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The Vampire Diaries "Dangerous Liaisons": The Good, The Bad, and The Bloody

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:52:08 PST

The original vampire family hosts a ball on this week's episode of The Vampire Diaries, and the whole town puts on their finest formal wear for the event of the supernatural season. Elena has two dates to the event, but it's her date to meet the original witch that gives us insight into what's in store for Klaus and his siblings.

Speaking of Klaus, we get some developments between him and Caroline that are sweet and promising (even if she's a bit cautious to date him because of his cruelty in the past and general bloodlust). There's also a hot hookup that I didn't see coming, so there's lots to talk about this week. To get to the good, the bad, and the bloody, just keep reading.

Linguine With Sea Urchin and Caviar

OnSugar Blog — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:01:25 PST

Sea urchin is often a polarizing ingredient. Yoo Eatz encourages us to muster some courage and embrace this culinary adventure in the form of pasta.

What's so gross about sea urchin? Even some of the most adventurous eaters I know will make the most horrific faces when the topic comes up.

I asked my husband about this - he generally recoils when I suggest that we share a pair of nigiri at the sushi bar - and he offered that it's a textural thing. Some people say it resembles phlegm (or worse), and I heard one person characterize the briny bits as "little orange tongues" (although, let's face it: the truth of what uni is may actually be harder to stomach!). But a lot of these same people will tell me that the flavor doesn't bother them; in fact, they find it quite pleasant.

For more, plus a recipe, keep reading!

Potty Party: A Stylish Celebration of a Lil One's Big Milestone

Kate Stahl — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:03:08 PST

Potty parties might not be standard for most mamas, but after seeing the adorable pastel and chevron celebration created by Creative Juice's Mindy Starr, you might just be inspired to change that.

Starr celebrated her daughter's potty training by throwing a stylish fete, inviting other recent potty users and their "trainers" (aka moms) and creating diaper-themed games, a sweet dessert table, and some clever printables, which are now available for purchase through Etsy. While this party is undoubtedly over the top, Starr credits it as one of the reasons her potty training was a success - and with cupcakes, cookie pops, a cake, and candy potty favors as an incentive, we're not surprised!

Source: Creative Juice

Cozy Up to New Orleans Baked Oysters

Nancy Einhart — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:25:43 PST

I'll never turn down a raw oyster, but when it comes to wooing someone with a cozy, baked version of the supposed aphrodisiac, this creole recipe is absolutely seductive. These oysters often get me invited back to parties (as long as I bring the oysters) and succeed in winning over oyster haters.

Shuck your own oysters and serve them on the half shell, or buy a couple pints preshucked and bake them in ramekins or a casserole dish. Once the shucking is out of the way, this dish is incredibly easy, somewhat sultry, and just a little bit rich. Try it as a side dish or even as a main course. Here's how to bake up some oysters.

"Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

Tres Community — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:05:00 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I’ve been dating my boyfriend for a year and two months. Since this year has started, I’ve been trying to decide what I need to do in regards to our relationship. My main issue is the minimal effort he has put into making things work. He has his own business, of which he needs one or two more people to assist. However, besides his sister helping on occasion, he does everything on his own. From the start, I understood, as well as accepted this. However, our dates have always been centered around his business or attending one friend’s parties. This averages out to me seeing him about once a month.

We have never gone out and spent an evening by ourselves, nor have we ever done anything “special.” When I ask him about this, he always just says he’s busy. His sister has said to both him and myself, that even if he’s busy, he has the type of business in which I can hang out at. After two big blow outs between us where he was blatantly disrespectful to me, I’m beginning to wonder about the future of our relationship. He used to call me at least once a day, and now three to four days will pass before he calls. I usually try to call him at least once a day, however, I’ve noticed that if I don’t call him, four days will pass before I hear anything from him.

So, over a week ago I called him and told him I don’t think it was going to work. He invited me over to talk about it and the conversation ended after I expressed my frustration with our current state of affairs. He told me that he loves me, he doesn’t want to lose me, and he promises that he is going to give me much more attention. He has promised this before, which I have pointed out, but he says that this time it’s really going to be different.

This past week, the only time we spoke was when I called. Of course, our conversations never even lasted past three minutes. This morning, I called him to let him know that I was going to be in town later, to help my cousin organize an upcoming charity event, and was wondering if he would like to get together in the evening. He was hesitant at first, and then said that he was going to be busy, but I could come over. He’s planning to have friends over.

This is how it’s been from the time we’ve met. I love him, but I’m increasingly feeling like I deserve more than this. I would like for us to spend time together, especially seeing as I have to drive an hour to see him. I do all the driving because he doesn’t drive. What should I do?

