YumSugar

Yum's August Must Haves

partysugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 05:30:08 -0700

The dog days of Summer are upon us, and August is an exciting month this year. Not only is it a time for Summer vacations, but both the Beijing Olympics and Slow Food Nation are happening. Here's my list of everything you need to survive (and celebrate!) August in the most fabulous foodie style.

View Slideshow ›

Do You Like to Eat at the Bar?

YumSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:00:42 -0700

I'm a big fan of bars, and not just for drinking. If I'm dining alone or on a date, I love to eat at a restaurant's bar. It's cozy and intimate, and I enjoy being able to place my entire meal order with the bartender. How about you?

Source: Flickr User Mat Honan

Come Party With Me: Budget Thanksgiving - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:15:58 -0800

Even on a budget, you can achieve a beautiful and elegant atmosphere for Thanksgiving dinner. Cover the table with a brown cloth. Search for a tablecloth that is on sale, or if you have access to a sewing machine, purchase some cheap fabric and sew a tablecloth. Shimmery paper makes an affordable place mat. Don't purchase new china; instead, use what you have on hand. Plain cotton napkins are environmentally friendly and inexpensive.

For a set of wine glasses, cutlery, and tealight votive holders, look no further than Ikea. It's a great place for large quantities at a low price.

Add an element of nature to the table with homemade place card holders. Write the names on the same paper as the place mats. Cut out and attach to a pinecone or tree spur with a satin ribbon. Avoid going overboard on the flowers; one simple bouquet is enough. Purchase the flowers at your local supermarket (instead of at a floral shop) and arrange yourself. Safeway and Trader Joe's usually have luscious bouquets for under $10.

Source

Come Party With Me: Fast Thanksgiving - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:15:49 -0800

If you have no time to cook dinner, you won't have much time to worry about the table. However, set aside 15 minutes to transform your everyday dining table into a beautiful Thanksgiving table. Cover the table with a cream-colored cloth and brown runner. Take a walk around your house and get creative with the place mats. Stack plates on the table and fill a basket with utensils; when the dinner is ready, guests can grab a plate and servingware. Choose a versatile glass that can hold the cocktail, and both red and white wine.

Line the glasses in a row next to the wine and drinks and let guests serve themselves. Instead of running around the house lighting a million candles, save time by assembling them all in one place. No time to run to the florist? Step outside and gather pretty, colorful Fall leaves. Fold white cardstock in half for a simple place card.

Source

Come Party With Me: Foodie Thanksgiving - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:45:30 -0800

Use a combination of white, bronze, and gold to create a rich looking Thanksgiving table. Cover the table with an embroidered runner and mirrored place mats. On each setting, place a white plate and a gold napkin. Paint mini pumpkins with bronze paint, tie a pretty ribbon to the stem, and attach to a hand-written place card. Goblet-style wine glasses work for both white and red wine. A branch-like candelabra looks stunning on a nearby banquet. Copper votives glow with candles at the table. Lush, white bouquets add a touch of refined elegance.

Source

Come Party With Me: Chinese New Year - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 05:01:31 -0800

Use shades of red with gold accents to decorate the dining room for a Chinese New Year party. Cover the table with a deep wine colored tablecloth. Top with printed red place mats and red plates. Place chopsticks tied with gold ribbon on each place setting.

Create a mystical mood by arranging candles in a beautiful pattern. Hang paper lanterns from the chandelier and ceiling.

A tangerine tree is festive and will bring the party good luck. Fill red fish bowl vases with red blossoms and run them down the center of the table between votives.

Come Party WIth Me: Golden Globes Viewing - Decorations

partysugar — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 06:58:45 -0800

Next Monday, I'm throwing a small Golden Globes Viewing party for me and my girlfriends. It's quite simple to plan a television/movie viewing party if you take it one step at a time. Each day this week I have been working on a different piece of the fiesta. Monday I sent invitations, Tuesday I chose a menu, yesterday I paired drinks with the menu, and today I have to figure out how I am going to decorate my house. To learn what I have up my elegantly armed sleeve, read more

This is an informal party that revolves around a television, so decorations will be kept to a minimum. I'll set up five TV dinner table trays, one for each of my guests and myself. On each TV dinner tray I'll place a gold place mat and a single place setting - complete with salad plate, soup bowl, water glass, and wine glass.

On each plate I'll place a shiny gold napkin. Then accompany that with a tiny vase filled with one golden rose cut close to the bud. Gold candles will glow in the background and the lights will be dimmed. I'll place the platter of salad, pot of soup, and plate of croutons on a long coffee table in the living room and allow guests to serve themselves during the commercial breaks. Dessert plates will sit, stacked neatly on the bar, next to the pitchers of water.

Got a great decoration idea with a Golden Globe theme? Tell me about it below. Stay tuned as tomorrow I'll discuss the final aspect of the party: music.

