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Off to Market Recap: Oscar Napkin Rings

partysugar — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:13:59 -0800

The Oscars were yesterday, and over the weekend I helped set the table at my aunt's annual watching party. I had everything planned except the napkin rings, so I asked you to help me find them. You looked for Oscar-worthy napkin rings in gold or red with embellished details. You bookmarked your discoveries in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Oscar Napkin Rings.

The napkin rings I absolutely loved were these cuff-like ones saved by wren. Her description: not ornate but fabulous is right on! For all of the elegant napkin rings, browse the collection below.

To learn more about the bookmarking feature of TeamSugar please read GeekSugar's explanation.

Ratatouille Wins Best Animated Feature Film!

YumSugar — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:53:06 -0800

Ratatouille wins an Oscar!!
Everyone's favorite little kitchen rodent has just taken home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. I knew it would, how about you? What do you think of this win?

Oscar Party on Sugar!

PopSugar — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:40:51 -0800

It's Oscar Sunday so it's party time on the Sugar network! Join us as we post pictures from the red carpet on Fab and Bella so you can vote on all your favorite fashion and beauty looks. Buzz is live blogging and we're live chatting so click here to join us in the chat room to dish on George's lucky date, Angelina's baby bump, and the best and worst speeches or shocking winners of the night. We've been looking forward to the Oscars for a long time and thankfully the strike is over so hopefully Jon Stewart will be cracking us up in between little gold men being given away.

See you at 3p.m. PST when E!'s red carpet kicks off and then of course at 5p.m. PST when the Oscars officially start.

Are You Ready For the Oscars?!

YumSugar — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 10:01:33 -0800

Tomorrow's the big night! We've been talking about the Oscars and Governors Ball for several weeks now; there's been a behind the scenes look at the ball, sneak peeks at the food, meals inspired by movies and more. If you've missed out on anything, don't worry, I've rounded it all up below.

Exclusive Look at the Governors Ball

Plan Your Own Oscars Party

Create your invite
Serve the perfect food
Wow your guests with delicious desserts
Delight them with champagne cocktails
Create a sophisticated look for your party

Inspired by Films

Juno's Hamburger Phone
Atonement's Chocolate Martini
Drink a There Will Be Blood Orange Milkshake
Tournedos Rossini from La Vie En Rose

TV Dinners: La Vie En Rose — Tournedos Rossini

partysugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:18:31 -0800

While on the first date with the love of her life, Édith Piaf — one of France's most beloved popstars — demands that her date, Marcel Cerdan, take her to a fancy restaurant. The boxer hopes to dine on pastrami sandwiches while Piaf— a diva in her own time — is hungry for tournedos rossini. A decadent dish that includes a thick slab of steak, foie gras, truffles, and a red-wine sauce, tournedos rossini are not for every day. They do however, make a wonderfully romantic and elegant meal. To see the recipe and check out a clip from La Vie En Rose — the movie that got Marion Cotillard a best actress nomination —

Happy Hour: Patron Red Carpet

YumSugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:03:31 -0800

When you say "Red Carpet," most people probably think of fantastic frocks and celebrity smiles. Not the folks at Patron. For them the phrase "Red Carpet" has a completely different meaning. To them it means a lavish raspberry red tequila drink coated in edible gold. The specialty drink is called the Patron Red Carpet, and four thousand of them will be served at this year's Governors Ball. If you'd like to make that four thousand and one, get the recipe — including a video on how to make one at home — when you

Come Party With Me: Oscars Viewing — The Look

partysugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:01:18 -0800

Instantly set the mood for your Oscars-viewing party with a fabulous red carpet leading up to your front door. Once guests arrive inside, envelope them in decadent gold and red decor. Cover the buffet table with a luxe gold tablecloth and sparkly red tablerunner. Light hundreds of tiny tea lights in rhinestone-rimmed silver votives. Place the food on large square and rectangular platters arranged attractively around the table. Serve the champagne in flutes and offer guests appetizer plates or trays to hold their snacks. Make sure the television is visible from all areas in the room and add extra red cushions for plush and comfortable seating. Golden orchids look stunning placed decoratively around the space.

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Come Party With Me: Oscars Viewing — Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:31:51 -0800

At a super-elegant occasion like the Oscars, simplicity is utterly chic, especially when it comes to cocktails. Since no frills are necessary, serve a classic champagne cocktail. Also have a couple versatile bottles of red —Pinot Noir — and white wine — Chardonnay — for those who dislike bubbly.

Sparkling water with orange slices and mint is a lovely option for those who prefer not to drink. For the champagne cocktail recipe,

TV Dinners: There Will Be Blood — Blood Orange Milkshake

YumSugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:31:51 -0800

I drink your milkshake! I drink it up!

