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Happy Hour: Twilight

partysugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:13:04 -0800

Well, folks, the moment everyone's been waiting for is here. The second movie in the Twilight series, New Moon, finally comes out today. Whether you're dying to see it or excited that the hype surrounding it will die down, there's only one way to celebrate - with a cocktail! Not just any boring old drink, but an aptly named concoction created by one of San Francisco's illustrious bar owners, Jon Gasparini. A couple of weeks ago when Jon (of one of my favorite bars, Rye) tweeted about a new cocktail called Twilight, I knew I needed the recipe.

Jon describes it as having a beautiful color and balance, and I couldn't agree more. The complex gin and Prosecco drink is easy to put together and elegant enough to serve at a Thanksgiving dinner or holiday soirée. To get his recipe, read more.

Twilight
From Jon Gasparini of Rye

Ingredients

3/4 ounce creme de violette
1 1/2 ounces gin
dash orange bitters
dash simple syrup or agave syrup
1 ounce Prosecco or other sparkling wine

Directions

Combine the violette, gin, bitters, and sweetener in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Strain into a chilled Champagne coup and top with the Prosecco.

Makes 1 drink.

Print recipe with images | without images

Vampire Myths: Real or Fake?

TresSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:02 -0800

Vampire mania is in full force today as New Moon officially hits theaters. (Did you vote on our Edward or Jacob poll?) But before the Cullens there was Buffy, and before Buffy there was Count Dracula, and before Count Dracula there were the undead of folklore. I've gone back and investigated some of the more ancient vampire myths, and rounded them up in this quiz. You'll see that the history of vampires is more spooky than sparkly. Find out if you can spot the real myths from the fake!

Question 1 of 6

Fangs have always been a feature of vampires.

Vampax: Stay Close to Your Vampire Boyfriend All Month Long

TresSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:52 -0800

Twilight Cycles from Brandon Routh

Is your monthly cycle getting between you and your vampire lover? Sounds like you need Vampax - new tampon technology that promises to keep you safe while you run around the forest with your brooding bloodsucking boyfriend. Learn all about it in this Twilight parody from the people at Funny or Die. It's disgustingly funny.

New Moon Star Nikki Reed Says Relationship Keeps Her Slim

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:00:49 -0800

If Kristen Stewart needs any help kicking her nicotine habit, she can look to her New Moon costar Nikki Reed for advice. In the last few months, Reed has given herself a bit of a lifestyle makeover, thanks in large part, as she told People, to her relationship with Greek shipping heir (and Paris Hilton ex) Paris Latsis.

Reed and Latsis have officially been out as a couple since Summer, which was the perfect time for Latsis to introduce Reed to all the outdoor sports he loves. The pair spent the season hiking, windsurfing, and water skiing, and as a result, Reed says, the pounds started dropping.

Besides having tons of fun, Reed was so inspired by her boyfriend's love of the outdoors that she became motivated to get into better shape. First things first, she quit smoking. Now Reed hits the gym for two hours a day and says that being active has made her "much happier."

Last week I shared with you some ways that your relationship might be making you fat, but keep in mind that as with Reed, relationships can have positive effects on health. I personally am healthier now that I'm with a partner who likes being active as much as I do. He and I love riding bikes, climbing, and going on long hikes together. Do any of you credit your relationship for making you healthier?

Do Tell: Why Do Some Women Love Vampires?

TresSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:00:03 -0800

A yearning to escape. A lust for forbidden love. A passion for romance. All of these regular-people desires could explain why fictitious vampires exude a certain sex appeal. Considering the hysteria for Twilight, the undead clearly have something going on.

A while back, one writer guessed that vampires have overwhelmed pop culture thanks to a female desire for gay men. Confused? The writer explained that wanting to turn an unattainable vampire into your boyfriend is the same as wanting to turn a gay man straight. Well, I guess that's one theory. How would you explain the fascination with Edward Cullen, or any vamp for that matter?

Coming Soon: Twilight, the Restaurant

partysugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:32:15 -0700

Considering that everyone - Sugar included! - is getting caught up in the hype surrounding the Twilight series, it comes as no surprise that one couple, Annette and Tim Root of Forks, WA, have decided to launch a Twilight-themed restaurant in the town where the books are set.

Although the family-style eatery will be named Volterra, after the Italian city where the Volturi law-enforcing vampires live, the cuisine won't be Italian. Instead it will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a focus on steak and seafood. The couple hopes to debut their themed restaurant, complete with bar area, early next Spring.

Since I enjoyed the first two books and found the movie hysterically entertaining, I think the idea of a restaurant sounds fun. How about you? Would you be interested in eating at a Twilight establishment?

Bing Debuts a Spooky Vampire Commercial

GeekSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:43:22 -0700

Just in time for Halloween and the New Moon premiere, is the latest Bing commercial from Microsoft. Set to air for the first time tonight, the popular new search engine - which Rachel Zoe can't get enough of - is used in this dramatic clip, which stars two characters that closely resemble Edward and Bella. Although it's too bad her Bing search wasn't for something a little bit more Twilight-esque!

On the Market: Former New Orleans Home of Vampire Enthusiast Anne Rice

CasaSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:00:45 -0700

The former New Orleans home of Anne Rice, author of Interview With the Vampire and the Vampire Chronicles series, is on the market for $3.7 million. The 1850s home has a transitional style, with both Greek Revival and Italianate elements. It boasts double galleries with Corinthian and Ionic columns, massive antique beveled mirrors in the double parlors, antique landscape murals in the dining room, gorgeous millwork, and exquisite plated ceilings.

The house was the inspiration for Mayfair Manor, the Garden District home of the characters in Rice's Mayfair Witches. The home's oak tree, swimming pool, and iron scrollwork side porch figure prominently into the script. Rice and her late husband, poet and painter Stan Rice, lived there from 1989 to 2004. With five bedrooms and seven-and-two-half baths, a pond, a three-car garage, a guest house, a cabana, and a courtyard, it's truly a dream home. And, like any good New Orleans home, its double galleries make a great spot for an evening Sazerac. To take the full tour, read more.

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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: Vampire Party - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:00:45 -0700

At my vampire party, I'll be offering guests dressed like Buffy and the Cullens an assortment of vampire-themed drink options.

Red wine is a no brainer: it's the color of blood. To tint beer red, I'll use the same technique I employed on St. Patrick Day's only with red food coloring instead of green.

I'll also offer this dessert cocktail. It's a mixture of raspberry vodka, white chocolate liqueur, and half and half. The dripping blood rim is made from strawberry syrup and the ingenious garnish? Plastic fangs! To get the recipe keep reading.