Nicole Lauren

Entry 2 of the 5 month catch up….

I also embarked on another new career path. Nope, still not a doctor or lawyer. I went to New York in November to take a certification class. Bellami Pro trained me on how to install four different methods of hair extensions!!!!

I’ve always had a passion for hair and makeup. College was cool but I was really drawn to aesthetics. In 2009, I put myself through beauty school. I loved every minute of it. Except, the school was rachet as hell and the hot water never worked. When it did the pipes would leak. Oh and there wasn’t any parking, every two hours we would have to race outside and move our cars. We had some great times there though and I made some amazing friends. Dennis, if you’re reading, how much fun was it starting the annual hair show ! We left a legacy , they do it every year now !

I was also a young mom. Literally, twenty something ,my baby was a toddler, I was in school 5 days and working 5 nights. It was stressful as hell. During that time is when I actually entered the cocktailing world! I was hired as a bottle server on Fridays & Saturday’s (big money) and cocktailed during the week at a lounge. I was deathly afraid of carrying a tray. Funny, I still haven’t mastered my tray lmao! It was my first real casino job , it was so different from lil old Hooters. Which was just inside a casino but not affiliated.

I was making so much money! Like crazy money. When I graduated hair school I wasn’t willing to leave that to build my book in a salon making 7 dollars an hour shampooing. I know it sounds rude but I had a baby to feed. It wasn’t rocket science for me.

There was just no way.

So, I’ve never really put 100 percent in perfecting my craft like one should and needs to do in the beauty biz. It’s the only way to make the real money. I just didn’t have it in me or time to invest. Do i have any regrets ? No , I just wish I could have had rich sugar daddy funneling me money while I built my book in a salon. But wasn’t in my cards.

Here we are a decade later and with social media so insane, I’ve had the ability to make a small clientele (for now) and actually start my own hair Buisness!!! I absolutely love doing extensions!! Make sure you follow my IG & FB page too!

How exciting! Now, while I’m doing your hair I can serve you cocktails. It’s a win win.

Cheers xo

@ext.609 instagram

Facebook page

A lot has happened in 5 months! Good news ! I haven’t quit my blog and I apologize to my loyal readers. I literally have so much to write about, yet something was holding me back. I blamed writers block, laziness, and alcohol. When I looked up the deeper meaning of writers block it explained how it’s a psychological thing. A feeling of not be able to impress your readers. Phew! So it wasn’t me it was you guys ! It’s your fault. Jk , even though blaming someone else is human nature, I won’t do that. I take full blame for neglecting my writing. With that being said announcement time !

I made a huge career change. No, I didn’t become a doctor or lawyer, sorry mom. Still a cocktail server, but I switched shifts! In the casino/nightlife biz it’s a pretty big deal. Usually I’m going to work 10pm-4am (unless you’re the E.O -early out – queen like me.)

Well, now I’m on DAYSHIFT!!!! Two completely different worlds. I kind of feel like a human again with normal work hours, It’s nice. My girls in the biz would be proud of me, I’m working my whole shift on day! Yes, ladies I haven’t taken the early out! Shocking ! There’s no point to take and early out on day shift though, because on this shift we make the bulk of our money towards the end.

Day 10-4pm

*starts off slow picks up later

Swing 4-10pm

*busy at the beginning middle is steady and busy at the end

Grave 10pm-4am

*busy in the beginning then dies down later

Twilight 4am-10am

*no clue lol never worked it , the hours seem scary as hell to me. 😂😩

So there we have it , I’m still here , confessions isn’t going anywhere. Be prepared for a surplus of stories to come.

Almost forgot ! I need new shoes ASAP. Since I’m actually working my whole shift my feet have been on fire. Comfort over cute in this biz. If anyone has recommendations please comment below or on fb comments ! Thank you !

Drink of the week in honor of day shift , Chambord Mimosa :

https://www.liquor.com/recipes/chambord-mimosa/

Cheers xo

Most annoying things people do & say when ordering drinks in the casino …

Not ranked in any order :