Table Setting Tips

YumSugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 11:58:26 -0800

Creating a beautiful and appealing tablescape is an integral part to any party and should not be overlooked when you are planning the logistics of your event. Often times if one is not throwing a dinner where it is obviously a major player, the table can be left forgotten and sadly unadorned. By following a few helpful hints you can assembe a terrific table setting. The first and most important hint, is to get creative. Use your imagination and artistic abilities. See your table as a blank canvas and yourself as the artist who shall paint a masterpiece. Once I have decided on a theme and color scheme for my party I take a slow walk through my house to see if I can find any objects that can be used to decorate my table. For ideas to inspire your next table, read more

Start with the table cloth. Large pieces of fabric, blankets, tapestries, and scarves can all substitute for the real thing.
Don't get carried away with elaborate floral arrangements and over cluttering candelabra, keep it simple.
If it is a dinner you are planning, the centerpiece should be below eye level.
A decorative place mat, fruit, a small vase filled with fresh flowers, or one to two large candles look elegant when placed at the center of your table.
Rows of varying sized candles in small saucers add mood and greenery cut fresh from the garden bring the outdoors inside.
Mirrors, vases filled with colored balls (or ornaments around the holidays), candies, pine cones, nuts, or water and floating votives make wonderful centerpieces.
Different heights increase dimension.
Offbeat color combinations and jewel tones add style taking your table from everyday to party day.
Try a monochromatic look (example: red) by using various shades (maroon, blood red, burgundy, apple red) and objects of the same color (apples, cranberries, flowers, pomegranates) to tantalize the eye.
Add a shock of vibrant color to a plain white table cloth with brightly colored napkins.
Remember to have a festive and fabulous table one does not need a lot of money. I can't emphasize enough the importance of being creative. Setting your table should be fun rather than a chore and creativity really is the key to making the most out of what you already have in your home.

Here are some table settings I have used in the past to get your creative juices flowing:

For a Moroccan themed dinner I used an elephant print hippie beach blanket I found in Uruguay as the table cloth.
For a friend's wedding I made simple clear votive holders look like flowers by placing several fake red rose petals in a circle underneath the votive.
At a Mexican fiesta I dressed the table with a Mexican blanket and draped Spanish scarves from the chairs.
At Thanksgiving I collected and dried leaves then gave them a shower of gold, champagne, and bronze glitter. Using clear silk nylon string I hung them at different heights from my chandelier for a new take on falling leaves.
For an Argentine World Cup watching party I bought simple white eyelet fabric and sewed on pretty blue satin to hem the edges.
At my Halloween pumpkin carving party I covered my table with an old piece of orange and brown plaid fabric. Next I tossed some hay around for a rustic feel.

Come Party With Me: Romantic Valentine's Day Dinner - The Look

partysugar — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 06:59:43 -0800

Valentine's Day is less than a week away and the only thing stopping you from having an incredibly lovey-dovey dinner with your lover is yourself. It's not impossible, you can plan a private little passionate evening for you and your honey bun that's sure to be 101 pounds of fun. Many couples feel pressured to spend a lot of money on an expensive meal at a fancy restaurant in order to properly celebrate their love for one another. I propose that instead of making reservations, you make plans to host your own special dinner to express your heartfelt, genuine feelings for your guy. You will be in control of everything including a hand written invitation, a budget-able meal, and an enticing bottle of champagne. To learn how to change the look of your house to reflect that of a romantic seductress, read more

Start with a clean and clutter free house (this includes the bedroom where the party will most likely move to at some point during the night!). A mess will only make the situation feel tense and stressful.
Cast alluring shadows by lighting all of the candles in your house. Especially if you have a few that will fill the rooms with fragrant floral aromas like lavender, jasmine, or tuberose.

Instead of having dinner on your regular everyday table/special dining room table, set up a super small folding table or tv dinner tray near your fireplace, balcony, or large window with a view.
Cover the table with a red, pink, or lacy white tablecloth (or piece of fabric).
Set two place settings using your best china and put a clear vase with a single beautiful rose in vibrant red, blushing pink, or snowy white in the center.
Arrange two chairs so you sit very close, side by side while you enjoy the dinner.

The morning of Valentine's Day make a quick stop at your local florist and ask if they have any older pink or red roses for sale. You'll use the petals as mood enhancing decor so the flowers don't need to be the freshest.
Sprinkle the petals up the walkway to your front door (if you live in an apartment building scatter some in the hallway and on your welcome mat) and on your bed.
The lighting in the bedroom should be soft and glowing and the petals sensual and inviting.

Have an amazingly alluring decor idea for a romantic dinner? Please tell me about it below! Tomorrow the last piece of the puzzle will fall into place: the music that will set the mood of the evening.