August Randoms

August is full blown wedding production. We haven't been spending a lot of time cooking blog-worthy meals or traveling in an effort to save time and money for the big day. But Summer has been kind to us with limited storms and mild temperatures. One month to go til our wedding!

Taking a walk

Shirley Temple float

Ice cream with the coworkers

Dancing with the ladies

Pretty pretty princess

Piña colada shake

Sweet corn festival

Nap time

Skittles vodka

I don't think I'll be blogging much until the wedding due to all the planning chaos. But I look forward to being a little Mrs and spending time with all of our loved ones.

-Akemi-chan

Kickapoo Tubing

After our little road trip down south, Bryan and I joined our Champaign-Urbana friends for a relaxing afternoon at a local state park. I had not been to Kickapoo since I first moved to Illinois, but I have very fond memories or canoeing down the river. This time, we went tubing. A little more relaxed, a little more controlled and a whole new adventure.

Nothing says "it's Summer but there's no beach" like tubing down a river. Next time we'll be like everyone else and bring beer.

-Akemi-chan

Las Vegas in August

My family has been visiting Sin City for many years and it's one of their favorite destinations. As for me, my first time was when I was nineteen and the only thing I cared about was playing in snow and buying new boots. Eight years later and we're still Vegas-bound.

Las Vegas is an every evolving organism. Every time I come back it feels so familiar, yet there's always something new. The first thing on our newest visit to Las Vegas is Giada's new restaurant in The Cromwell.

Giada photo booth

Her name on everything

Love the floors

Panoramic views

Tri-colore salad

Margherita pizza and our blood orange mocktails

Bottoms up

Lobster roll with arugula salad

Zeppoli

Amore selfie

My newest acquisition

Korean for dinner

Fancy breakfast at Bouchon

Beautiful hallway in the Venetian

Like Mad Men, but with cargo shorts

Yummy pastries

My salmon with baguette

Dad's corned beef hash

Visiting my cousin

The Strip's newest attraction

Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (from Tanked)

Car aquarium

Downtown dinner

One of our favorites

Mixed greens with apples, nuts, and cherries

Ciopinno

Stuffed shrimp and bass

Bread pudding

Shopping at Casear's

Cheese!

Fame's lychee slushie

Fuku burgers (Karai and buta)

Flask as big as your head

Bellagio gardens

Aria reception

Temple at Caesar's

Serendipity 3 frozen hot chocolate fix

Spoiled brat

So even though I had to fly from Las Vegas to Los Angeles to Nashville to Chicago to Bloomington to get home, it was totally worth it to see my parents for a couple of days. I can't wait to see them again. One more month and the whole clan is coming to Chi-town. Put on a coat, it's gonna be chilly!

-Akemi-chan