I’m sure you didn’t think there was anything left unsaid about Vegas after my trip in December. I certainly didn’t expect to go back so soon – but about 3 months ago my younger (middle) brother, AJ, announced that he had booked his wedding at Mandalay Bay for March. I somewhat blame myself and this girl - who’s wedding pictures from 3 years ago sparked an interest with AJ and his new wife, Carissa. A beautiful, outdoor wedding that is (somewhat) affordable? In VEGAS? Yes, it is possible.
Of course, he made his announcement 2 weeks AFTER I bought our plane tickets to San Francisco for my youngest brother’s May wedding (all four of us are going $$$$), so I would be lying if I wasn’t a little annoyed and selfish. I might have even said, “But I JUST came back AND I’m already going to a destination wedding!!!” Because you know, weddings are all about me. Obviously, I stopped bitching, bought plane tickets, and booked a hotel. And had tons of fun.
We left Orlando around 4:30 on Thursday and arrived by 6:30. Making a pit stop at Chili’s on our way out. The bride and groom were on our flight as well as the majority of the bride’s family.
The flight really wasn’t bad and we made friends with the woman sitting in our row! I hate flying, so that says a lot 
I have to say, I am still amazed at how much energy Vegas gives me.
By the time we got to our hotel (The Tropicana) and settled in was bedtime in Orlando – but I was really to party (and eat!). Our first stop was Burger Bar. Oh, Burger Bar how I love thee.
Not only did I love this place, but my family did too. My hubby went there 3 nights in a row! The food was excellent and the drink prices beat everything in it’s vincity. (FYI, this is NOT the same Burger Bar that we have in Orlando/Sanford)
At some point, my brother, Carissa, and Carissa’s brother-in-law, Ryan, joined us — and then we drank the most expensive beer I’ve ever tasted.
I loved every sip. I can’t say I was alone.
Shortly after this, we called it a night and made the 20 minute hike back to our hotel. During the walk back we vowed to sleep in the next day. Ha.
I SWEAR we slept for hours (I have no idea what time we went to bed), but we woke up a 7am the next day and there was no going back to sleep. So, we got dressed, grabbed a quick breakfast from Starbucks, and started our trek down the Strip.
I had one hotel that I wanted to see and one shopping mall that we had missed in December — The Wynn and Fashion Show.
The Wynn (and its sister hotel Encore) did not disappoint. If I ever win the lotto and have the desire to go back to Vegas – I’m staying here. It was just gorgeous.
I felt like I was in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory – minus the chocolate, plus lots of fancy designers. I’m pretty sure that hotel is the closest I’m ever going to get to Dior, Stuart Weitzman, and Chanel.
After the hotels, we crossed the street to check out Fashion Show Mall, which had almost every store imaginable. I made the hubby stop by Forever 21, Express, and Macy’s — so basically, I was nice. It could have been much, much, worse.
By the time we I was done shopping it was time for lunch. We decided, almost immediately after booking the trip, that despite there being 1,000+ restaurants in Las Vegas for us to try out we needed to eat at our favorite from the previous trip… Mesa Grill.
We both ordered the Pear margaritas. I really need to learn how to make these. We joked about how the drinks are pink — but seriously deceiving. Girly drinks these are not.
For lunch I ordered the 16-Spice Chicken Salad.
There were mixed greens, chicken, some amazing sauces, and goat cheese. It was delicious. Of course.
The hubby ate Bobby’s specialty – Florida Grouper (so glad we went all the way to Nevada to eat it!) and he was NOT disappointed! It was very flavorful and had just enough kick to it.
The bartender later told us that the dinner portion of the grouper is exactly the same as the lunch — but FAR more expensive — so lesson learned: If want to eat at Bobby Flay’s (and really – why wouldn’t you? The man can cook), go at lunch time!
After lunch, and 2 margaritas each, we somehow made it back to the hotel for a nap and to prep for our night out. The hubby went out with my brother, my dad, my mom’s boyfriend and a few of Carissa’s family members…
Photo courtesy of my dad
While I joined the girls for Carissa’s bachelorette party.
Carissa and her sister Nicole
We started at Red Square - a Russian restaurant at Mandalay Bay. Dinner was quick and the service was EXCELLENT, but honestly I wasn’t overly impressed by the food. I order the Butterfish and the portion I got was smaller than I expected. I definitely left dinner hungry. Hungry for some THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER.
Yes, this really happened. And yes, my mom joined us. That wasn’t awkward at all.
While the boys in this show were adorable and definitely had nice bodies (nice is an understatement), I felt weird cheering them on. There were also several dance numbers (when the guys were fully clothed) where I thought, “Man, the kids would really enjoy this.” Not sure what that says about me… except I’m DEFINITELY getting that Mom of the Year trophy this year.
After the show, Carissa’s sister and I forced her to get a picture with the guys.
They were very charming.
The guy I was sitting with might have smacked my ass as I was leaving.
And after all of that excitement — we decided to call it a night (at *ahem* 11pm). Carissa’s hair appt was at 8, and I despite my nap earlier in the day, I was exhausted. All of those semi-naked men wore me out. I was not lame by myself though – the hubby also met me back at the hotel. What can I say – we are SUCH party animals.
Up next… the wedding!
So tell me… have you ever been to a male review?
