5 Affordable Girls' Night OUT Ideas

Last week I made a list of 5 Affordable Girls’ Night IN Ideas. This week, I’m talking about affordable girls’ night OUT ideas! It’s amazing how a night out with the girls can quickly add up to a lot of dollars. While we all value our friends, I’d rather focus on spending quality time with them rather than stressing over how much the signature cocktail costs or if my wallet tells me I need to head home before the final stop of the evening. If you and your girls are in the same boat and want to focus on quality time rather than an expensive time, check out these ideas. I think you’ll find they foster even stronger girl bonds than any overly expensive night.

1. Friends’ Staycation. Big girls’ trips can really tip the scales to unaffordable if you end up needing to purchase a plane ticket to attend. But a staycation may not be out of reach! Pick a local hotel that has a good bar and a good pool- bonus if there’s a bar IN the pool- and split the room and cost by the number of girls attending. Sharing a room with several friends is not only economical, it’s really nostalgic, like a 1990s sleepover. Depending on the venue you choose and the activities you undertake, a staycation can end up being incredibly affordable for the amount of fun you’ll have and memories you’ll make.
   

2. Night at the Museum. Many museums offer free admission or have free or reduced evening prices. But the Dallas Museum of Art takes it to another level with its Second Thursdays with a Twist. Tickets for these events are only $5 and include full access to the museum. So you can get your culture on while also participating in whatever themed events have been arranged by the museum. For example, one upcoming event is centered around The Office with trivia, Office-themed tours by a local improv troupe, and themed food options. Come for the art, stay for trivia. You will leave quite satisfied! (That’s what she said.)
   

3. Yoga in the Park. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a yoga newbie, yoga with friends is always good for a few belly laughs. And you might just get some good stretches out of it! My yogi friend Erika teaches a FREE yoga class in a local park every Sunday evening. If you and your girlfriends live in or around Frisco, it’s a great option for spending time with your girls before the long week begins. If you’re not in Frisco, search around. I think you’ll find that there are more free or paid drop-in yoga classes than you think.
   

4. Book Club. Take clubbing in a different direction. Pick a book, a local coffee shop, and you’re good to go! We have no shortage of adorable, independent coffee shops in our area of North Texas, including Summer Moon, Karmic Grounds, and Nerdvana, just to name a few. If you do end up meeting friends at a coffee shop, be sure to check the hours first to make sure they’re open at night. And don’t forget to order decaf!
   

5. Happy Hour. If all else fails, keep it simple- hop on the InstaHap app, find a local happy hour, and get your margs, chips, and salsa on! InstaHap categorizes local happy hours by night of the week and location (only DFW right now, but they’re working on expanding to other cities and metroplexes). You’re almost certain to find some specials in your area on whichever night you choose.

By saving some cash on night out events, hopefully you and your girlfriends will be able to meet more frequently instead of once in a blue moon. Because at the end of the day, time spent together is never a waste, no matter how much money you spend (or save).

5 Affordable Girls' Night IN Ideas

Do you need a Girls’ Night? I know I do! But sometimes a night out is the last thing my bank account needs. As wonderful as they can be, between the drinks and the apps and the ‘zerts and the more drinks, GNOs can get pretty expensive. So why not flip the script and opt for a Girls’ Night IN? Put on some sweats, tighten that top knot, and gather your girlfriends on the sofa! I’ve come up with five affordable options for your next GNI.

1. Game Night and Potluck. If your group of friends is up for some games and food (who isn’t!?), this is for you guys. Have everyone bring a snack or a drink. It can be as simple as a few bags of chips, some fruit, and/or a bottle of wine or two. Then gather around for some simple games. A few I suggest for this type of gathering are Catchphrase, Exploding Kittens, What Do You Meme, or pretty much any game with cards because they tend to be fast-moving and easy to take a break from for a quick side-chat.

2. TV Night In. Some of my favorite girls’ nights have centered around The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. So whatever your guilty reality TV pleasure, invite your besties over to experience the train wreck together. Have everyone bring a little snack or drink and your night is made! Don’t forget the stretchy pants and statement earrings. And remember, Aldi has all the ingredients you need to make a killer charcuterie board.

3. Spa Night. If you and your girls need a relaxing evening with some heart-to-heart conversation, you can opt for a spa night in. This one is so fun and easy- pick up some single-use face masks (the more Hannibal Lecter-looking the better- think about the Insta pics), slice some cucumbers, add some bubbly, and have a cathartic venting session with your squad.

