10 Things You Experience When You Move To Vegas

As I've mentioned on my blog before, I've lived in a LOT of different places. I spent high school in Las Vegas. Moving there, after living in mainly the south east, was a definite change. But I truly loved my time there. Although I am "from" a lot of places, I feel like Las Vegas is more so my home than a lot of the other places that I lived. I did a lot of growing up there and made life long friends in that desert city.

I've been missing Las Vegas a lot lately, so I thought this would be a fun, reflective post. There's a lot more where these came from, but here are 10 things that I discovered after moving to Vegas.

1. Slot Machines: They're not just for casinos. 
You can spot the gambling man at your local grocery store when you live in Vegas. The entrance of most grocery stores is home to slot or video poker machines. Such a strange discovery when you hit up Albertson's for the first time.

2. Clouds: A rare occasion for the Vegas dweller. 
In Vegas, there's not much need for checking the weather. You can bet on it being sunny 99% of the time. I love it. (Bonus: it's super hot but never humid) But if you ask the locals, most will tell you that a cloudy or rainy day is their favorite because it's such a rare occasion.

Summer Style

Hey, hey! 

I've been doing some shopping and browsing lately and have come across a lot of great items for summer! While I have purchased some of these items, some are still on my wish list. Check it all out below! (Everything is linked below the collage.)


Off The Shoulder Top | Off The Shoulder Dress | Bikini Top | Brown Wedges | White Lace Top | Palm Print Dress | White Twill Shorts | Black Crochet Top | America Graphic Tee | Caffeine Queen Graphic Tee | Rose Gold Pendant Necklace | Denim Cutoffs | Tassel Earrings 

Sorry To Get All Political: Dear "Never Trump" Republicans

Dear "Never Trump" Republicans,

If you're still pouting and whining about how Trump isn't conservative enough, experienced enough, political enough, polished enough, etc. to be our presidential candidate, maybe it's time you got a reality check.

Because here's the thing. Whether you like it or not, he's our candidate.

Is he a perfect conservative? No. Is he a perfect Republican nominee? No.
Is anyone? Also, no.

I get it. You had other candidates in mind. Heck, I was all about Ted Cruz. But it is what it is. Whining or threatening not to vote at all does absolutely no good.

You "Never Trump"ers all claim to know conservatism. You all claim to recognize all the differences between a true conservative and a phony conservative. Yet, as I sit here watching you all throwing tantrums, it's your conservatism that I question. It's your thought process that I'm having trouble understanding.

10 Tips For College Freshmen

I'm not an expert. (Is anyone though???) But so far, I've learned a thing or two.

1. Forget whatever typical college experience you have planned in your head. Even if you have the most typical experience, it will still have its own twists, turns, and happenings that make it your own--your college years. Let it come to you. Don't confine your 4 years of college to one specific image of what you think it should be. Just like many things in life, spontaneity is often the key. 

2. The "freshman fifteen" is a real thing. And you'll quickly realize that you can make that a thing for every year of college if you want. But I'm not here to tell you to ditch the french fries and live off steamed broccoli and chia seeds. It's all about finding a balance that keeps you healthy but lets you live. Moderation people!!! If you want to go out with your friends and down a milkshake and cheeseburger, do it. Just don't do it every night (I am all about a Chipotle burrito or an overly sweetened latte every now and then). You don't have to be miserable to stay healthy. Hit up the gym or go for a run. You'll thank yourself for it every time. 

Memorial Day

AP Photo/Susan Walsh (breitbart.com)
It's not about the cookouts. It's not about the 3 day beach weekends. It's not about the 50% off sales.

Did you forget that?

Here's a reminder, America.

Memorial Day is a day of honor and remembrance. It's a day that is set aside for those that gave it all. It's a reminder that the sacrifice that those soldiers made for our country will never be in vain. They're lives and memory will not go unnoticed.

It's a reminder of how blessed we are to be Americans--and may we never take that for granted.

Memorial Day is a day dedicated to the brave men and women that fought for our nation but will never feel our great country beneath their feet again...they gave everything. They displayed a love and dedication for the United States that I will forever be grateful for. My heart aches for their loved ones.... My heart aches that such beautiful lives were lost.... I have the utmost respect for the sacrifice they gave for our beautiful America.

