When the new year starts and we quickly head towards mid-January, I start thinking about what Emilee, of Tasteful Tatters, and I are going to do for Galentine’s day. I LOVE that this has become one of the shoots we have decided to doing yearly. Galentine’s day can be whatever you would like it to be (if you’re a dude, then call it something like Palentine’s Day, perhaps lol) — I prefer throwing a little get together with some of my favorite girlfriends with delicious food and booze. Here’s the description from the creator herself and how she likes to throw the best Galentine’s Day party!

“Oh, it’s only the best day of the year. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.” — Leslie Knope, Parks and Recreation

*click here for a link to this t-shirt!*

How to throw the best Galentine’s Day party, the food

No Galentine’s Day or any get-together for that matter would be complete without food! I love the idea of an interactive food experience, so I baked donuts the night before with this donut pan and a Miss Jones Baking Co. organic chocolate cake mix. The day of, I brought their frosting and some colorful sprinkles for everyone to decorate their own donuts. I love Miss Jones Baking Co. because they use high quality certified Organic non-GMO ingredients, don’t use any artificial colors or flavors, and ethically source everything — ya know, exactly how we would love all of our food to be!

“We are bakers who believe that better ingredients mean better results, which is why we’re building a better way to bake.”

This year, I am being more conscious about reading labels — educating myself on ingredients and where items and products are coming from, as well as Buying Local. From going to farmers markets, to thrifting, to making the effort to eat organic, grass fed, wild caught and free range, when possible. I’ve even taken it as far as slowly switching out items in my skin and body care routine to natural products. I feel so much better being conscious of what I am bringing into my house and putting into my body and on my skin. I know the whole process can seem overwhelming, intimidating and sound expensive, but I promise there are affordable options and you can gradually integrate new things into your routine. One plus, farmers market produce is SO MUCH more affordable. I’ll share a more in depth blog post more on my whole “Project Consciousness” soon!

How to throw the best Galentine’s Day party, the spirits

If you’ve been around for a bit, you know that I’ve been partnering with Bristol Farms for a few months. They are my favorite grocery stores around and I was so happy to hear that they carry some locally distilled spirits in store. Here’s a little more about the bottles I picked up for our cocktails, because this is a necessary element in how to throw the best Galentine’s Day party!

loft & bear vodka

Loft & bear vodka is distilling the entrepreneurial spirit in Los Angeles.

“Paul Ryan Elliot set out with a strong desire to create and innovate within the beverage space. During the summer of 2014, in a loft in downtown LA, loft&bear artisanal vodka was born, hence the name. Paul continues to work toward fulfilling long-term sustainable success and having an impact within the business space.”

Tequila Ocho

Tequila Ocho is a joint partnership between Tomas Estes & the Camerena family.

“Ocho is a meeting of the passion, experience, and knowledge between Estes and the Camarena family, resulting in the finest tequila possible…All tequila made by the Camarena family is produced exclusively from agave from their own fields, a fact that few other producers can claim. Because the production is small-batch and carefully done, the heart and passion of the Camarenas’ Mexican soul is in each drop of their tequila. The family have only ever made 100% agave tequila.”

Gray Whale Gin

Gray Whale Gin is distilled from botanicals foraged along the migratory path of the California Gray Whale.

“Every year the Gray Whale makes a 12,000-mile migration from the warm lagoons of the Baja Peninsula to the cool waters of the Arctic. Our small batch gin is a celebration of this incredible journey.”

My family has been traveling up the California coast my whole life and ever since I can remember, if we’re visiting Cambria or Big Sur during the winter months, we look off the coast for whale spouts, so the whole concept of Gray Whale Gin hits close to home!

They also donate proceeds to a couple different organizations for marine conservation and environmental causes.

How to throw the best Galentine’s Day party, the craft cocktails

Miss Foodie Spritz

Ingredients

• 2 TBSP dried hibiscus flowers
• 1 – 2 TSP honey
• 1/2 lime, quartered
• 8 fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 cup mango, pineapple, or passion fruit juice
• 1/4 cup coconut water
• 2 ounces rum or vodka (we used loft & bear vodka)
• sparkling water, for topping
• 2 strawberries, sliced

1. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a medium size pot. Remove from heat, add hibiscus flowers and 1 – 2 TSP honey (depending on how sweet you prefer your cocktails). Cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain into a pitcher and discard hibiscus flowers.
2. In a shaker, muddle lime and mint leaves. Add a handful of ice, juice of choice, coconut water and alcohol. Shake!
3. Strain into tall glass, top off with sparkling water 3/4 way up the glass. Add sliced strawberries and top off the rest of the way with hibiscus tea.

500 Days of Winter Daisy

Ingredients

• 1/2 pint fresh strawberries
• 2 – 3 rosemary sprigs
• 1 lime juiced (about 1 oz)
• 1 TBSP honey (raw if you have it)
• 1/2 oz blanco tequila (we used Tequila Ocho)
• 1.5 oz triple sec

1. Chop strawberries into very small pieces and put in shaker. Place 2 sprigs of rosemary into shaker. Muddle together to release the flavors and oils. Pour liquid ingredients into shaker. Shake!
2. Pour over ice and garnish with a rosemary sprig and strawberry slices.

Not So Plain Jane Gin & Tonic

(makes 2) 

Ingredients:

• 1 lime juiced (about 1 oz)
• 1 bottle (18 oz) of tonic
• 3 oz. gin (we used Gray Whale Gin)
• 1.5 oz triple sec
• 1 TSP açai powder (or you can blend the frozen açai)

1. Juice lime into shaker. Add gin, triple sec, and açaí. Shake!
2. Pour over ice and top off with tonic.

This fun-loving filled day could not have been pulled off without the help of these wonderful women! I am beyond grateful to have all of them in my life – their creative energy, positive vibes, beautiful smiles, and kickass spirits.

How to throw a Galentine’s Day party, The Dream Team

Production & Design: Tasteful Tatters & myself!

Photography & Video: Joe + Kathrina Photography

Florals: Blue Pansy Floral

Fashion Styling: Ilana for Shop Blondee

Venue Location: Whimsy Pasadena

Now grab your best girl friends, guy friends, dog friends, whatever friends & throw a party!

How will you be celebrating Galentine’s day?

Happy Celebrating,

Corey

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