4. Service Project Night. Look online to see what items your local food pantry is in need of and “charge admission” in the form of food items for each friend. No matter how many friends or how many items they each bring, your GNI will be a blessing to people in your community. You could even play a game in which the loser (or winner!) is the one who gets to drop the food haul off at the food pantry. Another option for a GNI service project is to make Homeless Care Packages. Have each girl bring multiples of one item on the list, then combine and construct the packages as you sit around and chit chat. Split the packages evenly between the girls to distribute to any homeless or otherwise needy people you come across as you go about your daily lives.

5. Craft Time. Know what’s a fairly easy and cheap to DIY that even I can do? Seasonal wreaths. Find your favorite DIY wreath instructions online, source your materials from the local dollar store, and have a crafty evening with your girls! If your friends are a crafty group, you can always choose a more intricate craft, but wreaths seem to be a perfect fit for me and my friend group. My favorite dollar store wreath tutorial is here (and Her Happy Home has so many more great dollar store DIYs on her blog).

No matter what girls’ night activity you choose, the important thing is to carve out some quality time with your girlfriends, whether that looks super fancy or super casual. Because when it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year… they’ll be there for you. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist!)

Free(ish) Things For Moms To Do

School is back in session which means some of us stay-at-home moms have a little extra time on our hands. Once we get caught up on all the housework that we let slide over the summer (cleaning the house with kids in it is like trying to bathe a rabid raccoon), what’s next? I’ve come up with a list of free(ish) things for moms to do while the kids are in school. Check them out, try a few, and let me know what other things to add to this list.

1. Join a Bible Study - If you’re like me, you may have let quiet time and Bible study slip over the summer as well. Now that the kids are back in a solid routine, it’s the perfect time to find and join a Bible study. This fall, I’m again joining BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). If BSF isn’t your cup of tea, there are many churches in the area with weekly women’s Bible studies, many with childcare for infants-preschoolers!

2. Volunteer - This makes me sound selfish, but knowing I’m being helpful to others makes me feel good; it’s a natural pick-me-up for me. So if you find yourself with some time on your hands, find a local organization to spend some time with in a voluntary capacity. Check out my list of local non-profit organizations that would love to have your help.

3. Podcast + Declutter - I’ll probably get a lot of side eye for this statement, but I love to declutter. I once had an interior decorator come over to give her opinion on a few things and she assumed we had lived in our home for less than a year— we’d actually lived there 8 years. That’s how serious I am about minimalism. So one of my favorite things to do is pop on a podcast and get to business cleaning out drawers, closets, and cabinets. Check out my list of top 10 podcasts for listening inspiration.

4. Yoga - There are so many good (and free) yoga videos online these days, especially on YouTube and Amazon. Clear some space in front of the TV, find your favorite flow, and get in some good stretches. I find this can only be done at home when the kids are in school, otherwise I’m just a human jungle gym. You could always just take a nap, too.

5. Teach Yourself Something New - Before I started my blog, I knew absolutely nothing about web design. I still don’t really know much about design because I use a template program that does a ton of stuff for me, but I’ve still learned so much. So think of something you’ve always wanted to learn- hand lettering, painting, sewing, etc.- and teach yourself to do it. It’s been very satisfying and cathartic for me.

6. Coffee Shops - I love to go to coffee shops (local rather than chains) and just sit. I always take my laptop and/or a good book, but I usually end up doing more people watching than reading or writing. Something about it is very comforting and relaxing to me. If you’re in the Frisco area, we have some local coffee shop gems for you to try: The Book Shoppe & Coffee, Summer Moon, Nerdvana, and Global Peace, among others.

7. Join a Book Club - Or start your own book club! Find a handful of friends or acquaintances, pick a book to read, and set a date to get together to discuss it. In my experience, most book clubs are actually code for social hour, and I’m here for it. We were created to crave community and belonging, and getting together with friends fits that need perfectly, whether you discuss literature or not.

8. Create Photo Books - You know those 5,000 photos trapped on your phone? Do yourself a favor and turn them into gorgeous photo books! Books with actual pages with actual printed pictures on them so real people can actually see them. It takes a bit of time, but I never regret doing this. And the extra storage space on my phone comes in handy, too. Companies like Shutterfly, Mixbook, and Snapfish often run really good deals to get these books printed.

9. Meal Plan - I’ll get some side eye for this one, too. But it has to be done! And with online grocery shopping and pick up, it’s never been easier. I like to sit at my computer with my favorite cookbooks and get to shopping, creating our meal plan for the week. It sure beats fielding a million questions coming at my face non-stop while I’m trying to create a meal plan on the fly in the aisles with my kids.

