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Get the Look: Clustered Lampshades at Mr. West

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Tired of boring old chandeliers? Take a cue from New York nightclub Mr. West and turn a tabletop accent into something glamorous. The custom-built fixture in this photo is made from oversize lampshades that are dripping with LED lights. Clustered together, they remind me of bell-like delphinium blossoms. So gorgeous, and also so eco, thanks to the LEDs!Want to see where else a similar look was featured? Find out when you read more.

A more casual interpretation was seen at the Milan International Furniture Fair. To get the look, choose lampshades that you love, and then suspend them from a grid, from which they can be hung. You can try eco-oriented light sources, such as chains of LEDs, or simply use cord sets if you're unwilling to hardwire this project.
Source and Source

Mom-Me Time: Citibabes

babysugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:00:48 -0800

New York seems to reign superior when it comes to things that are hip and cool. And, they've done it again with an amazingly convenient and luxurious club for moms, Citibabes. Started by two women, Tracey Rensky and Tara Lipton, the club opened a little over two years ago in downtown Manhattan. And, it has been hugely popular - currently has over 500 members. The membership is a whopping $2,000 a year but apparently it's worth every penny.

Moms and dads can drop off children ages three months to five years, for some babysitting which is only $8 an hour, while they relax in the club's lounge, workout, get a mani-pedi or their hair blown out. The caregivers at the club have been background checked extensively so the parents can rest assured that their lil one is in good hands.

To learn some more about Citibabes, read more

Some of the amenities that are included in the Citibabes membership are:

Access to the Citibabes store, which is stocked with adorable kids clothes.
A workout facility with adult fitness classes and cardio equipment.
An unbelievably cute indoor playground, which is especially nice for rainy, snowy, or cold days.
A cafe specializing in organic and healthy fare for the whole family.
Lounge and Concierge services to help families find a nanny or plan a party.

Services the club provides at an additional cost are:

Birthday parties with photographer, gift bags, special cakes, etc.
A hair and nail salon to pamper Mommy and her friends.
Personal training and private exercise sessions so Mama can get back into shape.
Art, music, cooking, dance, language, science, and sports classes for the lil ones. How will you pick which one to choose?
Private counseling services, workshops and discussion groups on subjects ranging from childhood development to discipline, toilet training, and infant and child CPR.

For pregnant women who aren't so concerned with the indoor playground yet, they can still join with a prenatal membership. When they sign up, they receive a posh little bag with a book and access to all the amenities. Once baby arrives, she'll be a step ahead of the gang knowing her way around Citibabes. Lucky girl.

We're hoping these clubs will open across the country. Wouldn't it be so nice to channel that old polished and fabulous you while junior is playing in kiddie wonderland? Sign me up!

Which Has More Sodium?

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Watching your sodium intake? Then take this quiz on which has more sodium: One 6 inch club sandwich from Subway or 3 ounces (51 chips) of Lay's Salt & Vinegar potato chips?

The First Rule of Soap Club Is, You Don't Talk About Soap Club

BellaSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:00:42 -0800

It's hard to believe that Fight Club hit movie screens 10 years ago, but, well, time flies. In a tribute to one of the grossest parts of the plot, Etsy seller SerendipityEight is offering soaps inspired by the movie. Available in Bay Rum and Cool Water scents, they're a convincing knockoff of the soap that Brad Pitt holds on the movie poster. Fortunately, the homage goes only so far; this soap is made with shea butter and glycerin, not human fat. Get yours for $5 if you're so inclined - but move fast, before the copyright cops jump into the ring.

My Kind of Club: East Bank Club

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 02:00:00 -0800

Chicago has so many great things to offer from Navy Pier to Soldier Field, you get a lot out of this windy city (but not a Super Bowl win). From its famous deep dish pizza to its greasy bratwurst, Chicago is not exactly the picture of health.

However, that was before I discovered the East Bank Club. Membership to East Bank Club is more than just your average gym membership, it's like joining a super exclusive mecca to help shape your life. Every facet of the Club experience is met from the huge (20,000 sq. feet) cardio room, to the sophisticated and elegant feel to the salon and spa services, a complete Pro Shop, child care, a dry cleaners, a car wash and more. It's amazing that in a 450,000-square-foot mega-club, details do not go unnoticed.

One of the coolest parts about the club? The virtual bike rides with private televisions that display dozens of virtual courses that simulate outdoor bike rides. The bikes are equipped with handle bars that turn left and right, and you can even choose to compete against the person next to you. Log on to the web site afterward and you can gauge your progress or see if you made the leader board. How cool is that?

