We know you'll be complimenting your dinner this evening with a Cinco deMayo Margarita, but put this on your calendar for May 14.

Grab your girlfriends - GENTLY! - and enjoy a sampling of all things good for you.

Wait!  We promise it's still fun! It's both good for you AND fun!  Like Flintstones chewable vitamins.

It's a mini Girlfriend Getaway of sorts, in that it's only one night.  And we know you're familiar with one-nighters...no judgment.

Ever wondered what EFT, hypnotherapy, life coaching or aromatherapy could do for you?  Are you currently wondering what EFT even is?

Come speed-date the experts.  We know you're also familiar with speed-dating.

Location:  Seattle - if you're in the area, come join us!  If you're not, sad frownie face, we'll miss you.

Date:  May 14, 2008 - that's right, you still have time to plan your outfit.

Place:  Sole Repair Shop - as much as we'd like to think this is a shoe store, it's not.  It's just a really cool loft space at 1001 East Pike - Seattle, Washington 98122 (The Shop is located behind Quinn’s restaurant on 10^th Ave.—Look for an event sign on the white door. There’s no address on the door.  It's that cool. )

 

Once inside, you will move from station-to-station in small groups, enjoying mini-experiences from a variety of wellness providers. See what they actually do, and have all your questions answered.  Possibly even the "Why are we here?" question, depending on how much wine you have.

 

Find out more about:

EFT: Emotional Freedom Technique

Life Coaching

Hypnotherapy

Fascial Stretch Therapy ^TM

Aromatherapy 

CranioSacral Therapy 

Reiki

 

*Thanks, also, to CRAVE for the extra support!  They're like a great jog-bra!

 

 

Loose itinerary: 

6:30 p.m. Unwind, mix & mingle

7-9 p.m. Event  

Free admission (we LOVE free), cash wine bar (meh, we usually have to pay for wine, so this is okay).

 

Do us a favor.  Pretty please?

RSVP here so we know how many people to expect.  If we think there are more people coming, there will be more wine available.  We'd really love to see you!

Click HERE and RSVP at the top of the page.

 

While paging through the delicious May issue of In Style, we stumbled across the "What's Hot Now" page, featuring

Rashida Jones.  Rashida

 

 

 

is awesome for several reasons:

 

1)  She is Quincy Jones' daughter

2)  She dated (or dates) John Krasinski

(at some point I will arm-wrestle her, and he will be mine)

3)  She was on "The Office"

AND,

4)  For her birthday she hired a professional dancer to teach her, and her friends, the dance routine to Justin Timberlake's video "My Love".

This confirms that she might just be my official new Girl-Crush.

This is "girlfriends" personified.

This is something that I would totally do if I had the funds to pay the dancer-guy, but until then I will simply continue to upload Janet Jackson videos on YouTube, and Play - Rewind - Play - Rewind.

I mean, HYPOTHETICALLY, this is what I MIGHT do.

Rashida, if you're feeling generous, my birthday is July 12, and I would LOVE to learn Janet's "Feedback".  The song plays too fast and the moves are quick and kind of tough to catch.

HYPOTHETICALLY. 

 

 

The hype has already begun, but are you REALLY ready for a special Sex & The City Movie Extravaganza?

We are.

Every time we categorize something as "Extravaganza", rest assured it is going to be extravagant. Climb into your closets and pull out your skyscraper stilettos, and sparkliest dress, or best version of your Mr. Big tuxedo, and set aside the afternoon of Saturday May 31.

Holiday Golightly has managed to secure Belltown's Big Picture for a private showing of "Sex & The City", on the second day of it's release. That is Big stuff (pun totally intended).

When: Saturday, May 31
What time: 1:00pm
Where: The Big Picture
How Much: $22 per person*

(*includes movie and champagne toast)

Who do you want to be for the premiere?

Carrie - Manolo fanatic, daring fashionista
Charlotte - Chanel enthusiast, romantic optimist
Miranda - Prada partisan, corporate warrior
Samatha - Versace vamp, cougar extrordanaire

Come on! You NEVER play dress up anymore! In Seattle, you will never have a better excuse to wear sequins.

