Valentines Day Girls Night In

No sooner are the baubles cleared away and the festive gift sets discounted, than the heart shaped paraphernalia starts to hit the shelves to remind us of the impending Valentines Day.

Contrary to popular belief, this influx of saccharine sweet and cliched traditions is not always embraced by the loved up and shunned by the lonely singletons.

You don’t need Valentines Day to spend quality time with your loved ones

For 10 years my boyfriend and I have done everything we can to avoid overpriced restaurant meals, mass-produced greeting cards and themed gifts come Valentines Day. It’s not that we’re miserable so-and-so’s without a romantic bone in our body, it’s just that being crammed into a restaurant with dozens of other couples and being told to be romantic, is just, not very romantic in my opinion.

Rather, I believe in doing my damnedest to have spontaneous ‘Valentine Days’ throughout the year, spending quality time experiencing something we both love and talking properly.

I think this principle is so important for ALL relationships, romantic or otherwise. So when I heard that Amanda Karen Photography had teamed up with styling duo Fleur + Fig to create a girls night in mini-shoot, I thought it was the perfect inspiration for creating your own special night in, this Valentines Day or through the year.

Create a relaxed atmosphere with candles, cocktails and chocolates

Lovely touches such as the sparkly tablecloth from Gilded Linens, elegant taper candles and sweet mini chocolate boxes are a great way of creating a special atmosphere to catch up with loved ones.

Cocktails being somewhat of an obsession of mine, I thought I’d share with you my simple Berry Gin Sling recipe for you to throw together and enjoy:

INGREDIENTS (makes 1)

2 measures gin

1 tbsp lime juice

1 tsp sugar syrup

Dash of raspberry or blackcurrant liqueur

Soda water

Berries and lime wedges

Method: Combine the first 4 ingredients and pour into a glass filled with ice. Scatter some fresh berries and lime wedges in the glass and top up with soda water. Simple!

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