TALES FROM THE HIGH WIRE | September 2015

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THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A WOMAN… Girls’ Night – raise your hand if you’re a fan. In case you’re wondering, I have both hands up…and my big toe.

Urban Dictionary defines “girls’ night” as: usually held at a cheesy Irish pub or dance club, where groups of females dress provocatively, flirt incessantly and dance badly.

Uggggh! That’s what people think? I mean, provocative dresses, shameless flirting and Irish pubs are one thing, but dancing badly? Please…I’ve never danced badly a day in my life.

However horrifying the above scenario sounds, I am sort of embarrassed to say, girls’ nights lately have been equally horrifying. Throwing my hair into a bun, slipping into yoga pants and whipping up a batch of margaritas – who wants to come over and watch Bridesmaids for the 47th time – is about the speed I’m traveling.

I figured there’s got to be something in the middle. Something that says Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda go out on the town with a little bounce in their step and gleam in their eye. And shazam…like lightning in a (wine) bottle, I found it! My newest babe fav comes in the form of a crafty little spot, known as Bottle & Bottega. Yeah, it’s one of those paint-your-own places, but this one is so outside the proverbial “painting party” box, I was actually excited to be there (my usual M.O. is to break out in a cold sweat while cowering in the bathroom with a glass of wine – I’m THAT anxious about my lack of artistic ability).

Bottle & Bottega has a go-with-the-flow vibe that instantly made me feel relaxed– sassy even! I loved that tons of colorful artwork was already on the walls – call it inspiration for the faint of heart – and a cute little bar area was in the corner, where we “set up shop” (a.k.a. uncork wine, cut cheese, unwrap crackers). And the fact that there was plenty of time to socialize before painting made it feel much more like play than performance.

When painting began, our teacher was reassuring and lively – sorta like having our own Andy Cohen – we played a drinking game called “drink whenever a train rolls by” (we were in downtown Glen Ellyn, so you can imagine the sippin’ that was going on). Her level of encouragement and guidance created just the right amount of moxie in me to be inventive and clever…and not feel self-conscious about it. Yet another example of their “paint outside the lines” rather than “paint by number” mentality.

Next on tap: Sexy Jock nearly nude model painting. Call it Sex in the City meets craft night!

Bottle & Bottega is a byob interactive painting studio that offers public classes (see the calendar for details) or allows you to host private painting events. Their motto is that we all have master artists inside just waiting to be uncorked! 498 Crescent Blvd, Glen Ellyn, (630) 984-4955, www.bottleandbottega.com/glen-ellyn

about the writer Tiffany Schultz resides in Sugar Grove with her husband, two kids and Shih Tzu. While seeking balance between her dueling roles as wife, mother, daughter, friend and professional, Tiffany spends as much time as possible daydreaming on her screen porch. She enjoys cooking, traveling and yoga and hopes to one day learn Italian and make the perfect crème brulee.

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