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All Posts, Food, Travel

The Julian Serrano Tapas Restaurant in Las Vegas

One of the reasons why I like going to Las Vegas is the incredible number of great restaurants there. One problem with this is that on any given trip to Vegas, there’s only time to eat at two or three of these amazing restaurants.

This summer I was in Las Vegas and had some great restaurant experiences. One afternoon, I was in the mood for good food, but wasn’t quite hungry enough for a full meal. I decided to go to the Julian Serrano tapas restaurant in the Aria hotel.

Tapas restaurants became very popular about four years ago. Instead of a traditional menu, tapas restaurants typically serve several appetizer-style dishes instead of one large meal. The Julian Serrano is one of the best tapas-style restaurants anywhere.

For my late-lunch / early-dinner meal, I had two different kinds of “albondigas” (meatballs in Spanish). One was more or less normal, but very tasty, and the other (“Bomba”) was non-traditional and quite spicy.

Bombas

I also had “Brava Potatoes”. These are hard to describe; sort of cubed, broiled, and accompanied by a nice tomato-based sauce. I also tried “Pintxo de Chorizos”. This was spicy sausage, along with a flavorful Spanish sauce and pureed potatoes.

Chorizo

I ate at Julian Serrano before going to see the Cirque du Soleil “O” show, a couple of hotels away at the Bellagio. My meal was absolutely a perfect pre-show meal — not too much and not too little.

The next time you’re in Las Vegas, if you’re anywhere near the middle of the Strip in the late afternoon, and you’re hungry, but not too hungry, consider the Julian Serrano tapas restaurant in the Aria hotel.

All Posts, Food, Travel

Pool Cabanas at the Aria Hotel

A few weeks ago I stayed at the Aria Hotel in Las Vegas. It was the middle of summer time and the weather was hot. Very hot — about 95 degrees F. I decided I’d rent a poolside cabana for the day.

Hotel1

A Cabana at the Aria Hotel

I know it sounds kind of snobbish, but when I go to a pool at a Las Vegas hotel, I really don’t enjoy having to compete with other hotel guests for lounge chairs, towels, and good positions (meaning not too sunny or not too shady). Renting a pool cabana eases those minor annoyances.

Hotel2

View of Pool from Cabana

The price of Vegas pool cabanas varies daily, according to supply and demand. My cabana at the Aria was $200 for the day. That’s quite a bit of money, but, for me at least, it was a good value. I checked in at the cabana reception at 10:00 in the morning. My attendant, Sarah, had just graduated from Boise State.

The cabana had a TV, a refrigerator stocked with fruit, vegetables, soda pop, and bottled water, and chips, and licorice on the table — all included in the price of the cabana. I had a wonderful relaxing day at the Aria pool. The next time you visit Las Vegas, you might want to consider renting a poolside cabana.

All Posts, Travel

My Favorite Regular Las Vegas Hotels

Some time ago I posted a blog that describes my favorite upscale / luxury suites in Las Vegas. But I don’t always get to stay in upscale rooms; I sometime stay in what I’ll call ordinary hotel rooms (even though Las Vegas is far from ordinary).

So, here are my current top 10 places to stay in Las Vegas, assuming I’m not going to stay at a luxury suite of some sort.

Wynn_Encore_Hotels

  1. Encore – I love the Encore Hotel. It’s at the north end of the Strip which means I can’t walk to a lot of venues, but other than that, Encore is just about perfect. It’s hard to describe, but the Encore just feels right. The prices here are a bit higher than most hotels, but well worth it in my opinion.

  2. Wynn – The Wynn and the Encore are practically the same — the two hotels are connected and many times are referred to as Wynn/Encore collectively. I love the Wynn, especially the restaurants, which I think, as a group, are the best of any hotel in Vegas.

  3. Bellagio – The Bellagio has a different feel than the Wynn and Encore — it’s hard to describe, but the Bellagio is a bit more conservative in some ways, mostly the décor I think. I’ve noticed that staying at the Bellagio either before or after staying at the Wynn/Encore makes the experience at all three hotels seem even better.

  4. Palazzo – The Palazzo has great rooms — essentially all suites. And the Palazzo is directly connected to the Venetian which has a lot of great restaurants and shopping.

  5. Aria – The Aria doesn’t seem to have one characteristic that makes it really stand out, but the property is good in a lot of ways. Nice location near the center of the Strip, nice rooms, good restaurants, and one of my all-time favorite bakeries (Jean Philippe).

  7. The Venetian – Every time I stay at the Venetian I recall one of my all-time favorite shows, The Phantom of the Opera. I like the rooms at the Venetian (all 700+ square feet), and the shopping arcade with restaurants by the indoor canal.

