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10 Easy, Last-Minute Ways to Celebrate Halloween

CasaSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:00:03 -0700

Uninspired this Halloween? After checking out my ideas for pulling together a last-minute plan, I bet you'll be excited for this spooky Saturday. There are plenty of easy, low-key ways to celebrate the season. See if any of these strike your fancy.
Source: Flickr User mbgrigby

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Cat Cora's Party Pointers

YumSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:50:06 -0700

In addition to a simple recipe for barbecued beans, Iron Chef Cat Cora - who has her own barbecue joint, CCQ - also happens to have plenty of party advice. Whether you're hosting a Come Together dinner for charity or simply throwing a backyard bash, there are a number of steps you can take to make your party more festive and easier on yourself! Here are a few key pointers to keep in mind, courtesy of Cat.

Source: WireImage

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How to Host an Office Baby Shower

partysugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:17:21 -0700

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Party Fabulous: Hosting a Party For (Almost) No Reason

partysugar — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:34:21 -0700

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Chef Tim Love Loves His Animals

partysugar — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:19:03 -0700

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A Day at the Great American Food (and Line) Festival

partysugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:04:00 -0700

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DIY: Elegant and Rustic Wedding Decor

YumSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:21:47 -0700

It's surprisingly easy to do wedding flowers on the cheap.

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Simple Tip: Satin Ribbon Makes Affordable Place Setting

partysugar — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:56:01 -0800

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Must-Read: Matthew Mead Halloween Tricks and Treats

partysugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:11:06 -0700

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Fabulous Favor Idea: Color-Coded Candy

partysugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:58:18 -0700

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A16 Food + Wine on How to Make Stellar Meatballs

YumSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 11:53:56 -0700

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Share Your Party Pics!

just donna — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 09:26:41 -0700

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Easy Decoration Idea: Cutout Letters

partysugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:34:35 -0700

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PartySugar's Guide to Party Crashing

partysugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:13:31 -0800

A couple weeks back, FabSugar and I waltzed into a party at the Emporio Armani Cafe. From the get-go, things were a little weird. We assumed it was a fashion event, but the clothes were off limits. Guests were asked to wear name tags and encouraged to mingle. Suddenly we realized it was a private party, a real estate networking event for those in the industry! Instead of leaving, we quickly turned into stylish party crashers.

Party crashing - the art of showing up at an event unexpectedly and uninvited but going unnoticed - was made popular by the flick Wedding Crashers. While I don't recommend you make a career out of it, it's fun to crash a party every now and then. For my tips on how to successfully party crash, read more.

Walk into the event confidently, like you belong. Smile at the bouncer or doorman.
Be cool and don't call unnecessary attention to yourself. The last thing you want is for the hostess to single you out and wonder how you ended up at the party. Fab and I skipped the long name tag line and thus averted having to tell people we weren't in real estate.

Do not over drink or overeat. Enjoy the open bar and food as you would at any normal event. Fab and I ordered a cocktail but realized we preferred wine, so we ditched the cocktails and ordered wine at another bar.
Mingle with guests, but avoid making up extravagant lies. Lies have a tendency to snowball and can easily be blown out of proportion. We mentioned being writers but said nothing about the topics we cover.
If you are put on the spot, allude to being a friend of so and so - choose a name that is common in most groups of friends - and quickly change the subject of conversation to something other than yourself.
Have fun and be yourself; it is a party after all!

Have you ever crashed a party before? Or has someone crashed your party? Tell me your experiences below!

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PartySugar Behind The Bash: The Sugar Holiday Party

partysugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 13:45:19 -0800

Last night was our holiday party, and like everything Sugar, it was fabulous! It wasn't your average, boring old event, it was a bowling extravaganza. The party was expertly planned by LilPeaPod and held at the Presidio Bowling Center.

Hosting an event at a bowling alley is lots of fun - especially if you have a large group of people - because the activity unites party-goers. This type of party is wonderfully easy on the host as the cooking and cleaning is done by the bowling alley staff. For my tips on hosting a party at a bowling alley, plus a gallery of pics from the Sugar party, read more.

Start planning early. Call the bowling alley at least two months before the party. This will ensure that you reserve the day and time you want. LilPeaPod called a month in advance and had to compromise by selecting a day that wasn't her desired night.
Once you have the date reserved, go to the bowling alley and speak with the owners. Find out if you can bring decorations and what areas of the alley are off limits.
If you want to have an open bar, work out the details. Every place is run differently, but the easiest way to host an open bar is to have the bartenders tally up drinks. When the night is over, they will tell you how much beer and wine was consumed, and how much you owe. You may also consider giving each guest drink tickets, and having the bartenders tally up how many tickets they were given.

