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Welcome to Springs and Things, the podcast where two close friends spill the tea on all things Colorado Springs! From culture and community to hidden gems and neighborhood lore, we’ve got it covered. Join us as we sip our coffee (or maybe something stronger) and dive into the stories and secrets that make this city so unique. Whether you're a local or just passing through, our fun, light-hearted, and always entertaining take on the quirks, hot topics, and insider tips will keep you coming back for more. Discover what’s really happening in the Springs—beyond the mountains and parks!
Raise your hand if your idea of a wild night out ends with you in your pajamas by 08:30. Well, same. And today on Springs and Things, we rounded up the best girls night and girls morning and girls afternoon for that matter. Ideas in Colorado Springs for women who want to see their friends without needing three days to recover. We've got a Speakeasy where you play board games, wellness outings, doing pianos, a book club where nobody has to talk, and so much more.
Carly Ries:No heels and no hangovers. So grab your coziest crew, and let's do this. But before we do, this episode is brought to by Vanguard Aesthetics and the COS Air Corps. Gosh, you guys, we just love these partners so so much, and we can't wait to explain why later in the episode. Hey, everyone.
Carly Ries:I'm Carly. And I'm Lauren. We're two Colorado Springs locals who love uncovering everything that makes the city special.
Lauren Ferrara:If you're the kind of person who
Lauren Ferrara:wants to know where
Lauren Ferrara:to go, what's happening, and
Carly Ries:the stories behind it all, then you're in the right place.
Lauren Ferrara:Welcome to Springs of Things, your insider's path to hidden gems, local flavor, and unexpected moments that make the Springs one
Carly Ries:of its kind. From secret spots and can't miss events
Lauren Ferrara:To arts, eats, and those you've gotta hear about at Local Stories.
Carly Ries:We've got you covered.
Lauren Ferrara:So grab your coffee, settle in, and get ready to fall
Carly Ries:a little more in love with Colorado Springs. Let's dive in to Springs and Things. Lauren, I think our listeners are gonna be so grateful that we came prepared to talk about a Girls Night Out episode and not what we were just talking about because we've been talking about bidets for, like, the past five, ten minutes, and we will spare our audience what the conversation was like, but they're our opinions.
Lauren Ferrara:I still insist that you get a bidet. Life changing.
Carly Ries:Alright. We're... We'll put up, like
Lauren Ferrara:For any reason.
Carly Ries:We'll put a poll or something on Instagram to see who uses bidets and who doesn't, and if it's a thing or if it's not. But we are talking about girls night out, and we're talking, like, our kind of
Lauren Ferrara:girls night out. So I feel like night is probably not the word I would use. Yeah. That's a bad... Yeah.
Lauren Ferrara:Ew.
Carly Ries:That's her bedtime.
Lauren Ferrara:It's more like girl activities out for people who like to be home by 08:30. Yeah. That's... And that's exactly what I'll name this episode title. I even I even think of I even think of, like, back to college that used to drive me crazy when people would, like like, wanna go out for a party or something at, like, 09:30 or ten.
Lauren Ferrara:I'm like, how about y'all? How about we go at seven when nobody is there so we can do the same thing except fast forward a little bit, like, we're... So we can be home and in bed.
Carly Ries:I was I was made for this phase of life because I was so bad at clubbing. So bad. Yeah. I'm like, no. Thank you.
Carly Ries:No. I was never into that stuff. Ew. I know. And I had friends that were Yeah.
Carly Ries:I'd go to Vegas.
Lauren Ferrara:And I'd go... Okay. So I lived in Vegas. But, yeah, same thing. I'm like...
Lauren Ferrara:Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Mean, a young adult.
Lauren Ferrara:Was, like, 25. So Oh, yeah. Yeah. In my mind, you were way older. I don't know why.
Lauren Ferrara:So... Yeah. So if you're expecting us to recommend, like Blondies. Blondies. Yeah.
