Here’s a Las Vegas hook-up in two simple words: Social Rewards.

Social Rewards is a program that gives you perks and freebies for things you’re probably already doing, like following your favorite Las Vegas hotels on Twitter, or liking them on Facebook, or telling friends about various Las Vegas awesomeness.

We are a Las Vegas blog, not a graphic designer. You get the drift.

Depending upon what action you take in the social networking realm, you’ll earn a certain number of Social Rewards points. Those points can be redeemed for Reward Credits, those magical “points” you can use to get things like show tickets, free rooms, food and drink, as well as back rubs from certain Las Vegas blogs. (We made that last part up, but anything’s possible in Sin City.)

Here’s how it works. First, you visit the official Social Rewards site. It’s on the “Internet.” Perhaps you’ve heard of it.

If you’ve never registered with Social Rewards before, you’ll need to do so. This could take upwards of 14 seconds, because all you really do is click a button to associate your Facebook or Twitter or Foursquare account to Social Rewards. You’ll also be asked for a few other tidbits of information, then you’re set.

Next, click on the logo thingy of a Las Vegas hotel. Maybe Planet Hollywood or Caesars Palace or Bally’s. Preferably one owned by Caesars Entertainment, whose official Las Vegas blog this is, otherwise it’s going to be very awkward.

Don't play favorites. The more Vegas hotels you like and follow, the more points you earn.

This is where you can immediately rack up some points. Follow Planet Hollywood on Twitter, get 50 points. Follow Flamingo, get another 50. Like them on Facebook, 50 more points. They add up quickly, and you’ll barely lift a finger. We love perks where we don’t have to do a lot of finger-lifting.

Social Rewards keeps a running tally of the points you’ve earned on the right side of the screen.

Try and catch up to us. We'll wait.

Earn additional points for watching videos. Weren’t you already kind of doing that already? Granted, these videos don’t have as many cute cats, but you get the idea.

Even more points are available if you’d like to Tweet or post some love on your Facebook pages. You get to decide what’s posted and when.

More Social Rewards goodness: Get more points when you check in on Foursquare, or when you invite a friend to join Social Rewards.

Recent studies indicate checking in on Foursquare increases verility. Your results may vary.

Here’s another slick benefit of dipping your toes into the Social Rewards world: If you Tweet or share a room deal on Facebook, you snag not only 25 points for sharing it, but receive an additional 250 points when someone books a hotel stay based on what you’ve shared. It’s like magic, but without all the annoying scarves and doves.

By the time you’ve done all this stuff for all the hotels in the Caesars Entertainment hotels, you’ll have a hefty number of points, and you’re ready to trade your points for Reward Credits to get the most from your Las Vegas experience.

Please don't try to read that small print. This graphic is for illustrative purposes only.

In the “Rewards” section, you can check out all the stuff you can redeem with your points, including drink comps, dining credits and show tickets. For example, two show tickets for “Peepshow” require 25,000 points.

Trivia: Those 25,000 Social Rewards points break down to be 12,500 for each of “Peepshow” star Holly Madison’s best assets—her smile and her public relations acumen, obviously.

Insert gratuitous photo we took of Holly Madison here.

There’s some fine print to all of this, but not much. Find it here.

You might want to follow Social Rewards on Twitter, too, or “Like” them on Facebook for all the latest news about this fun program.

So, sign up for Social Rewards and get started on the path toward getting lots of free stuff while doing relatively little. Which, to us, is how all of life should be. One blog’s opinion.

The second annual “Cut-A-Thon” to benefit nonprofit Locks of Love will return to Rio Spa & Salon at Rio Las Vegas on Aug. 17, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Locks of Love provides hairpieces to financially-disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss resulting from any diagnosis. For more information, visit the Locks of Love.

Last year’s Cut-A-Thon resulted in 70 ponytails being donated, including a generous donation by Rio headliner Penn Jillette (below). Read more.

Partner-in-crime Teller helps Penn Jillette with his Locks of Love donation.

Patrons can donate a minimum of 10 inches of hair, and will receive a complimentary blunt cut and 30% discount on any additional styling or coloring treatments at the salon. Guidelines allow permed or color-treated hair to be donated, but bleached or highlighted hair aren’t suitable.

Rio Spa & Salon is set to accommodate up to 70 appointments on Aug. 17. Call (702) 777-7779 or visit the official site.

In response to the ongoing public outcry about the alarming dearth of make-up-related posts in this Las Vegas blog, we share the following from our friends at Color salon inside Caesars Palace.