1. Asking for light ice or no ice to get a stronger drink.

2. Ordering more then one drink for imaginary husbands or wives.

3. Not tipping bc you don’t have change.

4. Not tipping because all your money is in the machine.

5. Not tipping bc you have no clue we only make $4.12 an hour.

6. Not tipping bc you’re just an asshole.

7. Asking for a cup of olives or cherries.

8. Asking for more then one Fiji water.

9. Asking for Fiji water and tipping like you live under the boardwalk.

10. Asking for Fiji and pronouncing it “foogi.”

11. Not ordering when I yell out beverages and wait until I’m a mile away to call me over.

12. What kind of beer do you have ? Recites list… orders coors light 🙄.

13. Can I get a strong LIT ?

14. Can I get a vodka and absolute double ?

15. Can I get a coke soda ?

16. Can I get a millers light ?

17. Can I get a coffee two splenders , drop of milk , 5 stirs in a mug with your soul on the side ?

18. Keep them coming I’ll take care of you. (does not take care of me.)

19. This tastes like there’s no alcohol in it.

20. Sorry, I don’t have any dollars … hands over pennies dimes and some old aspirin.

21. Wants to order grey goose while playing penny slots.

22. Does not say please thank you or excuse me!

Feel free to comment your favs below & check out tonights Thirsty Thursdays cocktail recipe!

A STRONG LONG ISLAND 😩😂

Cheers xo

https://us.captainmorgan.com/rum-cocktail/long-island-iced-tea

I get to meet very special people while cocktailing in these fine establishments. Most are crazy degenerates. Yet, every now an again we get some gems. Last night I was blessed with one.

Let me set the tone for you. Wednesday in Atlantic City after Labor Day. Do I need to spell out depressing? No traffic, empty garage and my manager decides we’re coming in on a fully staffed chart. Seriously? So here we all are just standing around. Legit talking shit the entire night. Definitely earning our hourly rate of four dollars and some cents.

I’m in a station called high limit slots. As I’m walking through it for shits and giggles a guy comes up-to me and asks what makes this area different? Well sir, this area is high limits, one bet on the slot machine is a minimum of $25. Boom, with too much eye contact, I mistakenly opened up a whole story from him. He was at Harrahs casino, won but lost here, blah blah blah. Since we were completely dead I could have entertained it. That is if his breath wasn’t making me squint my eyes. Terrible. So I did what I normally do and pretend like someone’s calling me. In a completely dead casino.

Once I escaped garlic and Honey Jack breath, I went back to talking shit with my girls.

He returns like an hour later. This time he orders something and actually sits down at poker slots. My only customer go figure. Story time. He begins to tell me how he’s married, was at Borgata and was picked up by a forty year old women the night before. How he felt so flattered and how excited he was. First thing I asked, was she a prostitute? I mean it’s the norm out here. Plus he’s fifty something, not that attractive and gambling alone. Perfect hooker bait. He said no but I’m not buying it. Anyway, tells me some more bs and gives me a ten. I go back to the bar and count down until I can leave.

I check on him again hoping he’ll order another Honey Jack and I can make a whole $20 before I leave.

Instead he wants to talk more.

In just a few minutes I know all about this guy. Owns a tuxedo business, married 37 years, time shares in Brigantine, the list goes on. I told him two things about myself. Which was perfectly fine with me. Totally killing time at this point listening to him.

After ranting about himself, here comes what feels like life advice. I even felt some serious back round music come on like in the movies. He begins to say while his children were growing up, he always tried to be firm but fair. That he needed his son and daughter to show him that he could trust them. “I’ll defend you till the death of me, as long as I can trust you.” That struck a cord with me. Children do not come with a manual. Honestly, it’s a learning process for both the child and the parent. You are learning at every age they turn. He said, “You know I never had a 10 year old,11,12,13,14 year old and so on. We needed to be a team and learn together. It may not be easy but we have to have trust.” I catch myself soaking up these rare gems from this drunk guy. Who knew.

Then things went left. I’m all into this life lesson when his wife and daughter walk up yelling, “There you are!” Apparently they’ve been looking for him and weren’t happy at all that they found him talking to me at 1am. Great.

All tipsy and loud he yells , “Honey, this is Nicole, she’s a waitress here she’s local , this is her section , her favorite color is purple , her blood type is …”

I’m just gonna walk away now. Of course I asked the wife if she wanted something to drink. Of course she rudely said no. When I turned my back I could hear her scolding him and all I thought about was the hooker. Oh how I hope he went with the hooker last night. I returned to the bar and everyone was laughing because they saw it all conspiring. Well, I didn’t get another ten out if it but I got some valuable parenting advice. All he got was his ear pulled all the way home I’m sure!

In honor of back to school week, or the first week ever for some children, I thought I’d share with my parent followers. It’s not always about wild drunk stories. Sometimes there’s hidden gems inside this cocktail thing.

