Summer is the perfect time to catch up with with girlfriends. My best friend Audree Lopez of the fashion blog Simply Audree Kate and I finally reunited in Phoenix. We had a few BFF dates, which usually involved coffee, food and Bravo reruns. Here are a few other ideas for you and your best friend(s) to have some much-deserved girl time.

Rise and Shine
Find a new spot for brunch. Decide on two (or three) things to split and share. I love trying new plates with friends: one of us will get a classic and the other will get something out of our comfort zone. That ensures we can both have the best of both worlds.

Showtime
Choose a show to binge watch together and set a few hours aside to reconnect on the couch. Don’t forget to stock up on munchies and beverages before you start. For a Saturday or Sunday afternoon: put together a quick antipasto platter of finger foods. Any combination of cheese, meats, fruits and crackers will work. If you’re getting boozy, have the girls bring white wine or prosecco. For an evening of TV, sample a variety of classic movie night favorites: bags pre-made popcorn, red wine, and a variety of Ben and Jerry’s flavors.

Say Cheese
Coordinate outfits and have a photoshoot. Ask strangers to take pictures of you two together near cool murals or classic locations of your city. If nobody is around, overload on selfies until you take a gem. #werkit

Taste and Tell
Do research and see what specials local breweries, wine stores or coffee shops have over the summer. Often they will hold sampling nights where you and your girlfriend can catch up over drinks, and learn some new tips. My friend and I discovered a free “beer school” at World of Beer in Arizona once a week.

Namaste
One thing I look forward to every summer is lulu lemon’s community outdoor yoga classes. They are free and usually poolside, at a trendy hotel or in a park nearby their store. Check out your local lulu lemon store to see if they are hosting any summer classes. After yoga, grab a fresh smoothie or juice with your BFF.

Love food. Love self. Love life.
Gabriela