The Year In Review

The Little Black Dress Club had a fantastic 2012. New friendships were formed, new experiences were had and this national organization that I have come to love has grown. The LBDC has chapters spanning the US from DC to Arizona, Alabama to California, from Nashville to Ohio and several in between. Here are just a few highlights from a few of our chapters.

Columbus - OH The Columbus ladies gathered at the Columbus Crew Stadium for the annual Buddy Walk. These LBDC members were thrilled to be a part of such a great cause while supporting great families. 

Louisville, KY/Nashville, TN/Chicago, IL/Deep Creek, MD - As one of the very first multi chapter events, members from these cities enjoyed a weekend road trip to Louisville, KY!  The weekend was full of activities such as exploring local caves, BINGO, distillery tours, and martini bars! Some of my favorite perks of LBDC membership are the once-in-a lifetime opportunities, the chance to make new friends, and the fun experiences that I have had. This multi chapter trip offered all of that and more!

Phoenix, Arizona - This past Thanksgiving the Phoenix chapter found a local family in need. The LBDC members were able to deliver a huge basket of goodies and treats to this family to ensure that they had a happy holiday. The mother was overcome with emotion and very grateful to the Little Black Dress Club. 

 

Tracy, California - Tracy Members found themselves making “Thyme for Tea” in Niles.
The ladies enjoyed  a Victorian Tea Service complete with scones, assorted tea sandwiches and pastries and of course pots of tea. This chapter also celebrated the holiday season with a White Elephant gift exchange. After the tea they spent the afternoon shopping at the local antique shops nearby.



And now...

Parties are winding down, vacations are coming to a close and resolutions are being made. A new year has quickly gotten under way. If you are excited about the year ahead, looking for a great new adventure, want to get off the couch and into a social life while making some great girlfriends along the way, join our club!

The LBDC in 2013 is going to be the place to be! Don’t miss out!

Shay Ashcraft
Social Media Director, LBDC

Director Spotlight - Janae King

It's that time again! A new month means a new Director Spotlight. This month the light shines on our Phoenix, Arizona director, Janae King. 

31 year old Janae and her husband enjoy leisure time on sandy beaches with their six and eight year old boys, Austin and Sky. Janae loves wine, pretty cocktails, yummy food, football and fashion. She’ll chill on the couch to romantic comedies, scary movies, and Dexter and get glammed up for charities and dinner parties.

Janae is on her second fabulous year being a LBDC director. She says “I love the genuine camaraderie. There have been many, many strong friendships formed within the

chapter. There’s no drama, everyone has a sense of belonging, which is important to me. We always have a great time at our events!” 

Janae lives her life trying to be an awesome mom and raising her boys to be gentlemen. She lives by two key philosophies; “Work hard and be nice to people” and “May you never be the same again.” How awesome would it be if everyone lived that way?

Janae says she has come to see that everything bad that happens always seems to have an underlying positive agenda that may not always be realized…blessings in disguise, she calls it. Overcoming a life-long struggle with insecurity and negative body image, discovering the confidence to stand up for herself and what she believes in, and the most difficult, finding peace and forgiveness for the unforgivable, has made Janae the strong woman she is today. 

“One of the things I love about Janae, which I also think defines how she runs her chapter, is that she always refers to her members as “The Ladies.” She’s very creative and some of her fabulous creations include the photo booth - which premiered at Fabulous Fiesta - and the chapter birthday party which included riding around in a stretch Hummer limousine, bubbly included! Janae is a great friend - I love sharing Dexter and Homeland gossip with her, as well as, LBDC stories and ideas! I’m so honored she’s part of LBDC.” shares Christine.

Janae was honored to be chosen as this month's Director Spotlight. She quoted Ernest Hemingway and said, “When you stop doing things for fun, you might as well be dead.” 

Congrats to you, Janae. Thanks for leading the Phoenix chapter right into the spotlight!

~Christine and Jen

Founders, LBDC 

In The Spotlight - Victoria Johnston

In the spotlight this week is 39 year old Victoria Johnston from our Phoenix, Arizona chapter.

Victoria is happily married with a 16 year old daughter and a 13 year old son. Having teenagers in the house makes for lots of excitement, I’m sure!

Victoria works full-time as a Program Manager for a technology based engineering firm, yet still makes time for her hobbies and her favorite charities. She devotes lots of attention to fundraising through the Jr. League of Phoenix which is focused on making a difference in the community. When she isn’t fundraising and working with her charities, Victoria loves taking pictures, candle making, and vintage couture fashion.

Victoria and her husband are currently busy planning a beach getaway  with a group of close friends in celebration of a certain “milestone” birthday. Among the suggested locales for this special event are warm sandy beaches in Florida or perhaps even the Caribbean! I can’t think of a better way to celebrate a milestone than with sand between my toes!

Being a member of the LBDC for 2 years, Victoria said she joined the club to meet some other ladies with similar interests as her own. Women who like going out to places around the Valley for some fun. Victoria said, “What I love most about this awesome group of ladies is that even when life has kept me away from events for a while, they welcome me back to the club each time like I’ve never missed a beat.”

In her job, teaching her kids, and in the charity work that is so important to Victoria, she tries to remember the following mantra from Sandra Day O’Conner:  “Do the best you can in every task, no matter how unimportant it may seem at the time.  No one learns more about a problem, than the person at the bottom.”

Those are great words to live by, Victoria. Thanks for being in our spotlight this week!