Siesta Key, Florida - One of the top-rated beaches in the United States, Siesta Key boasts Caribbean-style blue gulf coast water that elegantly crashes atop beautiful white quartz sand. These are reasons enough to visit the south-western side of Florida in Sarasota County, but wait there’s more! The nightlife in Siesta Key will fit anyone’s lifestyle, but in particular your group of girls. You will find your crew shopping, eating, dancing, shucking oysters, eating homemade ice cream, and more! Florida is a great place to find a beach, but Siesta Key is particularly one of the best beaches around.
Coronado Beach, San Diego CA - This over a mile stretch of beach affords you and your girlfriends plenty of room to sunbathe, play volleyball, or get your steps in for the day. It is designated into three separate beaches: North, Central, and South. Enjoy the peacefulness of being on one of them to soak up the warmth from the pacific coast sunshine. If you choose to have Courtney book your stay at the famous Hotel del Coronado, you will have stayed in the same elegance of the likes of Madonna, Barbara Streisand, and George Harrison. This valued at half a billion dollar hotel, is one in a million on an equally as worthy beach. Coronado Beach is exquisite and a “must visit” for your girl’s weekend.
East Hampton Main Beach, NY - Soft, inviting sand and the ability to spread out for some much needed girlfriendship® time are just a few of the luxuries that await your crew at East Hampton Main Beach. While the Hamptons are generally known as an expensive place to live, visitors from various backgrounds come to enjoy the calming beaches. East Hampton Main Beach is another “must visit’ while in the area. It is a clean, quiet place to spread out and catch some rays. If paddle boarding, kayaking, going to a spa, or simply stopping for sunflowers and some sweet corn along the drive in is your jam, then East Hampton is the place for you.
Get yourselves ready to book your trip for visiting beaches in these last few dog days of summer by contacting Courtney. She will take care of every specific detail for you. Have fun girlfriends! Don’t forget to leave your girl’s trip review on the reviews page on our website. We LOVE seeing your pics and spreading the love because, It’s All About the Love!
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My Girlfriendships®️ is always ready for celebrations with any girlfriend crew. We like to put the BANG! into your trips whether celebrating your friends or our beloved country’s birthday. Why not honor both of them while enjoying beautiful and amazing pyrotechnic displays. Either way, July is the perfect time to take road trips! Whether you are in the North, South, East, or West part of America, we have the perfect suggestions for you.
Whether you are traveling on a road trip by car or taking to the skies, Courtney will take care of you with great detail. Have fun girlfriends! Don’t forget to leave your girl’s trip review on the reviews page on our website. We LOVE seeing your pics and spreading the love because, It’s all about the love!
]]>Check out a few of our favorites.
“What goes on in Vegas, stays in Vegas” right? Along the famous Vegas Strip in the heart of the Nevada desert, you have a myriad of ways to cool off. How about taking in a show? There are so many to choose from: Blue Man Group, Absinthe, Cirque Du Soleil, Mat Franco or David Copperfield Magic, Jabbawokeez, Concerts of all different music genres, and ladies, how ‘bout Chippendales! Shows, girlfriend, shows! They are air-conditioned and entertainment at its best.
Your first thought of Vegas may have been sitting at a table feeling like lady luck. If that’s your style, well you are right in line with how to have a fantastic, maybe even a profitable, time with you and your besties. Blackjack, roulette, poker, craps, pai gow, and any of those slot machines can provide enough cash to treat your entire crew for dinner and drinks.
For you hot babes who like to make a splash by taking heart-pounding trips down the bonzai pipelines or chill in a chain of inner tubes going down a lazy river, drink in hand of course, there are many destinations in the desert that will present you with waterparks. The best place to be is Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Phoenix, Arizona. Whatever floats your boat (wink wink), a water park is a perfect way to cool off while having fun with your girlfriendships®
Last, but certainly, not least, spa trips in the desert sunshine are healing. Miraval and Canyon Ranch are two of our absolute faves. No better way to detox and take some mindful rest time than with your girls at an exclusive spa retreat.
Whether you are down for spending the day poolside with a margarita in your hand, winning at the casinos, being mesmerized by a show, or channeling your inner girlfriend guru, the desert can absolutely be the place for you and your crew to chill together.
Get yourselves ready to book your summer dessert cooling getaway by contacting Courtney and she will take care of every specific detail for you.
Have fun girlfriends! Don’t forget to leave your girl’s trip review on the reviews page on our website. We LOVE seeing your pics and spreading the love.
]]>Girlfriends! We don’t know about all of you but every year it seems like summer takes forever to arrive. Now that it’s here, let’s talk fun-filled girlfriend activities. We’ve covered the obvious summer choice—the beach, but not everyone in your crew may be beach-minded so let’s head to the city for indoor fun.
A few of our favorites include:
What do you envision for your crew’s city summer plans? What fun destination is on your bucket list to visit? Contact Courtney. She will take care of every detail for you. All you have to do is pack, go, and enjoy your custom-designed girlfriends getaway.
