September Night to Remember

There is no way I will be able to do our night any justice. It was an absolutely amazing evening! Don't worry if you missed it- we will go back for sure!

We arrived at 6 PM and started with wine in the bar room.  After we all selected our glasses for the evening, Elaine and Bob had a wonderful selection of wine for us to choose from. 

Elaine brought two appetizers out for us while we chatted a bit before heading to the table.  She gave us some information on cooking, shopping, genetically modified foods, and more.  She had a hand out on some tips for us to take home as well.

Our dining table

Time for dinner! Jennie is ready with her wine and home made chip

Stephanie and Michaela chat as we wait for dinner.  Bob and Elaine are avid art collectors.  All of the art in their home are original pieces.  She also gave us tips on where to find good deals and shopping for art, as well as showing us some of her favorites.

No idea why Amber is doing this pose... I think it's the couple few glasses of wine before we sat down for dinner.

The bar room

A peek into the kitchen....where the magic happens.

Everywhere you looked, there was something to see.

I am so disappointed that I didn't take a picture of each course.  Every single thing was delicious but the presentation was fantastic as well.

Once we sat down we were served appetizer, soup, salad, entree, coffee and dessert.  For the soup and dessert we had a choice between two different selections.

Several of the girls were impressed by the John Lennon, Picasso, and Gloria Vanderbilt  pieces.

Elaine showing us some favorites and telling us some background on a few pieces.

Their newest piece on the bottom in the red frame. 

One of my favorites...I am such a doggie lover!

After dessert we were joined by Elaine who shared several stories that were very interesting.  She has so much talent and after spending just a few minutes with her you can see her heart of gold.  I am so happy to have had the opportunity to dine in their home.

Before we left Elaine presented us with a basket of wrapped gifts.  She told us to pass them around until we find one that feels like we should keep that one.  I unwrapped a wine bottle stopper (which I collect these...was very excited to see this!) and a darling tea towel.  She also sent us out the door with a packaged bag of cookies to take home.

It was a wonderful dining experience shared by some wonderful ladies! We hope you will be able to join us in October as we dine in the Dundee area.

September Fun

Ladies First is always so full of fun!  Stephanie has set up an exciting dining experience at Elaine Fenner's Home in CB.  Here is what Stephanie has to say on this event:

Just going into their home is a treat because of the amazing art that they collect, it is curated in such a fun fashion, literally floor to ceiling!!!  We will be brought into their bar area and they will serve up drinks and we will chat.  Once we do that for a bit, they will seat us.  During dinner, Ms. Fenner will describe what she has prepared, and she is a culinary delight, whatever we get, will be incredible.  The times that I have been there, dinner was an appetizer, salad, soup, main dish and desert.  The cost is $35 which includes the tip.  I hope that somewhat covers it.  If you have any questions let me know.  I would need a head count to get to her probably by Monday the 27th.  Thanks!

August

We are going to keep it simple for August.  We are meeting at El Portal in G-wood.  Since it is a Wednesday, that also means it is margarita night! 

Several first ladies are helping at VBS and can stop down after they are finished.

Hope to see you on the first at 7!

Please RSVP to amber via text, email, or (blog comment- CrisDee)

Quite possibly an all time favorite!

Our July get-together was full of fun. I don't know why the time goes so fast but I think we could have easily spent a few more hours together- eating, drinking, talking, and swimming! Even though it was crazy hot, I think all of us enjoyed the night and the quick dip in the pool after.

The pile of "favorite things" looked so good.  It was fun to look things over in anticipation of what we were going to get to take home.  We had body scrubs, lotions, body washes, bracelets, water bottles, ear bud keepers, knives, spices, undies, hair oil, mascara and maybe more! I hope I didn't leave anything out, but knowing me... I probably did!

Everyone had a little brown bag to take their new goodies home in!

Everyone brought along a favorite dessert or appetizer to share.  Once again, way too much food but it was delicious!!

Our hostess Melissa had hot dogs and brats for us, as well as a great selection of drinks.  

