The Windy City

You think you know someone pretty well, but then you spend two 9-hour bus rides, two nights in a hostel and walk 20 miles with them, and you see a whole other side of that person…the good, the bad, the ugly and the fabulous. For three days in June, the Nashville, Columbus and Detroit Chapters traveled to Chicago for a multi chapter event with the Little Black Dress Club ladies of the Chicago Southland Chapter to explore The Windy City.

For the Nashville sisters, the trip started late Thursday night when they boarded the Megabus for an overnight excursion through Louisville and Indianapolis before the final destination of Chicago. I’m pretty sure that time paused on that trip, and the trip was much longer than 9 hours. If customer service is a high priority for your experience, then Megabus is not for you!

 

Since the trip seemed to be all about new experiences, the Nashville ladies didn’t go for just any regular hotel experience, they took a chance on a hostel experience (not to be confused with a hostile experience) and stayed at Hostelling International Chicago. It was like summer camp all over again with 8 girls stacked in bunk beds in one room. There may or may not have been some falling out of bunk beds, some indiscriminate videos and snoring. We all took the Full Moon Vow again, so we’ll never tell!

Just about every mode of transportation was used when traveling the city, including bus, cab, train and trolley. The ladies quickly discovered that there are many interesting characters that can be encountered when using public transportation, which usually lead to humor more so than fear. Of course, there is usually safety in numbers.

Friday and Saturday included lots of shopping on Michigan Avenue and State Street, including visits to Water Tower Place and Marshall Field & Company, the second largest department store in the world with 12 stories, including the 5 story Tiffany & Co. mosaic-capped ceiling.

 

Our sightseeing adventures included visiting The Cloud Gate (better known as The Bean) and Crown Fountain in Millennium Park, a walk along Lake Michigan to Lincoln Park and the Lincoln Park Zoo, a Chicago Architecture Cruise on the Chicago River, a trip to see Wrigley Field and an evening of ferris wheels (not carousels) and fireworks at Navy Pier. There was also much walking done on the weekend, and by the time the Nashville ladies arrived home Sunday night, they had taken over 47,000 steps, which is about 20 miles. Several of the ladies had well-deserved pedicures and massages the following day.

 

The weekend was not without lots of great food. We dined at Ed Debevics, where the servers are over the top and rude…on purpose. We also shared delicious Chicago-style pizza with the other chapters at Lou Malnati’s in the historic Gold Coast district. Saturday evening we got our Cajun fix at Heaven on Seven where several sampled some of the most delicious grits on earth. Our last meal together in Chicago was at the Grand Lux Cafe and included sharing Mimosas, Bellinis and some very large portions of French Toast.

 

Shortly after brunch on Sunday, the chapters bid farewell to each other and went back to their respective cities. It was a fabulous weekend spent making new friends, experiencing new adventures and capturing great memories. Plans were already discussed for future gatherings of the chapters, and I know I am looking forward to more trips together!

~ Tonya Overstreet
Nashville Chapter Member, LBDC



Here’s what a few others had to say about the Chicago trip with The Little Black Dress Club:

"After the Columbus chapter did Pilates in Millennium Park they went to the bean. Who did they run into but Nashville ladies! Columbus was very into shopping and collectively got 6 pairs of shoes, 5 purses, and too many dresses to count!"
~ Suzy Hicks, Columbus Chapter Co-Director

“I loved seeing Chicago for the first time and what a wonderful group of ladies to do it with. I'm ready for our next LBDC adventure!”
~ Beth Holt, Nashville Chapter Member

"I loved having LBDC members from Nashville, Ohio and Detroit join us in the Windy City for an amazing weekend! LBDC provides us with these unique opportunities to meet fabulous ladies, who we may otherwise never cross paths with. I'm already looking forward to our next road trip."
~ Richelle Schneider, Chicago Southland Chapter Director

"Meeting lots of great new people, sightseeing, EATING and shopping shopping shopping!! What a blast!"
~ Jenny Smith, Columbus Chapter Member

