Happy Summer from Lovely Las Vegas!

Photo credit: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

(Important summertime warning in Boulder City, Nevada, overlooking view of Lake Mead)

Las Vegas' Mayor Oscar Goodman ceremoniously welcomed summer to Las Vegas last month, but still, Happy Summer to everyone elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere!

Power of Words at Lovely Las Vegas and Beyond

Lovely Las Vegas is a forum to display and inform about some of the more classy and beautiful aspects of the Las Vegas Valley. I am passionate about showing a more positive and lovely aspect of my hometown, partly because I thrive on positivity, beauty, and soulful elements of life. So, when I read Words: True Nourishment for the Body, Mind & Spirit by Liane Schmidt, I felt a great connection to the piece. I've always felt that words (and images, thoughts, etc.) have so much power and this piece illustrates this aspect on so many levels, above and beyond any explanation I have ever given. So, if you desire inspiration and a positive boost today, this is a great article to read.

Happy Monday!!!

Photo credit: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas (Encore Cloudy Reflections)

California Dreaming from Lovely Las Vegas

Photo credit: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas (Alhambra, CA marker sort of near Broaster Kitchen)

My husband is from Los Angeles and we haven't been to LA area since the New Year, so nostalgia is setting in. He, especially, is currently reminiscing about good eats and fun times in LaLaLand.

For my man, a key component of a good trip back to his childhood home is a stop at Broaster Kitchen in Montebello. Hehe, I don't like him eating too much fried chicken and I think that if we lived in the area, it might be dangerous. So, I guess that is one good thing about the 5 hour drive!

Does your family have a favourite stop on your roadtrip route or vacations? How about in LA? Or Las Vegas?

Happy Friday: Haikus from Lovely Las Vegas

In creative mode yesterday, I penned these Las Vegas-inspired haikus, all strung together with pictures from online sources (thanks Wikipedia!) ... It was my first attempt at linking different haikus together, a new style I was exposed to through the lovely works of Kate Smedley, a UK-based Triond writer. My version is fledgling in form, but still the process was quite fun. What do you think?

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

CineVegas Film Festival

The 11th annual CineVegas Film Festival is opening this month in lovely Las Vegas. Starting on 10 June and wrapping up on 15 June, this event will bring cinematic magic to the Valley.

Movie stars set to grace the CineVegas big screen include Robin Williams (World's Greatest Dad), Sarah Silverman (Saint John of Las Vegas), Dylan McDermott & James Caan (both in Mercy), Justin Long & Emmanuelle Chriqui (both in Patriotville), Matt Damon (All In - The Poker Movie), Dennis Hopper (Palermo Shooting), Zooey Deschanel (500 Days of Summer), Hugh Dancy, Rose Byrne, & Peter Gallagher (all in Adam), Arsenio Hall (Black Dynamite), Kevin Spacey (Moon), and James Gandolfini (In the Loop) - just to name of few of the actors that stood out to me.

An awesome and unique aspect of this years' festival is the return of a timeless classic - the Beatles's Yellow Submarine. A showing of this animation film will occur on 13 June at the Mandalay Bay Beach. Entrance to the beach opens at 8:30 PM with the feature beginning at 9:30 PM. So bring your swimsuits and enjoy the sand and surf and play submarine while watching this psychedelic, aquatic, feature film.

Tickets go for $10 per film (plus applicable charges) but a range of package deals are available, including day passes for $40 and the all-inclusive Royal Flush pass for $500. Purchase festival passes, ticket packages and/or individual tickets at www.cinevegas.com or 888-8VEGAS8. Discounts are available for locals, seniors, students and military personnel. Tickets can also be purchased at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster stations in person, over the phone at 800.745.3000 or at http://www.ticketmaster.com/. In addition, for the Yellow Submarine showing, tickets are available through Mandalay Bay at 877.632.7400 or online at http://www.mandalaybay.com/.

For more information on this event and for current information on prices and film showing, please check out the CineVegas Film Festival website.

