This is Gigi. She is from Paris

This is Gigi.  We got her in one of the gift shoppes in Paris this past April. She was less than $20, and the perfect 'Showgirl' for our dog, Frank. 

As you can see, she is a stuffed toy about the size of a Beanie Baby, but she is stuffed very firm and every so cute.  We couldn't resist buying this for our dog, who is a pug/beagle mix.  He loves her and plays with her every day.  She doesn't have a squeaker, but he carries her around and knows her by name!  Yes, they do have a male French Bulldog about the same size.  If I remember right, he had a small french beret on and was about the same size. 

We don't usually buy gifts or mementos from Vegas, but this one was too cute. 

I love Paris Slots

Paris Slots, a larger than life slot machine located at the entrance to Bally's from Paris.

Between Bally's and Paris is a walkway of shops and restaurants.  Its a great shortcut that links the two casinos together in a small, ten minute walk.  At the entrance to Ballys is this huge, larger than life slot machine.  I played this our first few trips to Vegas, and won a few dollars each time.  But, I want to point out this machine for a few key reasons: 

• If you are staying at either Ballys or Paris, make this your 'meet spot' with your travel buddies.   I might be playing slots and my boyfriend will be at a table but we know to meet her at a certain time for lunch, dinner, etc.
• This is good people watching if you are bored or just want a break from shopping, walking, or gambling.  Its not unusual to see groups of people walk up and play this game. 
• Great place to pose for a picture with your friends as a nice momemto of your trip.  Skip the branded 'Las Vegas Dice' or 3/$10 tshirts and take pics instead.
• Across from this is a alcoholic beverage stand that sells liquor filled slushies in tall yard sized glasses.  They aren't cheap and brightly colored, but if you want something fun and fruity, this is where you will find it!
• Playing this slot is remenescent of Rusty Griswold in Vegas Vacation!  Take your Nick Papageorgio moment with pride!!!

Free @ The Flamingo

Sometimes we need something to do between breakfast and lunch.  Might I suggest walking around the Flamingo Sanctuary??
Its perfect in the morning, not many people, and some very cute wildlife.
We did this one morning after breakfast---

 

Mermaid not real. 

 

I truly enjoy gambling at the Flamingo during the day, its a quick walk from Bally's, and a great stop before Harrah's.  We have played at the Flamingo in the evening, too, and had just as much fun.  Seems the crowd is a bit older, but they tend to be what I favor.  Laid back and like to gamble!

Las Vegas Cheap

Las Vegas can be glamourous, ritzy, and expensive.  We see celebrities and notables in People, Cosmo, US Weekly, at some party or public relations event.  We are not celebrities or infamous realty tv experiments.   Let's face it.  It sucks out there.  Many people are underpaid, unemployed, or struggling financially.  I am a firm believer in Suze Orman's strategy of having an eight month reserve in the bank.  Now, I am no financial expert by any means, and I am not qualified to give out financial or mental health advice, but I think even if you don't have much, you can still enjoy a great time in Las Vegas on the cheap, all while recharging your brain and relaxing your spirit.  Here are a few of my "cheapie" tips:

1. Join the Players Club for all the casinos you can.  Even if you have never been to Las Vegas before, you can still join some of the player's clubs online.  Some casinos share the same players clubs, which makes it easier to accrue points and redeem comps.  Total Rewards is the players club for Caesars owned properties, and on the Strip, that would include: Caesars, Flamingo, Paris, Bally's, Planet Hollywood, Harrah's, Bills, and Rio.  What I love about Total Rewards how easy it is to add points to your account (to use later on comps or free rooms!) while at home.  They have an online marketplace that will add a point for every dollar you spend when you shop at any of their online merchants.  These are regular places I shop online at, anyways: JCPenny, Clinique, Old Navy, and so many more.  So, I bought clothes this year at jcp.com, but clicked on it while in my total rewards account, and I was rewarded with 300 additional points.  This now means that I have that many more points to get some free nights at Bally's the next time I stay!
2. Sign up at Restaurant.com.  As soon as I know what dates we are going to Las Vegas, I start hunting  for some good deals.  Restaurant.com will have seasonal sales that will mark down most $25 gift certificates to only $2.  There is some fine print attached to these, but you will save $$ using them when in Vegas.  I go there frequently throughout the year and pick up one or two certificates.  Spending $10 on a few gift certificates won't break me if we don't use them.  Before purchasing, I usually look where the restaurant is in relation to the Strip.  If they provide their menu online, that's a bonus to help me to make up my mind.  Usually, the gift certificates say that gratuity will be added to the bill, and their is a minimum price (so it feels more like a coupon, like $25 off a $50 bill).  You will save tons of money on restaurant.com.
3. Get your Groupon!  Groupon.com posts different deals daily, and there are a lot in Vegas.  If you aren't familiar with Groupon, its like a deal site.  If enough people sign up for the deal in a certain timeframe, the deal is on, and everyone will get it.  If not enough people sign up for the deal, but you do, you will get your money back and you don't get the deal.  I haven't ever had this problem.  The deals I want are so good that everyone else wants them too!  Its wonderful.  You can usually find discounted seats for shows and dining certificates on Groupon. 
4. Look at all dining options at the place you are going to stay.  We frequent Bally's.  I love it there, and its got great dining options.  The mexican restaurant has $2 tacos and $2 margaritas.  Nosh sandwich shop off