One of my favorite things to do in Spring is go on picnics. I pack up a small sack — making sure to add a bottle opener! — text some friends, grab YumJimmy and head to the park. One of the best parts is all the random snacks everyone brings. I'm always looking for a new addition to our usual repertoire, and when I saw this bean salad from TeamSugar member audreystar, I knew I had found a winner. Her recipe is handed down from her aunt, and it looks easy to throw together and great for any sort of get together. To get the recipe for her auntie's beloved bean salad, just read more

Last week I received a surprise bottle of Rhum Clément Créole Shrubb Martinque. I had never heard of the orange liquor, but enjoyed the exotic-sounding name so much that I decided to try it in a cocktail. Not in the mood for anything overly sweet, I went with this recipe for a martini-style concoction with rum, orange liquor, and lime juice.

The drink was balanced, smooth, and delicious — the perfect aperitif for a Friday afternoon. Fresh-squeezed lime juice is imperative to the success of this cocktail, so don't substitute bottled. To take a look at the easy recipe, read more

Recently I went to a wine tasting where there was a huge platter of lamb with no serving spoon. The lamb — which had a succulent red wine sauce — was sliced into small bite-sized pieces and served warm in a caterer's pan. Like not having enough eating utensils, not having the proper serving tools at a party is not okay. Some guests made do with toothpicks or paper plates, but it was a messy struggle to taste the lamb.
If you are going to host a party with a large quantity of food, be sure to have all of the equipment necessary to serve the food appropriately. This is especially important if guests had to purchase a ticket to the event.

Are you familiar with this experience? Have you ever been unable to eat something due to a lack of servingware?

When the weather warms up, I crave fresh, flavorful dishes like Chinese chicken salad. It makes a great meal because it's filling, crunchy, and delicious.

Every home cook should master a couple of basic salad recipes, and since Chinese chicken is so popular, it's a great dish to add to your repertoire.

I've found two recipes — both are straight forward, simple, and scrumptious — for you to check out so read more

Nothing makes food more fun than serving it on a stick. Both children and grown kids will love these sausage fruit kabobs. Smoked sausage slices are skewered with chunks of crispy apples and fresh zucchini. A sweet honey mustard sauce is delicious for dipping. Although the recipe has you broil the kabobs, they would also be wonderful grilled. To take a look at the recipe, read more

• About 1,500 students attempted to break the world record for number of Mentos being put into Coke bottles. — Telegraph (UK)
• Learn how to turn leftovers into a tasty meal. — iVillage
• Have we really come to this? Do we really need french fry holders for our car? — Serious Eats
• What you eat may determine the sex of your baby. — lilsugar
• Is Ferran Adria planning on making reservations at El Bulli even more difficult to do? — Eater
• Find out the results of the microwave burrito taste test. — Chow
• Does your garden have problems? Learn how to make your own aphid spray. — CasaSugar
• Add the Pretty in Pink Pomegranate Cocktail to your bartending repertoire. — GlamDish
• Discover what Kara — one of my favorite cupcake-atiers — of Kara's cupcakes has to say. She even mentions cupcake weddings. — Wedding Paper Divas

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The decor of your wedding is what sets the mood for the entire evening, so pay special attention to pretty details and eye catching accents. The color and theme — already seen in the invitation — should be reflected in everything from the tabletop to the ceiling. Elena's wedding will be decorated with an orange, pink, and wood color palette.

Start by covering the table with textured orange tablecloths. Slide pink napkins into wooden rings and place on top of wood chargers. Use the tines of a fork to neatly hold the placecards. Serve everything from beer to water in sleek wine glasses. Hang pink and orange lanterns in various sizes at different lengths from the ceiling. Multiple bloom pink and orange floral arrangements are chic and festive. Romantic lighting is essential to enhance the atmosphere, so light hundreds of white candles.

For more wedding ideas check out check out IDoSugar.

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