Dinner with Friends

Hey there lovelies! Hopefully, you are somewhere in the world where the leaves have changed color and the air is crisp. As for us Southern Californians....the weather has been brutal during the day. I'm talking 90 to 100 degree weather! I love California, but I sometimes find myself wishing we could see a clearer change in the seasons.

Anyhoo, last month my girlfriends Monica, Tearsa and I ended our Summer with a bang! We attended a Handmade Events event called Pop Up Dinner LA. A Pop Up event generally means a spontaneous or unique event where participants create an unexpected, one-of-a-kind experience, and this event was truly unique!

First off, we purchased our tickets months ago not knowing where the location was. The only information they gave us was the time of the event, and instructions on what to bring. We were told that the venue location was private and would be revealed via email 3 hours prior to the start time. We were also told to wear all white, and bring food, drinks and table decor to create our own unique table scape for the evening. Handmade Events was responsible for providing a swank location, music, wine tasting and lots of cool backdrops for optimal photo taking.

Our beautifully curated & decorated table decor.

Once we found out the location was on the Santa Monica Pier, we decided to take an Uber so that we could enjoy the evening without worrying about a designated driver. When we arrived, we realized it was quite a distance to the actual pier area. At that moment, we were so happy that we'd pre-ordered our meal and bubbly from the venue catering company, so there was less for us to carry. Once we got to the pier and staked our claim on a table, we realized that we didn't bring a table cloth. We got crafty really quickly and used one of our cable knit throw blankets. It turned out to be the perfect addition to our decor, and made our set up stand out from everyone else! We received so many compliments on our table scape.

Delicious Prosecco by Chloe Wine Collection

All in all, I really enjoyed the spontaneity of this entire process. I had such a wonderful time as well as Monica and Tearsa. We've already discussed interest in attending the next event...can't wait!

Friendship...

7 years ago I lost my best friend of 20+ years and the God-mother of my son. No, she didn't die, but our friendship did. When I think back on how the friendship ended it seems so stupid, and if I explained the story to you, you'd probably be just as perplexed as I was 7 years ago. Anyhow, at the time I was a "toughy" and rationalized it as oh well, her bad....I'm the best friends she's ever had. Wrong approach and thinking, and how ignorant and arrogant of me to think that way. I've lived and learned a lot about friendship since then.

Fast forward to February 2013 when I was invited to a mutual friend of ours B-day party and my ex-best friend was there. We hadn't spoken or seen each other in 7 years. We were inseparable that evening. We talked all night. We texted the next day. We met up 2 weeks later and talked until 3 a.m. We met again the weekend after and talked and cried about a sisterhood lost for 7 years. We apologized for things we had and had not done. We've made amends. We've both changed for the better. We've both grown up a hell of a lot. I do consider her my sister, my family and my great friend again.

It has been such a fun summer with her in my life, and I'm happy to be there for her again as well. Friendship means everything to me and the women in my life are so important. I have several acquaintances, but there are only a few women that I call my true friends; women that I share my heart aches, joys, dreams, and sorrows with.

To my besties, my boo thangs, my bff's, my sister friends......I love you guys to pieces & I seriously don't know what I would do without you all.

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xoxo, M.

Friendship...

I truly value my friends and my friendships. I've never been the type of girl to have many friends. Believe it or not I've always been somewhat of a loner type. Not because I didn't like people, but because I just preferred to keep my circle small. Well it is almost impossible to do that in business. Sometimes you have to open yourself up to new relationships and friendships in order to grow (in life and business). At first I had a difficult time opening myself to a new circle of friendships, but then it got easier and easier.  I've always heard certain women say that they don't like to have several female friends because "women are messy." Well one thing I've realized is that the person who normally says that is the person who is usually creating the mess....Lol! Those are people I watch out for,  and as of lately those are people I have cut out of my life. I look for certain qualities in people when I decide I want to spend my time with them, lunch with them, have personal moments with them. Just like when choosing a mate, I believe we must be selective in choosing our close friends as well, but not so closed off from people who seem "different" that we miss out on the opportunity to make a great friendship with someone who looks different, or is from a different culture, or age group.

Anyhoo, I will touch more on this subject later because there is so much to be said. Anybody who knows me and is my friend knows that I care about them, expect things from them, love them, am honest with them, and will be there for them. That's how I roll with my friends. ;)

How do you guys feel about friendships? Do you have several, or just a few? Are open to knew friendships, or do you keep it to a minimum at all times?

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