GIRLS' NIGHT IN.

IT'S GIRLS' NIGHT IN! HAVE YOUR BUDS BRING DeLICIOUS NIBBLES. '8OS Movies AND SPA GOODIeS FOR YOUR ONE-OF-A-KIND ANTI-VALENTINE SLEEPOVER PARTY.

Sick of playing lonely heart games on February 14th? Did Cupid's arrow shoot right past you this year? Throw a girly sleepover! Invite all your gal pals to chill, chow and get beauteous.

S.W.A.K.

When coming up with your guest list, remember--no boys allowed! Plan to make your invites. We hit Michael's craft store for everything needed to create handmade invites:

* cream-colored notecards and matching envelopes

* fun-shaped rubber stamps

* colored paints

* small paint brushes

* scratch-on art of flowers and vines

Before doing the real thing, practice on scrap paper to figure out the perfect amount of paint and pressure needed to make flawless stamps. Stamp the corners of your invite to leave room for party info in the center. Let dry overnight. Once dry, using a fine point black pen and ruler, add party details, and decorate edges with scratch-on flower artwork.

* pink paper

* pink ribbon

Now, for the fun part--getting your friends involved. Assign each guest a different set of duties. Think about each girl, and then assign her one of the roles below. We punched a hole in each invite and, with ribbon, attached a pink piece of paper with instructions for what each girl should bring to the sleepover....

SPA GODDESS

Who takes indulgent, rose-scented bubble baths? Who stocks up on lavish lotions and moisturizing masks? She's your Spa Goddess, in charge of whipping up masks before the party Give her the mask recipes from www.girlslife.com and click on GL Online or to simplify the Goddess' life, tell her to go for the Jaqua Girls sleepover kit ($37.50). It comes with chamomile eye soothers, French clay mud mask, cherry facial scrub, peppermint foot soak and more! Call [phone] to order.

MANICURE MAGICIAN

Who has glitter polish in 600 shades? Who always has Hard Candy's hot new color? Your Manicure Magician should bring all the nail goodies. Her list should include nail files, cotton balls, polish remover, cuticle pushers and nippers, and hand cream for everyone. Since she already has a collection of manicure necessities, it shouldn't cost a bundle.

MAKEUP MAVEN

Which gal pal spends her Saturday mornings lounging at the Bobbi Brown counter? Is she the proud owner of 211 shades of gloss and 29 lip brushes? She's your Makeup Maven. Ask her to bring those great free makeup samples she's yet to use. She should also be packin' cleanser, moisturizer, eye shadow, mascara, blush, application sponges and whatever else she's willing to share in her cosmetics case.

HOLLYWOOD HOTSHOT

Who was first in line when Charlie's Angels opened? Who can quote Clueless without missing a beat? She's your Hollywood Hotshot. What's a slumber party without a bunch of chick flicks? We've come up with some awesome slumber party vids--your Hotshot may already have these titles in her alphabetized collection. A couple packs of microwave popcorn, Twizzlers and Milk Duds should complete her list!

Princess Bride

Pretty in Pink

Say Anything

Never Been Kissed 

Ever After

Titanic

Father of the Bride

Pretty Woman

Beauty and the Beast 

Sixteen Candles

She's All That

My Best Friend's Wedding

Sabrina

Here on Earth

Clueless

Can't Buy Me Love

MTV ADDICT

Who worships Carson Daly? Who breaks into hip swivels when she hears Britney? Your MTV Addict should bring her rockin' CD collection, portable CD player and karaoke machine. She's also the one to organize a "make your own music video" dance-off!

CUISINE QUEENS

Get the rest of your guests busy cooking. Beginning on the next page, we've cooked up some super delicious recipes (just in case your buds aren't Martha Stewarts, we've marked according to cooking ability). Attach a recipe or two to each remaining invite.

FLOWER POWER

As for your to-do list? After getting the go-ahead from the 'rents, figure out where you can stash your crew. Is your crib big enough? Is the basement cozy enough to sleep in? Now get cleaning. No, the Queen of England and her white gloves aren't dropping by for Earl Grey and crumpets, but Easter's still weeks away so banish the dust bunnies.