Make the food accessible. Print out a bunch of menus with the food listed. Provide pencils, have guests circle what they would like to eat, and give to the food staff. When their order is ready call their name over the bowling alley's loudspeaker. Alternatively, if you are on a budget, you can have your guests order and pay for their own food. Or provide a select amount of snacks from the menu. You may even consider food tickets.

Have a tournament! Nothing gets a party going like a good competition. To encourage guests to participate, have prizes. Gift cards to Starbucks, Sephora, or Bloomingdale's make wonderful prizes.

If gifts are involved - like our Secret Santa exchange - set up a gift station for guests to leave their gifts.
Bring lots of quarters to enjoy the video games, candy vending machines, jukeboxes and Dance, Dance, Revolution.
Remember to have fun! It's a party!

Introducing Our Downloadable Invites!

partysugar — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:20:12 -0800

As you may know, I believe that it's very important to send beautiful invitations through regular mail. It may be old fashioned, but it's incredibly special and exciting to receive an invite in your mailbox. If you love the thought of sending a real paper invitation, but don't have time to get crafty this holiday season, download one of our new print-and-fill invitations!

Our fabulous designer has been hard at work creating a variety of festive invitations to suit your party needs. All you have to do is download the invite, print on the paper of your choice - I recommend card stock - fill in the details of your party with a fun pen, stick it in an envelope, stamp and send! The invites are free allowing you to spend more on other aspects of the event. We hope you enjoy these invites - it's our little gift to you!

To see all of the invites we've created - there are eight different options including some that are not holiday related - all you have to do is read more

Easy Party Tip: Hide Stuff Under The Table

partysugar — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 10:03:33 -0700

Wondering what to do with all of that extra party stuff you might need easy access to during the event? A space will quickly look cluttered when unused napkins, plastic cups, bottles of wine, etc. are left out. Yet with a simple solution, the problem can be solved in no time.

A few weeks ago, at the Sugar office party, I was running around enviously watching the caterers set up the party. During the set-up, I witnessed a great storage tip in action - one that I have used on multiple occasions - instead of leaving stuff out, they stored it under the table!

To solve your unsightly storage problem:

Use a very long, but elegant tablecloth in a color that matches the theme of your party.
Place all of the ugly extras under the table.
Hide with the tablecloth.

Voila! The room and your party instantly looks cleaner and more fabulous!

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PartySugar Behind The Bash: Taste 2007

partysugar — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 08:57:32 -0700

Last Thursday night I was invited to a hip local arts event that expertly mixed art, auction and food. Hosted by Root Division - an organization that promotes creative expression and boosts the community by providing studio space to working artists in exchange for their services as art teachers - Taste 2007 was a fundraiser, exhibition, and tasting all rolled into one event. Tastes, bite sized tapas from eight acclaimed young San Francisco chefs, featured delicious, innovative nibbles along side the artwork.

To learn about the amazing food I tasted and check out some of my favorite paintings (including this really cool one of a crab), read more

When I rushed in from the pouring rain, I was delighted to see a gift bag (filled with tons of fabulous goodies, including a super long glass tube and a free manicure at Cinta) was waiting for me. I made my way over to the wine station and got a glass of red from the artist behind the makeshift bar before heading over to the Pescheria table. Their taste was a cold octopus and pea salad that was super fresh without being overly fishy. However, balancing my glass of wine, my Marc Jacobs handbag, and goodie bag while trying to stab individual peas with a two pronged toothpick was too challenging and I ended up tossing the taste without having finished the salad.

Next I sampled the food/art by Michael Yakura of Ozumo (on my list of places to eat) that was on display in an adjoining room. His exhibit proved to be an ingenious combination of food and art - a three course meal, in liquid form, was stuck into tiny suck-able syringes and placed into small pegs and arranged on a wall. Guests were invited to take a syringe and enjoy the meal. The third course, a teeny sip of a creme brulee was the most popular and the fishy cioppino the least popular with its overpowering briny-ness.

When I tasted Scott from Maverick's bbq-ed pulled pork delicately placed on a crisp homemade potato chip, I was in heaven. The meat was moist, not chewy, and the sauce spicy, not commercialized. I quickly devoured several more chip bites before moving on to the mind blowing Noah of Brick Restaurant (also on my list of places to dine). Noah, a student of culinary gastronomy, had created the perfect taste that was layered, complex, and undeniably complete. A paper thin slice of lamb was topped with a creamy, melt in your mouth celery mousse. The bite was to be followed with a celery gin shot that delicately cleansed the palate. This was amazing and by far my favorite part of the night.

