Serendipity!

 What can I say about this amazing place except "OH MY GOSH!!!"

As hubby and I drove up Las Vegas Blvd. I saw this little jewel on the corner of Caesars Palace and let out a little scream of joy! I had heard of this New York City restaurant on the travel TV shows but never knew that they had other locations outside the City. Needless to say, we dropped the bags off at the hotel and made a mad dash for Serendipity 3.

We arrived to find a short wait for the inside seating but jumped on the opportunity to be seated on the outside patio (furnished with wonderful heaters!!) and watch the Las Vegas traffic buzz by.
 The menus were just as beautiful and whimsical as the rest of the restaurant:

This is a sundae with real gold flakes!

Is she not beautiful or what?! On her head are little cups of frozen hot chocolate!

After just eating lunch at Paris we decided to stick to some dessert. I chose the world famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate while my sweetie indulged in a decadent chocolate coffee treat of some type.

I stuck with the regular thing, no need to change a classic!

Beautiful Tiffany style lamps decorated the tables, you could even buy them if you wanted!

Lets say that I was NOT disappointed in what was presented before me!!

The plate had the same drawings as the menu and the drink itself was presented in such a pretty bowl-cup. They gave you a huge helping of whip cream and 2 straws (don't know why...I had no intention of sharing, haha!!). They frozen hot chocolate was so wonderful and just melted in your mouth. You could just feel it dissolve!! 

Serendipity 3 has made a life long customer out of me!

Drink Up!

Sweets...Vegas Style!!!

Hubby and I just returned from a blissful trip to Las Vegas and boy did we eat! It seems like we grazed at one spot, walked to another and did the same. Fantastic food, good drinks and a great time with my sweetheart. I'm always on the look out for good new spots no matter where I am, but everything is just done to the nines in Vegas. The cupcakes were no exception!

Meet The Cupcakery in the Monte Carlo! 



It was so pretty I didn't want to eat it but oh so glad I did!



All but about 2 flavors had a pretty sparkly treat on top that made them twinkle in the Vegas lights

I was thrilled when we came across this newer spot on our way to an old favorite inside the hotel. The cupcakes were all done up beautifully with sprinkles and glitter and little flowers. I was pleasantly surprised at the wonderful, moist cake and the frosting was so yummy! Not too sweet and you even got some extra glitter on your lips after taking a few bites! We tried the traditional white cake with vanilla butter cream and it was hands down one of the best cupcakes I'd had in a long time. I was so pleased!

I will definitely be visiting when I come back to Vegas!

Next stop...

Jean Philippe Patisserie in the beautiful new Aria Resort and Casino

First off I must tell you this hotel is AMAZING! It is brand new and has the coolest designs, colors, features and it smells amazing! We discovered the tram between the hotels during an exploring expedition and am so glad we decided to see where it too us! I must admit I first noticed these...

I just thought they pretty design elements on the ball but, boy, was I wrong...

THEY ARE CHOCOLATE!!!

All I can say is I lost it at that point and poor hubby saw the next 30 minutes of his life being wasted away staring at chocolate, haha! We walked around the corner and saw this...

Each of these cakes were about 4 feet tall and sooo amazing!

This is my cowboy buddy (the Rodeo was in town again), he was lovin' the chocolate too!

Merry Grinch-mas!

 

Oh my Lord, the details were stunning!

These were mini's, only about 8-12 inches in height.

I was so in my element!

  We made our way through the whole shop with included three sections. The first was a gelato and crepes station where the could make your creation right before your eyes, the chocolate shop area with cases of handmade chocolate and boxed treats you could take with you. The final stop was a bakery-pastry shop-deli like area where you could by eclairs, Napoleon's and tarts or order a beautiful sandwich. Unfortunately we had just eaten lunch but I picked up a handsome chocolate covered strawberry which I enjoyed when we got back home. Made it back perfectly too!

My next post will be about a place I thought I might never get to experience. I will leave you with one word to play with until my next post...

Serendipity

Merry Christmas!

Disclaimer: Only one bag of M&M's were eaten during the production of this post,

no other chocolates consumed

TOMS

I am totally in love with these shoes!!!

I had heard of them in the past but never really paid much attention to them until mom bought a pair. I tried them on, checked it out online and then went and bought myself a pair! I have been following the website and news on Face Book and it is actually a really interesting company with a "do good" philosophy. Their motto is "One for One" They give one pair of shoes to a child who doesn't have any shoes for each pair purchased.

Check out their site here.

I was looking today and they have published a really awesome "Giving Report" that shows the methods they use to determine where the next drop will be and how they figure out what types of shoes to bring based on climate and environment. NPR also did an awesome interview.

I super thrilled to have my first pair (Ash Classics, thank you very much) and look forward to getting a few more pairs(wishing and hoping for a pair of Glitters for Christmas or my birthday!) in the months to come. It is a great company to support and you get an awesome pairs of shoes to top it off!!

"Drop Toms, Not Bombs"

Love for B...

Each year the church goes and decorates the pediatric cancer ward at the children's hospital where B was. I have thought about going each year but just can't bring myself to do it. It's actually to the point where I begin to cry at the thought of just having to go to the hospital. I can close my eyes and see each room she was in, what she was wearing when we celebrated her birthday, the waiting rooms during surgeries, views from

each window... My heart just breaks. I can't describe the need I felt to be there with her and her

mom and their family and now I can't even bring myself to go and hang some garland on the walls.

It's unbelievable what a change of view one can have on a place after certain events.

 Even though I won't be there this year when the decorating will start for those tiny soldiers,

my love will be with them through the memories I carry of B in my heart and the prayers I pray for their little bodies healing...

This little guy means a lot to me. He is a simple stuffed elephant toy but brings peace and happiness in what he signifies. He is a St. Judes Children's Research Hospital "representative". The decorations on his ear and paws were drawn by patients at the hospital. I collected each years design as long as they were made.

“Elephants represent family, long life, strength and playfulness,” said St. Jude National Outreach Director, Marlo Thomas, daughter of hospital founder Danny Thomas.

Last year I took a trip to Memphis for work and made a stop at St. Judes. I wanted to see this wonderful place in all it's glory. It did not disappoint, let me tell you. The grounds themselves were stunning and very alive. There were benches and garden throughout the property and beautiful statues of children playing scattered about. I love that there is a place in this world where people can go for healing, both physically and mentally that has such wonderful resources. Check it out here

So this year, I will proudly place my collection of these small creatures and ambassadors of hope in our Christmas display and use them as a reminder to be thankful and to remember to just love.

For B with Love
Happy Christmas