The Perfect Night In - Date Night!

When was the last time you and your partner spent some quality time together? I don't mean time spent sat next to each other glued to the goggle box not talking every night. Or all the time you spend together while shepherding the kids around. I mean actually talking to each other, making an effort and getting out of those 'around the house' jogging bottoms that have seen better days, reconnecting and having a laugh and being the 'old you'?

We NEVER do this. And so when I was asked "What is your idea of the perfect night in?", I came up with this: Cocktails, delicious food and an Oscar winning movie!

It was agreed between us that naturally after your perfect night in you would want your perfect lie-in and so the kids happily went off to be looked after by their Grandparents for the night. Once they were dispatched I made a start on preparing for a great night. This evening was made possible by Swinton Insurance, who gave me £100 to have the following truly fabulous night.

Step 1: Prep Dinner
I decided on something simple to make and figured that a recipe from Jamie's 30 minute meals would be just the ticket as it wouldn't take me all night. I went for Satay Chicken and Fiery Noodle Salad as it could be prepped before i got changed and then took no time to cook while we had a cocktail!

Step 2: Dress Up!
I got out of my usual 'mumiform' and put a nice dress on, did a quick makeover and tamed my unruly hair. Once ready I persuaded the OH to do the same, minus the dress of course!

Step 3: Make Cocktails!

To make a Granddaddy Mimosa 

2 measures of Havana Club 3-year-old rum
2 measures of Orange Juice
2 tablespoons of Lemon Juice
Ice cubes
Chilled Champagne to top up (or replace with Prosecco as we did!)
2 dashes of grenadine

Method: Put the rum, orange and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes and shake. Pour into glass, top up with champagne. Pour a couple of dashes of grenadine and you've got a pretty delicious cocktail!

Shake it Like a Polaroid Picture.....

Step 4: Eat! We swiftly followed these up with Raspberry 'Champagne' Cocktails and had our delicious dinner!! 

Step 5: Watched the rather brilliant Argo. 
What a bloody excellent film this is. I haven't watched the other Best Film Oscar contenders but I can see why it won. The styling is brilliant. The story is fantastic - made even more so because it is true. I'm not going to deny either that although my main focus that evening was on my OH, I was also rather taken with Ben Affleck.....he's improved with age!

Step 6: Night Night. That's all folks :)

What would your perfect night in be? Who would it be with? I'd love to know!

If you are looking for Competitive Home Insurance Quotes Online then definitely give Swinton a try.