Don’t Blink

I am such a slacker.  I apologize.

We went to Las Vegas over Labor Day weekend as sort of a “mini” family reunion with some folks on my mom’s side….which happen to be my favorite relatives too!  We had a GREAT time.  We met up with 3 cousins, one of their spouses, and an aunt and her husband.  I love Las Vegas, I know its a trashy kind of town, but there’s so many people to watch, things to do, places to eat, shop, and drink….ahhhh. 

We stayed at the Monte Carlo.  It wasn’t bad for the price over a holiday weekend.  I think we paid about $350 for 3 nights.  I could see why it was so cheap though–City Center (a MASSIVE hotel/condo/retail development) is being built right next door.  It is going to be incredible when it gets done, but right now is certainly a nuisance to Monte Carlo.  We requested a room as far away from the construction as possible and thankfully our wish was granted.  I can tell the hotel used to be really nice back in the day when it was first built, but is in dire need of some renovations and updating.  It appears they’ve started updating their suites, so I’m sure those will trickle down.  All in all, the worst thing was walking back and forth through the construction zone next door.  We were only there to sleep a few hours anyways! 

(PS – We were going to stay at Bill’s Gambling Hall and Saloon, which supposedly gets great reviews on TripAdvisor and is in a great location BUT we experienced the RUDEST person at their reservation number.  Didn’t convince me to give them any of our money!  And HA!  I made money at their stupid casino too!)

Thursday night was very low key, we just gambled and learned how to play craps.

Friday was awesome!  We got up for breakfast/brunch and did some shopping at Planet Hollywood (fka Aladdin).  The H&M there was SO disappointing.  I was pretty bummed.  It was tiny, small (terrible) selection of crap….it was a nightmare.  We had free tickets to Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden at the Mirage and so we went over there to kill some time.  I love animals, so you know me….I was in heaven.

Do you see that gentleman in the background?  There are baby tigers in there and he gets to watch/play with them…..and that’s all I ever saw him do.  Best.Job.in.the.world.

We started to get hungry and had seen a little burger joint on the way in…BLT Burger.  Oh my gosh, this place was amazing!  I don’t even like hamburgers, but…wow!  (I know, I’m weird, didn’t we already establish that?)  Just look as these milkshakes.  Best Milkshakes ever I think.  You won’t be disappointed if you go here.  It was a pleasant surprise.

Friday night was our big “dress up and paint the town” night.  We had tickets to O and went to Prime at the Bellagio for dinner.  Prime was good, don’t get me wrong.  The service was phenomenal.  I just still have to give David Burke’s Primehouse in Chicago as the top steakhouse I’ve been to.  Food was very good.  Other than a great seat to watch the fountains over the lake, I don’t remember anything else spectacular though.  I think I had set my expectations too high, simply because it was the Bellagio and I was expecting to be blown away.  I was pleased, don’t get me wrong, just not blown away.

Now, O on the other hand….I can’t begin to describe.  It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen.  I was definitely blown away.  Afterwards, even though we were sitting during the whole show, I felt like I needed to just sit down and close my eyes and breathe.   I loved it.  I’d go see it again in a heartbeat.  Wow!

Afterwards the ladies ended up going into the Bank, where supposedly Paris and Eva were, although we never saw them.  We went to hang out with our boys over at Caramel lounge where I think we ended up spending the rest of the evening.

Saturday….more gambling (we bet on Texas…made $200 yeah!), some pool time…more eating…more drinking.  Justin and I went to ‘whichcraft in MGM.  Blech.  Terrible.  Don’t go.  We went to Kahunaville for dinner where we had my most favorite beverage ever…the Strawberry Koladas.  Yum.  That is why I go to Vegas!

We caught the Duece and went down to Fremont Street.  I had never been…interesting place.  We lost our money and stayed out until 4 am.  Need I say more??  🙂 

That was basically the weekend in a nutshell.  Help!  I’m in a nutshell!  (Austin Powers anyone?)  Anyway, here’s some more random pictures from the trip!

And yes, I do look goooood on the red carpet!  HA!