The price? Not cheap but not as steep as I had anticipated: There is a $500 enrollment fee and monthly fees range from $115 to $165. To check it out and learn more, visit The East Bank Club online.

'Wich of the Week: Lobster Club

YumSugar — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:00:37 -0700

Ever since I started my adventures in expensive sandwiches, I've been dying to try the ridiculously pricey Lobster Club at Neiman Marcus's Rotunda restaurant in San Francisco. I'll be the first to admit that $28 is way too much to pay for one sandwich, but I rationalized that it's made with lobster and big enough to feed two people. Plus, it's fun to pretend that I belong at this quintessential destination for ladies who lunch.

The Rotunda's lobster club is a double-decker served on toasted brioche, which has a slightly sweet French bakery flavor. The lobster portion was quite generous, so the taste came through even while competing with tomato and bacon. Was it worth $28? Find out and get the recipe when you read more.

I'm not going to say the lobster club wasn't good; I mean, it would be hard to make a lobster club taste bad. But for the price, I was a little disappointed.

As you can see in the photo, the avocado was sort of clumped together rather than distributed evenly, so the sandwich didn't hold together as well as it should have. But the flavors were still outstanding, particularly the lobster meat, and the brioche really stepped it up a notch.

If I were going back for seconds, I think I'd spring for a simple crab roll instead, or save my money and get an old-school diner club sandwich. I am very glad I tried it, but next time I'm at the Rotunda, I'll fill up on the signature warm popovers with strawberry butter.

Lobster Club Sandwich
Inspired by The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus

Ingredients

3 slices of brioche, about 1/2-inch thick, toasted
1/2 an avocado, thinly sliced
1 (8-ounce) lobster tail, cooked and diced
1 small tomato, thinly sliced
1/4 cup baby lettuce leaves
4 slices crisp bacon
1/8 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons finely diced roasted red peppers, undrained

Directions

On a work surface, lay flat one slice of toasted brioche and coat with a thin layer of mayonnaise. Top with avocado slices, followed by lobster.
On second piece of brioche, spread 1 tablespoon of diced peppers on one side, then place that side down atop the lobster.
On the other side of that slice, spread a thin layer of mayo.
Over the mayo, arrange tomato slices, followed by lettuce and bacon.
Spread remaining diced peppers on the third slice of toast, and place atop the bacon.
Cut into quarters, secure each section with toothpicks, and serve.

Makes 1 sandwich.

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Happy Hour: Canadian Club 30-Year Reserve Whiskey

partysugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:15:37 -0700

This Father's Day why not surprise dad with a premium, limited-edition bottle of whiskey by Canadian Club ($200)? In celebration of their 150th anniversary, Canadian Club has released a 30-year reserve whiskey in a special collector's bottle. I was lucky enough to get a bottle and was wonderfully surprised by the smooth, rich tasting spirit. It has a smoky nose with hints of honey, vanilla, and caramel on the tongue. Unlike other whiskeys, there is no biting aftertaste: the finish is lush and subtly spicy. This whiskey is very easy to drink and although I enjoyed it after dinner on the rocks, it would make a lovely Manhattan. Since my dad is a whiskey drinker, I plan on sharing the bottle with him. Do you drink whiskey? What's your favorite label?

'Wich of the Week: Old-School Club

YumSugar — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:15:08 -0700

Club sandwiches are so ubiquitous that I usually take them for granted. I order them very occasionally, maybe from hotel room service or when I'm looking for a "healthy" option at a diner. But every time I eat a good one - when the bread is only lightly browned and there's just enough mayo to balance out the crispy bacon - I realize that the club sandwich deserves more credit.

The club is actually one of the oldest original American sandwiches, invented sometime around the 1890s. Originally, club sandwiches were single decker and usually made with chicken instead of turkey. So for this 'Wich of the Week, I went in search of an authentic old-school club and found the object of my affection at St. Francis Fountain, an 80-year-old diner and soda fountain in San Francisco. For more details and my recipe, read more.

It was a beautiful day, so I got to sit outside and enjoy my somewhat heavy lunch: a deliciously overstuffed club, a chocolate malt, and a salad for good measure. The best thing about a single-decker club is that by getting rid of the third piece of bread, you can go heavy on the other ingredients to create a much moister sandwich. St. Francis Fountain's club had the ideal ratio of crunchy bacon to juicy chicken; the shredded lettuce added a great texture, and the bread was perfectly toasted and just lightly buttered.

