Lemondrop

When every bar, apartment and car radio was blasting "Billie Jean" last week, all of the impromptu dance parties served as a good reminder not to limit summer get-togethers to weekends alone.

Nights out can be hard to arrange when everyone's taking long weekends and vacationing -- so try these school-night-safe options for meet-ups. They're weeknight-doable, kind of like that margarita happy hour, except you won't hate life when your alarm goes off the next day.

TGI Wednesday!

Have a Summer Camp Party
Re-create the best weeks of your adolescent lives by asking your friends to wear old-school camp attire (Keds and oversize sweatshirts over tank tops, anyone?) and spin a playlist full of retro heartbreakers like Guns n' Roses' "November Rain." Serve up 'smores, spiked bug juice, grilled cheese and tomato soup, then play capture the flag.

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Have Some Cheap Thrills With Your Girls
Don't fall prey to pre-work-week depression on Sunday nights. Make it your regular girls' night out and plan an inexpensive weekly adventure so you have something to look forward to.

Roll up en masse to a county fair and take on the dunk tank; challenge each other to find the best appetizer specials under $5; get nosebleed seats for a local ballgame; or sip single-serving canned champagne on someone's deck just for the hell of it.
Network While You Party
Ditch lame networking events by creating your own power party hour. Ask 10 co-workers and business associates you're friendly with to invite two professional friends they admire -- one in your business and one from outside -- to a happy hour at a lively but relaxed bar.

No name tags, no awkwardness; just cool women making connections. Call ahead to see if they'll offer your group drink specials if you promise to bring 20-plus successful women.

Throw a Sweet Bash
Host a dessert BBQ and grill up fruits like pineapple and sliced pears. Or do a twist on milk and cookies by letting guests make homemade oatmeal pies (two fresh-baked cookies with self-toasted marshmallows in between) and serve spiked milk with espresso or white chocolate liqueur.