YumSugar

Skittles Ups the Ante With New Website

YumSugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:32:30 -0800

As the recession has affected consumer buying behaviors, the candy business is seeking to adapt. Mars-owned Skittles is no exception. In an attempt to reach out to the social media set, the fruity candy has completely rebranded its homepage.

Visitors to Skittles' main page are redirected to a search of the word "Skittles" on the microblogging service Twitter. The videos point to wacky Skittles commercials posted on YouTube; a "friends" section connects users to a fan page on social media giant Facebook; an image section leads to Skittles pictures on photo-sharing site Flickr; and those looking for information on Skittles products are connected to user-contributed online encyclopedia Wikipedia.

"Skittles lives in a world that is unexpected," said Carole Walker, VP of integrated marketing communications for Skittles. "We are leveraging what we think are the key consumer social media touch points."

The Skittles site requires users to enter their date of birth, as it doesn't advertise to users under the age of 12. Do you think this strategy to target older audiences will prove to be successful? Or is it too risky to depend on user-generated content? Does it change the way you view Skittles?

Source

Cupcake of the Week: Mexican Hot Chocolate

YumSugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:27:19 -0700

Today is National Chocolate Cupcake Day, so I knew I'd have to find a fabulous chocolate cupcake to use as Cupcake of the Week. Luckily my search didn't take too long - there are a lot of amazing cupcakes out there! - and I soon found these Mexican Hot Chocolate Cupcakes from flickr user ciao chow. Aren't they lovely?

Cupcake of the Week: Farewell To Summer

YumSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 12:29:33 -0700

I usually end up creating at least one cupcake yummy link each week, so I thought I'd go ahead and make it official. From now on, I'll pick a weekly cupcake for your viewing enjoyment. To start things off, I've found these lovely "Love Shack" cupcakes from the Destin, Florida bakery Cupcake Beach. Rachel from Cupcakes Take The Cake profiled this pic and I thought it was totally fitting since summer ends this Saturday. Doesn't it look like they're just soaking up those last few rays?

Bento of the Week: Anyone For Starbucks?

YumSugar — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 10:13:31 -0700

Introducing our new feature, bento of the week! Our first find comes from Flickr member Sakurako Kitsa. This bento is absolutely adorable, but be sure to check out her other dazzling creations too. This time her inspiration has come from a Starbucks Green Tea Frappuccino. Love it!

Source: Craft

Yummy Link: Shaped Pancakes

YumSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 06:18:51 -0700

Why have a round pancake when you can have one that looks like a giraffe, a puppy or even Burt Reynolds and Dolly Parton? - Flickr via Craft

Yummy Link: Make Your Own Herb Infused Syrups

YumSugar — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 10:43:18 -0700

Want to learn how to make herb infused syrups? Be sure to check out this great step-by-step photo tutorial. Flickr user a minor thread suggests putting them in lemonades, but I like them with champagne! - Flickr

Even Better Than The "Real Thing"

YumSugar — Thu, 03 May 2007 13:13:13 -0700

Holy Cannoli Batman! Get us to Costco stat!

Just in time for Cinco De Mayo, cases of authentic Mexican Coca Cola have been spotted at Costco. They're able to sell it since they've conformed to the US and California's regulations, such as labeling the CRV (the recycling deposit) and nutrition facts.

So why is this news? Well it tastes different, it's made from sugar instead of corn syrup, and people even say that the fizz lasts longer due to the glass bottle. The Atlanta based Coca-Cola Co. considers Mexican Coke in America to be a form of "bootlegging."

"We believe that the appeal of Mexican Coke is as much about nostalgia as it is about anything," says Martin. "It's like getting a piece of home in a bottle. You can't deny the fact that it's in a tall glass bottle, something you just can't find in most parts of the United States."

But it's the "same exact product," and Mexican bottlers are buying the ingredients straight from the company, says Martin.

If it's the same product, then tell me why they sell a kosher Coke during Passover that uses sugar, and tastes more like Mexican Coke?

Also, I wonder where the folks at Costco are getting their Mexican Coke from.

"[The non-Coca-Cola distributors are] trespassing on the territory rights of many U.S. bottlers," said Coke spokesman Martin. "Bringing it into the country is not illegal. But what it does do from the Coca-Cola standpoint is it violates contractual rights that we have with our bottlers. And it has potential trademark right infringements as well."

Hrmm... I better get myself to Costco while it's still available!

Source: SFist and Santa Cruz Sentinel
Image Source: slworking2 on Flickr - Thanks for documenting this for us!

Happy Birthday Barbie Cakes

YumSugar — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 00:03:12 -0800

Guess whose favorite American gal turns 48 today? Why it's Barbie! She was launched at the American International Toy Fair on March 9, 1959. You'd never know because she looks great for her age, although I think she may have had some work done...

To celebrate her birthday I went out and hunted down a fantastic gallery of Barbie birthday cakes (bake a cake, stick Barbie in it and decorate!) photos over at Flickr.
There were over 590 photos, so I've narrowed it down to some of my favorites. Some of these are amazing works of art, and some of these are just down right silly. Be sure you check out the hot tub cake and the mud wrestling cake too. To see more Barbie cake images read more

View 8 Photos ›

Source: Flickr (various members)

Turkey Accompaniment: Cranberry Sauce or Gravy?

partysugar — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:30:31 -0800

Source: Flickr Users Veganbaking.net and thebittenword.com

Canned Cranberry: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:00:41 -0800

When I was growing up, canned cranberry jelly was a part of our menu every Thanksgiving. With it's rich color, cylindrical shape, and smooth coolness, it was one of my favorite parts of the meal. I have since learned to love a more sophisticated homemade fresh cranberry sauce, but the canned cranberry holds a special place in my heart. It's ideal for making leftover sandwiches. How do you feel about it?

Source: Flickr User busbeytheelder