Las Vegas: My Favourite Places for Japanese Food

Photo credit: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Craving some Japanese-inspired food while in Las Vegas? Read about my three favourite Japanese restaurants in the Valley here @ Japanese Eats, Las Vegas. Have you been to these spots? Do you prefer a different place for Japanese? Please do share!

Lake Las Vegas Movies

Summertime means outdoor movies at MonteLago Village, Lake Las Vegas. The impromptu theatre is set on the lawn beside the lake. Just bring a blanket and enjoy the scenary and show. Lovely, no?

Movies start showing in June, with the first movie being Marley & Me (Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson, of course, that precious pup!) on the 4th at 8 PM.

For the complete listing of movies and dates (all Thursdays), check out: MonteLago Movies al Fresco. For more information, call the Village Events' Hotline at 702.564.4766.

And for more children-appropriate ideas for your time in Las Vegas, check out Las Vegas: 9 Family-friendly Activities.

Las Vegas: 9 Family-Friendly Activities

Chantal over at Keira's Adventures recently asked me about family-friendly activities in Las Vegas. With the Strip synonymous with gambling and other adult activities, it may seem that Las Vegas is no place for little ones. But really, there are many great things to do on the Strip and throughout the Valley for families with children. Not having children myself, I don't claim to be an expert. However, as a kid-at-heart, I do have some ideas of places that may be a great place for your own family to have fun. Here's a random list. Please feel free to add to the list in the comments (or veto as appropriate)!

1) MGM's Lion Habitat - Inside the MGM, this is a free activity yet oh so priceless. Amazing to watch these magnificent creatures up close while they rest and play.

2) Springs Preserve - An educational mecca both indoors and outdoors. Full exhibits dedicated to regional history and the desert environment, this is a great way to spend an afternoon. There is even a special gallery just for kids, with fun activities and games teaching about how to be kinder to the Earth. There are also gardens and walking trails for getting some exercise while enjoying the outdoors.

3) Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens - Inside the Bellagio is a beautiful atrium that changes themes with the seasons and is always elegantly over-the-top in a way only the Bellagio can mastermind. It's a lovely location to take a stroll and bring out the camera for unique family photos.

4) Jean-Philippe Patisserie @ Bellagio - While still at the Bellagio, turn the corner from the atrium. There you will come upon a lovely shop full of sweets and some serious eye-candy in the form of a fountain flowing over with chocolate!

5) Mandalay Bay Shark Reef Aquarium - A massive aquarium filled with sharks (of course!), sea turtles, piranha, and even golden crocodiles, among other creatures of the sea. Monday - Friday there is even an educational program associated with the aquarium. More more information or to make reservations for the special session, call 702.632.4555.

6) Lied Discovery Museum - I used to love visiting here back in the day. Exhibits encompass arts & humanities, sciences, nature, and music. For more information, call: 702.382.KIDS.

7) Good off the Strip locations to stay and/or play: Lake Las Vegas (MonteLago Village Resort, Ritz-Carlton) is a bit of a drive away from the Strip and actually is in Henderson, Nevada, but it is a beautiful resort with a Mediterranean feel. There are even free outdoor movies on the lawn by the lake every Thursday night at 8 PM during the summer. Or Red Rock Casino (in the Northwest of the Valley and close to Red Rock Canyon, plus it has a nice movie theatre and arcade), or Green Valley Ranch which is adjacent to the The District for shopping and dining.

8) Chinatown: Just a short drive from the Strip, this may be a fun place to visit. It definitely has nothing on LA, San Francisco or New York's Asian areas, but it does have some very cool restaurants (i.e., Ichiza Japanese Restaurant and Sake House) and a great tea house in the form of Tea Planet, complete with boba iced teas to an amazing variety of hot teas.

9) For those with an adventurous outdoorsy spirit, there is always Red Rock Canyon, Mount Charleston, Lake Mead/Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, all beautiful nature reserve areas close enough for a day trip or just an afternoon.

