Aggie's Kitchen

Girls Night Out…Purses, Aprons, Wine and Food {and a giveaway!}

It all started with a casual request from a good friend to host one of those “purse parties” most of us have been to…you know…the “party” where someone unloads a big box of faux designer purses in a living room and you overwhelmingly and happily pick through them to find your favorites to buy and take home.  Why stop there right?  Why not include some beautiful aprons shipped in from Scarlet Threads and a complimentary wine tasting from the local wine shop that I love called Cork & Olive?  Add a group of fun ladies and you have yourself a paaaarty.

IMG_2488

Let’s talk food first.

I kept the food simple I guess you can say…finger food, dips and chips, cheese…all the good stuff you want to eat while drinking wine and socializing.  My friend Colleen (pictured above, far right) came over early to help me get everything started.  Lemony-Garlic Hummus was made earlier that day and served with the most amazing chips I found at Costco called Blue Ginger Mulit-Grain Brown Rice Chips … these chips are seriously my new favorite.  Danger danger…

IMG_2492

Lemony-Garlic Hummus

Recipe from Aggie’s Kitchen

(printable recipe)

2 16 oz cans of chickpeas (Bush’s is my canned bean of choice!)
1/2 cup liquid from can of chickpeas
juice and zest from 3 lemons
3 TB tahini
4 cloves garlic, crushed
big pinch of salt and fresh ground pepper
5 TB olive oil

Combine first 6 ingredients into bowl of food processor. Blend for 2-3 minutes until smooth. Slowly stream in olive oil until combined and smooth. Taste for salt and add more if needed. Serve with fresh cut veggies, crackers, chips, pita chips or crostini for a nice appetizer platter.

Note:  this recipe makes a large batch.  Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to a week.

IMG_2494

Sweet-‘n’-Salty Honey Cheese Spread was also prepped a little earlier and served alongside some crisp crackers…oh this was so good, and probably one of the most easy appetizers you can make!  You literally just roll the goat cheese log in salted and toasted sunflower seeds then drizzle with sweet honey when you are ready to serve.  If you love goat cheese like I do, then you will love this!

IMG_2491

I think it’s safe to say that Colleen’s Hot Artichoke Dip was the hit of the party…this bowl cleared out QUICK.  I may or may not have been scraping out the last of it while no one was looking….can you blame me?

Colleen’s Hot and Spicy Artichoke Dip

Recipe from Culinary Journey to the Mediterranean

(printable recipe)

1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, chopped, drained
1 cup mayo
1 cup (4oz) grated parmesan cheese
1 can (4oz) chopped green chilis, drained
2-3 cloves of garlic minced

Mix all ingredients in a shallow, ovenproof dish or 9-inch pie plate.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
Top with 2 Tbsp each of chopped tomatoes and olives.

Served this dip with ciabatta crisps.

IMG_1850

(the usual suspects…Allison and I partaking in one of our favorite activities…)

IMG_2495

These pinwheels were fun to make (once I got the hang of rolling).  I wish I could give you a tutorial with photos, but here’s the jist:  find yourself some large rectangular shaped Lavash bread, I was lucky enough to score some from the Publix deli but you may have to look around for it.  Spread a thin layer of Aloutte cheese on the bread and top with whatever you are in the mood for.  I chose to make two different rollups – an Italian one with ham, salami, provolone, tomatoes, and mixed greens…and a veggie one with provolone, tomato, basil, mixed greens and just the right amount of some marinated portobello mushroom and red pepper mix I found at Costco.  When you are layering the ingredients, spread them out over about 3/4 of the bread…and when you are rolling, roll tightly.  You may need some additional cheese spread to “glue” the end of the wrap into place before you start slicing.  Again, I have to thank Colleen for the hands on help…she’s always fun to cook with!

Additional food not pictured:  frozen and delicious spanikopita and assorted mini quiches from Costco….and these Rolo Turtle Pretzels I discovered on Steamy Kitchen.

IMG_1826

Okay…now lets move on to the girlie stuff…

IMG_2497

About a month or so ago I became acquainted with an organization on Facebook called Scarlet Threads.  What this group of ladies are doing is absolutely inspiring.  Scarlet Threads was created by a group of talented women in China who are empowering themselves and supporting their families by selling their products in their very own virtual boutique.  Each apron and handbag is handmade by a seamstress living in a rural village and given the opportunity to work in fair trade at their craft.

IMG_2496

I am just in love with Scarlet Threads’ products and am so happy to be a part of their story…and this is how I want to share it with you.  I have two beautiful aprons to giveaway…one today and one next week.  Today’s apron is the Lucy…how can you resist this beauty!  It just makes me feel happy looking at its colors!

LucyScarletThreads (photo courtesy of Scarlet Threads…)

Here’s how to enter…Visit the Scarlet Threads Boutique and leave a comment with the name of your favorite apron!  Each comment left on this post will count as an entry.