  8. Cosmopolitan – The Cosmopolitan is a nice hotel, but clearly a notch below the hotels I’ve listed above. The Cosmopolitan tries a bit too hard to be trendy, but it’s still a good hotel, and much better than older properties like the Luxor and the Tropicana.

  9. The MGM Grand – the MGM is maybe one of the best values in Vegas. On the downside, MGM is near the very south end of the Strip which makes it impractical to walk to many other places. But the MGM has a lot going for it, and I’ve often stayed there.

  10. Mandalay Bay – The Mandalay Bay is a good hotel, but not in the same league with my top five Vegas hotels. Mandalay has good (but not great) restaurants, good (but not great rooms), good (but not great) service, and so on.

Palazzo Hotel at Las Vegas
Palazzo Hotel at Las Vegas

 

 

All Posts, Fashion

Shop for Party Dresses at Great Prices

When was the last time you bought a dress for a party? As we are getting close to the end of the fabulous Summer (which I am not quite ready to let it go), many retail stores are offering dresses with up to a 70% discount. These sales include many party dresses.

I still have some weddings to attend before the Summer is over and I found some nice dresses via the retail sites. After all, it’s never too early to get your dress!

If you are looking for party dresses at a great price, below are some of my favorite picks.

Alice + Olivia Embellished Sleeveless Shift Dress – $198 (originally $495) via Saks Fifth Avenue

You can never go wrong with dresses from Alice + Olivia. Their dresses are designed for special events and have a touch of fun. I plan on wearing this Embellished Sleeveless Shift Dress for my friend’s upcoming wedding reception in September.

Alice+Olivia - Embellished Sleeveless Shift Dress

Alice + Olivia Deep V-neck Sequined Mini Dress – $297 via (originally $495) Saks Fifth Avenue

This V-neck sequined mini-dress by Alice + Olivia is so glamorous! I think it’s perfect for any special event. It’s even suitable for holiday parties.

Alice+Olivia - Deep V-Neck Mini Dress

Alice + Olivia Dot Embellished Lace Dress – $297 (originally $495) via Saks Fifth Avenue

I am a big fan of polka dot and lace. This Dot Embellished Lace Dress by Alice + Olivia combines my favorite elements with a unique scalloped edge. It’s ideal for a day time casual party.

Alice + Olivia - Dot Embellished Lace Dress

For more Alice + Olivia dresses, check out here.

Kate Spade New York – Structured Mini Dress – $238 (originally $398) via Saks Fifth Avenue

Pink is the color for the season! What else can be more fashionable than this pink dress by Kate Spade New York. The pockets on this dress definitely add some fun to the design.

Kate Spade New York - Structured Mini Dress
For more Kate Spade New York dresses, check out here.

Red Valentino Silk Polka-Dot Embroidered Dress – $398 (originally $995) via Saks Fifth Avenue

This silk Red Valentino dress is embroidered with dots. It looks elegant and stylish. I think it will be ideal for evening events or birthday parties.

Red Valentino - Silk Polka-Dot Embroidered Dress
For more Red Valentino dresses, check out here.

For more party dresses at great price, check out Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus Last Call, and Yoox.com.

David Meister – Sequin Lace Cap-sleeve Cocktail Dress – $299.60 (originally $428 via. Saks Fifth Avenue)

All Posts, Fashion

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Early Access – July 2014

When was the last time you had early access to a sale? Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale starts on Friday, July 18th. If you are a Nordstrom card holder, you can have early access to the sale, from July 10th to the 17th.

To take the advantage of the Anniversary Sale Early Access, just go to the sale site and log in with your Nordstrom card user credential. Unfortunately, the Anniversary Sale price won’t be available to the non-Nordstrom card holders until Friday, July 18th, when the sale becomes public. (The Anniversary Sale ends on August 3 and the price will go up on August 4.)

Why am I looking forward to early access to the Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale? First, I can get clothes wear and accessories for the upcoming season at a discounted price before they become available to the general public (and run out of my size). Second, I can earn double points on the Anniversary Sale purchases by using the Nordstrom credit card (between July 10 to 17). This offer is also available to the customers with the Nordstrom debit card.

Below are some of my favorite picks from the Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale, including my favorite boots (Frye), lace dress (Diane von Furstenberg), and moto jacket (Mcginn).

Frye – Molly Gore Leather Boot – $279.90 ($417.95 after August 4) via Nordstrom

Frye Molly Gore Leather Boots

Mcginn – Carly Metallic Tweed Moto Jacket – $179 ($275 after August 4) via Nordstrom

Mcginn Carly Metallic Tweed Moto Jacket

Diane von Furstenberg – Zarita Lace Sheath Dress $216.90 ($325.00 after August 4) via Nordstrom

Diane von Furstenberg Zarita Lace Sheath Dress

L’AGENCE – Prink Silk Chiffon Blouse – $195 ($250 after August 4) via Nordstrom
L'agence Print Silk Chiffon Blouse

For more Nordstrom Anniversary Sale items, click the links here: clothing,  shoes, handbags and accessories. beauty exclusives, and designer collections.

