Idaho State Journal, January 1, 2004

Celebrate Sex and the City

by Sarah Keech, Features Editor

We may be near the end of an era, but that just means it’s time to party.

 It's been an adventurous six seasons for the gals of HBO's "Sex and the City," and now it's time to say goodbye. But that's not something to be sad about (especially when you consider Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte will live on on DVD and reruns); it's something to celebrate.
"Sex and the City" parties have become a great way for gal pals, and sometimes their brave male friends, to get together on a Sunday evenings before a long week of work or school and live vicariously as the TV foursome explore love and life in Manhattan.
   The first episode of the final eight will air Sunday on HBO East at 7 p.m. or on HBO West at 10 p.m., so why not throw your own party to celebrate "Sex and the City"?
   Here are a few ways to get started.

The Invitations:
   Since there are only four days until the premiere of "Sex and the City," you'll need to get those invites out fast. The quickest, and one of the most creative ways, is to use Evite.com. There are lots of e-mail invitations already designed, or you can upload your own photos or designs to make your own invitation.
   "Evite.com is a very popular way to send out an invitation for a 'Sex and the City' viewing party," says Karina Kogan, Director of Sales and Marketing for Evite.com. "During our partnership with HBO, there were 2,000 event invitations, going to approximately 35,000 people, using the 'Sex and the City' designed invitation."
   Sending an Evite is fast and easy: just pop in your friends' e-mail addresses and away they go - for free.
   "Evite allows you to send out just one invitation instead of making numerous phone calls or writing lots of separate e-mails," Kogan says. "When guests reply, they simply go to the Web site to RSVP, get other information about the event and leave comments. It's an easy way for a host to manage their guest list."
   Evite.com has great designs and layouts, and the host is alerted when your invitees respond. The "Party Girl" or "Cosmopolitan" designs are perfect for a "Sex and the City" event.

The Supplies:
   Luckily with the holidays just behind us many places will still be stocked with fun party favors.
   At the Party Palace, 1800 Garrett Way in Pocatello, you can find plastic champagne and martini glasses as well as plates, napkins, balloons and cups in your favorite shade of pink.
   "You will definitely find plenty of things for a great party," says Party Palace owner Don Pollard. "We even have decorative lights, mirrored balls and disco lights if you want to go all out."
   You can also pick up an assortment of fun party favors for your friends, like kitschy plastic bracelets and rings or some glittery fake tattoos, even a feather boa or two.

The Drinks:
   If you have seen "Sex and the City," you know the drink you need to have at any viewing party: The Cosmopolitan. The drink may sound sophisticated, but they are really simple to make, and Hooligans' John Prokschl shares his own favorite Cosmo recipe.

Hooligans Cosmopolitan
   1 ounce of premium vodka (John prefers Grey Goose)
   1/4 ounce Cointreau
   1/2 ounce Rose's lime juice
   2 ounces of cranberry
   Pour mixture into a shaker full of ice and shake well. Serve drink in a frozen martini or cocktail glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon, rubbed along the rim of the glass.
   "Be sure to shake the drink well, the longer the better," Prokschl hints. "The colder the drink is when served the better it will be."
   Other drinks that have popped up regulars on the show are the bellini, the flirtini and the ABSOLUT hunk.

Bellini:
   3 ounces Champagne
   1 ounce Peach Schnapps
   1 dash Grenadine
   Pour mixture into a champagne glass.
   Source: DrinkStreet.com

Flirtini:
   1 oz. Vodka
   2 oz. Champagne
   2 oz. Pineapple Juice
   Combine vodka, champagne, and pineapple juice in a shaker half filled with ice and strain into a martini glass. For a party multiply recipe and mix in a pitcher.

ABSOLUT Hunk:
   4 Parts ABSOLUT vanilla vodka
   1 part simple syrup
   1 part fresh lime juice
   A splash of pineapple juice.
   Pour ABSOLUT vanilla over ice in a shaker. (Create simple syrup by mixing equal parts water and sugar together and stand mixture aside until it has dissolved into a simple syrup). Add simple syrup, fresh lime juice and a splash of pineapple juice. Shake or stir well. Strain and serve in chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lime.

Food:
   The divas of "Sex and the City" really don't use their cool urban kitchens for cooking, instead they dine out on the town or grab some takeout. You don't need a caterer to pull off a fabulous party; you can just fake it.
   Be sure to bring the best of New York City to your living room with some Krispy Creme doughnuts or hot dogs with the works to mimic those from New York City's legendary Gray's Papaya. You can bake up a batch of cupcakes and cover them in pink frosting and put the initial for each guest on them.
   Of course, the most common dinner for the girls on the show is takeout Chinese food. Instead of spending lots of dough on delivery, why not whip up your own stir-fry or sweet and sour dish? To give it that authentic takeout look, pick up some Chinese food boxes along with your other party supplies at the Party Palace and decorate them especially for your guests.
"Sex and the City" is a great reason to have a party, so put on your favorite Carrie-esque outfit, invite over all your closest friends and celebrate the impending end of a TV favorite in style.