This weekend was so full and so lovely, I can’t even start to describe how happy I was the whole dang time. Between eating, sipping on beers, and lots of inflatable beds (seriously, they were everywhere in my house), my heart and house were so full. I couldn’t be more thankful that they all took the time to travel in for a quick weekend and are coming back for our wedding in 6 months (!!). My friends are from all over the country, so I had visitors traveling in from Denver to Philadelphia and it worked out nicely that Milwaukee is right in the middle! I wanted to share the food we ate/cooked and then some of the activities we got up to as well. Let’s do it!
Saturday morning we had a waffle bar for a bridal brunch/shower situation, so we went full on with toppings, syrup and pomegranate mimosas. If you are going to have a mimosa, might as well turn it pink, right? One of my best friends is gluten free, so Cookie and Kate came to the rescue with a perfect waffle recipe for her. I know the recipe has eggs, but if you have gluten free friends and want to make them waffles, this recipe was perfect! My favorite vegan waffle recipe is this one and works each and every time. We made 2 kinds of waffles and just cooked them while everyone started arriving. Earlier in the morning, my Maid of Honor and I cooked up these perfect breakfast potatoes from The Pioneer Woman (with some modifications) and another savory dish to balance out all the sweet. Later on, we munched on peanut butter chocolate rice krispie treats (sharing the recipe soon) and everyone told embarrassing stories about me (thanks guys!).
Eats
-Saturday night we had a drink at Blu before heading out for a taco dinner. Normally, this bar has amazing views of the Milwaukee skyline, but of course, it was super cloudy and foggy that night, so we saw a lot of this. Ah well!
-Dinner was tacos and nachos at Bel Air Cantina, which was a perfect laid back place for dinner. The endless chips and trio of salsas are really what speak to me, but you better believe tacos were still consumed too. All the girls loved this place because it offered up options for all the gluten free or vegans in the group, while being so close to home that we could drag ourselves back and fall into bed.
– Sunday brunch is definitely a thing here in Milwaukee. We don’t play around with the garnish on our bloody marys and most places are packed by 10am. Luckily, I made reservations at one of our favorite brunch places, Wolf Peach and it couldn’t have been a more perfect place to take guests. From the wood fired pizzas to the view of the city, this place was perfect for the last day of our ladies’ weekend.
– A couple other places we hit before all the girls flew in were Simple Cafe, Glorioso’s, and Cafe Corazon. All solid choices!
Activities
-A lot of the girls were only here for a few days, but we squeezed a lot in! There was eating (obvi) and lots of beer tasting. The Lakefront Brewery tour is the best brewery tour in Milwaukee, in my opinion. The samples are plentiful and the tour guides keep everything going and really entertaining. The tour only lasts about an hour, but they serve food so it was a perfect place to hang around for a bite to eat.
– Have you heard of mini bowling? I know what you are thinking, it’s just bowling..but smaller, right? Yes, but think much smaller, like it’s a few lanes of bowling with a bocce sized ball in a bar. I’ve heard about Koz’s Mini Bowl ever since I’ve moved here, but it exceeded all my expectations. It’s nothing fancy at all, but it’s an awesome way to spend a Sunday afternoon with a group of friends. Also, we didn’t partake, but there was a taco truck parked outside, so bowling+tacos= perfect.
Whew, there you have it! Here are a few more links for you, meals or things I’ve made within the last week and loved. Bon appetit!
– Ashlae’s coconut oil chocolate chip cookies were a perfect snack to have around the house in-between meals. They are crunchy, filled with chocolate and pretty easy to whip together. There is one left in my kitchen and I have a feeling it won’t last long.
– Sometimes I have a hard time finding dinner recipes my fiance and I both like, since we have different types of eating. Last week, I made a half batch of these tamale pies and they were a hit! I used a cornbread mix for the topping and subbed in a few different veggies, so it was super hearty and filling.
– I’m a sucker for stir fry and noodles, so these black pepper noodles were a perfect single lady dinner last week. I was on my own for dinner one night, so I made these and took the rest for lunch the next day.
– Curries are quickly becoming a favorite for dinner, since they are full of flavor and use up a lot of veggies that are in my crisper drawer. This green curry was perfect, easy and fast. Done and done.