Cheers xo

please enjoy my new addition, the cocktail of the week:

Recipe from chilledmagazine.com

It’s about damn time I wrote about how fucking weird summer’19 has been for me. Anyone else ??

Now that the retrograde is over , is it ? I have no clue, but I still feel like I’m suppose to be in Maui on a yacht. Instead I’m chasing White Claws with vodka to keep sane.

Working nightlife in a casino is taking it’s toll on me. So I do exactly what my therapist says not to do , drink.

Being drunk is way more fun then being sober and thinking of , well , anything besides why mango isn’t in the variety pack?? White Claw summer.

I joke a lot so if you think I’m a raging alcoholic, you’re right.

Since I’m unhappy at work, I do my best not to be there. I go in on the weekends and hope for the best. How do I pay my bills you ask ? Snapchat premium duh. Link below.

Made you look!

Anyway, no guys, I’m up to my eyeballs in debt like everyone else in America. So that’s why I’m setting up some quality goals. Starting with going to work every shift this month. It’s the 6th and I’ve been to 3 out of five shifts. Baby steps.

Plus we have this girls trip to Vegas coming up, so definitely have a little motivation for that. Also setting up a go fund me incase any daddy’s want to donate to that cause. Link in bio. Speaking of rich old men where’s your boats at? That’s on my list too , get on some old guy’s boat and take pictures for Instagram. Quality goals, I told you.

But once I get out of this little funk get my ass to work, put down the fork, and detox from bad decisions, it’s over for you bitches.

Basically, this summer has been full of spontaneous days and nights with literally no plans, except to conquer tan-lines.

I did learn a valuable lesson though. Never, ever, drink that foreign liquor!No, not that bootleg liquor in DR , although I would offer that to some of you out there. All jokes aside, I went to my friend Juan’s pool party. First step out of my car his girlfriend welcomed me with a shot of Colombian alcohol, Aguardiente. It went down like water. It was over from there.

Next thing you know it’s midnight and I’m getting taken out of the pool by security (my best friend) lost my shorts , towel and will to live.

to be continued….

Let’s just say I gave up Colombians and drinking for 48 hours.

But there’s only four more weeks left. Then what, back to seasonal depression and an empty shore town? Fun.

I guess I’m living what the kids call a Hot girl summer but feels more like broke girl summer. Luckily my happiness only cost 14.99. Yup, the variety pack. No laws baby!

Please Follow and click ——> Trevor Wallace , we’re getting married.

Thank me later.

Cheers 😘

Here we go kids! My 99th Memorial Day weekend in the casino industry. While all you guys are getting wasted on your boats or at your back yard BBQs, I’ll be slinging them drinks to my favorite degenerate gambles. You know, the ones who stop me mid walk, with 30 cocktails on my tray. Asking for a napkin, directions, change for 100, or a blood transfusion. Yes,them.

Holiday crowds are a bit different. They are needier, cheaper, drunker. So if you have a loved one working this weekend in the industry check on them. They are NOT ok.

The bright side is we do get holiday pay! Yay, a whole extra 24.72 cents in my direct deposit !

I’ll be able to treat you to a 40oz or a fifth of mad dog.

I’m that old.

So that means as cocktail servers,waiters, waitresses etc…we make $4.12 cents an hr. Can vary but you get the picture. Mental note next time you order 7 drinks and ten Fiji waters. Your tip is literally paying our bills. A thank you is nice but it can’t pay my car payment.

No tippy no sippy. I’ll disappear faster then a dad on child support.

Just playing! Incase my manager is reading. (but I’m dead serious)

Furthermore, always wanted to say that since I never finished college. Can you tell by my grammar?

While on my way to work this weekend , I’ll have to pray to the parking gods I can get a spot. As I fly down the express way, one goal in mind, to beat the “Shoob” and their quest “down tha shore.”

Since I will be missing all delicious gatherings this weekend , I’ll be expecting whoever is having a cook out to bring a grilled hot dog, potato salad, mac & cheese. If it’s BBQ I want pasta salad, a cheese burger, and ambrosia salad . If it’s a fiesta I want rice beans, pernil and tequila neat. Either way one of my peeps better come through. Love you!

Aside from partying and eating we do have to recognize what this holiday is really about.

Even though our country is out of wack, we still can walk outside our homes pretty safe, come up with the stupidest rap songs, be a celebrity DJ, create the weirdest inventions, turn sex tapes into family empires, and ultimately become millionaires. Pretty crazy opportunities here right ? #goals

So Let’s Remember our fallen hero’s. Pour some out for them and be thankful for the ultimate sacrifice they gave for us.

