POCKET LINT.

VEGAS (AND BEYOND): THE BEST REASON TO STOP AT THE WORLD'S LARGEST THERMOMETER

They say, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.  For me, what happens in Vegas ... is that after a couple days everything gets very old very quickly.

Seriously.  At first, it all seems kitschy and fun.  Then, suddenly I start to notice all the depressing old ladies smoking Virginia Slims while playing two slots at once and all the weird tweaked out types, who visit the casinos daily.

Then I need to leave. STAT.

Maybe that's why I tend to love the drive home.  Or maybe I love it because on the way, you can stop at the World's Largest Thermometer.

The town that surrounds it is, okay, honestly just a strip of road off the highway.  But there are gems to be discovered!

Back in the day, when I made my first spontaneous drive to Vegas one crazy college night at 2am and returned to our dorm less than 24 hours later, R, T & I discovered The Mad Greek in the shadow of that amazing temperature telling monster. On another trip, I bought scratch off tickets at a gas station/general store that claims to be the luckiest quickie mart around.  And, on this last trip, Andre and I stumbled (out of the car) upon Alien Fresh Jerky.

This place is no joke.  They have every different type of jerky from beef to turkey to salmon and from cajun to teriyaki to whisky and carne asada, all in its best incarnation.  And the best part is that you can sample all the various options while there (see above).

Maybe, if this whole writing thing gets old, I'll start a franchise at Area 51.

Now, THAT idea is out of this world.

xo - N.

VEGAS (AND BEYOND): THE BEST BOX O' CHOCOLATES (IS THE ONE ON MY LAP)

Does my blog look fat?  You can be honest.  Seriously, does my font look BIGGER THAN USUAL?

Okay, okay, so lately I may have subscribed to my own feed, if you know what I mean.

What I'm trying to say (in this VERY convoluted way) is that I've eaten my weight in, well, everything lately.  And I'm still going down that route thanks to the above Jean Philippe Patisserie chocolates I brought home from Vegas' City Center this week.

Initially, I thought they were so pretty that I couldn't even bring myself to dig in, but Andre got me over that hump (way to be supportive, sweetie).  I'm not even a huge sweets person, but I love a box of chocolates, when they are all different flavors.  You never know what you're going to get.  Unless you read the accompanying descriptions.  So I guess you kind of know what to expect.  Whatever.

The point is that my favorites (and I can say this because I have effectively already eaten them ALL) are the Caramel (salty buttered caramel ganache covered in dark chocolate), Gringo (Blue Mountain coffee-infused caramel ganache covered in dark chocolate) and the Rustic (crunch praline Gianduja ganache covered in milk chocolate).

And now I have to sign off, as I'm falling into a post-sugar shock coma.  Must.  Eat.  More.

xo - N.

 

PALM SPRINGS/VA/MT/VT: THE BEST ARTISANAL RESORT PRODUCTS AND THE BEST WAY TO SAY ADIEU TO A YEAR WELL DONE

I know.  I know.  I keep apologizing and then being bad again, but I'm off on yet another jaunt and will not be LINTing Christmas week.  Actually, that's sort of not true.  I'll be LINTing in the sense that I'll be scouting new finds to share (though I still owe some Pittsburgh and NYC stuff), but I won't be posting regularly until January 2, 2010.

Anyway, I thought I'd leave you with a link to my latest little story in Travel & Leisure (see above) about resorts that farm or crush and create their own beauty and food products.  Short and sweet, just like me and my attention span.  And my patience.  And my fuse.  And my family.  And the time it takes me to devour french fries.  And the time it takes me to read a trashy detective novel.  And the time that will pass between now and my next post in 2010.

So, happy holidays of all kinds, folks.  Good tidings to all and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!  (I know I already have my sequined number picked out).  Well, I mean one only has so many sequin dresses from which to choose, right?

Love ya.  Mean it.

xo - N.

LA (THIRD STREET): THE BEST DENIM LEGGINGS

You all know, from that recent ELLE article, that I've got a soft spot for all things J Brand.  Well, I have a soft spot for awesome denim leggings and LA shop Diavolina too (usually for shoes).

Is it me or is "soft spots" starting to sound weird?  I'm like starting to envision baby's heads or something.  Creepy. Whatever.

Anyway, all my favorite "soft spots" come together, as Diavolina has the exclusive on J Brand's new Mulberry, Charcoal and Navy Denim Leggings.  Don't worry non-LA LINTERS, you'll also be able to buy the leggings online at ShopDiavolina.com.

Between these and some of the new Wolford tights, I think I'll have my legs covered for fall.  Punny punny girl.

So, bring on the falling leaves.  Or, in the case of LA, 70 degree weather.

xo - N.

MARYLAND (EN ROUTE TO B.W.I.): THE BEST CRAB PICKLES

Welcome to the Monday of all Mondays (which is not a Monday at all, but a Tuesday).

I don't know if it's just residual back-to-school trauma from my youth (brought back in violent flashbacks by the hordes of kids clomping to class in fall woolen plaids, despite the 90˚ weather), but Labor Day Weekend's end always feels like a signal that it's time to get back to serious work.

Booooo.  Hissss.

That said, I'd like to spend this week dwelling on the vacation I just finished: why confront the pressure, when you can live in ostrich-style denial?

So, you all know (if you're paying attention, AHEM) that The Drewser and I meet his fam on the east coast's Delaware shore or Chesapeake at the end of most summers.  And, even if you don't know that (because you were doodling during class!---See?  I'm in teacher mode!  Is that gum you're chewing?  No gum at school!), then maybe you read my insane ravings about the out-of-this-world softshell crab sandwich I love from Stevensville Crab Shack?

Well, this time around, the Crab Shack was our first stop on the way to the beach.  (I'm no dummy). And I noticed a new item on the menu (or new to my knowledge): Crab Pickles.  I just had to ask what that even means.  Turns out "Crab Pickles" are deep fried pickles with Old Bay seasoning (traditionally used to season steamed crabs during delish crab feasts--see below!)

Now, I LOVE fried pickles and I order them whenever I see them on a menu.  Previously, my favorite were these sort of fluffy versions (with tangy seasoning) that I tasted once at BLT Burger in Vegas.  I didn't order these on the way to the beach, but we stopped in again on the way to the airport and I just had to try them.  And, trust me, they were well worth it!

Not only were they salty and crispy and spicy and actually the fried outer layer seemed to be seasoned with dill too (so good!), but they were spears (instead of the usual "chip" shape), so the experience was like eating mozzarella sticks or fried zucchini.  Instead of the fried outer shell falling apart or crumbling off, it was like a solid crunchy, flavorful masterpiece that seemed like it would have retained its shape even without the pickle inside.  Still, the outer shell perfectly complimented the inner dill spear.  So so good.  Especially served with their tartar sauce, which is incredibly tangy and caper-filled or Ranch dipping sauce.

Now I have yet another Stevensville Crab Shack treat over which to obsess.  Guess I'm in a bit of a pickle.

Hee hee.  Sorry.

xo - N.

[CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE: Me and My Pickle Happiness (I Look Serious, Right? Well, I Am!), Our Traditional Steamed Crab With Old Bay on Newspaper Feast]