While we were eating, we played a favorites game.  This was played like the game of scattergories.  The questions that were asked were:
Favorite-
Colors, type of food when eating out, vacation destination, breakfast food, website or blog, holiday, book, time for church, flower, and day of the week.  We had a 4 way tie!  We did a tie breaker and gave out a bag of Godiva truffles and a picture frame.  Congrats to Julie and Cris for being the big winners!

 

 The it was time for the real fun to begin!  Each of us took a turn telling about our "favorite".  We told where you could buy it, how much it costs (between $6-$10), and why you can't live without it!  Then, the ladies opened up the names they had drawn from a bag to see who would be the lucky recipient.  It was like Christmas with all of the anticipation on waiting for names to be called and handed your gift!

 

 

The evening ended with a dip in Melissa's beautiful pool.  The water was so refreshing and the evening turned out beautiful! 

 

Until next month, Ladies!

July Favorite Things Party

Ladies... Are You Ready?

 Sing with me now, "These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things..."

 

                             That's right- the time is near for our 1st annual Favorite Things Party.  

Think of something you LOVE that costs around $6-$10.  Something you would consider a "favorite thing" that you makes you love your life that much more.

Bring 3 of that item.

Share about your item. (why you love it, how much it costs, and where to get it)

Draw names.

Give your favorite things away.

Go home with your friends' favorites.


Examples of some of your favorite $6- $10 items?  Hair sprays, cozy socks, chocolates, make up, food or drinks, home decor, books, candles etc.  

But the fun doesn't stop there!  This will also be a pool party!  Melissa is our wonderful hostess and has her pool, fire pit, and fun ready to go for us.  She said swim suits are not required....but then thought that sounded funny!  You know what we mean!!  Shorts and shirts to hang out are just fine!  It is ladies only though so we encourage you to not be too cool for the pool!  We all are beautiful! 

Drinks will be provided but feel free to bring something special you might want to drink as well.  Also, we are asking each lady to bring a favorite appetizer or dessert to share with everyone!


This party is a guarantee for fun!  Free tickets are available to get in by RSVP to Amber.  

June Recap

Ladies First just gets more and more fun each month! Even though we miss the girls that can't make it some months- we always seem to have a fantastic time!

We made a last minute switch to Cantina Laredo nearby. The food was great.  We talked about so many things, had a tons of laughs, and checked out the cool bathrooms as well. We might have to start rating the bathrooms in these places as well!  Some of them are pretty darn fancy!   


Stay tuned for more details on the upcoming Favorite Things Party for July!  Swimsuits are not required at the pool party as many of you have asked!

BBQ-

Ladies...there is a reason we close at 8!!

Great food at Boxer BBQ in May.  Hope to see you in June at Ingredient!

June (and July)

I've misplaced my memory card to post our picture from May at Boxer BBQ.  It was quite a night! Hopefully, I'll find it soon and give you the dish on our experience. 

Join us in June at Ingredient in the Midtown Crossing area at 7.  We will leave from Glenwood at 6:15 if you are looking to carpool. 

Please let Amber know if you plan to ride together or are able to attend!  



**Mark your calendars now for the pool party and Favorite Things Exchange in July at Melissa's! 

What is a Favorite Things Exchange you ask???

Oh, let me tell.

Think of something you LOVE that costs around $6-$8.
Bring 3 of that item.
Share about your item. (why you love it, how much it costs, and where to get it)
Draw names.
Give your favorite things away.
Go home with your friends' favorites.
Yay!

More details to come, but be sure to be thinking of YOUR favorite things!!!
 

May

Join us this May at Boxer BBQ Company in CB.  This was recommended by our server at Dixie Quicks in March.  It's supposed to be the best BBQ in town!

Meet up at 6:30 or contact Amber for car pool info!

The Pinterest Party Recap

Thank you once again to Andrea for hosting us in her home for the April Pinterest Party.  We had such a fantastic time with lots of laughs!

The food was beyond amazing!  I think all of us were stuffed by the end of the night and each of us found something we wanted to make ourselves. I mentioned that I'm glad we didn't have to pick a favorite for taste or presentation-- that would have been way too difficult!!  Here are a few links to some of the recipes.  

