Sugar Factory Town Square #runawaytovegas

Disclosure:  #runawaytovegas is a media trip, all travel, food and activities were sponsored.  All thoughts are my own.

Four words: Sugar Factory Signature Drinks.  
We were waiting for our table and I noticed fishbowl sized glasses at tables with happy people.  I was intrigued, I wanted one and didn't even know what it was.  When you get the menu, you can't miss 'em - right there in the front, 8 glorious pages of goblets at a whopping 60 ounces each.  I didn't know if I could handle 60 ounces but the girls convinced me to go for it.  Lollipop Passion was my first choice but I have a soft spot for gummy worms and went with the White Gummi.  It was quite a production when it arrived - I totally didn't expect the little show but it was fun and yummy, I'd order it again!  The staff at Sugar Factory Town Square is attentive and very friendly.  If I hadn't already fallen in love with the decor, they would have sealed the deal and I'll tell you why, the whole restaurant was busy buzzing but they made sure we weren't forgotten while we waited to be seated.  Now that's a first impression.  After working in the industry as a manager for over 18 years, I knew that they were genuinely happy and eager to help.

What I would order next time:

• Everything
• The Barbie Milkshake - Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream and Strawberry Gelato blended with Marshmallow Fluff and topped with Whipped Cream and Pink Rock Candy Crumbles
• Fried Macaroni & Cheese Pops 
• Apple Pie Crepe
• Banana Chunk Martini
• Grape Crush Cocktail
• Lollipop Passion Goblet
• Rocky Road Fondue
• World Famous Sugar Factory King Kong Sundae - $99 for 12 people.  Imagine what that baby looks like!
• Coconut Hot Chocolate
• Everything

White Gummi Goblet - fresh lemon sour, Peach Schnapps, Bacardi Red and Bacardi Razz.

That's a very happy me and my goblet.  I almost didn't order it because I was like, "OMG it's $29!"  But it's Vegas baby and you just have to!

S'mores Martini for Marla

Memory Lane Milkshake for Chris

We had the busiest day and this was a fun dinner for all of us

Some highlights from dinner.  Totally showing off the veggies because let's face it - not everyone can do veggies right.  Simplicity at it's best with asparagus and haricot verts (green beans).  French Onion Soup and White Pizza.

You just have to have dessert in Vegas.  We only got one.

Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Town Square has amazing Happy Hour offerings.

Shooting Glocks & Uzis With My Girls At Gun Garage #runawaytovegas

Disclosure:  #runawaytovegas is a media trip, all travel, food and activities were sponsored.  All thoughts are my own.


I get that this post is borderline controversial to some but don't be ignorant, read it anyway..  Life is not black and white, it's not things you read in a book.  It is intense and real.  I wanted to experience shooting a gun with a trained professional in a safe environment.  What I got out of shooting at Gun Garage was deep.  A deeper learning lesson than I had imagined and trust me, I played the pros and cons about doing this in my head many times before our trip.  I could've cancelled, I could've got cold feet but I wanted to do this rite of passage.  I can't explain my personal learning lesson (a big time aha moment), it is something you have to experience for yourself.  And I had fun (totally don't want to downplay that) it was a complete adrenaline rush that would keep me on my toes all day.    

My dad (who had been affectionally nicknamed Charles Bronson by friends) taught me gun safety when I was a kid.  He had guns everywhere but because he took the time to talk to me about the danger of them, I stayed away.  I didn't wanna have anything to do with them.  Guns are scary.  He taught me to shoot a gun when I was 14, my mom was going with my baby sister to Guam to visit my sick nana in the hospital and I would be left alone with my 10 year old brother while my dad was at work.  Life was different back then, I was responsible for watching my siblings since I was 10 years old.  I would never leave my kids alone at 10 years old in this day and age.  He's a Greyhound bus driver so he would be gone for a couple days.  These were our real life situations.  I was a scared kid but prepared.  Thank God I never had to use it.

I would never touch a gun till 10 years later when I was in my mid-20s.  I used a rifle while we were camping and busted my eye.  I busted my eye because I didn't have any training - I wasn't standing firm and holding the piece safely.  It was all my fault.  

