YumSugar

Download Our Free Ugly Sweater Invite!

partysugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 07:45:18 -0800

This year instead of hosting a swanky (and expensive) holiday cocktail party, consider throwing an ugly sweater party! The theme is informal and fun, yet totally festive. It's an ideal party for introducing new groups of friends because the ugly sweaters break the ice and create easy conversation. To help you get your holiday party on, we've created a free downloadable, ugly sweater party invite! All you have to do is download, print, fill out, and send. Voila - instant holiday party. Don't forget to carry the kitschy theme to the menu by serving cheese balls, Chex mix, and slippery Santa shots. Happy hosting!

Does Your Dog Have an Ugly Sweater?

PetSugar — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:00:50 -0800

I've heard about those ugly sweater parties, but I've never actually been to one. However, when I learned about Petfinder's Ugly Sweater Contest for dogs, I was intrigued. 'Cause North is totally photogenic and I'd much rather make him look foolish than myself any day!

Don't worry if your furry friend doesn't have an ugly sweater, you can also submit a photo of your pet's "winter digs" and enter the contest by Sunday, Nov. 23. The winner will get his (or her) very own e-card on Petfinder.com!

Source

Come Party With Me: Ugly Sweater - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 06:01:39 -0800

When decorating for your Ugly Sweater party, think the uglier the better. Create an over-the-top look with tacky accents and mis-matched prints in bright red and vivid green.

Set the mood by hanging a cheeky sign from the door encouraging rowdy behavior. When guests arrive give them a Christmas stocking shaped beverage holder and a black sharpie. Have them write their name on the stocking to prevent lost drinks.

Cover the table with a garish poinsettia tablecloth. Hang lights and wrap beads around banisters and staircases. Light candles and a fire in the fireplace.

Serve the appetizers on big red platters and the sweets in bowls shaped like ornaments. Pour the cocktails in festive martini glasses and pass them out with a plaid cocktail napkin.

Come Party With Me: Ugly Sweater - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:45:11 -0800

It's safe to say that a lot of alcohol will be consumed at your Ugly Sweater party. It's a shindig that starts later in the night, so guests will be excited and in the mood. When they arrive, offer them a cheesy cocktail or a scrumptious shot. Sandra Lee's Glacer-tini is bright green and sophisticatedly trashy, while a Slippery Santa shot is deliciously dark and potent.

Have plenty of beer and wine on hand. Expecting a large crowd? Splurge on a keg. Champagne and sparkling apple cider are festive crowd pleasers, so stock up on a few bottles. Sparkling and still water are a must.

For the holiday-themed cocktail recipes, read more.

Glacer-tini
From Sandra Lee

Ice cubes
1 part vanilla liqueur (recommended: Liqueur 43)
2 parts blue-colored tropical fruit liqueur (recommended: Hpnotiq)
Lemon-lime soda
1 rock candy swizzle stick

In a glass pitcher or cocktail shaker filled with ice, add vanilla liqueur, tropical fruit liqueur, and top with lemon-lime soda.
Stir and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a clear rock candy swizzle stick and serve.

Serves 1.

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Slippery Santa
From Cocktail Times

1 oz Blavod Black Vodka
1/2 oz oz Cinnamon schnapps
Whipped cream
Garnish: Maraschino cherry

Pour vodka and cinnamon schnapps in a shot glass and top with whipped cream and garnish with a maraschino cherry (or a red hot candy).

Serves 1.

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Come Party With Me: Ugly Sweater - Menu (Sweet)

partysugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:27:31 -0800

Fill a table at your Ugly Sweater party with sweet treats for guests to snack on throughout the night. Stay away from serving anything too complicated or showy that will require more than a cocktail napkin for eating. Choose your favorite classic, holiday candies - red and green M&Ms, peppermint bark, candy canes, etc. - and serve along side one homemade dessert. These chocolate-peanut bars are a no-bake, delicious dessert. The combination of chocolate and peanut is always a crowd pleaser. For the recipe, read more

Chocolate Peanut Bars
From Southern Living magazine

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 (16-oz.) box powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups vanilla wafers, crushed (about 45 cookies)
1 (12-oz.) package semisweet chocolate morsels
1/2 cup whipping cream

Beat butter and peanut butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended.
Add powdered sugar and vanilla wafer crumbs; beat until blended. Press mixture evenly into a lightly greased 13-x-9-inch baking pan lined with wax paper.
Stir together chocolate morsels and whipping cream in a medium saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Spread evenly on top of peanut-butter mixture. Chill 1 hour or until firm.
Remove from refrigerator, and let stand at room temperature 10 minutes or until slightly softened. Cut into 48 bars.

