Accessorize With Friends!

This party idea was contributed by Tracy, California Director, Melanie Dunniway. “It was such a blast and the ladies thought it was such a great idea that we are going to do a purse party exchange sometime this year!!”

 

Setup:

Invite each guest to bring ten pieces of jewelry that are new or gently used and a dish for the potluck. Assigning courses will eliminate too many desserts! Or, you may want to make it a dessert-theme potluck! Each guest will leave with ten pieces. Decorate the jewelry table in boutique shopping-style fashion while the ladies are enjoying the potluck.

After the table is set up, invite the ladies to walk around the table and preview the items. Give each lady a small bag in which to place her jewelry. “I found cute little boxes with handles for a $1 each at Target” ~Melanie

Shopping:

Put numbers in a hat – one for each guest (Ten guests – ten tickets). Each guest picks a number, which determines the order they select items from the table. Depending on the number of ladies, two or three may go at a time.

Optionally, allow them to pick two to three items each round in order to expedite the process. Once one round is complete, re-pick numbers so everyone has a random chance to go around the table first.

Additional Ideas for Party Hosts:

· Guests were given three tickets and were able to pick three inexpensive, new jewelry items at the end of the event. Look for jewelry trinkets at a craft store and make your own handmade earrings. Place them in a glass bowl, each in its own sheer jewelry bag.

· Purchase a few inexpensive items for guests who did not have ten pieces. Optionally, guests will

leave with the number of pieces with which they arrived.

To see more photos from this Tracy, California LBDC event, click here or visit them on Facebook. Have an event idea or theme that you would like to see planned in your area? Just want to offer event ideas and suggestions to our club? Send an email to info@lbdclub.com. We always love hearing from you!

Denim, Diamonds, & Divas

The Little Black Dress Club hit the town on May 10, 2013 in downtown Tracy and it is still being talked about over a week later! Twenty members from our LBDC Tracy and East Bay chapters met up for “Denim, Diamonds, & Divas.”

One year ago two fun loving women, Melanie Dunniway and Gwen Brady met by happenstance at a vendor booth at this same event. Interested in learning about LBDC and hearing more about Melanie’s chapter in Tracy, California, who knew that a year later Gwen would be directing her own Little Black Dress Club chapter in the East Bay area?

 

 Hosted by the city of Tracy, the point of this sold out event was a ladies night filled with cute lady vendor boutiques, a too cute for words DJ, dancing and downtown shopping. Each attendee received a goody bag, a commemorative wine glass and several food and wine tastings.

Tracy and East Bay members made their presence known! The DJ dedicated a special song to these two chapters before demanding they hit the dance floor.  All the LBDC ladies showed their best moves and were pulling other ladies out of the crowd to join in and dance away! "Those girls were great and so much fun," said Sheila Martinez. "This was the most fun event we have ever had!"

Other attendees were curious about the club, envious of the obvious connection between such a large group of women and all the fun they were having together. Gwen was fantastic in promoting LBDC and was sending tons of ladies in the Tracy area Melanie’s way to learn more about the Little Black Dress Club. “I couldn't have asked for a better first meeting between our chapters," says Melanie. “It was just an absolute fantastic night and crazy fun!!”

So what’s in store for these two chapters? The Tracy ladies plan to party with East Bay once again at the upcoming LBDC Launch Party in the East Bay area. In addition, these two directors have already begun planning a joint river rafting excursion with their chapters that will take place August 18 on the historic Stanislaus River!  

Sounds like an incredible evening was had by all, proving yet again that making new friends is as easy as throwing on your little black dress! These two Little Black Dress Club, California chapters are alive, growing and representing what the true spirit of LBDC is all about; adventure, sophistication, and bonding friendships!

For information on joining a chapter in your area, email us by clicking here.

 

 

 

 

 

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

This is my all-time favorite book! This true story is at times, unbelievable. It is the memoir of Jeannette Walls and tells of her growing up with parents that were idealistic, nonconformist, irresponsible nomads.