]]>Ready or not, here comes Summer! Yes, Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff to Summer fun. Whether you are gathering your girlfriends for a barbeque, visiting National Parks, or hanging at the beach or by the pool, there are a myriad of options to start your Summer fun.
A few of our favorites include:
What do you envision for your crew’s Memorial Day plans? What fun destination is on your bucket list to visit? Contact Courtney. She will take care of every detail for you. All you have to do is pack, go, and enjoy your custom-designed girlfriends getaway.
What do you envision for your crew’s Triple Crown Raceway getaway? What fun destination is on your bucket list to visit? Contact Courtney. She will take care of every detail for you. All you have to do is pack, go, and enjoy your custom-designed girlfriends getaway.
]]>For mores beach ideas, search “Beaches” on our website!
What do you envision for your crew’s Beach getaway? What fun destination is on your bucket list to visit? Contact Courtney. She will take care of every detail for you. All you have to do is pack, go, and enjoy your taste of Summer Spring Break girlfriends getaway.
]]>A few of our favorites include:
For those of us who are starting an exercise program for the year, it is helpful to consider using hiking poles which:
• Reduce stress on joints
• Knee protection
• Strengthened muscles
For mores hiking ideas, go to our website and search “Hiking.”
Have a favorite recipe that you like to make when traveling with your girlfriends—especially now that Spring is here? Or one that you make in the comfort of your own home? Send it to us with a high res picture of you and your girlfriends and you may find yourself in our upcoming cookbook.
What do you envision for your crew’s Mountain Hiking getaway? What fun destination is on your bucket list to visit? Contact Courtney. She will take care of every detail for you. All you have to do is pack, go, and enjoy your hiking getaway!
]]>Does Winter seem long? Never fear, Spring is here! Ready for Spring Girlfriendship® road trips? Then let’s find some cities that celebrate the beautiful colors of Spring.
A few of our favorites include:
Have a favorite recipe that you like to make when traveling with your girlfriends—especially now that Spring is here? Or one that you make in the comfort of your own home? Send it to us with a high res picture of you and your girlfriends and you may find yourself in our upcoming cookbook.
What do you envision for your crew’s Spring Fling getaway? What fun destination is on your bucket list to visit? Contact Courtney. She will take care of every detail for you. All you have to do is pack, go, and enjoy your Spring getaway!
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A few of our favorites include:
Have a favorite recipe that you like to make when traveling with your girlfriends? Or one that you make in the comfort of your own home? Send it to us with a high res picture of you and your girlfriends and you may find yourself in our upcoming cookbook.
What do you envision for your crew’s St. Patrick’s Day getaway? What fun destination is on your bucket list to visit? Contact Courtney. She will take care of every detail for you. All you have to do is pack, go, and enjoy your St. Patrick’s Day pub crawl!
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A few of our favorites include:
Have a favorite recipe that you like to make when traveling with your girlfriends? Or one that you make in the comfort of your own home? Send it to us with a high res picture of you and your girlfriends and you may find yourself in our upcoming cookbook.
What do you envision for your crew’s Winter Desert getaway? What fun destination is on your bucket list to visit? Contact Courtney. She will take care of every detail for you. All you have to do is pack, go, and enjoy your Winter Desert getaway girlfriends gathering!
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A friend in college coined a term for our girlfriend crew: Rotic…Romantic without the man. Now we have our own day! Galentine’s Day. Any city you can imagine will have just what is needed for a Girlfriends night on the city to celebrate Galentine’s Day. What plans are you making with your girlfriend crew?
A few of our favorites include:
Have a favorite recipe that you like to make when traveling with your girlfriends? Or one that you make in the comfort of your own home? Send it to us with a high res picture of you and your girlfriends and you may find yourself in our upcoming cookbook.
What do you envision for your crew’s Galentine’s Day? What fun destination is on your bucket list to visit? Contact Courtney. She will take care of every detail for you. All you have to do is pack, go, and enjoy your Galentine’s Day girlfriends gathering!
]]>When thinking Winter, so many of us who are athletically inclined tend to think mountains and skiing. However, there are so many more winter activities. The country side has fun for all such as sleigh riding, ice skating, sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, hiking and much more Girlfriendship® Crew fun.
A few of our favorites include:
Speaking of Montana, take a look at this “stick to your ribs” comfort recipe for Montana Cowgirl Casserole. Have a favorite recipe that you like to make when traveling with your girlfriends? Or one that you make in the comfort of your own home? Send it to us with a high res picture of you and your girlfriends and you may find yourself in our upcoming cookbook.
What do you like to do at your favorite winter spot? What winter destination is on your bucket list to visit? Contact Courtney. She will take care of every detail for you. All you have to do is pack, go, and enjoy your Winter Wonderland girlfriends gathering!