My only gripe is that there was a bit more mayo than I would have liked, so I've reduced the amount in my recipe below. How do you like your club? Do you think this classic sandwich is overrated or underappreciated? Tell me in the comments.

Old-School Club Sandwich
Inspired by the chicken club at St. Francis Fountain

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, grilled or roasted and thinly sliced
8 slices of thick-cut bacon, fried crisp and drained
1 cup iceberg lettuce, shredded
6 slices of tomato, medium thickness
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
4 slices of whole wheat bread, toasted until just lightly browned

Directions

Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on two pieces of the toast.
Divide the chicken slices between the two sandwiches and lay atop the mayo.
Place four slices of bacon on each sandwich, followed by three tomato slices.
Balance a handful of the shredded iceberg lettuce on top of the tomatoes.
Spread a thin layer of mayo on the other two pieces of toast, and press the mayo side down to assemble.

Makes 2 sandwiches.

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Book of the Day: The Friars Club Encyclopedia of Jokes

GiggleSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:45:00 -0700

In the mood for a corny joke? An offensive joke? A thought-provoking joke? Or just a really funny joke? Well step right up to The Friars Club Encyclopedia of Jokes. (More than 2,000 of them from folks as disparate as W.C. Fields and Wanda Sykes.) When I think of The Friars Club and their celebrity roasts, I think of a red-faced Dean Martin smoking a cigarette and insulting Don Rickles with off-color humor. Turns out, the private club that's been a haven for entertainers has been around since 1904, and they've been holding their roasts since 1950.

Although you'll find old-school jokes in the encyclopedia that might make your PC meter go haywire, you'll also find such gems as the following from Mae West: "I like two kinds of men: domestic and foreign." Rrreow!

Come Party With Me: Wine Club's 1st Meeting - Invites

partysugar — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 06:56:32 -0800

I've decided to start my own wine club! Think Oprah is to book club as PartySugar is to wine club. Since 34% of readers fall into the I'm learning about wine category (like myself), I thought it would be a great way to get us all to increase our wine knowledge. So not only am I starting my own wine club, but I am inviting and encouraging you readers to create a wine club as well!

I'll help you plan it so you'll have nothing to worry about. Here's how it's going to work: I'll gather a whole bunch of friends (the more the merrier) to discuss, taste, and develop a flavor for wine. Each month we'll focus on a different type of wine. I'll ask everyone to please bring a bottle of the specified wine (example: Cabernet Sauvignon, French champagne, Spanish Alboriño, etc.), we'll cover the labels and fill out tasting sheets so we can develop personal tastes of the wine with open minds. First thing is first, I have to make and send the invitations. To host this party with me, starting with the invitations, read more

As this party will be a monthly get together, I want the invites to be simple and easily changeable. The details of the party - the location and the wine type - will change with each month. The easiest way to do so is to create postcard invites. The image on the front of the postcard will stay the same and the information on the back will change.

To make this invitation you will need:

wine book
scissors
cardstock in the color of your choice (I chose red)
gluestick
computer & printer
wine label image(s)

To assemble this invitation:

Start by choosing an image that you really like. You could make a collage using actual wine labels or you could make a photoshopped collage like I did. I found a whole bunch of fun wine labels on the internet and made a collage in photoshop. This will be the back of the postcard.

Print out your image (or print out my image and cut down to size, 4x6 inches - the size of a standard postcard.

Next open up a new document in Microsoft Word and write the text of the invite. Remember that you want it to be on one side of the back of the postcard (the left side) so make the details concise and in a smaller font. On the right side you will write the addresses and place a stamp. Write a message with the information, along these lines:

PartySugar cordially invites you to be a member of her recently formed Wine Club, the Vinettes, a group that partakes in a taste journey discovering and discussing sip by sip new varietals of red, white, or sparkling wine

Meetings Once A Month
Every First Friday
Friday March 2, 8 o’clock

PartySugar’s House, San Francisco
RSVP 415.444.5555, friends welcome
Please bring a Spanish Rioja for the 1st tasting

I used my favorite font, Papyrus, in size 12.

Print the text on the colored cardstock of your choice.

Using a pencil outline the shape of the wine label image on the red cardstock. You want the text to be as close to the edge of the left side of the postcard.

With the pencil drawn line as your guide, cut out the red cardstock to a 4x6 standard post card shape.

Carefully glue the wine label collage to the back side of the red cardstock.

Your postcard invite is now done! Wasn't that fabulously easy? Don't forget to use your best handwriting to address the cards.

I hope that you plan and host this party with me! Come back for more on my first wine club meeting, all this week.

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