These are just a few ideas of ways to spend your time in Las Vegas with the family. But of course, if you prefer relaxation, I'd just book a classy hotel, kick off the shoes, order room service and then lounge the day away as you oversee the kids playing Marco Polo in the pool.

Happy Friday from Lovely Las Vegas

Photo credit: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas (Bali Hai Golf Club)

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Las Vegas' Recession

Here's an interesting article and video about the ramifications of the current recession on tourism and revenues in Las Vegas.... not really of any significance, but does anyone understand what the last guy with the colourful boas is trying to say? Hehe, the silliness of his interaction with cameraman made me chuckle in confusion.

Las Vegas May Flowers

Photo credits: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

To see more floral blooms in Las Vegas, check out Spring Dreams: Floral Feast for the Eyes.

Mandalay Bay: The Lion King

I was mesmerized by the musical in NYC about 1.5 years ago (never had I seen the cartoon movie version!), so it is exciting that this great show is making its way to Las Vegas.

Preview performances of the Mandalay Bay installations of The Lion King started this month and opening night is set for Friday, 15 May at 7:30 PM. After that, performances will be nightly at 8 pm, except for Friday nights when there will be no performances at all. On Saturdays and Sundays an additional showing will be at 4 pm.

Tickets range from $53 - $168.50 (which includes tax and fees), but sometimes there are special deals where you can get a reduced rate by booking both a hotel room and the show tickets. Call the Mandalay Bay box office for more information: 877.632.7400 or check out the website here.

For more recommended shows, check out: Beatles LOVE

Happy Friday from Lovely Las Vegas!

Happy, happy weekend to everyone from Lovely Las Vegas. I've been away for a while for work.

Hehe, here's an image of my new view when I've had the rare break from my work schedule. Hope you enjoy the photo! It's a little different from the usual shots from Las Vegas, no? Especially since any lakes or water we have are man-made : ).

Isn't the turquoise colour lovely? So dream-like!

La Bonne Crepe, Fort Lauderdale
Croissan'Time French Bakery, Fort Lauderdale

Photo credit: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas (Hollywood, Florida)

Happy Weekend from Lovely Las Vegas

Photo credit: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Happy Weekend and Happy May!

If you haven't yet, and would like some lovely blogs to check out over the weekend, be sure to read about some blogs that are the "Queen of Awe-summm". And please do visit them if they spark your interest.

Lovely Las Vegas - Queen of ALL Things Awe-Summm?

Thank you Ms. A. Marie (over at My Money Mission) for the lovely award! I feel honoured and delighted. But I'm a little short on words, too, as the awardee is supposed to follow these rules:

*List 7 Things That Make You Awe-Summm!
*Pass It On To 7 Bloggers Who Are Awe-Summm!
*Be Sure To Tag Your Awe-Summm Bloggers To Let Them Know!
*Then Link Back To The Queen That Tagged You

I will really have to ponder the 7 things that make me Awe-Summm, but in the meantime, I want to send out shout out to these 7 lovely bloggers. Check them out!

1) Ms. SonyaAnn at A Mom, Money, and More - she was my first commenter on Lovely Las Vegas, plus she is one fun(ny) lady. You gotta love someone who creates a Chinese dining room or a Mexican dining room based on what is cooking in the kitchen! Fun, right? Another cool thing is that she is a published author (Dissipate)!

2) Shooting in the Pacific - Gorgeous, gorgeous imagery from Hawai'i. I'm transported and way more relaxed everytime I visit.

3) Angela in Europe - For living the dream! I've studied and worked abroad, but never formally packed up everything and moved across the pond. Thanks for sharing your stories and insights!

4) Eat Travel Eat! - For being too cool for words. Everytime I pop over to their site I see new cities and new restaurants they've eaten in. Their reviews are great and the pictures make me salivate! Eat Travel Eat! apparently is a joint venture but I don't know if there are any girls in the bunch, so I hope they don't take offense to this award! My advanced apologies if you do.

5) Judy at Lily-G: The Things I Love - For beautiful images of dream rooms and dream homes. It's the fodder for domestic daydreams.

