PACKING FOR LAS VEGAS: DON'T FORGET YOUR...

As I mentioned on Monday, we just booked our tickets to Las Vegas. I've been on many girls' trips and couples trips to Vegas in the past, and I've learned from experience that there are a few items that should always be included in your suitcase. 1. A cute cover up. Yes, I learned this lesson the hard way last year, when I was rejected from The Pink Taco, of all restaurants, for wearing only a long tank top over my swimsuit. In fairness, the restaurant is literally right next to the Hard Rock's pool and the tank was long enough to cover my bikini bottoms, but no dice. The Pink Taco. Let's never say those words again. Moving on...

There are a lots of other reasons why you'll want to include a cover up or five in your bag. Sometimes you have to walk all the way through the casino to get to the pool. Sometimes, you want to do some shopping and then lay out, or vice-versa. In the past, I usually just wear shorts and tank top over my suit, but have you ever noticed how wearing a bikini under shorts gives you the world's worst wedgie? True story. And, what are you supposed to do with the ties? Stuff them into your shorts or let them hang out, white trash style? This is my dream cover-up, but you can find lots in the $20 - $50 dollar range at Gap, H&M, etc.

2. A little purse with a cross-body strap. You're really not going to want to lug a huge bag around when you go out at night. All you need is something small enough to hold your credit card and ID, lipstick, gum, and a phone or camera. If it has a cross-body strap, you can always wear it while you dance, although I've also gone with option B - stick your ID and credit card in your bra, leave everything else back at the hotel, and hope for the best.

3. Poolside reading. I love to download books on my phone because I can read the most embarrassing crap and nobody can judge me for it. Unfortunately, the last time I tried to read by the pool in Vegas, the sun caused my phone to overheat and made the screen go (temporarily) black. Luckily, it came back to life, but this time I'll be bringing some actual books down with me. Both "Gone Girl" (loved it) and "Fifth Avenue 5 a.m." (liked it) make good vacation reads.

4. I had a dollar for every drunk girl I've seen walking barefoot down the strip at 2 a.m., I'd have a lot of dollars. It's a fact of life - high heels hurt like crazy, especially after a night of dancing and walking around. No amount of blisters, however, are worth stepping on the kinds of things that can be found on a Las Vegas sidewalk. Preserve your self-respect and slip some roll-up flats into your purse.

5. Las Vegas is not the place to lug around your giant DSLR. Not to mention the fact that it's hard to take sneaky shots of celebrities and crazy-looking people with a huge camera. If you have a phone that takes decent pictures, go with that. If you have a cracked iPhone 4 like me, borrow your mom's point-and-shoot. You won't regret it.

What's on your Vegas packing list? A pair of aviators and a baby carrier? A blood oath that swears your friends to secrecy? A roll of one-dollar bills and a ticket to Thunder From Down Under? Do tell...this is an official judgement-free zone.