The video features makeup artist Kate Stromberg and her model, Marley Taylor, singer in the popular lounge ensemble, Zowie Bowie.

The aforementioned bombshell, Marley Taylor.

Find out more about Color, Michael Boychuck’s stylish salon at Caesars Palace.

Memorial Day is fast approaching (May 30), and the Las Vegas Strip has risen to the occasion with a slew of great perks and freebies for members of the military during May.

Several Caesars Entertainment resorts are inviting military members to enjoy spa and show offerings free or at discounted prices. Active and retired military personnel can present their government-issued military I.D. cards to take advantage of the various offers.

Select deals are listed below.

This blog's dad put up this flag. He was in the military. Ah, the circularity of the universe.

At Bally’s Vegas, “Jubilee!” is offering two-for-one tickets, as is “The Price is Right Live” stage show.

At Flamingo, funnyman George Wallace is offering free show tickets to members of the military throughout May. Quick-witted comedian Vinnie Favorito has an ongoing half-price ticket offer. And the saucy “X Burlesque” has an ongoing two-for-one ticket deal. The Flamingo Spa is offering 20-percent off all spa treatments.

Goodies at Harrah’s Las Vegas include free show tickets to “Defending the Caveman” (up to two per military member, additional tickets can be purchased two-for-one). Tribute show “Legends in Concert” has an ongoing half price ticket offer for military members, and the Harrah’s Spa is offering 20% off all spa treatments.

At the Imperial Palace, “Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas” has an ongoing half-price ticket offer. Same goes for “Human Nature.” Matsuri is offering a $10 general admission ticket and $15 VIP ticket through Memorial Day. The Imperial Palace Spa is providing 20% off all spa treatments.

We are a Las Vegas blog. We do not get all weepy. Generally.

Over at Paris Vegas, adult hypnotist Anthony Cools has an ongoing two-for-one ticket discount.

At Rio Vegas, the “Chippendales” male revue has an ongoing two-for-one ticket discount for those in the armed services, and the Rio Spa & Salon is offering 30% off all spa treatments.

Except where noted, these deals are good throughout May, 2011. We salute our military members and hope they’ll take advantage of these well-deserved discounts and freebies.

Just the other day we were thinking, “Us, you really don’t do many blog posts about make-up. Any, actually. Ever.” Well, we’re about to remedy that!

Michael Boychuck’s salon, Color, at Caesars Palace, just launched “Find Your Color with Kate,” a series of makeup tutorials by the salon’s Director of Cosmetics, Kate Stromberg.

We have no idea how women do this without freaking out.

Note for the guys: Yes, this blog thought the same thing about all this, until we realized Laura Croft, Playboy Playmate and star of E! Entertainment’s reality series, “Holly’s World,” serves as model in the first video.

Take a look at what amounts to a free consultation from an expert.

Kate Stromberg has worked with a variety of celebrity clients including Khloe Kardashian and Juliette Lewis, among others.

The ongoing video series will showcase special guests, a variety of glamorous looks and the step-by-step process involved in getting yourself Vegas-ready.

Find out more about Color salon at Caesars Palace.

The Rio Spa & Salon (unofficial motto: “Ahhhhh!”) is hosting its third annual “Dog Days of Summer” pet supply drive benefiting the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA).

Guests who contribute cash, or a gift card (to Target, Wal-Mart, Home Depot or Lowe’s) valued at $50 or more, will receive a complimentary Deep Cleansing Facial or 50-minute Swedish massage.

Talk about a moisterizing treatment.

Pet or office supplies are also welcome, and guests donating qualifying items get a 25% discount for any one spa service. Supplies include: Canned cat food, dog treats and biscuits, Timothy Hay and water bottles (for rabbits and guinea pigs) and office supplies, including 8.5 x 11-inch typing paper, pens, staples, clips and manila folders.

The discounted and free services must be used by Aug. 31. For more information about the NSPCA, go here.

Oh, right, like we wouldn't hear from the cat people if we didn't post a kitty picture, too.

In honor of Independence Day, and July being National Ice Cream Month, Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace has created an exclusive dessert with a patriotic flair.

The All-American Pop Rock Sundae features scoops of strawberry (red), vanilla (white) and bubblegum (blue) ice cream, as well as generous amounts of strawberry sauce and whipped cream.

The part that makes this dessert unforgettable? It’s topped with Pop Rock candy, helping to simulate the feeling of fireworks in your mouth. At 13 bucks, it’s a great way to indulge your love of ice cream while showing off your patriotism, too.

