Nurture the Network

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A stalled economy, a sick household, a warming planet, another sleepless night, an unrelenting winter, childcare problems, bickering sibs…the list goes on. It’s all part of our daily grind…. How do we do it? One word: Girlfriends. We are each other’s rocks. In times like these, we need to celebrate and nurture our network of fellow mommy warriors who battle along side us. Call it a Stimulus Package SavvyStyle: it’s time for a G.N.O. (that’s “Girls’ Night Out”). Treat yourself and your posse to one of these outings. You won’t regret it. 

G is for Groovy… 
Round up your closest confidants, put on your heels and head downtown to Delilah’s Martini Bar for fancy drinks, candlelit tables and plush velvet booths complete with curtains—perfect for Girl Talk. The experience oozes the decadence that we domestic divas deserve. The Pacific Northwest cuisine is widely acclaimed, including a delicious dessertmenu that changes daily…yes, daily. Open from 5 pm ‘til late, Delilah’s is the perfect hub for you and your pals to reboot and recharge.

N is for Naughty…
There’s no sugar-coating this idea for your girlie get-together: a Love Nest Home Party. It’s a Tupperware party, with a twist. You supply the girls and the giggles and Love Nest brings the props and the products. Love Nest is a B.C. company that has been spicing up love lives all over the GVA for over 30 years, and has recently revitalized its Home Party division. Love Nest’s Executive Director, Tricia Quirk, recognizes that mothers are notoriously bad at putting their needs first and that, post-kids, even the strongest of fires needs a little stoking. You may not want to invite Junior’s pre-school teacher to your home party, but don’t you worry about horrifying your girlfriends. With its educational tone, the home party concept is geared to women. In fact, Quirk requires her reps to pass an exam covering biology, sexology and, um…mechanical devices. Love Nest is discreet: label-less packaging and private shopping. Organize a party and get ready to learn the stuff that your mom never told you.

O is for Outdoorsy… 
We’ve got one last suggestion for a sisterhood celebration: Get outside now! (If it’s good for our kids, it’s good for us.) There’s something magical about sharing a little Mother Nature while you snowshoe with your gal pals, deep in the forest with the smell of evergreens around you on Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver. The cleansing air, the beautiful scenery, the invigorating exercise and, most of all, the chocolate fondue. (Did someone say chocolate?) Half way through your guided tour (you didn’t think they’d let you head out in the dark alone, did you?), you’ll break at the rustic Hollyburn Lodge, built during the (first) Great Depression, to share “appies and bevies” with your BFFs. It might be the awkward snow shoes or it could be the goofy headlamps, but more than likely it’s the company that’ll fill the night air with bonding laughter. 

There’s no better time than now to plan a G.N.O. It’s just about the only investment going with guaranteed returns.

Tested by Sheila C., North Vancouver