table you booked!

THINGS TO DO AND EAT IN VEGAS - Bardot in Aria

BCBGMAXAZRIA Embroidered Cocktail Dress (sold out, similar and here, love this) / Wear this silicone adhesive bra with it on Amazon / Heels: Amazon / Floral drop earrings: Forever 21 / Cuff: J.Crew (old)

BCBGMAXAZRIA Embroidered Cocktail Dress

This dress was supposed to be for a Macy’s Easter campaign but when I came back from 3 weeks from Taiwan and everything started to close down, including Macy’s, I kept the dress and it became my Vegas dress. I almost didn’t pack it because I wasn’t sure if it was more of a daytime dress but I am so glad I threw it in last minute and wore it! Make sure you buy this adhesive silicone bra for Vegas outfits!  BCBGMAXAZRIA Embroidered Cocktail Dress (sold out, similar and here, love this) / Heels: Amazon / Floral earrings: Forever 21

duck at bardot restaurant in aria

I ordered duck! It was amazing and a big portion but I was thrilled to see it on the menu. I’m either a duck or lamb person so that’s my go-to and then I will go for a steak (medium rare). We also celebrated Jen’s birthday a week later.

Rail biking in Boulder City

I was so excited to find out about rail biking – https://www.railexplorers.net! I rail biked on the skunk train it in the redwoods with my parents last summer. Boulder City is 30 minutes outside of Vegas and a really short ride so we headed out and we had the night time booked which was great because it was cooler weather. We had so much fun and you don’t really have to pedal much – just the very end a little bit because it goes uphill a bit. But for the most part the rails are going downhill.

THINGS TO DO IN VEGAS - rail biking in Boulder City just 30 minutes outside of vegas on a quad bike with friends

Crop tee: Revolve / Cheetah crop top: Forever 21 / Hot pink leggings: Forever 21 / Rhinestone sneakers: Michael Kors (sold out)

THINGS TO DO IN VEGAS - rail biking in Boulder City just 30 minutes outside of vegas on a quad bike with friends

We had gone to Forever 21 earlier that day and found these cheetah print crop tops and decided to buy one so we would coordinate. They are soooo cozy! Get one if you don’t mind the crop top and wear high waisted pants like I am. I then saw these bright pink leggings and said um yes I do need them! They were only $15 and I wish they had a bright green, but there are a ton of metallic colors which are fun!

THINGS TO DO IN VEGAS - rail biking in Boulder City just 30 minutes outside of vegas on a quad bike with friends
THINGS TO DO IN VEGAS - rail biking in Boulder City just 30 minutes outside of vegas on a quad bike with friends

We are sitting up top in the caboose! The conductor asked if we wanted to and we were of course so excited and happy to do it – and then we all took photos like this pose LOL. We laugh so much and we truly are on the same speed with traveling and spending time together. What a fun adventure and something different to do – especially since Vegas is different at night anyway (no clubs open or shows really). We usually see a show so this was great – it was only $150 for 4 of us total on a quad.

Also, don’t forget some fun glow sticks! I found ours at the 99 Cents store!

Here’s a glimpse of my stories –

Dinner at Jardin

The first night of dinner when we all get in (half of us fly and drive) we have a casual dinner that night. So we were planning on a casual dinner as tradition, then realized we had a shorter amount of nights during our trip so we looked at each other and said, let’s just do it and dress up! Why not? So we quickly changed, I called to push back our reservation time! Because we can dress like we did any night back home, but we were in Vegas baby and we had the outfits ready!

Jardin is in the Wynn and a casual place but we decided to dress up anyway!

tulle bodysuit ballerina style in vegas what to wear
I have had this bodysuit for a while – with Vegas in mind so I am sorry it’s sold out now but here is a black one that is kind of similar.

I wear this $18 adhesive silicone bra under V-neck tops – in fact I lived in it all weekend! I suggest having one or two on hand and you can wash them (rinse with water and let it air dry before putting the plastic back on it). You can get a lot of wears out of a pair! My faux leather slit skirt is from Revolve.  

And that’s it! We had another fun year in Vegas. If you need any links ask me in the comments I’ll try to help out but most of these things are items I’ve had for a while! I love my girlfriends they are truly the most amazing best babes I have been blessed to have in my life for 15 years. The best memories are made when we are talking until 3 am catching up on life, having those heart talks and growing with each other. This is the event that continues to connect us the most over a few days because we have more time together to catch up and also get dressed up like our pageant days! Old friends are the best!


Diana Elizabeth is still tired from Vegas and wants to go down for a nap. 

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Diana Elizabeth Steffen setting the table for her annual garden party

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Diana Elizabeth is an author, photographer, and obsessive thrift shopper. You can typically find her in the garden wrist deep in dirt, at a local estate sale or planning her next creative themed party. She continues to blog weekly.

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