YumSugar

Backstage Demands

YumSugar — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 00:35:55 -0800

Everyone has their favorite foods and beverages, including pop stars. Only, unlike the rest of us, pop stars can demand to have these items waiting for them in their dressing rooms. Whether it's Oreos, 10 pounds of carrots or Cristal, the stars get what they ask for. You think your ritual of one cup of strawberry yogurt each day is weird, wait until you read some of the demands the stars ask for. To check out some of my favorite pop star food demands, read more

When preparing for her next gig, Christina Aguilera needs to have her dressing room stocked with Flintstones chewable vitamins, Oreos, Nesquick and an assortment of organic foods.

Country pop diva, and juice fiend, Shania Twain insists on 10 pounds of carrots, six lemons, three papayas, one watermelon and then some. To balance out all of that juice she insists on chomping down orange colored cheese popcorn.

But my favorite demand comes from 50 Cent. His demands include KFC, Boston Market and a cold bottle of Cristal. Now that's what I call classy!

How about you? If you were a pop star, what food would you demand?!

To learn more about other wacky star demands, check out this great list compiled by the folks at eDiets.

Come Party With Me: Mardi Gras Bash - Music

partysugar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 06:58:12 -0800

There is less then 36 hours to go until my Mardi Gras party and I believe I have everything basically under control. The invitations were sent and the RSVP texts have been vibrating on my phone all morning (why does everyone wait until the last minute to rsvp???), my house is already set into party mode, the keg will be picked up in the morning, and later today I'll start making sweet and savory appetizers. I hope that everyone comes in the mood to dance and that is why the music is a very important part of this party. The music at an event should never be overlooked (sometimes I get so caught up in the cooking I forget until the last minute!) and if you are not a super DJ, ask a trusted, musically inclined friend to help you. To see what I've compiled on my playlist, read more

I took my own advice and talked to the Sugar Network's in the know resident DJ, BuzzSugar. She recommended I put at least one New Orleans/Mardi Gras inspired mix on the list and pointed me to a compilation called Louisiana Gumbo. There's also an interesting sounding CD on iTunes called Mardi Gras Party. I'll also add all of the songs from BuzzSugar's Mardi gras playlist to my mix for the night. It may be a long night so I'll need a great variety of songs.

As for my dance favorites, the new Madonna (Confessions on A Dance Floor), Justin Timberlake (FutureSex/LoveSounds), Nelly Furtado (Loose), Black Eyed Peas (Elephunk) mixed with older dance classics: Christina Aguilera's Dirty, Beyonce's Crazy In Love, 50 Cent In Da Club, Kylie Minogue's Can't Get You Out of My Head, Britney Spears' Slave, Bon Jovi's Livin on a Prayer, Stone Roses' Fool's Gold, Shakira's Hips Don't Lie and current top 40 hits: Fergie's Fergalicious, Beyonce's Irreplaceable, Gwen's Sweet Escape, KT Tunstall's Suddenly I See, and Rihanna's SOS.

Did I fail to list your favorite dance song? Please tell me about it below!

Come Party With Me: Knitting Party - Music

partysugar — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 07:12:11 -0800

Tomorrow afternoon I am hosting my first ever knitting party. In the final moments leading up to one of my parties I always get really nervous. For some strange reason I have this anxious fear before each and every party that no one will come and that the party will be an absolute and total failure. To reduce my irrational, out of control nervousness, I plan as much in advance as possible. I send handmade invites, carefully create a menu with perfectly paired drinks to go with it, and design the decorations all days before my party. The knitting event is no different and the last thing I have to do in my final attempt to reduce pre-party jitters is decide on a playlist. To see what I've compiled, read more

I'll create a playlist on my computer and download it to my iPod. The iPod speakers I'll place strategically hidden in my family room. This is a low key party with knitting as the focal point so I don't want anything too loud, rocky or rowdy. I want soothing, cheerful, fun music. Christina Aguilera's Back to Basics, KT Tunstall's Eye To The Telescope, Carole King's Tapestry will make up the compilation. I'll also take a few songs from BuzzSugar's Girl's With Guitars songs. I like the idea of keeping the music to an all female list.

Got a great girlie song that is perfect to motivate our fingers in knitting? Please post it below. Love Come Party With Me? Check back next week when I'll help you plan the ultimate Super Bowl party!

YumSugar Preview: Come Party With Me - Holiday Cocktail

YumSugar — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 11:22:40 -0800

The holidays are just around the corner and we're happy to announce that YumSugar.com will be here just in time. Starting this Friday, YumSugar.com will be your go to place for delicious recipes, entertaining tips and festive cocktails. See below for a sneak peek:

This week why not plan a cocktail party for you and your friends? The perfect event where ready made meets homemade, a quick, easy holiday themed get together can be thrown any night of the week. For all of the details (invite ideas, serving suggestions, decorations schemes, musical playlists, divine drinks) on how to host this party, see below.

Invites: Make simple invites by cutting out the shape of an ornament (or use this template) on metallic card stock or colored wrapping paper. Write out the super important details of your party-date, time, location, formality-on the back. Slide into an envelope and send. Too busy to send out formal invites? Decided you want to throw this party in three hours? Have no fear: write a text-invitation and send it to all of your friends.

Menu: Don't worry even if you aren't a kitchen goddess, you can still host a fabulous cocktail party by using mostly store bought items. Make one simple yet super tasty tiny bite or decadent dip and assemble the rest of your menu. Assemble a cheese platter: purchase one each of your favorite types of hard, semi soft, and soft cheese. Plate with crackers, baguette toasts, grapes, and bread sticks. Lay out slices of salami, prosciutto, and honeyed turkey on another plate. Fill bowls with mixed nuts, olives, and pretzels. For a sweet treat purchase Christmas themed cookies from your local bakery. Or fill silver bowls with red and green M&Ms, Hershey kisses, and candy canes.

For Decorations, Music and Drinks, read more

Decorations: Decorations are a no brainer! If you are anything like me your house will be merrily decorated for the Christmas holidays. With that said here's your decorating checklist: Plug in the Christmas tree lights. Check. Light some candles. Check. Make a fire in the fireplace. Check. Decorations? Done.

Music: Seriously girlies this party could not get any easier because everything is already done for you. Put your most played Christmas Cds (my picks: Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, the Beach Boys, and The Carpenters) on random and hit play.

Drinks: For a pro-hostess tip from the party master, don't offer an open bar. You will not enjoy your party. Instead make a big bowl of egg nog or cranberry Christmas punch. Offer beer, wine, and champagne for those who prefer something other than hard alcohol. For a nonalcoholic option serve a chilled apple cider and sparkling water flavored with orange and vanilla bean.

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