YumSugar

Picnic Must Pack List

partysugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 03:27:17 -0700

Isn't it the worst when you arrive at your picnic destination with a cooler full of beer and realize you've forgotten the bottle opener?? When preparing a picnic, it's easy to overlook the small items you need when dining outdoors. The best way to prevent forgetfulness is to make a list, so I've put together a picnic packing list for you. Print out a copy and the next time you are planning a picnic be sure to go through the list and check everything off. To check out the list, read more

Blanket
Napkins
Plates
Silverware
Serving utensils
Cups and wine glasses
Corkscrew or bottle opener
A knife
Cutting Board
Condiments
Salt & Pepper
Garbage bag

Got something I should add to the list? Please tell me below!

Off to Market Recap: Picnic Gear

partysugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 03:00:23 -0700

Picnic season is in full swing and if you plan on packing a meal and heading to a local park, you'll need the proper picnic gear. From a basket to a blanket, planning a picnic requires the essential tools. To ensure that everyone hosts fabulous picnics, you headed off to market in search of the most perfect picnic gear. You looked for picnic baskets, plastic serving ware, and anything else that screams picnic. You saved your discoveries in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Picnic Gear.

I love this fun, floral bag that jspeed found. The matching plates are festive and the colors outdoorsy. Not to mention its tote like shape is very modern picnic basket. For more picnic gear, scroll to the right below.

Come Party With Me: My Half Birthday - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:15:46 -0800

Not only am I packing up a delicious spread of food to pair with the fresh oysters of Hog Island, but I'm also bringing a few simple decorations to transform the farm picnic area into a fabulous party zone. For example, a fabric tablecloth in a vibrant print incorporates a touch of elegance to the outdoor location. A single bouquet of tulips adds to the natural oceanside landscape.

Store thick plastic plates, plastic wine glasses, and paper napkins in a festive wicker picnic basket. Don't forget the essential tools for enjoying oysters.

Pack several shucking knives and a pretty platter for displaying the bivalves. Wrap a glass pitcher in towels and a secure in a safe spot until arriving at the picnic table. Once there, fill with the sangria and let the (half birthday) party begin!

Source

Off to Market: Picnic Gear

partysugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:00:12 -0700

Picnic season is in full swing and if you plan on packing a meal and heading to a local park, you'll need the proper picnic gear. From a basket to a blanket, planning a picnic requires the essential tools. To ensure that everyone hosts fabulous picnics, let's head off to market in search of the most perfect picnic gear. Look for picnic baskets, plastic serving ware, and anything else - like this canvas wine tote ($39.00) - in between. Bookmark your discoveries in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Picnic Gear.

Happy hunting!

Geeksugar has created an explanation on how TeamSugar's bookmarking feature works so check it out if you are feeling confused.

For a list of my favorite places to shop online, 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

Yum's September Must Haves

YumSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:01:31 -0700

For me, September means hoarding as much Summer produce as possible before it's gone and savoring each day of beautiful weather - while we still have it- with pool parties, picnics, and fireside campouts. On the social front, this month also brings more political banter as we approach the presidential election. Here are five of my essentials for September.

View Slideshow ›

Come Party With Me: Boy's Birthday

partysugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:15:36 -0700

My former boss Deborah recently asked me for tips on planning her son Kenny's birthday party. Kenny is turning 10. For this age group, an activity - a soccer tournament, a day at the ball park, a trip to an interesting place - is essential to a successful birthday party. After chatting with Kenny, we've decided to spend a couple of hours on Alcatraz! He and his buddies, along with parent chaperons, will take the ferry to the infamous ex-jail. They'll go on a walking tour, play games, and have a picnic with birthday cake. Before the party can begin we have to send the invitations. To see how I made these jail-inspired invites, read more.

To make a similar invite you will need the following supplies:

transparent paper
black cardstock
image of Alcatraz
scissors
glue
computer and printer

To assemble the invite:

Start by creating a new document in Microsoft Word. Insert a large textbox. Change the format of the textbox line to resemble jail stripes.
Drag the Alcatraz image into the textbox. Center and situate the textbox evenly around the image.
Write the details of the party. Keep things informal and uncomplicated with a message in Times New Roman, size 12:

Kenny is turning 10!
To celebrate we would like to take you
on an exciting adventure to Alcatraz.

