• #TheVegasILove,  Food

    Best Budget-Friendly Vegetarian Vegas Restaurants

    Most restaurants have the obligatory one or two vegetarian dishes. If I never eat or see another bland grilled veggie sandwich or try to make a meal out of sides again I'll be a happy woman indeed. Being a vegetarian shouldn’t be a boring affair. Or a costly one. There are a variety of delightful dining options for vegetarians that will put a smile on your face instead of a strain on your wallet. I culled this list from locally owned restaurants (no outside franchises) where you can leave satisfied on $12 and under. 1. Archi's I know I'm going to catch flak for this, but I don't care. Archi's…

  • cover of NP by Banana Yoshimoto
    Books

    Reading: Suicide, Love, Incest

    Grabby blog post title, right? These are all elements in Banana Yoshimoto’s NP, but they’re not what the book is about. Sorry for the bait and switch. The book is actually about welcoming a dark force into your life. Our narrator, Kazami, sidesteps a darkness bubbling from within to face one that comes crashing into her life in the form of the novel’s true protagonist—Sui. The title, NP refers to a fictional book of 97 short stories written in English by Sarao Takase, a fictional Japanese author. A cancer of sorts, the book infects all those who become emotionally invested in its language with an urge to take their lives.…

  • Food

    New in Town: Moshe Shawarma

    My husband and I were made for each other. We have a love that runs so deep it threatens the earth’s core. But even we are not immune to the siren call of the age-old relationship slayer—“where do you want to eat?” The mysteries of that question may never be solved, but last week, Rich was able to quickly diffuse an otherwise incendiary situation by suggesting we try somewhere new: Moshe Shawarma. Mediterranean fare is delicious year-round, but the airy flavors and focus on vegetable sides is particularly alluring in the summer. So I was definitely on board to give this new place a try. Although the name suggested an…

  • typewriter
    Art,  Writing TIps

    5 Ways to Cure Writer’s Block Blues

    In A Moveable Feast, Ernest Hemingway writes “Do not worry. You have always written before and you will write. All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence you know.” I love these words and what they represent. But for those of us who aren’t Hemingway, there may be other, more realistic approaches to curing writer’s block blues. It took some trial and error to find what works best for me. The following are five techniques I am currently using to push through the frustration. 1. Writing Prompts The magic of writing prompts is in unlocking your unique voice and perspective, allowing you to craft…

  • spicy salmon dumplings
    Art,  Food

    New in Town: Tomo Noodles and Dumplings

    Currently, the weather in Las Vegas is hitting the low 100s, so naturally, I thought it was time to try a new ramen place. Last month, Village Square welcomed its newest addition: Tomo Noodles and Dumplings. My husband, Rich and I decided on a lunch visit. Eat More Ramen I’m one of those people who eat with their eyes as well as their stomach. For me, atmosphere contributes to the flavor. That’s why I was excited when we walked into Tomo. The high-ceilinged, sparsely decorated, airy space is highlighted by dramatic and dynamic murals. Spanning the whole length of the restaurant is a vast wall festooned with three separate but…

  • #TheVegasILove,  Books,  Food,  Travel

    Find the Best of Vegas with #TheVegasILove

    Las Vegas is like an amazing rhubarb pie: the top crust is flaky and buttery, the filling is a combination of sweet, tart, and surprising. Most people who visit Las Vegas (and even some who live here), taste only the crust and, while the crust is delicious, it’s only one part of a much larger, much more satisfying whole. #TheVegasILove is about tasting the whole pie, not just the surface. #TheVegasILove is for the adventurous tourist looking for authenticity. It’s for the local looking for a deeper connection to a city that can, at times, feel isolating. But if I’m being honest, #TheVegasILove for me is a catalog of all…

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