Joie de Vivre

{This is a compensated review
from BlogHer and Arbor Mist}

The holidays are frenzied--there's so much planning, wrapping, baking, cleaning, cooking, and traveling involved. A cozy French brunch seems the perfect antidote to the holiday hustle and bustle. Invite a few of your girlfriends for a chic but leisurely brunch, Parisian-style, and fully enjoy each other's company.

Parisians are known for their joy of conversation, joy of eating, and joy of friendship. Parisians love to linger and it is not uncommon for meals in France to last two or three hours. Waiters don't bother the guests, who often order a second (or third) coffee just to sit and gab. Doesn't Parisian life sound so lovely?

Turn your kitchen table into a quaint French café for a relaxing morning with friends. No gift-wrapping, cookie-exchanging, or holiday menu-planning allowed: this gathering takes its cue from the French and centers on food, wine, and friendship.

The first thing you'll need, of course, is Arbor Mist Sparkle! Bubbly for breakfast? But of course! Serve Sparkle Peach and Sparkle Raspberry in champagne flutes, sipping and savoring with your favorite girlfriends.

You don't have to be Julia Childs to create a Parisian-worthy brunch. The menu can be as simple as chocolate croissants picked up from your local bakery or something only a teeny bit more complicated, perhaps Croque Madames, classic French sandwiches consisting of toasted ham and gruyere, topped with a fried egg. Or, pick up some crêpe mix, nutella, and fancy jams (you can make the crêpes in advance and reheat later!). Add a bowl of fresh fruit and café au lait and voilà! an effortless but ever-so-lovely brunch.

The French have no problem sitting and chatting for hours and, with good friends, I doubt you'll have a problem either! Still, if you want to have some thoughtful conversation starters, print a copy of the famous Parisian parlor game, The Proust Questionnaire. The questions will have you and your friends laughing, confiding, and debating as you ponder love, death, happiness, and the meaning of life. {You might need to pour some extra glasses of Arbor Mist Sparkle to get the shyest of your guests sharing their responses!}

When the soiree has officially ended, but your guests are too toasty to face the frost and too relaxed to face the mall mayhem, invite them to cozy up on the sofa for a French film or two. My favorites: Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain, Le Dîner de Cons, and Paris, Je T'aime.

Have some extra bottles of Arbor Mist Sparkle in the fridge, plus some French bon bons, salted caramels, stinky cheese, and a baguette or two for nibbling during the screening. C'est magnifique!

I've had so much fun planning this fabulously French fête. A grand merci beaucoup to Arbor Mist Sparkle for providing me with this most marvelous opportunity!

Be sure to check out Arbor Mist at their official site, become an Arbor Mist fan on Facebook, take a break at the Refresh Your Fun blog and follow Arbor Mist on Twitter.

My party goods are all packed up in a chic reusable tote, ready for a cozy brunch in the coming weeks, but wouldn't you love to plan a celebration of friendship, too?

For a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card, leave a comment sharing a festive party idea. You must also include your date of birth (day/month/year) in your comment to be eligible for this sweepstakes (we're talking sparkly adult beverages here so there's a "we card if you look a day under 25" policy! And, YES, you certainly do look under 25, lovelies!).

If you prefer, you may leave a link to your post on your own blog in the comments below. The contest will begin at 12/04/2009 at 3:15 PM (PST) and will end 12/31/09 at 5:00 PM (PST). Make sure that the e-mail address you leave is correct.

Rules:

• No duplicate comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and leaving a link in the comments.
• You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and leaving a link in the comments.
• This giveaway is open to US residents, aged 21 and older.
• Winners will be selected via random draw, and will notified by e-mail.
• You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

Please see the official rules here.

There are SEVEN chances to win so be sure to visit the BlogHer.com special offers page!

Bonne chance! And, of course, bon appétit!

Comments

[Liz]

My festive holiday idea is to give each holiday guest a little dinner party kit that includes mints, stain remover stick, a small hair spray, etc. I've found that these are much appreciated!

11/1/78

[Liz]

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/lizzydear/status/7227503219

[Cheryl W]

A festive party idea is to ask guess to dress up like their favorite tv show character and to stay in character all night.

DOB 4/6/72

[Cheryl W]

Tweet

http://twitter.com/HeartnSoulmom/status/7228405450

[Cassie]

Party Games! For some reason we in NH love party games or board games! We just don't want to be outside in the cold! (06/23/1982)

[Cassie]

I tweeted! http://twitter.com/itsmecassieb/status/7232498418 (06/23/1982)

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1073773012]

make party bags for everyone and give them to them as they leave.
lmurley2000@yahoo.com

09-14-1964

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1073773012]

tweeted
http://twitter.com/lmurley2000/status/7243084597

lmurley2000@yahoo.com

09-14-1964

[Leah]

10/13/1982 is my birthday

I love parties! Any kind make me happy. Right now, I'd love to throw an ethnic theme dinner and party. Wouldn't it be fun to procure flags, dress up in the colors of a country, and bring that country's food to eat? I really wanted to do a "Canadian Thanksgiving" for my birthday (which was on Canadian thanksgiving this year), but I didn't manage to get my stuff together in time.

[Linda Kish]

I am not much for festive..good friends and good food are enough for me.

09/21/1949

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

[wedding planner]

now that is what i call a "chic party". THose french influences are always a treat. As a event planner i love to organize such parties all the time.

[Creative Recreation]

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