Mini Pineapple Upside Down Cakes

Crack Bread

Trifle Dessert

Jalapeno Cream Cheese Crescent Poppers

Chex Funfetti Cake Batter Buddies

Eileen's Cookies

Crockpot BBQ beer chicken

Monster Cookie Dough Dip

Mexican Stuffed Shells

Guacamole


Oh, what fun we had!  We dined on our fine creations and chatted for a bit.  Everyone selected their paper for their project and we headed outside to start the spray paint fun.  While the frames were left to dry, we came in for a little show and tell.  Several girls brought a finished project or told about one they had made/ wanted to make.  Andrea took us on a little tour of some of the projects in her house.  Once the frames were dry we put the paper in and glued on the matching clip.  It was so fun to see the different colors and paper choices everyone used!  Before heading home, Stephanie shared a box of scarves and sunglasses that she is selling at an upcoming vendor fair.  It was a mini fashion show trying the goodies on!

 

I didn't get any links from people on their show and tell projects so I will do my best to give you a match here.   

Bling Your Mixer

Hand Print Fish Art


Shower Curtain Ring Scarf Holder

Shoe Hangers

Paper Plate Spin Art

T- Shirt Scarf

Journal Box

Weekly Calendar Dry Erase


And finally...the ladies with their finished project of the night!!  (minus a few who had to sneak out early!)  These are going to look amazing in your house girls!!! Way to go and cheers to a great night of fun!

April Pinterst Party

Thank you to Andrea for coming up with our fabulous idea for the April Ladies First Pinterest Party!  Since so many places are closed on Sundays, she has offered her home for our get-together.  We have been working on all of the details and can't wait for a night of fun with everyone. 

Here is what we have planned! 

The Food:
Andrea and Amber will make a Pinterest main dish.  Everyone else is invited to bring a Pinterest appetizer, side, or dessert.  Please be sure to email the site you found your recipe on so we can post them on the Ladies First blog.

The Fun: 
It's the adult version of Show and Tell.  If you have made a Pinterest project you want to show off, bring it along for us to ohhh and ahhh over.  Don't worry if you haven't made anything or don't have anything to bring to show us.  If you haven’t had a chance to make something yet; just tell us what project you’re dying to try.

The Friends and Frame: 
Get to know each other better as we complete the Pinterest frame pictured on the invite.  The cost will be $5-10 per person.  We will have all of the supplies (frames, paper, glue, clips, spray paint) but you are welcome to bring your own paint colors or paper if you want something special.  Don't forget a 4 x 6 picture if you want to finalize the project that night! 

Please be sure to RSVP ASAP so we know how many supplies we will need.  Also, please leave a comment once you pick out the Pinterest recipe you plan to bring so we don’t end up with 10 desserts.  (Although, would that be THAT bad????)

Dixie Quicks

WHAT A CRAZY FABULOUS TIME!!! Dixie Quicks is my new favorite!  Many people commented on how much fun we had, what great service, great friends, and delicious food!  I'm sure that Ladies First will be back again....soon!  I loved it so much I have reservations for this Friday as well!

The menu varies each day by what was looking good at the store that day- they don't hand out menus at your table, you walk up and read the big ol' chalkboard in the middle of the place.  I had heard from so many people that everything you get is wonderful so I just told the waiter to pick me out something--and BOY oh BOY was it good!

We were lucky enough to have the honor of celebrating Stephanie's birthday with her!  Of course we had to have cake to go with the birthday! 

Doug, our waiter, stood on the chair to take this pic... he was trying to take it from down low and I said, "Oh no! That is never a flattering angle"  So, up on the chair he got at my insistence.  The glare from the artwork behind was too big if he took it straight on. 

I tried to take his picture on the chair, but he insisted I take a shot of his good side. 

Funny thing about Waiter Doug was that he totaled his truck the night before, and my CBPD husband was the first one on scene!  Small world...at least my husband wasn't the one who ticketed him for it!!!

