Blonder Ambitions

Category: Lists

  • FABULOUS LOCATION – A GIRL’S GUIDE TO VEGAS

    FABULOUS LOCATION – A GIRL’S GUIDE TO VEGAS

    My friends ask me frequently enough {mainly every summer} for tips on the places to be and the things to do when in Las Vegas.  I have already given you a guide for a mellow girls’ weekend {read it here}, but sometimes… it’s fun to go with your crew to Las Vegas.  If you’re going to spend some time in Vegas, make sure that it’s fabulous.  Here’s a quick guide to get you started.

    Where to Stay
    My personal favorites are Casesar’s Palace and the Wynn.  I also love the Venetian and Encore.  Though you may be bombarded with “hotel deals” that tout an astoundingly cheap $49 a night… you get what you pay for.  Consider upping the ante and shelling out a bit more cash so that you and your friends can enjoy where you are staying.  Do not underestimate the value of a comfortable/luxurious place to unwind {you need to frequently rehcarge your batteries in Vegas and, though an in-suite baby grand piano may seem like overkill… it’s not} and an abundance of mirrors {you’ll need them when all the girls are getting all dolled up}.  The places that I have recommended offer spacious rooms, great bathrooms with huge mirrors, and are luxuriously appointed.  They are also all located on the Strip, which gives you prime access to all the attractions.

    Where to Lounge/Party Poolside
    The cabanas at the Wynn are definitely the place to go if you just want to lounge, relax, and eat amazing food poolside.  The Encore Beach Club is architecturally stunning, filled with beautiful people, and outstanding service.  It still feels like a pool party {and can get quite rowdy}, but the vibe of the place is elegant {and they have bottomless mimosas on Sundays}.  On a Friday or Saturday, Wet Republic at the MGM is a fabulous pool party because they are fairly selective with who gets in, they always have great DJs, and their mojitos are to-die-for.

    What to See
    There are two shows that I highly recommend {and you and your girls may be wiped out after two days/nights of partying, so you might want to just sit and relax and enjoy some quality entertainment}.  The first show is Cirque de Soleil’s “La Reve.”  It is magical, a total feast for the eyes, and even the less expensive seats have a killer view as all of the seats are arranged around a circular center stage.  The show combines water, acrobatics, and a light romantic plot.  The other show that is so worth the money is “Phantom.”  This show plays at the Venetian and it is a rendition of “Phantom of the Opera.”  The show is sexy, powerful, and meticulously executed.  Definitely go.

     Where to Party
    Areas of Vegas can get a bit seedy… especially some of the lower caliber clubs.  All of my favorite clubs are also housed in my aforementioned favorite hotels.  A great place to start the night is at a lounge called “Blush” in the Encore hotel.  Order the melon flavored shots.  Elegant and fun.  Then you can try Tryst at the Wynn {beautifully located around a killer waterfall}, but it can get a bit cramped.  If you stay at the Encore, go to XS {which is an elaborately designed indoor/outdoor club that is spacious, full of Vegas’ most impressive guests and locals, and the best place to get bottle service… try to get the table that is right outside facing the dance floor… amazing people watching/social scene}.  Another fun club {though it is getting a bit tired} is Tao at the Venetian.  It’s perfect to eat dinner at Tao’s restaurant and then head upstairs to the nightclub.

  • MUST HAVES – ESSENTIALS FOR THE PERFECT BAR

    MUST HAVES – ESSENTIALS FOR THE PERFECT BAR

    These pictures are taken of items that will be put on my very girly and oh-so-perfect cocktail cart {still a DIY project lovingly in progress}.  The items have been collected over time and, though you can find comprehensive lists of what a bar should be stocked with all over the place… this is what a fabulous, glamorous, chic hostess should always have in her bar {not what some scotch swilling middle-aged man would be stocking}.

