LilSugar

Is Sparkling Wine Only For Special Occasions?

Katie Sweeney — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 08:30:26 PDT

One of the things I most agreed with in the book French Women Don't Get Fat was the author Mireille Guiliano's point of view on Champagne. She believes that Champagne, or any sparkling wine really, is something that should be enjoyed every day and for all occasions. The notion that bubbly only be sipped on a special occasion seems somewhat old-fashioned. If I drink red and white wine whenever I feel like it, why not imbibe sparklers in the same manner? How do you feel about it?

Do You Hammer Dates Into Your Child's Head?

LilSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:00:28 PDT

My jaw drops every time a peer tells me that their parent called to remind them that they missed their birthday or anniversary. Most people I know try to be mindful of important family dates and celebrate accordingly with a card, call, visit, or gift, but it always stuns me when moms or dads expect it. As a parent, I had my kids without anticipating any kind of payback ever. Do you care if your children keep tabs on your occasions?Source

Video: Watch Kristen Stewart Speak French at On the Road's Cannes Premiere!

Lauren Bradshaw — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:16:57 PDT

Kristen Stewart came out to the Cannes Film Festival for the very first time today to debut her film On the Road, and she's been brushing up on her French to prepare for the occasion! Check out footage of Kristen on the red carpet as she practices a few words she's learned, and see the premiere's special guest: Robert Pattinson! It's all in today's PopSugar Rush.

Michelle Obama's All-American Apple Cobbler

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:15:36 PDT

Michelle Obama's first cookbook American Grown will be released on May 29, and we're cooking up some of Michelle's tried-and-true recipes like this apple cobbler, a favorite of President Obama.

The First Lady has a unique, slow method of preparing this cobbler. She marinates the apples in their spicy, sugary juices overnight, then slow cooks the cobbler at a low temperature to gradually break down the apples and crisp up the crust. The end result is absolutely heavenly: the cinnamon and nutmeg are perfectly balanced; the slow marination and long cook-time create a complex, caramel flavor; the apples dissolve upon bite, and the crust is as crispy as promised.

I used the lesser amount of sugar, and opted for a crisscross pattern on the top of the cobbler rather than covering the entire baking dish. Despite the 12 or more hours it requires to make this cobbler, it is a cherished, special occasion treat to be enjoyed during family gatherings or neighborhood barbecues.

Make the recipe here.

Have You Had a Custom Portrait Painted?

Elka Karl — Mon, 21 May 2012 08:00:02 PDT

Two of our favorite Northern California artists, Clare and Kai recently tied the knot (you can tour their charming home here). Clare is familiar with celebrating wedded bliss: she regularly paints custom wedding portraits for her clients. This Custom Wedding Portrait ($450 for each custom painted portrait) from Clare's shop captures a sweet moment between a newly wedded couple.

Have you had a custom portrait painted before? Did you have it done to mark the occasion of a wedding, child's birth, or other special event? Tell us all about it in the comments!

Movin' On Up: Great Gift Ideas For Your Little Grad!

Lisa Horten — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:16:49 PDT

Graduating from preschool or Kindergarten may not be quite on par with high school and college, but for the little one who's finishing up in his or her first classroom, it's an occasion worth celebrating. Commemorate your child's very first graduation day with a special gift. We've rounded up 10 of our favorites to make shopping a breeze. Hats off to the graduate!

Link Time - Married Life After an Affair

Annie Scudder — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:05:55 PDT

How to stay married after an affair - HuffPost Wedding
7 essentials for the ultimate girls' night in - CollegeCandy
12 Facebook friends who are fun to stalk - The Frisky
Jennifer Love Hewitt gets vajazzled for special occasions - YourTango
Tyra Banks's open letter to models - The Daily Beast
The top OMG moments from Gossip Girl's season finale - BuzzSugar
31 percent of people lie to their partners about their finances - The Jane Dough
There's a one in three chance you sleepwalk - Newser
Weird sex in Snooki's new book - Yahoo! Shine
Questionable celebrity portraits - theBERRY
Why weddings can be hard for single people - Betty Confidential

Gwen Stefani Celebrates Mother's Day With Gavin and Their Matching Boys

Lauren Turner — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:59:17 PDT

Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale took Kingston and Zuma to her parents' house in LA yesterday. Kingston and Zuma were dressed in matching Harajuku Mini outfits for the special occasion while Gavin wore a denim shirt and jeans. Gwen's one of many stars that celebrated Mother's Day with family, and she shared a sweet message to her celebrity pals Gwyneth Paltrow, Alicia Keys, Nicole Richie, Victoria Beckham, and Kelly Wearstler on Twitter. Gwen wrote, "Happy Mother's Day muffins." Gwen had Gavin by her side for the festivities since he's currently in between stops on his tour with Bush. Gavin will hit the road again soon though, to play with his band in Canada tomorrow. Gwen's working on her own music with No Doubt and they'll release their latest album this September.

How to Honor the Moms in Your Life This Mother's Day

LilSugar — Fri, 04 May 2012 03:16:52 PDT

Sure, you're expecting something fabulous from your husband and kids this Mother's Day . . . but do you ever use the holiday as an occasion to honor all of the other moms in your life? Whether it's the women whose influence has shaped the way that you parent, the friends who provide much-needed "grown-up time," or perhaps most importantly, your own mom, we have six ways to make them feel extra special.

How to Select Glassware For Your Registry

Sara Yoo — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:55:23 PDT

We've plated up some tips on selecting dinnerware for your wedding registry, but what about cocktail hour? Whether you prefer cocktails, wine, beer, or juicing, glassware is an important category to fill in your registry. Sure, you can go with the selection that your registry consultant recommends, but each couple has individual libation habits that don't always fit the standard mold. Thankfully, it's easy to concoct your ideal blend of glasses so long as you keep a few tips and considerations in mind. Ready to drink up? Just read on.