Lauren Ferrara:This is not the episode for you. This is, like, yeah, we're kind of in our our grandma era here with
Carly Ries:Grandma era, I will say.
Lauren Ferrara:Things that I do anyway.
Carly Ries:Well, with the caveat, I have a couple of nighttime ones, but they're, like, activities that, like, you could still just kinda, like... You could still be home early, and it's not a rager. Let's, like, dress in heels and Yeah.
Lauren Ferrara:I don't even know. I I do own heels still, but I... They're, like, the way to be top of my closet. Okay. So, Carly, you kick it off.
Lauren Ferrara:What is your first girls night out for people who like to be
Carly Ries:home by 08:30? Okay. So I feel like speakeasies are such a thing. I mean, they've always been a thing, but they're, like, having their moment right now. But, again, I don't wanna just go and get a drink and be, like, at a bar with my friends.
Carly Ries:However, we were just talking about this last week, the fifty niner, which is that speakeasy hidden behind Dice Guys in Old Colorado City. And they have shelves of games to play while you sip your cocktail, And you can reserve your table for a two hour block, pick a game from their big library, and then get a snack, drink, and play board games. And it just, like, that sounds fun to me. Like, grab a group of your friends, the ones that like games, and go play a board game with a drink. That...
Carly Ries:Right? Like, I feel like... And then when you're done with your game, go home.
Lauren Ferrara:Yes. Yes to all of this. Okay. Yeah. Love that one.
Lauren Ferrara:My first one is going to be film club with Rocky Mountain Women's Film. So the film festival just ended, and it was amazing. And the encore... The virtual encore is going on right now, but they have events year round. They have little pop ups at Ivy Wild.
Lauren Ferrara:They have little film clubs in their in their office right there in the Lincoln School, and a lot of them, they're prior festival, you know, favorites. And it's a small, intimate group, and, yeah, always, like, thoughtful, thought provoking film. So film club at Rocky Mountain Women's Film.
Carly Ries:I would argue that that's actually how we became, like, solid friends. Was it? Yeah. Because we would meet up for films throughout, like, on a monthly basis with our two other friends. Yeah.
Lauren Ferrara:After I ignored you for a year.
Carly Ries:To be fair, you ignored everybody. It wasn't personal.
Lauren Ferrara:It was not personal.
Carly Ries:Yeah. But we would we would meet up and watch these documentaries and films, talk about it, and I feel like that's how we actually, like Yeah. Became pals.
Lauren Ferrara:Yes. Yeah. Because you have such interesting conversations after these films.
Carly Ries:Oh, totally. Okay. So my next one... Oh my gosh. You're gonna correct me.
Carly Ries:And, Megan, I am so sorry. Meraki Springs? Meraki? Meraki? I'm pretty sure.
Carly Ries:I think it's Meraki. But, Megan, who's the owner, please, like, reach out if I did that wrong. But this is in Old Colorado City, and I love it because they have the best classes. And you can even do private classes there.
Lauren Ferrara:Yes. I've done one of their classes. I did a little jewelry making class there.
Carly Ries:Yes. Which just sound like... I mean, get out with your friends and do soap making or candle making. Oh, we would love pet portrait painting.
Lauren Ferrara:Oh, so fun. Like, you do it yourself. They also... I don't know if they have it up right now, but I love going into that store because they have the, like, kind of grown up paint by number. Couple of little squares, and and then the next person does it.
Lauren Ferrara:And that's the... You know? And if a couple of months, there's, like, a beautiful piece of art there.
Carly Ries:Well, and I'm glad you shared the store because you can go to these classes. Again, you can go to one of their public ones, or you can do something just fun with your friends, but they have their store. You can shop, and it's packed with, like, handmade jewelry, candles, hats, paintings, prints from more than 30 local artists, which I think is really cool. And it's a jewelry spot. It just kinda has everything, and it's perfect for just a good time to hang with your friends.
Lauren Ferrara:Alright. I'm gonna sound like a broken record here because I've mentioned this a couple times, but I do feel strongly about it. But it's like
Carly Ries:Can I guess? Sound bath or forest bathing? Neither.
