Reno recap

Fountain inside the Eldorado casino in Reno

When was the last time you drove to Reno? For me, it had been almost thirty years! The last time I went to Reno was in high school for a swim meet, so when I heard my daughter’s volleyball tournament would be in Reno, I thought it sounded fun!

The athletes in the tournament were asked to stay at the Silver Legacy, the Eldorado or Circus Circus in Reno. The tournament had blocked rooms and set up special rates for us, so it seemed like a good deal and might be fun too!

I have to admit, staying in a casino with a child is not the greatest thing on the planet. If you want to stay in a casino in Reno, do it on an adult trip, not when you have your kids in tow. I forgot people smoke. Really, I did! In California, smoking has become taboo, so you never smell smoke when you are out and about. We occasionally smell another thing that gets smoked around here, haha, but that is rare. So, it hit me like a brick when we went into the hotel to check in and the place smelled like smoke. My daughter had to smell it all weekend. Thankfully we had a non-smoking room so the room itself was fine. I wish I could say the same for the hallways, elevator, and all public spaces. Yikes!

That being said, there was plenty to do for people like me who don’t gamble or drink. This is good news, because if you are going with kids, there are things to do! Yay! Of course, I would say with kids, try for a regular hotel, not one with a casino.

Circus Circus has a carnival game area which is kid friendly and fun. There is also a simulated golf area as well as plenty of restaurants. Of course, we spent most of our time at the volleyball tournament. That being said, I always love finding good places to eat!

For breakfast, I am a huge fan of Starbucks. The one inside the Eldorado was really good. The service was fabulous, and the coffee was made just right. This might be one of my favorite Starbucks on the planet. Love!

We ate at several restaurants inside the casinos, but I am only going to mention the best ones. We loved our food at Sushi Sake and La Strada.

Sushi Sake is a small sushi restaurant located in the Eldorado by the fountain pictured above. The fish was fresh, and the rolls were delicious. If you love sushi, you will enjoy Sushi Sake in Reno.

La Strada Reno has been mentioned on the Food Network as having the best pasta in the country. As a huge pasta fan with Italian ancestry, I was intrigued. We had to try the place! They are known for their mushroom ravioli, but neither one of us was in a mushroom mood. I enjoyed the Bolognese and my daughter had a pomodoro. The pasta was really good, but when a place is hyped as the best in the country, there is a high bar. I would say this is a great restaurant, but the best? I’m not so sure. . . That being said, next time you go to Reno, definitely eat here! It is quite yummy!

What I packed for Reno:

All in all, we had fun in Reno. If I have to do it again, I will stay in a non-casino hotel and visit the casinos for food. If you are looking for something more low key than Vegas, this could be your next road trip.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy

BAF Weekly IT List

summer street style trends

BAF Weekly IT List from top left: small messenger bag / Chanel nail polish / Dior nail polish / green woven handbag / large hoop earrings (under $100) / silver bracelet / foundation powder / lightweight sweater / basket tote / loafer mules / ballet flats / caramel hobo bag / black shoulder bag / ivory moon shaped bag (avl in many colors!) /

Chic and understated vibes are here! Summer 2023 is all about understated style, unless we are talking nails. The neutral nail polish trend has shifted for summer 2023, and now we are looking at vibrant pastels, golden metallic polish, and navy blue. Love!

As styles trend toward timeless and understated looks, minus your nail color, look for neutral ensembles, 1980s preppy vibes, and investment dressing. This is a great season to invest in basic pieces you know you will wear for years to come. Then, when things get trendy again, you will have a high-quality wardrobe full of classics you can build upon. Love that!

Shop the BAF Weekly IT List online:

What styles are you loving for summer?

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO
Cathy

How to shop for college in a warm climate

how to shop for college in a warm climate dorm essentials

What to buy for college in a warm climate from top left: box fan / carabiner clips / small, personal fan / large water bottle / air purifier fan / shower shoes / platform walking sandals / walking sandals /

Congrats! It is past May 1, which means your child has committed to a college for the fall semester. If you are reading this, chances are your child committed to a university in a warm climate. If you are from a warm climate, then you already know what to pack for your child in August, if not, here are a few suggestions to help your child survive in the those over one-hundred-degree temperatures.

Clothing: When it comes to clothing, this will not be rocket science. Your child will want to bring machine washable clothing. Stay away from dry clean only items because in warm climates, your child will be doing a lot of laundry. There is no point in having items out of circulation because they need dry cleaning; and let’s face it, college kids don’t run off the to the dry cleaners once a week. What a hassle! Look for lightweight clothing in natural fabrics such as cotton.

Footwear: College requires a ton of walking. Even with small schools, there will be a lot of walking. I attended a small urban school for undergrad and many of my classes had ten to fifteen minutes walks between them, so don’t underestimate the amount of walking your child will do. If the weather is hot, and sneakers are too warm, a good walking sandal will be in order, even if they are considered ugly by your child. Chances are, once they are on campus, they will see other students in ugly walking sandals. College kids roll out of bed and roll into class. It isn’t the fashion show they may have experienced in high school. College is casual, so walking sandals are perfectly acceptable. Of course, keep a couple of cute pairs for going out!

Fans: Even if your child has a renovated dorm room with AC, they may still need a fan. If your child’s dorm is old school, a box fan will be in order. I recommend a box fan for the window, and an individual fan for the desk. There is a good chance your child will not be allowed to bring a portable AC, so invest in a good fan. If your child’s school is in a location where allergies could kick up, I recommend investing in an air purifying fan such as this one by Dyson.

Water bottle: This may sound like a no brainer, but in a warm climate, your child will need to drink a ton of water. Invest in a good water bottle they can fit in their backpack and has a handle they can attach to their backpack with a carabiner clip.

Well, that’s it! These are the essentials for ensuring a comfortable transition from home to a warm climate in college. The most important thing your child can do is drink plenty of water. Congrats on your new journey!

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO

Cathy