YumSugar

Would You Eat Bone Marrow?

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:15:03 -0700

I recently went out to dinner and found an intriguing dish on the appetizer menu: bone marrow served with little toasts. A long, skinny spoon is used to scoop the marrow out of the bone. It can be spread on the toast, or eaten alone. The flavor is surprisingly delicious and rich. It's a bit oily, but the texture is smooth. Similar to paté's flavor palate (only not so livery), bone marrow is a rare treat that I highly recommend. What do you think, could you eat bone marrow?

Yummy Link: Inside Martha's Prop Room

partysugar — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:28:31 -0800

While she only recently bought Emeril, Martha Stewart has been purchasing tableware - plates, flatware, gravy boats, candelabra, and cake plates. You name it, she's got it - for quite some time now. Looking at her massive collection makes me super jealous! - The Martha Blog

Anthropologie Scenic Dinnerware: Love It Or Hate It?

YumSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 11:58:37 -0700

These Anthropologie Scenic Dinnerware Plates offer a modern take on very traditional formal China. The blue border looks like Dutch Delft design, while the centers are filled with vintage photos of the English countryside. But unlike vintage dinnerware, these are dishwasher and microwave safe and cost $12 each. Are you liking the look?

Yum Market Finds: Nature Inspired Tableware

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 03:32:13 -0700

I was looking through the Yum Market and noticed a bunch of beautiful nature inspired dinner and glassware. Looks like I'm not the only one with a weakness for branches, flowers and all things organic. My favorite part is that all of these incorporate nature, but manage to look young, modern and hip, not old, rustic and stuffy. For example this Batik Floral Dinnerware Set that TeamSugar member RedPointyHeels found is absolutely lovely. It would be perfect for both summer and winter meals. Scroll through the list to discover more nature inspired finds.

Yum Gift Guide: Fab Foodie

YumSugar — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 11:14:54 -0800

This gift guide is for the foodie who knows that a perfect meal is also about the perfect presentation.

Fashion Plate Set - These cute plates will be perfect for the foodie fashionista. Made from heavy-duty melamine and highly saturated color, they're sure to brighten up any meal. Set of four for $40.00.

Jessie Steele Apron - Who says cooking can't be glamorous? This year get your favorite foodie a cute apron from Jessie Steele. Choose from vintage inspired prints in full and hostess sizes. You can find them here for around $35-$40.

Three more, so read more

Fairy Forest Cake Stand - This porcelain cake stand with tiny woodland embellishments brings just the right amount of whimsy to any party. It will also make any cake look like a professional creation. Find it here for $68.

Alberto Mantilla Salt and Pepper Shakers Stylish down to even the smallest details, your fab foodie will swoon when she sees these cute little hugging salt and pepper shakers. Functional can be fashionable. These shakers are politically correct and are certain to be a conversation starter. Buy the shakers for $25.

Marimekko Appelsiini Tea Towels - Finnish company Marimekko brings their bright prints to the kitchen with these adorable tea towels. The sliced orange motif ("appelsiini" is Finnish for orange) is great for everyday kitchen use, and would look fantastic framed on the wall too.
Buy one for $10.50 here.

How to Choose the Right Kitchen Registry For You

YumSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:15:35 -0700

If you've got a wedding in the works, you've probably begun looking into a crucial element of the event - the registry. This retail service will help you determine what cookware, dinnerware, servingware, drinkware, tools, and appliances will be stocked in your kitchen. But with dozens of retail outlets, where should you sign up? Get tips for selecting the right registry for your kitchen when you read more.