Lauren Ferrara:Oh. Those are actually not on my list this month.
Carly Ries:Oh, I I didn't even put them on my list because I was like, Lauren's gonna talk about both.
Lauren Ferrara:Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No. I was just like, I gotta change that up, but this one, I...
Lauren Ferrara:Yeah. Full moon yoga at Sunwater Spa. So every full moon, and and you have to... It's usually not on their website. It's on Facebook events, and you have to get tickets pretty soon after it's posted because it always sells out.
Lauren Ferrara:But you go do, like, ridiculous yoga where you're, like, howling at the moon and stuff and being a panther and a turtle and all kinds of things, and it's just... Like, you just, like... My... Your face hurts from laughing and smiling so much, which is not typical in yoga. And and then you soak in the tubs afterwards, and it's just, like, a great way to spend an evening paling at the moon.
Carly Ries:I love that. Okay. So speaking of things we've talked about before, I was actually... When I was thinking about this, I was thinking about some of our past episodes that would be so perfect for this, and one of them is silent book club.
Lauren Ferrara:Yes. Yes. I thought about
Carly Ries:that too. You guys, it's so fun to just grab your friends. And, I mean, not if you feel like chatting a lot, I guess, but grab your friends. You go to the location of the month for where Silent Book Club is. We'll include the link in our show notes, and you literally bring a book or an audiobook.
Carly Ries:No judgment either way, and you sit and read.
Lauren Ferrara:Yeah.
Carly Ries:And they have... But the event is always hosted at a place where you can grab drinks, sometimes a bite. And if you wanna chat, that's fine. But you could also just bring your book and have two hours. I mean, I have a heart, and I think you do.
Carly Ries:I think everybody does. Has a hard time finding two hours to just sit down and read. And it's like, if I had that event on the calendar, I'll sit down and I'll read.
Lauren Ferrara:Love that. Well, I was gonna talk about book club too. Have you been to Landmark's Coffee over by Switchbacks?
Carly Ries:No. I haven't, and that's... I don't like saying that because I... It's on my radar, and I feel embarrassed that I haven't been yet.
Lauren Ferrara:You should be. So they have some community events, and they have a book club, and they actually have books you can buy right there in the coffee shop. So I haven't been to it yet, but I was like, it is definitely, like, on my calendar. I'm gonna pop by a a book club at at Landmarks.
Carly Ries:Alright, you guys. Let's take a quick break to talk about our amazing sponsors, starting with Vanguard Aesthetics. Lauren and I went in for our Visio appointment last week, which is a skin consultation that uses an advanced imaging system to evaluate the surface and subsurface health of your complexion. And let's just say it immediately turned into a competition. Turns out nothing bonds to people like a machine photographing every sunspot you've ever collected.
Carly Ries:We walked out with the actual marching orders for the next few months, and it looks like microneedling is in my future. So if you're curious about this, book your own busy appointment at Vanguard Aesthetics today, and that link is in our show notes. Okay. So you know what I love most about playing at a COS? It's right here close to home, close to the
Lauren Ferrara:mountains, close to everything you love about living here.
Carly Ries:But seriously, it's a quick drive. It's easy parking, and you're through security and grabbing a coffee, like, seriously before you know it. And coming back after a long trip, you're off the plane, in your car, and then you are home. And here's the thing some people don't even realize. I was one of those people at one point, and I kinda feel bad about saying that, but you could apply nonstop to Phoenix, Salt Lake, Chicago, Vegas, Atlanta, San Diego, yada yada yada.
Carly Ries:The list
Lauren Ferrara:seriously does go on. And from those hubs, you're one easy connection from practically anywhere in
Carly Ries:the world. Plus, every time you fly to us, you help make the case for more nonstop pipes from there. So just saying, shameless plug there.