Pop Rocks! It's what people did before Mentos and Coke.

People who love ice cream love it from head to toe, so here’s an insider tip in honor of National Ice Cream Month. At Color salon at Caesars, guests can add an Ice Cream Pedicure upgrade to their pedicure for just $15. The upgrade includes “bath bombs” shaped like miniature ice cream scoops. The sweet twist? Guests will receive a coupon with their Ice Cream Pedicure for a discounted All-American Pop Rock Sundae at Serendipity 3. Ah, the circularity of the universe.

Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace continues to offer paths to relaxation with the addition of both yoga and water Qi Gong classes. (We ran the spellcheck. There’s no “u” in “Qi.” It means “breathing,” or can also represent the relationship between matter, energy and spirit. “Gong” means results or achievement. Thank you, Interwebs.)

Led by yoga master Swami Ramananda, Qua’s yoga practices are held in the newly-opened “Tranquility” yoga center. He also leads Qua’s water Qi Gong classes, held in the open-air Bacchus pool.

Thanks, stock photo, for reminding us about which yoga pose this blog will never be able to do in, oh, a bajillion years.

Qua Baths & Spas hosts yoga each Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. Water Qi Gong is hosted each Saturday at 2:00 p.m. The classes are just $15 per person for each class. For information, go here or call 866-782–0655.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner (May 9). What’s going to make Mother’s Day special this year? A lame greeting card? Chocolates? Flowers? Come on!

Las Vegas is the place for mothers to cut loose, let go, to throw caution to the wind and have an all-out blast. Don’t celebrate Mother’s Day the same old way. Make it an occasion to remember by treating yourself, or the mother in your life, to all the exciting diversions Las Vegas has to offer. Rip off that apron, Mom, it’s time to take a walk on the wild side in Sin City!

Let's get the Mother's Day party started!

Social Lubrication

Having fun in Las Vegas is all about getting into the spirit of America’s most electric city. And what better to get into the spirit than…spirits? Get Mom into a celebratory mood with a stop at one of these lively Sin City watering holes:

* Margaritaville at Flamingo
* Dublin’ Up Lounge at O’Sheas
* Evening Call at Bally’s
* Rockhouse Bar at Imperial Palace
* Carnival Court at Harrah’s

Getting Some Ink

Now that Mom’s sufficiently buzzed, it’s time to get inked. For years, tough guys have gotten tattoos sporting the word “Mom,” but now it’s Mom’s turn!Two of the coolest tattoo shops in town are the Vince Neil Ink shops at O’Sheas and Rio Las Vegas.

Everyone gets inked in Vegas. Why should Mom miss out?

Good to be Bad

It’s time for Mom to have some sure-fired fun at one of the city’s steamiest abfests. Hey, she might be a mother, but she’s still got hormones! Shirts will be ripped and clothes will be flying as “dear old Mum” feasts her eyes on the bulging muscles at Chippendales at Rio Las Vegas.

Don't be alarmed if Mom says she doesn't want to return home after getting an eyeful of the Chippendales guys. The feeling usually subsides with time.

Get In It To Win It

Las Vegas is a playground for grown-ups, so it’s time to let Mom play! There’s no mistaking that dreamy look Mom gets when she finds that lucky slot or video poker machine. Whether she’s into Cleopatra, Goldfish, Texas Tea, Wolf Run, Wheel of Fortune or the Red, White and Blue slot, Vegas is the place to play and play hard. Tell Mom about the handy Slot Finder on Harrahs.com.

Not Your Typical Spa Day

Oh, yeah, we’re going there! If Mom’s really going to get wild on Mother’s Day, it can’t be just a typical visit to one of the city’s world-class spas. She might need a nudge, but Mom’s going to love her new bikini wax! These spas are uniquely capable of handling this delicate job, along with their going rate for a bikini wax:

* Spa at Bally’s ($50)
* Spa at Imperial Palace ($50)
* Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace ($65)
* Spa and Fitness Center at Flamingo ($75)
* Paris Spa by Mandara ($85)

Las Vegas is Tops

If Mom’s going to let it all hang out in Las Vegas, we know just where she should start! Mom will show everyone she’s still got it at one of the city’s top-optional (also known as European-style) pools. At the top of the list, so to speak, is the Venus Pool Club at Caesars Palace.

