As a busy and single twenty-something living in New York City, one of my favorite things to do is have dinner then hit the town with my girlfriends. Sometimes instead of going to one of our favorite restaurants, though, it’s nice to spend the evening at home and have a relaxing dinner before heading out for the rest of the night.
Last week my best friends Jessi, Erica, and I did just that. We all met at my apartment after a long day of work, and I greeted them with a Cranberry Lime Mocktail.
To make: combine one part Simply Cranberry Cocktail, two parts lime-flavored club soda, and a generous squeeze of lime juice in each glass. Add a few ice cubes and a handful of frozen berries. Garnish with a slice of lime.
 |
 |
This was one of the most refreshing drinks I’ve ever had and the perfect way to finish a long day of work. I loved the flavor of Simply Cranberry Cocktail – it had a unique and delicious taste that is different than other cranberry cocktails I’ve tried before; I’m so glad Simply Orange Juice Company asked me to try it! The balance of tartness and sweetness was perfect. It’s also made with not-from-concentrate cranberry juice. Simply Cranberry Cocktail is newly available at grocery stores in the refrigerated juice section, so be on the lookout for it!
We continued to unwind by chatting and catching up on life – and by life I mean work, boys, gossip…the norm.
Then it was time for the main course – what I like to call All-Nighter Energy Salad. We love eating salads before a night out because they’re not too heavy but still give us the energy to stay out until the wee hours of the morning.
…because being healthy is all about balance, right?
all-nighter energy salad.
ingredients:
4 cups romaine lettuce
3 cups baby spinach
1/2 pound chicken breast, grilled and sliced
1 avocado, sliced
1/2 cup feta cheese
1/4 cup almonds, chopped
dressing of choice
directions: Chop the lettuce and spinach and place in a large serving bowl. Top with the chicken, avocado, cheese, and almonds. Toss and serve with dressing of your choice (we went with a Champagne Vinaigrette).
We finished the meal with 3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies…aka the most simple yet delicious cookie recipe ever. I’ve seen this recipe all over the internet but followed Katie’s lead.
To make: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine 1 cup smooth peanut butter, 1 cup sugar, and 1 egg. Drop golf ball-sized spoonfuls on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, and press down with the back of a fork. Bake for 6-8 minutes (mine needed the full 8 minutes). Let cool on pan for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.
With the Cranberry Lime Mocktails, the salad, and the cookies, it turned out to be the perfect girls’ night in…before going out, that is 
I can’t wait for our next get-together!
What is your favorite way to make a party or get-together at your home more festive? Tell me about it in the comments for the 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 Cranberry™” is a trademark of Simply Orange Juice Company.
Decorating is definately one of my ways to make a party more festive.
I tweeted, but can’t post the URL, because I did it from an app on my phone! My twitter account is @seepaigerun, and I mentioned @alagracie and your blog in my tweet.
To make things more festive, I add lights! A simple string of white lights adds so much..
To make a night in more festive we turn on mood lighting, white twinkle lights and a few candles really do the trick..along with a bottle of vino
Creating a theme to the party always makes it better!
Key to a fun party or get-together = some good upbeat music! Puts everyone in a great mood!
I am all about dip parties. It makes for a fun and super easy potluck, and it creates a wide spread of apps, entrees, and desserts!
yo mocktails look might fresh.
…and by “might,” I mean “mighty.”
awesome! thanks for the shout-out
let’s seee…. i love making the desserts, of course.
i tweeted about it.
To make things more festive I like having a signature drink. For example, at my friend’s bachelorette party we had a “Ms. B” and a “Mrs. C” drink.
i love the recipes…
thanks for sharing! a bbq pit and a pool is a way to liven up a party!
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/MeandBells/status/199942253794439168
i liked to use crepe paper and the hanging laterns they are way cheap and you can use it for anything.
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/1amypugmire/status/199943388966039552
https://twitter.com/#!/akronugurl/status/199950157788348417
i would make cocktails
freebiel0ve@yahoo.com
My favorite way to make the party more festive is baking something, I am really good at that!
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/tracylr233/status/199953300555169792
Thanks!
The meal in this post seems like the perfect thing after a long day at work! I think I’m going to try both the salad and cookies. Thanks for posting this!!
-Elizabeth
Also, is there cinnamon on top of the cookies?
To make a party more festive I always have a delicious cheese plate, champagne and fresh flowers!
A signature cocktail and tasty tunes are my favorite ways to make a party more festive.
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/emilyatGGG
having friends over for wine and cheese platters are my favorite!
I love the details! From sprucing up glasses and bowls to decorating tables. I think the small details make all the difference.
I make sure we have great music.
I don’t care about entering your giveaway but I just wanted to say that I’m pretty sure we’d be best friends. #creep
I love making everything revolve around a theme, that definitely makes a part more festive!! From the decorations, food and drinks, everything goes along with it! And costumes are welcome too
I also entered by this form:
http://www.blogher.com/frame.php?url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dG92SzUyV3ZrM1dGWDlTazR1ZlVhMUE6MA
My way of making a party more fun consists of a few things: a bonfire & smores, loud music, swimming in the pool, and rave. Have everyone bring a black or white tee shirt and get a bunch of fabric paint and glow sticks and sparkle paint. When a song comes on you just fling the paint EVERYWHERE on EVERYONE… break the glow sticks and fling them, too. It is so much fun and you always have a shirt to remember that night
i still have mine 
I like to have a theme, something easy that I can base the food and drinks around
Good music is a must, too!
I love getting dressed up in different themes. Always makes it more festive
having people dress up in fun costumes always makes a party more exciting!
Nice music and fresh flowers make party more festive
https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/200084037237358592
I like to make sure I have special things that I know people like, i.e. a certain flavor of mixer that my friend enjoys or a special cookie.
I like to do a theme party with decorations.
I really like setting up a buffet or an assembly line for food. It allows everyone to choose, but it feels like a special occasion!
-Gabrielle
I think costumes and decorations really make get-togethers more fun! Themes never fail to make things festive!
The food obviously! The better the food and drinks the better the party
I think a theme is key, and I love having bite-sized food, so people don’t have to worry about plates, untensils, etc.
music and decorations make it more festive
thepryfamily@gmail.com
https://twitter.com/#!/thepryfamily2/status/200276383241469952
thepryfamily@gmail.com
My roomates and I love to light candles to make get togethers more special and intimate!
Straws for drinks, an assortment of chasers, and a pregame playlist!
I like to send home leftover desserts in a small goodie bag
My favorite way to make a party at my home more festive is selecting a theme. So, the decorations, food, drink, party favor and maybe dress code too, would all follow the same theme. It’s really festive and fun!
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/uTry_it/status/200336534203928577
Amy [at] utry [dot] it
I like to have fires in the fire pit in my backyard when it’s warm enough out – the outdoors make everything better!
My favorite way to make a party more festive is with themed food- dessert in particular! The food makes any occasion!