Lauren Ferrara:And I just wanna reiterate that my favorite part is when you land, you see Pikes Peak, and you're minutes from your front door. Because when you're home, you're home. Check out flycos.com to book your upcoming travel.
Carly Ries:And lastly, Core Collective has been with us since the beginning. We absolutely love them. I had a... Something I wanted to say about them, but I'm gonna go rogue because I woke up this morning to a text talking about how awesome Core was and how sore my friend was. And this is not an uncommon text.
Carly Ries:I have had quite a few of these. Lauren has continued to tell me... Seasoned Lauren who has been doing Pilates for over a decade has been so sore recently. I don't know what's in the water, but everybody's just sore in all the best ways, myself included. Core Collective is the place to go if you want a great workout, great instructors, and just a great community.
Carly Ries:You just feel to work out in the best way possible. And if you use the code Springs and Things, all caps, no spaces at checkout, you can get three classes for just $30. You guys, that's $10 a class. That is wild. It is the best place.
Carly Ries:Be sure to go to their website. That link is in our show notes as well. Okay. Another one, another interview that we've done. Luxie Llama.
Carly Ries:But they offer experiences, including llama feeding for one, but also, like, hiking and meditation. And they're... They have this cutesy little picnic table, and you're right in the backdrop of, like, red rocks and Pikes Peak, and it's just a really calming experience. There's, like, wellness behind it, and it's just a great day out in nature. And you can do private events there too, and you're just out in nature with these llamas that are really soothing.
Carly Ries:And you don't... You can beat them. You cannot. And it's just... It's a really good experience.
Carly Ries:We had a great time there.
Lauren Ferrara:Yeah. That... You you you win this episode because that is a fantastic pick. But you know where I just popped in recently? So it's...
Lauren Ferrara:I mean, First Friday is always an event, but I had heard a lot about Ourite Gallery. Finally, just went in there just by myself during First Friday and loved that gallery. So, yeah, just like a little... Go spend twenty minutes. Yeah.
Lauren Ferrara:Like, some of these things, it doesn't have to be a full... Just a, like, a little outing. So go check out OAuth Gallery.
Carly Ries:Okay. I'm saying this. I'm treading lightly because I'm going to this with people you don't know. So it's not considered cheating if you don't know them because I was
Lauren Ferrara:I guess so.
Carly Ries:I was invited to do this. I did not do the inviting.
Lauren Ferrara:Oh, okay. I feel less the truth.
Carly Ries:Yeah. Okay. I was like, oh gosh.
Lauren Ferrara:I'm gonna get an earful with this one.
Carly Ries:Go to cooking class at the French kitchen. Like, they have different options. You can do, like, three course, four course
Lauren Ferrara:Yes.
Carly Ries:Different types of cuisine, and just grab your girlfriends and go cook and eat and have a great time. And, like, there's a few places around town, but I've done it in the past at the French kitchen, and then that's where we're going in a few weeks as well.
Lauren Ferrara:Well, that... Yeah. I've done a a class there before, and that's a perfect... Yeah. Perfect girls morning or afternoon out.
Lauren Ferrara:I'm... Along the same vein, I'm going to talk about classes at Brush Crazy. So this is the place that I drove by when we met at Treehouse Cafe. So it's in the same strip mall as as the coffee shop, and they have all kinds of little workshops, cookie decorating, candle making, just all kinds of different craft classes. And you get to hang out with your girls and make something.
Carly Ries:That's so fun. Okay. So here are my three caveat ones that aren't as... Like, you could still dress casual. No heels required, but...
Carly Ries:And you can still be home by 08:30, but these are nighttime ones. Uh-oh. So the first one, I am a sucker for doing pianos. Do you like those?
Lauren Ferrara:Yeah. Well, that it... Like, that just took... I used to live in Nashville, and it just took me back to this, like, super cool place on Broadway in Nashville. And I'm like, yes.