Unleash Mom’s Inner Stripper

Treat Mom to some serious pole instruction at the Stripper 101 classes at in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Only in Vegas! If Mom won’t go for a class, you can always treat her to “The Art of Pole Dancing,” a book that’s one of the most popular items at the Bonanza Gift Shop, touted as “the world’s largest,” at Las Vegas Blvd. and Sahara.

Kind of like trying to not think about a pink elephant, isn't it?

Might as Well Jump

Raising children can be quite an adventure, fraught with danger, so Mom will love this one. Treat Mom to a skydive. Whether indoors at Fly Away Indoor Skydiving, or outdoors at Skydive Las Vegas, Mom will never forget this Las Vegas adventure.

All Decked Out

Mom can hit the (yawn) mall anytime back home. In Vegas, it’s all about breaking away from the ordinary. So, how about a more exotic shopping excursion? Help Mom discover her sassy side with a trip to one of the city’s adult clothing stores. From showgirl regalia to seductive lingerie likely to give Dad a coronary, Las Vegas has it all. Mom’s sure to find something slinky to love at La Vogue Bridal and Bachelorette Boutique at Paris Las Vegas.

We grabbed this pic today at La Vogue at Paris. You know, blog research.

Go Wild

Mothers come in all shapes and sizes. Thankfully, Las Vegas is the perfect fit when it comes to making Mother’s Day unforgettable. Get creative. Get wild. You only go around once in life, Mom.

Book a room and let the unbridled, Mother’s Day fun begin!

Congratulations to Natasha Chamberlin from Color Salon at Caesars Palace for taking home the coveted “Battle of the Brushes” crown on Mar. 25.

Chamberlin had just one hour to create a masterpiece in this high-profile competition where cosmetics kingpins from a variety of Las Vegas spas and salons go head-to-head for a place in make-up artist history.

The eyes have it in Chamberlin's winning entry.

The theme of this year’s competition was “I’m a Barbie Girl,” which Chamberlin won with her dazzling “Lady Gaga Barbie” entry.

"Lady Gaga Barbie" won over the crowd and the guest judge.

The event, held at Blush Boutique Nightclub, marked the second consecutive win for Chamberlin. The guest judge was the ubiquitous Laura Croft, and the event was sponsored by Rain Cosmetics.

Learn more about Color, a salon by Michael Boychuck, at Caesars Palace.

Congrats, Natasha!

These exclusive photos come from Dave Proctor. The model? The multi-talented Tara.

On Dec. 1, the incomparable Cher celebrates her 100th show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

One hundred shows and counting!

As a special treat in honor of the occasion, tickets for her Dec. 1-16 performances are available for just $100 (regularly, $175). Use offer code “NV100″ when reserving your tickets, restrictions apply. For more information, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Other 100th-show-inspired specials include:

Serendipity 3, one of Cher’s favorite dessert hot spots, serves up its mouth-watering Sin City Frrrozen Hot Chocolate for free with the purchase of two entrees. Just present your Cher ticket stub.

Relax, diva-style! Qua Baths & Spa offers a one-hour Swedish massage in December for just $100, with the purchase of a Cher show ticket. Call 866-782-0655.

Caesars Palace lounges, including the Seahorse Lounge, Shadow Bar and Cleopatra’s Barge are serving the special Cher-inspired cocktail, “Take me Home” for $12 in December.

Here’s a win-win you won’t want to miss. During October, Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace will donate 5% of proceeds for selected services to Keep Memory Alive, a partner of the new Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in downtown Las Vegas. The Keep Memory Alive Foundation is dedicated to promoting brain health and fighting brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS.

The services that qualify for this program are the Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi Massage, Raindrop Therapy treatment and Red Carpet Facial. Guests will also save 10% off the regular treatment price in October. A $1 donation will also be made for every Roman Ritual or Fitness Center pass sold.

Learn more about brain and memory disorders here.

Yes, yes, yes. There’s a room at Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace called the Arctic Ice Room. And yes, it has actual falling snow. You got it out of us. Happy?

Where does the color blue go to let off some steam? Now you know.

The Olympia Fitness Expo 2009 comes to Vegas Sep. 25-26. We’re pretty sure those in attendance will want the best in spas, exercise rooms and health-conscious restaurant options. Yeah, we’re all over that.

Fitness fans will definitely dig Bodies: The Exhibition. The exhibit features actual human specimens, preserved and displayed in freakishly fascinating ways. Hey, just because it’s not at one of our Pulse of Vegas hotels doesn’t mean it’s not mind-blowing.

We could go for a massage right about now. You?