UPDATE 5/9/08 - NOW SOLD OUT - SORRY GIRLS!

Host your own screening party!

Use Evite, or just send around a regular email, inviting your girlfriends for an evening of dressing up and reuniting with the pop-culture phenomenon that is Sex & The City.

Need inspiration or motivation? CLICK HERE

 

 

 

Let me offer you a glass of champagne. We shall now toast to the super fun time that Lola, Muffy, and I had in NYC. Did you know that there was a Biker tribute to the victims of 9/11 and that we got a free round of drinks at Bar Americain? Well, now you do!!

In addition to those joys and adventures, we also enjoyed playing numerous rounds of “that’s what she said”, saw a show, and had delicious cocktails and food. We even managed a trip to Zabar’s. Mmm...Zabar’s!

There were 2 disappointing things about Spring Awakening:

1. The guy that won the Tony for his performance in the show wasn’t there.
2. The lead was a spitter. He gets so excited when he sings and annunciates every single word so he ends up spitting everywhere. At one point, I wanted to stand up and yell, “Say it! Don’t spray it!” I controlled myself. I bet the people in the first 2 rows wish that someone had warned them that it was like sitting in the front row of a Shamu show at Sea World. There was a constant stream of mist coming out of his mouth. Yuck, yuck.

Here’s a little example of the good times we enjoyed at Bar Americain:

Lola: So my friend was dating a brother for a few months, blah, blah, blah.

Muffy: What the hell is wrong with her?

Me: What do you mean?

Muffy: I mean where was she raised? You just don’t do that.

Lola: Well, she didn’t date him for long, just for a few months.

Muffy: Seriously, that’s freaking crazy. How would it dawn on her to do something like that even for a few days!

Me: [By this point I’m thinking that Muffy is a racist] Come on now, it’s not that bad.

Muffy: It’s wrong. It’s just wrong.

Me: Wait a minute. She was dating an African American, not her brother.

Muffy: Oh. I thought you said it was her brother. [Laughter ensues and mocking begins]

Dinner took place at Tao. We all rocked out jeans and I wore the bear traps. The food was delicious, but it was a tad bit too loud. I only realized this once my ears started bleeding. Thankfully, I was able to stop the bleeding by stuffing a crisp lobster and shrimp dumpling in each ear. No one noticed. It was too dark for anyone to see anything. I’m so freaking old. 5 years ago I would have loved going to a place like that. Now, I question why they have to make it so freaking loud and dark. Thank god that I didn’t get all hammered there. I can only imagine how I would have managed to get out of there without tripping over one of the low tables in the bar. The food was excellent, I recommend going: just make sure to take a flashlight and some ear plugs.

"Sex and The City" opens today - have you got your tickets? Are you in New York? Are you sick of the hype?  We're not.  Have a Girls' Night Sleepover at the Mandarin Oriental with their Celebration Package. 

 

"Fans from around the world eager to celebrate the launch of the Sex and the City movie can indulge their inner Carrie, Samantha, Miranda or Charlotte with a delicious bite of the Big Apple that even the fabulous foursome would envy.

The Sex and the City Celebration Package gets guests off to a shopping with a USD 200 gift card to famed specialty department store Henri Bendel – a favorite haunt of the show’s stylist/costume designer Patricia Field. Guests will also delight in a private limousine tour of Sex and the City shooting locations, where guides divulge behind-the-scenes stories from the days of filming. Featured on the tour are stops at Henri Bendel and Jimmy Choo where guests will swoon over the latest fashion and shoe indulgences. After an over-the-top day of glamour, guests can relax over a round of Sex and the City-inspired cocktails in the hotel’s stylish Lobby Lounge.

