Tag: valentines-day

  • Galentine’s Day Ideas in Indianapolis + Central Indiana

    Galentine’s Day Ideas in Indianapolis + Central Indiana

    Get in, gals, we’re hitting the town! Here are some things you can do with your gal pals in the Indy area this Galentine’s Day. Because why should we leave all the February fun to the couples?

    Friendship is everything. Our friends love us for us, and not for what we can offer to our companies or for how clean our house is. Our friends see us through so many phases of our livesβ€”through all the turmoil and chaos, through the love and loss, through that weird haircut you had in 2016β€”and yet they choose to hang out with us! No obligations.

    More than that, I truly believe female friendships are one of the most important things in a woman’s life because our friendships nurture the perspective we have about ourselves regardless of the labels society puts on us as women (employee, wife, mother, daughter, student). Our girls are there for us through breakups and babies, through wild nights and rough mornings, through promotions and layoffs. They are our shoulders to cry on and our partners in crime.

    Galentine’s Day (February 13th) is the perfect moment to celebrate these female friendships. If you are in the Indy area, I hope you’ll take some time to call up your girl squad and get something on the calendar. I know we are very busy (because who runs the world? GIRLS!), but I’ve made it as easy as possible with a full list below of things you can do with your girlfriends this Galentine’s Day in Indianapolis.

    “Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair minus the angst… Plus frittatas!” – Leslie Knope

    Tea, and Brunch, and Thrifting, OH MY!

    For the gals who are always down for brunch and thrifting, I want to take you a little west of Downtown Indy to Mooresville, IN. Click HERE for a video visual.

    Start with brunch and tea service at The Parlor PS. I recommend sharing the Grand Breakfast Tower. It was perfection!

    Then walk right next door for thrifting at Yellow Moon. There are so many unique vintage finds in here!

    Let’s Go to the (Keystone) Mall

    Going to the mall is so underrated lately. Especially with your girlfriends. Picture this: you and your friends having an early 2000s rom-com movie moment. Trying on pretty dresses and accessories. Telling each other “you should totally buy that.” And ending the entire spree with an Aperol Spritz. Here’s what I recommend:

    Window Shopping at The Fashion Mall at Keystone: Some of my faves are Anthropologie, Crate & Barrel, Dry Goods, Kendra Scott, and any other store that strikes your fancy!

    Napolese for Dinner: I tried the Aperol Spritz, Baked Goat Cheese, and Margherita Pizza, but your girls will love anything here!

    Something sweet from Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier: Get the sea salt caramels – TRUST ME!

    Do it for the ‘Gram

    If you’re looking for a sign to break out that dress you haven’t worn yet, here you go. Have you been to Restoration Hardware at The DeHaan Estate in Indy? This is a completely free place to visit and explore the latest pieces in the RH Gallery. There is a restaurant on site, but my favorite thing to do here is grab a glass of wine and explore the grounds. Get all dressed up with your gals and take pictures! You’ll want to remember this one.

    RH Indianapolis πŸ“ 4501 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46228

    Let’s EAT!

    If you’re looking to keep it simple and just grab a meal with your Galentines, here are some brunch and dinner spots I recommend in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas that have all the cute, girly vibes!

    Brunch: RIZE, Three Dolls, The Green Room, Rejoicing Vine, Borage

    Dinner: Hanami, Baby’s, divvy, Cake Bake, Matador

    For your Crafty Gals

    If you and your friends are in the mood to get crafty, I recommend one of these local candle-making spots in Indianapolis, or hitting up one of the Indy Winter Farmers Markets to get baking! The farmers markets usually have some DIY bread-making pouches, elixir kits, and even yarn/knitting goodies!

    Candle Making – Unplug, Penn and Beech

    Winter Farmers Markets: The AMP, Broad Ripple, Carmel. More details about each market can be found here.

    A Toast to Friendship

    Raise a glass to girlhood! Here are some of my favorite places to do a wine tasting in Indianapolis with my girlfriends:

    Buck Creek Winery + Brandywine Creek – These are great because you can hit two Indiana wineries in one go! These are very close together, so you can Uber or ask one of the ladies’ lovely husbands to be a chauffeur πŸ˜‰

    BONUS: Check and see if the Veal’s Ice Tree is up and running while you’re out. This is an Indiana hidden wonder you have to see in the winter!

    Other places for wine tastings: Daniel’s Vineyard, Urban Vines, Peace Water

    Hug your girls tight, Indy! Love, your Galentine, Sondra πŸ’‹

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  • Valentine’s Day Ideas in Indianapolis + Central Indiana

    Valentine’s Day Ideas in Indianapolis + Central Indiana

    RED ALERT! Valentine’s Day is coming up in less than three weeks and your girl wants to do something romantic in Indianapolis (she told me). If you’re looking for the perfect dinner reservation in Downtown Indy, an activity she’ll brag about to all her friends, or just a night to remember in Indianapolis, you’re in the right spot!

    P.S. Click the locations below for links to individual videos dedicated to each location.

    Activities in Indianapolis

    For my more active couples, below is a list of activities that require varying levels of energy. And don’t worry! These activities are all indoors since Valentine’s Day in Indy is typically on the chilly side.

