I have a small group of ladies that I have been friends with for going on eight years now. It's so nice to have "girl time" with your close friends during the hustle and bustle of married life, parenthood, and working, isn't it? While my friends have moved to different neighborhoods and are establishing new relationships and careers, we still manage to get together about once a month to see each other. I am rooting for a Girl's Night In for our next get-together because the three of us haven't been together at one time in months and I am desperate to play catch up in a quiet, intimate setting. With summer already settling in here in Miami, I whipped up this delicious Summertime Berry Smoothie Recipe using the new Trop50 Raspberry Acai. It's the perfect way to help us girls get into the spirit of summer together!
I love Girl's Night In for a variety of reasons, but the biggest reason is that when you stay in with your girls, there aren't any distractions. There's no pressure to dress up, do your hair, arrange designated drivers, have cash for the restaurant, bar or nightclub - and no one to bother you! It's just you and your friends chatting, maybe watching a movie or playing cards and eating and drinking in the comfort of someone's home. It's a low key environment that allows you to focus on what really matters: each other.
I have to point out that Angeline is a high schooler, as is one of my friend's only child, and the other doesn't have children yet - if you have little ones at home, I recommend sending the kids to grandma's or a babysitter's for the night so that you can enjoy a quiet setting to reconnect with the girls!
I am such a fan of Girl's Night In that I wanted to share my favorite tips for hosting your own Girl's Night In with your friends this summer! It's the perfect time to get together with your friends because you don't have to worry about getting the kids up early the next morning for school!
5 Tips for Hosting Girl's Night In
1. Host Girl's Night In in the most accessible home.
For instance, of my 3 friends, two of us live in the same neighborhood and one lives an hour away. It makes more sense for the friend who lives farther to come to us - and she has! We arranged a sleepover Girl's Night In two years ago and that worked out very well. Who has the best television? Who has the most space? Who has less children running around to distract from the evening? Talk among yourselves and come up with a plan of who is hosting - and that doesn't mean that the host will be solely responsible for the evening. We have outings at my friend's house often because she has a pool. We all bring dishes and help clean up afterwards - it's a win-win for all parties involved!
2. Plan a simple menu.
It's no fun for anyone if the host ends up spending the entire night cooking for the festivities. Plan a simple menu of Chinese Food Take Out, or set up a cheese, meats and fruit platter for snacking. You can even serve simple finger foods that don't require a lot of work. The main point is to focus on spending time with your friends, not cooking!
3. Keep yourselves entertained!
Girl's Night In is all about spending quality time together and having fun. Think of it like a date night - but with your girlfriends. Plan to play board games or cards, rent a new movie that no one has seen yet, or bring your scrapbooking supplies if you're all into scrapbooking.
4. No distractions allowed!
Of course phones should be kept nearby in case of emergency, but set a rule that no one is allowed to play games on their phones (I am talking to you Candy Crush addicts), update their social media accounts or text during Girl's Night In. If you are hosting Girl's Night In in a home with spouses or kids around, make sure that you have a quiet place away from the noise and ask your partner to keep the kids entertained while your friends are over.
5. Serve a signature drink!
I created this tasty Summertime Berry Smoothie recipe using Trop50’s Raspberry Acai because it's perfect for a quiet night in with the girls. It's bright and cheery, just like these sweet summer months in Miami, and while we do like our cocktails, this non-alcoholic drink ensures that no one has to worry about safely driving home after the night is over.
Of course, Trop50 Raspberry Acai tastes just fine on its own, so you can serve it that way too!
You can find a ton of delicious recipes and Girl's Night In ideas on Foodie’s Girls’ Night In Pinterest board and by checking out the “Inspiring Ideas for a Girls’ Night In” Trop50 Foodie Collection.
Girls’ Night In Pinterest Sweepstakes
Today marks the exciting launch of the Girls’ Night In Pinterest Sweepstakes, where Pinterest users can pin a featured blogger Girls’ Night In recipe, or pin their own for a chance to win!
Trop50 has the great taste and goodness you expect from Tropicana, but with 50% less sugar and calories and no artificial sweeteners.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Trop50 via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Trop50.
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
I don't drink all that often because I really hate drinking my calories, but I guess this kind of eliminates that excuse, huh?
Krystyn
That smoothie looks delicious and refreshing! Perfect for these hot days ahead.
Louida
Your cocktail looks really tasty! The prefect drink for lounging around the pool!
bekki
Boy am I in need of a girls night in. We just returned from a family vacation and WOW am I tired and in need of some girl time. Great tips up there! Thanks for sharing
krystal
Awesome idea using the Trop50! It really was a refreshing addition to a mocktail or cocktail. Pinning this for sure.
Chelsea
The smoothie looks so good. And whatever those spinachy looking rolls are... they look amazing too!
Lindsey Paris
What rich color. I love to eat the rainbow, and now I can drink it!
Karen
This looks delicious! I love any kind of smoothie and I also love the idea of a girl's night in.
Janeane Davis
This seems like a nice drink that will be great with the warm weather we will soon have.
valmg
That smoothie looks absolutely delicious! I'd drink one right now if I could!