Makes about 4 dozen.

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Come Party With Me: Ugly Sweater - Menu (Savory)

partysugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:28:39 -0800

Although the Ugly Sweater party starts at 8 p.m., it's important to offer guests a few snacks to nibble on throughout the night. The last thing you want is a drunken guest raiding your fridge or pantry. To avoid this sloppy situation, set out a variety of small appetizers that require virtually no work throughout the night.

A vegetarian garlic, eggplant, and tomato spread is delicious on crusty bread. A homemade chex-style party mix is an excellent absorber of alcohol. Since this is a tacky-chic party, make three different kinds of cheese balls. Serve with an assortment of crackers and flatbreads. If desired, supplement the menu with store bought goods like olives, dips, and vegetables.

For the recipes, read more

Garlicky Eggplant and Tomato Crostini
From Food and Wine magazine

2 pounds small eggplants-peeled, quartered lengthwise, then halved crosswise
6 medium garlic cloves, halved
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
One 28-ounce can peeled Italian plum tomatoes, coarsely chopped, juices reserved
1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
toasted croutons, crostini, or crackers for serving

In a large saucepan fitted with a large steamer basket, bring 1/2 inch of water to a simmer. Add the eggplant and garlic to the steamer. Cover the saucepan and steam the eggplant over moderate heat until tender, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the chopped tomatoes and their juices along with the cilantro, cumin, paprika and crushed red pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 15 minutes.
Drain the steamed eggplant and garlic in a colander, pressing gently to extract any excess water.
Transfer to a bowl and finely mash the garlic and coarsely mash the eggplant with a fork, then scrape them both into the tomato sauce.
Add the fresh lemon juice and simmer over moderate heat for 5 minutes, stirring a few times. Season the eggplant with salt and pepper and transfer to a serving bowl.
Serve the eggplant salad at room temperature or lightly chilled with croutons, crostini, or crackers for spreading.

Serves 6.

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Homemade Party Mix
From Emeril Lagasse

1/2 pound cashews
1/2 pound hot roasted peanuts
2 cups pretzel nuggets
8 cups waffle cereal (such as Chex)
1 cup butter
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Creole spice

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In a large bowl combine nuts, pretzels and cereal.
Melt butter with Worcestershire sauce and drizzle over nut mixture; sprinkle with Creole spice.
Toss to coat completely, pour onto a cookie sheet and bake until crisp and tasty, about 25 minutes.

Makes about 12 cups.

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Cheese Balls Three Ways
From Martha Stewart

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
3 packages (8-ounce) cream cheese
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
5 dashes hot sauce, preferable Tabasco
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
8 ounces sharp orange cheddar cheese, finely shredded
2 tablespoons store-bought chutney
3/4 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
Water crackers, for serving
6 ounces Roquefort cheese
1 shallot, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
2 teaspoons brandy, optional
1 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
Vegetable chips, such as Terra Chips Sweets & Beets, for serving
8 ounces goat cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped scallions
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh curly-leaf parsley
1 English cucumber, cut into 1/8-inch slices, for serving

Prepare the Base Mixture: in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine butter, cream cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper; mix on medium speed until combined. Divide equally among 3 medium bowls.
Prepare the Cheddar and Cranberry Cheese Ball: stir cheddar and chutney with base mixture in the first bowl. Form into a ball. If not using immediately, refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 1 month. Roll cheese balls in cranberries to coat before serving. Serve with crackers.
Prepare the Roquefort and Walnut Cheese Ball: stir blue cheese and shallot with base mixture in second bowl; add brandy, if desired. Form into a ball. If not using immediately, refrigerate up to 3 days; freeze up to 1 month. Roll in walnuts to coat before serving. Serve with chips.
Prepare the Goat Cheese and Scallion Cheese Ball: stir goat cheese and scallions with base mixture in remaining bowl. Form into a ball. If not using immediately, refrigerate up to 3 days to freeze up to 1 month. Roll in parsley to coat before serving. Serve with cucumber slices.