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A few of our favorite Betty White shows include:
In honor of Betty, we are hosting a giveaway for you and your girlfriend to receive our My Girlfriendships® signature charm bracelet (which is not even available to purchase yet)! This bracelet is expandable and includes not only our logo charm, but all of the bonus charms that you will gather with each girls trip to add on once these bracelets are available to the public. Winner will be chosen on the queen’s birthday, Monday January 17th. To enter, follow the steps below!
*Send us a message with a photo of you and your girlfriend or a group a friends for an extra entry! PS, You may even be selected to be featured in our cookbook
Where are you meeting up with your own golden girlfriends on your next vacation for celebrating life, living it to the fullest, and creating memories with your girlfriends? Contact Courtney. She will take care of every detail for you. All you have to do is pack, go, and enjoy your Golden Girlfriends Gathering.
]]>As much as we love the sun and sand, there is fun in the snow to be had when we visit mountains in winter. Specifically ski resorts! From the Northeast to the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest, resorts abound for our skiing pleasure.
A few of our favorites include:
While you’re checking out the list, visit our Après Ski blog for a delicious fondue recipe. Speaking of recipe, have you heard the news? We will be launching a cookbook in 2022. Whether one you enjoy making with your girlfriends or a family favorite, send us your favorite recipe. Send along a high-res photo that we may use.
What ski resort have you visited? What resort are you excited about visiting? Contact Courtney. She will take care of every detail for you. All you have to do is pack, go, and enjoy your girlfriends skiing vacation!
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Other deserts to explore include some of our favorites:
What desert area have you visited in the winter time? What desert are you excited about visiting? Contact Courtney. She will take care of every detail for you. All you have to do is pack, go, and enjoy your New Year’s Eve girlfriends gathering!
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Let us know what cities are on your list to visit for Christmas? Ready to gather your girlfriends to visit a city for Christmas? Contact Courtney. She will take care of every detail for you. All you have to do is pack, go, and enjoy your Holiday girlfriends gathering!
]]>If you are like many of us here at My Girlfriendships®, you aren’t quite ready to let go of the heat of summer and embrace the cold. We have the perfect solution for all of us “Sand between our toes” girlfriends: a Fall beach vacation!
Yes, the brilliant colors of fall, the smells of autumn: hot apple cider, hot chocolate, leaves burning, are so enticing but, gathering our girlfriends for the draw of the warmth of the sun, sand between our toes, and soothing sounds of ocean waves making summertime memories just one more time this year is more than we can resist.
What is your favorite beach? What beach is on your bucket list? The Caribbean? Southern California? Or something more exotic like The Maldives?
No matter where your bucket list takes you, click here to Book Your Trip to your next beach vacation; a quick girlfriendships trip to wring the last vestige of summer before embracing the coming cold and snow.
]]>We have created two fabulous girls’ trips for both the city wanderer and the countryside onlooker. Endless things to do and see whether sight-seeing in the city, taking in the arts, or shopping in stores big and small (we are pushovers for boutiques of all sorts). We are also enamored with wide open spaces. The Berkshires (hint hint) are an amazing place to take in such vast views, ski the slopes, and enjoy amazing “farm-to-fork” restaurants.
Ready to gather your girlfriends for a city visit? Excited for some relaxing scenery? Whether your goal is the East Coast or the West Coast, My Girlfriendships powered by Bespoke Travel, has you covered. Book Your Trip for the city you’ve always wanted to visit or the countryside that will take your breath away. You and your girlfriends deserve quality time away with one another. What are you waiting for?
]]>“I roamed the countryside searching for answers to things I did not understand.”
Although Leonardo da Vinci may not have understood, ladies, you will!
Do the questions you’ve been asking yourself for the past couple of years sound like: “Why do I feel sad? Will this world ever feel normal again? Has everything changed so much that I won’t laugh or cry the same as I used to? Ask no more…My Girlfriendships® has your answers. Why? Because when you question yourself, who do you turn to first? Yep, your best girlfriends. The ones who you count on when you suffer in pain and revel in joy.
It’s that time of year to enjoy the show that the beautiful colors of the landscape broadcasts for all who will watch. How appropriate in this season to go to an Oktoberfest or how ‘bout apple and pumpkin picking in your bulkiest sweater and knee-high boots with (spiked) hot apple cider in your hands. Can you just see yourself molding back into the “old you” while hanging out with your besties on the porch of your quaint VRBO admiring the changing colors? Yeah, we thought so. So, here’s what you do.
Book Your Trip to that gorgeous countryside that takes you back to reclaim who you are! What are you waiting for? DO NOT wait for another pandemic to make you realize that life is short and trip with your girlfriends needs to be taken. The places are endless for you and your girlfriends to enjoy such precious time together. Our expert, Courtney Norris at Bespoke Travel, will know exactly how to plan your trip…all the way down to if you really do like your apple cider spiked or not!
Come along with us as we give you back the normalcy that you thought you lost. Lose yourself in a girl’s trip and we will help you paint a beautiful picture of the countryside that also gave one of history’s greatest artists his inspiration.