If you haven't been to Dixie Quicks yet....run, run, run and get there as fast as you can!  Just promise you will take me with you!

This post was also edited to add:  We missed some of our favorite people this month!!! Hope to see you back in April!

March 2012

This March we will be dining at the CB Dixie Quicks.  Please make sure and let Amber know if you are planning to attend because reservations are required! The reservation will be made for 6:30 PM.

Click here to watch a clip from Diners, Drive In's, and Dives on Food Network.  This was when they were still located in Omaha however.  I don't know about you, but after watching this clip- I don't care what I order... I'm sure it will be delicious!

China Buffet & Mongolian Grill

Several last minute cancellations but us cool cats had a great time!  Hope to see you in March!

February

China Buffet Mongolian Grill  in Bellevue will be our next stop!  Be sure to join us in February for a fun night out with the girls!  The first is on a Wednesday at we will meet at 6:30 PM.  Contact Amber if you want to set up a ride from G-town.

 

 

Stella's

Stella's was fantastic! Definitely a place where many of us will be going back to!

January 2012

The New Year is just around the corner!  After some prompting...an executive decision was made!  For the first time ever, we will be moving the date for Ladies First January to the second! 

So, the new rule of Ladies First is~ if the actual holiday itself falls on the first, we will move the date to the second, for that month only!

Since January 1st is New Year's Day- we will be dining at Stella's Bar and Grill in Bellevue on Monday January 2nd and 6:30 PM.

I have never been to Stella's, but heard lots of good things.  Leave us a comment on this post if you have been there!  You can find them on Facebook here  or find their website here.

Please RSVP to Amber if you plan on attending and/ or you want to ride together to Bellevue. 

As a bonus...I might be bringing a pink champagne cake in honor of New Year's for a special friend (let's see if she is reading this!)  Nothing goes better with burgers than pink champagne, right???

Oh, What Fun!

~~Black Dress Party ~~

Ladies, book your spray tan, paint your nails, shave your legs...whatever you need to do but get ready to glam it up for our 1st annual Black Dress Party.  Join us for an evening of fun- wear a basic little knit dress or a long luxurious formal-- it doesn't matter!  We are going to have a blast and look beautiful doing it!

Our reservation is at Crave in Midtown Omaha at 7 PM on Thursday, December 1st.  Many of us will be riding together from Glenwood so please contact me if you are looking to ride together.  

ALSO- we do not want anyone to have to go out and BUY a dress...so please let me know if you are wanting to borrow a dress for the night.  We have a variety of sizes hanging in our closets.  Please just let me know what size you are looking for and I will put the word out.

To confirm our reservation, I will need you to RSVP by November 27th.  Please be sure to send me an email so I don't have to go around calling everyone!  :)  Thanks for your understanding!  It would be great if you could let me know either way if you can / can not attend.

November

It's Taco Tuesday for November at El Portal.  We are keeping close to home for this one to prepare for our "Black Dress Party" for December.  We hope to see you at 6:30 and feel free to bring a friend or two!  Please let me know via email here so I can get a table for all of us.

Please leave a comment on this post with your vote for our December location! 

360 Steakhouse

Brother Sebastian's

Crave

Lo Sole Mio

V. Mertz

Or any other ideas!!!

The Kitchen update

September did not go as planned, and we apologize for anyone who drove to Council Bluffs and missed us.  Two of us had checked the website and they were supposed to be open until 10 PM on Saturdays.  We were all disappointed to see that they had changed their hours, but not their website when we arrived.  We ended up heading to the Old Market since it was a beautiful night and enjoyed dinner at The Twisted Fork, which was new to all of us.  All of us were expecting it to be a pasta place due to the name but found it was an ecclectic cowboy grill.  The decor, drinks, and food were all wonderful!  The only thing we didn't care for was the drunk guy that kept coming up to our table trying to talk to us. 

We then headed to Upstream for some dessert!  As always, we had such a good time and some pretty good conversation!  It is always fun to sit around with the girls and get to learn more about each other along with some laughs!