• #TheVegasILove,  Art

    Artist Feature: Mike Biggs

    During my stint as an Arts District shop owner, I realized an important thing—not all artists are born equal. Some are happy to perpetuate the stereotype of the tortured creative who can’t commit or abide by a deadline. Some, however, have an incredible work ethic and endeavor to improve their craft in any way they can. Mike Biggs is the latter. Born and raised here, in Vegas, he feels the city has a certain edge that seeped into his art via the “fun, creepy, dark themes” he enjoys “impressing on people’s eyeballs.” I’m always inspired by artists who have a unique style or point of view and pursue various mediums…

  • #TheVegasILove,  Food

    New in Town: The Stove

    Inside this fully grown woman, is a little girl who still loves fancy tea parties complete with finger sandwiches and delicate sweets. There are a handful of places in Las Vegas where I can treat my inner child to the tea party of her dreams. This post is about the newest one of those places—The Stove. The Henderson restaurant opened a month ago and already is a happening hotspot (does anyone still say happening or hotspot? I guess there’s a seventy-year-old woman inside me right next to the little girl) for brunch. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations for parties under six people, so expect to wait a while to be…

  • #TheVegasILove,  Food

    Afternoon at Loftti Cafe

    My bestie lives in the South West and I have driven past Loftti Café many times, always making a mental note to visit one day. I’m a sucker for cool looking logos and the art deco Loftti logo looks particularly fun lit up in bright round bulbs at night. Visually speaking it’s the complete package, appealing, stylistically correct, and eye-catching. This past week the stars finally aligned and I was able to see more than just Loftti’s signage. The interior is a hipster wet dream filled with Edison bulbs, twinkle lights, industrial fixtures, crisscross cobblestone flooring, and quirky knick-knacks. Large floor to ceiling windows occupy half the space, creating two…

  • #TheVegasILove,  Art,  Books,  Writing TIps

    Looking for Culture in Vegas? Dime Grinds has You Covered

    A common complaint from those who move to Vegas from other cities is the lack of cultural activities. I always thought that was a load of hooey, but after attending several Dime Grinds events I know it is. Hosted by Joe Maxx Coffee in Henderson and organized by the Henderson Writers Group, Dime Grinds is a monthly event that combines: authors (aspiring and accomplished), 10 cent coffee, and three readings. Walking into Joe Maxx Coffee on the first Sunday of every month feels like visiting a friend’s house. The coffee shop itself is airy and spacious. With a variety of comfortable seating options and featuring a rotating selection of local…

  • #TheVegasILove,  Books

    Where to Buy Books in Vegas

    In my first blog post, I discussed my hatred of Amazon and love of libraries. I also tapped The Writer’s Block as #TheVegasILove. And as much as both libraries and The Writer’s Block are wonderful they’re not the only game in town. I’m going to assume you enjoy supporting local businesses rather than large corporations (because you’re a good person, right?). So to aid you in that support, here are profiles on three amazing locally owned bookstores. Dragon Castle Books (Used) This used bookstore is owned and operated by a mother/son team: Carla and Danny. As soon as I walked in, Carla greeted me from behind a counter surrounded by…

  • #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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