TresSugar

Dear Poll: Are You Usually the Host or the Guest?

DearSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:00:00 -0800

Since many of you attended, or threw election parties last year, I'm left assuming that you're doing the same for inauguration today. And in most groups of friends, it's usually one person who acts as the hostess with the mostess, so tell me ladies, are you typically the host or the guest?

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The How-To Lounge: Hosting a Last Minute Dinner Party

DearSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 10:00:00 -0700

Have you ever had company over for cocktails and one drink lead to two, which lead to an impromptu dinner party? Well, if not, it's bound to happen sooner than later so there are some tips to keep in mind so you can always be the hostess with the mostess!

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The next time you go grocery shopping, keep a list similar to this in mind: Nuts, pretzels, cheese, crackers, veggies, dips, cured meat, pasta, pasta sauces, and dried spices. You also want to keep your freezer stocked with some meat, pre-cooked apps, sorbet or ice cream, even veggies so you can quickly whip up something that your guests can nosh while you are preparing dinner
The fastest way to kill any kind of party is not having enough, or any alcohol. Always keep a bottle of vodka in the freezer, a few bottles of white wine in the fridge, and some red wine in your pantry
Keep extra candles on hand. Mood lighting is important, especially when your guests might not have had time to touch up their make-up!
I think it's fair to say that everyone has their own fail proof recipe, whether it be your famous pasta sauce (pasta is a no-brainier since it's easy and filling) or mustard chicken, so stick with what you know - you can't go wrong
Staying calm is the key to pulling off a last minute get together. If you were gracious enough to extend the invitation last minute, chances are your guests will be very understanding of the limitations you have

If you have an extra 5 minutes before your friends walk through the door, I advise you to quickly vacuum. For some reason, seeing those lines on the carpet makes my apartment feel instantly clean. Good luck, and most importantly, have fun!

The How-To Lounge: Dressing for your Pool Party

DearSugar — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar--

My husband and I are hosting our first pool party/BBQ and I don't know what to wear. I want to be comfortable, glamorous, and classy. Any suggestions?

To see my advice in this special edition of The How-to Lounge, click here to read more

As the host of the party, you will no doubt be running around, making sure your guests are happy, so comfort should be your most important requirement
Being comfortable doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style! Start out with a secure bathing suit. You will most likely be serving your guests, or at least moving around and socializing, so be sure your bikini or one piece fits properly -- no Tara Reid moments at your own party please!
Summer pool parties make me think of color. If you want to stay a little more covered up in front of your guests, throw on a bright sarong or a colorful printed free flowing sun dress. If you are worried about getting burned, use an Indian inspired caftan as a cover-up
If you are serving drinks and food in glass (I recommend plastic or paper wear), don't go barefoot. Havaianas make comfortable, bright flip flops in a large array of colors, or other shoes are a cute platform or espadrille sandal -- whatever is more comfortable for you
Since you no doubt want to be the hostess with the mostess, I don't blame you for wanting to be glamorous! BBQ's and pool parties are generally a casual affair, but adding some sparkle to your outfit won't hurt anyone, will it?! Wear a pair of gold hoop earrings, or a long, layering necklace, even some gold or colorful bangles to dress up your swimsuit or cover up
Hats are a great way to look classy while hanging out poolside. Choose a straw hat with a big floppy brim in order to protect you against a sunburn while still looking chic and stylish

I look as summer as an excuse to break out all my feminine dresses and skirts, but if you prefer shorts or flowy pants, those will work for any pool party or BBQ just the same. For some fashion tips from my friend FabSugar, check out her Fab Finding Follow Up: Pool Par-tay, and for your complete pool party planning guide, check out what YumSugar has up her sleeve. Have fun!

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The How-To Lounge: Planning a Pool Party

DearSugar — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 10:00:00 -0700

Since the 4th of July is right around the corner, it's time to start planning for your pool party! To help you be the hostess with the mostess, check out some fun party planning tips that is a sure fire way to have a hit of a party.

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Take the weather into consideration. If it is going to be incredibly warm, think about starting the party towards the end of the day after the peak sun hours
Make sure to have plenty of bottled water. Drinking alcohol in the sun can dehydrate you, quickly, so make sure your guests stay hydrated
Avoid glass at all costs, especially if children will be attending your party. Opt for plastic or paper glasses, plates, and utensils. Be sure to have a few large trash cans by the food and drinks so your back yard doesn't get too trashed
Arrange some snacks for grazing on a table close to were your serving beverages, even if you are serving a meal later in the day. The sun has been known to make people hungry, especially if they are drinking on an empty stomach
Be sure to have a variety of beverages available - some alcoholic, some non-alcoholic. I suggest making a speciality drink, something fruity and summery like a mojito or a margarita that you can make in a big batch
Arrange some summer flowers on the tables surrounding the pool. Peonies, sunflowers, roses, etc. are some colorful, seasonal options
Make sure to have plenty of towels for your guests. It's a good idea to have an array of sunscreens as well, even some extra hats so your guests don't get a sunburn
A party isn't a party without music! Make sure it accents conversation, not overwhelms everyone
If you need some good food and drink idea's, consult my friend Party Sugar's guide to help plan a perfect 4th of July 4th of July party!