Once you've picked your place, get decorating! Fill the room with pretty pillows and cozy, furry blankets. For the how-to on making pretty flower arches, check our Web site at www.girlslife.com under GL Online. Add some potpourri and simple vases of fresh flowers to tabletops. You can even sprinkle real rose petals around the room for a feminine touch. Go crazy, daisy!

PARTY PREP

Your bro is banished to the neighbor's until Sunday morning? Great! Not that lucky? Maybe your folks can put a TV and VCR in his room for the night so you guys can have the den to yourselves.

The day of the party, set the table with floral paper plates, cups and napkins. Then add matching pink plastic utensils (make sure you have enough for dinner, dessert and breakfast). If mom has a pretty old linen table cloth, ask if you may use it. Put out fresh flowers and unscented candles as centerpieces.

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN!

Organize your evening so it best suits you and your friends. Here's what we did. After chowing (and cleaning up, of course), Spa Goddess got out the goop and we slathered on the masks. Next our Manicure Magician, picked out the perfect polishes for dynamite digits. Then, it was makeover time. (Our Cuisine Queen looked great in green eyeshadow--who knew?)

Don't forget to turn on the tunes! MTV Addict led everyone in a karaoke/llp syncing contest--we're all Genies in a Bottle, baby! For an encore, every girl performed a mushy love song plucked from a hat.

After rockin' out, we took a rest and played Tween Talk (see the box on the next page to enter to win a free game!) and made Heartfelt Crafts and Plush Purses from Curious Girl Kits (800-584-KITS). Each kits comes with crafts and easy instructions. Nobody will leave your party empty-handed! The Bad Hair Day Survival kit--which makes shampoos, conditioner and beaded barrettes--was a blast during spa time.

Then, we settled into our sleeping bags to catch a couple of flicks (OK, admit it--you still cry when Rose lets Jack slip into the water).

Assuming you didn't keep the 'rents up 'til sunrise, enlist Dad to help with the scrambled eggs. Our guests also feasted on fresh bagels, sliced fruit and OJ. After a night of girly fun, our bright-eyed and bushy-tailed guests scampered off. Oh, don't forget to take Makeup Maven's bra out of the freezer!

MUNCHIE MENO 

All dishes serve eight to 10 guests.

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY

1 = She's never made anything!

2 = She's mastered the microwave.

3 = She's a pretty good cook.

CRANBERRY SPRITZERS (make at party) LEVEL 1

ice cubes * 64-ounce jug cranberry juice * 2-liter bottle club soda * lime

Place ice cubes in glasses. Add cranberry juice to fill each glass three-quarters full, then top with club soda. Finish with a squeeze of lime, and serve.

HOT CHILI CHEESE DIP (make ahead and heat at party) LEVEL 2

2 8-ounce tubs soft cream cheese * 1 cup mayo * 8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack * 4.25-ounce jar chopped green chiles * 3 scallions, chopped * 1 tomato, chopped * tortilla chips

Place cream cheese in a shallow glass casserole dish. Add mayonnaise, shredded cheese and chilies, and mix well, spreading top evenly with a spatula. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Place chopped scallions and tomato in plastic bags. At the party, place dip in microwave and heat on high about 4 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle top with chopped scallion and tomato. Serve hot with tortilla chips.

BAKED ZITI CASSEROLE (make ahead and bake at party) LEVEL 3

3 tablespoons olive oil * 1 medium onion, chopped * 2 garlic cloves, minced * 1 pound lean ground beef * 128-ounce can tomato puree * 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano * 1/2 teaspoon dried basil * 1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes * salt and pepper to taste * 1 pound dried ziti pasta * 2 large eggs * 1 cup half-and half * 4 cups shredded mozzarella, divided * 1/4 cup grated parmesan

In a skillet over medium heat, cook onion and garlic in oil until softened. Add ground beef using a wooden spoon to break up large clumps. Cook for 5 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Spoon off excess fat. Add tomato puree, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Simmer mixture for 5 minutes, or until well combined and slightly thickened. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions and drain. In the bottom of 15-by-10-by-2-inch baking dish or large casserole dish, whisk together the eggs and half-and-half. Add the drained, hot ziti and toss to coat. Add the meat mixture and 3 cups of the mozzarella, stirring to mix well. Spread mixture evenly in the pan, and top with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and the parmesan. Cover with plastic wrap, and cool. Store in the refrigerator. At the party, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove plastic wrap, and bake pasta for approximately 40 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown. Serve hot.

