GALENTINE FUN: GIRLS ONLY

Why does Galentine's Day matter?

Galentine's Day has blown up in recent years, with an increasing number of women, both single and in relationships, using the day to acknowledge the strength of their female friendships.

"What's Galentine's Day? It's only the best day of the year," Amy Poeler says during an episode of Parks and Recreation.

"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."

Let's face it friends. As women, our girlfriends are like life support for us.

Once you have children, our friendships with them are even more vital, although sometimes harder to keep.

Don't get me wrong, we love our husbands/boyfriends, but the bond we share with our girlfriends is completely different.

Even though our children are our life, sometimes they are the reason we need these girlfriends.

Sanity is essential, after all. So, let's break down why girlfriends are so important.

Our girlfriends essentially operate as partners in life.

Girlfriends love us deeply, no matter our mistakes or flaws.

Girlfriends hold us accountable.

Girlfriends put us together again, when we've fallen apart.

Girlfriends are fully of empathy, and are pro listeners, when we just need a quiet, kind shoulder to lean on.

So let's gather our squad, and toast to friendship.

Pop a few blooms in a vase, chill some champagne, and let's have some laughs.

Pop some berries on your coupes to garnish, skewer red gummy candy on toothpicks, and poof - a perfect cocktail garnish.

Have a gold permanent paint pen? Your local art store or office supply store does. Have your best handwriting girlfriend personalize glasses for a fun party touch, or take home gift.

Fill with ice, 2 parts pomegrantate juice, 2 parts champagne, and top with whip cream and cherries for a "french kiss" sparkling cocktail.

For a brunch ship, strawberry milk is perfect - especially with a splash of vodka. Ha! Form pipe cleaners into hearts - a fun project for the kids - and add to mini glass bottles or glasses. Fruity pebble krispy treats with a little "slit" in them sit beautifully on the rims for a colorful, tasty garnish.

Looking for recipe ideas to serve? Mini pancakes with strawberries and nutella are my favorite. Toast pancakes on a cookie sheet in the oven, then layer with nutella, berries one by one. Top with a half berry to garnish, and skewer with toothpicks.

Last up: chicken & waffles. Mini waffles are easy to toast up on a cookie sheet, top with a slice of fried chicken, top with mini waffle. Drizzle with maple syrup, and skewer.

Cheers galentines! Who runs the world? Girls!

Flowers, Stationery, Styling A Perfect Event

Gift Tags, Straws, Party Picks Debi Lilly Style

Venue DL Loft

Photography Rebecca Eden, Gerber Scarpelli