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A Conversation With Diddy

partysugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:00:03 -0800

Rapper and mogul Diddy was in San Francisco last week promoting Cîroc, his vodka brand. I was lucky enough to sit down with the musician, and we chatted about entertaining. Not surprisingly, he consumes a lot of Cîroc and his signature drink is a Cîroc and lemonade - say it fast and it sounds like a lyric in one of his songs, "ci-rocking lemonade." To find out what the Diddy had to say, read more.

PartySugar: What’s new with Cîroc?
Diddy: The newest thing with Cîroc is our success. Our success and our appeal. The sales went up 1,000 percent and just the appeal is becoming more recognizable to the consumer.

PS: Aren't you coming out with some new flavors?
D: Yeah. In the world of Cîroc, one of the biggest differences is the flavors. Red Berry and coconut. Now most flavors, to be honest, in the vodka industry, most flavors just haven’t been done right. They taste like cough syrup. I went down with the innovation team, and I was like, whatever we do I want to make sure that this doesn’t taste like cough syrup.
And then also make something that really tastes like what it says. If it says coconut, let’s make sure it tastes like coconut. If it says red berry, let’s make sure it tastes like red berry.

PS: Do you ever cook?
D: I cook breakfast.

PS: What music do you recommend for cooking?
D: Music for cooking? Marvin Gaye’s always good for cooking.

PS: What are your guilty pleasure foods?
D: I would probably say jello. Strawberry jello.

PS: If you had to drink one type of alcohol for the rest of your life what would it be?
D: Vodka. Cîroc.

PS: Besides yourself, who are some celebrities that know how to entertain/host a good party?
D: I never seen anybody do it how I do.

PS: What was the first alcoholic drink you ever drank?
D: Peach schnapps and orange juice, before I was enabled.

PS: What do you think will be the next big thing in cocktails?
D: Jello shots.

Stay tuned for Diddy's tips for hosting the ultimate party!

Do You Enjoy Music During Your Thanksgiving Meal?

YumSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:45:48 -0800

Let's Dish: What Music Do You Cook To?

partysugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:50:26 -0700

Last week the San Francisco Chronicle ran an interesting article that discusses the role of music in the commercial kitchen and features the favored playlists of several Bay Area chefs. With so much time spent prepping, it's no surprise that "music cuts through the monotony of the day," according to one chef. Although cooking at home is very different from being in a restaurant kitchen, I too enjoy listening to some groovy tunes. My favorite cooking music is Chambao, a Spanish group whose flamenco fusion is fabulously chill. How about you? What tunes do you listen to while cooking?
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Is It a Real Food Song or a Fake? Round Two!

YumSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 01:13:31 -0800

I found out that Harry Belafonte's "The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)" was number one on this date in 1957. It's always been - probably thanks to the scene in Beetlejuice - one of my favorite food songs. Luckily for us, it is just one of many great songs about food.

I had so much fun last time we played this game, that I decided we should do it again. So tell me, which of these are real food songs, and which are fake? Think you can tell? Source

Take the quiz

Is It a Real Food Song or a Fake?

YumSugar — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 01:18:31 -0800

On Dec. 18, 1965, Herb Alpert's "Taste of Honey" was number one on the charts. It's from the album Whipped Cream and Other Delights and is so quintessentially 60s. I also love that the song - along with nearly every other song on that album - is named after food. Fortunately for all of us food inspired music doesn't stop with Herb Alpert, in fact, there have been a ton - a highly accurate term if I may say so myself - of them since.

I've rounded up a few of my faves, as well as a bunch of fakes. Now you need to tell me, is it a real food song, or something I cooked up? Ready to play? Source

Take the quiz

Come Party With Me: Luau Dinner For 8 - The Look & Music

partysugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 05:53:41 -0700

Luau parties are fabulous because you can create a festive atmosphere with fresh decorations. Since this is a dinner party, the focal point should be the dining table you set up outdoors. If you are crafty and have plenty of time on your hands, get a gorgeous piece of Hawaiian shirt fabric at the local fabric store and make a tablecloth. Otherwise purchase a bright yellow tablecloth and fuchsia tiki placemats. Square shaped plates with a palm tree print look stylish and elegant when a napkin with a palm tree ring is placed atop. Fill bowls with floating flower shaped candles and create a centerpiece with beautiful hibiscus flowers. Seashells hold place settings with guests' names written in loopy handwriting. Tiki torches add mood lighting and cast a Hawaiian glow to the fete. For music select a playlist of classic surf music like the Beach Boys or the soundtrack from Point Break. Scroll below to see all of the ideas.