Jessica
I love a Girl's Night In with my favorite ladies! My best friends and I try to have one at least once a month where we watch a chick flick and indulge on sweet goodies. I love how many different recipes can be made with Trop 50. I can't wait to try that flavor which I have yet to find in store.
Rachael
This Summertime berry smoothie sound so good. I love making smoothies.
Theresa
Smoothies are my drink of summer! I need to plan a girls night in soon so we can whip up some of these babies! Delish!
Jenn
These would be lovely to make for a 4th of July party. Make the straws blue and white striped and viola!
Melissa
Great tips! This definitely would be my signature drink!
Beth
Sounds like a fun night. The drink looks delicious!!
Carly Bellard
Ok- you guys sold me. This is the second drink recipe that I have seen today using the same Trop50 flavor! I will be going to buy this on my next grocery trip. My daughter loves making smoothies- so this would be right up our alley!
Tracey
A signature drink for girls night is a must! This one looks great.
Melinda
I'd love a themed drink for a girls night. these look so good
Rosey
I think that's nice that you have a girl's night regularly. I'd love to do that here. 🙂
Virginia
I've really enjoyed green smoothies lately. This one looks yummy!
Shell
This drink looks so yummy! I love a relaxing girls' night in.
Bobbie
I love a girl's night in. This juice looks great for so many things. I can't wait to give it a try.
Veronica
I love the idea of a girl's night in. that has got to be a ball of fun......especially if cocktails are involved
Melissa
This looks delightful! So yummy.
Autumn
I'd love to have a girl's night in with some of my girlfriends! And your berry smoothie looks SO GOOD!
Kecia
When I get a chance, we usually do a girls night out. I really need to plan one where we stay in and have this drink!
Brandy
I was just talking to some of m girlfriends last night about planning a girl's night in. These tips have come at the perfect time and are a reminder to me that I should keep things simple. I tend to go a bit overboard on the food and drinks.
Daisy
I love smoothies and can't wait to try a berry smoothie with Trop50 Raspberry Acai juice. I'm off to the grocery store this afternoon and have the supplies on my shopping list.
Dina
we just had a girls night out. We went to see moms night out and laughed so hard, ate pizza and enjoyed being child free!
Heather
I just made a berry drink yesterday! It just feels like berry eating time doesn't it?. Love this smoothie too. I'm totally going to try it and the other suggestions for my next girls night!
Angela S
I love a good berry smoothie and this looks like a great way to cool down this summer.
Pam
That smoothie looks so good! I'm a big fan of smoothies.
Ellen Christian
Yum! Looks amazing. I love strawberry!
Liz Mays
That's a perfect lounge by the pool refreshment. Sounds so delicious!
valmg
I made one a while back as well. The raspberry acai is very tasty!
Melanie Roberts
What a delicious part idea.. LOVE the berry drink, totally up my ally, will have to make it for myself. Thanks for sharing. I bet your friends loved it
Michele Brosius
I am planning a girls night in on Friday. It's supposed to be warm and muggy. I think I will serve this smoothie to cool us off a bit.
Anne
This looks so refreshing and perfect for the summer. I love smoothies, and strawberries are the perfect fruit for them.
Nicole Brady
Oh my goodness, that looks delicious! Can I come to your next Girls' Night In?
Jennifer Soltys
Great tips! Love #4. We have one friend who plays on her phone the whole time. It's like "WHY ARE YOU HERE?!". LOL Your drink looks so good, too!! I will definitely try that one.
Amber Edwards
I cannot wait until I am no longer rural! I have been hunting for this Trop50 Raspberry Acai drink for months and my store managers think I'm crazy. They keep telling me there is no such product. Uh...yeah.... I can't wait to try these drink recipes!
Kristin Wheeler
Love your tips for hosting a girls' night in! And this recipe looks delicious!!!
Mama to 5 BLessings
We normally do MNO because my friends and I have several little ones so it makes it hard to do a MNI. Love your smoothie, looks great, nice to add the juice to it and give it flavor!
StacieinAtlanta
I was drinking a smoothie as I read your post, and I have to say yours looks sooooo much better than what is in my cup. That really looks good!
Amy Desrosiers
The smoothie looks great, but the pool is where it's at!! How awesome is it?!
Marina
With the kids we generally to GMOs Girls Morning Out! I'm sure the girls would appreciate a refreshing berry smoothie the next time we meet! 😉
Kathleen Garber
I agree with your no distractions rule. It's so annoying when you are trying to enjoy your company and they have their nose in their phones the entire time. Your smoothie drink looks delicious.
Pamela K (
That drink look very tasty. I'm sure it would be even better once I make it an adult beverage LOL I mean it is a girls night in! LOL Thanks or sharing!
Sandra [at] Coasahmom [dot] com
I love strawberries! I definitely could use a girls night, just not so sure about the In part LoL
Lorayne Gothard
I have made a lot of the detox smoothies that are green, but this smoothie looks wonderful!! I am anxious to try it!!
Rachel
As someone who cannot drink milk I love dairy free smoothie drinks and this looks yummy, thanks for sharing on Treasure Box Tuesday. Rachel