Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Weekend recap: Vegas baby, Vegas!

Hey, hey everyone I'm back from Vegas! And the good news is, I came back unmarried and untattooed. Win, win!

As you know, this weekend I was in Vegas with a group of awesome and fun bloggers and it was a blast! This was the first time I've been to Vegas so I had to find the delicate balance of alcohol and sight seeing. It was tough.

And here are a few things I learned while I was in America's Playground:
  • Vegas is totally chick-friendly. If you're a woman, Vegas is the place for you. You can have any of the following things happen: get a high five, be talked dirty to in Spanish, be whistled at and get just about anything you want if you travel with two or more women. Clubs are your oyster!
  • Boobs are not a big deal in Vegas. In fact, they're everywhere on the streets. People hand out cards with boobs (and the "other" if you know what I mean) and after awhile you just go dead inside when you see them. Being a woman, if you've seen one boob, you've seen them all
  • Holy shit it is hot. We came during a "cool week," which was still in the 90s but damn, I was baking like a pig on a spit at the pool and on the strip. That sun is punishing, as my arms will attest
  • Your depth perception will fool you. I think this may be heat-induced but things look close together on the strip but they're not! Yes, the Bellagio and Mirage are next to each other, but it can take you 10-15 minutes to walk there because of other tourists and sidewalk space
  • Time doesn't really exist on the strip. Yes, the time change from Chicago (two hours behind) was tough because it goes by so quickly and then suddenly it's 5 p.m. and you're eating lunch and 11 p.m. and it's dinner time. It's madness!
Anyhow, Jamie, Allie and I arrived on Friday morning in Las Vegas and quickly ditched our stuff at the Luxor and hit the strip, where we first discovered that whole depth-perception lie crap. I live in Chicago, walk everywhere and was still begging for mercy by the end of the day. Sanctuary! Save me! 


So after some sight seeing and a lovely lunch with our other roommie, we met up with our blogger group and walked with them over to their dinner buffet. We would have joined them but we had to run over to the Mirage. Why? Because we had tickets to the Beatles Cirque du Soleil show, Love

And here's an overly sappy moment, I love the Beatles. I love them so much. I grew up listening to their music and on any bad day, I always play some Beatles music to boost my spirits. So the opportunity to see the show (thanks to Cirque) made me literally cry. And as you know, I'm not a huger crier. So I put on my best boob shirt and we went to the show! And it was AMAZING. The music, stage set up, dancing and stunts were wonderful. It was a true sensory overload and I am so glad I got to go. Thank you, thank you, thank you!


Moving on to Saturday, after leisurely sleeping in until 1o:30 a.m. (12:30 p.m. Chicago time, hey ya!) my roomies and I met up with our blogger group at the pool (where I proceeded to get a decent amount of sun) and then hit the strip for more sight seeing, including a lovely tour of the Venetian hotel and "lunch" at Mario Batali's restaurant, Entocea San Marco, which had the best gelato I've ever had. 

View from our table at Entocea San Marco

And of course, that was followed by an epic blogger meet up at a bar in the Venetian, full of $5 glasses of wine, hilarious photos and a trip to the "best bathroom" as voted by the Las Vegas Sun. And from our group's consensus, it was awesome.
Katelin and me toasting out trip (before getting silly)

My bathroom stall. Tres chic!

On Sunday, The time change finally hit me and I was up and moving at 7:30 a.m. Vegas time (9:30 a.m. Chicago). So Jamie and I jumped in a cab, to save our legs, and headed to the far end of the strip to cruise through more casinos. In fact, I even rocked the penny slots (daredevil!) and was up 71 cents before losing it. Well, at least it wasn't the rent. We also met up with Allie, Katelin and Matt for brunch at the Bellagio, which was awesome and filling, without the full "food baby."

