LilSugar

Couples Cocktail Party: Food and Beverages

LilSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:00:22 PDT

Like any other fete, there should be ample food at a couples cocktail party and of course, a signature drink to wash the nibbles down.

Ask the bartender to concoct a beverage that reflects both the baby and the parents-to-be. If the nursery is in shades of pink and the father-to-be is a fan of Stoli, perhaps a renamed vodka cran fits the bill. Or if the soon-to-be mama used to sip on champagne and orange juice, go for a "mom"osa. And, of course make sure there's a delicious mocktail version for the expectant guest of honor.

For more edible ideas,

read more. Set up a table of prepared eats so guests can serve themselves and you can enjoy the soirée, too. Italian food is always a nice option since Caprese salad on skewers, spicy meatballs, focaccia squares, stuffed mushrooms, and cozzi are all crowd pleasers. Source

Couples Cocktail Party: Decor

babysugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:00:00 PDT

I love couples showers because they give men, especially the papa–to–be, a chance to bask in the pregnancy spotlight.

And generally, the showers are like any other festive affair - just with an additional purpose - celebrating an impending arrival.

To see how to make a couples shower cute to boot,

read more. If you're hosting a couples shower at your residence, it is easy to dress up your home for the occasion. Enlist parents of the mom and pop–to–be and ask them to send you baby pictures of the expectant pair. Make copies of the adorable photos and place them around the entertaining rooms for friends to enjoy during cocktails. And speaking of drinks, instead of using bowls, fill up some baby bottles with candy or peanuts and place them next to the festive napkins at the bar. As with most parties, you'll probably have food to balance out the alcohol. Instead of bringing in flowers for a centerpiece, buy a pregnant wire form and tie a pretty ribbon around her empire waist. An odd way to celebrate new life, the tradition is to smoke a cigar upon the birth of a baby. Keep things clean and healthy by offering up pink and blue bubble gum cigars to your guests. I'd be willing to bet they'd be more popular than the authentic ones anyway.

Baby Bubble Gum Cigars ($11)

Pregnant Dress Form ($17)

Pink Zebra Placesettings and Cocktail Napkins

Couples Cocktail Party: Invitations

babysugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:00:00 PDT

Move over carriages and baby bottles, we're throwing a baby shower for guys and gals to attend this week. Many friends of first-time parents are often still single and sometimes weirded out by the fact that their buddy is about to have a babe. Starting with the invitation, set the tone for this celebration with a twist.

To see what party invitations I recommend,

read more. Choose something that appeals to both sexes, but that still screams baby. These concert tickets make great invites combining the perfect amount of playfulness and all the necessary details. On the invitation be sure to include where baby is registered – especially for those, ahem, clueless bachelors. And if you're hosting the event at a restaurant or bar, include an ending time so the mama-to-be won't be obligated to party all night!

4 Ways to Divide and Conquer Expenses as a Couple

SavvySugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:02 PST

Money tends to be a sensitive, conflict-sparking subject for couples, so deciding how to split expenses can be tricky. There are several different options for dividing payments, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Here are four of the most common methods for splitting expenses, plus the potential pros and cons of each choice:

Divide all expenses 50/50. Splitting all costs in half is certainly a simple option, but the reactions may be a bit complicated. Sure, everyone's paying their "fair share," but the person who makes less money in the relationship may be frustrated that they're paying a higher fraction of their salary.
Pay in a ratio according to both salaries. If one partner makes $50,000 and the other makes $100,000, then all expenses would be paid in a one to two ratio so that the first person covers one-third of each bill. Dividing costs to correspond with salaries ensures that both partners are spending an equal percentage of their paycheck each month. The downside? Things may get messy with pay raises or pay cuts, and the person with a higher salary may grow resentful.
The breadwinner pays all. This is a good option if one partner stays home with the kids or has an artistic career with sporadic, unpredictable income. To prevent any bitterness, it's important for the nonbreadwinner to take care of other tasks around the home so that the responsibilities feel balanced.
Different bills for each partner. Another way to divide is to simply assign separate bills to each partner. Does one person watch television more often? They can be in charge of the cable bill. Does the other take long, scalding-hot showers? The water bill is theirs. It may be difficult to split things equally, but this is a great way to step back and recognize which habits are costing money.

When it comes to splitting expenses - and feeling satisfied with finances as a couple - the key is communication. Both partners should encourage each other to speak up and be honest about their opinions. It all comes down to balance, so it's important to treat money like any other responsibility and learn to compromise.

Not Feeling It? How to Motivate Yourself For a Winter Run

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:44:22 PST

It's 20 degrees, the sky is dull and gray, and you're shivering inside just thinking about gearing up for an outdoor run. No wonder you're having a hard time motivating yourself. When a chilly Winter's day is the hurdle keeping you from going running, here are some ways to inspire a cold-weather workout.

