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Fashionable Tips For the Perfect Party

partysugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:00:09 -0700

MTV's new House of Style debuted over the weekend and with it a fun segment on hosting a dinner party. Since I'm always on the lookout for fabulous new ways to make my soirees more stylish, I tuned in. Fashion designer Erin Fetherston shared five tips for creating the ultimate dinner. While Fetherston obviously doesn't cook, her ideas are festive and fun. To find out what they are and check out a video of her dinner, read more.

Choose your theme. Fetherston's is "Enchanted," a whimsical fairy tale.
It can be simple - ask everyone to wear a fun hat.
Design your decor. You know I'm all about creating a look for a party and I love how Fetherston uses rose petals and candles to transform her house from everyday to party day.
Create homemade favors. I want to know how Fetherston made the sparkly animal masks!
Select your menu. Well, of course it's a dinner party.
Enjoy! This is my favorite tip. It's the most important thing to remember when throwing a party; if you're not having fun, don't host one.

What do you think of her tips? Do you feel inspired to host your own fantasy dinner?

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The Hills Food Quiz: "We'll Never Be Friends"

partysugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:30:13 -0700

After a three month hiatus, The Hills girls are back, and along with them, my weekly food quiz! Last night's season premiere was filled with drama. Lauren hosted a barbecue and Heidi's sister annoyed Spencer, but the most climatic part was the showdown between Lo and Audrina.

Did you watch? Take our quiz and find out up if you picked up on all the foodie details.

Photos courtesy of MTV

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TV Dinners: MTV's Made - Penne with Vodka Sauce

YumSugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 10:58:32 -0700

Today's TV Dinner comes from TeamSugar member celebrity_soup. She wrote to tell me about how she was watching an episode of MTV's Made (you know the show that "makes" people into things they're not) and the folks on it were making a penne with vodka sauce, she also included a recipe for it. The episode, from season 5, is the one where they try and turn Ian into a salsa dancer in order to woo the girl of his dreams. Along the way he discovers that she loves penne with vodka sauce, so he sets about making some. In the end, he actually doesn't get the gal, but it's not from his lack of trying. And hey, at least he got a great meal (not to mention salsa dancing lessons) out of the whole thing. To check out a recipe similar to the one Ian uses on the show (thanks again to celebrity_soup for finding it for us), read more

Penne with Vodka Sauce
From Giada De Laurentiis

1 quart Simple Tomato Sauce, recipe follows, or store-bought marinara sauce, blended until smooth
1 cup vodka
1/2 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1 pound penne

Simmer the tomato sauce and vodka in a heavy large skillet over low heat until the mixture reduces by 1/4, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Stir the cream into the tomato and vodka sauce. Simmer over low heat until the sauce is heated through. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and well blended.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta and transfer it to the pan with the sauce, and toss to coat.

Simple Tomato Sauce:
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
4 to 6 basil leaves
2 dried bay leaves
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional

In a large casserole pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add celery and carrot and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil, and bay leaves and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and taste for seasoning. If sauce tastes too acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, to round out the flavor.

Pour half the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.

If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and then pour 1 to 2 cup portions into plastic freezer bags. Freeze for up to 6 months.

Yield: 6 cups
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

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The Hills Quiz: Episode 10, "Something Old, Something New"

YumSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:30:04 -0700

Last night, the season finale - and Lauren Conrad's last episode - of The Hills was filled with monumental moments. Lauren and Lo move out of their house, Lauren tells Kelly Cutrone she's moving on from People's Revolution, and Spencer - declaring he's a "changed man" - marries Heidi. Spencer and Heidi's dream wedding, however, isn't without a few surprise guests. Did you pay attention to the juicy tidbits of the most dramatic finale yet? Find out when you take our quiz!