    PINS Mechanical Co. πŸ“ 856 Carrollton Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202

    16-Bit πŸ“110 E New York St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

    Pro Tip: I recommend pairing this one up with one of Indy’s romantic restaurants on Mass Ave. Recommendations below.

    The Fowling Warehouse IndianapolisπŸ“1125 E Brookside Ave d9, Indianapolis, IN 46202

    Flying Squirrel Axe Throwing πŸ“ 5748 Crawfordsville Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46224

    Back 9 Golf and Entertainment πŸ“1415 Drover St, Indianapolis, IN 46221

    Activate πŸ“ 8600 E 96th St, Fishers, IN 46038

    Entertainment in Indianapolis

    Helium Comedy Club πŸ“ 10 W Georgia St, Indianapolis, IN 46225

    Feinstein’s πŸ“ 1 Carmichael Square, Carmel, IN 46032

    BONUS: Make this a whole weekend staycation and book a room at the Hotel Carmichael (more details below). Also, they offer food before the performances, so arrive early and make this a dinner + show date night!

    Indy Staycation Ideas

    If your Valentine wants a romantic Indianapolis staycation for Valentine’s Day weekend, then we’d get along swimmingly. These three hotels in Indy are some of the most gorgeous I’ve stayed at in the whole country.

    Ironworks πŸ“2721 E 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240

    Watch the video for my full list, but here are my top recommendations to make this Indy staycation one that your Valentine will never forget: Blue Sushi for dinner, RIZE for brunch

    Bottleworks πŸ“ 850 Massachusetts Ave Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46204

    Watch the video for my full list, but here are my top recommendations to make this Indy staycation one that your Valentine will never forget: Garage Food Hall for food + drinks, PINS Mechanical for fun, and Blue Collar for coffee

    Hotel Carmichael πŸ“ 1 Carmichael Square, Carmel, IN 46032

    I know this one is actually in Carmel, but with Hotel Carmichael offering the Feinstein shows, amazing restaurants, and gorgeous views, your Valentine will never want to leave.

    Romantic Restaurants in Indy

    Blue Sushi Sake Grill πŸ“2721 E 86th St STE 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240

    3UP πŸ“ 201 W Main St, Carmel, IN 46032

    Bocca πŸ“ 122 E 22nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46202

    P.S. Bocca has a speakeasy in the basement!

    1933 Lounge πŸ“ 175 S Rangeline Rd Suite 100, Carmel, IN 46032

    Pro Tip: I recommend the Carmel location for the most romantic vibes.

    Union 50 πŸ“ 620 N East St, Indianapolis, IN 46202

    RH Indianapolis πŸ“ 4501 N Michigan Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46228

    Heads Up on RH: The food is pricey. However if you’re looking for the most gorgeous photo-ops in Indy, this is your spot. Occasionally, I’ll just get a glass of wine and walk around the estate (click here for my Galentine’s Day recommendations).

    Indy Cocktail Spots

    We love a little sexy cocktail bar moment! I, of course, recommend pairing this up with one of Indy’s romantic restaurants to make this more of a nightcap situation, but to each their own. Cheers, lovers!

    8th Day Distillery πŸ“ 1125 E Brookside Ave Suite D06, Indianapolis, IN 46202

    BONUS: They have an AMAZING Mocktail selection for my N/A baddies out there.

    Hotel Tango πŸ“ 702 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203

    Quick note about the Hotel Tango video, I want to give a strong RIP to my favorite place ever, Duke’s Indy, which is now permanently closed. 😭

    The Vault πŸ“ 1542 S East St, Indianapolis, IN 46225

    Indianapolis speakeasy with vault door that requires a “secret” passcode to enter! (Pro Tip: They have the code in their Instagram bio!)

    Dinner + A Movie

    So you like the classics. I hear ya. However I want you to really impress your Valentine this year, so here is a local recommendation for dinner and a movie in Downtown Indy that truly has it all!

    Kan-Kan Cinema & Bar πŸ“ 1258 Windsor St, Indianapolis, IN 46201

    In the video, I actually recommend going to 8th Day for a drink before heading over to Kan-Kan, but if you’re looking to keep it low-key, just grab some food and drinks in the cinema before or after your show. They used to do their own food, but now they serve King Dough Pizza. They do show more eclectic films (not necessarily blockbusters). But if your Valentine is really into film, they will love this!

    Explore an Indiana Small Town

    Wait, wait, wait. You’re telling me you want to get out of the city and explore some of the cutest towns in Indiana? You want to grab an iced coffee and explore antiques and bookshops all day with your Valentine? Oh, your girl will love you for this. *swoons*

    Noblesville, IN πŸ“ North of Indianapolis

    Watch the video for my full list, but here are my top recommendations: Chapter Book Lounge, The Courthouse Club.

    Franklin, IN πŸ“ South of Indianapolis

    Watch the video for my full list, but here are my top recommendations: Main & Madison, Wild Geese, candle-making at Woven Co.

    I wish you all a very happy Valentine’s Day! I hope this list helps makes planning an unforgettable weekend in Indy even easier (Feel free to send this to your Valentine to drop a hint).

    Stay sexy, Indy! Love, your Valentine, Sondra πŸ’‹

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