Warm up your clothes: Pop your sports bra, shirts, pants, and even your socks in the dryer for a couple minutes. Slipping on warm gear is sure to get rid of that chill you have when looking out your window into the cold.
Warm up yourself: Take a quick shower allowing the hot water to envelope your skin, being careful not to get your hair wet. It'll warm your body and get your muscles ready to move.
Warm up inside: Once you're dressed properly for a cold-weather workout, do your warm-up inside rather than outside. Run up and down the stairs, do jumping jacks or a round of push-ups, or whatever you need to do to get your heart rate up without getting sweaty. You'll feel warm and loosened up when you step out the door, and you can start running right away to stay warm. Here are warm-up ideas that can be done indoors (even in a small apartment space!).
Blast a tune that speaks to you: Whether it's Beyoncé, Adele, or Pitbull that lights a fire inside you, use your favorite upbeat song to get you psyched for a run. You can dance and scream lyrics as you slip on your sports bra and sneaks. This is a great technique when you're really not feeling a run because it can instantly flip a switch and help you head out the door fast. Continue the musical motivation by listening to a newly crafted running mix.

Need more inspiration? Keep reading for other ways to inspire a wintry run.

Bridal Friday Link Time: A Cartoon Proposal Video

TresSugar — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:00:00 PST

An animated proposal video tells this couple's love story - Style Me Pretty
Which super-sparkly celebrity engagement ring of 2011 is your fave? - Glamour
Eco-friendly bridal shower inspiration - The Bride's Guide
Five tips if you're planning on popping the question - Equally Wed
A cozy-cute Winter bachelorette party - Green Wedding Shoes
How to make a ribbon backdrop for your photobooth - The Wedding Chicks
A Kansas City Christmas engagement session - 100 Layer Cake
Let's hear it for the boys! Getting grooms in on the big day - Rock n Roll Bride

Jennifer Garner Tells InStyle She'd "Do Anything" For Ben Affleck

Allie Merriam — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 06:43:54 PST

Jennifer Garner flashed a smile yesterday while out running errands in rainy LA. She hit a few shops like Williams-Sonoma solo, and her family was a big topic of discussion during her recent interview with InStyle. In the magazine's new 2012 issue, which is available Friday, Jennifer said she'd do anything for Ben Affleck and revealed her kids' eating habits. The next year will bring a couple of big events for Jennifer, starting with the birth of their third child. Her next film, Butter, will be out not too long later in March. Jennifer Garner told InStyle:

On having Ben's support: "We both know we couldn't do what we do without each other. Ben always says, 'If you love it, we can make it happen.'"
On Ben showering her with two diamond bands in honor of their girls: "He knows when to swoop in with the gesture. He's sweet that way. Honestly, I would do anything for that man, because I know it's not taken for granted."
On craving junk food during her third pregnancy: "My kids had never seen Doritos before. They would say, 'Mom, where did you get that orange chip? I really want that.' I wish I was one of those cute pregnant girls who wear skinny jeans throughout their pregnancies. But I just gain weight."

Other People May Be Able to "Smell" Your Personality

Miriam Lacey — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:15:00 PST

Research increasingly suggests that body odor is much more than a sign that you need to shower. A recent study from a team at Poland's University of Wroclaw found that volunteers who smelled shirts belonging to "odor donors" could detect the owners' personality traits with a surprisingly significant degree of accuracy. Specifically, people were able to predict how socially dominant the odor donor was, how outgoing he or she was, and how anxious or neurotic.

The team in charge of the experiment also found that the participants were particularly good at predicting how dominant members of the opposite sex were, suggesting that people may pay particular attention to this trait when looking for a partner (no word on smell and same-sex couples yet, unfortunately). It would be interesting, as well, to see whether the fragrance you wear may also help express your "smellable" traits, the way it's known to enhance your natural immune-system-related odor.

Top OMG Moments From Gossip Girl "All the Pretty Sources"

Rose Curiel — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 07:44:14 PST

Serena throws a lavish wedding shower for Blair and Louis on this week's Gossip Girl, but the festivities aren't exactly a happy send-off down the aisle for the couple after a drunk Dan crashes the event and a scandal erupts at the party. Meanwhile, Charlie comes closer than ever to having her true identity exposed, while Nate loses a lover but gains a powerful new position. I break it all down with a recap of the episode's top OMG moments.

Photos courtesy of The CW

A Guide to Wedding Festivities

Katie Sweeney — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 03:03:57 PDT

When a couple decides to get married, they aren't just signing up to host a wedding, they are also committing themselves to a lot of parties that happen along the way. An engagement party, shower, and bachelorette are all commonly associated with weddings. But with so many parties, it's hard to keep them all straight! That's why I've created this handy guide that explains everything you need to know - from the proper time to host a shower to the first person to toast at the wedding. Read on for all the details.