    1. Buy/acquire/collect the essentials. You will definitely need an ice bucket, a cocktail shaker {or two}, a bottle opener, a corkscrew, something with which to stir, coasters for impromptu parties, a strainer, and glassware.  I also think that it is glamorous to have an ornate champagne bucket on hand for spur-of-the-moment celebrations.

    2. Get the liquor necessities… and it’s only a necessity if you, my love, like it. Or… if one of your best friends {who is a frequent cocktail guest at your home} loves it.  If you hate, utterly hate gin, don’t buy it {I only own some because it was a gift… from a gin drinker}.  Can’t stand whiskey? You don’t need it {though a whiskey sour is a delicious thing… give it a whirl}.  If you want to make sure there is something for every palette, always have vodka {you can mix it with virtually anything}, wine {a bottle of white and red}, and beer {the more obscure, the cooler you look}.  To really be a star, especially if you love summer parties {who doesn’t?}, have some tequila options on hand.  Tequila is perfect for festive margaritas and {arguably more festive} tequila shots.  To go above and beyond and be an entertainer’s dream… have a bottle of champagne. Always.  There is always a reason/person/moment to celebrate.  And nothing says “celebration” like champagne.

    3. Make sure you have mixers & ice {bonus Hostess-of-the-Year Points for garnishes}. You can use what you have on hand {any kind of juice, soda, etc.} or get a few of the following: cranberry juice, soda water, tonic, coke/diet coke, 7up, and something tropical {like pineapple juic}.  If you want to make life easy, have a few pre-made mixes {for things like margaritas} on hand.  A few varied citrus options {lemon, lime, orange} are all you need in the garnish department {and they add a fabulous splash of color}.  If you want to go above and beyond, have some coarse salt and sugar on hand with which to rim your glasses.

  • USE A FILING CABINET LIKE A GROWN UP

    USE A FILING CABINET LIKE A GROWN UP

    Before you begin reading, you should be warned: this is not my normal, oh-so-glamourous little blog entry.  This post deals with the organization of a somewhat daunting “grown-up” item: the filing cabinet.  I felt compelled to tackle this subject because I recently conquered my fear of owning one, filling it, and using it properly.  I now use this item.  Daily.  And I now feel empowered.  I want you to feel the same…

    Once upon a time…  I didn’t even have documents in my filing cabinet.  I took a sad industrial filing cabinet {it had potential!} and painted it a slight off-white and distressed it.  Gorgeous.  Industrial refurbished chic!  I did this, not because I needed a filing cabinet, but because I thought it was an interesting piece of decor.  I then had a large salvaged filing cabinet taking up space in my place.  Not knowing how to correctly utilize such a cabinet, I filled it with miscellaneous odds and ends.  Then, one day, I put some paper documents inside my cabinet {kind of… I basically just threw them in there}… hence, this “Before” photo:

    Yes. Blech. Eck. Hey, at least there were now papers in my filing cabinets… but I was still missing {drumroll, please…}: files.  I grabbed all of my loose “important papers” {basically anything with my social security number somewhere on it} that I didn’t know what to do with and threw them on the floor. I then left them there.  For two weeks.  For a super-organized person like myself, a mess that lasts two weeks is startling.  Two weeks of loose papers scattered all over my white rug is cause for alarm.  I was clearly dealing with some kind of mental overload.  I decided to find order amid the chaos.  I began to put things into piles that made sense.  This is a very ugly photo, but I was proud of my progress.

    Eventually, themes began to emerge.  I noticed a lot of financial documents.  Documents pertaining to my business.  Documents that bespoke of my overwhelming law student loan debt {perhaps these documents in particular were why I waited two weeks to deal with all the miscellaneous stacks of paper}.  Documents that dealt with my writing.  Others that pertained to my car.  And so on and so forth.  Aha!  These piled documents made more sense {and were far less overwhelming} when they were placed together.  Then I put them in chronological order.  Now they made even more sense.  Now what? Yes! Time to put them into files!  I jumped online and went to The Container Store {another sick type-A personality driven obsession of mine} and purchased some folders that made filing fun {okay, not fun… but at least they made filing somewhat stylish… and pink}.