6) La Mujer Imperfecta at La Chica del Solitario - For a lovely blog all in espanol! Great for practicing your Spanish-reading skills and tantalizing the mind since it is eye-candy with all the beautiful and intriguing images. Que bueno!

7) Francis at Looking Forward to a More Frugal 2009 - For her scoop on shopping deals and getting me inspired to save some money with loading up the grocery cart.

Merci beaucoup to all for your inspirational and beautiful blogs!

Las Vegas Dream Day

With Summer approaching, dreams of relaxing days with minimal responsibility are on my mind. Of course, work responsibilities (and obviously money flow) prohibit such fantasies, but if I had no time limitations along with unlimited monetary resources, here would be my dream day on the Las Vegas Strip. What would be the itinerary of your day of luxury and relaxation on the Strip or anywhere else in the Valley or the world for that matter? Please do share!

Photo credit: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Morning: I'd awake at the Four Seasons Hotel and have a leisurely AM complete with room service breakfast. When ready to start the day, I'd over to Mandalay Bay for some serious lounging at the Mandalay Beach, complete with a cabana. Finally - time to catch up on fun reading! Later on, I'd stop by the Shark Reef Aquarium.

Afternoon: For lunch, I'd dine on the patio at Mon Ami Gabi (Paris Las Vegas) savoring those divine french fries while watching the dancing fountains across the way at Bellagio. After a little too much culinary indulgence, off to spa I should go. Qua, the spa at Caesars Palace has been on my wish list for awhile, especially because of the Arctic Room, from which "snow" falls from the sky! First I'd have a session in the sauna and then head to the Arctic Room to cool off. Of course, don't forget a massage!

Evening: Before leaving Caesars I'd be tempted to stop by Vosges Haut-Chocolat at the Forum Shops. Who says you can't have dessert before dinner? As for dinner... hmmm... too, many options! Well, I would want to see the show O at the Bellagio (since I still haven't seen it!), so probably I'd pick from one of the restaurants over there. Recommendations anyone? Or maybe I should head over to the Palazzo or Wynn for more variety. Ah! The night is young, maybe I can have one course of the meal at a different restaurant! Hehe, now that is a great dream!

Happy Weekend!!!

Photo credit: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Sexy Paris

On a recent trip to to McCarran Airport, I was informed that "everything's sexier in Paris."
Which got me to day dreaming... about the Moulin Rouge in Paris, France. Tres sexy, non? And about the artwork at the Louvre, as there are many beautifully provocative pieces there, & this interesting sculpture at the restaurant La Coupole in Monteparnasse, a sexy spot for food.

Leaving the airport, I was brought back to reality. And realized that since France is miles and miles away, it is quite nice to have a little taste of Paris in my own backyard. And I guess that is pretty sexy, too. So from now until my next trip to Paris, France, at least I can enjoy Paris Las Vegas. Well, that, and the lovely Paris Breakfasts website where artist Carol Gillott "paints Paris dreams". Her blog is one sexy site that you should definitely check out! The style of this post is actually inspired by her photolog of Parisien places (and sweet treats!)

For now, I bid you au revoir. I wanted to carry on this comparison of the real Paris and Paris Las Vegas for much longer ... I have so many more pictures... but for some reason, Blogger will only allow me to upload 5 photos at a time. Maybe more for another time!

Las Vegas: 7 Places for French Food

Romantic Las Vegas Recommendations

Mandalay Bay: Party for the Planet

Mandalay Bay is sponsoring a "Party for the Plant" this weekend. On Saturday, 18 April, it is honouring Earth Day with green activities at the convention center lobby. In addition, a trade-in is being offered for the first 500 guests who recycle their old batteries or cell phone at Mandalay Bay. Just bring those recyclables to the Shark Reef Booth and receive a two-for-one admission voucher to the Shark Reef Aquarium (valid until 15 May 2009).

