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Come Fab Finding With Me: Sex and the City Soiree

FabSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:00:22 -0700

In case you haven't noticed, we've been in a frenzied excitement over our exclusive Sex and the City screening. Last weekend, PartySugar and I hosted a fabulous and fun Sex and the City party and everyone was asked to dress like their favorite SATC character or outfit. I'll start you off with this Erickson Beamon Arcade Ring ($195) because it evokes Carrie's glamorous eccentricity. Make me proud!

Let's go Fab Finding! Be sure to come back and tell me your Fab Finds are up, or just tag your Fab Finds with Sex and the City party.

Now, you can build outfits by creating a list of clothing items. We have everything you need to build outfits, and you can use your Fab-Find bookmarks, too. This is an even better way to put together an entire outfit when you are completing your Fab-Finding missions.

To learn what a Fab Find is and how to make one, click here. For a more detailed explanation of bookmarks from geeksugar click here.

Don't forget to sign up for a chance to win an Exclusive Sex and the City Screening with the Sugar Girls!

To see some of my favorite online stores, read more

Active Endeavors
Banana Republic
Bluefly
eLuxury
Girlshop
Jildor Shoes
Live Natty
Neiman Marcus
Net-a-Porter
Pink Mascara

What To Wear To a Sex and the City Party

FabSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 04:00:22 -0700

When we say we know Sex and the City, we mean it. We also practice what we preach. And so, PartySugar and I banded together to throw an intimate Sex and the City marathon and party. She created the menu, I encouraged the outfits and we hosted a fabulous, ultra fun affair. Be sure to see more party details but here's a fun slideshow in case you were wondering what one should wear to a SATC party. As for me, I was inspired by Dayglo Carrie season four - when the gals went out for a glowstick accessorized night at a gay club.

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Behind the Scenes: My Sex and the City Party

partysugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 06:00:14 -0700

Last Friday night FabSugar and I hosted a Sex and the City Marathon. From the tasty snacks and colorful cocktails - inspired by episodes from the show - to the competitive trivia game and outrageous outfits, the party was fabulous, fun, and a total success. To come party with me and take a closer look at the food and decor of our SATC party, click the "Start" button!

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Come Party With Me: Sex and the City Marathon - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:27:11 -0700

Fab's new - single and fabulous - apartment will set the scene of our Sex and the City marathon. Since this is a housewarming party for her, the decor will be her natural living space with clean, crisp, and minimal accents. Our color scheme is black and white with splashes of hot pink.

Start by covering the table in a fabulous zebra print runner. Serve the food on artistically shaped white serving platters. Stack the linen napkins next to the small square appetizer plates so guests can fill them up with tasty nibbles. For an elegant presentation of cupcakes, use a tiered serving platter. Pour the cosmos into classic martini glasses. Light pillar candles and place in simple, but chic hurricane holders. Arrange hot pink blooms in vases. Throw plush, black pillows on the couch and chairs for easy lounging.

Source

Come Party With Me: Sex and the City Marathon - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:31:10 -0700

Without Sex and the City, the Cosmopolitan would not be the wildly popular cocktail it is today. Created in the early 80s, the drink became well known because Carrie frequently ordered the rosy-hued concoction. At the Sex and the City marathon that Fab and I are hosting, we'll definitely be pouring Cosmopolitans.

We'll also have tons of pink champagne and sparkling water on hand. To see the cosmo recipe, we'll use, read more.

Cosmopolitan
From Drink of the Week

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. cointreau or triple sec
3/4 oz. cranberry juice
1/4 oz. fresh lime juice

Directions

Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well.
Strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with a lime wedge, if desired.

Serves 1.

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Source

Come Party With Me: Sex and the City Marathon - Desserts

partysugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:15:51 -0700

To celebrate her new apartment, Fab and I are hosting a Sex and the City marathon. The entire menu is inspired by scenes from the show. Carrie and the gals are often seen enjoying cupcakes, so we'll serve mini ones. The cupcakes will be chocolate since Miranda ate chocolate cake from her garbage can.

Another Miranda scene inspires the second dessert, a chocolate chip cookie cake. To take a look at these sweet recipes, read more.

Mini Chocolate Cupcakes
Modified from Epicurious

Ingredients

Cupcakes
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup pitted dates, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Vegetable oil cooking spray
1 teaspoon confectioners sugar for dusting
Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 drop red food coloring
3–4 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

Bring water and dates just to a boil in a 1-quart heavy saucepan, then transfer mixture to a food processor and add cocoa powder and chocolate, pulsing once to combine.
Let cool 2 minutes, then add brown sugar, egg, vanilla, baking soda, and a pinch of salt, then purée until smooth. Add flour and pulse just until incorporated.
Spray mini muffin cups with cooking spray. If pan is not nonstick, line sprayed bottoms with rounds of wax paper, then spray paper.
Spoon batter into cups, dividing it evenly, and bake in middle of oven until a wooden pick or skewer comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes. Cool cupcakes in pan on a rack 10 minutes, then turn out onto rack (remove wax paper, if using) and cool completely, right side up.
While cakes cool make frosting. Place butter, milk, vanilla, food coloring, and 2 cups of the confectioners' sugar in a mixing bowl. Beat on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Gradually add remaining sugar until light and fluffy.
Ice tops of cupcakes with pink frosting. Serve on a beautiful tray or tiered cake plate.