“Spending 4 days with these women really gave me a chance to get to know them all a little bit better. I can't imagine my first trip to Chicago being with anyone else. Laughing, trying new things and making memories; that's what LBDC is all about."
~ Shay Ashcraft, Nashville Chapter Co-Director and National Director

“Seeing my city, the city I was born & raised in, through the eyes of tourists was an incredible event for me. I was amazed at how well all of these ladies were able to navigate our great city of Chicago. This is a testament to what kind of women LBDC women are; independent & fun loving adventurers!! I would love to visit their cities next!!
~ Peg Donnellan, Chicago Southland Chapter Member

"This was a wonderful way to be introduced to the LBDC! It was a great trip!"
~ Renee Jackson, Detroit Metro Chapter Member

LBDC Directors - Chicago, Detroit, Nashville and Columbus

 

Director Spotlight - Rachel Blankenship

The Little Black Dress Club could not be what it is without a long list of terrific directors. Challenged with the task of planning events, marketing sponsorships, organizing raffles and charity work as well as networking, LBDC directors take on these huge responsibilities, with a smile.

Our current Director Spotlight shines on 34 year old Rachel Blankenship from our Columbus, OH chapter. Leading up her chapter since January of 2012, Rachel is a “Jill of all trades” currently working as a corporate sales manager, mobile marketing area director, event planner and coordinator, business owner and entrepreneur. Her plate certainly stays full!

Along with running a successful chapter for the LBDC, Rachel also serves as a blog host for our national blog and has participated in several roundtable meetings with other LBDC directors as well as the Leadership team to help develop training and marketing tools for the club.

In her spare time Rachel enjoys a long list of hobbies, interests and fun activities. While she is certainly at the top of her class when it comes to fashion, beauty and modeling, she also loves to practice kickboxing, water sports or just check in on her favorite Atlanta Braves. While Rachel is a huge fan of Nicholas Sparks, coffee, wine, shopping, mushroom hunting and scrapbooking, she also loves to throw on a pair of naughty monkey heels and head out on the town for some girl time or to shop for a new little black dress!

Rachel’s most challenging accomplishment has been earning her PHD. After more than five years of tedious studying and hard work, she says she owes her success to her  ambition and discipline as well as endless support from her family and friends.

Humble and full of encouragement, strength and hefty goals for herself and life in general, Rachel never wants to stop learning, having fun and living with no regrets. She loves the diversity of the Little Black Dress Club and the friendships and memories they have made together. She is looking forward to a fun and adventurous summer with her chapter. 

Quoting Aristotle, Rachel says: “we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Well said, Rachel. Thanks so much for being in our director spotlight and for being a part of the LBDC family! 

~Shay Ashcraft
National Director, LBDC

Accessorize Your Life

1. Have at least 1 statement piece but not more than three.

2. Shoes are an accessory and can make or break your outfit.

3. Accessorize your purse by adding pins, flowers, or a scarf.

4. Belts can change the look of an outfit. Wear them over a dress or over a long shirt and skinny jeans.

5. Layer your necklaces. Having more necklaces can create a more glam look.

6. Wear a Brooch - 5 Ways to wear a Brooch: Attach to a fabric headband. You can add to a scarf or a necklace to create a focal point. Compliment a hat or a winter coat. Intensify a hairdo by adding one with a bun or classy and elegant with a low ponytail.

7. When in doubt, you can always wear a simple pair of gold or silver hoop earrings. You can never go wrong.
 
8. Fragrance is an accessory and people will remember you by it. Make sure you are not using too much and get others opinions of a new scent you would like to wear.

9. Do not sleep, sweat, or shower in your jewelry. I have some earrings that are specifically for "swimming". I don't care if I lose them or they get ruined, but in the meantime I know they look good.

10. Don't be afraid to try something that you wouldn't "normally" wear.
~Suzy Hicks
Co Director, Columbus Chapter

Got Apps?