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Oh—but then there’s taking in an Oktoberfest celebration, or weekending at our favorite football stadium, or sharing some fun recipes like eyeball deviled eggs, and spooky punch…. That pollster probably would’ve gotten a bit impatient waiting for us to decide on our final answer!
We know that when we’re with our girlfriends—no matter what we’re doing—we experience that contentment. Fall is just one of the many perfect times for doing that.
Let’s go! Text your besties, and then take that-oh-so-easy first step of planning by going to our website, MyGirlfriendships.com, and selecting Book Your Trip. Tell us your travel style, and within 24 hours our expert Courtney will contact you to plan that girlfriend trip of whatever you and your crew think is autumn fun.
]]>…and you and your besties are 24 hours away from having Courtney of Bespoke Travel, LLC (the best of the best) plan your getaway. All you’ll need to do is focus on the fun!
If you’re like us, the option to Go shopping is a no-brainer. One reason is that we just happen to be in the state that’s home to the Mall of America (MOA) which is consistently ranked in the top of the 10 best shopping malls in the U.S. (and most cases it’s #1) by trusted web sources like USA Today, TripAdvisor, CNBC, and The Travel Channel.
Lodging @MOA couldn’t be simpler too! Radisson Blu and J.W. Marriot are attached to the mall, and there 50 hotels within a 10-minute drive—and most offer a free shuttle.
Oh—and MOA during the holidays? Spectacular.
Who’s in? Send a text to your besties, then book your trip to plan a girls’ holiday shopping getaway like you’ve never experienced.
The first one I remember receiving was in fourth grade when my best friend Julie and I were on different kickball teams, and mine won. As we walked back to the classroom from the gym, I couldn’t figure out why Julie wasn’t by me. Then, when we were back in the classroom and I was in my chair changing into my street shoes, Julie walked past me and dropped a folded-up note on my desk. I can still feel how hot my face burned when I read:
I looked up just in time to see Julie glaring at me and then quickly sitting down in her chair.
My rift with Julie didn’t last much longer than an hour or so because I sent a note back to her saying I was sorry. She turned around and nodded, and that was that.
This wouldn’t be the last takedown letter I’d receive, which meant it wouldn’t be the last time I’d blame myself for pushing a then-friend to unload her frustrations on me.
What about you? How do you handle takedown letters? We want to hear from you. Write to us at info@mygirlfriendships.com, and let us know if you’d like us to read it on the podcast. We promise to keep all identifying details confidential.
Takedown letters are the main topic of our September 10 podcast segment, Friendship Fizz with Loopie and Liz. Listen to hear the doozie of a letter Lisa (aka Loopie) received from her friend, and the advice Liz gives her to heal from this “downright raunchy and cruel” missive.
Let’s Go
My Girlfriendships® has one goal: to connect a global community of girlfriends and help them strengthen their relationships with each other. We believe (because we’ve experienced it!) that the best way to do that is by going on a trip with your besties.
Well, we’re here with incredible news! As part of the My Girlfriendships community, you now have access to one of the very best travel professionals we know: Courtney Norris of Bespoke Travel, LLC. (Cue the confetti and streamers!)
Starting here on our website, it’ll take you only three clicks and you’ll be on your way to planning your next girls trip:
What are you waiting for? Call your girlfriends and say, “Let’s go!”
Let’s Eat
No takedown letter drama here. This list is only the things that will make you and your girlfriends feel nothing but satisfied. We love Indiana Potato Salad, a delicious, (slightly more sophisticated) twist on the picnic classic. This one is baked and uses cheese and bacon. Who doesn’t love bacon?!
Ingredients for 16 | Multiply by degree of hunger, divide by number of girlfriends!
PREP TIME BAKE TIME TIME UNTIL YOU SAY, “LET’S EAT!”
20 minutes 60 minutes 80 minutes
Ingredients
Directions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350º.
Step 2
Place potatoes into a pot and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook until easily pierced with a fork, about 12 minutes.
Step 3
While the potatoes are boiling, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain and break into large pieces.
Step 4
Drain and pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Step 5
Mix with mayonnaise, cheese, and onion.
Step 6
Place bacon pieces on top of the potatoes.
Step 7
Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven until cheese is browned.
Step 8
Serve and enjoy!
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This refresh doesn’t change our purpose. We’ll always want to help you stay as close to your girlfriends as possible—especially in this ever-changing world that we live in. During the pandemic, many of us faced the reality of what life was like being alone, unsupported, out of human touch, and yearning to be with our besties. My Girlfriendships will always be a remedy for those times. Use us as your guide—a go-to for all of your girlfriendship needs, wants, and concerns. Here’s what’s being refreshed:
Our Podcast
We are welcoming a new guest, Liz Pryor, to our podcast starting in Season 4. Liz was attracted to our brand after being tagged on one of our Instagram posts and we are thrilled that she had interest.