All Posts, Fashion

Top Five Essentials for Summer 2014 – June

What are your top five essentials for Summer? Here are some of my must-haves for this season; I will present five now and more later. Below is my Summer 2014 essential list for June.

Prevent Breakout on Skin

The skin on my back is prone to breaking out during Summer. To prevent the redness, and keep the pores on my skin clean, I use Clearasil Ultra Deep Pore Cleaning Pad, with salicylic acid.

Clearasil Ultra Cleaning Pad

Clearasil Ultra Deep Pore Cleaning Pad – $5.97 via Walmart

Protect Lips with Hydrating Ingredients and SPF

One of the things we often neglect to do is to protect our lips from sun exposure. The Lip Lock Moisture Balm from Marc Jacobs is one of my favorites this season. I like this product because it keeps my lips hydrated and gives me peace of mind when I go out to enjoy the sunshine.

TopTenEssentialsForSummer2014_MarcJacobsBeautyLipMoistureBalm

Lip Lock Moisture Balm – $24 via Marc Jacobs Beauty

Try Shortalls for a Breezy Day

Overalls are in fashion this year. For this Summer, what can be more cooler than putting on a shorter version of overalls? Meet the shortalls from Paige.

Paige Denim Rikki Shortalls

Paige Denim Rikki Shortalls $249.00 via Nordstrom

Upgrade Your Outfit with a Pretty Necklace

During Summer time I like to wear simple t-shirts. Wearing a nice accessory will instantly upgrade the look of the entire outfit. Try the following necklace from Alexis Bittar. It’s hand carved with crystals.

Alexis Bittar Jardin Mystere Butterfly Necklace

Alexis Bittar Jardin Mystere Butterfly Necklace – $206.50 via Alexis Bittar

Wear Flip Flop with a Stylish Touch

Flip flops are so common in Summer. To distinguish yourself from the crowd, try Havaianas’ Slim Luxury flip flop with a crystal flower embellishment. The flip flop is also available in other colors and crystal accessories, see more.

Havaianas Slim Luxury Flip Flop

Havaianas Slim Luxury Flip Flop – $80 via Nordstrom

All Posts, Travel

The Sky Suites at Aria Hotel in Las Vegas

Where did you stay the last time you went to Las Vegas? I go to Vegas quite often and have some favorite hotels. But I also enjoy trying new places. On a recent trip to Las Vegas, I stayed at the Sky Suites at Aria hotel.

Many hotels in Las Vegas has special sections, for example, MGM Grand has Skyloft suites and Wynn has Tower Suites. When I arrived in Las Vegas I had arranged to be picked up by the Sky Suites limo. The driver took me to a private entrance separate from the main Aria entrance. From there the doorman showed me to the private Sky Suites lobby area, where I checked in to the room.

Overall, I’d rate the Aria Sky Suites with eight out of ten. I especially liked the complimentary refreshments throughout the day; it was at least as good as any of the other special suites I stayed in Las Vegas. The hotel design and the décor was modern and sophisticated, but I slightly prefer the Wynn/Encore and Bellagio suites.

From a value point of view, the Aria Sky Suites offers slightly larger rooms and a slightly lower rate compared to my favorite specialty suites, the Wynn/Encore, MGM Skyloft, Bellagio suites, and the Palazzo. The Sky Suites at Aria are really nice, but the Tower Suites at Wynn/Encore are still my favorites. However, the next time you are in Las Vegas consider the Sky Suites at Aria.

Aria Sky Suites - One Bedroom Aria Suite
Aria Sky Suites – One Bedroom Aria Suite
Aria Sky Suites - Bedroom
Aria Sky Suites – Bedroom
Aria Sky Suites Private Lounge
Aria Sky Suites Private Lounge
Aria Sky Suites Complimentary Refreshments
Aria Sky Suites Complimentary Refreshments
All Posts, Beauty

Chanel PERFECTION LUMIÈRE VELVET Smooth Effect Foundation

What’s your favorite makeup foundation? I’ve tried makeup foundation from different beauty brands, such as Chanel, Dior, Giorgio Armani, and Yves Saint Laurent. But, for a long time, I couldn’t find one that I truly liked. Mostly it was because I don’t like the feeling of having makeup over my face.

Even though many beauty foundations claim to be lightweight and oil free, they still make me feel uncomfortable. All I need is a liquid foundation that provides smooth coverage without feeling the layers of makeup over my face.

