The Winner is: #114 Wehaf! Congrats!
I recently got the opportunity to host a Girls’ Night In party, so I asked my friend Tracey if she would like to help me out by having the party at her house. She has a beautiful dining room, and she was more than ready to get it spruced up for spring
The party was just the ticket to inspire her to bring out her spring accessories. She happened to be hosting her women’s group that night, too, so we made a party of it.
I went to the grocery and picked up some really good cheeses, crackers, and assorted other party foods. Girls generally love to nibble on cheese and crackers, dips and chips, and with a little sweet thrown in for good measure, it’s a perfect meal.
My kind of nibbling. I love girlie food, don’t you?
Tracey has a beautiful dining room and when I told her I wanted to throw a party, she was more than ready to set a pretty spring table. She has some gorgeous silver pieces and by adding some birds, nests, and eggs, as well as a few fresh flowers from the yard, the table was picture perfect. That glass float was picked up on our shopping trip to Asheville earlier this year and came from Screen Door. I love it!
White dogwoods and hot pink azaleas are hard to beat for a centerpiece. Simple and elegant.
Tracey added these cute birds’ nests with eggs on top of glasses, along with beautiful thrifty plates she picked up at Scott Antiques.
A large glass bottle holds more dogwood branches. This time of year is perfect for clipping outdoors and bringing them inside to enjoy.
As part of this Girls’ Night In party, we were asked to try out a brand new product, Simply Cranberry Cocktail, made with not-from-concentrate cranberry juice.
I filled a pretty glass pitcher with plenty of crushed ice and filled it with Simply Cranberry Cocktail. The girls all loved it and remarked on how delicious it tasted. It was a refreshing accompaniment to our girlie food fare.
I brought along some pink dogwoods to add to another vase on the kitchen island, and that’s where we set up all the food.
Strawberries and cheesecake, a winning combo every time.
Happy flowers make a girl party special.
Plenty of hummus and delish dips along with chips and crackers, and we were all smacking our lips.
Cheese and crackers are definitely on my short list of snack foods to enjoy.
That’s the hostess, Tracey, at the sink and her friends enjoyed all the food, too.
We all went through and filled our plates with plenty of yummy food.
A perfect girls’ night in.
Can’t get enough of those flowers, as there is nothing prettier than a pink dogwood. It was a fun evening with the girls, talking and chatting about life issues, and the food and drinks brought us all together for the night and a fun time was had by all.
Simply Cranberry Cocktail is refreshing and delicious, and I would definitely try it again. It’s gently pasteurized with no added preservatives to bring you a taste unlike other cranberry cocktails you may have tried. You can find both the 59oz and 13.5oz single serve carafes in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, as the beverage is kept chilled from the time it’s blended.
What is your favorite way to make a party or get-together in your home more festive? Tell me about it in the comments for a chance to win a $100 gift card.
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 5/7/2012 – 6/6/2012
Be sure to visit the Promotions & Prizes page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!
“Simply Cranberryâ„¢” is a trademark of Simply Orange Juice Company.
Laurie says
Why do so many baby-boomer women insist on referring to themselves as “girls”?
It’s not cute.
Duppers says
Oh, stuff it, Laurie. You’re being rude.
My 87yr old mother refers to her group as “the girls,” “golden” as they may be.
Sylvia says
My hubby and I love Simply grapefruit juice so the cranberry has to be great, too. Thanks for the give away from one of the “girls”.
Jessica @ Stay at Home-ista says
I love how the Simply Cranberry, strawberries and the flowers all go together!
My favorite way to make a party more festive is by inviting the right friends and adding a few drinks! I bet I could make a great cranberry cosmo from Simply Cranberry:)
Jessica
stayathomeista.com
Merri Jo Schaubroeck says
Candles and flowers…in every room of the house always makes the house party-ready!
flyingbird says
Those flowers are beautiful!
I think scents help set a welcoming mood–quick simmer of a few spices or herbs on the stovetop, baked bread, or some squirts of a fresh linen room spray.
pam clark says
I agree with all the above posts (except Laurie…..are you older or younger than what you consider to be a baby boomer?? lol). I like when everyone feels comfortable together there are just the right number of girls for fun, lively conversation!
karen davis says
I like to serve, personalized favorite foods, like when my kids come home (they are all grown) I like to cook, and or bake their favorite foods, especially on their birthdays…it’s their main gift, and they seem to love it! Thank you for the awesome give a way! Sincerely Karen
Arlene Grimm says
As Lucy told Ethel on I Love Lucy…when you divide everyone into boys and girls, WE ARE GIRLS. I hope I am always a girl inside!! As for parties, I love to use seasonal decorations. I have lots of glass containers that can be used to showcase seasonal decorations( Easter Eggs, Shells, Little Pumkins, Christmas tree ornaments) along with seasonal table runners and tablecloths. A pretty wreath on the door is always a nice touch for a party!! Loved your party Rhoda…looks like everyone had fun!
Suzanne @ Welcome to Willow House says
My favorite way to make things festive is actually to keep things simple. This helps me and my guests to be more relaxed. A few candles, some good food and conversation, and no one notices that I forgot to dust the mantle!
Love the naked Dress-Me-Up plate; that baby is so versatile!
Pine Tree Home says
Anything cranberry is a favorite of mine, cranberry juice, cookies, dried cranberries (I put them in my cereal and oatmeal.
I love just inviting some friends over and say bring a dish. Best way to enjoy the food and time together.
PS I just adore dogwoods. I want many more in my yard!
debbie w says
I like to place plates of finger food around the main rooms we are using …den, kitchen, deck etc! everyone mingles and enjoys. thanks for the chance to win.
Sue says
I like to keep things simple too. I will usually have some candles or scent and then some yummy appetizer before dinner. I like to think about the guests I will be having and plan my meal around what I know they will enjoy!
Meaningful Nest says
I love cranberry juice of any kind and it’s color in your glass pitcher looks so pretty! My favorite way to make things festive and comfortable for all is to use what I already have, pretty, simple pottery as serving pieces and to put goodies on, easy finger foods that please everyone, some pretty flowers simply arranged, lots of seating and music. Rushing around trying to still make food and make things perfect is NOT my idea of relaxing! Your gathering looked so fun AND yummy!
Janette@The2seasons@ says
I have found that people relax more if they can help. I put slips of papers with little “chores” written on them in a basket. If a guest wants to help, he/she can just pick a chore from the basket. The chores might be things like fill the ice bucket, answer the door, keep the music going. They love it, and so do I!!!
Judy says
Make it simple, as you did. Everything doesn’t have to be home made! Buying a cheesecake isn’t wrong (is it?). Take the stress off yourself!
Mami2jcn says
Lively music makes things more festive!
Mami2jcn says
tweet–https://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/199664175570620416
Shelia says
Hi Rhoda! What a nice party for the girls! Those flowers are so beautiful and my tiny mouth is watering looking at that food.
Looks like your friend must have a beautiful home and thank you for letting us come to the party. If I could just manage to get a bite of that cheesecake! 🙂
Be a sweetie,
shelia 😉
Eva says
Fresh flowersbor greenery.
megan says
Flowers from my garden, may it be peonies or zinnia’s. So bright and cheery. I like to have having a nice, warm and inviting scent burning at the front door, along with other areas of the home. The smell of a homemade baked apple pie is very delightful too.