Makes 12 cupcakes.

Make ahead: cupcakes can be made and cooled (but not dusted with sugar) 1 day ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, plus 2 egg yolks
3/4 cup heavy cream
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
40 ounces (5 packages) cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. To make an even circle of batter, trace an 8-inch plate on the underside of a piece of parchment paper, repeat five times.
Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
Put butter and brown and granulated sugars into mixer bowl; mix on medium until pale and fluffy. Mix in vanilla, eggs, and yolks. Reduce speed to low.
Add flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the cream. Stir in chocolate chips.
For each of the 5 layers, drop 1 level cup batter onto center of a baking sheet lined with parchment (keep unbaked dough refrigerated). Using a small offset spatula, spread into an 8-inch circle. Bake until edges are pale golden brown, about 12 minutes. Remove from oven. Use offset spatula to reshape circle.
Return to oven; bake until edges are golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes more. Transfer to wire rack; let cool. Can be stored airtight up to 1 day.
Mix cream cheese and confectioners' sugar in clean mixer bowl on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Spread onto 4 cookies.
Stack cookies, placing unfrosted cookie on top. Refrigerate until frosting is set, at least 20 minutes or up to 4 hours. Serve at room temperature.

Serves 16.

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Come Party With Me: Sex and the City Marathon - Menu

partysugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 07:31:19 -0700

Fab and I are so excited for the premiere of the Sex and the City movie that we are hosting a SATC marathon! The party will be in Fab's new apartment, so it's also a housewarming. Since food is featured frequently in SATC, I'll be serving heavy appetizers inspired by episodes of the show. Carrie liked to go out partying while Aidan preferred staying in and eating fried chicken. Miranda asked Charlotte if her hoo-ha would like some French fries. After her book party, Carrie stops to eat a hot dog with her cab driver. Miranda orders Chinese so frequently the Shanghai Garden knows her order. And Samantha experiences raw food with Smith.

Keeping all that in mind, offer guests a smörgåsbord of delicious bites. Chicken fingers with French fries and spicy ketchup, mini-hot dogs and maple mustard, crab salad in crisp wontons, and raw tacos in lettuce cups. For these delicious recipes, read more.

Chicken Fingers with Red Eye Ketchup
From Better Homes and Garden magazine

Ingredients

1-1/2 to 2 pounds chicken tenders
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce
1 recipe Red Eye Ketchup (see recipe below)
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons peanut oil or cooking oil
2 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
1/2 of a 32-ounce package frozen french-fried crinkle-cut potatoes
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped peanuts*
1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Place chicken in a large self-sealing plastic bag set in a large bowl. Combine buttermilk, salt, and hot pepper sauce. Pour over chicken in bag. Close bag. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 to 24 hours, turning bag occasionally. Prepare Red Eye Ketchup; cover and chill until serving time.
In a large mixing bowl combine the 2 tablespoons peanut oil, 2 tablespoons cilantro, and chipotle chili powder. Add french fries and toss to coat. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake according to package directions.
Meanwhile, in a shallow dish combine flour, chopped peanuts, the remaining 1/4 cup cilantro, and black pepper.
Remove chicken pieces from buttermilk mixture; shaking off excess. Coat chicken with flour mixture a few pieces at a time.
In a deep 12-inch cast iron skillet or extra-large deep skillet heat the remaining 2 cups peanut oil over medium heat until a bread cube dropped into the oil browns quickly.
Using tongs, carefully add 4 coated chicken tenders to skillet. (Once the chicken has been added, maintain oil temperature at 325 degree F.) Fry chicken in hot oil about 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink (170 degree F) and coating is golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Transfer to baking sheet along with fries.
Reduce oven to 300 degree F and keep chicken and fries in warm oven while frying remaining chicken. Serve chicken fingers and fries with Red Eye Ketchup.

Serves 6.

Red Eye Ketchup: in a small saucepan combine 1 cup ketchup, 2 teaspoons instant coffee crystals, and 1/8 teaspoon chipotle chili powder. Cook and stir over medium heat until coffee crystals are dissolved. Cover and chill until serving time.

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Mini Hot Dogs
From Rachael Ray

Ingredients

Two 12-ounce packages refrigerated biscuit dough
1 cup Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, 2 teaspoons sauce reserved
1 cup ketchup
One 12-ounce package mini cocktail franks

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°.
Separate the biscuits and cut each in half. Pull each half into an oblong shape to resemble a hot dog bun. Place the dough on 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Cool, then split in half lengthwise, being careful not to slice all the way through.
While the rolls bake, in a small bowl, combine the mustard and maple syrup.
In a food processor, puree the chipotle chile with the reserved adobo sauce and ketchup; spoon into another small bowl.
In a microwave, heat the cocktail franks; place one in each bun. Serve with the two dipping sauces.

