FitSugar

Long-Sleeve Layers For 40-Degree Runs

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:32:21 PDT

If you're heading outside for an early morning run, it's pretty nippy out there! A tank top and shorts just won't cut it anymore, but it's not quite cold enough for Winter running gear. Here are some of my favorite long-sleeve shirts to wear on chilly runs, listed in order of lightest to heaviest to help you find a layer that's perfect for your weather. If you get really cold, pair these layers with your favorite vest or windbreaker.

Patagonia's Common Threads Garment Recycling

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 03:30:03 PST

If you're like me, you like to have a new fleece every year. This means I end up with favorites while my older fleeces just sit in the back of my closet.

In 2005 Patagonia launched Common Threads Garment Recycling Program, through which customers can return their worn out Capilene Performance Base layers to them for recycling. They've now added Patagonia fleece, Polartec fleece from other manufacturers and Patagonia organic cotton T-shirts to their list of recyclables.

How do YOU do it:
It's very easy. Simply wash them first and use one of the following collection methods:

Mail them to the Patagonia Service Center at
Patagonia Service Center
ATTN: Common Threads Recycling Program
8550 White Fir Street
Reno, NV 89523-8939
Drop them off at the Patagonia Retail Store nearest you or at one of their Performance Baselayer Dealers.

Why YOU should do it: Recycling your old garments gives the satisfaction of knowing that your old polyester garments will not end up in a landfill or an incinerator, and that future Patagonia products will require significantly less virgin polyester (less oil) than products from season's past.

Great ideas from a great brand, it doesn't get much better than that! To learn more, check out Patagonia.com.

Dressing for Winter Sports - Wear Less

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 10:45:00 PST

Winter brings the excitement of so many different winter sports and activities - cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and winter running.

And just because it's cold outside does not mean you don't sweat. Sweating and winter don't mix since once your clothes get wet, they'll stay wet and that will make you cold. Plus if you pile on the layers, you won't be able to move freely which is really frustrating.

What you want to do is wear less. Make sure the base layer (that is your bottom layer) is made of a good wicking material - my fave is made from Smartwool. The wool fibers have thousands of tiny pockets which, like insulation in your house, act as a buffer against the cold. They absorb any moisture and then it evaporates, so both you and your clothes stay dry.

Over your base layer, wear a wind and waterproof jacket and pants. These should be flexible so you can move easily. And don't forget a hat and mittens - these can be easily removed when you start to overheat.

Fit's Tips: Bring a lumbar pack or backpack so you can pack an extra layer or two in case you need it. Packing a pair of dry socks and some hand warmers isn't a bad idea either.

Fit Find Winter Running Gear Follow Up

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 15:30:00 PST

On Friday, I asked you all to come Fit Finding with me for some Winter Running Gear. I started you off with some super cool ice running shoes and asked you to find some socks, gloves or mittens, base layers and a cute hat.

Here's what scratch5 came up with.

View 5 Photos ›

I love the orange hat and mock turtle neck, but then again it is easy to see I love the color orange. This gear definitely would inspire me to run in the cold.

Cold Weather Running Gear

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 03:00:00 PST

Don't let the winter chill keep you off of the streets. Running in winter is fun, but you have to dress appropriately. Starting with your feet, because if they are cold you'll be miserable. Wear some ski sock liners made out of poly-pro with wool and/or silk blended in. These will keep your tootsies toasty. If the temperature is lower than 20 degrees, I'd opt for ski socks since they're thicker.

You are also going to want a top and bottom base layer made out of poly-pro or merino wool something that you can move in that also wicks the moisture away from your skin. Cover this up with a thin nylon shell to break the wind and keep you protected from the elements.

Keeping your hands warm is also key, so wear some poly-pro gloves or mittens. Don't forget a hat! A light weight wool stocking cap should do the trick.

Remember that it also takes the body longer to warm up in cold weather so add a few minutes onto your warm up time.

Happy running.

Help me find the some of this gear and come Fit Finding with me.

5 Ways to Work With Hummus

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:21:38 PST

Hummus is good for much more than serving as a simple dip. The bean-based food is a great source of protein and fiber, and at only 27 calories per tablespoon, it's perfect for filling up without filling out. Try these five tricks to add more hummus to your diet:

Add it to your meat: For a dish that packs double the protein punch, coat chicken breasts in a layer of hummus before baking or roasting. Get creative by mixing and matching different flavors of hummus with a variety of meat and seafood picks, like spicy hummus with beef kabobs.
Use it as a salad dressing: Spice up your standard salad by adding hummus over the greens. Prefer a thinner consistency? Toss in a small amount of hummus, lemon juice, olive oil, and vinegar.
Make it your go-to sandwich spread: Swap mayonnaise and mustard for your favorite flavored hummus. Regularly use pesto? Try hummus made with basil and pine nuts. Love hot sauce? Try this smoky chipotle hummus recipe.

Keep reading for more ways to work with hummus.

Geek DIY: Remove Photograph Backgrounds

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:16:03 PST

Is showing your blog more love among your top resolutions for 2012? Start a new year of blog dedication by learning some important basics to make photos and collages stand out on the page.

