How To Slay Valentines Day (Hint: Man Not Required)
Hey there lovely. Yeah you - I'm looking at you, girl! Guess what? It's almost Valentine's Day... and no... I'm not here to give you date ideas or make you feel bad for not having a man on this completely made up holiday. I'm here to tell you that you are a badass. You are beautiful. You are awesome. And so are your girlfriends. So you should throw on some lipstick and dress up (or not - a red lip in sweats is just as fab) and grab your ladies and make a cocktail and tell each other how much you love them. Because that's what GALENTINES is all about.Before we jump into the fancy cocktail recipes... this year we did something a little different. Instead of a super crafty DIY or a pretty poptart recipe, we called in the big guns aka Kasey Dreier! This gal right here literally saved my life over a year ago with her wisdom and I'm honored to officially introduce you to her on here. She created a very special Galentines How-To FREE download for you. It includes a valentine letter template that you (and your ladies) can print off and follow the instructions to write a love letter... to YOURSELF. What a concept! My guess is, you don't say enough awesome things about you to you. So here is your chance! Kasey is the queen of self care for boss babes just like you and I dare you not to shed a tear when you write out your letter. We all did one of the set of this shoot and I will cherish mine forever.
Download your very own template to write yourself a love letter HERE!
Now for the booze! You don't have to be a pro or drop some dough on this little soiree. We did all the guesswork for you! We have 4 different cocktail recipes that your gal pals will love and a few fun ideas that will surely be a hit that won't break the bank!First up is my favorite cocktail! I've been on a real gin kick lately, I think that's why. No fancy name, I'm just calling it the Cardamom Rose. It's seriously so pretty. And the roses smell AMAZING. Here's what you need:
1.5oz Gin
1oz Rose Water
1oz fresh grapefruit juice
5 (or so) dashes cardamom bitters
Top off with prosecco
mini roses to garnish
This bad boy is deeeelish! We've dubbed it XOXO and here's what you'll need:
1.5oz Gin
1oz Elderflower syrup
1oz Rose water
3 mint leaves muddled
top off with prosecco
garnish with chamomile and mint
This next cocktail is literally the easiest! So if the others are a bit too much for you - or you don't readily have the ingredients - THIS is your drink! Appropriately name, The Galentine
3oz vodka
1.5oz strawberry rhubarb sparkling lemonade (at Trader Joes!)
1.5oz pink lemonade
1/2 of a fresh lemon juiced
muddled strawberries
You guys didn't think I'd do a cocktail post without including some bourbon did you?! Don't worry whiskey drinking girls - I gotchu! I'm calling this one Your Bestie... because, duh. Whiskey. Think Kentucky Mule for this one... but with a twist!
3oz Bourbon (or more if you're like me!)
half of lemon juice
1.5oz fresh squeezed grapefruit
top off with gingerbeer
garnish with a grapefruit twist
Shoutout to the epic team that pulled this off!
Concept & Styling: Tasteful Tatters // Photography: Simply Adri Photography // Food Styling: MissFoodieProblems // Boss Babe Guru/Valentine Letter: Kasey Dreier // Sweets: My Delight Cupcakery // Studio: Biz Babez // Cheerleader & Hype girl: Ahren Samuel