Last week my girlfriends and I were treated to a Starbucks Evenings event at the Huntington Beach store. I honestly can not say enough great things about not only the staff and store, but the scrumptious food, wine pairings, and coffee. My friends and I are still talking about how much fun we had. It was one of those nights where you truly get to relax, unwind and have conversations that go far deeper than the usual day to day chit chat. I think we all need that. Especially as woman. And these girls are the type that work hard to build each other up and cheer each other on. That is a powerful friendship and I feel so blessed to have these sweet girls in my life. 
I was a little giddy seeing a sign with my blog name on it. Such a sweet way to welcome us. The staff was so attentive and began the evening with food and wine pairings. I am sharing my favorites with you. 
The Blue Brie & Apricot Preserves Plate paired with the Mionetto Prosecco was a great way to kick off the night. I am a brie cheese lover so this spoke to me! I’ve never had brie with apricot before and it’s sooooo good. 
My next favorite item was the Artichoke and Goat Cheese Flatbread. We all were huge fans of this one. So yummy. 
They had me at, “bacon wrapped!” Who doesn’t love bacon. These Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Balsamic Glaze paired with the Alamos Malbec were delicious and probably the item that we were secretly fighting each other over for the last one. No joke. 
I love that we could get out of the house as busy mommies and relax. And while we could enjoy a sip of wine and food, the environment remained comfy and cozy unlike so many other late night spots. 
The Chocolate Truffles paired with Starbucks Reserve® coffee topped the evening off. DELICIOUS and I am not a big dessert girl. Such a scrumptious pairing. Espresso, champagne, and raspberry. Need I say more? 
Thank you to these beautiful girls for teaching me so much about friendship, love, parenting and following your dreams. These girls are the real deal and I am so thankful to Starbucks for allowing us to enjoy this Starbucks Evenings Experience together. I am already planning to go back for a date night with the hubby. But now it’s your turn! I want one of you to enjoy a fun night out at Starbucks. All you have to do is tell me why you could use a night out with your friends. #GNO It’s that simple! One lucky winner will receive a $50 Starbucks gift card. 
My best friend lives two streets over and I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen her since the Super Bowl! We both need a night out to unwind!
We all need to take some time for ourselves to go to our relaxed carefree place for a few moments.
My friend and I live on the same street, and we always feel guilty if we go out without the family – unless it's to run errands – like target or the pet store
Life has been so crazy busy, a night like this with my buds is much needed!
Between my full time job and starting a new blog, I need a night out for laughs and girl talk! thanks for the opportunity!
I have three little boys. The only other female in my house is a cat. Would love a night out with the girls!
I so often feel I lose myself in the day-to-day busyness. I need a night out with my best girl friends to recharge.
Job is crazy and lonely, the weather is hot, and I haven't seen my girlfriends to talk to in weeks! Need to catch up and have a gabfest.
I stay at home with my two little guys-I would LOVE a night out! Great giveaway!
I am a stay at home military wife with no family nearby. I am in need of a night out!
Gotta have it! My husband says I'm talking too much baby talk! I need some adult conversation! Thanks!
Night outs are a mini-vacations! So needed!
This past year has been crazy and a girls night out would be awesome.
bwebber2779 at andersonuniversity dot edu
This is pathetic, but I can probably count on one hand the amount of night's out I've had (maybe include daytime too) since my kids have been born (over 2 years ago). We are trying harder to find a good sitter (not much family near by) and working on these babies stop being such little mommies girls. Considering my "metime" now is going through
the sbux drive thru this is perfect!
I haven't had a girls night since my daughter was born in june of 2013!!! And no, that's not a typo! 🙂 help!
girlfriends ALWAYS make things better and more fun!!!
I often meet a couple of friends at Starbucks in the afternoon so would love a girls night out there with wine and cheese at a more relaxing time.
I'd love a girls night out to reconnect with one of my closest friends that I haven't seen since January! She lives about an hour away and our timing/scheduled can't seem to line up. With a little extra incentive, maybe her schedule will suddenly free up. 😉
I would love a girls night out to get to know some new friends better!
our friends meet up quite often, but I'm not sure if we've ever just done a girls night out. would love to be able to!
I have two precious princesses 4 and 3. It is a wild ride and of course mama needs some me time! I am adjusting to working part time and being a full time Mama and haven't had a girls night out since 2013!
The one person I often neglect is myself. I don't take time for myself often enough and a night out with my girlfriends would be a great time to relax and recharge from the daily hustle of working, parenting, and maintaining a household. Thanks!
I would love a GNO! My best friends and J all work crazy hours and have little ones. Although we talk every day we don't get to see each other often ( and we live in the same town – bad I know!)
My BFF from high school and I only ever go out for lunch. I think a GNO would be the best thing for us without the time constraint of going back to the office!
I desperately need a GNO! I got married in January and moved 200 miles away from all my girlfriends to live with my husband. I miss my friends (and Starbucks) dearly, we just don't see each other enough anymore.