Liz is a national author of two national best sellers, What Did I Do Wrong? and Look At You Now, both of which have garnered esteemed awards that have catapulted Liz into an upper echelon status of authors.
Liz is regarded as an expert in her field. In 2011, she was chosen out of 15,000 applicants to serve as Good Morning America’s Advice Expert, and we now welcome her to our podcast where she and I will begin a new segment called Friendship Fizz with Loopie and Liz, where we’ll dissect the dynamics of a girlfriendship. We’ll read letters, take calls, and answer your questions. It will be the 15 minutes of your day that you will need just like that Starbucks® coffee in the morning. Listen to our podcast for details on how you can submit your story for The Fizz. We’re certain she will make an impression that will leave you wanting more advice from her.
For you loyal My GIrlfriendships listeners, don’t fret, Wootie and I will still be bantering! Our segment will follow The Fizz, with Girlfriend Biz. Stay tuned to hear about girls’ weekend trips: why we take them, why we need them, and how to plan them.
Speaking of trips away, you know that I love to cook for my crew when we’re on our girls trips. If you do too, then you will love our upcoming My Girlfriendships Cookbook. Listen to our podcast for details on how you can submit your recipe for the cookbook.
Travel
My Girlfriendships welcomes Courtney Norris, with Bespoke Travel, LLC. 75% of her business is designed around the preparation and planning of on-location trips for actors when filming movies and shows. She comes highly recommended from that world! Her expertise has earned her top priority with the production crews from the entertainment world that you and I pay for at the box office, watch on the comfy couch of our living room, or stream on a plane to our next destination.
She is excited to join our team and ready to customize your next girls’ weekend trip.
The Blogs
Over the course of this past year, our blog pages—Let’s Go, Let’s Eat, and Girlfriendships— have offered a myriad of content for you and your tribe to plan a destination, with suggestions of what to do and what to eat when you get there. We also throw in fun stories you can discuss with your girlfriends. Use our search bar to find which trips, recipes, or stories are relevant to you. A year’s worth of content…wowee!
Starting on September 10, our blogs will have a different look. No matter what you read, know that our blogs will offer easily accessible ideas for fun places to go and eat. And of course, Courtney is ready and waiting to plan that trip for you! We’re a one-stop shop!
We love that you travel with us—not only for your girls’ weekend trips but also on this journey. Hang on, it’s gonna be quite a ride!
“Every success story is a tale of constant adaptation, revision, and change.”
~ Richard Branson
XO
Lisa A.K.A. Loopie
You say you’re planning a girlfriend's getaway to Georgia? Great choice! Once there, you and your group are likely to experience some Southern hospitality. But besides their stereotypical good manners and warm approach, you’ll also be in the state known for its palate-pleasing things like:
Let’s Eat…in!
For us, we saw this recipe and decided that we’d choose something pecan-y. A twist on an all-time favorite is this treat, Pecan Pie Cobbler.
Ingredients for 15 | Multiply by degree of hunger, divide by number of girlfriends!
Prep time |
30 mins |
Bake time |
45 mins |
Cooling time |
60 mins |
Total time |
2 hr 15 mns |
Ingredients
Directions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 425º (You’ll lower to 350º after baking the first layer).
Step 2
Roll out one pie crust into a rectangular shape.
Step 3
Add the brown sugar, melted butter, corn syrup, eggs, and vanilla extract to a large bowl. Mix well.
Step 4
Add the 2 cups of chopped pecans and mix well.
Step 5
Pour half the mixture over the pie crust.
Step 6
Roll out the second pie crust and place on top of the mixture.
Step 7
Brush or spoon the tablespoon of melted butter over the crust and bake for 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
Step 8
Remove from the oven and reduce the temperature to 350º.
Step 9
Stir the remainder of the pecan pie mixture over the cooked crust.
Step 10
Add the 1 1/2 cups of pecan halves to the top of the cobbler.
Step 11
Bake again for 30 minutes. Allow the cobbler to cool for at least one hour before serving.
Let’s Eat…out!
Looking for a place to gather with girlfriends for a meal when in Atlanta or Helen? Here are a couple of great options when planning your next girlfriend gathering:
We’re looking forward to this southern excursion!
Recipe and Photo source:
]]>Raise your hand if you’ve visited Georgia. (We see 4 in the air here @My Girlfriendships®).
Now.
Raise your hand if you’ve visited Georgia with your girlfriends on a weekend getaway. (What?! No hands?)
If you and your crew are feeling it’s time to recharge, laugh, and chat in that easy, non-judgmental, anything-goes way we all need, My Girlfriendships thinks you should plan it now, and consider Atlanta or Helen as your destination.
Atlanta
We love Atlanta because it’s so easy to get to—there are 156 non-stop domestic flights into this beautiful city. Once you and your crew arrive, what’s there to do? Read on!
