GAL-entine's Day Guide

I happen to be someone that loves Valentine's Day... always have.  Even when I was single, I didn't quite understand the hate for this day.  I mean really, isn't everyone always saying to love one another?  And then turning around and hating on a day dedicated to love..?   Ok yeah, I get it... it's a "hallmark holiday"... unnecessary upcharge, lavish displays of love that seem to only serve the purpose of out-doing each other... that stuff I don't get.  To me, it's just everyone taking a very simple idea and making it ridiculously complicated (what else is new nowadays)  But when you take away all the stupid crap, it's just about showing each other, significant others, family, friends, whoever it may be, that we love them.

Showing our girlfriends love during this time can be very rewarding and pretty simple to do!  How about planning a GAL-entine's Night for you and your friends?  What's that, you ask?  Oh well here's my friend Leslie Knope to explain...
LOL Love that woman!  So if you'd love to host a GALentine's Day this year, I've linked some super cute items for you below!!! They'll help you entertain, get comfy and look cute!  And don't feel like you have to plan a whole night... it can be as simple as a few girlfriends in their PJs, painting nails, baking cookies (*cough* or eating the cookie dough *cough cough*) and watching chick flicks!

{product links below}

And remember, it doesn't have to be about bashing what you DON'T HAVE... rather, just celebrate what you DO HAVE... great girlfriends to share a fab cocktail with!  Speaking of, here's a couple of simple cocktail recipes!

{Rasmopolitan}

picture and recipe from MarthaStewart.com

• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) citrus-flavored vodka
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) raspberry-flavored vodka
• 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) Chambord
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 tablespoon Simple Syrup Simple Syrup
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
• Raspberries for garnish
• Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add vodkas, Chambord, lime juice, simple syrup,  & cranberry juice. Shake or stir until well chilled. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with raspberries; serve. (Originally from MarthaStewart.com)
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• {Raspberry Chocolate Kiss Martini}

picture from MarthaStewart.com

• 1/4 cup Mint-Infused Simple Syrup, plus more for rim
• 3 chocolate cookies, finely crushed, such as Nabisco Famous Wafers
• 10 raspberries
• 1/4 cup vodka
• 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
• Ice cubes
• Directions: Fill a shallow dish with enough simple syrup to just cover the bottom. Place crushed cookies into another shallow dish. Invert a martini glass into simple syrup and then immediately into crushed cookies to coat the rim of the glass.  Place raspberries in a cocktail shaker; crush with a muddler. Add simple syrup and muddle again. Add vodka and cranberry juice; fill shaker with ice. Shake well until chilled. Strain into prepared martini glass. Serve immediately. (Originally from MarthaStewart.com)

Do you have a favorite girly cocktail or item to share?  I'd love to hear about it!  Are you planning a girls' night this year?  How do you spoil your girlfriends and show them love?  Comment below!  Let's spread the LOVE!