Chances are, you've heard about the milkshake line from the Oscar-nominated film There Will Be Blood — don't forget to fill out your Oscar ballot! — and even though the milkshake in the movie is just a metaphor, I still can't help but crave one each time I hear the line. To cool down your Oscar party, I suggest you whip up a batch of milkshakes. You could go any flavor, but why not keep up a theme with blood orange milkshakes? Whatever you do, just be sure to have really long straws.

And in case you haven't seen the infamous milkshake scene, I've found it for you. You can find it, plus a recipe for a blood orange milkshake, when you

TV Dinners: Atonement — Chocolate Martini

partysugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:28:31 -0800

While food doesn't necessarily come to mind when thinking of the Oscar-nominated film Atonement, a cocktail might. The cocktail featured is a chocolate concoction created by a minor character named Paul Marshall. A chocolate magnate and friend of older brother Leon, Paul attempts to wow the Tallis family with his chocolate cocktail. He's incredibly unsuccessful; it's impossibly hot and humid and a chocolate martini is hardly a pool-side drink. However, when served in a more suitable atmosphere, a chocolate cocktail is tasty and delicious.

For a recipe that is much tastier than Paul Marshall's and a look at an extended trailer of the film,

Mark's Garden Adds Floral Drama to the Governors Ball

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:15:51 -0800

When I walked into the preview for the Governors Ball, the suspended globes immediately caught my eye. However, once I was able to pull my gaze down, my eyes became lost in the drama that is the floral arrangement.

There are over 15,000 roses, in 15 different shades of red, and they're accompanied by golden orchids imported from Thailand several days before the event. The cocktail tables are dotted with bouquets of roses, the dinner tables are huge, tall red and gold bouquets, and the food stations are littered with petals. The staff at Mark's Garden have created a beautiful arrangement that is dramatic, and somehow over the top and subdued at the same time.

I had a chance to talk to Mark Held — he and his staff have been doing the flowers for the Governors Ball for the past 13 years — about their floral decisions. To see that, and even more pics,

Come Party With Me: Oscars Viewing — Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:15:51 -0800

When creating a beautiful buffet for your Oscars viewing party, don't skimp on dessert! The stars will be devouring shortbread and chocolate truffles at the Governors Ball, so take a cue from Sherry Yard — the event's pastry chef — and make your own variations. Cut classic, buttery shortbread into Oscar shaped cookies. Arrange store bought chocolate truffles on pretty plates next to chocolate caramel sandwich cookies. For the recipes to these bite sized decadent desserts,

Yummy Link: George Clooney Is a Yummy Man

YumSugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 14:15:51 -0800

George Clooney's always seemed like a sweetie to me. Maybe that's why it doesn't surprise me that the folks at Jelly Belly have created his likeness using over 10,000 jelly beans. — People

Wolfgang Is Nothing But Refined Simplicity

YumSugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:28:31 -0800

If you haven't been following along with all of our Governors Ball coverage then you may have missed the fact that it's going to be "simple but refined." Everything is an elegant sea of red and gold, and the food is nothing but refined simplicity.

While at the press preview, I had the opportunity to watch Wolfgang at work. For two hours he entertained members of the press, grilled steaks, stirred up mac and cheese, and answered similar questions over and over and over again. Ever the great spokesperson, Wolfgang smiled and hammed it up; each member of the press got the same story, but it was always done with vivacity and it always seemed genuine. I managed to get some video of him in action, and our video editor really captured the feel. To check out Wolfgang giving his shpiel over and over and over again,

Come Party With Me: Oscars Viewing — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:28:31 -0800

Instead of serving a sit down dinner at your Oscars viewing party, offer a smörgåsbord of snacks like Wolfgang Puck does at the Governors Ball. Provide a hearty mix of homemade and store bought appetizers. Have a cheese plate with several different types of cheese, crackers, flatbreads, crostini, and grapes. A platter of salumi — salami, proscuitto, chorizo, etc. — with olives compliments the assortment of cheeses. Order a couple of sushi platters from your favorite sushi restaurant.

Supplement these grocery store goodies with easy to make dishes: smoked salmon pizza, blue cheese popcorn, smoky chipotle hummus, and gingery chicken satay with peanut sauce. For the recipes, please

Off to Market: Oscar Napkin Rings

partysugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 11:13:56 -0800

The Oscars are just around the corner, and I'm assisting my aunt with her annual watching party. This year, I'm in charge of the table setting. While I have the tablecloths and napkins, I still need to find napkin rings! Can you help me find napkin rings worthy of the Oscars? Look for gold or red embellished rings with ornate details. Bookmark your discoveries in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Oscar Napkin Rings. ¡Buena suerte!