I haven't had one in about a dozen years!
mami2jcn at gmail dot com
I just had my first child on June 8 and am dying to get out of the house! Right now the highlight of my week is a quick trip to Starbucks for some much needed caffeine and a TINY bit of me time 🙂
Can't remember my last girls' night! Have two boys under 4 ! A break would be heavenly!
I need a girls night out because I have a 3 year old and a 6 week old who have both decided that sleeping isnt necessary…mama needs a break!
Love that they are now offering late night selections. I would love a GNO. While our nest is empty, a lot of my closest gal pals still have young ones at home. This would give us a chance to reconnect. And, evenings are easier since dads are home and a sitter wouldn't be needed.
We began the adoption process in 2011, have been matched with our sweet little girl and waiting for her to come home is just plain hard.
Since my daughter got sick the only time I leave the house is for hospital visits. I'd love an evening in our local Starbucks to unwind, while daddy holds the fort at home.
This single mama seriously needs a GNO!!! With school around the corner and the looming idea of having to go back to work full time is a huge bummer!! I'm dying for our Starbucks to have one of these evenings! Yours looked so fun!!
just had a baby so it would be nice to finally get a night out of the house! it's been 6 lng months
it's been a tough week at work. thanks.
b
Oh man…its been a while
I haven't a girls night out in a long time and it would be great to spend some time with my friends, laugh and have an overall fun time.
Why not??? Kids, work, husbands, exhaustion. Etc etc etc
Looks like this is already well deserved by all! I'm just one small fish in a big sea but….I'm turning 40 in August & preparing for both my children to be in school full time. For me, this is the hardest transition in life to date. Such a new chapter. The level of need from my children will shift. I like being needed! What will I become? What is my worth? How will I define myself? Can I be successful outside of my role as mother AND balance it all? What if I fail? Its causing some anxiety. A night out with the support of other moms, in the same chapter of life, would provide a great mental & emotional boost! Thanks!
I'd love to get together with my girls! I've got twin 9 month olds and a 3 year and work full time so girl time is limited.
Because it is so much fun, and don't we all deserve a little fun every now and then!
I'd love a girls night out because it's fun and I can't remember the last time I did that!
A night out with friends makes me a better momma!
I love to have girls night out! I think maybe the best part is being able to catch up without the interruptions. As a mom to four little ones and one on the way that is very much appreciated!
Oh I would love a girls night out. Just had baby #4 and my oldest is 5, would love some adult time!
We all could use a GNO right? As moms, it seems like forever since we were able to be carefree and plan a night out! With 5 year old twins, work outside the home and preparing for the impending loss of my ailing mother, I'd love an hour or two to actually finish a conversation and laugh with my girlfriends! Plus–wine, cheese and chocolate are known to have healing powers, right?! 🙂 Love your beautiful and positive blog Courtney–thanks for always giving back to your readers!! Xoxo
I would love a girls' night out! I am pregnant and I need some time with my girls before I am stuck at home changing diapers.
A girls night out would be wonderful because we are hard at work, busy taking care of our family and home. This would give us a change to relax, recharge, and reconnect! PERFECT!
Just because is the best excuse for a girls night!
Okay, I'm not a girl so I don't know if I qualify, but I know my wife and I both could use a night out. We have a 3 month old daughter (our third) and have spent the last few months consumed with home repairs after a bunch of storm damage and our A/C dying and our roof leaking and attic needing to be re-insulated. With all that going on I think we've actually only had one night out this year (a yoga class we did for our anniversary). Life is good despite the madness, but a bit of time with a Chai Latte and few minutes of calm conversation would be a nice change of pace.
Also, I wish they had the Starbucks Evening thing in Michigan, that looks awesome (fruit and cheese is a winner (try smoked gouda and guava jelly on a Ritz cracker), but I'm not sure it's worth the trip to Chicago.
I'm still adjusting to life with 2 boys. My youngest is 6 months old and to say I've lost touch with friends is an understatement. I need this! 🙂
As I move through a divorce, and money being tight, I would love to treat my lady friends for all of their support. Thanking them for their love, encouragement, advisement, and ever patient listening skills. So glad they are there for me.
I need a girl's night out to recharge myself.
I need a girls night out because i have been prego for 9 long months I'm exhausted and ready for some me time with friends 🙂
I have five very good, very sweet, yet very wild reasons why I need a Starbucks gift card. . .
Your words and your pix of your GNO at Starbucks has me craving the same experience for our next GNO!!!!
I need a girls night out so that I and some other moms can relax for a couple of hours while drinking delicious Starbucks coffee!
Oh how fun! That looked like such a fun night out! Yummy drinks, food and company what more could you ask for?! I'd like to have a girls night out, because I'm a new mommy and it'd be so nice to treat myself to a fun night out, reconnect with old friends and invite some new friends, too. Thanks for the opportunity!
Seasidesmitten at aol.com
I would love a girls night out – since its PCS season in the military, all my girlfriends will soon be leaving – so a night out would be a great break from moving boxes!!!
mermont84 at yahoo.com
Would love a girls night out to relax, only have to worry about where I am, and maybe even be able to go to the bathroom by myself!
I would love a girl's night out to catch up with my friends and relax. It has been way too long!
