Hello Ladies...I am looking for some ideas. I work full time and so does my husband. We have been pretty much living paycheck to paycheck. My husband just recently started a new job that should change all of that. We are very excited. Due to pinching pennies, we haven't done all that much in ways of vacations and what not. He has his own hobbies, fishing being one of them. It doesn't cost much if anything, so he has kept up with it. He goes at least a few times a week to neighborhood ponds and goes on at least one or two weekends with the guys. I am the more conservative one and when I do have some extra cash, I usually spend it on my daughter. I very rarely do much for me alone. I was trying to put together something for me and a girlfriend or two to do, to leave our responsibilities as wives and mothers aside for just a night (maybe two). Any ideas? I don't want to be ridiculous with the money, but enough for us to feel like women again. My husband is great and is very supportive of this. I know later on this year we are going to be trying for our second, I just feel like I could use this time away. There is a small part of me that feels a little guilty that I would be looking this forward to a weekend away. I will miss both of them, but it would be nice to not worry about diapers, three meals a day, brushing teeth, etc. (maybe sleeping in!) Thanks again for any ideas. This is a first for me.
Try Geneva, IL. I did a girls night there - there is great shopping, yummy restaurants. I can't remember the name of the place we stayed, but it was right on the river - so pretty plus had a spa. And, it is not that far to go for one night!
Hi M.! I just recently went to Lake Geneva for a girls weekend and had a great, relaxing time! I rarely, if ever, have 'me time' ... I'm a sahm and my hubby works alot of hours but he has many hobbies (fishing included) that he enjoys doing throughout the year with the guys so he gets away a few times a year for guys weekend. Lake Geneva was perfect for a weekend. We stayed at a great place which was just a block away from the downtown area ... we arrived Friday night for dinner and drinks, spent some time at a spa and shopped downtown on Saturday, dinner and drinks again Saturday night and Sunday we slept in and went to brunch and then home! I was surprised by how refreshed and relaxed I felt when I got home ... I thought I'd be miserable leaving my hubby and daughter but to be honest with you I really enjoyed just doing what I wanted! I think every mom needs at least one weekend away with the girls each year ~ I'm already planning one for this fall!
Good for you!
Lake Geneva is nice. Also, check out New Buffalo, Mi., which is about a 90-minute drive. I haven't stayed at the New Buffalo Inn and Spa, but it's supposed to be a great spot for a girls getaway. There's also a winery/restaurant about 20 minutes from there.
Oh, and Geneva, IL. There's a spa there too, and lots of cute shops (higher-end, but in St. Charles a few minutes away, lots of antiquing.) They have a wonderful chocolate shop, too.
I've done "girls weekends" with my mom and sister for the past couple years. We've just done stuff in the city while my husband took the kids (mine and my sister's) - here are some of the fun things we've done:
Pedicures - either professionally done or even do-it-yourself - take a trip to the drug store and get some fun stuff etc. You could also go do something girly like get your eyebrows done, manicures, etc. Make sure you take plenty of trashy magazines and have dinner or lunch afterwards.
Tea - we love the afternoon tea at the Four Seasons. It's about $40 each but you can easily blow a couple hours and you get a great meal out of it. I hear the tea at Unique So Chique is fun too
Concerts - Take a picnic and head to a free concert at Millenium Park on a Wed, Fri, or Sat. Or pay the $10 for lawn seats at Rivinia. A great way to spend a summer evening.
It's wonderful that you are going away with friends. Your hubby will appreciate you more and you'll come back revitalized. ! Lovely weekend places....Lake Geneva, WI is wonderful. Also, great shopping, restaurants in Galena IL - beautiful scenery - Mississippi Palasaides State Park for anyone who wants to get outdoors. Saugatuck or South Holland MI (a little closer) is wonderful! Lots of cute shops, great fruit, vegetable and plant vendors, great eateries, lovely time on the river and lake. If you don't want to go as far, St. Joseph, MI is wonderful too and so easy to get to. Fantastic sunsets on Lake Michigan and the beach is very clean and spacious. And a great walk awaits on the lighthouse pier. Great places to eat, drink and shop too. A mom friend and I (with our kids) make this an annual pilgrimage - leaving at 7:00 am and coming back around 7:00 pm (we may just stay overnight this year!). So much fun! Have a great get-away. Go now with friends and scope out a great get-away with your husband for the Fall!