Las Vegas Earth Day

Photo credit: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Earth Day at Red Rock Canyon
Date: Saturday, 25 April
Time: 11 AM - 4 PM
Location: Red Spring Picnic Area in Calico Basin
Host: Friends of Red Rock Canyon, Bureau of Land Management
Sponsor: Summerlin

Earth Day at the Springs Preserve ("What on Earth")
Date: Saturday, 25 April
Time: 10 AM - 4 PM
Location: Las Vegas Springs Preserve
Host: Springs Preserve

Photo credit: Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas

Happy Earth Day, Every Day!!!

Earth Day, Every Day

How to Live Greener Without Spending Money

Pros and Cons: Line Dry Laundry

Japanese Las Vegas: Ichiza

Nestled along the main Chinatown strip in Las Vegas, is Ichiza, a Japanese Restaurant and Sake House.

Just minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip, one may feel they have been transported to a restaurant in Japan.

Cozy, yet energetic and full of merry, chattering voices, this place is excellent in terms of atmosphere and in the quality of food.

A traditional menu is available, otherwise, browse the wall for popular dishes. From typical fare like sashimi and sushi to more adventurous dishes like monk fish liver and wasabi octopus to creations that seem more fushion than pure Japanese (think jalapeno fried rice), Ichiza is a feast for the eyes and for the stomach.

So prepare yourself for a culinary adventure and raise your glass of sake or Asahi in cheer. Gambei!

For tantalizing photos of Ichiza's cuisine, check out Ichiza Las Vegas in Pictures.

Address: 4355 Spring Mountain Rd., # 205 Las Vegas, NV 89102

Phone: 702. 367. 3151

Ichiza Las Vegas in Photos

Posted menu items at above the Ichiza kitchen.

Jalapeno fried rice.

Sashimi.



A tuna sushi creation.

Wasabi octopus.

For the scoop on Ichiza Sake House & Restaurant, check out Japanese Las Vegas: Ichiza.

Burning Man Photos

These photographs are from Burning Man, again, courtesy of the lovely Las Vegas native, Calypso. Thanks, ladybird, for the lovely interview and these cool pictures.

Burning Man goes green.

Artic and Antarctic creatures love Black Rock Desert!

Even ants are big in Northern Nevada! Eeks.

Nevada Festival: Burning Man

Burning Man is an infamous annual Black Rock Desert festival that happens in my home state every year. So it's pretty sad that as a Nevadan I know very little about the festival. Luckily, the lovely lady Calypso (her Burning Man name) is going to change that for me. I was lucky to score an interview with Calypso, a Las Vegas native who has found her way to Burning Man.

For those unfamiliar with this alternative community-atmosphere festival, it is a week long shindig in the middle of the desert that culminates with the burning of a huge man-like creation at the end of the week. Since I haven't yet been to the festival I was eager to chat with Calypso. In addition, I've heard about some of the greener principles that are a part of Burning Man, so thought it was an appropriate time for this interview, since we our Lovely Las Vegas theme this month is Going Greener.








Photo credit: Calypso.


Jules @ Lovely Las Vegas: What is the Burning Man experience like?

Calypso: It's like a community! You're camping but you're surrounded by art and strangers, but everyone treats you as a friend and an equal. People are giving, they share without wanting something in return and just want to experience life and enjoy their
surroundings. You find there is no tolerance for breaking the Burning Man rules because everyone cares about the environment and want to leave it untouched.

Jules: How long is the festival?

Calypso: It lasts 7 days; once you're in, you cannot leave without buying another ticket. So you better come prepared for a long stay.

Jules: Describe a typical day at Burning Man?

Calypso: It's difficult to sleep late because of all the noise that's going on...it's built as large concentric circles with streets running through the middle and each has a name- they all correlate to the theme for that festival. You can walk around and view the art that people have built, whether they have painted themselves, portraits or built vehicles to ride in. Most cars will let you go along for the ride! There are many people on bicycles as its a LARGE area and harder to get around on foot. In center camp there usually is music playing and people sitting and talking. Here you can purchase coffee etc. if needed but most people don't bring money! This festival is built on trade: e.g., give a homemade necklace for a photo. Its all about giving!

