YumSugar

Crate and Barrel Flatware Stockings: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 04:00:52 -0800

Napkins not festive enough for you? Then tuck your holiday silverware into one of these Crate and Barrel Felt Flatware Stockings ($12.95). Cute, or too close to socks for comfort?

Get Your Grill On: Enter to Win Our Ultimate Barbecue Giveaway!

partysugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:30:24 -0700

Nothing signifies Summer more than the smoky smell of barbecue lingering in the warm evening air. From sticky, sweet ribs to juicy, burst-in-your mouth tomatoes, a grill can cook up something delicious for every palette. To celebrate the Summer grilling season, we're giving away the ultimate barbecue prize package worth $218.55!

Get excited because one lucky winner will be sent this stylish Summer grill and all of the fabulous accessories! The winner will receive this adorable green Weber Barbecue ($49.95), Applewood Grilling Planks ($14.95), and a Grill Basket with Lid ($24.95). But that's not all, you'll also get a matching basting brush, hamburger spatula, and tongs; a pizza stone for grilling pies; a charcoal chimney to get the grill going, and Mario Batali's Italian Grill cookbook full of inspiring recipes.

To enter to win this incredible prize, you must log in and take the barbecue quiz below. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, completing the quiz once you are logged in makes you eligible to win. You do, however, need to be a TeamSugar member before taking the quiz. If you're not already a member, register here for an account. One quiz entry per person, all repeat quizzes will be ignored.

The contest is open to US residents only and ends on Monday Aug. 4, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. PDT. Click here for official rules. Good luck!

Take the quiz

Elixyr Dinnerware: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 07:28:33 -0800

I was flipping through the latest Crate & Barrel catalog and noticed their new line of Elixyr Dinnerware ($64.95-$249.95). I like that they're really simplistic, and yet have a completely unique and modern look to them. What do you think? Would they find a place in your home?

Crate & Barrel Tea Bag Squeezer: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:01:31 -0800

I always joke that I love tea accessories way more than I like tea. I simply can't resist the cute cups and saucers, decorative boxes of teabags, and delicate infusers. But this Crate & Barrel Tea Bag Squeezer ($4.95) seems a bit much. It's a special tong-like gadget used to squeeze the remaining liquid from a tea bag - you know, like you usually do using a spoon and your hand. What do you think? Do you see yourself using this gadget?

Yummy Link: The Best of the New Year's Sales

YumSugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:18:11 -0800

The new year is a great time to spruce up your dinnerware! Check out the best of the new year. Your food will look fabulous on a new set of dishes! - Hostess With the Mostess

Summer Sale Alerts

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 14:36:20 -0700

If you're like me, you've got too many kitchen knick-knacks, placemats and serving dishes than you know what to do with. However, there's always room for more right? Or maybe it's just time to replace the ones you have? Either way I just discovered that Crate & Barrel, Sur La Table and Pottery Barn are holding summer sales right now. Some of the discounts are great (this Pottery Barn Magnum decanter is $19.99 down from $39), but I've noticed that the items are going fast. Scroll through for a few of my fave deals:

Know of any great summer sale deals? Let us know in the comments!

The Ultimate Kitchen: Baking Sheet

YumSugar — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 03:13:29 -0800

Every kitchen needs a baking sheet (aka jellyroll pan). Not only are they great for baking cookies and pizza, but you can put it under a roast to catch drippings.

So you're probably saying to yourself, okay but what's the big deal, a piece of metal is a piece of metal, right? Wrong. Think about it, have you ever put a sheet of cookies inside the oven only to hear this weird "thwoang" noise? That, my friends, is the sound of your thin baking sheet warping (also, thin baking sheets may cause the bottom of baked goods to burn or heat unevenly). To avoid this, you'll want to invest in a couple good quality, heavy, durable, rimmed baking sheets. Oh, and make sure they'll fit in your oven, refrigerator and cabinets.

This professional-grade baking sheet from Chicago Metallic is heavier than most standard bakeware, distributes heat evenly and the aluminum-coated steel won't rust or warp. The rimmed edge is deep enough for baking cookie bars, and perfect for catching any drippings. One for $17 or two for $30.