10. Return All the Things (This one will actually make you some money!) - It’s time, ladies. It’s time to return that big pile of miscellaneous, ill-fitting clothing, shoes, and home decor items that are taking over your closet. Gather it up, organize your receipts, and make a day of it. And if you happen to find something cute to exchange an item for, that’s still a win.

10 Mother-Son Date Ideas

We already covered mother-daughter dates in my last post, so let’s dive into some mother-son date ideas. My son is only 4, so a few of these options are still pipe dreams for me. But when he gets to the right ages, you can bet we’ll start checking more off our list.

I’d love to hear from more seasoned boy moms who know more and better than I do at this point. It’s a little challenging for me to find things to do with my son at this age- things that both we’ll enjoy and that won’t end in a meltdown for one or both of us- so let me know what you guys do!

You’ll notice that some of these ideas also appear on the mother-daughter idea list. Who says boys and girls can’t enjoy the same things?

1. Arcade - This is one that we absolutely love! Our favorite place to play some games together is Dave & Busters. If you go to the Frisco location, consider going on a Thursday evening when they have unlimited wings and unlimited video game play for $20! Other locations may have this deal as well- check with your local D&B.

2. Go Karts - We love playing Mario Kart, so my son is super excited to go real karting, just as soon as he gets old enough and tall enough. If your kid is big enough, search online for go kart tracks in your area and make a date of it! In the Frisco area, you can try Kartland, an indoor (hello, A/C!) go kart track. Riders must be at least 48” tall and 6 years old.

3. Fun Lunch - While Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s are great options for a fun kids’ lunch, spicing it up a little can make your kiddo feel super special. We like to go on lunch or dinner dates to fun and unusual places like The Rainforest Cafe or Medieval Times. Sure, you’ll pay a premium for mediocre food, but kids love the experience.

4. Outdoor Adventure - Tap into the adventurous side of your boy and enjoy a day outside! (Maybe wait till fall if you’re in Texas… #hot.) I recently learned about Go Ape, a zip line adventure in Plano. The minimum age is 10, so it’ll be a while before we get to try it, but it looks like something older kids will love! Other local outdoor adventures include the Heard Museum, fishing at any of the stocked ponds, pick your own produce at Pure Land Farm in McKinney, and wear your helmet to the Frisco Skate Park.

5. Pottery Painting - Boys love crafting too! Mine especially loves to paint, so a trip to a studio like Color Me Mine is a lot of fun for us. My son really treasures his craft projects- they’re all over his room. So it’s nice to have mementos of our time together for his “rememberies,” as he calls his memories.

6. Community Service Project - Giving back to the community and loving others is a core value I want to instill in my children. Participating in community service projects is a great way to achieve this through example, and a great way to spend an afternoon together. Check online for service opportunities in your area. If you’re in the Frisco area, check these out: Frisco Family Services, Lovepacs, Frisco Fastpacs, and Feed My Starving Children.

7. Cook or Bake Something - Baking cookies with my son is usually the easiest option if we’re spending an afternoon in the kitchen together. But find something your kid loves, whether it be baking, grilling, chopping, sauteing… Crank the tunes and get to creating in the kitchen.

8. Geocaching - Download the Geocaching app and get to caching! Geocaching is like a giant outdoor scavenger hunt and is perfect for an outdoorsy and adventurous boy (we’ve had to climb a small tree to reach a cache before, so be prepared). We like to go to Sonic for our favorite drinks before heading out on the hunt.

9. Barnes & Noble - This is my favorite! Head to your local Barnes & Noble with your boy and take your time choosing a book together. Then head to the B&N Starbucks Cafe, order a coffee and kiddie frap, and sit down to read together. I love this relatively calm and quiet time engaged in literary pursuits.

10. Water Balloon Fight - Let the balloons and fun fly with this one! When I was a kid, my brothers and I would tie water balloons until our fingers bled. But these days, you can get self-tying balloons that make the experience so much more enjoyable. Granted, your kid will probably enjoy this activity more than you do, but being the “fun mom” every once in a while is so worth it.

No matter how you choose to spend quality, one-on-one time with your son, he’s sure to cherish it for years to come. Kids spell love T-I-M-E, so let’s carve some extra special time out just for them whenever we can.

10 Mother-Daughter Date Ideas

My daughter is at a great age (almost 7) to go on mother-daughter dates, and she’s very interested in doing things that make her feel big and grown up. While dates with just one of my kids are sometimes hard to fit in, I try to make one happen every once in a while. Sometimes this can only be accomplished by getting a babysitter for only one of them, or during the day with their varying school schedules. So when I do get the chance to make one of them feel special, I make sure to do it right.

