Out of Chaos, Blooms Creativity: 2011-10-23

Newly Opened Margaritaville Casino

What a great weekend! I'm not sure that I could have asked for a better holiday and it was much needed! Friday, I flew to Las Vegas, to join Chris for an extended weekend getaway, and of course, the Jimmy Buffett concert on Saturday night. Friday, Chris was working, so I decided to hit Bill's Casino and play a little slots. I'm not much of a gambler, but I do love to play the slot machines whenever I get the chance to visit Vegas. Since I'm such a big spender, I decided to start off large and hit the 1¢ slot machines. Yep, I wanted to strike it rich playing 1¢ at a time!! So, after walking around the small dive of a casino and deciding that dying of second hand smoke was worth the money, I inserted my first $10 into the Jackpot Party 1 cent slot machine. Whoo-hoo!!! First few spins, I won 40¢, $1.60, 80¢. Okay, this wasn't so bad....at least I could sit here for a bit and play, while I was enjoying a beverage. Then I hit the Jackpot Party bonus round:

I won $52 within 5 minutes of sitting down to the 1¢ slot machines

What? How does one win $52 only betting 40¢ at a time?? Somehow, I seem to do this every time in Vegas, on the first day I'm there. Well, I still had more time to kill, so I might as well just play for a bit. I've already won and the prospect of hitting the Jackpot Party Bonus round again, was great incentive. (I know, this is how they wrangle you in and how gamblers end up in Gambler's Annon.) So, on I played....I lost a few dollars and then would win some more......within 20 min, I hit the bonus round again:

Another win and I'm still playing w/my original $10.

I am now taking pictures of the machine, texting Chris and calling my friend Emily! Guess what everyone? I'm somehow winning actual money on 1¢ slot machines and I thought it was important to tell everyone I knew. This was fantastic!! Since the machine was hot, I definitely didn't want to leave, but I knew my luck had to run out sooner or later. With a little more time to kill, I kept going. I had now been playing for about an hour and a half and I won again:

My final winnings - I walked away with $151 more than I started with.

I'm rich!!!! Okay, I'm not exactly rich, but who wouldn't be excited about that little windfall? That made my first 2 hours in Vegas! Let the weekend begin. :-)
Our Friday night was fun, walking around and seeing the Vegas Strip for the first time in 2.5 years. So many new things and so many changes to the old stuff. City Center was amazing and a maze, within itself. We had a hard time walking around this place, but it was definitely beautiful.

Part of City Center at Night

The architecture inside of the Aria is more than amazing! It seems like every hotel and casino that's built, has to outdo the last one that was made. The shops inside of City Center are so upscale, I could barely afford to walk past their doors. And the restaurants............Every single famous chef, has at least one restaurant here. It was beyond insane. Here's Mastro's Ocean Club Restaurant. I just couldn't get over the design of this place and of course, the Louis Vitton Shop that it overlooked, was an added bonus.

Mastro's Ocean Club Restaurant

Bill's Casino, is located right next door to were we stayed. It's a little hole in the wall casino, that's been around forever (and where I won my "jackpot"). As we were walking by this place, we noticed one particular sign out front, advertising their entertainment:

On Stage at Bill's Casino - Cook E. Jarr

Now, here's an act that I just can't miss! I mean Cook E. Jarr, we've all heard of him, right? I know that he's been on my bucket list FOREVER and was so excited to see that he was playing in such an upscale establishment. How ever did we get so lucky, as to have him playing in the next casino over? Really, though, who has this kind of stage name? Cook E. Jarr? Is he related to the Cookie Monster?? Notice the classy outfit he's wearing. Not many people can pull off the blazer and no shirt look.............Goodness!
Saturday, we were ready to go. Headed out to the Margaritaville Street Party in the ally next to our hotel. (We stayed at the Flamingo, which I was a little skeptical about, but the GO Rooms were wonderful. I am a little unsure of what these are....)

(Evators???)

Anyway, the street party started at 11am and was going on to 6pm. They had mixed the worlds largest margarita and were serving it all weekend. Maybe I should just leave it at that.....and throw in a few pictures. We all know that a picture is worth a thousand words. Lol!

Street Party, celebrating the opening of Margaritaville Casino

World's Largest Margarita - Actually real!

It's ALL MINE!!!

The one and only time Chris got to hold this.

Have Tequila, will travel....and share with others! NICE!

Having the time of our lives!

The "Big Marg" back in the hands of it's rightful owner

After the entertainment and a nice, late afternoon nap (LOL!), we headed over to the MGM Garden Arena for the last Jimmy Buffett concert of the year. The place was huge! 15K people were packed into the arean for the concert and Jimmy did not disappoint. If you haven't ever been to one of his concerts, you really should put it on your bucket list. This was my 4th concert of his and definitely not the last. He played for 2 hours and just rocked the house! My picture didn't come out very good, as my phone was running out of batteries and kept shutting off....

Jimmy Buffett/Vegas October 22, 2011

The video is a little bit of the Fins song and just a look at the HUGE crowd at the arena. AWESOME night!!

With the concert over and a little more gambling done, Sunday seemed to come quickly. We had been looking forward to Champagne Brunch at The Planet Hollywood Spice Market Buffet. The Spice Market Buffet has been one of our favorites in the past years, but unfortunately, it's gone a bit downhill. It was a brunch buffet and there was no sausage, no muffins of any sort, no biscuits and gravy....WHAT??? Well, thank goodness it was free (we had a bunch of vouchers) otherwise the $25 per person price, would have a been a rip off.

Not quite awake and the tan lines from Sunglasses are extremely noticeable in this light.

As you can see, it's still pretty early for me (10am, after a late night....Uhhggg!) Even the extra bacon I had, didn't quite wake me up. On the other hand, Chris was thoroughly enjoying everything brunch had to offer and so enthusiastically, I might add. Annoying!

I'm not sure Chris could be enjoying this any more.

With a bit of time before our 3pm flight, we wandered across the street to the Bellagio to check out their atrium. I'm always amazed at the beauty in this place. It gives me so much inspiration for different cakes. I kind of like that about Vegas. Maybe I should come back here more often??? Fun, fun trip!!!!