Saturday, August 16, 2008
11:00 am meet at Kenny’s House
12:15 pm ferry departs for Alcatraz
4:30 pm catch return ferry home

Please RSVP to Deborah (Kenny’s mom):
415.777.7777

Print out on plain white paper and check for grammar and spelling mistakes.

Once satisfied with the look and feel, print out on the transparent paper.

Cut down to size and mount on the black cardtsock, being careful to only glue the outer edges.

Cut the black cardstock down to size, slide into an envelope, and send.

View 11 Photos ›

Win Stirrings Summer Mixers and a Macbeth Collection Party Bucket!

partysugar — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:41:40 -0700

Fabulous and refreshing cocktails are essential to Summer entertaining. Without the drinks, the pool parties, barbeques, and picnics just aren't the same. To ensure that your warm weather soirées are spectacular, we're giving away a bunch of Stirrings mixers and a stylish Macbeth Collection serving bucket! One lucky winner will receive the party bucket, three rimmer garnishes, and the following flavors of drink mixers: piña colada, watermelon, wild blueberry, white sangria, red sangria, strawberry daiquiri, mango, and caipirinha. Imagine all the cool cocktails you'll make!

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

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

Take the quiz

Come Paw-ty With Me: Dog Birthday - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 06:11:32 -0700

The dog party will be in the park, so serve cocktails and drinks that can be made in batches in advance. The menu is casual picnic food and a fun flavored mojito will pair perfectly. Bing cherries give a festive color and feel that are refreshing on a hot day at a park. Instead of regular lemonade, offer non-drinkers a pomegranate ginger lemonade. Stack clear plastic party cups near the drink pitchers so that guests can serve themselves. The guests of honor can't be forgotten, so be sure to have lots of fresh, cool water to hydrate your pooches. A super-sized, communal water bowl or a bunch of mini bowls with each doggie's name written on it are essential. Want to pour these drinkies at your next party? Then just read more

Cherry Mojitos
From Martha Stewart
Image Source

1 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups fresh lime juice (about 9 limes)
3 pounds dark cherries, such as Bing or Burlat, pitted
2 1/4 cups best-quality black cherry or plain vodka
1 (750 ml) bottle sparkling water

Bring sugar and 1 1/4 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat; let cool completely. (Makes about 2 cups syrup.) Syrup can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 month.
Put lime juice into a medium nonreactive bowl. Halve 2/3 of the cherries; add all cherries to lime juice. Stir in syrup. Refrigerate at least 1 hour (up to overnight).
Stir cherry mixture and vodka in a large serving bowl.
Fill 12 glasses with ice. Spoon 1/2 cup cherry-vodka mixture into each glass.
Top with sparkling water; serve immediately.

Serves 12.

Print recipe with images | without images

Pomegranate Ginger Lemonade
From Dos Caminos restaurant in New York City
Image Source

1 qt. lemonade
2 tbs. fresh ginger juice
½ cup pomegranate juice

Pour over ice and garnish with a lemon wedge.

Print recipe with images | without images

Yum Market Finds: Fun Florals For Spring

partysugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 15:48:31 -0700

What better way to embrace the arrival of springtime than to spruce up your kitchen with a few fun florals? I just remembered I've got to change my winter table setting into my spring one and substitute the black leather placemats for mint green satin ones and the white candles for pink and yellow ones. Changing your table scape is one way to freshen up the look of your kitchen, another way is to purchase a few essential items that scream spring with their floral patterns, pastel colors, and refreshing newness.

A perfect example of this is the printed flask that thoroughlymodern saved in the Yum Market on TeamSugar. This container is so beautiful that I may have to get one for myself, how chic would it be to pull this out at a romantic picnic?!

Two more flowery finds so read more

The season must have been on Atkoester's mind when she was hunting the web for yum marks, because she found a whole bunch of fabulous Spring cooking accessories like blue china bowls and pink flowered mugs. However my favorite of her recent discoveries were these pretty patterned preppy plates. Add a few colorful plates to your everyday set and it's like an instant makeover.

For those brisk Spring evenings, treat yourself to a cup of hot tea in a Easter-egg colored mug. Thanks for bookmarking this magnificent little mug redegg!

Don't know how to save your stuff in the Yum Market? geeksugar's here to help you out with her easy to understand explanation.