The other day was not a good one.

It started with the upstairs shower leaking into our kitchen; a deep pool of water on the counter kicked off the day. After that I found a container of watermelon that had been left out all night *shudder*; then we received a giant bill from my son’s cardiologist and rounded out the day with sewage coming up the drain of our basement utility sink.

Oh, joy.

After all of that, let me tell you what I didn’t want to do: MAKE DINNER.

What I wanted to do was run away from my house of horrors and go get a drink! And that’s exactly what I did.

Lucky for me, there is an Applebee’s within walking distance of my house. I called a few people, told them to meet me there, and by the time the three of them arrived appetizers had already been delivered to the table!

Lots of appetizers. And, we ate every bit of them.

To compensate for the indulgence of tortilla chips, I ordered the Skinny Bee Margarita (YUM).

Though there weren’t a lot of vegan options on the menu, the waitress was more than accommodating and the manager brought me a list of foods that were meat and dairy free. There were also handy lists for food allergies.

I ended up with this spicy and delicious Sizzling Asian Shrimp and Broccoli (minus the shrimp).

You may also notice there is a beer there. It was spicy. I had to! Plus, the margarita was part of the appetizer.

Some people don’t have to worry about eating meat though. Color me jealous. I’m not going to lie. I stole some of those fries.

Then everyone else ordered this for dessert. This is a picture from Applebee‘s website, because I didn’t have time to take a picture before they started tearing into it.

By the time I got my phone out to snap a picture, it looked like this. Notice how they left one bite of cookie on the plate:

All in all, we had a few drinks, a lot of food and a ton of fun. I love living in a neighborhood where there is a restaurant that I can take my family to or meet a few girlfriends for happy hour. It was the perfect way to end my day on a high note.

Applebee’s knows the value of meeting friends at the end of a stressful day. After all, they like to say: “Life is Better Shared.” They also know sometimes friends can’t meet face-to-face, and they want you to be a part of their online circle of friends. Find them on Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube or Tumblr!

Applebee‘s and BlogHer want you to end your day on a high note too, because they’re giving one lucky reader a $150 Applebee‘s gift card! To be entered for a chance to win, just leave a comment on this post and answer the question, “When’s the last time you had a girl’s night out?

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 7/16/12 – 8/3/12.
Be sure to visit the Applebee’s Life Is Better Shared page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

    Comments

  • Lisa Daly


    I have one at least monthly with my book club or otherwise known as “Wine club with a reading problem” 🙂 It truly helps us stay sane right?!

  • Lisa Daly


    https://twitter.com/daly_lisa/status/224889779861471233

    Could use a GC!

  • Celeste


    With three kids under the age of 5 I do not get girls nights often but when I do we often start or end at Applebee’s!

  • Net


    I can’t even remember. Isn’t that sad???

  • muffintopmommy


    IF by girl’s night you mean me chugging a beer crouched in the corner of my kitchen hiding from my three boys at witching hour, then, last night.

  • Lori


    I am in desperate need of a girls night out like this.

  • Lori


    https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/mlkhfabian

  • shelly


    My last GNO was before my kids were born. My oldest just turned 11. Sad, but true.

  • Mami2jcn


    I haven’t had a night out just with the girls in over 9 years!

  • Joni


    Last Girls Night I attended had to be in May…drinks and laughter with a few of my GGW Sisters!!! Wish we could do it weekly, impossible, I know!!! My family loves Applebee’s, especially the half price appetizers…we make that our dinner!!!

  • Jo Hill


    We try to do it every Wednesday…. dosent always work out for all, but we shoot for it!

  • Mandy Blank


    I don’t get nights out anymore, but my best friend and I are going to lunch and a movie this weekend. Does that count?

  • L Robinson


    I have one coming up on Wednesday – in fact we try to go the third Wednesday of every month! Have to have some time out with just the ladies :).

  • AliciaC


    Girls night out? Good Heavens, I have no idea when the last one was…but boy does that dessert look GREAT!

  • Sarah


    I have an Applebee’s right across the street from my complex! I’d love to have a girl’s night!

  • edgefarms


    I’ve never had a girls night out but my husband and I do enjoy a nice meal at Applebee’s every once in a while.

  • Lee


    About 4 years ago? We were all to meet and go to a movie. Getting the children ready for the hubbies to babysit, the moms were late and the movie was sold out 🙁 So much for our girls night out! Have not gone since.