The Sex and the City Celebration Package includes:

* USD 200 gift card to fashion haven Henri Bendel
* A private and personalized Sex and the City Hotspots Tour, courtesy of On Location Tours. Tour for up to five people.
* Stop at Henri Bendel with a personal shopper leading the way
* Gift at Henri Bendel from leading intimate apparel designer Cosabella, who has just launched a “Sex and the City” lingerie collection
* Stop at Jimmy Choo's Madison Avenue boutique
* Round of two Sex and the City-inspired cocktails in the hotel’s stylish Lobby Lounge
* Sex and the City Trivia game that recaptures the fun-filled adventures and details from the six-year series
* One night in a Mr. Big-worthy guestroom or suite at the 5-star Mandarin Oriental, New York

Valid April 15 - December 31, 2008

Reservations can be made by calling +1 (212) 805 8800 or toll free at (866) 801 8880
or via email monyc-reservations@mohg.com.

It's not just for strippers anymore. Pole dancing is becoming more and more popular as a fun way to exercise, and hang (literally) with your girlfriends. Lucite heels and nipple tassels not required.

 

 

What a totally quirky alternative to the typical bachelorette party activities! And since it's exercise AND fun, what's not to love? Okay, normally, we don't love exercise. Pole dancing might change our minds.

We talked to Angi Carlston, owner and lead instructor of Divine Movement, and asked her some questions about it:

Q) How many girls could take a class at one time, say for a bachelorette party?

A) There are only 6 girls per class, but for parties I can teach up to 10.

Q) Do I have to be very flexible?

A) No flexibility or strength is needed for the party moves and spins and in class we gradually work up to the more diffucult moves. Upper body strength is really not needed until level 3 and we work our way up to it.

Q) What if the I haven't exercised in, say, 4 years? No judging.

A) You will be fine. The moves and pole spins taught at a party can be learned by anyone and in class you will get a workout and gain flexibility, but you can work at your own pace. I was 3 years out of shape when I started!

Q) Would I have to wear lucite platform heels and nipple tassels?

A) There is no nudity involved. Just wear some yoga gear or any thing you might go to the gym in. Platform heels are optional once you are in level 3.

Q) If "no" to the above question, what would you recommend for clothing? If "yes" to the above question, where can I buy nipple tassels?

A) ha ha ha. Tastie pasties. But really, wear comfortable clothes you can move in. Yoga pants or sweats and T shirts and tanks.

Q) How long is a typical class?

A) A typical class is one hour and 45 minutes long and the parties are 2 hours.

Q) In that one class could I actually get up on the pole?

A) Most women learn 2 spins during the 2 hour party. In a level one 8 week session you will learn 6 spins and some pole moves and floor moves. Climbing starts in level 2 and inverting in level 3.

Q) Will there be blisters?

A) I haven't ever had any blisters. If you work a lot on the pole you could develop callouses.

Q) What are your favorite songs to use for background music?

A) My favorite songs are always changing. Some of our more popular songs are Paula Cole-'feelin love' and Massive Attack-Angel. The warm up music ranges from Death Cab for Cutie and Sia to Justin Timberlake and Timbaland.

Q) What are some non-pole-related exercises that might help me get in shape for pole dancing?

A) Ab strength can really help your progress on the pole. Anything abdominal is helpful. A lot of pole dancers practice yoga.

Thanks Angi! Check out the Divine Movement website HERE.

Aside: You may or may not have seen the following video on YouTube, but several women agreed to a "dare" (and won $10,000), and performed pole dancing routines on the New York City Subway. It's hilarious.

 

VIDEO

 

That's right. Even if you're in your late 20's, 30's or 40's, etc, you can still enjoy a good Pub Crawl. The fun is really in the theme of the crawl, and the getting-together-with-the-people part. You're never too old to play Dress-Up!

Pub Crawls can be done anywhere: hometown girls night out, or on a girlfriend getaway. You'll just need to do a little coordinating to set it up.

Bar Golf is a popular theme, where you stop at 9 "holes" (bars), have one drink per hole, keep scorecards, and dress in outrageous golf gear.