I need a girl's night out so I can talk to friends and have a good time.
kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom
Three of my friends are new moms, I would love to surprise them with a Starbucks night out so that we can catch up with each other! (meandmypinkmixer@yahoo.com)
A girls' night out where I could treat my friends would be wonderful. We're moving soon and a last hurrah with the girls would be bittersweet, but oh so fun!
Gah! christen.defazioATgmailDOTcom
When do you not need a girl's night out? This sounds awesome! I really hope that Starbucks around here starts serving wine soon!
I had a baby in February, and now that my little one is sleeping through the night, I'm ready for more friend time 🙂
My friend had been taking care of her mom for years, and since her mom passed away a couple of weeks ago, she has been lost, and a girls night out would be a great pick-me-up for her.
forgot to leave my email myfoxypup at gmail dot com
I'm a single mom of 2 that works full time, social life is pushed to the few nights I have a month by myself. Would love to enjoy a night out.
Every girl needs a girls night out after a breakup!
Would love to have a night out, but truly I would give this to a mommy-of-four dear friend who needs it more than I do 🙂 Maybe she'll invite me along! Fun giveaway!
While every woman could use a girls night out I actually have a few girlfriends I would love to take out because they could use it more.
I totally need a girls night out! This looks like so much fun! I just had a baby, she's 2 months and I have a busy little toddler who's 2 1/2 years old! Momma needs some girl time!
I have the greatest group of girlfriends and I would love to treat them for once!
I am 8 months pregnant and running after a 2 year old all day. I'm exhausted! Could use a girls night out to recharge. Love my son more than anything but a full conversation without interruptions and distractions sounds like such a treat! 🙂 thanks for the giveaway!
Along with some close friends, I am in the home stretch of finishing my thesis so that I can graduate grad school. Five more weeks left and I don't know what I need more…wine or coffee!!
I need a girls night out because I honestly cannot remember the last time I had one! I am a mommy of a little boy, and I also have a couple of jobs, so a coffee/social break is always welcome! 🙂
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
We are on our 18th year of Girls Night Out – first Tuesday of each month and the birthday girl that month gets to choose the restaurant. Started when my oldest was in Kindergarten. Love my group. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Every woman needs a girls night out! Any reason is a great reason, our girlfriends are a special gift that we need to cherish. I have a girls night out coming up because there is a boys camping trip approaching!
I would love to be able to treat dear friends to a night out.
I could use a night out because I FINALLY just got married a couple weeks ago after a year and a half of crazy planning. I've spent a lot of time at home working on wedding stuff, as well as working on renovating our house before all our family got to town for our wedding, so I've hardly had any time to go out with the girls!
I need a girls night out because my husband and I are trying to pay down debt. So I haven't been going out with my friends and date nights have been at home with a movie from the library. I so need this, I'm a sahm living 3 hours from the nearest family. Thanks for such a great giveaway:-)
the 1 year old!!! she's always stuck to my hip.
I would love a girls night out to reconnect with friends I haven't seen in months! Nothing better for the soul than a girls night:)
i could use a girls night out to celebrate my final chemo treatment. Wahoo!
I have a three month old baby. Motherhood is full of joy but oh so draining!
My friends and I live all over town, so this would be the perfect "excuse" for us to get together!
There is nothing better than reconnecting with friends…picking up right where you left off and enjoying "adult" conversation with like minded women.
I need a girl's night out because I have three teenagers! LOL
We just finished moving and unpacking. I need a break
I have 6 kids. Between work, school and family, I never get a night out.
I'll be moving halfway across the country in a month… Definitely need to hang out w/ my girls before leaving!
I have been recovering from hip surgery and haven't been able to do "normal" things for awhile. A GNO is much needed!
I've been working a lot more hours than usual.
lane dot family at yahoo dot com
My son just moved out of the house and to the opposite coast to start a new adventure this past week, so I'm feeling like an empty-nester!
Being home with two young kids and a husband that works a lot, it's nice to get away when I have a chance with my girls so that we can catch up and discuss stuff other than motherhood-even though it does come up 😉
An evening out with the girlfriends would be so much fun because I have not had one in so long!
Do you need a reason for Girls Night Out??? just friendship!!!
Would love to get together with friends from church – outside of church!
Need #GNO to celebrate one of the girls finally cancer-free (long year) and my other gf who finally is pregnant with her first child many years and finally he's on his way.
I love my family. I am a SAHM with two wonderful girls below 5yo. Would be nice to get together with some girlfriends from church and just go out. Eat, laugh, pray. It's what we do. 🙂
I haven't had a night out with the girls since the Winter, so I'm certainly loooong overdue! A short break from the stresses of life would be perfection, especially since it would be at my favorite place – STARBUCKS!
I have been spending a lot of time trying to grow my business with my new job and could use some much needed time to relax and catch up my friends!
You know the guys get bored with girl talk, so we need time to ourselves too!
i just had a baby 1 1/2 weeks ago – i could use some grown up time – three kids running around! 🙂
erincyoung (at) yahoo.com
I need a girls night! I stay at home with a 2 year old and 5 year old… sometimes the days are very very long.
As hard as I try, I never get enough girls nights in!