Recently, Chanel launched a new foundation, Perfection Lumiere Lumiere Velvet Smooth Effect. This meets all of my needs. It’s a sheer and oil-free fluid foundation, with SPF 15. It provides just enough coverage to make my skin look nice. It’s especially perfect for Spring and Summer.

So, if you need a new foundation that is perfect for the warm seasons, consider trying Chanel’s Perfection Lumiere Velvet Smooth Effect Foundation.

Chanel’s Perfection Lumiere Velvet Smooth Effect Foundation via Nordstrom, $45

Buy Chanel PERFECTION LUMIÈRE VELVET Fundation

All Posts, Fashion

Designer Shoes Sale at Nordstrom – May 2014

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(Shop for Designer Shoes Sale via Nordstrom)

Have you noticed that Nordstrom’s Half-yearly sale for women and kids has been going on since last week? Many accessories, clothing, shoes, and bags are now on sale.

If you are a shoe lover, you are in luck. A handful of designer shoes from the Spring collections are offered at 35% to 40% discounted prices at Nordstrom online. The available brands including, Charlotte Olympia, Jimmy Choo,  Manolo Blahnik, Prada, and Valentino.

The nicest thing about such sales at Nordstrom is that you can pre-order with the sales associates in your local Nordstrom prior to the sale. The downside is that they don’t usually carry every brand or all items that will be on sale.

My solution to this hurdle is to find out what shoes will be on sale from the sales associate in the store and then check the Nordstrom website at the midnight before the sale starts. Staying up late to get the first pick on the designer shoes sale was well worth it. I got all the designer shoes I wanted at 40% off. By the end of the first sale day, several of the designs I bought were all out of stock!

So, the next time you don’t want to miss the items you’ve been waiting for to go on sale, check Nordstrom online around 1:00am when the sale starts!

Below are some shoes from the designer sales. Click the links above the image to shop for other shoes by the designers.

Jimmy Choo – Capri Pump via Nordstrom

Jimmy Choo Capri Pump

 Jimmy Choo – Typhoon Ankle Strap Pump via Nordstrom

Jimmy Choo Typhoon Ankle Strap Pump

Gucci – Jolene Peep Toe Pump via Nordstrom

Gucci Jolene Peep Toe Pump

Manolo Blahnik – Strepitopla Sandal via Nordstrom
Manolo Blahnik Strepitopla Sandal

Prada – Pointy Toe Pump via Nordstrom

Prada Pointy Toe Pump

Saint Laurent – Paris Micro Stud Pump via Nordstrom, also available in White.
Saint Laurent Paris Micro Stud Pump

All Posts, Travel

My Favorite Upscale Las Vegas Hotel Suites

Which hotel do you stay when you visit Las Vegas? I’ve been going to Las Vegas frequently for business and pleasure for the past ten years. And my friends and I have stayed at many of the hotels on Las Vegas Strip.

I hate to sound snobbish, but I really enjoy staying at high-end Vegas hotel rooms and suites. Here are my top six favorites with a few highlights. In future posts, I will provide more details.

My number 1, top suite in Las Vegas is Wynn’s Tower Suites. When I am at Wynn, everything is just right. The service, the restaurants, the room itself, and amenities like a private pools area are just perfect.

Number 2 on my list is the Encore Tower Suites. Wynn and Encore are almost the same property, but Encore has a slightly different feel. When I want a more private experience, Encore is my choice. Like the Wynn, everything is just right.

Tied for number 3 and 4 on my list are the Skyloft at MGM Grand and the Sky Suites at Aria. At the MGM Grand’s Skyloft, I love the semi-private entrance and the dedicated room butler. The Aria’s Sky Suites do not have a room butler, but I like their private lounge with complementary Continental breakfast in the morning and snacks and beverages throughout the day.

At number 5 on my list is the suite at Bellagio. The Bellagio has a more European feel than the other places on my list. I especially like the overall experience at Bellagio.

Finally, the Prestige Suites at Palazzo are on my favorite list. The Prestige isn’t quite as special as other property on my list, but they still provide a much better experience than a normal room in Las Vegas. The Prestige Suite has a private check-in and a private lounge that provides snacks and beverages. It’s not that Prestige isn’t good, it’s just that they are not quite up to the standard the other places on my list.

For your next trip to Las Vegas, I recommended you take a look at these upscale properties.

Wynn and Encore Hotel in Las Vegas
Wynn and Encore Hotel in Las Vegas
Wynn Tower Suites Entrance
Wynn Tower Suites Entrance
Complimentary Chocolate for Tower Suite Guests
Complimentary Chocolate for Tower Suite Guests
Aria Sky Suites - One Bedroom Suite
Aria Sky Suites – One Bedroom Suite
Aria Sky Suites Private Lounge
Aria Sky Suites Private Lounge