Summer's here, and with that comes barbeques, patio parties, and casual evening soirees with friends and family. Looking for a quality bottle to bring to the party? Look no further! Award-winning wine writer Natalie MacLean shares her top picks with us each week! Wine of the Week for August 8, 2013 The Grinder Pinotage Swartland, South Africa Loaded with toasty oak, coffee, black pepper, dark spices, mocha and savoury dark fruit aromas. There's a seductive juiciness on the palate with full-bodied weight. Black plum and anise on the smoky finish. Highly recommended. Perfect for hearty meat dishes, grilled meats, smoked pork, pasta with meat sauce, black bean soup. Price: $13.95  Score: 90/100 Alcohol: 14% Sweetness: Dry Drink: 2013‐2016 LCBO:  269076         Natalie MacLean is the Canadian author of Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search for the World's Best Bargain Wines. Check out more of her wine picks and food pairings at www.nataliemaclean.com.  

Channel your inner bartender this summer with fabulous, delicious and quick cocktail recipes from Shoana Jensen! For the next five weeks, we'll be serving up a brand new drink recipe each Friday to help you kick off your weekend! Caprioska 

• 1 whole, quartered lime
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1.5 oz vodka
• Lots of crushed ice
• Some soda water

Directions Slice limes, muddle with brown sugar in your chosen glass. Fill glass with crushed ice and pour on the vodka, top up with soda water, gently mix and then serve. Try adding some blueberries, strawberries or other fruit in to the muddle for an extra twist. [embed]bcid:2577347873001[/embed] Did you try this cocktail? Share your comments below! Follow Shoana Jensen on Twitter @ShoanaJ, or visit her site here. Glassware and pitchers courtesy of HomeSense.

Summer's here, and with that comes barbeques, patio parties, and casual evening soirees with friends and family. Looking for a quality bottle to bring to the party? Look no further! Award-winning wine writer Natalie MacLean shares her top picks with us each week! Wine of the Week for August 1, 2013 Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand Lime essence with lemon zest. Very fresh and clean. No oak. Pair with seafood and salads. Perfect as an aperitif, especially chilled while sitting on the deck or dock. Life’s good, baby! Price: $17.45 Score: 89/100 Alcohol: 13% Sweetness: Extra Dry Drink: 2013‐2014 LCBO: 293043         Natalie MacLean is the Canadian author of Unquenchable: A Tipsy Search for the World's Best Bargain Wines. Check out more of her wine picks and food pairings at www.nataliemaclean.com.  

Who says that staycations aren’t glamorous? Leigh-Ann Allaire Perrault has thought of all the ideas and little details for throwing a fabulous staycation. Invite some of your girlfriends over for a nice, relaxing and glamorous afternoon! To kick off your staycation, have some lounge chairs to set the mood and for ultimate comfort. “Think about bringing in the 5 senses,” says Leigh-Ann. Have some soft and comfortable pillows and to change up the texture, some fresh, crisp white towels. For any type of staycation, you can’t forget about the drinks! Leigh-Ann says that champagne is always a good idea, but think about bringing in a DIY juice bar! Slice up some oranges and limes that people can squeeze themselves for either freshly squeezed juice or a delicious mimosa. Keep the comfort of your guests in mind and offer them a simple basket of flip-flops from the dollar store. That way everyone can ditch their heels and lounge!  To have a real spa-like experience, don't forget to have a basket of your favourite gossip magazines; they are a great conversation starter! For a true pamper party, why not have a mobile spa come to your house to do all of your manicures, pedicures and facials? If everyone chips in a small amount of money, for a fraction of the cost of going to the spa, you can all have a refreshing afternoon at your own home. For more spa staycation tips, watch the clip below! [embed]bcid:2546472816001[/embed]

Spending all summer entertaining is fun, but the costs can add up quickly. Before you know it, you’ll be blowing your monthly food budget if you’re throwing a Mexican Fiesta or Lobster Themed Dinner Party every weekend. That’s where the budget-friendly potluck comes in. Are you attending a potluck soon? Here's how to be a good potluck attendee. Ask about what you should bring. If dishes haven’t been delegated out to attendees, ask the host what you should bring. If your host gives you a specific request, be sure to stick with it! There’s nothing worse than a potluck with too many appetizers and not enough desserts! If you're given the freedom to bring whatever you want, bring something that you've made before that is easy to transport and serve. If you're on a special diet, a potluck is a great way to bring a dish you know you can eat. Be on time. This runs true for attending any event! Showing up on time is not only polite to the host, but it will make the potluck go off without a hitch! Label the dish.  Labelling your dish will help guests decide whether they can eat it and will stop people asking "What is this?". Be sure to mention if it's gluten-free, vegan or vegetarian! Have the dish ready to go. Be sure to bring your dish to the potluck ready to serve. Don’t assume there will be space in the fridge or oven to heat it up, because you might be out of luck. Don't forget to bring serving utensils as well! Remember, a potluck is about spending time with friends and enjoying delicious food!