Carly Ries:Well, Louis Louis downtown is a joint pianos bar, and it is just so fun. So, like, again, you can go earlier and make a night about it and listening to these joint pianos, and you... Then you don't have to go to the bars or anything after, and you feel like you went out and accomplished something by going out. But listen to really, really talented musicians. Like, I am in awe of what those guys can pull off.
Lauren Ferrara:That means, like, that... Yeah. Totally takes me back to Nashville. And I was out one time at a dueling cannabis bar, and people were like, you know, play this thing. They were like, oh, I don't know that, but, like, Jimmy the dishwasher does.
Lauren Ferrara:So Jimmy comes out, and he played, like, everybody in Nashville. And so they're just so talented. And, yeah, it's like, oh, I can't do this, but, like, the bartender can. Come on over. You know?
Lauren Ferrara:And it was just... Yeah. That's cool. Okay.
Carly Ries:I'm gonna slowly but surely start campaigning for that to be my birthday with friends. Oh, I'm my campaign. I I'm staring at you for. Birthday. I I know.
Carly Ries:Yeah. The only... The other thing I said, you can get home by 08:30. They don't open until 07:30, so there's that, but still, it's still... It doesn't have to be late night.
Lauren Ferrara:Okay. This one is a specific date. I love Dia de los Muertos. I think it is just such a special holiday, and we kind of celebrate it even though I am not of Mexican heritage, but I think it's so special to honor people that way. But on the twenty fourth at the Pima School at the Fine Arts Center, they have this Dia de los Muertos, Art, Memory, and Making with Cal Duran, and so, like, you...
Lauren Ferrara:There's a blessing, and then you learn a little bit about Cal's artwork, and then, like, the meaning and history and symbolism of the ofrenda, and it's just like $5 for members, 7 for non vet members, and you can bring kids or not. So, yeah, I guess don't bring the kids if we're talking girls night out. That kind of puts a... Yeah. No kids, but you can bring kids if you want to.
Lauren Ferrara:And you also make this little air dry, like, sugar skull to take home.
Carly Ries:Okay. I'm moving on to my second of three, like, nighttime going out stuff that doesn't get too crazy. Have you been to Toki, the Korean restaurant over... Like, down south kinda by La Concha?
Lauren Ferrara:No. Yes. I have been there. Yeah. It is a cute place, and they have, like, little...
Lauren Ferrara:Oh, I'm trying to think. They have, like, fun little cocktails and, like, fun little... Don't they have, like, almost little toys that are in them?
Carly Ries:Like rubber... Like, not rubber ducky, but little duckies.
Lauren Ferrara:Little duckies. Duckies. Oh my gosh. That was so fun. I forgot all about that place, and I really enjoyed the night out there.
Carly Ries:So fun. Girlfriends. Yeah. Exactly. And they often have live music.
Carly Ries:They also have karaoke. I I know this is girls girls hangout episode, but my husband and I went for our anniversary a few years ago because I wanted to surprise him by singing our first dance song to him. So after after a few beverages, I was like, I'm gonna crush this. Well, there was this regular karaoke guy there, and I sat down, like, kinda proud of myself, one just for getting out there. Yeah.
Carly Ries:And he just gave me pointers. And I was like, dude, there's a reason I don't have a con... A singing contract.
Lauren Ferrara:Like, I do feel having fun with my friends.
Carly Ries:Yes. Like, carry... Like, they have karaoke, so that could be fun with your friends. Yeah. And great food, great drinks.
Carly Ries:So that was... That's a really fun hangout with your pals. Okay.
Lauren Ferrara:This is my final one also at Bemis, and it also has a specific date. It's on Halloween, on the Saturday of Halloween in the morning so you don't have to miss out on all the other fun. But it's drawing as meditation, marks and movement at the Bema School. So you're supposed to, like, do these guided exercises and find ease and flow, and they'll draw animals and people in motion. And,
Carly Ries:yeah, Saturday morning on Halloween. Other than that, you know what? This is my last one too before our picks of the week. Icons.
Lauren Ferrara:Which you did cheat on me before. You went there without me, and we had tons
Carly Ries:of fun going.
