Girls Night In Party!

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend, and all you Moms were pampered and adored. I had a fun day laughing and shopping with my Mom, and another day being loved on by my family. It was perfect!

But as much as I adore my family, it seems the
crazier our lives get, the less time I spend with my girlfriends. Between
soccer games, piano recitals, birthday parties and meetings, there is little to
no time left over for a personal life away from home and the
office.

And girlfriends are essential! Who
else is going to let us ramble on about annoying co-workers, colored pants, and
the merits of hiding gray hairs?! Who else can advise us on the latest face
creams, the best pedicure spots and give ideas for birthday
parties?! Spending time with my friends keeps me sane, and
helps me to stay connected with people experiencing all the same guilts and
joys of motherhood.

It’s all too easy to
get wrapped up in my own life, so spending time with my friends is something I
decided to make happen. I recently hosted a little get-together at my house,
with no purpose other than to see my favorite people and catch
up!

No
theme and no pressure. Just girl time. And since we’re all moms, I made it easy
for them by including the kids. And I made it easy for myself by keeping the
snacks and decor easy.

I simply cleared off one
area of my kitchen counter for a drink station and a few yummy treats. The
decor was a bundle of tulips, and bright paper plates and
napkins.

Girlfriends and cocktails
go together like Lindsay Lohan and probation, so having a signature drink was
essential to our get-together. Instead of the trouble and expense of stocking a
bar, I bought inexpensive champagne and the new Simply
Cranberry Cocktail. I’ve been buying Simply Orange® for
years, and the makers gave me coupons to try this new cranberry flavor; my
whole family is crazy about it. Unlike most cranberry cocktails, it’s the
perfect blend of sweet and tart.

My cute mom (one
of my best friends and always up for a cocktail!) got things going by
popping the champagne top. Nothing signals a party like that
sound!

I dipped the rims of
champagne flutes in water, then red sprinkle sugar, for a more festive look.
Keeping the champagne and Simply Cranberry Cocktail separate allowed everyone
to mix their drinks to their liking. Obviously the
lushes some mixed in more champagne than other. Just sayin’.
Isn’t it a pretty cocktail? And the pink is perfect for a Girl’s
Party.

The food was simple to
prepare and perfect for nibbling on throughout the evening. The chocolate
cupcakes are actually muffins with a dollop of frosting. The
cookies are store-bought shortbread with melted white chocolate
(tinted pink to match the drinks) spread on top. Everything
was picked up in one quick trip to the grocery store. After all, the idea was
to spend time with my friends, not stress over planning a
party!

I
dipped the bottles from the Pancakes & Pajamas party in red sugar and
added a festive straw so the kids could feel part of the occasion. Most of them
skipped the champagne. I kid. Only one drank champagne. I kid again. Simply
Cranberry Cocktail is made with no added preservatives, so I don’t hesitate giving it to my kids.

It comforts my soul to
spend time with people I’ve known most of my life. There’s nothing like a few
hours of unconditional love to reassure you of the job you’re doing as a parent
and spouse. And all the cackling laughing is an
added bonus. Everyone runs from the camera now for fear of ending up on this blog, but I managed to corner these two.

How beautiful are my friend and mom?!

Nothing fancy, stressful
or time consuming. Just a laid back eventing of snacks and cocktails, with kids
playing happily in the other room. Now why don’t I do this more
often?!