Another perk of the trip? My cousin and his wife live in Vegas so they picked me up and took me to the "burger mecca" of the west coast, In-n-Out burger. I won't lie, I was ridiculously excited for this trip. And after some apologies for my serious photo-taking, I snapped a photo of our Double-double before it was devoured. It was heaven.


We were some of the few bloggers staying until Monday so we grabbed Amanda and went back to the Mirage for dinner, where the restaurant was so fancy, we had to ask for the prix fixe meal because they didn't openly offer it. But it was SO worth it. And I know you're sad, but the restaurant's lighting prevented me from taking pictures of the food. FAIL. I know.

And in closing, yesterday we returned to Chicago, where I came back on budget for the trip but exhausted. Seriously, our flight was circling O'Hare for an hour. And after some turbulence, my stomach was NOT happy. 

But all in all, it was an awesome, fun, crazy weekend where I got to meet a lot of cool new people and get a break from Chicago, work, life, etc. It was a real adventure and now it's time to rest up before I depart from Boston. But, I'm sure I'll go back to Vegas in the future, but this time a little more gambling-savvy.

After all, Missy Jess needs a new pair of shoes :)

How was everyone else's weekend? 

Guest bloggers start up again tomorrow, but I'll be back in full force after the weekend when I'm back from Boston! So come on back now!

Oh and Jamie took this picture of me near the bronze Siegfried and Roy and tiger statue. It's too hilarious NOT to post.

37 comments:

LWLH said...

Glad you had fun!! : )
My gf went their last year and she said the same thing about the depth perception.

Anonymous said...

Depth perception in Vegas is totally wonky. Although I recall Caesars being in between the Bellagio and the Mirage - only because I walked back from the Bellagio in heels and by the time I got to Caesars, I had blisters.

Your weekend sounds so fun though! Did you see the CVS that looks like a casino? We saw it once and never found it again!

Mandy said...

I am so glad that you had fun and enjoyed yourself. It sounds like an amazing time. And for real, I've seen bathroom pictures either on blogs or on facebook from several people, was it really that nice? Have fun in Boston!

Anonymous said...

Seriously, it's gotten to the point that the highlight of a Vegas trip for me is In-N-Out burger. Heaven!

Next time you're there, you'll have to learn about "animal style" - ordering "off the menu" at In-N-Out is very cool :)

Lily said...

Great review! You're right about the depth perception and the walking - SO MUCH WALKING!

So great to meet you and I can't wait to see you in Chicago in a few weeks!
~ D

Kyla Roma said...

Love the re-cap, I can't believe I forgot about In and Out Burger!! Ah!! I'm getting back on a plane Right This Moment to take advantage of that. = )

I'm so glad you had such an amazing time at Love, and in general - it was amazing to get to know you!

rachel said...

it was seriously the best weekend ever, and it was so great seeing your pretty face! that happy hour seriously owned my life. :)

Vanessa said...

Well my weekend was clearly not as exciting as yours, but still good. (really wish I could have been there!) You are right about Vegas, its like some sort of crazy time warp and none of the casinos have clocks in the gaming area adding to this time warp illusion.

Jamie said...

Oh the walking! But it was all so worth it.

This might have been the best weekend of my life.

B said...

there's a gelato place in Greenwich in NY who's name I've completely forgotten.

BUT - it was AMAZING. It was THE BEST gelato I've had since I stayed in a TINY ass Italian town, like, 20 years ago.

I went to find it the last time I was in NYC but that shit just didn't work out.

Blah.

alexa @clevelandsaplum said...

now that's a successful trip if i've ever seen one!

and in and out burger is someplace i NEED to try, i don't believe i never have!

oh yeah, i live in ohio.

Erin said...

Wow! You really packed a lot in your trip. Sounds awesome!

Katie said...

This makes me want to go to Vegas one day for sure now!

EP said...

It was truly an incredible trip. And it was wonderful to meet you and so many other wonderful bloggers. I plan on coming to Chicago to check it out sometime in the near future!