  • WebSavvyMom


    –>A true girl’s night out – – it’s been over a year but I do a monthly bunco group that is ladies only. It’s just not as wild.

  • Pam


    gosh, i haven’t had a girl’s night out for a few years now. :/ i’m a pathetic loser who has no friends lol but that’s okay! i like to do ‘girls day out’ w my 15 and 13 year old daughters 🙂 they LOVE applebee’s.

  • Pam


    tweeted 🙂 https://twitter.com/SimplyCiara/status/224956220296011778

  • Claire


    I met the girls for coffee last Friday but a whole meal would be even better.

  • Jessica


    Friday June 8th. The only reason I know the date is because I review the movies I see on my blog and we went to see What to Expect When You’re Expecting. I didn’t love the movie but we had a fun time out, just the girls. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

  • Jessica


    tweeted! https://twitter.com/jesswalser/status/224963169926385665

  • Throuthehaze


    The last girls night out I had was back in January.

  • Missy


    Not recently enough. The last Girl’s Nite Out was last month. But not near enough al-kee-haul was consumed, so I could use a redo!

  • Kristina Schafer


    My last girls night out was June 15th. Before that…my bachelorette party last July. Hopefully there won’t be such a big gap before the next one!

  • Laura


    Thursday, we call it a festival meeting!!!

  • Cupcake Blonde


    I wish I could have a girls’ night out, but all my girlfriends live far away. 🙁 However, when I get to go home in a few months I would love a gift card to get all my girls together to see them at Applebee’s!

  • Headless Mom


    Girl’s night out? What is that of which you speak?

    Actually, my GNO is usually BlogHer. 🙁

  • Leila


    Oh God, girls night out? I DID have dinner with a girlfriend last week but GNO usually means a few more women and a general air of frivolity, so…I don’t think that counts. Which means I can’t REMEMBER when I had the last GNO. I did do Girls Brunch on Sunday, but…also not the same. This is why I need to regain my life!!!

  • Rachael


    My last REAL girls night out was months ago, dinner at a local pizza place with Martini shakers for $9 and dancing at our local gay club. So much fun, and the dancing lets you work off those martinis! I am in desperate need of another night out, and I bet people’s schedules would clear up right quick if I said drinks were on me!

  • Kimberly P.


    I cannot even remember my last night out with the girls…feeling a bit pathetic!

  • Jayme


    Let’s see, today is July 17, so that would make my last girl’s night out, uh, let’s see…2 years ago? Roughly?

  • Jayme


    Tweeted–https://twitter.com/LittleBabyBlog/status/225146428660531200

  • Lisa S.


    A long time ago. 2003, I think.

  • Kathleen


    I can’t even REMEMBER the last time I had a girls night out! I am so ready for one!

  • Doris


    Its been so long we cannot remember, Oh wait!
    Thats right it was “Magic Mike” opening night!!
    So much fun and good times with the ladies

  • Rhea


    I’m embarrassed to admit that I can’t even remember the last time I’ve had a girls’ night out. That’s awful.

  • dysfunctional mom


    My last GNO was in April, and I keep reading about people going out for a Magic Mike GNO and I am super-jealous!

  • Jenny


    I’m overdue!!! It’s been a couple of months.

  • dysfunctional mom


    Tweeted it! https://twitter.com/dsfunctionalmom/status/225222529931939841

  • Kimberly


    Movie night last week!

  • Dawndi


    I had a girls’ night last night. We went to dinner and then headed back to one of the gal’s house to watch the Bachelorette. It’s a weekly tradition.

  • Anne Weber-Falk


    When WAS the last time I had a girl’s night out? Good question. It’s been so long I don’t remember. Thanks for the opportunity to give me another one!

  • Caro Beaudry


    Girls night out was last Friday! Right after the work week was over! It’s a blessing. 🙂

  • Tiffany Y


    Its been way too long. Like months ago. Too many mommas have babies and can’t get away. Plus some of my really good friends live states away, that puts a little damper on things.

  • Dale


    Last truly girls night I had was our annual girls Christmas party! It’s been too long!

  • Kelly D


    My last girl’s night out was 5+ years ago.

  • Kelly D


    tweeted
    https://twitter.com/Kellydinpa/status/225290105886216192

  • mare ball


    Can’t remember last girl’s night out. 🙁

  • BusyDad


    Never. Damn these genitals!

  • Kerry


    Sadly, it’s been a few years!