Pugly Pixel's Photoshop tutorial on image background extractions and how to use layers may sound intimidating, but the how-to is so carefully explained that even Photoshop newbies can get a handle on this more creative side of photo editing. Removing the background of a photo is necessary when you want to create collages of multiple small images, or to layer an image on top of another. Pugly Pixel's technique, pictured here, to layer the ribbon on the Instagram photo is also perfect for a "look of the day"-type post to showcase multiple objects with one base image.

Photoshop is a powerful tool that can inject amazing effects into your images, but going beyond the basics can be frustrating if you're experimenting on your own. Which Photoshop tips and tricks would you like to learn this year? We'd love to help you become a photo editing ninja!

How to Make Your New Year's Eve Makeup Last Well Into the Night

Jaime Richards — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:33:09 PST

It's time to welcome in a whole new year, but before we say hello to 2012, there's one final thing to get right for 2011: your makeup. New Year's Eve is often a celebratory occasion that goes well on into the wee hours, so before you step out in your finest frock, check out these tips on how you can keep your makeup looking fresh the whole evening - or morning - through.

For your complexion: "It's all about layering," says Ana Cruzalegui, CEO of British-based We Are Faux. Enhance your makeup's resiliency by applying the following three products in this order: a primer prefoundation, a concealer under the eyes and on areas that need a touch more coverage, and a sheer powder to set.
For eyes: "A cream shadow applied on the lids before you apply powder eye shadow is great for a long night," Cruzalegui explains. She also suggests using water-resistant mascara and eyeliner (MAC Chromaline liner is a favorite) for increased staying power.
For lips: If you opt for bright lip color, try something with a matte finish. "It lasts longer and is easier to fix throughout the evening," Cruzalegui advises. "And who knows? You may find yourself under the mistletoe."

Travel Tips For the Upcoming Holiday Weekend

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:45:22 PST

Traveling this holiday? Christmas Eve falls on a Saturday this year, which makes one big mess at the airport. If you can't take a car or a train, be sure to check out these packing and travel tips to make your life easier while booking flights, getting through security checkpoints, and beyond.

Booking Flights

TripIt - Once signed up for the free service, forward travel confirmation emails to TripIt, which will automatically create a master itinerary of an upcoming trip accessible through the web or a mobile device. The itineraries even include the tidbits we seem to forget like weather updates, local maps, and directions.
Google Flight Search - Book that plane ticket before prices rise any further! Google's flight search engine incorporates travel basics like price point, maximum number of connections, and preferred airline with an easy-to-use interface.
Hotel Tonight - If there are too many relatives in one house, scan the last-minute hotel deals at Hotel Tonight for a chic getaway at a discounted price. Every day three hotels in a city reveal their discounted rates starting at noon, and you then have until 2 a.m. to book the deal and take advantage of a peaceful room.
My TSA - Can homemade fruit cakes go through security? How early should you show up to the airport for a flight on the eve of Thanksgiving? Answer the pressing travel questions that could otherwise cause delays or stress by adding the TSA's free iOS app to your device. The app's airport security line estimator may become the most crucial feature on your phone when planning your airport arrival.
HearPlanet ($3) - Take the time to discover the cultural side of your holiday destination. This interactive app highlights attractions in over 300,000 locations and uses geolocation features so that you don't miss any of the nearby fun, plus it's a great excuse to get out of the house and move around in fresh air.
GasBuddy - Hitting the open road instead of the air? Use the free GasBuddy app to locate the cheapest fuel on the interstate. Show your fellow travelers some love and share the low-price gas station you discover within the app.

Gadget Essentials

iPad or Tablet - If you have the luxury of spending upwards of $500 on a tablet, it's probably the only gadget you'll need to tote during travel season since it can hold your ebooks, surf the Internet, and keep you connected.
eReader - If you're sans tablet, pack up your favorite ereader. Whether it's the latest Kindle or the new Nook Simple Touch, you can read the entire Game of Thrones series without all the paper weight.
Compact laptop - Though the MacBook Air is arguably the most popular lightweight laptop out there, there's plenty of compact PCs and ultrabooks to choose from as well.
Chargers - If you're toting all these gadgets, you're going to (obviously) need some chargers to keep things juiced. Thankfully, many airlines are offering charging stations in the terminal and even seat-side outlets on board, so you can stay 100 percent charged throughout your trip.
Headphones - Keep the roar of 35,000 feet at bay with some nice sound-isolating headphones. If you're going over-the-ear, consider Skullcandy Aviators ($149), which offer great sound and deep bass and are even comfy for those geeks who wear glasses.

Get more tips on how to pack your bag and save some dough after the break.

Dress Up With 15 Pretty Pendant Necklaces

Marisa Tom — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:09:08 PST

Some statements are loud, some are subtle, and some are singularly bold. We'd like to think that rocking a pendant necklace covers all of the statement bases in one poignant swoop. There's a well-edited mix of playful, poised, neon bright, sophisticated, and sweet pendant pieces for every fashion frame of mind. Style a multicolored Oscar de la Renta brooch necklace alone for maximum effect or get a little layer happy with an Isabel Marant girlie tassel pendant and a handful of chains - it's really up to you. One thing's for sure, a pendant necklace is just as much a décolletage talking point as it is a pretty accessorizing piece. Click through to see our editors' pendant picks and shop your favorites!

Source: Vogue Russia