I was rather indulgent last night at the holiday party. I started out doing pretty well, but the food was just too good. I was feeling a little guilty afterwards (and bloated and blah) until I read some other bloggers indulging at holiday parties as well. I then realized that when there is beyond delicious food, you just have to indulge a little (or a lot) and live it up. I wasn’t eating random stuff that I regretted eating, it was all fabulous tasting food that I love.
Plus, I’m not going to holiday parties every day. Heck I don’t even know if there is another one lined up this year.
The party was hosted by one of our family friends at our condo (the common area). As residents, we can use this beautiful common space (conference room, kitchen, couches, BBQ grills, patio, movie theatre) and we can reserve it for private parties.
Our condo is always so beautifully decorated for the holiday season!
This reminded me of Harry Potter. Quidditch anyone?
I started out with some sugar snap peas, broccoli, tomatoes, and a cube of cheese.
Then I had about 10 of these shrimpies. So good.
I also had some red wine.
Then the real food came. A sushi boat (oh my gosh).
A sashimi boat (double oh my gosh).
Also some Thai dishes. Crispy Beef.
Green Curry and Seafood w/ basil. There were some other dishes but the lighting was terrible.
Here’s my seafood-filled plate:
- egg roll
- sushi+sashimi
- seafood w/ basil
- fried rice
I went back for SECONDS….some more seafood, sashimi, and sushi.
Next came dessert. Mango sticky rice. I couldn’t have passed this up if my life depended on it.
Apple pie.
Strawberry cheesecake.
My plate. I went back little nibbles of each one. It sounded like a good idea at the time….
Guff! The food was fairly healthy (for party food), I just ate too much of it! Dessert was a little overboard and totally NOT in the right direction for my ‘less sugar’ holigoal! However, looking back, I was quite proud of myself for letting go and not feeling guilty about it. The holidays are a time to enjoy good food, friends, and family. Hopefully if there is another party, I’ll exercise a wee bit more portion control for the sake of feeling comfortable 
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
I hate it when I eat random food and then regret it the rest of the day. I’m glad you DID NOT do that : ) Looks like a delicious spread.
I’m so proud of you, Allie. You allowed yourself to enjoy the party and company without regrets. Hell, we all deserve that peace with food. And you know what else? You didn’t ‘over do-it’– there’s no such thing. You did what you wanted, there’s nothing more to it.
You are a rock star. Don’t forget it.
Hope your Sunday is relaxing!
bec xo
the food looks amazing. looks like you are enjoying your break so far!
Oh gosh! That mango looks fabulous! How did they cut it up so nicely? Haha, whenever I try to cut a mango, it looks like disaster.
GIRL, say WHAT???? Don’t you dare feel bad about indulging in that AMAZING spread! Okay, first, it’s not everyday that you go to a party with a feast like that. Geeze, my parties are usually limited to a cheese ball and hot dogs on a stick! I would have probably gone back for 5ths!
Tis the season to fill our bellies with all things wonderful!!!!
Hope you had a great weekend my love.
WooooHoooo for holiday parties!!!!! Sushi!! Sashimi!!! Thai!!!! Wish I was at this party!!! We have the same thing where we live, a room you can rent out just like that and a theatre, patio, barbeque grills, conference room/business center, gym, basketball indoor court, it rocks and sounds like you live in a place just like ours!! My favorite part is the gym, because I can walk there , and there are days I want to be lazy but I go because it’s just a short walk, lol!! Girl I am so glad you enjoyed at the party, because you should, holiday parties are not 24/7, more like a handful a year!!! I indulged last night with McDonalds at 2 am!! Was so good!!! I felt so full too!!! But so worth it!!!!
Hope you have a great night, i just wrote a novel on your post, lol, sorry!!
I’m definitely guilty of over-indulging whenever there’s good food around! But hey, good food isn’t always around so I feel okay taking advantage of it. I love sushi! And that dessert plate looks amazing!
Glad you enjoyed the food. I should have stayed home
ok, whoever those people are- i LIKE THEM! they konw how to throw a party with gOOD food… all my favorite things
seriously, deliciouss sushi/sashimi/thai food?! so glad you indulged & were able to ward off most of your guilty feelings–it truly is a part of life..we gotta live it up!
xoxo
shelley
Wow I really wish I had party food like that! Everything looks SO GOOD! The treats are a flowin’ these days and I just try to enjoy, and move on. Keep my butt moving for the most part and just enjoy all the good food and good company of this time of year. So glad you did!