Jules: How did you prepare for your trip to the festival?

Calypso: Water water water!! You are in the desert, many people get dehydrated so be prepared with foods that are easy to preserve. More than enough water; they say to be safe a few gallons per person! Think as if you're camping...but remember whatever you bring in you MUST take out, this includes trash!!! We pick up after ourselves!

Jules: What are some of the most unique costumes you have seen at Burning Man?

Calypso: Well, many people mostly go in the nude, to be honest. It is boiling out and Burning Man is about freedom. Men and women may not wear anything and they are not ridiculed for it! At first I was worried about this, but no one pressures you or makes you feel embarrassed for who you are or what you look like. Young and old big and small all do it! Other than that there's always lots of feathers, paint etc. Many men wear sarongs as I imagine its more comfortable. Personally, I think its pretty attractive. Haha.

Jules: What is the philosophy of the event?

Calypso: Try new things, meet new people, and above all, respect each other; this includes the Earth! But always have fun :)

Jules: What is the culmination of the festival like?

Calypso: Its like a rock concert! Everyone gathers for the burning of "the man". Although this started years ago, some people picket to not burn the man!! It just adds to the fun! There are fire dancers and songs people sing.....people see the burn as a cleansing, starting over and forgetting the bad. Of course after there are parties scattered everywhere that anyone can visit...no one is excluded!

Jules: What are some of the green principles of the festival?

Calypso: Whatever you bring in must be taken out or you will not be allowed to return. This includes trash, waste....they don't even want you pouring out drinks in respect for the land. The Black Rock Desert is actually near a local Indian reservation and we are all guests so we must be respectful. The port-a-potties are not the best part :( . They want you to be sparing with the toilet paper as the toilets will clog up easily and once one is broken it is available no more! So everyone is careful. Dogs are not allowed at Burning Man because of the waste they leave, as well as, unfortunately, people abandoning them in the desert.

Julie: How is the city organized?

Calypso: In the center is "center camp" where there is coffee and lemonade, chai tea goes fast!! LOL. Bands play and people gather in the shades. There are concentric circles leading out and streets that run through all of the circles. Each street is named to help you move about. Upon entering the festival everyone is given a map! It tells you all the streets as well as special groups that are a part of the festival, they may be performers or have art displays that are worth seeing!

Jules: What is your favourite memory from your time at Burning Man?

Calypso: There was a man playing the piano, it was on a platform that had rollers. He was accompanied by a fiddle player and they rolled around the desert playing songs for everyone. It was beautiful music and they were wonderful people.

Jules: How has attending Burning Man changed your life perspective?

Calypso: I notice other "burners", as they're called, everywhere I go now, haha. But I think it has helped me be more respectful towards the Earth in my daily life as well as shown me that they are a lot of people out there that care about it as much or even more than me. I've become friendlier and less shy with strangers...and found once I became more open and giving so did others. Burning Man gives you a definite sense of perspective of who you are, you gain the confidence and assurance from the support all these strangers gave you in the week we spent together in the middle of nowhere!

Jules: Who do you recommend to attend Burning Man?

Calypso: Everyone! I've met so many people young and old who go! I met retired Republicans who frequent! It's definitely a shock but I think anyone can find something to appreciate there. The music, art, as well as camping experience have something to offer. Women there brought their infant children! People go there to get married as well as to deliver their babies! It's a community its open and loving. I think if you're a partier you'll love it, haha. If you're into art and photography you'll love it! There's so much to see and so much to do.

Jules: If there is anything else you want to mention, have at it!

Calypso: Although it is so much fun, like everything you have to be safe!! The festival makes sure there are paramedics and doctors available for those who need it. Many people develop UTI's or have drug related health issues and all of it can be handled at the red cross camp! There are also police officers roaming the area in order to facilitate safety. They do not care if someone is using illegal substances in front of them, they are there for the safety of the burners! The stereotype of Burning Man is that is a large orgy with drugs everywhere! There are people who get involved in sexplay but its all behind doors!! It is your choice and you will not be forced into anything! The same with the drugs... you do not see it unless you go out of your way to see it. No one will make you do anything!!