  • Kerry


    tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/225403904345645056

  • Livivua Chandler


    10 months ago before being pregnant

  • Livivua Chandler


    https://twitter.com/vivaciousgold/status/225625323293769728 – tweeted

  • Arnebya


    Before reading this, I’d already been in a girl’s night out slump. So, I contacted three and we’re going out this Saturday. We were torn on where to eat. Momo to the rescue; Applebees it is. And I’ma haz a margarita or three.

  • Lizzie


    Sadly my last GNO was over two years ago. My bachelorette party. So sad!!!

  • Nellie


    I woould LOVE to have a girls night out. Those pics, omg im so hungry now!

  • Kattrinka


    HA! Must have been a hundred years ago……

  • Aubrey


    I last had a girls night out 3 months ago.
    family74014 at gmail dot com

  • Erika


    I cannot remember my last night out with friends…maybe 3 or 4 years ago? It’s been far too long!

    chambanachik@gmail.com

  • Barbara


    I had a girl’s night out for my 39th birthday last week! So fun to laugh away a day I was dreading

  • beth


    I had a whole girls’ *weekend* at the end of June to celebrate our 10 year anniversary of college graduation. It was marvelous and much-needed!

  • DC


    I can’t remember the last time I had a girls’ night out. Unless you count a marching band moms’ meeting, which I don’t. My twins are leaving for college on Aug. 23, would love to have a girls’ night with them before they leave.

  • Amy Tong


    The last time I had a girl’s night out was too many months ago…I think over 6 months ago…so long that I lost track. I can’t wait to plan my next girl’s night out and enjoy some great food at Applebee’s!

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

  • Amy Tong


    tweeted about this giveaway: https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/226555387359416321

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

  • Elisabeth


    It’s been too long!

  • Elisabeth


    https://twitter.com/egood33/status/226789775439454209

  • sy


    We had a girl’s night out this past friday, it was relaxing after a long day at work. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
    songyueyu at gmail

  • sy


    tweet: https://twitter.com/syytta/status/226949059972329472
    songyueyu at gmail

  • Jessie C.


    Last time I had a girl’s night out was last summer.
    tcarolinep at gmail dot com

  • Jessie C.


    https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/227267490345013248

  • sandra


    a couple nights ago

  • Norma


    If a girls afternoon out counts, I had one about a year ago.

  • LAMusing


    It’s been over 5 years! That’s just sad.

  • LAMusing


    https://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/227573052827918336

  • Crystal Warren


    Its been way toooooo long (like over a year!!) but the last girls night I had my friends and I attended an Indigo Girls concert with dinner and great wine beforehand and some mischievousness afterward!
    amethyst2272 at gmail.com

  • Crystal Warren


    I tweeted too! https://twitter.com/happyenchilada2/status/227641749726715904

  • Gina M


    TWEET-https://twitter.com/CrazyItalian0/status/227756555968327680

    gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com

  • Gina M


    Last time I went to a girl’s night out, it was about a year ago and we went to P.F. Changs. It has definitely been a while!

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com

  • Angela


    Months! It’s been months!!! (I was really jazzed to read that the manager was accommodating for the vegan thing. As I (slowly) approach The Vegan Thing, it’s good to know that Applebee’s won’t turn me away!)

  • Lisa @ Oh Boy Oh Boy Oh Boy


    I”ve actually been lucky enough to have several girls nights out lately. Two of which were downtown Chicago courtesy of some fab brands I work with!

  • anash


    no girls night out in 6 years! would love to have one although..Thanks for a super giveaway!

  • anash


    Tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/anashct3/status/227965748943917056
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com

  • Kim Q


    My last girl’s night out was for a friend’s bachelorette party. I stayed out until a late 9:30. Go me! HA!

  • Judy B.


    It was about 2 months ago

  • Judy B.


    Tweeted:
    https://twitter.com/BBirdie2/status/228335835710373888

  • Amanda Sakovitz


    We finally just went out this past weekend to dinner. It had been a really long time before that!
    pokergrl8 at gmail.com

  • Amanda Sakovitz


    https://twitter.com/aes529/status/228672415654354945

  • Amy @ A Little Nosh


    I couldn’t even tell you the last time I had a Girls Night Out, but next weekend at BlogHer, that’s what I’ll be doing all weekend!