To learn more about the bookmarking feature of TeamSugar please read GeekSugar's explanation.

Check out where I shop online and

Come Party With Me: Oscars Viewing — Invite

partysugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:18:31 -0800

The Oscars are less than a week away and while the stars are busy deciding what gowns to wear, I'm busy planning my annual Oscars viewing party. Watching the Oscars is super fun, especially if you are surrounded by a group of friends and platters of delicious food. All week I'll be featuring ideas to help you host an Oscars watching party at your home. As always let's start with the invitation. To see how I made the golden invite shown here

Enter the Oscars Party Giveaway!

YumSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:48:33 -0800

The contest ends this Sunday, be sure to enter now!

Just in time for the Oscars, we've partnered with our pals at Social Couture to come up with a fab prize. We're giving away Hollywood Glam Sets ($135 each) to five lucky winners! The sets include everything you need to create a lush Hollywood inspired party in your home.

To enter to win this fab prize, YOU MUST LOG IN and take the Oscars Afterparty 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 log in before you take the quiz. If you're not already a member, just register here for an account. One quiz entry per person; all repeat quizzes will be ignored. Don't forget to log in before you take the quiz in order for it to count!

Apologies to all of our international readers: This contest is open to U.S. residents only. Winners will be chosen randomly from among the quiz-takers. The contest ends on Sunday, Feb. 17, at 5:00 p.m. PST. For more info read the official rules.

Good luck and don't forget to tell all your friends and family so that they have a chance too!

And the Oscar Goes to... Sherry Yard!

YumSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 08:59:59 -0800

You've seen the food, and you've seen the decorations, heck, I even showed you what wine they'll be drinking at the upcoming Governors Ball. However, it's now time for the thing I'm sure a lot of you have been waiting for: the desserts!

This year, Sherry Yard, the executive pastry chef and author of several cookbooks, including Desserts by the Yard, is concentrating on wonderful little bites. There are solid dark chocolate Oscar statues, almond-apricot petit fours, edible bubbles — yes, bubbles! — shortbread Oscar-shaped cookies, chocolate truffles and more.

We recently got to chat with Sherry — who is quite delightful in real life — and she told us all about the dessert menu and prep. To check out the video, and see loads more pics,

Happy Hour: Sterling Wines

YumSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:27:51 -0800

For the last five years, Sterling Vineyards has created special blends specifically for the Oscars. The blends, which are the Red Carpet Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and the Gold Standard Reserve Chardonnay, are limited to 350 cases of each and are extremely exclusive. Unless you sneak into to the Governors Ball, or have someone sneak a bottle out for you, you won't even be able to taste it. Luckily, I was able to taste the red during the press preview, and it was a dangerously smooth, well-rounded cab with a hint of chocolate, berries, and spice. Hollywood's elite are going to have a good time with this one!

And although you can't get your hands on one of these elite bottles, you can treat yourself to another vintage from Sterling. They have several different varieties — both whites and reds — and a price range that fits any budget.

Recently I had a chance to sit down with winemaker Chris Millard. He explained the exclusive wines and how they're developed. To check out the video,

Chomp Down on Juno's Hamburger Phone

YumSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:27:06 -0800

Last weekend, I finally saw the Oscar-nominated Juno — be sure to fill out your Oscar ballot for a chance to win a prize! — and, as Buzz has mentioned it's an endearing film about a pregnant teenage gal. So why I am mentioning it here on YumSugar? Well, if you've seen the film, you know it's full of junk-food, school buffets, blue slushees, and orange tic tacs. Yet the largest food draw — at least in my opinion — isn't actually edible. It's Juno's hamburger phone — an awkward, yet delectable, hamburger-shaped communication device.

The hamburger phone sells for $15.99, although they are apparently flying off of the virtual eBay shelves for up to $56. That's quite a bit for a plastic hamburger — you could get 50 of them at McD's for that price! I wonder how it tastes in comparison . . .