Earn additional entries by 1 or more of the following (leave a comment after you do so):

1. Share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter or on your own blog (earn an entry for each!)

2. Become a fan of Aggie’s Kitchen and/or Scarlet Threads on Facebook

3. Express interest in hosting your own apron party (I will email you info)

Giveaway will end at 10pm EST on Friday August 27.

IMG_1813

Are you following me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest? If you’d like to subscribe to Aggie’s Kitchen and have each post delivered straight to your e-mail box, then please add your email here. Happy cooking!

There are affiliate links in this post. I make small earnings through any purchases made through these links. Thank you for supporting Aggie’s Kitchen!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

89 comments on “Girls Night Out…Purses, Aprons, Wine and Food {and a giveaway!}”

  1. What a fun party! The food looks FABULOUS. Especially the Sweet-’n’-Salty Honey Cheese Spread. Nom Nom. Adorable aprons. I love the Molly- looks very Vera !

  2. I love these aprons. So fun and at the same time functional. The Anna is my fave.

  3. toasted sunflower seeds on the cheese log! What a great idea. Everyone always uses sliced almonds and my husband is allergic so that would be a great alternative.

  4. Thanks again Aggie for inviting me! Everything was so delicious! And I loved having my very first artichoke – yummy, yummy! I also LOVED the veggie wraps and of course the pretzel praline yummy goodness!
    PS – Gina looks very cute in her apron!
    PPS – How many times can I use the word “yummy” in one post!?!? :o)

  5. What a great party! How to pick a favorite?! The Phoebe is cute & sexy 🙂

  6. Oh my, I really like the Anna. It is so beautiful. I enjoyed the sweet and salty cheese roll. have to make and take to a family get together

  7. Can’t wait to try the artichoke dip – I have been craving it!
    Love the Penelope with the teal sash!

  8. The Penelope with the sage sash is beautiful and perfect colors for me. I’m also going to be grabbing a copy of the Sweet n Salty. YUM!!!

  9. What a awesome party with some pretty tasty looking food. Aggie you did a gerat job, I only wish i could of attended. Oh goodness I like all the aprons but if i have to choose then I love the Lucy and the Penelope. If I dont win I am buying that Penelope one for sure I think that was the one you wore. I love everything about the scarlet thread aprons. Great cause forsure.

  10. Great idea! I would love to host an apron party complete with wine and your great appetizers! I can’t even pick a favorite and love the Elle, Phoebe and Savannah. I became a fan of Scarlet Threads on Facebook. 😉 Good stuff!!!

  11. I love the Penelope… the colors and style is just perfect!
    What a fun party. Great idea for foodies 🙂

  12. What a fun party! Always looking for something new to do with our spa ladies for girls night out. The food looks great, hard to find good food that is easy, yet nutritional. Think I will be hanging out with your blog from now on. (I like the Phoebe, with a 60’s hippie look:)

  13. I’m loving the Penelope – Brown Sash! How yummy! I could cook up a storm in that gorgeous little get up! The party looked like fun too!

  14. Love love love the Olivia! How fun!

  15. Love the aprons!! How did you find out about them? Do you have parties to sell the aprons? and of course your food looks yummy…like always!!

  16. I LOVE the Anna! Great work, great group – so awesome of you to help spread the word!

  17. I shared the giveaway on my FB page!

  18. became a fan of Scarlet Threads!

  19. Oh I love aprons! My fave is the Penelope with the Teal sash. But they are all cute!

  20. What a fun party and a wonderful spread you put out! The Olivia apron is gorgeous – totally my colors.

  21. Sounds like a great party and I love the aprons…particularly the Lucy apron!

  22. What a lovely party with some nummy looking treats!! 🙂 I’m in love with the Elle apron (I like variety)

  23. You ladies look like you are having the time of your lives. I live in South Korea, and being a former chef before I had my children I have been experimenting in Asian Cuisine for the past year. I have had some cooking revelations and blunders, but I think if I can jazz my cooking ensemble up a bit, it could give me the motivation that I am looking for.

  24. Love the Phoebe and Lucy so cute! What a great idea!

  25. I “liked” Scarlet Thread on facebook!

  26. I would be interested in hosting an apron party.

  27. I love the “Elle” apron. It’s beautiful plus reversible. Thanks for the great giveaway. I really need a new apron. My last one caught on fire!

  28. I became a fan of Aggie’s Kitchen & Scarlet Threads on Facebook!

  29. Became a fan of scarlet threads!

  30. Fan of Aggie’s Kitchen!

  31. Had a blast…FOOD WAS DELICIOUS (as always), good wine and loved the aprons (bought several!). xoxo my friend!

  32. I am a fan of Aggie’s Kitchen

  33. I love the Penelope-Brown sash apron!

  34. I also want the Phoebe Apron!

  35. And I know just the person who would love the Molly Apron!

  36. What a fun party…love the finger foods and the little cutie’s apron …I think Olivia is my style…

    momgateway[at]gmail[dot]com

  37. basically am a happy person and Lucy makes me so happy ….