I always love getting a good App recommendation so I wanted to share mine with you.

Reading:

Kindle: I’m sure all your book lovers already know about this one but this is one of my most used apps! You have the ability to read books, newspapers, magazines, textbooks and PDF’s and it will automatically sync to the last page you read and you’re like me and pick up reading on a different device. FREE

Audiobooks: I have to drive a lot for work trips and I love listening to books while I’m on the road.  You can listen to 5,000+ classic books for free!  They also have a wide variety of books for you to buy from as well.  If your eyes and hands have to be somewhere else but your ears are opening for listening try the Audiobooks app .FREE

Cooking:

Epicurious: You have access to over 30,000 recipes and can put items in your “recipe box.” You can shop on the go by saving your recipes to your shopping list and then you check the items off as you buy them on the store.  Another really nice feature is you can share recipes very easily with friends via e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, and more! FREE

Whole Foods Market Recipes: If you have deity preferences for yourself or family such as gluten-free, low gat and vegetarian/vegan this app is for you! This has a variety of recipes that includes nutria information and cooking instructions. An added bonus is that you can also enter items you have on hand to find recipes using those ingredients. I love that!  FREE

Games:

Tetris: This is an oldie but a goodie that I can’t get enough of! If you need some mindless activity this is the game for you! $2.99

Words Free with Friends: This is basically a digital game of scrabble that you can play with friends all over the world.  You can play up to 20 games at the same time and are even able to chat with your opponents as well. It’s a great way to stay connected with old friends. FREE

Health & Fitness:

WebMD: The Symptom Checker is awesome! Select the parts of the body that you are having trouble, select your symptoms and it will give you a list of potential conditions.  There are also first aids tips on what to use for different circumstances.  There’s even a pill identification tool if you get your medicine mixed up it can help identify your prescription drugs by shape, color and imprint.

MyFitnessPal HD: This is an easy way to count calories by just scanning or entering in your food intake and then plugging in how much activity you have done for the day. I love that it connects you with friends for motivation and accountability.

~Suzy Hicks

Co-Director, Columbus Chapter

Celebrate with Punch!

Technically, the holiday season is over, but we still find ourselves celebrating with our favorite girlfriends.  The holiday season is so busy with family visits, traveling, and work parties, that we usually end up extending the season with our friends.

So whatever you are celebrating and whoever you are with, this former holiday punch that we’ve given a new name is great for all occasions.

Celebratory Punch Recipe
Makes 14 Servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
1—750ml bottle of Martini Moscato d’Asti (or your preferred Moscato)
1—2-liter bottle of ginger ale, chilled
2—10-oz packages of frozen strawberries, partially thawed

Directions:
In a large punch bowl, combine Moscato, ginger ale, and strawberries.  Gently stir and serve in your glass of choice.
Per Serving:
102 calories
18 grams carbohydrates
Zero cholesterol
Zero fat
Zero protein
10mg sodium
*Recipe retrieved from Essence Magazine, December 2012, page 156.*


- Dr. Rachel Blankenship
Director, Columbus Chapter

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

Being that we're all part of a "club" I was very interested to see what the Joy Luck Club was all about. This is a beautify story about Chinese-American women and how things are not always what they seem. The story is based on the relationship between Jing-Mei Woo and her mom Suyuan who had recently passed away. Through a series of short stories that bound themselves into a novel we get to hear from 4 mothers and 4 daughters and how they got to where they currently are in life. Jing-Mei finds out why her mom acted "strange” or told her certain things that didn't make sense at the time. She was able to find out more about her mom's best friends who were her "Auntie's" and why they were part of the Joy Luck Club.

The Joy Luck Club was started with Suyuan when she had emigrated from China to San Francisco in 1949. It is a weekly mahjong party which is basically a dice/domino type game with four players. However, it is way more than just the game it also involves food, superstitions, money, and gossip. This weekly meeting is about family, culture, and carrying on a long standing tradition among four families.