Establish priorities. If your place is small, are you looking for kitchen tools to do double duty? Is eco-friendliness a must? If you want to mix and match tableware, make sure that's an option.
Choose a national registry that takes orders online, by fax, over the phone, and in person. That way, both your cousin in Silicon Valley and your computer-challenged great aunt in Baltimore can shop happy.
Your registry should offer a wide range of price points, so your guests can select gifts within their means.
Look for a large assortment of styles as well, from traditional to contemporary and basic to ornate.
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the return and exchange policy, as well as the overall terms of service. For instance: Is there a service charge? How long will the registry be kept active?
Some questions to consider: How much attention is paid to customer service? Is there a representative who can help you resolve any logistical issues? Does the registry alert you when gifts have been purchased? Will updates be reflected on your registry within 11 minutes, or 11 hours? Is the registry flexible with shipping locations?
Don't overlook perks. Some registries offer a completion program, which allows couples to fill in incomplete kitchen sets at a discount. Other sites will donate to a charity of your choice every time a gift is purchased.

If you've got any helpful tips for finding the perfect registry, please feel free to chime in below!

Source

A Chic Coffee Break With Colin Cowie

partysugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:01:31 -0800

Recently, I was lucky enough to sit down with one of my idols: the extraordinary event planner Colin Cowie. We met for coffee on a sunny California afternoon and discussed his new book Chic, the do's and don'ts of being a fabulous hostess, and the formula for a successful and memorable party. Colin oozes chicness in everything he does, whether it's working as creative director of a yet-to-be-opened hotel in Hong Kong, planning a wedding for Middle Eastern royalty, or simply making dinner for a few friends in his stylish home.

To see what Colin had to say when we sat down together and to watch a video of our conversation, read more.

Colin is of Zambian descent and began his career in party planning as a caterer when he moved to the States over 20 years ago. He's created events for celebrities and magazines, and makes regular appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show. He's authored over five lifestyle and entertaining books and his company, Colin Cowie Lifestyle is a leading force in the world of premier events. He spends his time traveling the globe and has homes in New York and Florida. He collects tableware - candles, napkin holders, placemats, etc. - and is incredibly organized. Here is what he had to say:

PartySugar: What trends are emerging in party planning?
Colin Cowie: The uncatered and unproduced look. A seamless elegance. Anything that's expected is boring. You should tell a story, have an element of surprise. Even if it's just a residential party, change things around. Add a sculpture, rearrange furniture, etc.
PS: What was your most memorable party?
CC: The last one is always the most memorable. The one I am most excited about is always the next one. Certainly planning Oprah's Legends Ball was a 72-hour legendary moment. She is amazing, she really gets it. She and I speak the same language because she is the ultimate producer.

PS: What's your advice to the everyday hostess?
CC: The most important thing - when planning any event - is simplicity. Keep it easy and the spirit casual. Design menus that allow you to be with your guests. Make everything in advance and always remember, maintain a level of elegance and chicness.

PS: In your book, you discuss the do's/don'ts of being a proper host/guest. What was the worst host gift you ever received?
CC: The worst host gift is when the fourth person of the party arrives with a huge bouquet of flowers. I have to take time away from the party to find a vase and arrange them. At my parties I already have color coordinated floral arrangements and often times the gifted flowers don't match my color scheme. If you want to give flowers, send them the next day, after the party. The best gifts are always music and cookbooks. I love compilation CDs that my friends make specifically for me.

PS: What did you have for lunch today?
CC: I had the most fabulous lunch. It was a piece of fish cooked in a miso-ginger broth with Japanese mushrooms, baby white asparagus all wrapped in cedarwood. For dessert, I had a hollowed out Clementine filled with Clementine-orange sorbet. My friend made me this lunch and it was absolutely wonderful.

Photos Courtesy of Colin Miller

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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Introducing the Yum Market

YumSugar — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 11:48:55 -0800

Found a fashionable floral centerpiece for your fancy dinner? See a cool set of plates that you can't entertain without? Spot the cutest coasters for your living room? Show them to me! The geeks here created the Yum Market for you to post and display your most fabulous kitchen finds.

The Yum Market allows you to mark all of your favorite cookware, stemware, bakeware, tableware, decorations, and anything else that relates to food and entertaining. If you discover something that makes you go mmm, mark it, in the Yum Market!

To add goodies to the Yum Market, drag and drop this link to your browser's favorite bar: Save to TeamSugar or read geeksugar's explanation on how to post a bookmark.