YumSugar

Origami Napkins: Love Them or Hate Them?

YumSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:30:41 -0700

Paper origami is so last year. The newest trend is making shapes out of dinner napkins. This set ($35) comes with a lesson booklet, as well as four napkins, each with printed folding instructions for different shapes: a sailboat, a crane, a carrot, and a snail. I'm personally not crazy about the idea; I just want my napkin on my lap. Do you think it's cute or over the top?

PartySugar Behind the Bash: Dining By Design

partysugar — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:15:33 -0800

On Monday night I was lucky enough to attend a preview of DIFFA's Dining By Design. The fundraising event, sponsored by Elle Decor, invited designers and corporations to create one-of-a-kind installations of dining tables set for dinner and the surrounding room. While the food was practically non-existent, the four floors were filled with over 40 incredible tablescape designs. From the avant garde to the extravagant, each table represented a different design concept. Here are some trends I noticed in table designs:

Table tops made of anything but tables. A piece of a wall, a door, glass, mirrors, even a stove top were some of the objects that replaced the ordinary table top.
If you didn't have an alternative table top, the table was definitely covered. Fur, moss, fabric, and paper were popular choices.

Creative napkin rings. Rope, fake diamonds, strands of stems, and even disco ball reflective mirrors were used instead of your average napkin ring.
Bold prints - paisley, animal, Moroccan - were present everywhere as plate designs, placemats, tablecloths, and chair covers.
Nothing was minimal, everything was over the top and detail oriented.
Interesting chairs were all the rage. The ones with fur were Medieval-esque, while the tree stumps and open hands conversation provoking.
Favors were an important piece of the table setting with books, gift boxes, and candles being the most popular. One table even had a gold fish in a bowl at each seat!

If your looking for inspiration on how to create a gorgeous Thanksgiving table - or wedding table- look no further! Check out a huge gallery of the tablescapes when you read more

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Off To Market: 4th of July Tablescape

partysugar — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 06:01:39 -0700

The 4th of July is the only time of year when I decorate my house in a red, white, and blue color scheme. This year I want to decorate my table in a fun, festive, gorgeous tablescape and I want you to do all of the work for me. I need everything: tablecloth, plates, candles, napkins, centerpiece, place settings, and anything else to add a special 4th of July feel to the setting.

Search the web for the tablescape stuff and save your finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, 4th Of July Tablescape.

Now, you can build table settings by creating a list of items. First bookmark your finds and then create a new list. You'll have access to all of your Yum Market bookmarks, so the table linens, plates, etc will be on the listmaker. This is an awesome way to put together an entire tablescape when completing your Off To Market missions.

Don't know how to use TeamSugar's features? Check out geeksugar's guide.

Off To Market: Wedding Table

partysugar — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 02:59:12 -0700

Readers I need your help: julieulie asked me to aid her in planning her wedding and we need to find a beautiful table setting. While I have everything from the invitations to the menu covered so far, I want you to search the web for tablecloths, silverware, plates, vases, and any special extras you may stumble upon along the way (think flowers, candles, and cool centerpieces). The picture at right is the actual room where the reception will take place so use this as your inspiration (those are not Julie's table settings). Keep in mind that the carpet's pattern itself should be used as a part of the design so don't go too crazy with patterns. Looks like chair covers might be necessary too! Stay within her color scheme which is back, white, and light blue and choose decorating accessories that are sophisticated, stylish, and with an art deco feel to them. Save your finds in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Wedding Table. Happy hunting!

New to YumSugar and don't know how to participate in Off To Market? Refer to geeksugar's informative explanation.

Off To Market Recap: Chinese New Year Table

partysugar — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 00:08:19 -0700

My dear friend Jon Ching rang in his heritage for Chinese New Year by hosting an informal dinner. Jon's a wonderful cook, he once helped me prepare for a large birthday dinner with a broken hand, but he doesn't really know anything about creating a festive dining table that reflects the theme of the event. Naturally he asked me for help and I thought you could come up with some awesome black, red, and Asian inspired decorations. You saved your tablescape settings to the Yum Market with the keyword tag of Chinese New Year Table. Jon and I went through them and figured which items would work with his menu and dining room, here are our favs:

For a truly authentic feel, Jon loved this Chinese dinner set that DesignRchic bookmarked. The set includes placemats, chopsticks, and napkins that are decorated in a traditional Chinese pattern that represents good fortune and longevity.

Two more so please read more

Instead of having a runner down the center of the table, Jon opted to alternate one of these beautiful black glass candle holders with small vases of flowers. Since no white is allowed (it's a funeral color), red pillar candles were placed in the candle holders that chlyn found.

Finally, we hung these bold red lanterns around the room to fabricate an ambiance of unique sophistication. These great lights were discovered by rubialala who also found a whole bunch of other amazing pieces.