Throughout the book I was amazed how one story weaves into the other. The bits and pieces of the Chinese heritage and history are very intriguing. I encourage all the members of The Little Black Dress Club to take the time to learn about this other fascinating club!

Reviewed by Suzy Hicks
Co Director, Columbus Chapter

Make them THINK you can cook!

Girls let’s just face it, I’m not a cook. I would like to be, but being that my husband and I both get home from work at the same time and he’s hungry the instant he’s home…I have to find ways to be creative other than having left-overs every night.  That’s where the crock-pot comes in. I prepare in the morning before I go to work or sometimes I do all the prep work the night before and refrigerate it. In the morning I plug it in and go!  I have made so many things from breakfast casseroles, hams, desserts, drinks, all sorts of things in the crockpot. Here’s my family’s favorite crock-pot meal.  I usually have a salad and some corn bread to go with it. ENJOY! 

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
From www.food.com
Ingredients

1 1/4 lbs boneless skinless chicken
2 (15 ounce) cans great northern beans or navy beans
1 (15 ounce) can hominy or white corn
1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope taco seasoning
1 (4 1/2 ounce) can of chopped green chilies
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth
1/2 cup sour cream
chopped green onion (optional)
monterey jack cheese (optional)

Directions:
Place chicken in slow cooker and top with beans and corn. In a medium bowl, combine taco seasoning, chiles, condensed soup, and chicken broth. Pour over top of ingredients in the crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
Before serving, stir gently to break up chicken, then stir in the sour cream.
Serve topped with green onions and jack cheese, if desired.

What are some of YOUR favorite crock pot meals? Share them with us in the comments below! 


- Suzy A. Hicks
Co Director, Columbus Chapter

In The Spotlight - Molly Burroughs

It’s time for another member spotlight this week! Molly Burroughs from our Columbus, OH chapter is center stage today!

This 41 year old married LBDC member works as a licensed massage therapist. While Molly loves her job, she does make time for a few hobbies. An avid hiker, Molly also shares a love for all things outdoors; taking a bike ride or just spending time in her yard gardening, she also enjoys curling up with a good book.

Molly joined the Little Black Dress Club nearly 5 months ago and has already grown attached to her new girlfriends. Looking to meet new people, make new friends and try new things, the LBDC has provided Molly with all that and more. She has really enjoyed getting together and having fun with other women.

Molly believes that life happens for you, not to you. So, she embraces all that life, and the Little Black Dress Club, has to offer her.

Thanks for being in the spotlight, Molly!

-Shay Ashcraft

Social Media Director, LBDC

Little Black Dress, Oh Let Me Count The Ways...

How can I get the most use out of my Little Black Dress?
I look for a theme to all my styles and I love to switch it up.  This keeps your look fresh even if it’s the same dress you wore at the last event.

Classic
Wear your diamonds (real or fake) girls!  Necklace, Earrings, Bracelet, Rings, Hair Pins, you name it you can’t go wrong.  Depending on your taste you can wear dainty or go big. Grab your black high heels and purse and go meet the girls!

Preppy
Pick out your favorite cardigan and tie it over your shoulders or one of my favorite things to do is wear it over the dress with a skinny belt.  Also many short blazer’s look great with a LBD. Shop your local goodwill for some great deals!  Wear your favorite pearls, headband, and colored tights.

Retro
You take a classic black dress, pin your hair up, put your red lipstick on and add your favorite high and I mean HIGH heels. You’re good to go!

Boho-Chic
Grab your favorite LARGE colored purse, boots, and long necklace, put your hair in a bun and you’ve just made a statement!

Glam
Fur or feather’s make anything glam! Fur collars have been popular this winter as well as vest and coats. Feather’s are great as earring’s or hair accessories that totally transform your look. Don’t forget your rhinestone or colored high heels!  

What's YOUR favorite way to jazz up the LBD? Tell us in the comments below! 

-Suzy A. Hicks

Co Director, Columbus Chapter