  38. Great food spread!!

    I love the Penelope apron.

  39. I’m a fan of AK on FB!

  40. LOVE the Molly apron! This is an awesome giveaway =D

    [email protected]

  41. I’ve had my eye on one of those aprons for a long time! Love them. My favorite is the Elle.
    BTW, your lemony hummus looks delish!

  42. I love the Olivia apron!

  43. There’s so much to say on this post. First, I love the aprons. I like the Elle and the Penelope. I really like them all! Second, I love all the food. Everything looks wonderful. I’ve already bookmarked the rolo pretzel things for my Christmas tins this year. I’ll be making that hummus and pinwheels real soon. Third, I want to grab Gina off my computer and give her a hug! So CUTE in her apron. Thanks for the giveaway!

  44. I’m a facebook fan of Aggie’s Kitchen : )

  45. Shared the giveaway on my FB page.

  46. Just here to comment on this fabulous spread here! I am not sure what I want to eat first but those pinwheels look fantastic! Good luck with the giveaway….to everyone 🙂

  47. Holy crap that hummus looks amazing! I’m a hummus junkie, and have been wanting to try making my own for quite some time. Now I have no excuse not to!

  48. The Savannah is gorgeous!!

  49. I love the Lucy actually!

  50. These recipes look great and love the aprons! Looks like a fun night!

  51. The Savannah! It’s so close to my name (people often call me that) and I love the blue and red combination, as well as the cute button detail.

  52. What a great site! I have 3 little girls and the dresses for them are so cute. My favorite apron is the Penelope – Soft Teal Sash.

  53. became a FB fan of Aggie’s kitchen.

  54. I tweeted (@bafee1205)

  55. Ok, first of all, the food looks incredible! I love these aprons, very cute and a great organization! I love the Olivia apron.

  56. I “like” your site!

  57. I’m a fan of Scarlet Threads too!

  58. What a fun night! Your little one looks adorable in her apron!

  59. ‘Lucy’ is my favorite…thanks for this giveaway…

    [email protected]

  60. I am a fan of aggies kitchen on FB!!!

    [email protected]

  61. killer party! and i love the giveaway!

  62. My favorite is the Anna apron.

  63. OOOH lots of great recipes packed in this post! I hear you – I always want pinwheels but they can be quite the big B until you get the hang of them. great pictures! Love the aprons. 🙂

  64. Wow, what a great way to bring attention to a wonderful business run by talented women. Love all the designs – the Anna apron in particular. Thank you also for the wonderful recipes, I am looking forward to trying out that artichoke dip.

  65. Just tweeted your giveaway!
    @ClaudiaBDesigns

  66. What a fun way to spend some time with the girls Aggie. I like the Phoebe apron. It screams me:D

  67. Fabulous food here! I love Mediterranean food. Nice touch with the aprons! 🙂

  68. What a fun night with fabulous food! Love the hummus!

  69. My favorite is the Elle! It looks like you had a great party. Love the vegetarian pinwheels idea.

  70. I “liked” Aggie’s Kitchen on facebook.

  71. I mentioned the giveaway and your website on facebook.

  72. Aggie, thank you so much for posting what kind of chips you served with the hummus. The Blue Ginger Multiple-Grain Brown Rice chips were delicious!!. I have been meaning to ask about them. Thank you again for having me!

  73. How cute is Gina!

  74. How adorable! I just looove the Savannah and Lucy Aprons!

  75. Love the aprons they are so cute

  76. I just shared on FaceBook

  77. Wow! AWESOME!! OK hard to pick just one but I like the Elle apron!! AND I just became a fan of Scarlet Threads on FB! An awesome concept! I would love to host a party now that I have space!!

  78. Oh Aggie, how great are these aprons! I love your hummus recipe too. The food looks so awesome!

  79. That looks like my kind of paaarty! love those aprons! and wow that goat cheese is such a great idea.

  80. I love the penelope soft teal, so cute.

  81. Love the Phoebe and the Elle. Became a fan on FB and I would like to host an apron party.

  82. Oh the Phoebe for sure! Check out that V-neck!

  83. My favorite would be the Anna – so cute! I’m probably not eligible to participate in the giveaway (living overseas), but I wish good luck to everyone else. 🙂

  84. What a fun night! So many wonderful things all together!

  85. I love the phoebe! So cute with the v-neck

  86. Pingback: Got Wine? Eversave.com Giveaway – Wine.com | Aggie's Kitchen

  87. Pingback: Skinny Malted Frosty Recipe | Aggie's Kitchen