If your kitchen is a tiny one, you might consider a quarter sheet pan instead. It has a light-colored matte finish that promotes even heat absorption and is half the size of a standard home baking sheet (perfect for those small kitchens). One quarter sheet will cost you $11.95.

Two more, so read more

If you're not using parchment paper or silpats, then you might really enjoy the the Cuisinart Nonstick Baking Sheet. Constructed out of heavy gauge aluminized steel, it heats evenly for consistent baking results and the nonstick coating ensures easy food release and cleanup. One sheet costs $17.95.

Another option is an insulated baking sheet. Although it has some downsides (they don't have rims and it doesn't always produce the correct degree of crispiness), some people really enjoy it. The central air chamber insulates food from excessive heat which means there's less chance of burning. However you'll have to be sure to monitor because things take longer to bake. Starting at $14.95.

The Ultimate Kitchen: Kitchen Spoons

YumSugar — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 04:17:11 -0800

If you ask any home cook what her favorite kitchen utensil is, I guarantee that at least half of them (if not more) will say her wooden spoon. A great kitchen spoon is a must have. Without one there is no tasting of broth, no mixing of cookies, none of that. When choosing a kitchen spoon, you want to make sure you pick one that is made from quality materials, if it's wooden, it shouldn't splinter and if it's plastic, it shouldn't melt. You also want to make sure that the spoon you choose is the correct length and size.

To get around the length problem, you might consider a set of 3 wooden spoons. These spoons are made from a French cherry hard wood with a closed grain and come in three different sizes. The sizes, which are 12", 14" and 16", are perfect for stirring items in a tall stock pot, or in a 1" frying pan. Set of three available for $17.50.

If you're more into fashion than form, you might be interested in the Happy and Cheeky spoon set. Available in several different colors (including orange, blue, red and green), these melamine spoons are sure to liven up the kitchen. I don't know how you couldn't smile at this dishwasher safe pair. Set of two for $10.00.

Two more spoons, including one with a unique design, so read more

Another wooden spoon worth looking at is the maple scraping spoon. This spoon, which is made from solid maple, has a unique flat end that is perfect for scraping the bottom of pans or bowls. It will be available beginning March 21 and will retail for $5.95.

Although these spoons aren't cheap (they're $9.95 each), the curvy spoons from the orka company, are made from brightly colored silicone. The best part about these ones is that not only are they great looking, but they're ergonomic, heat-resistant and dishwasher safe. The other thing I really like about them is that unlike wooden spoons, a complete silicone spoon won't run the risk of scratching non-stick surfaces.

Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Heartfelt Finds For The Happy Hostess

partysugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 07:59:48 -0800

Attending a special Valentine's dinner or girls only Valentine event? Instead of showing up at the party with a boring bottle of wine or the usual box of chocolates, give your hostess a really romantic treat with one of these seductive surprises!

The day before her event send her a set of I love you roses. Pale-pink rose bushes arrive in a pink ceramic pot with a pretty red ribbon tie. On sale for $65, these flowers are a gift that keeps giving because she can plant them in her garden after the party!

What hostess doesn't love cute additions to her bar? For only $3 you can present your hostess (or host!) with red glass heart stirrers. Now her drinks will be mixed with love.

Two more gift ideas so read more

Your hostess will be sure to plant you a kiss on the cheek when she opens the door and sees these fun plates in your arms. An Andy Warhol lip plate set ($20) can be a conversation starter (has anyone seen Factory Girl?) and be used on days other than Febuary 14.

If your hostess is a matchmaker she'll go weak in the knees for these heart champagne glasses. No glass or heart is complete without the partner's glass. For only $27 these would be cute for the bride and groom at a wedding too!

Off to Market: Serving Ware

partysugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:50:32 -0800

In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, I like to take inventory of my serving ware. I plan on doing a lot of entertaining between now and New Year's, and whether I'm plating up bite-sized appetizers or slicing pieces of roast chicken, I'm going to need a lot of serving trays and bowls.

I want to invest in a couple of new ones, can you help me find them? To share your favorite serving ware, bookmark the items in the Off to Market group in the YumSugar Community. Don't forget to tag the bookmarks with the keywords Serving Ware. Happy hunting!

Interested in learning more about bookmarking? Check out the complete instructions here. Need some shopping inspiration? See a list of my favorite online stores when you read more.

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market