Traveling Thursdays: Birthday in Vegas

Even though I don't gamble, for one reason or another, I found myself in Vegas 3 times in the last year. The most recent occasion was for my berfday (insert sigh). As the years march on (all over my face and body), I find the best way to fight the potential depression of getting older is to just celebrate the hell out of life. What better way to start another year than with brunch at Serendipity?

The Vegas version has the same menu as its New York City counterpart, but the vibe is much different. More akin to a Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour, I definitely prefer the more gritty vintage vibe of NYC's Serendipity.





None of that diminished my ability to enjoy a Frozen Hot Chocolate with Peanut Butter! Wow...I am still in a sugar coma over that one.



Why waste candles? And who's counting anyway.



Add a batch of Banana Cream waffles and I was ready to lay in bed the rest of the day.



Having good friends to celebrate the bday with also helps.





As if that weren't fun enough...the hotel I was staying in (MGM Grand) was host to the Billboard Awards.



This afforded me a great view of some of the celebs taking a trip (pun intended) down the carpet. At times, the people in one picture added up to a bizarre assortment.

Lady Antebellum & Glee's Matthew Morrison:



Mary J. Blige:



Tim Allen, Eric Stonestreet ("Modern Family"), & Far East Movement



Randy Jackson ("American Idol"):



Fergie, Apl.de.Ap, & Neil Diamond



Taylor Swift, who was extremely gracious to her fans:





Kylie Minogue:



Rihanna:



Is this how you conduct yourself at a red carpet ceremony? Security! Get this $%^& out of here!



Nicole Kidman, Joe Jonas, & Keith Urban



50 Cent, Selena Gomez, & Floyd Mayweather



Another wacky combo—Randy Jackson, Rihanna, & Evander Holyfield:



And as if all that excitement wasn't enough, the evening was capped off with dinner at Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris hotel.



Dinner was delish, but the cake was even better.



Paris is probably one of my fave themed hotels in Vegas.













Dang...I need a nap!

See more vintage and contemporary Las Vegas photos at my main website.

Traveling Thursdays: MORE New York City

Some more random photos from my recent whirlwind trip to New York City. The first photo shows the exterior apartment used for the classic movie “Breakfast at Tiffany's” starring Audrey Hepburn.

The Plaza Hotel is an NYC landmark; the colors of sunset enhance what is already a beautiful building.



Never wanting to do what is expected of me, I decided to shoot the back of Paul Manship's Prometheus sculpture at Rockefeller Center. Note the bird on his head.



The nearby statue of Atlas by is one of my faves, designed and cast in 1936 by Lee Lawrie and Rene Chambellan.



Hands down, The Chrysler Building is my favorite piece of architecture in New York City. It is a gleaming treasure of Art Deco magic!



A little late in the game apparently, I finally discovered Serendipity. This is the restaurant that was also seen in the film of the same name.



For artery-clogging goodness, be sure to get Strawberry Fields Forever for dessert.



Does this giant keyboard at FAO Schwarz look familiar?



It wasn't marked quite so significantly when it was used by Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia in “Big.”



See more New York City photos at my main website.