View from MIX
..really quick….too quick. We’re talkin’….a LAS VEGAS quickie here. We just couldn’t let go of summer and jetted off for one last hurrah in the desert before facing the cold and crisp Vancouver autumn season. Forget the thigh-high boots, cable knit sweaters and leather gloves – we’re talking 29 degree weather here, with hours and hours of hot summer sun to play in! Suz and I, along with 12 of our favorite ladies – took a much needed hiatus from reality for a quick weekend trip to celebrate one of our own’s upcoming nuptials later this month….and boy – did we send her off right!
For the sake of “what happens in Vegas….stays in Vegas”….this post will just have to skim the surface so that we don’t breach any of our “confidentiality agreements” by accident (wink-wink). Lets just say that the recovery period was 3 times as long as the actual time spent there, and aftermath of work to catch up on is all but drowning me….a good sign that the fun was WELL WORTH IT!
…..this desintation is by no means a place of modesty or frugality, but an over-indulgence of the man-made splendour and abundance of things to see and do…..they don’t call it “Sin-city” for nothing….and I must add – it doesn’t hurt to have more than a few gorgeous ladies in your entourage to get the royal treatment at all of the hottest spots along the strip!
If you find yourself needing a fantasy-filled weekend away with your bestests – I suggest you leave your worries behind and indulge a little….(or a lot!)
We suggest you room at the WYNN….
…and if you win some extra cash at the Blackjack tables – take your winnings right across the street to the FASHION SHOW MALL where doing some major damage is hard to avoid……
….when you’ve spent all your winnings and you’re buzzing from the mega-size margarita you can drink while roaming the streets, get yourself primped and pretty for some poolside partying. Our pick: Wet Republic at the MGM Grand was the perfect spot for some sun tanning, pool lounging, hot body scoping and maybe some celeb-spotting.
…..when you get hungry – put on your best outfit and catch a cab (trust us, you won’t want to walk in those stilettos!) and head down to the other end of the strip to make your way to chef Alain Ducasse’s MIX at THE HOTEL at Mandalay Bay. A mix of contemporary and classic French and American cuisine – this spot has breathtaking views of the strip and is perched up top on the 64th floor of The Hotel. The service, food, ambience and view were an absolute treat and is a must-visit spot for an amazing dining experience. (price $$$$)
MIX at the Hotel at Mandalay Bay
…For our evening entertainment, we were lucky enough to score 14 tickets to the must-see one-time a year show: Justin Timberlake and Friends charity concert benefitting the Shriners Children Charity. A special treat and surprise for the bride-to-be, our entourage spent a few hours singing and dancing along to tunes by Jay Sean, Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys, Ciara, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Justin Timberlake and a very special performance by the one and only TLC, their first public performance in 7 years. The nostalgia of classic tunes What About Your Friends, and Creep brought back so many memories and allowed us to create new ones together.
TLC
If you happen to be there on any one of the other 51 weeks when JT isn’t putting on his concert, you can bet that you’ll be able to find another show to entertain you after dinner. think: Cirque du Soleil, Bette Midler, Wayne Newton, Cabaret Show, Pussy-Cat Dolls Lounge or a hot DJ or artist headlining at a club……..and if you’re ready for an after party to dance yourself til dawn…..make sure you stay hydrated (non-alcoholic or not) and check out one or more of the many hot clubs along the strip.
Gents -make sure you wear your studliest of outfits (no Ed Hardy here unless you’re stopping by Christian Audigier the club at Treasure Island) and ladies, make sure you come prepared to kill your feet (because beauty and fashion doesn’t come easy)…because you’re going to want to check out XS at the Encore and trust me when I say that you’ll be so sad to see the evening end! When your tootsies get tired – and they will, take some time to lounge on the outdoor patio, dip your feet in the pool and hot-tub or get cozy in one of the private cabanas. If you ask anyone who has been to Vegas lately – they will tell you that XS is one of the most amazing clubs you will ever visit. If you don’t get hooked up like we did (we’re talking VIP accompaniment bypassing the line), then be prepared for steep cover charges and long-long line ups (rumors note that its known for people to wait in line for up to 4 hours). Hook ups or not…a visit to XS is well worth it! Other notable spots to visit: Blush Champagne lounge at Encore; Tao at the Venetian (It was a special surprise to be at Tao when my favorite reality celeb Ms. Kim Kardashian celebrated her 29th birthday with the Kardashian clan); Prive at Planet Hollywood (to rub elbows with the Doggfather himself, Snoop Doggy Dog); or The Bank at the Bellagio for some good hip hop tunes.
…the 24 hours in the day just wasn’t enough time for us to see what we wanted to see, do what we wanted to do, all while getting a few minutes of rest in between ( literally). The constant upgrading and development of new mega-city sized hotel/casinos, the abundant clubs and restaurants to check out, the countless hotels to stay at, poses as the perfect destination for a break from your worries back home and a little, or a lot of guilt free indulgence of whatever Vegas has to offer – makes the perfect excuse to keep going back for more….i know we will! Vegas 2010 is already in the works!
VIVA LAS VEGAS!
yours m.belllish’d, feet well rested and ready to party….
marika
xoxo
