Sex and the City: A Cause for Celebration

Credit: New Line Cinema, Sex and the City

I’d say it’s a safe bet that any style maven who has at least one pair of shoes they can’t afford joins me in eager anticipation of the movie event of the year. And no, I’m not talking about marveling over the ageless wonder that is Harrison Ford. Ladies leave the kids with daddy and break out your stilettos; it is time for the return of Sex and the City. It’s been almost four years since Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha bid farewell to the small screen and now the fashion-forward foursome are hitting cineplexes on May 30^th. Rather than driving to the local theater, noshing on greasy popcorn and spending the evening wondering if your pubescent baby sitter is spending more time watching the kids or Grey’s Anatomy reruns, join me in marking the occasion with a celebration worthy of the Sex and the City ladies. If you are anything like me you’ve waited till the last minute to through this shin dig together, but stick to my five easy tips and you’ll be the revered goddess of your own social circle.

1. Invitations – the first step in any party is letting your guests know. Get your party started off on the right foot by sending invitations to your guests. You will wow your guests and it’s more likely they will make an extra effort to ship off their husband and kids for the evening. We love our new design by San Lori, Martini Girls Invitation. In order to give your guests time to plan for the party and RSVP, I would suggest sending out the invitations about two weeks in advance of the party.
   
   
   
2. Location Location Location – One of the most important aspects of planning any party is deciding where to have it. And in this case, home is not really an option, at least for the movie portion. While your town is sure to have several movie theaters, choosing the right one can make or break your party. Consider the environment: does the theater have throngs of high school students macking by the dusty pay phones or is it a more upscale venue? While you may not have an option, if you do, consider what environment you think your guests might enjoy the most. Also, many theaters in metropolitan areas have 21+ screenings of recent releases. Not only will the movie be free of crying babies or gossiping adolescent girls but such screenings often allow for the consumption of alcohol in the movie. Personally, for me, the only thing better than watching Sex And The City is watching it with a martini in hand. Another thing to consider when selecting a theater is what options they have for advanced ticket sales. Most theaters sell tickets for anticipated releases weeks in advance, which guarantees that you and your guests won’t be stuck seeing last week’s water cooler cinematic fare. Check with your local theaters to see if they provide such amenities. These details could make or break your party.
   
   
3. Attire = Adoration – For a celebration that centers around the most fashion forward television show ever, your party should be more than excuse to break our your finest duds. Encourage your guests to riffle through their closets and put on those sinful shoes, that mini skirt that makes guys gawk at your legs and those earrings that make all the women wonder what your boyfriend/husband does for a living (she’d be even more jealous if she knew you bought them yourself after that latest promotion). If you’re really in the mood for capturing Carrie Bradshaw’s style, check out BagBorroworSteal.com. This stellar site has designer handbags and accessories like this Prada Small Rose Satchel for RENT and even features an entire section of the store devoted to the duds worn in Sex and the City. If you’re all about going the extra mile, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the movie.
   

   
   

   
   
4. The After Party – any notable social event is usually coupled with an equally enticing after party. Don’t let the celebration stop after the credits roll; instead, invite your guests over for drinks and if you haven’t had your fill yet… more Sex and the City. Rental chains like Blockbuster and Netflix offer previous seasons of original HBO episodes on DVD or you can purchase boxed sets of the series. When your guests are nestled in for the evening, start the after party off with Carrie Bradshaw’s favorite cocktail, The Cosmopolitan. We love this delicious recipe from The Food Network:
   
   • Ice cubes
   • 1 1/2 fluid ounces lemon vodka
   • 1 fluid ounce Cointreau
   • 1 fluid ounce cranberry juice
   • 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
   • Long thin piece orange zest.
     
     Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the vodka, Cointreau, and cranberry and lime juices. Cover and shake vigorously to combine and chill. Strain the cosmopolitan into a chilled martini glass. Twist the orange zest over the drink and serve.
     
     Note: The drink can also be stirred in a pitcher.
     Serving: 1 Drink
     
     
5. The other kind of Favors – top off your party with a gift bag for your guests to commemorate the ultimate girls night. The choices for favors are endless but I would go either one of two ways: sentimental or seductive. For those who want to cater to a less raunchy crowd, think about going with a faux leather mailable frame from Saachi. This sophisticated frame is a perfect and inexpensive way to help your guests remember the evening. For a whole other kind of goodie bag, consider stuffing inexpensive gift bags with the latest issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine and other naughty finds. While this option is certainly not for everyone, it is definitely a bold and fun way to go for those who are a little bit naughty (and daring).

Stick to these tips and turn an ordinary trip to the movies into the ultimate girls’ night. Just remember not to sweat the small stuff and above all, have fun! After all, what good is having a stress-free girls' night if the planning sends you into panic mode?