A Holiday Lunch with my Girlfriends

Last week I hosted a casual holiday lunch for my close girlfriends. The holidays can be so hectic I wanted a time for us all slow down, get together and enjoy a beautiful meal and each other’s company. I chose a lunch instead of a cocktail party to take off the pressure of finding a babysitter and because I am not really a drinker. As moms we so often forget or don't have time to eat lunch during the madness of our days having a full two hours to enjoy a meal together was such treat. It was such a special afternoon and I cannot wait to make it an annual tradition!

My dear friend Carlin prepared a stunning meal including a baby arugula, pink radicchio, shaved fennel, pear, pomegranate vinaigrette salad, broccolini with smoked salt and the most delicious seeded pistachio and pumpkin galettes. Carlin made three galettes in hopes of leaving me some leftovers- they were so incredible only one piece was left behind! For dessert we had baby cakes with fresh berries! It was all heavenly!

For attire I told everyone to come as they are, everything from party dresses to workout gear was welcome. I wanted this to be a relaxing, not stressful afternoon that seamlessly fit in between drop off and pickup. Always liking to be a little extra, I took the occasion to wear my new favorite tulle skirt and sweater!

I asked each guest to bring a favorite book with them to trade with the group. It was such a fun ( and appropriate to me) twist on a traditional gift exchange.Everyone left with a new read for the holiday break! In keeping with the book theme on the way out I gifted each friend a copy of Gloria Steinhem’s beautiful new quote anthology tucked inside a tote bag from my beloved Merritt Bookstore!

I am already looking forward to next years lunch and have a feeling my friends are too!