Below are 10 ideas for mother-daughter dates. We haven’t tried all of these yet, but I’m looking forward to checking more off the list. And check back soon- I’ll have a mother-son date idea list up for boy moms in a couple days.

1. Mani/Pedi - My girl loves getting her nails painted! I don’t mind it either… Our favorite nail salons are ones that have mini chairs for kids, so try to find one of these for your quality pampering time. If you’re in the Frisco area, I highly recommend Kosmo Nail Bar. Or if you’re pressed for time or on a frugal budget, set up a spa and nail salon at home! This is arguably more fun, and much easier on the bank account.

2. Tea Party - There are a couple options for this one depending on your budget, and neither is better than the other. My daughter received a tea set from her grandmother last Christmas, so sometimes we set that up, get all gussied up, and have a tea party in our own home. But I think we’re going to take the tea party to the next level for her birthday next month by attending an actual High Tea at Edith’s French Bistro in Plano. Either way, civilized conversation is the winner here.

3. Lunch & Shopping - Just like grown-up girlfriends! Head to your favorite mall restaurant or food court stop, followed by a little window shopping. This is a great way to get an idea of what your girl may be interested in for her upcoming birthday or Christmas. One of our favorites that makes my daughter (and me!) feel very fancy is lunch at Nordstrom’s Bazille, followed by a little shopping.

4. American Girl Bistro - If you’re ready to introduce your daughter to American Girl dolls, a trip to an American Girl Store & Bistro is a must. Of course, you probably know the drill if your daughter is already into American Girl dolls. This date can get pricey, so be prepared to set expectations before you set out on your adventure.

5. Pottery Painting - Let your daughter’s creativity take over with a trip to Color Me Mine or a similar studio. I love this one because you’ll end up with a visual reminder of your time spent together in mutual creative pursuits.

6. Community Service Project - Giving back to the community and loving others is a core value I want to instill in my children. Participating in community service projects is a great way to achieve this through example, and a great way to spend an afternoon together. Check online for service opportunities in your area. If you’re in the Frisco area, check these out: Frisco Family Services, Lovepacs, Frisco Fastpacs, and Feed My Starving Children.

7. Bake Something - If you’re able to have a home date, baking something together is a great idea! Baking followed by decorating anything (sugar cookies, cupcakes, cake) is always a hit at my house. Crank the tunes in the kitchen and have some fun! Try not to think about the mess until later.

8. Geocaching - Download the Geocaching app and get to caching! Geocaching is like a giant outdoor scavenger hunt and is perfect for an outdoorsy and adventurous girl (we’ve had to climb a small tree to reach a cache before, so be prepared). We like to go to Sonic for our favorite drinks before heading off on the hunt.

9. Barnes & Noble - This is my favorite! Head to Barnes & Noble with your girl and take your time choosing a book together. Then head to the B&N Starbucks Cafe, order a coffee and kiddie frap, and sit down to read together. I love this relatively calm and quiet time engaged in literary pursuits.

10. See a Play or Movie - Check your local theaters for available kid-friendly plays and go see one! These tend to be more plentiful around the holiday season. If you can’t find a play in your area on the right night, then head to the movies. Make it extra special by going to a place that also serves food, like Moviehouse & Eatery or Alamo Drafthouse.

No matter how you choose to spend quality, one-on-one time with your daughter, she’s sure to cherish it for years to come. Kids spell love T-I-M-E, so let’s carve some extra special time out just for them whenever we can.

My Top 10 Podcasts

I freely admit it- I am a podcast junkie. I listen to a podcast pretty much any time I’m completing a menial task or I have some downtime. Folding laundry? Podcast. Driving alone in the car? Podcast. Scrubbing toilets? You guessed it. Podcast. I view podcasts as free entertainment, knowledge, and perspective, and I am HERE. FOR. IT.

I’ve picked my top 10 favorite podcasts to tell you about here. It’s a pretty diverse grouping, so some may be your cup of tea and others not. But before I give you my list, and just to get it out of the way, I want to mention the three podcasts that got me into podcasts. They are now so ubiquitous that most people, podcast fans or not, have probably heard of them. They are great and I love each of them, but they’ve also made every Top 10 list for the last several years. These old classics are Serial (Season 1) , Dirty John, and Dr. Death (hello, Plano!). If you’re just starting on your podcast journey, start there.

For those who have already listened to the aforementioned classics, give a few or all of these fresher podcasts a listen. I think it will be a worthwhile investment in your house cleaning, toilet scrubbing ventures.