    It was time to label the folders with the little subthemes that popped out after I sorted the papers into their respective piles.  My love for my label maker continues.  I am soon investing {warning: nerd alert} in a pink label maker with a myriad of font options.  Here are some label maker options for you…

    1. Organizer Xpress Pro Embossing Label Maker $9
    2. Brady Worldwide, Inc. 13500 Sign and Label Maker $4946
    3. Costar 1755749 Rhino 5200 Label Printer Industrial Printer $104
    4. Casio KL60SR Compact EZ-Label Maker $25
    5. Brother PT1100SB-RF Scrapbook P-touch Label Maker $65
    6. Brother PT-1000P Handheld Labeling Machine Limited Edition – Pink $40

    Then I printed up all of my labels and utilized the filing folders.  I thought it was {sigh…} beautiful.

    Finally, I placed my neatly organized and no longer intimidating files where they belonged.  And now you can, too.

  • MUST HAVES – SHOES

    MUST HAVES – SHOES

    Every woman knows that her look isn’t complete without the right footwear.  With these ten pairs in your closet {and a fabulous pedicure!}, you’ll be ready for any occasion.

    1. Sergio Rossi ‘Boston’ Peep Toe Pump $715
    2. DV by Dolce Vita ‘Dugan” Sandal $60
    3. Sam Edelman ‘Lazar’ Espadrille $150
    4. Jimmy Choo ‘Decoy’ Platform Bootie $995
    5. Sperry Top-Sider ‘Southport’ Slingback Wedge $90
    6. Lanvin ‘Sandale Clous et Strass’ Sandal $1595
    7. Alexander McQueen Peep Toe Sculpted Wedge Pump $930
    8. Dior Cannage Stitch Peep Toe Pump $770
    9. Jimmy Choo ‘Berry’ Calf Hair Flat $725
    10. New Balance ‘1210’ Training Shoe $125

  • LUST LIST – JUNE

    LUST LIST – JUNE

    I don’t know what it is about the month of June that makes me want to throw on a kitschy little throwback number, some impractical {and oh-so-necessary} high heels, bust out some killer recipes, make a Tom Collins {a DIY on a retro cocktail cart will be coming soon!}, and throw a little summertime soiree.  The idea of being the perfect hostess is entirely attainable… now, Cupcake, you just need to dress the part.

    1. Taste-Test Recipe Book $28
    2. Proenza Schouler PS1 Large Leather $1995
    3. Housewarming Roses Dress $75
    4. Cornflower Yellow Table Lamp $100
    5. Trouve ‘Clairmont’ Wedge Sandal $110
    6. Betsey Johnson Val Peep Toe Wedge $90
    7. Federica Rettore Antique Cut Citrine Ring $9100
    8. Pinwheel Push Pins $15

  • CURRENT OBSESSION – LUCIFER VIR HONESTUS

    CURRENT OBSESSION – LUCIFER VIR HONESTUS

    I’ve got a thing for jewelry.  Large jewelry.  The kind of jewelry that makes a person stop and take in more than just a passing glance.  Enter Lucifer Vir Honestus.  Absolutely to-die-for pieces.  My favorite thing about this line of jewelry from Milan is that the earthiness of it is still intact… Much of the time, stones have been sliced, diced, and polished to an such an unnatural high-gloss shine {not always a bad thing} that we forget that the stone/gem/jewel came from the earth.  This line of  jewelry {designed by Luna Scamuzzi} gives a nod, through its highly organic and visually intoxicating construction, to its origin.

    1. Organic Diamond Ring $1675
    2. Quercus Ring $6400
    3. Boulder Opal Earrings $4575
    4. Primavera Ring $4320
    5. Maple Wood Earrings $1295
    6. Rose Cut Diamond Ring $14300
    7. Rutilated Quartz Cuff $12100
    8. Citrine Quartz Earrings $3990