YumSugar

Come Party With Me: Potluck Thanksgiving - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:50:03 -0800

When hosting any Thanksgiving dinner, be it a potluck or one where you do the majority of the cooking, it's a good idea to set the table a couple of days in advance.

Start with a seasonal tablecloth, then add the good china, polished flatware, and wine glasses. Serve the cocktails in tumblers and the turkey on a large platter.

Lots of candlelight creates a festive atmosphere, so place votives on the table and pillar candles around the dining room. Don't forget a bouquet or two of fresh flowers.

Consider the counter space; a lot of it might be in use during the hours before the meal, so a folding table where guests can place their contributions is crucial. If you are attending a potluck, make your dish in a vessel that has a cover or in a disposable pan that can be discarded at the end of the night.

Come Party With Me: All Hallows' Eve - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:50:08 -0700

It's easy to go all-out crazy with the decorations for a Halloween party. Think black rats, spiderwebs, glittery skulls, and hanging jack-o'-lanterns.

Throw in orange lights and lots of candles for spooky intimate lighting. Cover the table with a festive printed cloth.

Serve the food on black platters and in black bowls. Place skull glasses near the punch cauldron. Lastly, don't forget lots of your favorite Halloween candy!

How are you decorating for Halloween? Share your ideas below!

Come Party With Me: Vampire Party - the Look

partysugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:00:08 -0700

Black, white, and blood red are the colors that come to mind when I think of vampires and they're perfect for decorating a vampire party. Start by placing black candelabra with blood-dripping candles around the event location. Hang bats from the ceiling and stretch spider webs across the walls.

Serve the food on red platters, the soup in test tubes, and the cocktail in clear martini glasses. Sprinkle skull-and-cross-bones confetti across the tables, and place plastic vampire fangs in between the serving platters. Stack black napkins nearby. Bouquets of red roses finish the look.

Come Party With Me: Pumpkin Carving - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:50:09 -0700

Think pumpkin-patch-chic when staging the decor for a pumpkin carving party. Place a wheelbarrow next to the front door, fill it with pumpkins, and when guests arrive, ask them to pick one. For a rustic feel, throw some hay in with the pumpkins. Inside the house, set up carving stations: cover tables and counters with old newspapers, carving tools, and place lots of garbage bags nearby. Leave the chili in a big pot on the stove and stack black bowls next to it. Fill jack-o'-lantern bowls with chili toppings and candy. Display the pumpkin cake on a black cake stand and invite guests to put their beer in an oversize ice bucket. A single bouquet of Fall flowers is festively elegant. Don't forget to stock up on tea lights. Once everyone is done carving their pumpkins, place a tea light in each one and set them outside on the porch.

Veggie Flower Arrangement Is a Cool Centerpiece - and Snack

YumSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:00:39 -0700

As a parting present to a friend, Sugar staffer (and OnSugar manager!) sabs creatively crafted a floral arrangement - made entirely out of fresh, edible vegetables! The result was a stunning centerpiece that, like a flower cake, would be a thoughtful (and edible!) gift for someone who avoids sugar.

I loved the idea so much that I had to ask sabs how she did it. Interested in making one yourself? Find out how when you read more

Come Party With Me: Harvest Party - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:00:24 -0700

The menu for my harvest-themed dinner party is inspired by wine, so the tablescape will reflect this general feeling, too. To keep things casual and slightly rustic, don't cover the table with a tablecloth. Instead, place a linen runner down the middle and arrange bunches of ripe grapes as centerpieces.

White plates allow the food to be the focal point. Serve the meal family style and bring the braised chicken and saffron risotto directly to the table. Since the dinner is a celebration of wine, offer guests the choice of red or white wine and have the proper glasses for each.

During the cocktail hour, serve the Champagne punch in an elegant bowl and arrange the goat cheese mousse and strawberry compote on a wooden cheese board.

Lots of candles create an intimate glowing atmosphere while a single lavish arrangement of flowers is a welcoming hello if placed near the front door - it's the first thing guests will see and they'll immediately get in the mood!

Come Party With Me: Tailgate - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:15:58 -0700

When planning a tailgate, start by checking out your team's online shop. You can find all sorts of fun stuff like folding chairs and snack helmets, which are ideal for holding shrimp artichoke dip. Then head to a local party store to pick up color-coordinated supplies: paper plates, napkins, plastic cups, and balloons.

Pack a folding table and tablecloth in your trunk and ask a guest to bring a bouquet of flowers. To ensure that they don't get crushed, store the oatmeal cookies in tupperware. Don't forget a knife and cutting board so you can slice the sandwiches and quesadillas.

What do you bring when tailgating?

Come Party With Me: Oktoberfest - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:15:58 -0700

Let the colors of Germany's flag inspire the look at your Oktoberfest. Set the table with a red cloth and black plates. Serve the sausages and potato salad from big black bowls. Clear beer mugs are a must! Yellow flowers, red balloons, and a banner are festive and fun. Surprise guests with a Oktoberfest mint tin party favor.

Come Party With Me: My Birthday Party - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:15:26 -0700

I'm hosting my 28th birthday party in my grandfather's backyard. Since the yard is large, complete with pool, patio, gazebo, putting green, and grass, I'll be setting up each part of the dinner in a different area. The cocktail hour begins in the patio. Neat rows of glasses filled with campari cocktails and platters of bruschetta will await the arrival of the guests.

The long rectangular dinner table will be set up on the grass, to the left of the pool. A simple white tablecloth will cover it, along with printed paper placemats, white dinner plates, blue cloth napkins, menu stands that act as placecards, and wine glasses. Candles in mason jars and low vases filled with white flowers will run down the middle of the table.

I'll hang paper lanterns and white lights from the trees, line the fence with tiki torches, and place a fountain in the pool. After dinner we'll move to other side of the yard for dessert, digestifs, and a putting contest!

Tom Ford Anouk Sunglasses	Maltese Cross with Stones Sunglasses
Online Retailer of Brand-name Sunglasses	Target : Xhilaration? Rectangular Sunglasses - White/ Brown
Forever21.com - Product C4	Betsey Johnson Heart Hinge Glasses	Fendi Logo Cube Rectangle Sunglasses

Come Party With Me: End of Summer BBQ - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 09:15:21 -0700

When hosting an end of Summer barbecue, keep the look fresh and light. Start by covering the table with a plaid khaki tablecloth. Glass plates that resemble classic paper plates are whimsical and fun. Red cloth napkins add a punch of color to the tablescape. Serve the mixed meat and veggies on large oval platters. Pour the cocktails into highball glasses. Light candles and place potted plants near the table. Arrange the s'more-making ingredients in wicker serving baskets and tie the marshmallow forks (or twigs) together with a bow.