Unpopular Opinion: I Didn't Hate High School

Uniforms: private school problems 
I have noticed that anytime I have a conversation with my college friends about high school, it almost always includes them spouting off the phrase, "I hated high school" or something of that sort. A large number of the students that I went to high school with say the same thing. I find it sad when I come across people with this opinion because personally, I loved high school. I loved it for what it was. I think some people expected too much from it. Don't get me wrong. I am so happy to be done. Four years is enough and college is so much better. But high school was a totally different time and I'm happy that I can look back on it and smile. 

Spring Fashion Wish List

It's been a while because I've had a busy month with school and everything else BUT I'm back and it's that time again! The start of a new season means the start of a new wish list. So today I'm coming at you with the list of things I have my eyes on for the spring season. Everything is linked to purchase! Just click/tap the picture. Let me know what your wish list items are in the comments!

Neutral Colored Swimsuit 

Get To Know Emma

The purpose of this post is to share a little more about myself with some fun get-to-know-me questions! Leave me a comment below so I can get to know you too! Let's be friends!

Where are you from?
As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am a military brat and am from all over the place (12 places to be exact)! I've mainly lived in the South East (Florida, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia) and spent most of high school in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Why did you start your blog?
I started my blog because I love writing and sharing my opinion, thoughts, interests, etc. and blogging is a creative outlet for doing just that!

What is the meaning behind your blog name?
I knew that I wanted to be able to encompass all my interests on my blog no matter how different the genres and I wanted my blog's name to reflect that. I went with Grand Slams & Glitter in order to pull together my love for sports and my love for fashion/beauty into one title.


For The First Time In 86 Years: "Can You Believe It?"

I was born into the fandom of Boston sports. I have never lived in Boston, or New England for that matter, but I was raised by two Massachusetts natives (praise the Lord for that). I grew up knowing that all things Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, and Bruins were worthy of cheering, yelling, and celebrating. I knew that the Yankees were to be hated and that their fans weren't to be tolerated at any cost.

my dad and I rocking the Brady and Bruschi jerseys back in the day

Things That Only Military Families Understand

Growing up a military brat is a different way of living. It's not the norm and there are definitely aspects of this life that no one else understands. There's plenty more so maybe I'll have a part 2 at some point but here's a few:

Where are you from? Uhhh….good question. But here's the deal…I don't know.

Recalling memories and gauging time based on where you were living at the time…
-Remember when we used to play "roof ball" in the backyard? (a game invented by my family; it was a good one, trust me) How old was I when we played that?!
-Oh yeah! Was that in South Carolina? No…Georgia?! So you were around 11 years old!
This method of recollection is actually very helpful and accurate.

Feeling like 3 years is a long time in one place. When you usually spend 1-2 years in a place, the occasional 3 years feels like a long time to go without moving. You get so used to moving that by the time 3 years rolls around, you're usually ready to move on to something new…change becomes wanted and necessary.

January Favorites

A while back I shared with you a post titled, "My Current Favorites" to let you know what products and things I was loving at the time. I've decided that this year I'd like to make it a more frequent themed post so I'm coming at you with my January Favorites today. There are quite a few things that I've been really loving lately so with that being said, here are some of my favorites for the month of January:

It's A 10 Leave in Conditioner


This has been a favorite of mine for a while but I ran out a while back and finally repurchased this month. This is, by far, one of the best leave-in conditioners that I've used. I definitely see a difference after using and it leaves my hair feeling much softer and healthier. I usually use it on damp hair after it's been washed. I tend to use a lot of heat on my hair (so, so bad) and it definitely leaves my hair damaged and unhealthy but this product really helps mend split ends and repair the damage. It also helps prevent frizz and protects against heat! Basically, it does everything you would want a leave-in conditioner to do.

5 Things To Think About In Your Spare Time

1. Your nose and ears will never stop growing. 

Have you ever heard that our nose and our ears never stop growing? Well, I have. I really hope that this is a myth or something that parents made up one day just to scare their children. However, I have yet to hear any news of this being a false claim. Naturally, as a result, I picture myself at 80 years old doing cool things being a cool lady…with a squash sized nose and two oversized pears for ears.

2. Chipotle has been in the news. 

If you haven't heard (are living in the desert with no internet service or friends) Chipotle has been having some problems lately. Until recently the only flaw I saw in my favorite burrito chain was its inability to provide me with queso. But now the news headlines include words like E. Coli, norovirus, and taking days off….if you're not worried about all this, you're brave. Get well soon, Chipotle.