Happy MDW everyone !!!

Please Uber , Lift , or old school cab

Do not be stupid ! Do not call your mom or your EX at 4am either. 😩🤣

Cheers 🥂

I was in a relationship for ten years of my life and now I guess I’m going to spend the next ten weeding through the lames, fuck boys , and situationships. Jesus didn’t drive, so someone better take the wheel or I’m going to steer off the Walt Whitman. (Joking)

When I newly became single you might remember my 20 something sister convinced me to make a Bumble.

So fascinating I wrote about it. You can read that here. https://confessionsofacocktailserver.com/2017/11/14/bumble-it-is/

I still log on for shits and giggles. My bio says “You know when you keep opening the fridge to see if there’s anything good to eat ?

That’s what this shit is. An empty fridge full of random shit that doesn’t make sense.

Like some guy whose profession says Po-po , or some dude with professional photos on the beach with his bulldog. Can’t leave out the guy who posts 75 pics with his guy friends and you’re mad the friend to left isn’t on bumble because he looks better.

Then I try to meet people regular, you know like actually go outside, and that’s like Bumble but live.

They’re either too drunk, too short, or their girlfriend comes walking out of the bathroom. One time a guy called me his cousin. Since I’d rather play along then punch him in the face, I told her I’d see her at Thanksgiving and kissed her cheek. Clearly I’m doomed. I completely understand the struggles of all my single friends over the years.

Instagram has been another way to meet people and that’s going pretty well ….

Seriously?

Then there’s the let me hook you up with my boyfriends friend so we can double date. Fine I’ll be your wing man, wing girl, loser, whatever you need so we can all “hang out”. Well that turned into 6 months of wtf are we? Is this relationship or situationship? Shout out to Sasha Merci she’s hilarious! Follow her and watch this funny clip:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BstJkV0AnUx/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1dsufdvlpc5qi

I can’t even find a decent date to a wedding coming up so I’m bringing my best girl friend! No pressure, we can eat and drink like slobs , and I’ll probably kiss her at the end of the night. Done.

The best line at work from customers:

Wow how’s a girl like you single ?

I duno sir, ask my ex husband…

Or the 29 guys in my inbox…

You pick.

I’m getting used to Netflix and passing the fuck out. When I wake up it’s asking me if I’m still here.. unfortunately yes, yes I am, thanks for asking.

Even my moms working over time trying to fix me up with randoms. Like a friend of a friend who she met at the Bjs wholesale club. This is my life.

It’s times like this I miss cleaning up my exes dirty socks, dishes, and pee around the toilet, because men we all know you forget to aim sometimes. Don’t lie and do not put that in your Bumble bio.

Cheers

Xo

Slinging cocktails to degenerate gamblers has its perks. I’m happy to say, the struggles of arthritis in my left wrist and terrible lower back pain is all worth it. When I’m on a flight to Florida that is. Had to escape the 20 degree weather in Jersey.

Went to Disney World yesterday, one of my happy places. Yes it’s not for everyone. I get it. Especially the over spent father, wife, spoiled rotten children, and underpaid workers. Poor Cinderella, she really ain’t living her best life. It’ll always be magical to me though. As a kid I had some of the best memories there with my siblings and cousins.

Thanks mom, dad, and my mom mom June. 🙏🏼

If you follow my blog you should know by now people watching is also a favorite of mine. Where else then a crowded theme park to do so? Now I’m not normal by any means but there are some serious weirdos at Disney. You can totally tell they’re from weird ass parts of the country too. Sorry not sorry. It’s true though. You can distinguish a New Yorker from someone from Idaho or like Oklahoma. Nothing against y’all I promise. (Loses followers in 5,4,3,…)

Also you can tell who doesn’t shower, have any home training, knows their left from their right, who beats their kids, whose kids beat them and so on.

Oh and if you want a spot for any of the parades you better get there two days before. Camp out like you’re waiting for those new Jordan’s or Madden releases. You don’t know what a savage is until you’ve come across a mom with a double stroller at Disney.

Then there’s the hot dads.

My favorite dad had his sixth month old on his hip, while kneeling down, camera in hand, doing a photo shoot of his trendy wife in-front of the castle. If that doesn’t scream marriage goals what does? And he was happy while doing it! Giving her all the angles! I’d definitely vote him in for the Dilfs of Disney’s Instagram. Which apparently is a real thing! Look them up! You’re welcome. Since I didn’t have a hot husband to do my photo shoot I bribed some brat to do mine.