What to Do
Where to Stay
Helen
On the other end of the spectrum of the big city feel of Atlanta is Helen. Vineyards, state parks, waterfalls, and the Chattahoochee River offer days of girlfriend fun and adventure. Check out these activities:
What to Do
Helen's Oktoberfest celebrations have been going on for 50 years, involving multiple weeks of traditional dancing, food, and of course, beer. Held in the city’s riverside Festhalle, the permanent home of the festivities, the celebration is the longest running of its kind in the United States.
Where to Stay
Staying in Helen? Here are two suggestions:
We look forward to seeing your arm in the air sometime in the near future when we ask you again, “Raise your hand if you’ve visited Georgia with your girlfriends on a weekend getaway.”
Photo Sources:
It’s funny isn’t it? When you reconnect with your old friends and you realize that they are so similar to who they were when you were besties all those years ago. They still have that same smile. Idiosyncrasies. Laugh. It’s so cool and so comforting. It’s as if the clock stopped, or maybe sped up just a bit, but never forgot the foundation. Here’s ours:
Sydney and I have known each other the longest. There were three sixth grade classes at Skycrest Elementary and we were in Mrs. Freeman’s class (which had all of the “cool people” in it...or so we thought). Mrs. Freeman did something that we students both anticipated and expected, but now looking at it as an adult, I shake my head.
Each year, she awarded three boys and three girls from our classroom with certificates for the “Best Looking”, “Best Personality”, and “Most Popular”. Seriously, I’m not an “everyone-gets-an-award'' type gal, but what a way to give a prepubescent kid a skewed self-image. Whatever!
Sydney took the best looking award and I garnered the most popular. Big deal right? Ha!
Later in life we were also college roommates at Chico State University.
I met Charlie in seventh grade because I think I had her in a couple of classes. She was shy, wore geeky glasses, and no one really noticed her. By the time eighth grade began, everyone noticed her. Over the summer, she lost a bunch of weight, her bra size moved up a couple of cups, and her parents invested in contacts so she could ditch the glasses.
We didn’t live far from one another; her house was within walking distance of mine. We often rode to and from school together, and I walked there daily just to hang out and have sleepovers. This was a time in my life when my mom was actively dating Tom (a married man), so I always wanted to get out of the house. Charlie’s home was much more pleasant than mine.
She was also my maid of honor in my wedding.
Mallory was tightly connected to her elementary school friends when we met in seventh grade. New school, new friends, new environment, but those girls from Harry Dewey Elementary were tight. In junior high, we were just a big group of friends, but when we got to high school, we became better friends because her house was the closest to it. After school her parents were rarely home, so it was a good place to go and raid the refrigerator after classes ended.
The four of us have been through the good and the bad, but our deep friendship has kept us afloat. We’ve stayed connected to one another over the past few decades, but not always consistently. Sydney is probably the least communicative, while I am the most. Nonetheless, we are now all four back into the swing of things and are committed to taking a girl’s weekend trip together every year.
We started our new-found tradition in 2019. Since I am the planner in the group, I rented a really adorable single family home right on the beach in Santa Barbara for us. (Sydney and Mallory still live in California while Charlie and I live in Colorado and Minnesota.) Naturally, California is often the best choice for us to travel to. Charlie and I usually extend our trip on the front or back end so that we can visit family members and other friends who are still there.
I am the caretaker. I am the mom of the group. I strategically planned to be the first to arrive on the Santa Barbara trip so I could hop in my rented Jeep wrangler and head to Whole Foods first thing. I am also the cook of the group so I wanted to gather all of the groceries to prepare meals.
I say I am all of these “of the group” titles because I like to serve. It’s not because they are lacking in any way. Each one of them would do what I do if I wasn’t. Each one of us has a part in our friendship. I just choose to be the overdoer. I am very aware of this and they are all flexible in allowing me to serve them. We all four have certain traits, and we all respect who each other is.
After the trip to the store to get food, I was the first inside our rental home to unload groceries and set a gift and card on their pillows. I love to recognize people with gifts. That particular year, I got these really cute coffee mugs. On one side it said, “Friends are never apart, maybe in distance, but never in heart”, and on the other side was a picture of the backs of four women sitting on a dock with their arms around each other. I was able to pick from a bunch of different options for hair length, style, and color. I swear it looked just like the four of us. So the box with that mug in it, wrapped with a pretty bow, and a card, went on each of their pillows. Once I was finished unloading and getting everything set up and ready, I went back to the airport to pick up the three of them.
We had a blast that weekend. I personally felt like my heart had returned to its full capacity being with them for that length of quality time.
It was our last day of the trip. I remember it was a beautiful, sunny Sunday. We were sitting on the outdoor deck on the second level, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I used the leftovers to make a big omelette for all of us. As we were eating our breakfast, Mallory spoke up. With tears in her eyes and a scratchy throat, she said, “I have worked with many women who have become my friends for over 25 years. Those women don’t know me like you guys know me. I need you and we need to do this trip every year!”