Here's the thing, too many kids and adults don't understand the end all power behind a gun.  We need to keep this dialogue open.  I felt comfortable and safe at Gun Garage, definitely trusting the staff with my life (like I did my dad when I was 14).  I would definitely do it again.  I want to do it again.  I highly recommend Gun Garage for your first time or to sharpen up your skills.

Things You Should Know About Gun Garage:  

• Bring your ID 
• Packages start at $99.95
• Book online - you get bonus rounds and you get to preview packages
• You do not have to pick a package, you can rent the guns you want to shoot
• Check gungarage.com for specials - there is currently one on there to shoot a grenade launcher for $25!
• The gun selection at Gun Garage is amazing.  If you are a Southern California local, you won't find many of their guns here.  

The zombie targets are popular

Julie is a damn good shot.  Watch out!

AJ decimated that target with that uzi


When you have a good instructor and you LISTEN, you will get your shot.

Free shuttle to and from our hotel!

AJ took this amazing video of Julie.  Just watch it.
The last Sunday of every month customers can participate in a free gun safety course taught by National Rifle Association Certified Instructors that promotes safe firearm handling, safe firearm storage, how to select the right firearm for your purpose and safe firearm maintenance.

Border Grill Brunch #runawaytovegas

Disclosure:  #runawaytovegas is a media trip, all travel, food and activities were sponsored.  All thoughts are my own.

Border Grill Brunch in Las Vegas is intense.  All you can eat for $35 - I counted 22 dishes on the brunch menu, we tapped out at 9.  These weren't your run-of-the-mill buffet offerings that Vegas is known for - these are tried and true dishes from Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger.  The food is bold - modern takes on Mexican favorites.  The decor is wild and funky, the murals gave me a festival vibe fitting the style of the food.  We opted to sit outside on the patio, overlooking the empty Mandalay Bay pools - brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 10am-3pm.  If you can't make it out to Vegas but live in Southern California, Border Grill Downtown LA just announced their weekend brunch for $19.99!



Guava Empanadas and Banana Bread

Fresh Mango Lemonade - Border Grill made it special for me!

Green Corn Tamale - these are always a favorite wherever I go.  Sweet with a little spicy is just good.

Bacon Jalapeno PBJ - it's true, bacon is good with everything.  The jalapenos weren't as hot as I thought they would be but still yummy.  Very filling.

Breakfast Fries - another big fave.  I would totally make this at home.  I wish more places made breakfast fries.

Yucatan Egg Benedict - eggs benedict are fairly new to me.  I only tried them for the first time last year.

Waffle & Pork Belly with Maple Syrup - another favorite.  This is crazy heavy but good.  SO GOOD.

Lobster Pancakes - another favorite.  Crispy leeks are everything.

Bread Pudding French Toast - again, another favorite.  I am obsessed with bread pudding and have never tried it this way - it was amazeballs.  I wanted to lick that decadent coconut syrup off the plate.

Fig & Blue Cheese Quesadilla - surprisingly this was good.

Churro Tots - do I even have to say anything... churros baby.

We are done.  Roll us outta here!

Absinthe Is Highly Intoxicating #runawaytovegas

Disclosure:  #runawaytovegas is a media trip, all travel, food and activities were sponsored.  All thoughts are my own.


If there's one thing you have to do in Vegas, it's see Absinthe.  Don't get married till you've seen the show.  You'll know right then and there if you are marrying the one.  If you are dating, see the show together.  You know when someone says (insert whatever is trendy right now) is life changing and it's not... well, **** that, Absinthe is life changing.  Yeah I said it.  And don't you dare read reviews or watch previews about the show, just go.  Trust me on this.  

I am not going into details, not sharing the specifics... this is one of those shows you have to go in blindly and with an open mind.  The less you know, the better it will be.

What you need to know:

• The show is in the round meaning it's more intimate, I don't think there's a bad seat in the house
• Get the VVIP seats, I dare you
• Dark days are Monday and Tuesday. There's two shows each night from Wednesday-Sunday
• You will fall in love with Melody Sweets.  Her voice is captivating and she's lovely.  I lover her
• I haven't laughed for almost two hours straight in years.  
• I would totally watch Absinthe again and again.  I would've gone the next night if I had a chance
• Absinthe is not for the kids, be over 18+
• There is a bar 

Me.  I'm cheesy.

Marla looking like she's part of the show