Sounds like an awesome festival. I definitely want to attend. Thank you, Calypso, for a great glimpse at life during Burning Man!

Irish Pubs in Las Vegas

St. Patrick's Day is soon upon us. What better way to commemorate the day than with time in an Irish pub? Here are some picks for Irish pubs in Las Vegas. Cheers! Sláinte!

Fado Irish Pub - Located at the cross-streets of Eastern and Silverado Ranch.

Address: 9470 Eastern Ave., Las Vegas, Nevada 89123

Jack's Irish Pub - Located inside the Palace Station.

Address: 2411 W Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, Nevada 89102

JC Wooloughan's Irish Pub - Located at the JW Marriott in the Northwest (Summerlin).

Address: 221 North Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89145

McMullan's Irish Pub - Located across from the Orleans.

Address: 4650 W. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas, Nevada 89103

Nine Fine Irishmen - Located on the Strip in the New York, New York.

Address: 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109

Three Angry Wives Pub - Located in the Northwest of the Valley, in Summerlin's Boca Park.

Address: 8820 West Charleston Blvd. #105, Henderson, Nevada 89052

Las Vegas Nightlife: Club Renew

A new nightclub is set to grace the Las Vegas Valley very, very soon. Owner Marc Watts has given me a sneak peek at the unique and lovely concept behind his new nightclub, Club Renew.

Per our interview, the essence of the club is completely different from those that have come before it. When I asked Marc to describe his club in five words, without repeating his club's name, he said, "It will change the world." Wow, right?

And from the sound of it, Club Renew really will change the nightclub world. Imagine a night life atmosphere as cool as ever, but with a kind, positive, cozy vibe that radiates throughout. It's even in the works to incorporate some greener elements into its business. Tres sexy, no?

For more intriguing details about Club Renew, including opening week specials and the lovely philosophy behind Marc's creation, here's our interview:

Jules: What is your club's vibe? (e.g., music genre, theme, decor)

Marc: Our overall theme is positivity. I think positivity is something that's really lacking here in the Vegas club scene. For example, most clubs make you wait in ridiculous lines to get in. We won't. Most clubs train their bouncers to be aggressive and intimidating. We teach ours to be friendly and approachable. We want everyone who visits Renew to feel like they're special. Like they own the place. Because we believe that everyone is important. Not just the super rich.

As far as the decor goes, it's very modern. We've been working with one of the best designers in the industry, and I'm very pleased with how it's looking so far. I think our guests will, too. And we will primarily play house, dance and club music, but we might play hip-hop 1-2 nights per week, depending on the feedback we get from our guests.

Jules: Opening date? Location?

Marc: We will open on March 22nd, which is a Sunday. It's a bit of an odd date for a club opening, but you'll see why when we launch our website (http://www.clubrenew.com/) on March 19th. We're keeping the location of the club a secret until we launch the website, as well. So check the site on the 19th if you're curious.

Jules: Are you catering to locales or tourists or everyone?

Marc: Our advertising will target locals. If there's one thing I've learned, it's that you can't have a successful club in Las Vegas without local support. Having said that, I think Renew is the type of place that could really appeal to everyone. We've got a great philosophy, our service will be second to none, and we will be one of the most affordable nightclubs in Las Vegas. What's not to love about that?

Jules: What makes you different from other clubs in Las Vegas?

Marc: I think it's our philosophy. Again, the whole positivity aspect is huge for us. We really want to create a fun, friendly, and caring environment where you can go, have a drink, do some dancing, and really feel good about yourself. Don't get me wrong, everything about our club is unlike other clubs in Vegas, from the design to our drink specials. But in my mind, our philosophy of positivity overshadows that.

Jules: Will you have any special DJ's mixing for you?