 

Her father was an alcoholic dreamer who always promised Jeannette he was going to build the family a “Glass Castle” but never did. Neither parent was a role model, but instead, provided the family with abject poverty and constant moving around the country to make “new starts.”

 

I found this book fascinating. To see that one can grow up in this chaotic life, yet still decide to become a successful functioning member of society is inspiring. The challenges that the children faced were hard to believe. It was just the type of book that you don’t want to put down because you want to find out what will happen next to this dysfunctional family. Everyone I know who has read this book says, “Can you believe it?”

The book actually opens with a current day event, where Jeannette sees her mother digging through garbage cans looking for food in New York City. Jeannette tells how she sank down into her cab so her mother wouldn’t recognize her. She later asks her mother, “what am I supposed to tell people about you?” Her mother’s reply: “tell the truth”. This makes Jeannette realize that although she is living an apparently successful life in New York, she is actually living a lie because she had not been truthful with anyone about her upbringing. That is what inspired her to share her story with the world.

Jeannette wrote a sort of follow up, “Half Broke Horses: A True Life Novel” that I have also read. It is the true life story of her grandmother, a no-nonsense, resourceful woman growing up the in the west. It was another great story of a strong, smart woman. In The Glass Castle, the grandmother is the stable mother-figure that Jeannette looks to early in her life. It was interesting to read about her life and how she came to be such a tough woman. I would highly recommend owning your own copy of this book!

~Sheila Martinez
Co Director , Tracy Chapter

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

Saddle Rack and Cowgirl Up

Our Tracy, CA chapter recently hosted an event at The Saddle Rack. LBDC ladies went a lil country as they enjoyed this fun evening full of dancing and bull riding!

Starting out with a few basic line dancing classes it wasn’t long before the challenges started coming! Tracy Director, Melanie, was somehow talked into braving the bull ride!

The ladies danced throughout the night and could not be contained by what’s known as “the cage.” Ashley and Michelle had fun in the hithin corner drinking while sitting in the shot chairs!

The Tracy Chapter had a fabulous night and are all in agreement that this is one event that will be planned again soon! Don’t miss out on the next bull riding adventure. Join the club now!

In The Spotlight - Tina Moran

One of the very first members of our Tracy, CA chapter, this week’s pick for Member Spotlight is Tina Moran!

Mom to a 21 year old son named Nathan, as well as an 18 year old daughter named Lisa Marie, Tina stays busy and is always on the go! Working as a Business Systems Analyst for Preferred Alliance, she says she loves to travel. On her bucket list of desired vacays Tina would love to cruise Alaska again or experience Europe for the first time.

In her spare time, Tina loves spending time with her family. Caring for her spunky 83 year old father gives her great joy as does spending as much time as she can with Nathan and Lisa Marie. A devoted member of Crossroads Church, Tina says that music is a great passion of hers. While she is not a singer and doesn’t play an instrument, she is a self-proclaimed “Groupie” when it comes to her favorite bands! From Chopin to Linkin Park and a few local bands in Tracy, Tina loves to dance! During her downtime, Tina pampers herself at the Peppermill Spa and Resort in Reno, NV. Her favorite time of year to visit Reno is in the winter so she can ride the Amtrak thru the sierra mountains. What a great vacay that would be!

Tina says she  joined the group hoping to meet kindred spirits. Youthful minded women who love life and who enjoy the many blessings of being a woman. She says it has been just that and more!  Tina talks about the amazing women she has met and how much she admires that age, culture, race, financial status, marital status, kids – no kids… for the LBDC there are no requirements to join. Tina had this to say about the Little Black Dress Club; “The diversity is exciting and refreshing. I always come away with a great experience and wonderful memories. There are very few reasons not to discover wonderful experiences within the Little Black Dress organization. It’s a wonderful, safe and exciting group to meet classy women of all ages.  So let’s dress up, put on our LBD’s  and celebrate being a part of an elite group of fun loving women!”

We love you too, Tina! Thanks for being in our spotlight this week!