Makes 12 mini dogs.

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Crab Salad in Crisp Wonton Cups
From Ellie Krieger

Ingredients

For the Wonton Cups:
Cooking spray
18 wonton wrappers, thawed (if frozen)
2 teaspoons canola oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the dressing:
1 teaspoon lime zest
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons olive oil
For the salad:
1/2 pound lump crabmeat, picked over
1 stalk celery, finely diced
1/2 cup finely diced mango
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray 2 mini-muffin tins with cooking spray.
Brush the wonton wrappers with oil, and place each wrapper into a section of a mini-muffin tin. Gently press each wrapper into the tin and arrange so that it forms a cup shape. The wrapper will overlap itself and stick up out of the cup. Sprinkle with salt and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until browned and crisp. Remove from the tin and allow wrappers to cool.
Meanwhile whisk together the zest, lime juice, salt, pepper, and pepper flakes. Add the oil and whisk until well combined.
In a medium bowl, toss together the crabmeat, celery, mango, scallion and cilantro. Add dressing and toss to combine. Fill each cup with the crab salad and serve.

Serves 6.

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Raw Tacos
From Michele Haslam

Ingredients

2 med carrots, grated
1 lrg zucchini, grated
1¾ cups pepitas, ground
1 basket of cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in halves
2 lrg jalapenos, minced
1 orange bell pepper, diced
1 lrg shallot, minced
cilanto, 1 tightly packed handful, chopped
2 limes, juiced of
½ tsp cumin,chili powder,garlic powder
¼ tsp cayanne
drizzle bragg's aminos
drizzle apple cider vinegar
romaine lettuce leaves, for serving

Directions

Combine zucchini,carrots,pepitas,and spices toss.
Add remaining vegetables, cilantro and lime juice toss. Drizzle Bragg’s and Vinegar a bit at a time to taste and toss.
Serve in the middle of a lettuce cup.

Makes about 4 large cups.

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Come Party With Me: Sex and the City Marathon - Invite

partysugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:10:51 -0700

In order to prepare ourselves for the much-anticipated Sex and the City movie, Fab and I are hosting a SATC marathon in her new apartment. We're inviting our best gal pals and asking them to dress like their favorite character. After we've had our fill of appetizers and episodes, we're going out dancing. Before we can start planning, we've got to choose a date and send invitations. To see how I made the invites pictured here, read more.

To make a similar invitation, you will need the following supplies:

black cardstock
scissors
glue
image of New York City - I used a silhouette
any fun images from the show - I used one of Carrie from the movie's poster

To assemble the invite:

Start by creating a new document in Microsoft word. Drag the images into the document. For mine, I copied the New York City silhouette three times along the bottom of the invite. Next I added a pink and black diamond border. The Carrie image I centered to the left and I added in text boxes around the image. For the text I used the font Bodoni SvtyTwo ITC TT-BookItalic in Size 12 to write out the details:

Please join me in revisiting old friends and welcoming new spaces
Sex and the City Marathon @ FabSugar’s New Apartment
Late night dancing to follow.
8:00 pm
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Regrets only 415.555.5555
Fabulous outfits inspired by Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte are encouraged!

Once you are happy with the text and format print on plain white paper. Check for spelling and grammatical errors. Print out.

Cut the invite down to size. Glue to the black cardstock, and cut that down to size.

Slide into an addressed envelope and send. Alternatively, you could send the invite as an email.

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Buzz Gift Guide: The Girly Girl

BuzzSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:30:56 -0800

We've all got one: that best friend, sister, cousin, or co-worker who just can't enough pink. She's the one who's hosting the Sex and the City marathons and insisting that everyone drink cosmos. Luckily, the girly girls of the world are among my favorites to shop for!

Confessions of a Shopaholic is the perfect chick flick to watch with friends, while Madonna's Celebrations anthem is a must for great pre-party tunes. Be sure to check out all of my gift guides plus holiday coverage across the PopSugar Network as the most wonderful time of the year steadily approaches!

Good News: Watching Live TV Will Soon Get a Little Quieter

GeekSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:44:30 -0700

I'm addicted to skipping through commercials via TiVo, but when I do watch live television, my eardrums get a major blast whenever ads come on. At first I thought it was just me, then I noticed the lack of volume control while at a friend's house watching a Sex and the City marathon. What gives?

Apparently advertisers think that screaming at us about their products will make us want to buy, buy, buy. But all it ever really makes me want to do is mute, mute, mute. Thankfully, us apartment dwellers who can't handle a lot of neighbor TV noise at one in the morning have the government on our side - a new bill is making its way through congress that requires broadcasters and operators to normalize the volume of commercials on TV.

I guess doctors have known for years that excessive TV volume can damage your hearing, so soon, your ears will be saved from early retirement due to insane TV volume. What about you - do you notice the change in volume when commercials come on?