Marc: No comment. :)

Jules: What's the scoop on your opening night? Specials? Entertainment? Stars?

Marc: We're keeping the specifics of our opening night a secret, but I can tell you our opening week drink special. We will be offering $1 bottle service from March 22-28. You'll have to visit the web site on the 19th for all the additional info, but that's our official week long special. We'll also be running different "one-night-only" specials during the week, but again you'll have to check the site on the 19th to see what they are.

Jules: Why did you want to bring a new club to Las Vegas?

Marc: I think Vegas has a great club scene with respect to the number of people who go out on any given night. But I also think the clubs here have become overly pretentious. It's all about throwing around wads of cash on over-priced drinks. I want to create a more positive nightclub experience, with all the bells and whistles, at a fraction of the cost.

Jules: Since Lovely Las Vegas is trying to promote a classy, beautiful, natural, unique, and lovely side of Las Vegas, how do you think your club exemplifies some of those qualities?

Marc: I think inner beauty is something Renew really exemplifies. What we're saying is that no matter who you are, no matter how much money you have, you matter to us. I think it's a beautiful message and one we don't hear often enough. Everyone deserves to feel like they're on top of the world, and that's the opportunity we're providing with Renew.

Jules: I'm trying to promote green living this month (Go Green for March), so if you have incorporated any eco-friendly touches or tried to make your place greener than the typical nightclub, please do tell!

Marc: It's interesting that you bring this up, because I just spoke with a vendor about environmentally friendly plastics. We're still negotiating, but don't be surprised if the cups and straws you get at Renew are completely biodegradable in the next couple of months.

Thanks, Marc, for the scoop on Club Renew. Best wishes with this lovely new Las Vegas nightclub. Can't wait to check it out!

Las Vegas Xeriscape

Photo credit: Jules

Xeriscape is a way to foster a more natural landscape in a desert. A grass lawn would drink up tons of water in a desert whereas xeriscape minimizes the need for excessive hydration.

"Xeri" comes from xeros (Greek for dry), while "scape" refers to landscape. Since Las Vegas resides in the Mojave Desert, xeriscape is a wise choice for landscaping homes and gardens.

But xeriscape is not limited to individual homes. There are many lovely public space xeriscape gardens in the Las Vegas Valley. Each is cool in its own right. Here are my three favourites :

1) The Gardens at Springs Preserve. With 8 acres of land dedicated to native and non-native desert landscapes, this is a must-see location! During your walk through the desert garden, plan to make stops for the educational activities and stations along the path. The Gardens are free, but consider buying tickets for the other exhibits at the Springs Preserve.

2) Ethel M Botanical Cactus Gardens. Another free desert garden, this is adjacent to the Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Lounge in Henderson, Nevada (it's only 15 minutes or so away from the airport). With cacti, succulents, desert trees, and desert shrubs from around the American Southwest and other desert regions in the world it is one unique and beautiful garden.

3) UNLV Arboretum Xeric Garden. Located on the UNLV campus adjacent to the Barrick Museum of Natural History and the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies, this garden may only be 1.5 acres, but it, too, has plants from around the world (e..g., Australia, South America, Mexico, the Mediterranean, and North America.) Lovely and serene, this is a great resting spot while visiting the UNLV campus.

Alltop Las Vegas

It's true! Lovely Las Vegas was accepted for inclusion in the Alltop directory. Exciting, right?

Alltop is a hip new search directory offering exposure to many cool sites all in one place. Just pick the category and subcategories you are interested in and you will find blogs galore specializing in your interest.

Lovely Las Vegas is a fledgling, so it's thrilling to be a part of this directory. Check it out for yourself : ).

Go Green Las Vegas

Photo credit: Jules

Lovely Las Vegas is going green for March.

This is dually appropriate with St. Patrick's Day approaching and the collective desire to make our lives more environmentally healthy.

How to Live Greener Without Spending Money

Reduce Waste, Help Others

Pros and Cons: Line Dry Laundry

Go Green, Gain Green