Those words rang true in my head for all those days that have passed between then and now. My summation of what her words meant is this:
Women need one another for many reasons. In Mallory’s case, it’s for comfort and support. For me, it’s to help and serve others.
So that is how this company, My GIrlfriendships, came to be. It was her reaching out for help and my caretaking side wanting to serve. It was those very specific words and a few tears from Mallory that started it all.
How many Mallorys are out there? And how many Lisas? I would assume many.
We are over one year into it with three blogs, one podcast, and over 5000 Instagram followers. It’s an amazing journey to fulfill a dream to help women reconnect, cultivate, grow, sustain, and honor what matters in this life. Not every woman gets the chance to experience a deep girlfriendship, but with My Girlfriendships, it is my hope that most will now have the opportunity to know how.
I love that you were with me today. See you next time!
XO
Lisa A.K.A. Loopie
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Speaking of “fresh” and “avocados”, follow this recipe and you and your girlfriends are guaranteed an “ahhhh-mazing” (that’s the exact word one of us used to describe it) salad.
Corn, Avocado, and Tomato Salad
Ingredients for 6 | Multiply by degree of hunger, divide by number of girlfriends!
Prep time |
15 mns |
Chill time |
1-2 hours |
Ingredients
Dressing:
Directions
Step 1
Combine the corn, avocado, tomatoes, and onion in a large glass bowl.
Step 2
Mix together the dressing ingredients in another bowl.
Step 3
Pour dressing over the corn, avocado, tomatoes, and onion, and gently toss to mix.
Step 4
Chill salad for 1-2 hours to let the flavors blend.
Step 5
Enjoy!
*Recipe note:
Fresh corn is best here. There are many ways that you can prepare it:
- Bring a pot of water to boiling and boil the corn for 3-5 minutes.
- Grill the corn over medium high heat for 3-5 minutes.
- Keep the corn in its husk and microwave for 3-5 minutes. It steams the corn.
- Cut the corn off the cob and sauté in a pan with a little oil for 3-5 minutes.
Let’s Eat…out!
Looking for a place to gather with girlfriends when visiting Chico or Santa Barbara? Here are a couple of great options when planning your next girlfriend gathering:
Sounds like the perfect blend of food and fun. You need only bring your friends!
Recipe and Photo sources:
https://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/corn-avocado-and-tomato-salad/
Chico
Chico. It’s not only the site where our CEO earned her college degree, it’s ideal for spending a few days with your besties. Here are a few reasons why:
Check out these other reasons!
What to Do
Where to Stay
Santa Barbara
When our research found that Santa Barbara is considered one of the “least stressed” cities in the U.S., we knew we wanted to suggest it to you. Then we learned that it’s chock-full of options for hiking, surfing, kayaking, and cycling, and that solidified it. The only issue you and your group may have is trying to fit all the fun things in a short getaway. Worth a try though, right?!
What to Do
Where to Stay
Staying in Santa Barbara? There are spectacular places for any group’s budget...and we think it’d be worth it to splurge with your girls. Here are three worthy suggestions:
Call your girlfriends and go!
Photo Sources:
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Sidebar
First, let me say this. I'm not an expert, counselor, therapist, or the like. I am, however, one who sees a lot of success in many areas in my life, and that has allowed me to help others throughout theirs. That said, I’d like to tell you how I have maneuvered through life with self-respect and how I acquired it.
The Early Years
I was “raised” an only child, though I have a half-sister and brother, Linda and Bill. They were out of the house by the time I was five, hence the quotation marks around raised. It was just Mom, Dad, and me for five straight years. They separated when I was 10, and he passed away when I was 12. During those years from birth to 10, I had a lot of patting on the back. A lot of encouragement and a lot of bragging done by both parents.
Eddie
“Lisa, you can be whatever you want to be in life. If you want to be the president of the United States, you can be that.” He said this as he looked straight at me. Somehow with his dark brown eyes and his no-nonsense way of speaking, I believed him.
That was my dad Eddie, my loudest cheerleader. Eddie was always trying to make me a better person. He was the first one to ever take me fishing.
“You wanna learn how to fish, Lisa?”
“Yeah sure, I guess so. That would be fun.”
“Ok. Let’s go to the store and get you a pole and all the accessories.” Again, this came across to me as matter-of-fact. It was as if it was mandatory for an eight-year-old to learn how to fish.
I lived in the suburbs most of my life. Back and forth to Santa Rosa and Rohnert Park from Sacramento, Fairfield, Carmichael, and Fair Oaks. We moved all over, all the time. So, fishing? No, I didn’t live anywhere long enough to pick up the hobby. It was a mystery to me, but I was ready for the challenge.
Off we’d go to a place called Howath Park in Santa Rosa, where we would cast a line off the bridge into the pond.
“OK, here’s what you do Lisa.”
My memory tells me that he said my name often. I don’t know if he did or not because it was so long ago, but what I always hear in my head is him using my name a lot.
