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Happy Hour: X-Rated Fusion Liqueur

partysugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:00:54 -0700

While I normally prefer a classic cocktail or a glass of good whiskey, I've been known to enjoy a girly drink (or two) in my lifetime. Recently I've become obsessed with this brilliantly pink liqueur, X-Rated ($27).

At first, the cheesy name and vibrant color made me nervous. I was afraid it was going to be overly sweet — more like cough syrup than a luscious liqueur. However, the rosy liquid is absolutely delicious! A fusion of French vodka and organic blood orange, mango, and passion fruit juices, the liqueur tastes fresh not artificial. It's sweet, but not overly so. I served a chilled shot to girlfriends before a night on the town, but it would also be a flavorful addition to specialty cocktails.

If you're hosting a bachelorette party or bridal shower, consider serving X-Rated. Your girlfriends will love the taste and the experience of sampling a new liqueur. A bottle also makes a lovely birthday gift for a fashionable 21-year-old.

Have you tried X-Rated? What did you think?

Yummy Links: From Salmonella to Homemade Ricotta

partysugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:00:33 -0700

The raw tomato Salmonella outbreak has spread to 16 states. — FitSugar
A lovely alternative to classic pasta salad: Thai shiitake mushroom salad. — 28 Cooks
Isn't this gorgeous dress cake perfect for a bridal shower? — Frosted Garden
When baking, don't add too much flour while kneading. — The Kitchn
The best of ballpark food. — The New York Times
Due to the recession, Safeway's baker's dozen will only include 12 items. — Slashfood
Boxed wine isn't that bad. Here are six to try.—Mainstreet
Learn how to make homemade ricotta.—The Wednesday Chef

Source

Come Party With Me: Bridal Shower — The Look

partysugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:15:16 -0700

Keep the look to your bridal shower chic and elegant with springtime colors and white accents. Instead of covering the table with a cloth, place a pretty runner down the middle. Set clear vases filled with bunches of tulips on top of the runner.

Arrange large platters with assorted crostini around the runner. Stack different colored appetizer plates in unique shapes at one end of the table. Neatly place folded cotton napkins near the appetizer plates. Serve the mini lemon meringue pies on a tiered cake stand. Alternate layers of the pie with chocolate truffles.

Set the fruit spritzer buffet on a banquet in another area of the room. Line glasses in a row next to an ice bowl, the fruit purees, and mixers. Near the door organize a bunch of pretty nail polish in varying colors. Invite guests to take one as a favor when they leave.

For more wedding planning mania, check out IDoSugar.

Come Party With Me: Bridal Shower — Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:30:36 -0700

Since most bridal showers are afternoon affairs, a heavy cocktail menu is not necessary. At Elena's bridal shower we'll set up a fruit spritzer buffet. Guests can have their choice of fruit purees and either mix them with sparkling water, club soda, or sparkling wine. A do-it-yourself bar is essential to this type of party where some will want to drink and others will not. Arrange ice, glasses, fruit purees, and mixers neatly on a side table.

For more wedding coverage go to IDoSugar. To take a look at the fruit spritzer recipe,

Adorable Kitchen Cakes

YumSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:15:40 -0700

This week PartySugar's busy planning a spectacular Bridal Shower. There's a fantastic menu and beautifully-made printable invites. However if you're the one headed to the shower, not planning it, I found this adorable kitchen "cake" for you to bring.

This adorable Kitchen Cake ($59) from Etsy seller Hold the Flour, comes with an assortment of kitchen gadgets, such as heart-shaped measuring spoons, bell-shaped cookie cutters, and whisks, all wrapped up in a plush towel. Inside you'll find a bottle of Lemongrass Zen soap.

I think it's so cute, and would definitely make a nice centerpiece at a party. While this one looks extremely well put together, you could always experiment by creating your own. If you do, what sort of things would you put into it? Tell us in the comments below.

And for more wedding coverage, be sure to head over to IDoSugar.

Come Party With Me: Bridal Shower — Dessert

partysugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:03:58 -0700

When I picture a bridal shower, a dainty miniature dessert comes to mind. A bite sized dessert is perfect for a shower where an all female crowd will not want to consume anything too heavy or rich.

These luscious looking, little lemon meringue pies are tiny and delectable. Serve after opening presents or playing games with purchased chocolate truffles, sparkling wine, and tea.

For more wedding ideas go to IDoSugar. To take a look at the recipe, please

Wedding Trend Alert: Couples Showers

partysugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 07:00:38 -0700

If bridal showers just aren't your style, consider hosting a couples shower. Coed, or "Jack and Jill" showers — in which the groom invites his male friends and family — are becoming more and more common. Think of a couples shower more like an engagement party. Host the party on the weekend and choose a menu that will please both men and women. For more tips on hosting a couples shower,

Come Party With Me: Bridal Shower — Menu

partysugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 08:00:31 -0700

A bridal shower is normally a female only event so plan a menu that is light with plenty of vegetarian options. Instead of serving a full meal or sit down salad at Elena's bridal shower, we'll offer guests an assortment of delectable crostini. Crostini — which means little toasts in Italian — can be topped with an endless amount of toppings. For Elena's shower guests will choose from mushroom ragu on chevre crostini, artichoke-parmesan crostini, eggplant caponata crostini, and roman style crostini. The crostini toppings and toasts can be made in advance and assembled the day of. To take a look at these amazing crostini recipes,

Come Party With Me: Bridal Shower — Invite

partysugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:45:58 -0700

Isn't it fabulous how many parties are associated with a wedding? For my girlfriend Elena, I've already planned an engagement party and the reception. This week I'm planning her bridal shower. All week long I'll be featuring my tips and ideas for the most memorable bridal shower. To get things started, we have to send invitations.

Since many of you are planning bridal showers, I asked our designer to create a set of gorgeous downloadable party invites! The invites are free, all you have to do is download, print, and fill them in. They're pretty, sophisticated, and come in three — blue, green, and pink — lovely colors.

To take a look at all of our wedding coverage go to IDoSugar. To download and print the bridal shower invite seen here,

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!

Yummy Link: Winter Wonderland Shower

partysugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 05:28:19 -0800

Hosting a bridal shower or engagement party this winter? Get inspired by Hostess with the Mostess' winter themed party plan. I love the rhinestone initial idea. Wouldn't it make a sparkling place setting? — Masterpiece Weddings

Come Party With Me: Bridal Shower

partysugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 11:03:19 -0700

Although this week I am all about the Bachelorette Party, I thought it would be helpful if I also discussed my bridal shower ideas. While the bachelorette party revolves around the bride's best girlfriends, the bridal shower involves all of the important females in the bride's life (mother, grandmother, aunts, cousins, etc.). Like the wedding, the bridal shower should reflect your personal style, attitudes, and preferences. Love to cook? Have it at a cooking class. Crafty? Host a knitting, pottery, or painting bridal shower. Pamper you and your ladies with a spa shower. Other ideas are a picnic, outdoor activity (horseback riding, white water rafting, etc), psychic reading, salsa dancing, sleep over, and tea party. Themes make planning the event much easier and so will my party tips so