Makes three 4-inch cheese balls and serves 8 to 10.

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Come Party With Me: Ugly Sweater - Invites

partysugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 07:30:51 -0800

If hosting a holiday cocktail party is too formal for your entertaining style, host an ugly sweater themed bash instead! Invite all of your friends over and tell them to wear their most obnoxious Christmas sweater. This type of party is fun, informal, and hysterical. To get guests in the mood send a fabulous invitation. You can download, print, and fill out our ugly sweater party invite or make a more personalized invitation like the one seen here. To see how I made it, read more

To make an invite similar to the one seen here you will need the following supplies:

2 sheets of cardstock
a funny picture of you and the other hosts/hostesses dressed in your ugly sweaters
scissors
glue
computer and printer

To assemble the invite:

Start by taking a fun picture of you around your Christmas tree in an ugly sweater.

Make a color photo copy of the picture and cut down to size. Set aside.

Create a new Word document on your computer. Write out the details of the party. I used the font Bradley Hand ITC TT-Bold in size 14 to write the following message:

You’re invited to rock around the Christmas tree
In your ugliest holiday sweater!

This Saturday night, December 15
8 o’clock pm
PartySugar’s house, San Francisco

Only those wearing a fabulously ugly
sweater will be admitted to the party!

Rsvp. 415.555.5555

Print out and check the text for grammar or spelling mistakes. Once satisfied with the info, print out on the cardstock.

Cut down to size.

Using fun scissors, cut another piece of cardstock down to size. This will act as the frame to the picture.

With a round shaped object, trace a circle on the picture. Place the picture on top of the frame cardstock and the circular object on top of this. Carefully slide the picture out while holding the circle in place.

Trace the circle on to the cardstock and cut the middle out. Turn over.

Glue the picture, face down to the back of the frame.

Glue the text face up to the back of the picture.

Add any special touches. I glued a gold bow to the front of mine.
Slide into an envelope and send.

View 32 Photos ›

Six Smart Tips For Better Wedding and Engagement Photos

BellaSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:00:42 -0700

Are you having a wedding on a budget? Or do you just want to preserve a few before-the-big-day moments in a photo session? Either way, going the DIY route is a totally do-able option - as long as you follow a few guidelines. We asked Meg Messina, a San Francisco-based photographer, to share her secrets for going behind the lens.

For six of her best tips, read more.

Photograph at the Right Time of Day
"This is the simplest tip, because it lets natural light do most of the work for you. When the sun is directly overhead or high in the sky - say from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - it creates harsh, unflattering shadows. Shooting before or after will give you fewer shadows and a more even glow. Use morning light for a beautiful cool tone and late-afternoon light for a look that’s warm and soft. If you have to shoot mid-day, make sure it’s cloudy or overcast - or find a big spot of shade."

Pick Your Wardrobe Wisely
"His-and-her sweaters? All-denim outfits? Bad ideas. The goal here is not to match but to coordinate your clothing. Choose colors that complement each other and avoid patterns that clash. And most importantly, stay away from logo tees. You might love a band, but your engagement photo is not the place to advertise."

Use Flash to Make Your Photos Pop
"It’s very common for flash to be too strong - wiping out details and creating ugly red-eye. But when used correctly, your on-camera flash can add a nice glint to your photos. The surrounding light may cause your flash not to trigger, so first, set your flash to 'on' instead of 'auto.' Next, tape a small piece of tissue paper over the flash. The paper will act as a diffuser, softening the light just a bit before it hits your face. Make sure the tape itself does not cover the flash or you’ll be left with weird shadows. Now take a few test shots to determine how close to stand to the camera. Find the correct distance and angle and this little burst of light will add a beautiful glint to your eye."