Also quick tip never wear vans to any theme park unless you want to die a slow death. I haven’t had blisters this bad since my communion shoes. I looked cute though. Pain is beauty✨

Luckily my water, which was Titos, helped with the pain. Shout out to the cute security guard, who asked how my lime flavored water tasted at a re-entry check point. You were on to me.

May all your dreams come true this weekend and may you regret them all Monday morning.

Cheers

Xo

Valentine’s Day again ?

A day to show the one you can’t stand 364 days out of the year how much you really love them. Like working 40 hrs a week or taking care of a house, kids, dogs, cat, hamster doesn’t scream baby I love you. This over priced candy and card most definitely will! Can’t forget the flowers too! Single or in a relationship this man made Holiday is overrated.

If you’re single like me, nothing makes it’s worse then getting a text from a club promoter with this header ….

Like thanks, I really want to hang out with a bunch of loners on a couples holiday. I’ll just get drunk in the comforts of my own home tonight.

As if I’m not feeling shitty enough you just throw salt at me !

Not gonna lie, even though this holiday is once again stupid, I have decided I’m in the wrong profession. A good friend of mine asked me to pick out flowers and a card for his girl. Which happens to also be a good friend.

So here I go, bracing myself for all the last minute people scurrying around for the perfect I love you.

My first thought , people don’t work on Valentine’s Day ? It’s 11am why the fuck is this line from here to China ? Everyone call out sick for this shit ? Scared you’re sleeping on the couch tonight ? (which you probably already do) Anyway, after I survived the line I went to another store. Ahhh the card isle, full of dudes racking there brains it looks like. Pick a card any card. Don’t act like you care now. Just kidding, but not. “Any cards for friends with benefits ? How about for Situationships ? Asking for myself!”

I yell out. No one laughs. Tough crowd. That’s why that card you picked won’t get you laid later. But this card , this card I picked out for my friend! This is where I decided forget cocktailing. I’m going to do this for a living ! That’s right all you dumbass men stress no more! I’m going to be like Kevin Hart in Wedding Ringer. Forget 1-800 flowers, hit me up 1-800 Nicole Lauren. I picked the best card ever! The best flower arrangement. You can’t top a woman doing a mans job, we just do it better. But I do need a man for one thing, filling windshield washer fluid in my car. I almost broke a nail today trying to open my hood. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Quick question, if the day before Valentine’s Day is side chick day what’s tomorrow? Bottom bitch day, because candy and everything is gonna be on clearance! I mean I’d take my side piece out tomorrow save some money, see you dudes got it all wrong.

So aside from today being pretty comical, I am excited to get this biz off the ground. Christmas gifts, anniversaries, gender reveals, push presents, mother in laws yup! Guys, I’m your go to ! What would I call it though ? Happy wife happy life ? Nikki knows best ? Leave it to me? Your an idiot let me do it ? Decisions, decisions. Comment below your suggestions! This could be big.

Cheers xo

♥️

Twenty-eight days into 2019 and I’m already over it. Government shut downs, stupid plastic bag fees, fuckn R Kelly running around free, what the hell is going on?

But hey, I’m a year older! My birthday just passed. Another year older, another year wiser? Yeh, that’s a no for me. Still making the same bad decisions, I haven’t learned shit. Same taste in disappointing men, still not someone’s sugar baby, botox not lasting as long anymore, but my alcohol tolerance is up and I can fit into those Kim K dresses. So I am making minor accomplishments! Although, I miss the days two cocktails did the trick. Quick and cheap just how I like it. Definitely do not miss the days I looked like a ten pound bag of potatoes in a five pound bag though.

Aside from January being my birth month, the winter sucks in a shore town. Nothing to do, the place is empty, and everything’s closed. Casinos (my place of employment) are slow. So I decided I’ll be one of those “girls“ who put their Cash app in their IG bio. Sole purpose : Incase any one wants to donate to a pretty charity case/ basket case. Judge me you have my permission!

@_nicolelauren_

With all that being said, I’m going to ride with my Asians next week and celebrate New Years with them. Plus it’s the year of the Pig! Which can mean many things. No, not the year of your ex or the girl falling off the bar in my Kim K dress, but wealth and good luck. That sounds promising. Let’s forget the last month. With the exception of my birthday. Seems legit.

Shout out, by the way, to my girls for making my birthday another shit show for the books! #redlipstick blog to follow.

Cheers

Xo

TV, YL, SA ♥️ phillynights