Who's That Girl?

Bright lights, fast pace, ringing bells, Elvis – it’s Viva Las Vegas, baby!

I’ve gone on my fair share of girls’ trips in my previous life. NYC, the Bahamas, Niagara-on-the-Lake — there was never a shortage of getaways where I could escape my reality for a few days. Old me needed those trips to survive the hardest moments. Who wouldn’t, when you’re carrying that kind of weight?

But one place that old LM never made it to — even though it had been sitting stubbornly on her bucket list — was Vegas.

About a year ago, after a long overdue catch-up with a dear friend, a spark ignited: “Let’s do it!” Just like that, a plan began unfolding. A year in the making, this trip was originally for old LM… but in the end, it became something entirely different. It wasn’t about escaping anymore. It was about living — fully, intentionally, fearlessly — with the new LM’s zest for life.

New me has an entirely new set of visions, goals, passions, and a whole list of adventures ahead. I’m not searching for escapes from a painful reality anymore. I’m building new memories, joyful experiences, and a life lived to the fullest every single day. I’m trying things far outside my comfort zone — the kinds of things previous me never would’ve even considered. I’m living with the mindset I’ve written about before: don’t think, just do.

I had let the old bucket list go, and I was genuinely okay with that. So many items on it involved people who are no longer here or who belonged to a life I’ve already mourned and left behind. But this one last item… this one, I could still do. And so I did. New me closed out the final chapter of the old list — and opened a brand-new one.

Four days. Three nights. Laughter, entertainment, food, magic — and so much healing.
And I can’t thank my friend enough for making it happen.

The Highlights

The Sphere
Watching The Wizard of Oz in the Sphere was pure magic. The visuals wrapped around us like we were inside the movie itself. Windstorms, flying apples, rustling leaves — I swear I clicked my heels more than once.

Magic Mike
Judge away — I’ve always wanted to see the show. Not for the sex appeal, but for the dancing. And wow. The strength, the artistry, the talent… it was phenomenal.

New Kids on the Block
This is where it all started. I’ve been a Blockhead for almost four decades, and I’ve never missed a Toronto/GTA show. When they announced a Vegas residency, my fellow Blockhead went into mission mode. And they did NOT disappoint.
What I didn’t expect was the emotional journey — watching the concert through the eyes of 8-year-old LM, 16-year-old LM, 30-year-old LM, and now 46-year-old new LM. Every era of my life flashed in those songs. It was an out-of-body moment that made me realize just how far I’ve come… and how supported I am now.

Food & Drink
From the dreamy atmosphere at Pinky’s to the vibrant energy at Amaya, to the endless treats tucked into every themed hotel — our taste buds had as much fun as we did.

Celebrity Encounters
We had no idea BravoCon and Vegas Fashion Week were happening. But the Universe gifted us with some fun encounters — including Jenny McCarthy and AJ McLean from the Backstreet Boys. Both were warm, kind, and genuinely lovely.

From childhood dreams, to lifelong fandom, to standing confidently in a place old me once wanted to run to — I did it all.

A Few Special Callouts

To my friend:
Thank you for the idea, the tickets, the planning, the excitement — all of it. You’re a gem.

To Las Vegas:
Thank you for the memories. I’ll be back.

To old LM:
I release you with love. You did what you had to do to survive. You faced challenges you never saw coming, and somehow you made it through. You grew from the pain, and those scars and cracks are now part of your strength. Wear them proudly.

To new LM:

You are a force. You’re rebuilding a life filled with beauty, joy, courage, and purpose. This trip brought clarity, catharsis, and beautiful new realizations — all of which are leading you toward even more beautiful things.  

So, take that arrow, aim high, release with calm, and let its flight teach you everything you need to know.

 xo LM