Use a Digital Camera With a Self-Timer
"If you have a friend willing to press the shutter button, that’s great. But a self-timer and a tripod (or a safe flat surface) will work just fine. Unless you’re more experienced, stick with digital so you can see what you’re getting and make adjustments as you go along. The first step is to frame the shot on your fiancé from behind the camera, leaving room to one side for you to jump in. Set the self-timer and be ready to get in place as soon as you press the shutter button. A self-timer is a great way to eliminate the stiff posed look some photos have. There’s no time to pose because you’re running into the frame!"

Don’t Skimp on Printing
"If you want high-quality prints of your photos, take the files to a high-quality printer. There’s a huge continuum of photo printers, from drug stores to high-end labs, and something in the mid-to-high range is the way to go. Drugstore printers use machines and lower quality ink and paper. Since they’re dealing with a larger volume of customers, your prints may lack the attention to detail that make them look great. A high-quality printer will use better materials and trained professionals who make adjustments to the image before running it through the machine. They may also offer retouching services, if you need to remove a blemish, an under-eye circle, or whiten your fiancé’s teeth. Even if you decide not to have prints made, labs can improve photos before you email them out or post them online. "

Have Some Fun and Show Your Personality
"This is the most important tip of all. Your engagement photos are meant to capture your personalities as individuals and as a couple. Find a way to show that in your setting, activities, or expressions. For example: was your first date in a photogenic spot? Use that spot as your background. Do you love backpacking or camping together? Photograph yourselves in a tent. Are you both complete goofballs? Take a photo with your eyes crossed and tongues sticking out. Whatever your version is, know that you’re not confined to a perfectly posed smiley photo. So create a photo that is unique to you!"

Photograph courtesy of Meg Messina Photography

Fab Finding Follow-Up: A Ravin' Holiday Party

FabSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:00:22 -0800

One of the best things about the holidays are the parties. This month, I plan on attending the traditional dinner soiree; an ugly sweater bash; and my absolute favorite, the holiday rave. I already have the first two outfits so I asked you to help me find a festive throwback raver look. Creative, but not too candy raver.

I started you off with this Gerard Yosca Green Charm Cuff ($198); it's a step above the usual rubber bracelets. Let's see what you all came up with!

Look #1, created by allourregrets, is raver approved. Punky and bright.

Jerry Sunglasses�-� Jimmy Choo	Andrew Marc 'Vienna' Medium Hobo
Sequin hoodie	Stuart Weitzman Riding Boots
Dionne Straight Leg Denim	Buddhist Punk David Bowie T-shirt �\|�	Gerard Yosca Green Charm Cuff ($198)

To see the rest, read more.

Look #2, created by CocoChic, has all the neon elements. Love those Loubs!

MINT jodi arnold Ruffle silk tank	Burberry Keadby wide leg jeans
Christian Louboutin C'est Moi shoe boots	Forever21.com Black Clutch
Gerard Yosca Green Charm Cuff ($198)	Forever21.com Multiple Hoop Earrings

Look #3, created by Whiplash, is super quirky. And glow sticks - no she didn't!

McQ Multi-color stripe top - NET-A-PORTER.COM	Hudson dark blue lightweight wide leg stretch jeans at Bluefly
Dr. Martens 9733-14 Eye 2 Zip Boot - Free Shipping	Hatsinthebelfry.com: Christine A. Moore Brandi - Denim Fedora
Jill Stuart Tabitha Bag - shopbop.com	Forever21.com - Accessories - Disco Ball Necklace
Swarovski Crystal - Online-Shop - Jewellery - Pierced Earrings - Fever Pierced Earrings	Original Ring Pops Candy Lollipop (0.5 Oz)	6 Pack - Glow Sticks \| OldGlory.com

Come Fab Finding With Me: A Ravin' Holiday Party

FabSugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:00:22 -0800

One of the best things about the holidays are the parties. This month, I plan on attending the traditional dinner soiree; an ugly sweater bash; and my absolute favorite, the holiday rave. I already have the first two outfits so I need your help in finding a festive throwback raver look. Be creative, but don't go too candy raver.

I'll start you off with this Gerard Yosca Green Charm Cuff ($198); it's a step above the usual rubber bracelets.

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 holiday rave 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.

Learn what a Fab Find is and how to make one. And here is a more detailed explanation of bookmarks from geeksugar.

To see some of my favorite online stores, read more.

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