This is not difficult as golf clothing comes in various neon bright colors, and plaid and argyle patterns. The scoring is up to the group. For those of us not in our early 20s, it is a good idea to maybe skip a hole or two, and just drink at every other hole. If you're competitive, go ahead and knock yourself out. Someone will have a camera in her golf bag to document your "winning streak".

Other popular themes:

NASCAR - dig up your cutoff Daisy Dukes and confederate flag t-shirts, and make sure to order your beer in a can.

Superhero - dress up as Wonder Woman, BatGirl, or the Green Lantern, and go from pub to pub, fighting crime. (When we say "crime" we mean "sobriety").

Catholic school kids - because that just looks hilarious.

Regardless of your pub crawl theme, there should always be a leader, with a whistle, to make sure you stay on schedule.

There should also be a photographer to make sure you regret dressing up as Dale Earnhardt Junior - mustache and all.

 

We asked, and you answered! Many of you had been to some fairly standard bachelorette/hen parties, and there were others who stepped it up a bit with some very original plans. These are the top 10 responses we found, with some unique ideas we'll be borrowing!

1. River rafting/camping trip on the Colorado - we love this idea if for no other reason than you get to leave the makeup, hair-dryers, flat-irons, and high heels at home. Get back to nature.

 

 

2. Rock climbing with lingerie prize at the top of the rock face. - Anything that involves prizes is very big in our book. Although you'd really need to wait to cool down before putting on the lingerie.

 

3. Napa Getaway with the perfect house to chill at! Riding in a limo all over tasting great wine! - Wineries are our Happy Places, and are a failsafe celebration/party idea.

 

 

4. Can Can (a burlesque club) in Pike Place Market (Seattle). Not too raunchy like a strip club, but we weren't sitting around drinking tea getting our nails done either. - We would wholeheartedly endorse the burlesque show AND drinking tea and getting our nails done.

 

5. Running around Burning Man doing a cheesy scavenger hunt that turned into a night of extremely naughty insanity. - From what we've heard, Burning Man is fairly insane to begin with, so this must have been the ultimate in craziness!

 

 

6. Water theme - private boat party bridal shower followed by Austin Night life, then an all day float down the Guadalupe River, nursing hangovers the next day! Awesome! - We are envisioning "nursing hangovers" with margaritas. Is that wrong?

 

 

7. We went bowling. It was low key, there were drinks, and we were all equally horrible. It was great! - Bowling is hilarious, and we are suspicious of anyone who is actually good at it.

 

8. Wiggin Out. We all wore different colored and styled wigs the whole night. It was a sight. - We LOVE wigs! They really take the pressure off of finding a great outfit. No one looks at your outfit when you're wearing a turquoise bob.

 

9. We dressed up as men for a friends party. Suits, hats, fake cigars. It was hilarious! - This is a fantastic idea, and possibly the most unique we've heard. We are already trying to think of which suit we'd wear.

 

10. At one party I attended, the host had made a small photo book with "assignments" for the bride-to-be (eg. find a bald man, get a bartender to propose, etc.) We had a ball using the polaroid camera snapping up shots of the night and when we were done, the bachelorette had a fun souvenier of the night! - Assignments are a great way to cajole your bachelorette friend into doing truly embarrassing things, and having concrete proof of this? Priceless.

 

 

Thanks so much to everyone who participated!

 

Spending time at museums may seem like the perfect Sunday activity, but many art centers are offering up their space during evening hours with various events and activities, so you're not limited to interacting silently with a Picasso.

 

 

Some of the museums offer social opportunities, as well as stunning pieces of art.

Boston, MA - there are a couple of different options at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston: Winesdays (we love the way they think) - the last Wednesday of every month offers expert-led wine tastings in the museum's famed restaurant, Bravo. Or sample a wider variety of cocktails with MFAsummerFridays: "Leave your work week behind and relax wih friends both old and new. Enjoy live music outside in the Calderwood Courtyard and specialty cocktails from our cash bars."