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So was your dress greasy after sitting on that guy? Ha!
That martini is calling my name – at 10:30 a.m.
Victoria recently posted..11 Things
Surprisingly no!
That martini was awesome, but I could REALLY go for that burger again.
Those men’s abs should be your Saturday motivation post. Looks like so much fun! With an 8 a.m. wake-up and a day full of wedding festivities the next day, I’d be early to bed as well! I’m such a momma hen.
Jessica @ Sushi and Sit-Ups recently posted..Soup’s on
LMAO about them being a Saturday motivation post. I’m going to have to find a picture and post it sometime!
Sounds like lots of fun! My husband and I are going to Vegas in May. We will have to check out the Wynn, it looks amazing. It will be just the 2 of us, so no Thunder for me
Heather recently posted..Monument 10K Race Recap
You could bring him to Thunder – lol. There were a few guys there. It was weird.
Definitely check out the Wynn! Where are you staying?
We are staying at Vdara at the Las Vegas city center. It looks pretty cool. It is a non-gaming property, which should be interesting. I am really excited that it is 100% non-smoking.
It has been a number of years since I have been in vegas, but the constant smoke was really gross. I am hoping it is better now.
Heather recently posted..Monument 10K Race Recap
I actually haven’t been in Vdara or Aria (it’s sister hotel) – but I have heard they are nice!
The smoke is still prevelant in most of the hotels. Some worse than others. We decided that Excalibur (which we had to walk through to get to Mandalay) smells like butt – mostly because of the cigs. I actually think I can still smell it!
The Tropicana was newly renovated and my ONLY complaint is that we got a non-smoking room that smelled like stale smoke. Considering how old that hotel is, I didn’t complain. I’m pretty sure ALL of the rooms smell like that.
OMG…I am dying. I don’t think I could have sat on their lap for that picture.
Amanda Perry @ Sistas of Strength recently posted..Putting Yourself First
I really didn’t think I could either — but I will say they are all very outgoing and warm guys. It was not as awkward as I anticipated.
Oooh, loved the recap! I wish I knew Burger Bar wasn’t the same one as in Orlando because I totally would have checked it out. I feel like my chances of getting back to Vegas anytime soon is slim to none. But now I need to go to that place.
I swear the TFDU guys don’t look real and you almost look photoshopped in. Hee!
Paula @ Eat: Watch: Run recently posted..By the Numbers
They have one in San Fransisco AND Chicago too — so chances are you’ll have the chance to go to one!!
Those guys are VERY real. And very cuddly.
Hee. Plan 1 in Chicago = MADE.
Paula @ Eat: Watch: Run recently posted..By the Numbers
Hilarious. We went to a male review in Philly for one of my girlfriends’ bachelorette parties too. Only ours was much more awkward because it was basically a bunch of Jersey Shore guys (and this was about a decade before the Jersey Shore). So if you can picture sitting on The Situation’s lap, that’s pretty much what we experienced.
And another time, I had a friend in DC who was a waxer and she had a client who was just getting started in male stripping and he wanted to “practice.” So she invited a bunch of us over to her apartment and he put on a show, stripping down from a baseball uniform to almost nothing. THAT was also awkward but at least he was cute and sweet.
Man, I’ve seen a lot more male almost-nude dancing than I would have thought. Who knew?
Mmmmmm….lunch drunk. My favorite kind. And you got to nap afterwards? That’s just all sorts of awesome.
Jackie @ MomJovi recently posted..We Dyed Eggs … Now What?
Pretty sure you are the mayor of male reviews. Ha ha.
Lunch drunk is fantastic! I couldn’t do it all the time, and maybe not without a nap, but it was fun
I’m really not much of a day drinker – but I think drinking at noon is much more preferable than waking up the next day with a hangover.
Dogfish 120 is awesome. Redlight Redlight had it on draft recently, doesn’t last long though. The Dogfish guys have gotten very stingy with it in recent years.
jlo3133 recently posted..It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood
I’ve heard that about finding it on draft – but I’ve heard that you can find the big bottles (20oz? 32oz? I have no idea) for $10-12 at Total Wine and ABC. I could deal with that – especially considering how often I drink beer!
They do a lot of their products in the standard “big bottle” (750 ml), but I’m not sure about the 120. I think since they’ve cut back on production of it (they only brew it 2 or 3 times a year, it’s mostly 12 ounce bottles and draft. The 60 or 90 Minute ales aren’t a bad fallback though, especially the 90. If you do find a 750 ml 120 Minutes let me know though!
jlo3133 recently posted..It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood
Had been to a ALL male review prior to “Thunder”…when you were a little little girl.. at the “Golden Banana”..in Peabody, Mass, that was WAY more revealing then the “Thunder” boys! Glad we sat so far apart! :-O My heart nearly dropped when one of the “Thunder” boys jumped up in front of me..then crossed the bar we sat in front of.. Lots of laughs and giggles … You had more nerve than me to go sit on those sexy men’s laps!! Woot Woot to you!!
Yesssss!!! It sounds like such a fun trip! I went to thunder for my bachelorette party and it was a blast, though oh so awkward for the girls who have to go up on stage!
Seriously! I wondered if those girls knew ahead of time — they were up there doing things I just wouldn’t do in public!!