“This is called a fishing line. There are thicker and thinner lines depending on what kind of fish you’re catching. We don’t need anything too thick because we’re just fishing for small bass in this pond. They’re not that heavy so this line should hold them just fine.”
“You have to have some weights on your line so that the lure sinks down to where the fish are. See how these little balls of metal have a slit in them?”
“Yeah, I can see that, Dad.”
“OK, take the line and put it in that slit, and then take these needle-nosed pliers and clamp the slit until it closes to hold the line.”
“Wow, these metal weights are really small. They’re not easy to clamp.” I tried as hard as I could to get it right.
“You’re doing great Lisa, that’s exactly how you’re supposed to do it. You’ll be able to string any line after today. You’re really good at this.”
I clamped the metal ball onto the string, and added a few more after the first one. I thought it needed more weight. Dad agreed.
“OK. Now you have to add this plastic, round, red and white bobber. It’s called a bobber because it bobs up and down in the water. It tells you if you have a fish tugging on your line or not. Do you understand Lisa?”
“Yeah, I get it. What do you do when it starts bobbing?”
He looked at me with those dark brown eyes and got a smile on his face. Not a big one though. Dad was a bit serious, so he only cracked a small smile.
“That’s when you start reeling in your fish. Grab that jar of salmon eggs over there.”
I went over to the newly purchased, army-green tackle box that we set on the wooden slats of the bridge just 6 feet away from our fishing position. I grabbed the jar and opened it. I had never seen salmon eggs before. They were bright orange, round like a pea, and sort of squishy.
Dad showed me exactly how to place them on the hook, and then showed me how to cast my line. From that moment forward, I was the best eight-year-old, female, fisher-girl in the state of California.
Edna
Mom was a bit different than Eddie. To look back on my childhood, I would say she tried to love me as much as she was able. She showed it in ways that were different than many other parents, but I knew she loved me.
I would do things for her just for the reaction. For instance, I was the queen of making good coffee. I know this because Edna would not have drank the coffee if it was bad. She complained about everything, so I knew exactly where I stood. I would surprise her when she woke up from her 1-2 p.m. nap with a fresh pot of coffee. Day in and day out, she would make a fresh pot of coffee as soon as she woke up in the morning, as soon as she woke up from her midday one hour nap, and after dinner. All of these coffee rituals were shared with a Winston cigarette. Then she would empty her ashtray into the used coffee filter with the grounds. To this day, when I smell coffee, I’m not sure if it is a cigarette or a cup of coffee. Weird huh?
I could do wrong in Edna’s eyes (most of the time).
“Let Lisa fix it, she knows how.”
“Let Lisa wear it, it will look so cute on her.”
“Lisa, this is the best meal I have ever had.”
Again. Let me remind you, she complained about everything, so when she complimented me or gave me kudos, I knew it was real.
You must be thinking by now that my head is the size of Texas, right? Well, in some people’s opinions, it may be. I like to think of it as self-confidence, which translates to self-respect in my opinion.
How does all of this tie into girlfriendships®?
I think self-confidence ties into girlfriendships in many ways, but if it’s not clear to you, here are some examples that may help you understand how it can work for you as it did for me.
Do you have that friend who doesn’t have much respect for herself? She’s always putting herself down, or thinking she could never accomplish what others do. She’s the one who has a difficult time accepting her skills, her successes, her inner beauty.
Self-respect can be defined in many ways, but here is how it’s written in the dictionary: pride and confidence in oneself; a feeling that one is behaving with honor and dignity.
It becomes a love of self. Not in a selfish way, but in a productive way so that you can share it with others. Share your strength and encouragement so that it’s passed along.
Do you have that friend or those friends who possess these qualities? When you’re with them, do you feel inspired, motivated, and encouraged? I hope that’s what I do for my friends. But truth be told, I have many friends who do that for me. I am sometimes that girl who doesn’t feel so great about myself. As of late, menopause has been a tough road for me. If its level of severity was judged on a scale from 1-10 with 10 being the most severe, I would give my experience an 8. I won’t go into details, just know, it isn’t pretty.
During this time, my self-respect has waned. I kinda mentally beat myself up thinking and wondering how I got here. Mostly physically, but some mental too. My level of self-respect has taken a downturn, and I try everyday to raise it back to the level it was five years ago before menopause started.
We women go through many transitions throughout our lives. Sometimes we’re the hero and sometimes we need to be saved. When our self-respect is intact, it makes a difference.
You could have grown up with Eddie and Edna types or not. Maybe your form of praise came from a teacher, other family members, a boss, a significant other. Could have been anyone. Or maybe no one. Whatever the case, this is the blog to bring to your attention the need for discovering something you may have never had or something that you do have and how it should be used with our girlfriends.
We are all on a constant path, searching for something to feed us. Something to sustain us. Many people in our lives fulfill those needs, but the voids that a girlfriend fills are immeasurable. Please keep on supporting and respecting not only your friends, but also yourself.
I love that you were with me today. See you next time!
XO
Lisa A.K.A. Loopie
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