Thanks for helping me and Jon with his party! Keep on bookmarking your fab foodie finds in the Yum Market. Read this how to save on TeamSugar guide created by geeksugar to learn more.

Off To Market Recap: Tailgate Table Setting

partysugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 01:28:33 -0700

Last week I told you that I am a huge Golden Bear football fan and ex-Cal cheerleader. I love tailgating before the games - the eating, drinking, mingling with other crazy fans - and as a true hostess, I even like my tailgates to be full of fabulous decorations. I asked you to help me by searching the web for all of the portable goods necessary for a party before the game: plates, tablecloth, glasses, napkins, etc. The only requirement was that they had to be in the classic Cal colors: blue and gold. You bookmarked some pretty cool stuff in the Yum Market and tagged them with the keywords Tailgate Table Setting.

Shelleymonster found a colorful pinwheel tailgate tent that will shield skin conscious guests from game day sun. My favorite find, however, was the shiny, navy blue portable grill that user bart simpson saved. No tailgate is complete without a grill and this one is beyond perfect because it matches the color scheme! Scroll below for more inspiring ideas to use at your team's tailgate.

For more info, geeksugar has put together an explanation on how to use TeamSugar's bookmarking features.

Thanksgiving Tip: Have Extra Place Settings Ready

partysugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:00:11 -0800

Besides setting the table early - a couple of days before Thanksgiving - I also put aside several extra place settings. I'll stack two to three plates, chargers, napkins, and utensils in a hidden spot in the dining room.

My Thanksgiving is a "the more, the merrier" type of event, so if someone shows up with an unexpected friend or family member, all I have to do is grab the extra place setting that's ready and add another chair to the table.

It's one less thing to worry about, and will ensure that you don't have to go digging into your China cabinet looking for extra plates on the big night. Got a great Thanksgiving tip? Please share it with us below!

Off To Market Recap: Everyday Table Setting

partysugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 15:13:47 -0800

The table setting on my kitchen table changes with the seasons (and sometimes my mood!). It's easy to update your table's look by getting a new set of placemats. I have hosted quite a few impromptu dinner parties lately and my winter set is starting to show wear (oil/wine stains, etc) and tear, so I asked you to help me find a new tablescape. I want four wintery placemats in sober tones. You saved your placemats and centerpiece accessories in the Yum Market and tagged them with the keyword, Everyday Table Setting. Here's how I'll overhaul my table's look:

Rubialala's beautiful white mirrored placemat will serve as the new focal point of the table. At first I wanted to use these as the main placemats but realized it's too snowy white and will be best when placed in the center of my table.

To see how I complete the transformation, read more

On top of the white placemat, to finish up the centerpiece, I'll arrange 2-4 of these black candles that rubialala discovered (thanks for your help girl!). I really like the shorter, stubby ones because they won't prevent me from seeing my mom who sits across from me during dinner.

In front of the 4 chairs, I'll place the black and white patterned placemats that I found at Neiman Marcus. Throw in a beautiful vase filled with red roses and I'm finally ready for my next last minute dinner party.

Thanksgiving Tip: Set the Table Early

partysugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 12:18:33 -0800

If you're anything like me, you have already started to plan your elaborate Thanksgiving table setting. I begin to prepare the table when I start selecting a menu.

To ensure maximum cook time in the kitchen, set the table as early as you can, preferably days before Thanksgiving. Put everything - tablecloth, placemats, plates, silverware, etc. - in its place on the table. Sort serving platters and decide which one will hold potatoes, vegetables, and cranberries. Write the name of the dish on a post-it and place inside the specified serving platter. As you prepare the food, you will easily find the proper serving dishes.

If using your regular everyday table for the Thanksgiving meal, gather all of the components to the tablescape in one place. Thursday morning delegate a trusted family member or friend to set the table while you cook.

Source

Set the Table With Salad

partysugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:13:31 -0700

Over the weekend Fab and I attended the Junior League of San Francisco's - a great organization that helps mothers in need - annual luncheon and fashion show. Instead of having a boring buffet or walking waiters, the tables were set with ingredients to make-your-own salad. Having to pass platters was a great way to start conversations between the unacquainted guests.

Serving a set table of food is more affordable than hiring caterers and waiters. This exceptional, assembled-meal idea would work wonderfully at a bridal or baby shower. Here's how you do it:

Place a plate of greens in front of each chair.
In the middle of the table, set platters of grilled chicken, smoked salmon, onions, capers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, fresh fruit, etc.
Add depth by filling martini glasses with other ingredients such as fresh mozzarella, nuts, and dried figs.
Fill small glasses with different types of dressing and arrange next to the platters.
Place rolls on small plates next to each setting and fill tall tumblers with grissini (breadsticks).
Be careful not to overcrowd the table. Fab accidentally spilled her Sauvignon Blanc in the chicken!

Got something to add to my tip? Please share with us below!