Lauren Ferrara:So we're... I'm holding a grudge from, this was probably a year ago, but I I I might get over it.
Carly Ries:Well, then come with me, and we'll hang out here. You guys, the talent that comes out of icons, I I... It takes my breath away. Truly, these people are I'm speechless. Like, listen to that.
Lauren Ferrara:Okay. So... And and can this still be done early, or, like, does the real fun happen at, like, 10:00?
Carly Ries:I mean, I think the real fun probably happens later in the night, but you can still go early and still get entertained.
Lauren Ferrara:Yeah. Okay. Alright. Let's do it.
Carly Ries:So fine. Yeah. Grab a drink and just listen to, like, seriously, the best performances you're... That you're here... You will hear in Colorado Springs.
Carly Ries:I will I will stand by that.
Lauren Ferrara:Love it. Cheap of pick of the week? Oh, well, I have two. Okay. So one is if you're interested in Fountain Valley School, they are having their open house at the end of
Carly Ries:the month on the thirtieth. My other is where we're sitting right now because this is freaking delightful. So we are sitting at Hillside Gardens, you guys. It is one of the last... Well, at least for the next ten days, beautiful days here in The Springs before it gets a little chillier.
Carly Ries:And the... There's a breeze. The the leaves are changing around us. We're we're drinking such good cappuccinos.
Lauren Ferrara:Yes. And there's just, like, a handful of other people. I've always come here for events, just to work or have coffee or hang with you, and it's just so nice to be here when not many other people are.
Carly Ries:Yeah. I will be walking out of here, for sure with some stuff to bring home besides just this coffee that's in my stomach. Pumpkin and, you know, all kinds of fall fun. The worst. It is beautiful.
Carly Ries:So huge, huge, huge shout out to Hillside Gardens. It is making us so happy right now. That was gonna be one of my picks. Another one is... Did you know that Ivy Wild is now open for breakfast again?
Lauren Ferrara:No. I didn't know it was ever open for breakfast.
Carly Ries:So back in the day, you could go early and, like, get a cappuccino or a cup of coffee, and I used to work from there.
Lauren Ferrara:At the principal's office? Uh-huh. Oh.
Carly Ries:So I went... This morning, one of our friends had to be, like, heads down getting some work done, and I was like, will be your shadow. I also have to get a lot of stuff done. Let's get out of our houses and just go, like, have a working sesh. And we got we got food.
Carly Ries:We got drinks. And so Ivy World is open for breakfast and coffee again in the morning.
Lauren Ferrara:Okay. So you know what I love about all of our picks is we can wear cute new outfits that we got together at Lulu the other day. I... So we went with a friend who owns Core Collective and got to go to a workout class and then get some, like, pants, a top, and an outer layer from their new line. And, Carly, I have worn mine.
Lauren Ferrara:What what is today? It's Tuesday. We did this on Saturday. I'm wearing my outfit every day.
Carly Ries:I I was waiting. I worn it once, and then I washed it, and then I've been waiting until it got a little crispier outside to wear mine.
Lauren Ferrara:We're getting there. And then mine, it's like these wide leg pants and this, like, oversized cool sweatshirt, awesome plain clothes. Like, I've already... I know we're going on a trip soon, and, yeah, that's my, like, plain to and from outfit as well. It's perfect.
Carly Ries:It's good for, like, all
Lauren Ferrara:sorts to every single thing we Yes. Have on our way.
Carly Ries:Seriously, because they're cute but casual. Yep.
Lauren Ferrara:Love it.
Carly Ries:I love it. Alright, you guys. Well, that's all we have for you today. As always, please leave us that five star review. It helps us spread the word to other Colorado Springs locals and really builds, like, credibility and boost our reviews, if we're being honest.
Carly Ries:Share this episode with a girlfriend of yours that you wanna hang out with and do fun, unique things with, and subscribe to our show on Apple or Spotify. And we'll see you next
Lauren Ferrara:week on Springs of Things.