• Back-to-school laptops under $600
• Learn how to make fun and colorful friendship bracelets!
• Pack a portable basket for your next beach bonfire
• Shirtless Prince Harry parties with friends and a hot bikini-clad girl in Majorca!
• How to find your most flattering part
• Group therapy: advice for making new friends after a move
• Colorblocking: Try this red-hot Summer color combo
• Save for baby or retirement? The answer may surprise you
• DIY: make your own vintage-style nautical shower curtain
• Rachel Bilson talks more about her small screen return in Hart of Dixie
• Coldplay pays tribute to Amy Winehouse in front of celebrity-filled crowd
• $1 Ebooks for the Twilight fan
• Avoid weight gain by not eating in specific places
• Watch out for doggone summertime dangers to your pets
• PopSugar City LA: 7 reasons to visit Santa Monica Place this month

Why do so many impromptu parties happen in the Summer? It seems like every weekend I'm running around trying to quickly throw together a refreshing pitcher drink or frozen dessert or fast appetizer. My latest creation when it comes to easy entertaining are these fruity and salty skewers. They're super simple to make, fun to eat, and taste delicious!

I used watermelon, feta cheese, and Kalamata olives, but if you don't like olives, the combination of watermelon and feta is a classic crowd-pleaser. These skewers were drizzled with basil oil, but any herb you have on hand (mint, cilantro, parsley, etc.) would pair with the watermelon. Read more to check out the recipe that's so uncomplicated it almost shouldn't be called a recipe!

Entertaining in hot weather can sometimes be tricky. Case in point: you're serving a punch or pitcher drink like sangria and it will be sitting outside for a couple of hours. How do you keep it cold without diluting the drink?

If you use regular ice cubes, the beverage will definitely be watered down. That's why it's important to take the time to make special ice cubes! Instead of filling ice cube trays with water, fill with one (or more) of the ingredients that are in your libation.

Fruit juice, fresh-squeezed citrus juice, fruit purees, soda, and sparkling juices all work wonderfully. For a pretty flair, add a slice of fruit, berries, or an herb sprig or leaf to each ice cube. When the cubes melt, the berries or lemon slices or herb sprigs will float in the punch. Have you ever made special ice cubes?

• Fly Delta, enjoy Michael Chiarello's food. — Inside Scoop SF
• Try adding coffee to your smoothie for a morning boost. — TLC
• Some New York Starbucks stores have started covering outlets to cut off laptop squatters. — Eater
• Must make: beer, bacon, and cheddar bread. — Food Republic
• America's Next Great Restaurant's winner blames Chipotle for sabotaging his concept. — Grub Street NY
• How to use eggs in cocktails without getting sick. — Serious Eats
• This Summer, add some brewski to your mixed drink. — Delish
• Best beverages from Trader Joe's, plus four to avoid. — The Daily Meal

You might want to steer clear of grilling turkey burgers for now: Agribusiness giant Cargill has just issued a recall of 36 million pounds of ground turkey in what's being called the largest food recall ever.

In a recent investigation, the US Department of Agriculture determined a link between Cargill's ground turkey product and a salmonella outbreak that has already killed one California man and sickened 79 others. Today, Cargill voluntarily recalled the 36 million pounds of fresh and frozen ground turkey, adding that production of ground turkey would remain on hold until the salmonella source was determined.

Food safety litigator William Marler told the LA Times, "This is, if not the largest, one of the largest class-one food recalls to happen in US history."

How disappointing, considering the fact that the current White House administration has made reforming food safety a priority. Do you feel confident that we're headed in the right direction with it comes to reducing the rate of foodborne illness in America?

Cupcakes have taken the world by storm and although it seemed like there was no sign of stopping the little cake that could, according to Nation's Restaurant News, the trend could finally be slowing. Food forecasters are predicting that Americans are ready to move onto the next big dessert craze. But what exactly will that be?

There are plenty of options: doughnuts, macarons, mini cupcakes, pie, petit fours, cake balls, whoopie pies, even bacon. OK, that last one was a joke, but really, I want to know your feelings about this. There was a time when I thought macarons would be the new cupcake; however, the French treat is too difficult to make and probably won't go completely mainstream. Can the cupcake actually be replaced? What do you think will be the next cupcake?

Source: Flickr User adrielsocrates