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PartySugar Behind The Bash: de Young Opening Party for Vivienne Westwood: 36 Years in Fashion

partysugar — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:59:58 -0800

In order for me to fully provide you with the most informative advice on everything that has to do with parties, I'm writing a new feature entitled, PartySugar Behind The Bash where I'll give you the scoop on San Francisco's hottest parties and most outrageous nightlife. I'm attending the events, speaking with the party planners, and getting the recipes so you can incorporate the up to the minute trends, decor, and dishes into your fabulous parties. After fretting about what to wear, I attended the opening party for Couture & Cocktails Vivienne Westwood: 36 Years in Fashion, an incredibly fashionable exhibit at the de Young museum. Despite the fact that I didnt see Ms. Westwood, the party was totally oversold and overcrowded with about 2300 people in attendance and lines, lines, lines everywhere, the majority of the people looked amused, satisfied, and enlivened by the party and the atmosphere was like an old school rave with a grown up make over. For the menu, look, music, an interview with the event planner and lots of pics, read more

Bon Appetit catered the fiesta and the food consisted of two small tables, one upstairs and one downstairs. Although they were dressed in a beautiful royal blue satin tablecloth topped with a black and white damask runner with dimension, levels, and interesting platters, the food tables were extremely sad. The pretzel sticks, grissini, black olive tapenade and roasted garlic spread was picked over and ravaged looking and the poor servers could not restock the tables quickly enough. The candy tables were a wonderful source of decoration as the brightly colored wrappers were both childish and chic.

If you could stand waiting in the mile long lines to get to the bar you could choose from five drinks, one from each of the five major liquors: vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and whiskey. The specialty cocktail that was advertised on the invite, a Gin Viv (created especially for the party), was either missing or given a different name, because when I asked the bartender for one he gave me a blank stare and said the gin drink was called a Blueberry Crush. I ordered one, which was both too sweet and too bitter due to the pomegranate juice and gin respectively. I'm not much of a gin fan and preferred the vodka cocktail: a refreshing mix of sprite, vodka, and freshly squeezed (at least the bartender swore it was) blood orange juice. The best things about the drinks were the garnishes, which consisted of exotic fruits in vibrant colors: blueberries, blood oranges, prickly pears, apples, and mangos.

The look was staged by Blueprint Studios and was sparse with all of the tables dressed in the aforementioned royal blue and black/white combination creating a regal effect. At each side of the bars topiary floral arrangements of white roses, blue marbles, clear glass, and water were stationed. In the upstairs main room where the DJ was bumping his selection, the decor revolved around five giant paipier maché outfits: three dresses and two suits, all of which I am assuming were modeled after pieces by Westwood. While I enjoyed the arrangement of these sculptures, which was pyramid like with the largest and most beautiful dress being strategically placed above the bar, it felt off. The DJ was to the left side and party going-dancers didn't know whether they should congregate in front of the DJ or the focal point of the room, the bar.

The music, spun by DJ Shissla, was electronic based remixes of urban classics such as Lady Marmalade and the Pussy Cat Doll's Don't Cha. The crowd was a touch on the raunchy side of scandalous: more punk than glam, more deconstructed than structured, with girls in corsets, men in skirts, and swaying bodies in teetering chunky platform shoes everywhere.

The highlights of the evening were the trio of stylish young ladies who instantly adopted me as their friend and allowed me to cut in line with them at both the bar and the exhibit (thank you Katie Coleman!), seeing the oversized blue alligator skin 7 inch platform shoes that caused Naomi Campbell infamously to fall on the runway, and speaking with the lovely, modestly dressed young event planner.

Ashley, the event planner for the museum, informed me that this party was a test of sorts as it was the first time the de Young had ever opened up its doors for the opening of an exposition to the public. Here's what she had to say:

Party: What was your most memorable party?
Ashley: This is it! There are over 2300 people here and I think this is the best party I've done so far.
Party: What is your favorite flower?
Ashley: Tulips.
Party: What is your guilty pleasure food?
Ashley: Kit Kats.
Party: What's your advice to the everyday hostess?
Ashley: You've got to be really organized. Think from the guests perspective and think through everything from beginning to end.
Party: A successful party is...
Ashley: When a lot of people are laughing, dancing, drinking, and smiling. Most importantly laughing.

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The Look: Vanity Fair's Oscar After Party

partysugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 10:58:32 -0800

Last night after the Academy Awards ended, Hollywood's biggest night of parting began. One of the most popular parties, the Vanity Fair Oscars Party, hosted at Morton's by Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Graydon Carter, was deliciously decorated in golden hues and thousands of golden roses. Guests were encouraged to write, eat, smoke, and drink at the event. Pads and pencils were located above each place setting along with a silver zippo lighter engraved with a quote, The only way to find the best actor would be to let everybody play Hamlet and let the best man win, from Humphrey Bogart at the 1951 Academy Awards. Colored cigarettes, Vanity Fair matchboxes, and ashtrays were located on every table throughout the locale. Champagne and Grey Goose vodka were the chosen apertifs and in addition to passed trays filled with lovely hors d'oeuvres stars were offered In-N-Out Burgers. Stars like Madonna, Gwen Stefani, TomKat, and Kirsten Dunst partied late until the night. For a large gallery of images taken last night of the atmosphere and the decor at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, read more

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For more celebrity photos, be sure to check out FabSugar's Vanity Fair After Party coverage.

