LilSugar

Bedrest Bash: Edible Invitations

LilSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 06:00:38 PDT

Past letting people know about an upcoming party, most invitations end up in the trash. So when you're planning the bedrest bash, why not choose something guests will enjoy making disappear. To check out this alternative invitation,

read more. Edible chocolate bar invites by CustomCandyBarWrapper.com ($1-2) will set the mood for a laid back affair for the mama-to-be and double as a sweet treat. Available in numerous patterns, there's one for every occasion.

5 Sweet and Savvy Ways to Welcome Overseas Wedding Guests

SavvySugar — Wed, 25 May 2011 10:05:03 PDT

While destination weddings are technically held in a location where neither party lives, many of you raised a good point that anytime you travel to the nuptials, it's technically a destination wedding. My friend recently attended a wedding where many attendees flew in from all over the world, and just seeing this welcome box (and hearing her tale) gave me a bunch of great ideas to share:

Embrace the digital age - While printed invitations are lovely, the purchase price adds up, especially when factoring in overseas mailing rates. If a simple email invite isn't your style for anything fancier than a weekend bar night or birthday party, consider making a personal video to share the wedding details online. This happy couple had a talented friend who created and edited a short clip so everyone could see it at the same time, for no cost at all.
Follow me on Facebook - For the nighttime celebration on a hotel rooftop, there was a Facebook group and separate flier PDF to share as well. Sure, dear Aunt Sally may not be following you online, but it works for friends and co-workers just attending this portion of the festivities.

Learn about the other things in this box and why they are useful,

Lil Community: Adventure Hits Close to Home With a National Park Baby Shower

Lil Community — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 05:21:02 PDT

The following post was shared in our Baby Showers Tips and Pics group by jdeer from Egg2Cake.

What kind of a shower do you throw in November for someone who'd rather be outside than inside and who hiked in Alaska when she was pregnant? None other than a National Park Baby Shower! Guests were advised of the theme well in advance, when they received their passport invites that included a shower itinerary, arrival logistics (comfortable shoes, water and bear bells are recommended, and use caution if packing in edibles), an equipment/survival gear list (a.k.a. registry info) and GPS coordinates.

Upon arrival, trail markers directed the guests down the long driveway to the private setting and lodge-like destination. Once inside, guests were heartily refreshed and a wild time was had by all as we celebrated my brother and sister-in-law's journey into the unmarked territory known as parenthood! (p.s. No humans or animals were harmed in the celebration of this event and all activities were in keeping with the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Recreation and Procreation.)

Check out all our other showers and share your ideas in our Showers Tips and Pics group in the LilSugar Community.

Tips to Rid Your Kitchen of Germs and Creepy Crawlies

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:12:33 PDT

In order to keep you and your family well fed and healthy, a clean kitchen is essential. Here are some tips to keep your kitchen germ- and bug-free.

Wash your hands before preparing and eating meals and snacks. I know you know this already, but it's just a little reminder.
Clean commonly touched surfaces in your kitchen. Use disinfectant spray or wipes on sink faucets, refrigerator handles, stove handles, cupboard handles, soap dispensers, trashcans, doorknobs, light switches, and any other areas touched by grimy hands.
Have separate cutting boards for meat. To avoid cross-contamination to veggies and fruits, use a separate cutting board for meat. Be sure to wash them immediately after use. If using plastic or glass cutting boards, run them through the dishwasher.
Keep the items that disinfectant your dishes clean. Have both a sponge for dishes and one for the counters; replace sponges every two weeks. While in use, limit bacterial growth by allowing your sponge to dry out between uses, and you can also periodically microwave your wet sponge for two minutes. Dish towels should also be cleaned at least once a week.
Wash all fruit and vegetable peels, even the ones you don't eat. Who knows how many hands (or worse) came in contact with your oranges, avocados, bananas, and cantaloupe. Wash all fruits and veggies before cutting into them to avoid transferring germs onto the edible parts.

Read on for more germ-busting tips.

Get Fit For 2011: Bonus Challenge, Make Your Kitchen a Dieting Safe Zone

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 15:05:00 PST

We've reached the midway point into our health and fitness giveaway challenge - how's it going? This week you're invited to complete any of the previous challenges you may have missed. Remember, the more you participate, the more chances you have to win! And if you are all caught up with our first five challenges, we have a bonus one for you.

Week Six Bonus Challenge: Clean up your kitchen to make it a dieting safe zone and share your before and after photos in the Get Fit For 2011 group. Be sure to blog about the changes you have made. By completing this bonus challenge, you will be automatically entered for a chance to win the weekly prize - this week a $100 Nike gift card as well as our fabulous grand prize - a four day fitness boot camp in Los Angeles. Be sure to create your post by Sunday, Feb. 20 by midnight PST.

We don't expect you to mop the floor but make any unhealthy and tempting food harder to find. Move the Girl Scout cookies to the top shelf, and place your oatmeal so it's at arm's reach. Take your fruit out of the crisper and store it at eye level in clear containers. Put the chips in the pantry and place an edible centerpiece on your kitchen table. Sounds like the perfect task for a wintry weekend.

Guide to Four Great Baby Shower Themes

babysugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:00:19 PDT

Good Things Come in Small Packages
We gave you ideas for invitations and then dished on what to serve up and what to serve it on. Guests will delight in the lip balm favors and clothespin game and the hostesses will love the manicure and pedicure gift idea.
Tea Party Shower
Create your own invitation using supplies from a paperie like Paper Source. Dress up the table using floral filled tea pots and festive assorted tea cups. Once your guests have gobbled up the mini sandwiches and tea, send them on their way with decorated sugar cubes or a package full of candy.

To see the rest of the clever notions,