I agree that you gotta live it up sometimes (especially during the holiday’s). I’m glad to hear that guilt started to go away because I’d say that’s relatively healthy food!
Dessert is always worth it to me as well! I had a few nibbles of brownies, pecan pie, and apple pie today at church
I’m glad you got to enjoy the party without obsessing too much about the food. I know it is hard to do sometimes, but in the future it’s the fun times that you are going to remember, not that you stuck to your diet. That sticky rice looks amazing!!
Ok, so… I’m your new sister, mmk?!
I saw the beginning w/ veggies and cheese and thought “ok, I’m going to scroll down and see the usual bland turkey, mashed potatoes, etc.” and WHOA. As your new sister I’ll be there next year ok? That is SO MUCH better than the boring, bland holiday dinners (can you tell I’m not a fan) — I like yours a lot more!
Now, that’s a great Holiday Party especially with the sushi! I love sushi and could eat it everyday.
What a beautiful condo and that food looks amazing! Quite the holiday party!
Good choice to eat all that food – that selection does not appear in my apartment every day – I would have done the same thing!
holy yum! all of the food at your party looked awesome~namely that sushi! i would totes have stuffed myself silly too
glad you enjoyed it!
that food looks beyond amazing! and props to you for being able to accept and enjoy your indulgences…that’s a hard one for me. looks like it was probably worth it
a sushi bar?!? WOW that sounds awesome!! you deserve to enjoy your indulgences..it doesnt make a bit of difference and its so worth it!
That’s right! One night is not gonna ruin you forever…and plus, with all that good food…it’s time to loosen up a bit (and your belt) to enjoy! Sushi bars don’t come around very often!
Ummm yeah I think my portion control would have flown out the window as well! Sometimes you just have to live it up and enjoy all the good eats! One day won’t throw you off track at all…and those look wayyy too good to pass up!
Wow! Amazing eats! I’d say it all looks well worth the indulgence. Miss you dear:)
letting yourself to do some indulgence eating is a must for holiday season!!!!
They’re definitely on the healthy side though, sooooo enjoy~~~~ 
That food: WOW! Wish I was there;)
And that’s not indulging, it’s enjoying all that delicious stuff!
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
Yum I love seafood and those cakes all look so gooooooood! Good for you its definitely the season to indulge and lets face it everyone does as long as we all include some exercise then lets enjoy! x x
Looks like a wonderful spread, I would’ve been back for thirds and fourths
Ahhh, I’m drooling over all that food!
What an absolutely beautiful party! The food looks fabulous! I totally agree – holiday parties are not everyday occasions. Splurge a little and don’t feel guilty.
Have a great week!
Oh my goodness this spread looks amazing and definitely worth indulging for! I’ve run into some of the same issues just being around all the “special” Christmas food that they have here and feeling like I have to try it. I’m just telling myself to enjoy the month, indulge when it is worth it, and come January, we can all get back on schedule!
Mango and sticky rice is one of my FAVORITE desserts and cheesecake is my actual favorite dessert so I would have been in heavennn!
Great spread!
I definitely over-indulged last night too! No worries– we’ll get back on track this week!
That party spread looks awesome! I would have eaten too much too
What a delicious looking spread of food! I am now craving apple pie and it’s only 9 am
Do not regret. It is too silly to have regrets over things like food
Beautiful party. Have a beautiful day.
OMG…..what a fantastic spread of food!!! How could you not have indugled??? I’m pretty jealous over here…..;)
Oh my. Looks delicious! yum! yum!
Beautiful common’s space by the way.
hmmmm cheesecake.
Glad you enjoyed the party and the food. And there would be no way I could pass up mango and sticky rice! So good!
Glad you enjoyed all the party food. Splashing out once in a while is nothing to feel guilty about and your attitude is great!!
That is some GOOD looking party food! What an awesome spread, I want sushi now!
Holiday parties only come around once a year! enjoy…it looked delicious!
I would be right there with ya chowin’ down – I have been CRAVING Thai food lately like you wouldn’t believe!
Allie, you rock! :]
Your condo “commons area” (that word reminds me of dorm life. Haha) looks gorgeous! And omgggggggg, sushi boat. *DROOL*
Man, you guys know how to throw a party!
Also, not to sound like a total creeper, but the view from your window makes it look like you live in those condos near Four Sisters. And if so, I live like 10 minutes from you when I’m home and we should totes have a blogger meetup.