Cadry says
What a fun weekend! It sounds like you were surrounded by lots of love & delicious food. I’ve never been to Milwaukee, but this post makes me want to plan a road trip there!
The Frosted Vegan says
Yes, yes you should! I would totally show you the vegan hot spots : ) There are surprisingly a lot of great vegan options here, which I was never expecting.
Kath says
UM you didn’t even mention Pitch Perfect 2 or all the dance parties we had?! Love you!! Xoxoxo
The Frosted Vegan says
Ugh, how could I forget those?! xoxoxoxo
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Woo hoo! Looks like a fabulous weekend! Waffles and tacos and mimosa. I mean, is there anything better! Glad you had fun! XO
The Frosted Vegan says
I don’t think there is anything else, right? Thanks love! xo
Jordan says
So much goodness in one weekend, how fun! I think Leslie Knope would be so proud of the waffle bar. 🙂 I need to go to Blu! I’ll have to make sure it’s a clear day to see the view. That fog was MAJOR this weekend.
(I was trying to post this comment and my internet freaked out so if this is a duplicate, sorry!)
The Frosted Vegan says
YES! Leslie Knope would be so proud. I highly recommend Blu, the cocktails were amazing and it’s just a gorgeous place anyway. Let me know if you need a buddy to go with! 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Abby, sounds like a glorious weekend!!!! I’m so happy for you! so awesome that so many of your friends came out for your bridal celebration weekend! gosh, Milwaukee looks so fun!!! and now I have a list of places to hit when I visit!
The Frosted Vegan says
Yes ma’am! Make your way over here, there are plenty more too!
todd wagner says
What an amazing weekend!! Tacos, beer, brunch, mini-bowling……and that waffle bar!! You have some pretty special friends, Abby 🙂
The Frosted Vegan says
I really do! I couldn’t have really asked for more 🙂
Julia says
Daaaaang girl! Sounds like you’ve had an amazing week/weekend! It’s so cool that so many of your girl friends were able to visit from so far away! You ladies look like such a fun group of gals – I want in!! Thanks for sharing all the places you went and all the tasty recipes you made. When I eventually make it to Milwaukee (totally on my list!), I’ll have to retrace your steps slash will you be my tour guide? 😉
The Frosted Vegan says
Um YES YES YES! A thousand times yes! We can eat/drink/make alllll the things! Please let’s make that happen (also, you are totes allowed into our group! Just bring cookies and everyone will love you foreva and eva.)
Izzy says
This sounds like so much fun! <3 Lakefront so hard. I can't wait to hear more about your wedding!
The Frosted Vegan says
Lakefront is amazing! Love them.
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
Now this sounds like my kind of weekend! 🙂 And that waffle bar! What a great idea! Now I want to host a brunch and have a waffle bar, lol. 🙂
The Frosted Vegan says
Lol, yes! It was so perfect : )
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
What an amazing weekend, Abby! There’s little better than r&r time with girlfriends. And that waffle party! Love!
The Frosted Vegan says
Hecks yeah girl! Nothing beats waffles+girltime! Have a good weekend love xo
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says
AWE!!! Such a sweet here and there post, sounds like you had an amazing time, and ummm…ive never had a homemade waffle, can you believe that? I feel like we need to have a weekend brunch get together so I can change that!
The Frosted Vegan says
WHAT?!?!?!? We need to fix that ASAP!!
Amanda Paa says
earlier this winter i had girlfriends over for a waffle party too and it was the best! it’s fun to have so many toppings, and a casual setting. sounds like your weekend was jam packed in the best ways. i still have yet to really see milwaukee, only having visited once for business but all the places you showcased means i may need to take a road trip! xo
The Frosted Vegan says
Yes yes! Come anytime and I will happily be your tour guide! 🙂
Rolland says
I have fun with, result in I found exactly what I was looking for.
You’ve ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day.
Bye
Dalene Darrington says
Thank you for sharing with this advice,
it can be helpful for someone to use it for composing some
essay, for instance. I especially want to note your capacity to express data in an accessible way.
As a popular-science blogger, then I want to
be certain of every part of my writing to meet inquiring heads
with quality advice and maintain their interest before the conclusion of the article.
You made me see it till the end