1. The Armchair Expert - Hosted by Dax Shepherd, this is a long-form podcast where episodes regularly cross the 90 minute mark. It takes me several days to get through one episode. But they’re all so interesting! On Monday episodes, Dax welcomes various famous people for chats about their background, their challenges and triumphs, and everyday life stuff that everyone deals with, regardless of fame, prestige, or wealth. On Thursdays, Dax hosts Experts on Expert where he has real experts come in to discuss their field (think Bill Nye, Steve Madden, Elizabeth Gilbert, etc.). This is my absolute favorite podcast, at least currently. But be forewarned: This podcast comes with a language and content warning (not safe for little ears or work).

2. Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend - This is another podcast in which a celebrity host welcomes fellow celebrities in for a chat. The podcast began as Conan inviting guests he didn’t personally know well and wanted to get to know better, but has morphed into a podcast chock full of household names discussing interesting things together. In true late-night comedian form, this podcast also comes with a language and content warning (not safe for little ears or work).

3. For the Love! with Jen Hatmaker - Jen Hatmaker is my girl. She loves Jesus, keeps it real, and makes me laugh. Win, win, win. Her podcast is excellent as well. She welcomes a wide variety of guests and chats with them about everything from broad “let’s save the world!” topics to the most recent episodes of The Bachelor. Her podcasts always involve a large element of faith, which I love and appreciate. It’s always a delightful and uplifting 45-60 minutes.

4. The Popcast with Knox & Jamie - These two hosts- Knox and Jamie- are hilarious! They have the absolute best chemistry and make me LOL at least a few times every episode. The opening line of every episode describes it perfectly: “The Popcast is a show dedicated to delightful idiocy, and we’re committed to educating you on things in entertainment that do not matter.” The Popcast keeps me up to date on what’s going on in current pop culture without having to follow any Kardashians on Instagram. Knox and Jamie do a great job keeping it light and clean.

5. The Bible Binge - Brought to you by Knox and Jamie of the Popcast! Each season of The Bible Binge focuses on a different area or theme of the Bible. The hosts, both Christians, do a deep dive into Bible stories in a fun and inventive way by “casting” each of the stories as if it were a movie. Did you know that Leonardo DiCaprio is a perfect fit for King David at all stages of Leo’s/David’s lives? But seriously, I learn a lot from this podcast, and have a lot of fun while doing it.

6. Pantsuit Politics - If you’re interested in politics but hate, well… politics, then this is the podcast for you. Hosted by Sarah from the Left and Beth from the Right, Pantsuit Politics offers an in-depth and nuanced look at current politics. It’s so refreshing in this day and age to listen to two intelligent and knowledgable women discuss their differing political opinions as friends filled with grace and love for one another. And they each offer much more nuanced perspectives than what is shouted at us in the current news cycles.

7. That Sounds Fun with Annie F. Downs - Who doesn’t love Annie F. Downs? She’s just so jolly and lighthearted. In this new weekly podcast, she shares whatever is on her mind or on her heart. It’s really quite random and I dig it! I especially enjoyed her latest series, EnneaSummer, where Annie, a true Enneagram 7, and her friends highlight and dive deep into each of the Enneagram types. (Spoiler, but not really because it’s so obvious- I’m an Enneagram 1.)

8. Stuff You Should Know - If you are an aspiring Jeopardy! contestant or like playing trivia at the bar with friends, you’ll love this podcast. There is an episode on EVERYTHING. Want to know more about sloths? How about Ancient Egypt or why yawns are contagious? You’ll find those answers, and more, on Stuff You Should Know. This podcast is generally short (about 20 minutes) and is always entertaining.

9. 30 for 30 BIKRAM - 30 for 30 podcasts are usually sportsy in nature, which doesn’t really appeal me (but if that’s your thing, dive in!). But there is one 30 for 30 series- BIKRAM- that fascinates me. It chronicles the rise and fall of Bikram Choudhury, the yogi responsible for bringing Bikram yoga to the West. His practice reached a cult-like following in the 1970s and it was all sorts of crazy. The BIKRAM series was a very interesting listen.

10. American Hysteria - As a millennial (though just barely), this podcast really speaks to me because it gives perspective and meaning to so many things from my childhood that I didn’t really understand at the time but accepted anyway. Like, why did my parents inspect every single piece of my Halloween candy with a magnifying glass? Why was everyone so obsessed with Satan and demon possession in the 80s? What was the deal with those freaky clowns running around in the woods a few years ago? This podcast will lay it all out for you. Warning: language and content (not safe for little ears or work).

What are YOUR favorite podcasts? Please let me know in the comments. I need some new toilet-scrubbing material!