Ever since I found out that today is Banana Lover's Day, I haven't been able to stop thinking about one thing: a banana split. I can't remember the last time I had one, but I'm definitely getting the fixings to make this treat later tonight. As much as I would love to make my own ice cream, sauces, and caramelized nuts, I'm going to use store bought stuff and jazz it up with homemade whipped cream. I always have heavy whipping cream on hand and it only takes a few minutes to make. To meet me in banana split heaven, read more

A restaurant in Nuremberg, Germany has figured out a way to eliminate bad service forever. How'd they do it? Simple, they eliminated service completely. At the bistro 's Baggers, which is now the first sit-down restaurant in the world without waiters, the waitstaff has been replaced by a fully automated ordering system. Each table has been connected to the kitchen via metal rails and meals are ordered via a touch-screen at each table.

Customers' orders are registered upstairs in the kitchen and a computer in the cellar keeps track of supply stocks. The system also calculates the likely delivery times for drinks and meals at every table and keeps customers informed.

What I want to know is what happens when the computers crash, and how do you get a refill, or send something back?

Source: Spiegel International

I think these b-boy cupcakes are officially too cute too eat. You can check out her process from sketchbook to finished cupcakes. - Cooking is My Passion via Craft

Season Three Next Food Network Star winner Amy Finley's new show will start airing Oct 14. She's got a pretty decent time slot too. - TV Food Fan

When I found out that today was National Banana Lover's Day, my brain immediately jumped to the word Bananarama. And when I say Bananarama, I'm not talking about the rumor hearing girl group of the 80s, but a flirty drink instead. The cocktail, which is a creamy concoction consisting of vodka, orange liqueur and creme de banana, is perfect for banana lovers or anyone who's looking to bid farewell to a "cruel summer" — sorry, I couldn't resist another Bananarama reference...

To get the recipe, read more

Last week I told you about a friend who asked to borrow a sturdy, but stylish tablecloth to cover the campground's picnic table. I do not camp and have nothing to lend her, so I asked you to help me find one. You looked for a reliable, cotton, vinyl, or linen tablecloth that is fun, colorful, and outdoorsy. You bookmarked the tablecloths in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Campground Tablecloth. You submitted an overwhelming amount of terrific tablecloths, however I love this pink and yellow tablecloth that gruaig_rua discovered! Its bright colors will jazz up any campground and its folksy style is not too sophisticated for the outdoors. Fabulous find girl! To see the rest of the wonderful tablecloths, browse below.

If you're unclear about how to bookmark on TeamSugar please read geeksugar's informative article.

I know it sounds totally cliched, but sometimes a chocolate bar can help make an unbearable day better — especially when you're PMSing. While chocolate has been proven to be good for you, a company in Canada is taking it to the next level. Jamieson Vitamins is introducing a new product called PMS Support. Each bar is "infused with natural botanicals" — such as willow bark, artichoke and chasteberry — that will help relive the physical and emotional symptoms of PMS. The bars which are snack size (think Halloween candy bars), have 70 calories each and are intended to be eaten three times a day for up to five days.

When tested on a dozen women, Penny Kendall-Reed, a naturopathic doctor and director of Toronto's Urban Wellness Clinic, discovered that the women were unanimous in their endorsements.

"It's nice for women to have an option to pills or capsules," said Kendall-Reed. "Most women we tested felt calmer within three to four hours and their pain and cramping dissipated within four days."

Right now the bars are only available in Canada (15 bars for C$19.99), but I'm really curious as to how they taste and hope that they make it across the border soon.

Source: Canada.com

This is my least favorite party of the entire year. Summer is, in my opinion, the best part of the year, so hosting a party that heralds its bon voyage always puts me in a depressed mood. However planning a party, no matter what kind, always puts a smile on my face. Labor Day is this weekend so I plan on throwing together a blow out bash. To start things off, learn how to make these childlike hot dog shaped invites. Just read more

Contest ends today!

If you didn't like what the Starbucks Oracle had to say about you, maybe you should try making your own espresso at home. If you don't have your own espresso machine, you're in luck, we're giving one away! The Breville Espresso Machine is a heavy-duty, sleek machine designed to make consistently tasty espresso, and it'll look great in someone's home!

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment below and we'll do a random drawing on Monday, August 27 at 5:00 pm, Pacific Time. Don't forget to email this to friends and family who may be interested in winning.

Click here for Official Rules. One entry per person - all repeat comments will be ignored. Also, you must be a TeamSugar member to comment, so if you're not a member, please register here for an account.

Good luck!