  • Elena


    It has been 7 years since I had a girl’s night out

    elena150980 at yahoo dot com

  • Elena


    https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/229077501983461377

  • Ellen B


    so long ago I can’t even remember – I need this

  • Ellen B


    https://twitter.com/elliebunny24/status/229288140840501248

  • Debbie B


    i had a girls night out about a month ago! Out to a movie and dinner

  • Debbie B


    i tweeted here:

    https://twitter.com/bellows22/status/229352529736122368

  • Mara Zamora


    I’ve never had a girls night out ! I became a a mom at the age of 17 and lost nearly all my friends at 15 years old .I’m now a 20 year old single mommy and i stay home with my daughter everyday .I would love nothing more than to eat out with a friend to catch up or even with my sister lol .I definitely need a night out to forget about my issues with my daughter’s father .

    xoxo
    fingers & toes crossed

  • Tina M


    June

  • Tina M


    https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/230043560056082433

  • maria cantu


    Its been like ten years since girls night out.

  • Becky McClelland


    I can’t remember the last time I had a girls night out :(. I need one desperately – and Applebee’s sound like the perfect place!

  • jennifer horn


    It’s been about 10 months since I had a GNO.

  • jennifer horn


    https://twitter.com/jen_r_horn/status/230353924194988032

  • Jamie@SouthMainMuse


    Trying to remember last girl’s night out. Maybe a few months ago. But I do have book club on Thursday. That counts for me. And speaking of Applebees and neighborhoods, Tom Dupree – who started Applebees was my neighbor until about a year ago.

  • ashley


    I can’t remember!

  • ashley


    https://twitter.com/ohsmiledarling/status/230393048356515840

  • Valerie


    I finally got together with a good friend last month but prior to that, it had been since last Fall! Yikes!

  • cassie


    It has been way way way WAY too long!!!

  • cassie


    https://twitter.com/cccheer88/status/230438001912733696 TWEETED!

  • Christina Tong


    My last girl’s night out was at least 6 months ago that I couldn’t remember the date. I love this giveaway, if I won I can plan to have my next girl’s night out soon and enjoy great food at the Applebee’s.

    ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com

  • Christina Tong


    I tweeted about this promotion:https://twitter.com/ctong2/status/230484490093469696

    ctong2[at]gmail[dot]com

  • Mari


    I had a girls night out two weeks ago, we went out for dinner and drinks.
    runningmatey at hotmail dot com

  • Mari


    https://twitter.com/LuckyDuckyToo/status/230803647867535361

    runningmatey at hotmail dot com

  • Laura Ari


    We had a girl’s night out last week. There is nothing better to raise the spirits!

  • Tabathia B


    It’s been about several years
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  • Tabathia B


    tweet
    https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/230869469365415936
    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

  • Debbie C


    I need a girl’s night out because my last one was several months ago. Too long to remember the date!

    chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com

  • Debbie C


    @chrisdeglen Tweeted –

    twitter.com/chrisdeglen/status/230929232577048576

    chrisdeglen(at)gmail(dot)com

  • angie lilly


    I do not have girls nights out ever. I used to in college, but only because I was single! LOL Just not my thing.

  • angie lilly


    I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/231130302267932672

  • ewhatley


    It’s been way too long since we had a girls’ night out – we need to work on that.

  • Jill L


    If you count sitting around a fire after the kids went to bed on a camping trip, then a few weeks ago. Otherwise it’s been a few years.

  • Jill L


    Tweeted http://twitter.com/chipdip2010/status/231191337888780289

  • Nicole Larsen


    The last time was WELL over a year ago!

  • Nicole Larsen


    tweeted https://twitter.com/pittsy82/status/231223325899235328

  • Laura Jacobson


    OH wow! Last girls night out for me was about 10 years ago before I had my first back surgery. I dont get out often anymore, but it sure is needed!

  • Laura Jacobson


    I also tweeted
    https://twitter.com/Ilovemybeagle2/status/231242026543362049

  • Betty C


    My daughter and I had a night out about a year ago but none since. It’s been too long.

  • Betty C


    Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/231437876867497988

  • Erica Best


    i couple months ago i think may

  • Erica Best


    https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/231443872964812800

  • Debra F


    I’m a working mom, so I cherish the time I get away from home with the girls…..often we just stay in at someone’s house, but I think it would be great to be able to go out and have other people prepare and clean for once!!!It’s been a while since our last time, and we are due!

  • Debra F


    tweeted
    https://twitter.com/fairydancer35/status/231455636389502976