A while back, I was invited to a get together at a colleague’s home. These functions were held about once per month with the intent to be casual gatherings to get to know each other outside of the office. It’s a very basic concept: last names A-K bring a snack, last name L-Z bring a beverage of choice. Easy. In fact, the last one of these was hosted by yours truly. Festivities wrapped up somewhere in the neighborhood of 3AM, and I had long before that changed into my yoga pants to appropriately (and comfortably) enjoy the evening.

This particular evening’s event was being held at the home of one of the more senior personnel on the team. I decided to leave the yoga pants at home, and opted for a pair of fitted jeans, sweater, statement necklace, and cute flats. Bottle of wine in hand, I hailed a cab and was on my way.

Upon arrival, my catastrophic mistake began to unfold. If I’d taken two seconds to consider the host, I would have known that there would be a higher end, well-heeled clientele at this party. So, here I am. Flats and a $10 bottle of wine. Here we go.

I walked into the main area and also realized that not only was no one in jeans, but there was a hired caterer, serving staff, and passed appetizer trays. Um, I’m sorry. What group of last names is responsible for hiring the bartender? What’s a girl to do? Obviously, turn on those flats and make back towards the street hoping that the cab hasn’t yet pulled away. Alas, in the six inches between me and the door, my hostess has somehow appeared, and now I’m here for good. Feeling nothing short of Jennifer Grey in the infamous “I carried a watermelon” scene, I said hello, and a member of the wait staff graciously relieved my sweaty palms of the offending bottle.

Having realized that I’m underdressed (shocking!) and very much in need of a drink, I make my way towards the bar area — where I quickly spend the remainder of the evening clutched to a high table with a mercifully long table cloth. Denim be damned, those little baby souffles were delicious.

In honor of my Jennifer Grey moment, I’m sharing my watermelon sangria recipe. Best enjoyed in equally underdressed company.

Ingredients:

10 cups seedless watermelon (no shame if you want to put on your lazy pants and buy the stuff that’s already cubed at the front of the store)
1 bottle white wine (no preference here, except I think Chardonnay is disgusting in all things — especially sangria)
1 cup of sparkling water (just for the fizz)
1 lime, juiced

Instructions

• Place about half of the watermelon into a blender and blend on high until you’re left with a puree/juice.
• Place the puree, remaining cubed watermelon, wine, sparkling water, and lime juice in a large container.
• Let all of this chill together for a least an hour or two in the fridge (the longer, the better), and serve cold!