New Adventures in Sin-City

2013 was the year of a major life change -- relocating from Los Angeles back to my hometown of Las Vegas. When I lived here last, what was considered the “end of town” is now the middle, the mountains seemed untouchably far away and Downtown was a seedy street littered with empty booze bottles and dismantled dreams. That’s all changed now.  

We now live at the current “end of town” in a beautiful community nestled just below the mountains. What seemed as “so far away” a few years ago is now the breathtaking backdrop from our window. Freeways have been built to quickly take us into town where excitement and energy are mere moments away. In twenty minutes (for LA folks that’s nothing) we can be in my new, favorite nightlife area -- Downtown.

Elvis lives at The El Cortez

Downtown has come a long way over the last decade. It’s undergone (and still going through) a major revamp and is becoming a place for locals and visitors to merge and blend with a variety of attractions both old and new. The casinos are undergoing facelifts, yet still seem to retain remnants of vintage Vegas charm -- a charm that is increasingly harder to find as the mega-casinos dominate the Strip. Bars and nightclubs have opened with a “local” feeling while the Arts District is blossoming with refreshed culture. Downtown Las Vegas is no longer a place to avoid, but rather a place to celebrate. Where else can you see a spot-on Elvis impersonator belting out classics and then stroll a few feet to a bar dedicated to vintage video games? Or enjoy a visit to 1920s style cocktail lounge devoted to the mobsters of Vegas’ past and then take a short walk to see ferocious looking sharks circling a hotel pool? Only in Vegas, my friends.  Only in Downtown.

Vegas has and always will be my home and I’ve been visiting family and friends here regularly over the years, but living here is another story altogether. It’s a story I’m looking forward to telling as I rediscover this exciting city of mine and all of the retro glamour and kitschy culture it has to offer.

Frankie's Tiki Room - Las Vegas

If kitschy culture, cool drinks and amazing atmosphere is your style, get off of The Strip and head over to Frankie’s Tiki Room in Las Vegas. This cozy bar is covered in bamboo, carved tiki gods and thatched roofing. Some of the best tiki artists in the world contributed to the incredible island decor that covers every inch of the walls, chairs and bar. Tiki Bosko,  Leroy Shmaltz and Tiki Ray are just some of the many talented artists who helped bring Frankie’s aloha spirit to life. Top it off with tropical sounds playing in the background and vintage Hawaiian movies behind the bar and you’ve got ambiance that carries you away to an Polynesian paradise. Oh... and let’s not forget about the drinks...

The strength of Frankie’s drinks are measured in cute little Shag-like skulls - however don’t let their cuteness fool you!! Drinks such as the Kahiki Kai (my favorite and only two skulls), the Thurston Howl (four skulls) and of course their killer Zombie (a whopping five skulls - and they aren’t kidding) are all original creations and can be served in collectible tiki mugs. Frankie's is all about the details - right down to their headhunter swizzle sticks. If you can’t make it to Vegas any time soon, but want a little piece of Frankie’s in your home, you can purchase their mugs and prints in their online store.

Frankie’s is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Located just west of Las Vegas Boulevard at: 1712 W. Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102

www.FrankiesTikiRoom.com

702-385-3110

Handbag Heaven

"Lucky Me" Kiss Lock

I may have mentioned my fondness for footwear, but I haven’t yet touched on the love affair I have with handbags. A gorgeous new bag can provide pure joy and has the power to take a simple outfit straight to over-the-top fabulous. My best bags are conversation starters, show stoppers and often envied by passer-bys . And that’s just the star treatment I receive when I tote around my Lux De Villes.

I recently purchased their Sin City Kiss Lock bag in Black (pictured below)- a first class ticket to handbag heaven. It has a very retro, yet contemporary feel to its quilted, black, patent-leather design. The silver dangle dice are the perfect Sin City accessory and the leopard interior adds a bit of drama each time you open the kissable clasps. What I love most about this bag is the seamless transition from day to night. I can throw it over my shoulder to run to the market or swing it from my arm for a night out on the town. The patent leather makes it super simple to clean and shiny black matches just about anything. Did I mention I’m in love? So much so I went back for seconds.

"Sin City" Kiss Lock

I spotted this spectacular leopard bag (above) at a trade show a few months ago and from that moment on I was infatuated. I'm very particular with my leopard prints and this bag hits it right on the mark. Since drooling is not a very classy thing to do, I had to remedy my problem asap and order the Lucky Me Kiss Lock bag pronto. This purse is a real head-turner with its luxurious fur-textured leopard pattern, 50s-style silver kiss-clasp and striking red rose accessory. While you can definitely use this bag daily, I save it for special occasions or to add a pop of “wow” to an ordinary outfit. And I’m not finished with Lux De Ville yet either... I have my eye on their sparkly Getaway Kiss Locks and their ultra glamorous Lucite line.  Love, love, love the Lux... ♥

www.LuxDeVille.com

Who is Retro Girl?

Here's my little story of how the retro began... I was born and raised in good ol’ Las Vegas, Nevada. Even though I'm a California transplant, Sin City will always be my hometown. I’m one of the few younger(ish) gals who remembers Las Vegas before the volcanoes, pirates and roller coasters. 

My father, dressed in something similar to this photo, escorted my fourth grade class on a field trip to the Dunes Hotel. We toured the baccarat tables, ate ice cream and took home souvenir dice and casino chips. Who has a field trip like that? To me, that was normal. Heck, we had casino carpeting in our playroom. After school we’d often listen to 8-track songs of an old friend of my dad’s - Louis Prima. Or sometimes we’d sing along to Dean Martin or the other Rat Packers while doing art projects made with playing cards and piles of dice. I grew up watching old movies, vacationing in Palm Springs and hearing all about wild times my father had with my Uncle Geno and “the boys.” 

And see that beautiful girl smiling at you from my logo? That’s my mom.  My mom was - and still is - stunning.  I remember thinking my parents looked like movie stars when they would dress up just to go to dinner. I guess you could say I was born a Retro Girl.

So here I am in 2011...  a wife, a mother, president of my daughter’s preschool, a business owner and a long-time lover of vintage glamour. I published a kitschy magazine several years ago that you might remember called Modern Lounge. Although life has changed throughout the years, my love of classic, retro style hasn’t. My goal for the Retro Girl’s Guide is to be the source for all vintage and retro inspired reproductions for today’s contemporary gal (and guys!). It’s like Modern Lounge Part 2.  

And though I love authentic vintage items, this site will focus mainly on new designs that are available to the public. A vintage dress is lovely, but it’s even lovelier when you can find it in your size.  I will also showcase photographers, pin-up models, how-to tips, contests and much more! If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear from you. Everything on this site is hand selected by me purely because I enjoy it or find it interesting and think you will too. ♥

XOXO,

Retro Girl