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

5 Ways to Make the Super Bowl More Entertaining

TresSugar — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:05:22 PST

Just because you're not a football fan doesn't mean you can't enjoy the Super Bowl. Whether you're single or attached, you can keep things interesting with a bet, a game, or - why not? - a costume contest. Check out these five ways to stay entertained on Super Bowl Sunday:

Start up a square football pool. Do a bit of research beforehand to learn the rules of a square pool system, then encourage your friends to play along. Square pools are all about the score, so you don't need to be a major sports buff to understand how it works. Going to a couple's party? Ask couples to team up and turn it into a battle of the couples.
Create a celebrity lookalike contest. Ever noticed that Aaron Rodgers - last year's winning Super Bowl quarterback - looks like Jake Gyllenhaal? While you're watching the game, tell friends to call out celebrity lookalikes, then vote on the best one as a group. It's fun, amusing, and - let's be honest - the perfect excuse to check out all the players.
Host a Madonna costume contest. The Queen of Pop is set to play during this year's halftime show, so encourage your girlfriends - plus any willing guys - to sport their favorite Madonna look on Super Bowl Sunday. After the game, kick the party up a notch with some classic Madge-themed karaoke.

Keep reading for more ways to spice up the Super Bowl.

Diane Kruger and Salma Hayek Help Launch Versace Eyewear

Katie Henry — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:59:58 PST

Donatella Versace hosted at an exclusive dinner at Paris's Restaurant Lasserre on Monday to unveil the Versace Étoile De La Mer eyewear collection. Diane Kruger was one of the lucky stars to score an invite, and wore a wild cheetah and floral minidress designed by her host, Donatella. Inside, fashionable ladies like Salma Hayek, Anna Wintour, and Abbie Cornish tried on pieces from the line, which will be available in stores as of March. Oscar nominee Bérénice Bejo, from The Artist, also joined the celebration.

Diane's been front and center for many of the Couture Fashion Week events in recent days, starting with Donatella's Versace couture show Monday.She then moved on to Giambattista Valli's presentation and Chanel's Haute Couture extravagana. Salma and Diane are traveling in similar fashion circles this month, and were both on hand last night's opening of Prada’s 24 h Museum. The actresses partied late into the night and were entertained with a special DJ session from none other than Kate Moss.

Photos courtesy Luxoticca

Win a Trip For Two to New York Fashion Week

FabSugar — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:54:12 PST

Us fashion-forward, fabulous girls live for the most exciting week of the year: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. How else are we supposed to know what we should be wearing for the remaining 51 weeks in the year?

This year, one lucky winner is going to be able to experience the frills and thrills of NYFW in person (the rest of us will have to check FabSugar religiously for pictures). That's right, FabSugar and Diet Pepsi are here to make all of your material-girl dreams come true!

The fab prize includes two invitations to a fashion show, three nights in a luxury hotel, airfare for two, and two invitations to the Diet Pepsi FW party! The giveaway only lasts for a week, so enter now!

This giveaway has ended.

The Office, "Pool Party": Best Lines of the Night

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:20:50 PST

On this week's The Office, we got to see the colleagues of Dunder Mifflin as we rarely see them: in their bathing suits. The gang gets invited to a pool party at Robert California's dream home before he has to put it on the market, and things get a little wild.

Erin bends over backward to make Andy jealous, who has an engagement ring he may or may not use on his girlfriend. Jim tries to leave the party early, but the wet and crazy festivities keep everyone going, and things get weird. There were so many funny lines, but I managed to pick out a few favorites. See them when you read more.

The Rise of the Fetus Party: Why Midwives Are Concerned

Natasha Dantzig — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:37:53 PST

What the fetus! For many expectant parents, routine ultrasounds are one of the things looked forward to most throughout the pregnancy process, offering an incredible glimpse at the eagerly anticipated bundle of joy within. The last couple of years have seen an increase in both the use and popularity of 4D ultrasounds, which provide an almost eerily realistic image of the baby-to-be.

Though parents are understandably delighted by these scans - OMG he has your nose! - creating one more photographic keepsake is not their intended use, which is to monitor the baby's development and ensure that everything looks good medically. Yet the use of these scans has taken a quick departure from their medical origins, with "fetus parties" - where parents-to-be invite friends and family to gaze upon the 3D and 4D scans - becoming more and more commonplace.

While everyone can appreciate why expectant parents are so excited to show off and share these lifelike images of their unborn baby with family and friends, not everyone in the medical community thinks it's such a great idea. In a column for the BBC, Professor Cathy Warwick, chief executive at The Royal College of Midwives, discusses her concern about the growing popularity of "fetus parties": "I think the worrying trend towards the commercialization of pregnancy and trend in 'fetus parties' can add to the burden, and can increase the expectation for mothers, which midwives then have to deal with.”

Did you have a fetus party?