MIXED GREENS WITH EASY HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING (make dressing ahead/assemble salad at party) LEVEL 1

1 cup vegetable oil * 3/4 cup honey * 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice * 1/4 cup Dijon mustard * 1 small red onion, cut into thin rings * 1 8-ounce package fresh mixed salad greens * 1 6-ounce package fresh baby spinach

In a large glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine oil, honey, lemon juice and mustard. Put lid on jar, and shake until combined. Store in the refrigerator. Slice onion into rings, and store in a plastic bag. At the party, combine lettuce, spinach and onion slices in a large bowl. Shake dressing to recombine. Drizzle dressing over salad, and toss to coat.

GARLIC BREAD RING (make ahead) LEVEL 3

1/2 cup (1 whole stick) butter, melted * 1 egg * 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese * 1 teaspoon garlic salt * 2 pounds frozen bread dough, thawed overnight in the refrigerator

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a Bundt cake pan with non-stick cooking spray. In a mixing bowl, combine melted butter and egg. Add cheese and garlic salt, mixing well. Pull off small pieces of the thawed bread dough and roll into 2-inch halls. Roll dough balls in butter mixture and place in prepared pan, layering to cover and fill pan about halfway. Bake for about 35 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool slightly before turning out onto a large sheet of aluminum foil. Wrap well, and store at room temperature. At the party, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place foil-wrapped bread in oven for 20 minutes or until warm. Place on a serving platter or cutting board, and cut into thick slices. Serve.,

YOMMY FINALE

Here's an idea--set up a sundae bar! Stack bowls and spoons, alongside ice cream and toppings. Pour cherries and chopped nuts into small bowls. Don't forget serving spoons for the cherries and nuts, and an ice cream scoop (or two) for the ice cream.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIE SUNDAES (make brownies ahead/assemble sundaes at party) LEVEL 3

1 12-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate morsels, divided * 1/2 cup (1 whole stick) butter, cut into pieces * 3 large eggs * 1 1/4 cups flour * 1 cup sugar * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract * 1/4 teaspoon baking soda * 1 gallon vanilla ice cream * Warm Peanut Butter Cup Sauce (see right for recipe) * whipped cream * chopped nuts * maraschino cherries for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Crease an 8-by-8-inch baking pan. In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup chocolate morsels and butter, stirring until smooth. Remove pan from heat, and stir in eggs, using a wire whisk to combine. Add flour, sugar, vanilla extract and baking soda, and whisk until smooth. With a spatula, stir in remaining chocolate morsels. Scrape mixture into prepared pan, and smooth top. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes or until brownies pull away from sides of the pan. Remove from oven, and cool completely. Wrap, and store at room temperature. At the party, cut brownies into squares. Top each with scoops of vanilla ice cream, warm sauce, whipped cream, nuts and a cherry.

WARM PEANUT BUTTER CUP SAUCE (make ahead and reheat at party) LEVEL 3

2 tablespoons butter

* 2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar * 2 tablespoons light corn syrup * 1/3 cup peanut butter * 1 cup half-and-half * 8 ounces milk chocolate chips * 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Using a wire whisk, mix in peanut butter and half-and-half, and whisk until smooth. Bring mixture to a slow simmer. Add chocolate chips, and whisk until completely melted and smooth. Add vanilla extract, stirring to combine. Transfer mixture to a microwaveable container with a lid, and store in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, place sauce in microwave and heat on low for about 4 minutes or until warmed through. Drip sauce over ice cream. Top with nuts and stuff.