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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, read more.

Fruit Spritzers
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
Fresh seasonal fruit, such as 8 cups cubed seedless watermelon, 6 cups cubed honeydew melon, 6 cups cubed cantaloupe, 6 cups cubed mango, or 4 1/4 cups raspberries
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Pinch of coarse salt
Sparkling water, or club soda, or sparking wine

Directions

Put sugar and 1 cup water into a medium saucepan; bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat; let cool slightly.
Puree fruit, syrup, lemon juice, and salt in a blender. Pour through a fine sieve into a bowl. Refrigerate until cold, at least 30 minutes (up to 2 days).
To serve, fill 8 medium glasses with ice; pour 1/2 cup puree into each glass, and top off with sparkling water or wine, or club soda. Stir to combine. Serve immediately.

Serves 8.

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Happy Hour: Basil Sangria

partysugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:00:50 -0700

From wine spritzers to cabernet caipirinhas, this Summer, I've been all about sipping wine-based cocktails. The one I'm most infatuated with is sangria. I've experimented with tropical fruit sangria and floral liquor sangria. However, before I made this version, I had never enjoyed a sangria with fresh herbs. The star of this sangria is basil. It infuses the wine with an aromatic earthiness. Fresh-squeezed orange juice further flavors the sangria and club soda provides a subtle effervescence. To enjoy this refreshing drink, that's perfect for sipping on the deck, get the recipe and read more.

Basil Sangria
From Food & Wine

I was unable to find Thai-basil at my grocery store, so I simply used regular basil.

Ingredients

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
8 Thai basil sprigs
Zest of 1 lemon, peeled in 3-inch strips
Zest of 1 orange, peeled in 3-inch strips
2 bottles chilled Pinot Grigio
3/4 cup brandy
1/2 cup fresh orange juice, strained
Ice
Chilled club soda
12 thin orange slices, for garnish

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the basil sprigs and lemon and orange zests. Let the syrup stand, stirring often, until cooled to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Discard the basil sprigs and zest strips.
In a large pitcher, combine the basil syrup with the wine, brandy and orange juice.
Pour the sangria into ice-filled glasses, top with club soda and garnish each drink with an orange slice.

Serves 12.

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How-To: Kerry Washington's CFDA Makeup

BellaSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:00:33 -0700

At last night's CFDA Awards, Kerry Washington was the epitome of impeccable style. Check out how her soft watermelon-toned lipstick complements, not competes with, her warmer, orange-toned blush.

That, and she's achieved eyebrow perfection with the perfect balance of shape and color. While her eyes are heavily lined for dramatic effect, she creates a slight smokiness with taupe and shimmery pink shadows. Like this look? Check out my how-to when you read more.

Eyes: Apply a shimmering pink cream shadow to the lids, making sure the inner V area is covered. Try Clinique Quick Eyes Cream Shadow in Muffin ($15). After lining both the top and bottom lash lines with a black pencil, create a soft smokiness by applying a taupe shadow to the lids and creases, like Bobbi Brown Eye Shadow in New Mink ($20).
Cheeks: Add a pop of warm color by applying BareMinerals Blush in Tulip ($18) to the cheeks.
Lips: To finish off, apply a bright pink gloss to the lips, like CoverGirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers Lip Gloss in Watermelon Splash ($5).

Want more CFDA fun? Check out Fab's polls.

Getty

How-To: Leighton Meester's Copper-Toned Glow

BellaSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:54:59 -0700

Looks like Leighton got the memo, as she's matched her lipstick to her dress at last night's Chloé opening in LA. The actress chose to stick to a more toned-down feel, opting for muted orange cheeks and lips to match her dress.

Wearing makeup tones in the same color family creates a cohesive, natural look. By wearing just a touch of shimmering shadow on the lids, Leighton takes the look to nighttime glamour without overdoing it. If you'd like to try out this luxe copper-toned style, check out my tips on re-creating her cinnamon look when you read more.

Cheeks: Give yourself a burst of glowing color on the cheeks with a creamy-textured blush. I like Avon Be Blushed Cheek Color in Tropical Peach ($6).
Lips: Add a little spice to your lips with a soft, warm shade with orange undertones. Try Stila Lip Glaze in Cinnamon ($22) or CoverGirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers Lip Gloss in Tangerine Splash ($5).
Eyes: Apply a glittery or shimmery copper shadow to the lids, such as Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Chopper ($16). Next, apply a rich brown shadow to the crease and blend, using this same shade to lightly line around the eyes for emphasis. Try L'Oreal Wear Infinite Single Eye Shadow in Deep Mocha ($4.25). Add a little brownish-black mascara, and you'll be good to go.

Source

Do You Know What's Cooking This Week?

YumSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:30:32 -0800

Now that we've put Thanksgiving behind us, PartySugar and I have started gearing up for other Winter holidays this week. (Can you hear the excitement?!)

We drooled over chocolate gingerbread, went shopping for Winter produce, and made citrus spritzers with the seasonal fruit we bought. Did you stick around to pay attention? There's only one way to find out!

Take the quiz

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.

Linden Leaves' 23-Karat Gold Skin Care

BellaSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 05:16:23 -0700

Last week I told you about a $300 24-carat gold facial that promises to firm and brighten skin, replenish skin cells, and reduce wrinkles. If that service is out of your price range, have no fear: I just stumbled upon a wealth of products from Linden Leaves, which offers a golden beauty option for about one-tenth the cost.

Linden's luxurious Gold skincare line - including bath oils, soaps, lotions, and mists - is made from 23-karat gold flakes, as well as fruit and flower oils like avocado and rosehips. (Life & Style magazine says Jessica Alba is a fan of the brand.) For details on this luxe line, read more

I don't really know much about what - if anything - gold does for skin, but Linden Leaves' products are so elegantly packaged and affordable (between $10 and $28) that I'm willing to give them a try!

I'm particularly entranced by the Gold Mist revitalizing spritzer, which looks a little bit like Goldschlager and leaves your skin with a slightly golden glow. There's also the Gold shower gel, which is infused with chamomile and vanilla, and this Gold Package ($149.95, pictured above), which would make a great gift for someone's 50th birthday, don't you think?

Brunch Beverage Breakdown

FitSugar — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Easter is all about the brunch. If you go out or stay in here is a little reference guide for a variety of drinks that often accompany any brunch from fresh squeezed fruit juice to the classic Bloody Mary (which is not really the best way to get your lycopene, but might be the most fun).

To check out the list, just read more

Drink	Calories
Bellini (champagne and peach puree) (1 drink)	65
Mimosa (champagne and orange juice) (1 drink)	80
Bloody Mary (tomato juice, lime juice, Worcestershire and Tabasco sauce, 1 stalk of celery, and vodka) (1 drink)	266
Fresh squeezed orange juice (1 cup)	110
Fresh squeezed tangerine juice (1 cup)	106
Grapefruit juice (12 oz)	145
Apple Juice (12 oz)	175
Apple Cider (12 oz)	124
Unsweetened Cranberry Juice (12 oz)	174
Carrot Juice (12 oz)	142
Lemonade (12 oz)	165
Coffee with 1 tbsp cream (6 oz)	33
Black Coffee (6 oz)	0
Herbal Tea (6 oz)	0
Sweetened Iced Tea (12 oz)	107
Skim Milk (12 oz)	136
Lowfat Milk (12 oz)	156
Chocolate Milk (12 oz)	227
Soy Milk (12 oz)	150

Fit's Tips: Making your own beverages is always better since you know exactly what's going in your glass. Try this Chambord Spritzer recipe from my dear friend Yum. And this Bellini made from blood oranges sounds deliciously refreshing in the morning.

Health Benefits of Sparkling Water

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 12:15:00 -0800

You all know how much I love water. I also really love sparkling water. We call it "bubbly" water at my house, mix it liberally with fruit juice and tell the girls they're drinking spritzers. It sounds so much fancier than watered down juice.

I have been wondering lately if sparkling water is harmful or beneficial, since it is just water with CO2 added to it to make it carbonated. Lucky for me the Times reports that it is not only equally hydrating as flat water but that it can also keep calcium locked in the bones.

So drink up! A little splash of "bubbly" water is good for you. It might even help relieve your upset stomach.

Fit's Tip: You should avoid Club Soda though. It has lots of sodium added to it in an attempt to recreate the taste of homemade seltzer from the good old days.

Soda Makes For Brittle Bones

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 09:03:21 -0800

I think it is fairly obvious that I am pro water and anti soda. It seems that the evidence against soda keeps stacking up. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently released a study on bone density and cola consumption. They found that women who drank cola regularly, diet not excluded, had significantly less bone density mass. This means those women have a higher risk for developing osteoporosis, the brittle bone disease that approximately 55% of Americans are at risk of developing.

By "drink regularly" they mean only 5 servings of cola per week. The good news for all of you soda drinkers is that non-cola soft drinks did not affect bone density in the same way.

The culprit could be the caffeine found in soda, because the potentially harmful effect was less for decaffeinated cola. Researchers think that the phosphorus content of the drinks may be the issue. The scary news is the more colas the women drank, the lower their bone mineral density. Yikes!!!

I say it is time to drink more water and all those un-colas out there. Or make your own juice spritzers with carbonated water and a splash of fruit juice. Car