This past weekend I hit the slopes with some friends. We ended up renting a place for three days and took turns splitting up the meals. On Saturday, after a full day of snow-shoeing, I decided to delight my pals to a baked treat (and, I knew I wanted to do something for my self-imposed 52 weeks of baking mandate). However, the place we were staying wasn't fully stocked (no mixer, a few bowls and utensils), so I went into robot mode and whipped up a batch of my chocolate chip cookies. This is the one thing I confidently know by heart, everyone loves them and I can make them anytime, anyplace and with any amount of wine in my system. Also, it's great because you don't need a fancy mixer or any special ingredients. To check out my cookies, read more

• Whole Foods continues its organic world domination by acquiring Wild Oats Markets - MarketWatch via Tastespotting
• Who knows Italian pasta sauce better than five Italian grandmothers? No one, that's why they got to blind taste test 16 different store bought sauces. - Serious Eats
• Learn how to Make the Perfect Caiprinha. - Liquor Snob



• I've had a neglected scone pan sitting in my cupboard for months, this beautiful strawberry scone doesn't call for a special pan, but maybe it will be a bonus excuse to use it. - Orangette
• Does catering to your kid's picky tastes ruin them for life? Will they have weight issues and horrible palates? - Chow
• Dang, New York City does have everything. This time it's an entire restaurant devoted to Mac & Cheese. - Gastrokid
• The O.C. ends tonight, and if you're wondering what to serve at your finale watching party, then wonder no more. - EW.com

Just in time for the biggest party in Hollywood, I'm officially launching my group on TeamSugar, Super Special Occasions. Super Special Occasions is your place to post all pictures of the parties you've attended and hosted. Decorating details, fabulous florals, cool centerpieces, scrumptious dinner spreads, and anything awesome that has to do with your super special occasions should be put on display here. To come party with me, check out some of my super special occasions like the candle centerpiece at my vacation house in the mountains, and to share yours with all of us, join the Super Special Occasions group.

So far we've had a pretty varied week: Monday was President's Day, Tuesday was National Pancake Day, yesterday was Ash Wednesday, and the day you've all been waiting for is finally here: today, Thursday February 22, is National Margarita Day!!!! I know both my mom and geeksugar (big time margarita drinkers) will be ecstatically celebrating this afternoon once happy hour arrives. Since it's almost the weekend, I say we follow their lead and stir/blend ourselves up some good old margs! You can make the classic Ultimate Margarita or a variation such as a Blood Orange Margarita, raspberry margarita, and never to be overlooked, for non-drinkers or pregnant gals, Mild-Eyed Margaritas. For the raspberry recipe, read more

While we have to wait until Sunday to see what all of the stars will be wearing at the Oscars, I've been giving you a sneak peek of the recipes that will be served at the Academy Awards official after party, the Governors Ball all week long. As if knowing what the celebs will be eating wasn't enough, I've found some awesome pictures of the decorations at the event space. The Governors Ball is held in the Grand Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Center and is put on by Sequoia Productions (an event planning firm based out of Los Angeles). The decor is set in beautiful shades of white, cream, gold, butter, and burgundy with low lighting, wood details, thousands of candles, and fresh flowers everywhere. To take a peek at a gallery of photos of the actual decor plus lots of images of the food as well as Puck and his crew practicing the menu, read more

Hey everyone! Thanks to everyone who joined us in the live YumSugar chat room.

If you missed out, don't worry, we'll be here during the Oscars (and red carpet) on Sunday to help you out with any of your last minute Oscar party needs! See you there (starting 3pm PT/ 6pm ET). And if you're not having an Oscar party, that's okay too. The entire Sugar Network will be there, so we can talk dresses, red carpet struts and more!

Oh and speaking of Oscars, don't forget to fill out BuzzSugar's Oscar ballot! The Grand Prize winner will receive a Prada bag while runners-up will get $50 to $500 gift cards from Neiman Marcus, Sephora and The Apple Store. Good luck and for official rules click here.

Today's Special is a super healthy, FitSugar friendly vegetable saute. I know it may seem crazy to have only sautéed vegetables for a quick dinner, but you should really think of this like a big warm salad. Just as filling as a salad, this sauté lacks a creamy heavy dressing and is a nice alternative for the winter months when warmth in food is necessary. Wolfgang Puck will be offering this at his Governor's Ball spread for all of the vegetarians among the A-list stars. He will be using organic vegetables from Chino Farms for his stir-fry, so when you make this at home tonight use the best and freshest vegetables you can afford/find. To take a look at the recipe, read more

If you've seen Oscar Nominated Babel then you know that traveling in a foreign country isn't always fun and games. However, if you can put all of your fears aside, you'll realize that there are some mighty good eats to be had.

However, if after seeing Babel, you've decided to cross Morocco off of your list of places to visit, then you'll just have to learn to cook the food at home. Because from what I've experienced, authentic Moroccan food is absolutely amazing.

To check out a fantastic recipe for Sweet and Nutty Moroccan Couscous and see a clip where Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt argue over dinner (as in argue over it, not argue about it), read more

As the stars are busy in Hollywood pre-partying and buffing up their beautiful bods, I am busy planning my Oscars Viewing party. I want this to be one glamorous party so I am paying special attention to all of the tiny little details. I've sent my guests a gorgeous gold invitation, cooked up an elaborate menu using Wolfgang Puck's after-party recipes including crispy appetizers, mouth-watering mains, and delicious desserts, and practiced mixing my fun best picture nominee inspired cocktails. Like an award winning film, no memorable party is complete without a fabulous backdrop to set the scene. To see my recommendations on how to transform your living room with chic, simple decorations, read more