Chicago, IL - Museum of Contemporary Art offers First Fridays: "Relax after a long workweek with a cash bar featuring specialty drinks and free Wolfgang Puck appetizers." and Tuesdays on the Terrace: "...another exciting season of free evening jazz concerts on the MCA's Anne and John Kern Terrace overlooking Lake Michigan. Enjoy cocktails and a buffet dinner ($16.50) while listening to Chicago's finest jazz musicians..." (June-September)

Miami, FL - Every third Thursday of the month, there's a JAM at MAM. "Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and Djs spinning laid back grooves. MAM members free; Non-members $10."

New York, NY - the Frick Museum offers monthly, sometimes bi-monthly, classical music performances.

St. Louis, MO -City Museum's Monstro Movie Series runs Friday & Saturday nights throughout the summer.

San Francisco, CA -the Legion of Honor offers their summer series of movies that were filmed in San Francisco.

Seattle, WA - the newly renovated Seattle Art Museum has it's very own after hours club. Sort of. "SAM presents a lush and lively atmosphere with live performers and public programs from 5 to 9 p.m. on select Thursday and Friday nights."

 

Take your girlfriends for a sophisticated Girls' Night Out!

Oh, you know it's going to happen (again). You will be out with the girls - whether celebrating a bachelorette party, or someone's landmark birthday - and you will suddenly find yourself at one of those bars or clubs that offers up a bar, or some elevated platform, or table for you to dance on. We're here to make sure you're properly attired just in case.

Obvious first recommendation: wear pants. Paris, Lindsay, Britney - we've seen the mess. Pants please. The darker, the better, as one of your friends will inevitably spill her drink on them. White is a colossal mistake, as you will probably have to sit on the table or bar in order to boost yourself up to a standing/dancing position. And who knows what kind of guacamole/barbecue/Jaegermeister residue will be there? Skinny leg pants are better - flares might knock over someone's beer while you're kicking up your heels

J Brand skinny leg jeans - $180 at Net-A-Porter

 

A top with a bra under it. Keep the girls contained. Please. Your lady lumps deserve a little respect. And we will start by ceasing to refer to them as "lady lumps". We reviewed several convertible, non-strap bra options HERE.

Alice + Olivia Beaded Halter Top - Retail: $396, on sale for $198 at ShopBop

 

If you must wear a dress or skirt - take a cue from your 5-yr old self and wear shorts underneath. No, we're not kidding. The "shorts" can be boy-short underwear in a non-white color. Just something. Do you remember those "scandalous" photos of George Clooney's now-ex-girlfriend, Sarah Larson? Okay, one of the photos was somewhat questionable, but for the most part they were harmless. The one that I remembered was probably meant, by the slimy photographer, to be lascivious, as it was an up-the-skirt shot. But our girl Sarah? Wearing black boy shorts underneath. Well played Sarah Larson.

Under Armour Active Boyshorts - $19.99 at Nordstrom

 

Shoes - anything secure (i.e. not mules), that you don't have to take inchy little baby-steps in. I have some shoes I call my "sitting down" shoes - don't wear those. Some platforms usually look difficult to function in, but are actually quite comfortable. Choose shoes at your discretion. Some people really just can't walk in heels, much less dance.

Stella McCartney Strappy Sandal - Retail: $695, on sale for $391 at Bergdorf Goodman

 

Wristlet purse: these things are invaluable in that they allow you to use both hands for whatever. Holding two shots of tequila? No problem! Grabbing the pole with both hands? No problem! Holding your friends' hair back if she becomes ill? No problem. You're wearing a wristlet! (Okay, a shoulder strap purse would work well also. It's just not as much fun to say.)

LD Tuttle The Wanderer Large Wristlet Clutch - Retail: $257, on sale for $77.10 at ShopBop

 

We also advise using care when selecting jewelry, as a too-large pair of earrings can set you up with a nice black eye if you're whipping your head around to Rhianna.

Remember: drink responsibly, dance responsibly, and if you can't do either of those, make sure no one brought their camera.