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Come Paw-ty With Me: Dog Birthday - The Look & Music

partysugar — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 06:08:31 -0700

A few weeks before your dog party, be sure to scout out a secure location in the nearby park. Choose a spot that has ample dog roaming space and plenty of picnic tables. If the locale is hidden from the park entrance, make signs or maps notifying guests of the party spot. Paw printed balloons, clear plastic glasses, cherry red tablecloths and paper plates set the scene for an outdoor fete. Pack the food in red take out containers printed with white dog bones.

As guests arrive with their pooches, point them in the direction of the dog bowls and hand them a fun dog face party blower. Make or purchase a large Happy Birthday Oliver sign and hang from two trees, a jungle gym, or on the edge of a table. Store the drinks in lovely drink dispensers and adorn the tables with arrangements of red gerber daisies. For music, create a playlist of songs that have lyrics about dogs like "Bad To The Bone," as well as classic rap hits by Snoop Dogg, Nate Dog, and Little Bow Wow.

Come Party With Me: Housewarming Party - The Look & Music

partysugar — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 06:01:39 -0700

Unlike a theme party, the decorations at a housewarming party don't play a vital role in the atmosphere. Don't get me wrong, you do need decorations, but keep it simple and elegant. The decor of the party should not disguise the natural look of your new home, but enhance it.

A richly hued tablecloth with mirror disks scattered over the top looks festive yet understated. For the centerpiece fill a large copper bowl with aqua colored floating candles. Place a large bouquet of white tulips in tall square vases in every room of your house. Tie brown ribbon around the vases, on door knobs, and the back of chairs. Set up a stainless steel standing champagne bucket and fill with ice. It is a game night so don't forget the games! Trivia Pursuit, Catchphrase, Pictionary, Taboo, Charades, Monopoly, or Apples to Apples are all fabulous selections. If you don't have games, ask one of your friends to bring over their collection. For music play mixes by Putomayo: Eurolounge, Latinlounge, Saharalounge, and Afrolatino are all great background tunes that are upbeat and exotic.

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Come Party With Me: Pool Party - The Look & Music

partysugar — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 06:01:39 -0700

Create a glamorous outdoor look for your pool party by incorporating organic, earthy blues and greens jazzed up with splashes of bright summer colors. Arrange patio furniture so that one area is about tanning/reading and another about lounging/chatting. Cover the chaises with striped beach towels and place brightly colored green cushions on top. Use large umbrellas to add shade for those who wish to stay out of the sun and be sure to fill small bowls next to the appetizer spread with tubes of sunscreen. For extra excitement, leave water balloons at the bar near a sink to encourage a water fight among guests! A plastic blue serving bowl and plastic cups ensure that there is no broken glass. Instead of serving the food on regular old paper plates, purchase disposable bamboo plates. Cover the tables with a fun floral fabric and stack napkins of the same style fabric near the plates.

For music, select a playlist of fun, upbeat songs. Attending a pool party this summer and don't know what to wear? My gal DearSugar tells you gal how to dress for one so check out her tips.

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Come Party With Me: 4th Of July - The Look & Music

partysugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 06:01:38 -0700

The 4th of July is probably the easiest holiday party to decorate. The requisite red, white, and blue, stars, stripes, and American flags do all of the work for you. Every store in the nation is flooded with red serving platters, blue and white star tablecloths, American flag this and American flag that so weed through the options and find stuff that fits your need and goes along with your style. I'm not too into the patriotic look, so I'll only have the American flag on teeny toothpicks. White paper lanterns add soft lighting and beer will be placed in lots of little red buckets. The tablecloth is red and the tableware navy. Wrap red, white, and blue ribbon around your poles, banisters, and deck. Create floral arrangements with blue glass vases and red, white, and blue flowers. Decorate the space with red hurricane holders and fill with white pillar candles.

For music compile a list of songs related to America or the 4th of July. I'll be playing BuzzSugar's 50 Songs for 50 States playlist.

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