Oh yes it's ladies night and the feelings right, oh what a night - tell me I'm not the only one who started singing these very lyrics on reading todays title? If you're anything like me Thursday is the day you start looking forward to the weekend, craving the arrival of Saturday where you can run errands until your hearts content, catch up with friends and maybe indulge in some shopping, am I right? 

 Well not long ago this notion of the perfect weekend couldn't have been further from my ideal. My weekend back then was all about picking the perfect outfit, spending all day Saturday getting ready before hopping in a taxi to town for an evening of beverages and dancing. Now don't get me wrong I still love a night out as much as the next person (and I really miss dancing like a crazy) but nowadays I much prefer having an evening in with my friends, being able to hear what they're saying and enjoying some food. Funnily enough I'm not alone, a recent survey conducted by Ladbrokes Bingo* found that 70% of women preferred a girls night in to a night out.

So what makes the perfect Cagney and Lace night in? Non-negotiables include my closest gal pals, a stack of magazines, seriously tasty Mexican food, the Hills box set starring my ultimate fave Lauren Conrad and of course, a few cocktails. If you fancy yourself as the hostess with the mostest then get your mitts on my favourite cocktail book. My advise? Don't multiply the recipes by six, yes I've done this before and let's just say things got rowdy! 

 If making cocktails is eating into your precious prep time then give the pre-made cocktails from MyCocktail a try, the mojito is a babe. For me prep time is all about setting the scene with don't-want-to-move-cushions, thick, cosy blankets and of course some bunting. If drinking isn't your bag then host a bake off like I did here, just remember to ask your guests to bring supplies, you aren't running a food technology class! I can't wait to get our new abode into some sort of order as one of my first decisions as a home owner is to invite my girls round for my very own girls night in. Now where's my cocktail book?

 What's your idea of the perfect girls night in?
*In collaboration with Ladbrokes Bingo.