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Come Party With Me: Oscars Viewing - Invites

partysugar — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 06:57:32 -0800

I have always enjoyed watching the Oscars ever since I was a little girl and would practice my acceptance speech for best actress. Like many little girls I was 100% certain that I would one day be standing on that stage thanking my parents, my rock star/country singer/actor boyfriend, and agent. Although I may never win a best actress award a tiny part of me hopes that someday I'll have one. Maybe for a writing award? Best screenplay?
Until that moment I'll have to warm myself in the Oscars glow that is emitted from my television. Watching awards shows are twice as fun when you watch with friends, so gather a few and host an Oscars party. Don't worry I'll take care of all of the party plans for you starting today with the invitations. The party is less than a week away so I recommend inviting your crew as soon as possible. To see my award winning invitation idea with easy to follow step by step photos, read more

Everything about the Oscars is golden so my invitation will be in different shades, textures, and tones of gold. To make this invitation you will need:

gold decorative paper
metallic gold cardstock
glue
scissors
print out of an Oscar statue
shiny gold ribbon
gold foil (or gold wrapping paper)
computer and printer

To assemble the Oscars invite:

Start on your computer. Write a message with the details of the party. Here is what I wrote for my invitation:

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
in conjunction with PartySugar
invite you to an evening
of the 79th Annual Academy Awards, the OSCARS

Sunday the 25th of February 2007
Four Thirty in The Afternoon
PartySugar’s House, San Francisco
Please RSVP 415.444.5555

Sophisticated, Chic Attire Requested

Use a pretty, polished font like Bodoni SvtyTwo ITC TT-BookItalic in a larger size, 16.

Print the text out one time on regular paper to make sure you approve of the format. Print out on the gold cardstock. Set aside.

With the Oscar statue printout cut the Oscar out so you have a stencil that is shaped like an Oscar.

Trace the shape of the Oscar onto the gold foil. Repeat to have two mini Oscars.

Carefully cut out the gold foil Oscar. Set aside.

Cut the text golden cardstock down to a small rectangle.

Glue the text onto your decorative paper. I chose to use a light buttery crinkle paper that I found in the scrap booking section of Michaels. Cut down to size so that the butter crinkle paper creates a one inch border around the gold text cardstock.

Next create a border around the text invite using thin gold ribbon and the gold foil Oscars. Glue the Oscars to the lower corners along the edge of the cardstock.

Glue the ribbon along the edge of the remaining sides of the cardstock.

Press to ensure that the ribbon and Oscars have adhered to the invitation.
Send in half sized manila envelopes with the guests names and addresses written in black ink in your best fancy handwriting.

Are you hosting an Oscars party this year? Tell me about your invitations below. Come Party With Me tomorrow when I reveal the menu for the perfect Oscars fiesta with authentic dishes that the stars will be eating at the Oscars after party.

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Fashion Week Exclusive: After Party Cocktails!

partysugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 10:58:42 -0800

It's Fashion Week in New York City and you know what that means... there are tons of fabulous parties! Unfortunately I live in San Francisco and will not be able to attend any of these fab fashion fetes. However, just because I can't sit front row at a show, or bump elbows with Gemma and Daria, doesn't mean that I can't celebrate Fashion Week. I did some undercover investigating (ok, that was just a fancy way to say web research) and found out what the barmen were mixing up at the Adam + Eve after party (attended by Oscar de la Renta, Margherita Missoni, Francisco Costa, and Nina Garcia). Turns out they were drinking two tequila based cocktails with fancy fun names. For the recipe and some pictures of the party, read more

Adam's Temptation

2 oz. tequila
2 1/2 oz apple juice
fresh squeezed juice from half of a lime
splash fresh squeezed orange juice
apple slices, optional for garnish

Stir all of the ingredients together.
Pour over ice. Garnish with apple slices and enjoy!

Print recipe with images | without images

Heavenly Cosmolito

1 1/2 oz tequila
1 oz Cointreau
1 oz white cranberry juice
fresh squeezed juice from half of a lime
orange slices, optional for garnish

Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
Shake vigorously.
Strain into a chilled martini glass. Float orange slice on top and enjoy!

Print recipe with images | without images

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