Also, I need a new pair of shoes, as well. C'est la vie, especially with all that walking we did!

Working Girl Two said...

you don't even know how excited i was that you guys took my advice and went to stack!!!!!

i hope you loved it!

nicole antoinette said...

Um, yeah. I adore you and this post basically makes me have a memory-gasm.

Matt said...

The one thing I regret is NOT going to In-N-out burger.

Getting a double double animal style with medium done fries...

MMM.

Pretty Unfamous said...

=( I'm still mad I didn't see you guys. I may have had more fun! Not that I DIDN'T have fun, but my friends were full of a little more drama.

thatShortchick said...

You have no idea how badly I want to try an In&Out burger! looks delish.

and I had the most amazing gelato this past weekend at this place called CafeMia. seriously, gelato is my favorite thing in the spring/summer months.

glad you had a great vegas vacay!

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

Glad you had a good time. I spent 4 months working in Vegas years ago, so I got my fill back then. But, if I were to return today, I'd definitely go see the Beatles show. Sounds absolutely amazing!

Pam said...

Sounds like you had a great time! I totally agree with you—time and space don't exist in Vegas. And by the way, I just drooled a little on my computer at the sight of that burger. It looks SO good.

Have fun in Boston and at the Red Sox game and everything!

Katelin said...

such a great trip! seriously loved it all. and i'm so glad you got to try in-n-out too, isn't it magnificent?! ah. love.

can't wait to see you soon!

Anonymous said...

Great recap! Loved meeting everyone, hanging out and hope that I can get to know everyone else better as time goes on =) At least Chicago to StL isn't super far!

jenn said...

welcome back - i'm glad you had such a good time :) I've yet to go to vegas in my life - i know i'm super lame.

Joy @ BigTimeFancy said...

ONE DAY I will try an In-N-Out burger. One day.

Erin said...

It was so amazing getting to meet everyone. I'm sorry we didn't get to spend more time together. We need to get dinner soon!

Amanda said...

I'm SO SO happy I got to meet you! I had a blast, and I may or may not have eaten nothing but a pita yesterday after our ridiculous meal Sunday night. Amazing.

Have fun in Boston!!

Andrea said...

LOL @ "go dead inside" when you see boobs. Yes. I agree.

StartingOver@28 said...

Love, love, love Vegas. Such a fun city. Next time you visit you have to check out the fun dive casinos. Excellent people watching!

In & Out Burger is to die for. Love it. I go every time I am on the west coast. Sometimes for lunch and dinner.

lbluca77 said...

I forget how In N Out is only in like 4 states out West. I really think that is why California is so crowded. There is nothing wrong with moving to the West just for a burger.

Moonjava said...

Sounds like you had a ton of fun! :) Great pics too!

Living Dees Life said...

i freakin love the beatles! we're having a beatles song in our wedding!! :-)

i'm happy to hear i'm not the only one who gets the icky from turbulance... i was in the plan bathroom for 20 minutes on my way into arkansas...damn storms!

yay for vegas! one of these days i gotta go :)

Maki said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE VEGAS!!! I LOVE IT! That's all I can say... LOL.

I'm so glad that you had a blast and yes, it's win win you didn't have to say, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." - because it does happen to a lot of people:)
Your pictures say everything about your trip - good times, girlfriend, good times! xoxo

Anonymous said...

i wish we had hung out more. we didn't even get a picture together! it's like...we don't even know each other! (insert staged sobs here)

but i'm not burnt anymore, so now i'm just tan. i told you guys it would work!

Jenny Grace said...

I'm so jealous! But. I'll see you in July!

Allie said...

And coming back from all that sunshine, I was hoping some of it might follow us back to Chicago. No such luck so far.

Hope you're having a blast in Boston!

Auburn Kat said...

I'm SO jealous about this trip! If only I didn't have meetings that I couldn't miss at work or it wasn't one of mt sisters bridal showers I would have definitely have been there!