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Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly 110

Hi there!

I hope you had a great week!

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Random Things Happening Behind the Scenes at Bricks ‘n Blooms

What a week it was….in Vegas!

So this week was pretty nuts as we traveled to Las Vegas for the Construction Super Conference for Chris’ company, ARCHforensic. We stayed at the MGM Grand Hotel and had such a great time.

Chris made a lot of new contacts and we learned a few things from a marketing perspective about what to strive for in 2023. So overall, it was a really great conference.

MGM grand in vegas at christmas time with lights and lion with cowboy hat and poinsettias
MGM Grand Hotel

The days were pretty long because it was conference all day and then squeeze in some sights at night. I mean, you can’t be in Vegas and not see Vegas, am I right?

Neither of us had ever been there before, so we wanted to check it out. While we were there, we connected with Chris’ best friend, Kevin, who lives in Arizona, and had THE best time.

We packed a lot of fun into a few days, but here are the highlights!

blogger stacy ling and christopher ling at dinner in las vegas at MGM grand hotel.
MGM Grand Hotel

It was really great to see him and catch up. Kevin is also pretty familiar with Vegas so he hooked us up with dinners and ventures out at some of the coolest casinos.

To give you the highlights, we sampled this crazy good cocktail, called the Verbena, in the Cosmopolitan at the Chandelier Lounge. Have you ever heard of this before?

Well, there’s a flower in the drink that numbs your tongue. I wasn’t sure if I’d like it because I’m not a big fan of mixed drinks, but it was really good! And a total experience with the vibe of the hotel and casino.

But the best part of the evening?

the cosmopolitan casino with purple lights and chandeliers
Chandelier at the Cosmopolitan

We dined at this super cool restaurant called Zuma and just spent hours tasting their menu. I mean, it was pretty fabulous and probably one of the best nights we’ve had!

From the food, the wine, the atmosphere, and hanging with Kevin and Chris’s Marketing Consultant, Jen, it was so much fun.

Originally, the plan was to stop in Paris, but the restaurant we wanted to go to had a long wait. So we just walked around and took in the sights before heading over to the Cosmopolitan.

Entering Hakkasan at the MGM Grand Hotel with blogger Stacy Ling
Hakkassan at the MGM Grand Hotel

We also stopped by the Venetian and ate at Lavo which had THE BEST food too!

As an aside, I came out leaving Vegas with a huge obsession with Chilean Sea Bass. I don’t think I’ve had it before and enjoyed it at both restaurants. It was SO GOOD!

On the way back to our hotel, we stopped by the Bellagio to watch the fountains. I mean, how cool that they do this whole water display set to music.

If you’ve never been, I highly recommend dropping by. The show runs every 15 minutes.

the bellagio at night with reflection on the water in las vegas
The Bellagio
the bellagio water fountain show at night lin las vegas
Water Fountain Show at the Bellagio

Aside from the food, the casinos are pretty incredible too! I didn’t gamble at all but enjoyed how each one had its own vibe.

If you’ve never been to Vegas, it’s worth the trip, even if you don’t gamble. There are lots of shows, incredible food, shopping, and nightlife with plenty to keep you busy.

We were pretty exhausted heading home and are regrouping now that we are back.

And for those of you asking about Tori, she’s doing much better. And she’s even going back to school on Monday. Yay!

The venetian casino and hotel in las vegas
The Venetian
Paris in Las Vegas on the strip

What I’m Shopping For This Week

Since I was traveling all week, I didn’t do much shopping this week. So I need to make up for lost time as I still need to buy gifts for the fam!

Some of you have been asking about my new area rug on the front porch. It’s festive but yet, not overly Christmas-y so it can work anytime of the year.

I’ve also been asked quite a bit about my snow boots shown in this video. I LOVE THEM and wear them all winter long.

They keep my feet really warm and dry. While they are a little pricey, they are worth it because they will last for several years.

As I’ve been decorating here, I’m starting to accent with more brasses and golds. I love these pretty planters. They’d make a great gift idea!

front porch swing decorated for Christmas with festive greener, red cascade area rug from Well Woven and thrift store flips that are now planters

What’s Happening at Bricks ‘n Blooms

It was a fun week on the blog!

Although I was in Vegas all week, we still had a good time here too!

For starters, I shared my FAVORITE tiger butter fudge recipe that is super easy to make.

tiger butter fudge on a white dish on coffee table with christmas decor

And the best part? I shared my recipe with 15+ bloggers’ favorite sweet treat recipes for the holidays.

So if you are looking for some cookie exchange, gift ideas, or holiday treats, you will love this post.

I also shared my porches and how I decorated them for Christmas here at the new house. Wait until you see how some of my planters look!

And finally, I shared my holiday home tour in my latest YouTube Video where you’ll see all of my Christmas trees and home all spruced up!

close up of christmas decor 2022 at my vintage farmhouse with neutral christmas tree and foyer

Amazing Inspiration from Around the Web

I love finding cool inspiration from around the web and wanted to share some of what I’m loving right now.

My good friend Rachel shared some beautiful front porch decorating ideas this week. Did you catch them?

I always love how she decorates her front porch for every season.

My good friend Kim from Shiplap and Shells shared some pretty bedroom inspiration for the holidays.

Do you decorate the bedrooms in your home?

I haven’t done so here yet, but am taking notes from her for next year!

My good friend Jen from Midwest Life and Style shared a super yummy sweet treat recipe for the holidays that you’ve got to try!

Anything peanut butter and chocolate is my jam and she knocks this one out of the park.

And here is some more inspiration you’ve got to see!

Love these gift wrapping ideas.

This bottlebrush wreath idea.

These decorating ideas with ribbon.

These outdoor decorating ideas.

I love these front porch decorating ideas for winter!

These coastal decorating ideas for the holidays.

And these festive tablescapes.

If you enjoy these posts, you can find past Bricks ‘n Blooms Weekly posts here.

front porch decorated for Christmas with winter planters and festive wreaths on mustard colored door of old farmhouse

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stacy ling cutting dahlias in her garden
Home and Garden Blogger Stacy Ling cutting zinnia flowers in her cottage garden with wood picket fence in front of garden shed

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12 Comments

  1. It sounds like you really packed it in while in Vegas and had a lot of fun. We were there a looooong time ago, but would love to go again!

    Thanks so much for sharing my peanut butter balls. I appreciate it. Happy Sunday, Stacy!

  2. Stacy, how fun to be in Las Vegas! It is truly a bit overwhelming as there is so much to see and do (and people watching is such fun!). Glad you had a chance to experience it in style. Thank you so much for sharing my 5 tablescape post! You are the best!

  3. Stacy,
    I’m still catching up from our Christmas party and having weekend guests. Vegas looked amazing. I’ve only been once but it was a feast for the eyes. Glad you had a great trip and thanks for sharing my porch.

  4. What an absolutely amazing and fun trip Stacy! It felt as if I was almost there with you. Thanks so much for sharing my Christmas bedroom post. Happy holidays my friend.