Have fun and remember, alcohol and water doesn't mix well, so be safe!

What Celebrity Would you Want to Throw a Party in your Honor?

DearSugar — Wed, 16 May 2007 10:30:00 -0700

Everyone knows that celebrities know how to throw great parties. Puff Daddy's white party is the hottest ticket of the summer and what would the Playboy mansion be without their weekly themed festivities?

Before your wedding day, there are a plethora of showers, engagement parties, couples showers, etc. planned in your honor, but if you could choose any celebrity to host a party for you and your fiancé, who would you want to be the host/hostess?

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The How-To Lounge: Being a Good Hostess

DearSugar — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 06:00:00 -0700

It requires a lot of experience and some serious patience to become a graceful hostess. A good girlfriend of mine currently gives us all a run for our money, and I admire her talent and her skills. Let's review a few helpful tips for throwing a great dinner or cocktail party and enjoying it, too.

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Be prepared for early guests!
When hosting a party, ambiance counts. I like soft lighting, candles, and it's best if the music serves to accent conversation, not overwhelm everyone
Flowers are always a nice tough to make your home look fresh and cozy
Being a hostess takes a lot of work. Catering to your guests, and taking care of the food and the drinks gets overwhelming here and there. Stay calm and collected. Take a 5-minute break in the bathroom if you need to center and ground yourself
Provide an assortment of beverages for your guests, including enough water and non-alcoholic choices, and stock up. When the drinks disappear, so do the guests
Introduce guests to each other. If you're secretly playing matchmaker, be very sly but do help spark their conversation
Set aside a place for coats. You don't want the couch turned into an eyesore in the middle of the room
Assign little jobs to your partner or good friend. This way you can concentrate on your guests' needs, facilitate introductions and not become overwhelmed. Delegate. Delegate. Delegate
Provide appetizers, no matter the occasion. A simple cheese plate on the coffee table will suffice
If you're hosting a dinner party, keep the cocktail hour short and sensible. Disasters follow excessive drinking before a meal
Parties should be fun for everyone, including you. Let the little things go and delight in the company of your friends and family

Enjoy your weekend, ladies!

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Book of the Day: The Hostess Twinkies Cookbook

GiggleSugar — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 02:02:00 -0800

Hey, Nicole Richie. I've heard you weigh only 85 pounds. In addition to actually eating (try it--you'll like it!), I bet you'll solve those weight-gaining problems if, every day, you eat one of these, and a couple of shakes from The Hostess Twinkies Cookbook--see recipe below. Problem. Solved.

Twinkie Love Potion Number 75

Created to commemorate Twinkies' seventy-fifth anniversary.

2 Twinkies

2 scoops of vanilla ice cream

1 cup of strawberries

In a blender, combine the Twinkies with the ice cream and strawberries and blend until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and serve immediately.

Remember Ladies, There's a Reason We Had a Feminist Movement!

GiggleSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0800

Not that everything's perfect now, but holy freaking crap! Let's just draw a woman's hot body, decapitate her, and add on the product we're selling where her head used to be (in this case, Hostess Sno-Balls), and continue our sexist ad in the writing below, because the picture doesn't quite say enough! (I'm suddenly having a craving for a well-stacked, cream-filled leggy Sno-Ball! Not.)

View 2 Photos ›

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L'Oreal in Hot Water For Racial Discrimination

TresSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:30:00 -0700

"Because you're worth it" is L'Oreal's brand slogan - but in France, a few bad apples seemed to think only white Garnier hostesses were worth hawking their shampoo to customers.

An executive from Garnier, L'Oreal's beauty division, sent out a fax in 2000 instructing headquarters to find an all-white team of sales staff to promote Fructis Style. The code term? Find Garnier hostesses, the fax instructed, who are "bleu, blanc, rouge" (blue, white, red), the colors on the French flag and code in business recruitment circles, apparently, for white French people born to white French parents. This directive would have ruled out black, Asian, or Arab representatives, in effect excluding around four million ethnic minorities and people of color that make up France.

France's equivalent of the US Supreme Court, La Cour de Cassation, said that the policy was illegal under French employment law. Although the employee who sent out the fax denies discriminatory intent, claiming that she just wanted hostesses who could "express themselves correctly in French," employees claimed that they were given verbal instructions to favor white sales staff.

Girl Crush du Jour: Food Party's Thu Tran

TresSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Thu Tran is a woman after my own heart. She loves art, food, and the absurd and has combined all these passions into her surreal and fun Internet show, Food Party, which has been picked up by IFC (Independent Film Channel) and debuts tonight.

Food Party is described on her blog as "a mind-bending, non-reality cooking show with Thu Tran as your hostess, a cast of unruly puppets as culinary aides, and a cavalcade of fictitious celebrities as surprise dinner guests." On IFC, the show will run a short 10 minutes with no promises you'll actually get any cooking tips.

Tran, 27, graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art where she majored in glasswork. While a student there, she realized she loved both cooking with her roommate and making videos of their time in the kitchen. Collaborating with friends and her boyfriend, who helps her make the puppets on her show, this Pee-Wee's Playhouse of food shows took off, getting attention from a variety of websites before getting IFC's attention.

I can't wait to check out your show, Thu. And may you continue to let your freak flag fly!

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