If you haven't seen Juno, and are dying to find out more about the hamburger phone, you're in luck I've found a video for you. The hamburger phone appears about half way through. To check it out

Chatting with Governors Ball Planner Cheryl Cecchetto

YumSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:18:31 -0800

Last week we got to take a peek at what this year's Governors Ball is going to look like. As you can tell, it's going to be an extravagant affair with lush red velvet, shiny gold accents, red roses and gold orchids. Such an extravagant affair can only be pulled off by someone really spectacular, and that someone is special events producer Cheryl Cecchetto. For the 19th consecutive year, Cheryl will be overseeing every tiny detail from the 1,675 floating transparent globes to the 15 shades of red roses.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Cheryl, to find out what she has to say about the event, as well as hear her advice on how to host your own fabulous party,

You've Seen the Pics, Now See the Menu

YumSugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:16:31 -0800

The Oscars are just around the corner — fill in your ballot for a chance to win fab prizes! — and last week I tempted you guys with photos from the Governors Ball preview However, I didn't give a full rundown on what was going to be served. If you were wondering what was pictured in the sea of tastiness, get prepared. I've got the full list — it's huge, over 350 people are on the culinary staff! — and let me tell you, it reads as tasty as the photos. To check out the complete menu,

The Governors Ball Will Be a Sea of Red and Gold

YumSugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 07:13:31 -0800

Last week, I gave you a sneak peek at all the delicious food that will be served at the Governors Ball, and this week I'm here to share a gallery of the look. The ball, which is being produced by Cheryl Cecchetto of Sequoia Productions, has been inspired by the fact that it's Oscars 80th anniversary. This year it's all about the gold of the Oscar and the red of the red carpet.

When I walked into the press preview, a sixth of the ballroom had been done up like it would on Oscar night. From the ceiling to the floor, not a single detail was overlooked. The ceiling was coated in glass bubbles that reflect the tiny lights, creating a starry look. The floor was coated in red carpet with gold runners, and the flowers — red roses and gold orchids — matched as well. The tables were either cozy lush velvet or cool, mirrored and sleek. The silverware was gold and the plates were clear. Mirrored walls and railings add another dimension, while mirrored tables and tufted chairs break up the space.

It's going to be a gorgeous event, fit for Hollywood's biggest night! To take a look at the entire gallery — that's just a sneak peek above! —

Governors Ball Chair Says the Party Will Go On

YumSugar — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:12:31 -0800

Even if the Writers' Strike doesn't end soon — fingers crossed, Buzz says it could potentially end this week — Governors Ball Chair Cheryl Boone Isaacs is confident that the Oscars will happen and that the ball will go on. While at the Governors Ball preview, I was able to sit down and chat with Cheryl. When asked about the Writers' Strike she said:

The Oscars will happen and the ball will go on . . . What we all wish is that there's a resolution to this conflict, that there's a win-win for as many people as possible, and that Hollywood can get back to work.

I have to say, I definitely admire her positive outlook. I imagine that staying positive is the only way to deal with the situation. After all, with over 1,000 people needed to pull off the event, six months of planning and organizing, two weeks of preparty decorating, and tons and tons of money spent, it would be devastating to think otherwise. Could you imagine planning a party that might not happen?

To see what she has to say about pulling off such a big event during a high-stress time in the industry,

Wolfgang Does It Again! — Photos From the Governors Ball Menu

YumSugar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:45:18 -0800

Yesterday morning, amidst a sea of reporters and video cameras, Wolfgang Puck unveiled the menu for this year's Governors Ball. While it is still an organic and natural affair, this time it's all about simplicity. It's the 80th Oscar celebration and so the theme — for both the food and decor — is about making the simple things fabulous. From miniature kobe burgers, to parmesan mac n' cheese, this year Puck promises everything will be, "simple but refined."

There is going to be plenty of food including: passed hors d'oeuvres, a ceviche station, a noodle station, a shellfish station, a pizza station, a sushi station, antipasti and a Snake River Farms Wagyu Beef entree.

I was lucky enough to be there, and while I was able to see Wolfgang prep and cook several dishes — they smelled unbelievable! — I sadly didn't get to taste them. I did, however, manage to get some pics of all the fare. This is just the food that his crew will be producing, you can see the look, and I'll follow up with drinks and desserts soon!

Check out the full gallery — that's just a teaser above —

Puck to Cater the Oscars After Party

partysugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 11:58:31 -0800

For the fourteenth year in a row, Wolfgang Puck has been selected to create and cater the menu for the Governors Ball, the celebratory party that follows the Academy Awards. Puck will head a team of hand-picked chefs to cook, plate, and serve the 1,500 ball guests. Keeping up with the current trends in the culinary world, Puck states that the menu will highlight local ingredients. He said:

The Governors Ball is a singular event, and the food must be of equal caliber. Our menu will feature locally-grown, sustainable, and organic ingredients, providing guests with a culinary experience that will please even the most discerning of palates.

Among other delicious delicacies, Oscar-winners and A-List celebrities can look forward to Puck's minikobe burgers on brioche with sweet pickles and tuna tartare with wasabi aioli on togarashi toast.

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