FitSugar

Boredom Buster: Listen to Audiobooks

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 02:15:00 PDT

Reading while exercising is always an option to keep your mind entertained while your body burns it on cardio machines. However, all that jostling about on the machines can make it difficult to focus on the printed word, and reading can be a bit distracting. eDiets would like to remind you that listening to a "book on tape" is a great workout work around for reading. Find a novel or short story by your favorite author in audio form, and listen while you workout. This is great for outdoor workouts as well. Visit iTunes and check out the audiobook selections, you should have no trouble finding something to keep your attention. They even have unabridged versions of many Harry Potter books!

When reading an engrossing novel, I often tell myself I will start cleaning the kitchen when I finish this chapter and you can apply this method of thinking, but kind of in reverse, to your workout. Commit to staying on the machine until the chapter is over. Hopefully, the plot will help you keep plodding along!

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Lauren Conrad Makes a Stylish Landing at LAX

Lindsay Miller — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:47:50 PST

Lauren Conrad landed in LA last night in a kimono-style floral jacket and a high bun. The former reality star and current Paper Crown designer and beauty guru has been doing a lot of traveling lately as she works on writing a book full of her hair and makeup tips. Lauren Conrad Beauty will be the follow-up title to her first tome, Lauren Conrad Style, which hit stores last year. Lauren may be focused on her burgeoning career as an author, but she'll be back on the small screen soon, as one of the very first celebrities to get Punk'd on the revived MTV series. Lauren was tricked into believing a woman was stuck in a garbage truck during her episode of the show, and after helping "free" the lady, Dax Shepard showed up to make the big reveal. Lauren was with a female friend during the taping, but was spotted out on several dates with Dancing With the Stars pro Derek Hough throughout September and October, though neither star has confirmed whether or not they are, or were, an item.

Talking Imperfect Perfection With Deborah Needleman

Elka Karl — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:00:51 PDT

This year at High Point Market I was thrilled to finally meet Deborah Needleman, one of my all-time design heroines. The lovely Ms. Needleman led a design luncheon at High Point where she talked about her new book, The Perfectly Imperfect Home. It has risen to the rank of my favorite home decor book of the past year, and it sits atop my slant-top desk next to a small box filled with antique German coins, one of the "smalls" that Deborah talks about that make my home personal, happy, and perfectly imperfect.

The former editor of Domino magazine and the current editor of WSJ. Magazine, Deborah recently answered some of my questions about her book, decorating philosophy, and personal favorite decorating ideas and quirky pieces. Keep reading for the first half of my interview with Deborah Needleman!
CasaSugar: What inspired The Perfectly Imperfect Home?
Deborah Needleman: It was inspired by how uncomfortable I feel in overly decorated, everything-just-so houses, and how inspired and comfortable and happy I feel in houses that are stylish and real. I love houses that are portraits of their owners.

CS: How do you think the concept of designing imperfectly can spark creativity and growth in decorating?
DN: You can’t be creative if you are constantly just trying to keep everything neat and perfect. If the evolution of your life is reflected in your decorating, that means your decoration will not remain static. It changes as you change; it grows and morphs with you. I’ve never liked or believed in the idea of decorating as something that can be finished. Like life, it is a work in progress.

CS: Can you describe one of the stylish, welcoming, and imperfect homes you’ve visited and found particularly inspiring?
DN: The decorator and design writer Rita Konig is my patron saint(ess) of stylish imperfection. She was raised by a fancy decorator (Nina Campbell), has lived in and visited beautiful houses her whole life, and knows all the rules of decorating, but she is never hampered by rules or fussiness. She is inspired by the kind of life she wants to go on inside her house. It is always inspiring, exciting, and completely comforting to be in her home. Her home always smells fantastic. It has a lot of personality, quirk, and color. There are soft pillows on the sofas and chairs, lots of books you want to read, and interesting things on the walls. Plus, she’s a doting host, always ready to make you something nice to drink and eat.

All the top editors at Domino had homes like you describe - stylish, welcoming, and imperfect - and they inspired me enormously. I hired them so they could inspire others like they did me. The brilliant Sara Ruffin Costello (who now writes the best and cheekiest decorating column out there for the Off Duty section of the Wall Street Journal), Tom Delavan (who is now editorial director of the recently launched GiltHome), Dara Caponigro (editor in chief of Veranda magazine), and the aforementioned Rita Konig (who is European editor of WSJ. Magazine magazine)

Keep reading for more of our conversation with Deborah Needleman!

DIY: Tiered Trays

Guest Writer — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 05:00:38 PDT

Here's a cool DIY project perfect for Fall entertaining, from eco designer Danny Seo. This project is featured in Danny's new book Upcycling.

Mismatched or chipped plates and cups are something most people have in their kitchen cabinets. They are also the least expensive thing you can find at flea markets and yard sales. This upcycling project celebrates the individual design and worn look of these pieces by marrying them together into impressive tiered trays. The key to this project is the glue: E-6000. Surprised? For those of you who are flipping through the book instead of reading project to project, let me reiterate: it is an incredibly strong adhesive that will bond the pieces together so securely you can pick up the entire tiered tray with your fingertips without fear of it falling apart.

What You'll Need:

Mismatched glass, metal, or ceramic plates and cups,
E- 6000 glue
Painter’s tape.

How to Make It

The overall tiered trays look best when you stack pieces that are from the same family of material: glass, ceramic, or metal.
Place the largest plate on the bottom, and choose a cup to place in the middle; glue it in place by squeezing a generous amount of E-6000 glue on the bottom of the cup. Be sure to work in a well-ventilated place, since the glue is rather smelly.
Choose another plate to place on top of the cup, and secure it in place by squeezing more glue onto the rim of the cup.
Repeat these steps until you finish the tray.
Secure everything in place by wrapping painter’s tape all around the tray, and allow it to dry for 24 hours before using.
If you want to wash the trays, be sure to hand wash them and dry them with a clean towel.

Thanks Danny! Want to see even more eco, upcyled decorating and entertaining projects? Then pick up Danny's new book Upcycling.

DIY: Gemstone Cabinet Knobs

Guest Writer — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:00:02 PDT

Here's a cool DIY project, perfect for updating a tired dresser or cabinet, from eco-designer Danny Seo. This project is featured in Danny's new book Upcycling.

Two decorating secrets in updating a kitchen on a dime are to change the color of the walls with a fresh coat of paint, and swap out dated cabinet knobs with new ones. In my kitchen, you don’t have to do the tedious task of unscrewing each knob to give them a fresh look. Upcycle your old knobs with a colorful collection of geodes, sea glass, or minerals and ultrapowerful glue.

What You'll Need:

Old knobs or drawer pulls
Mineral or rock slices or pieces
E-6000 glue
Low-adhesive painter’s tape.

How to Make It

Using E-6000 glue (available at Michael’s craft stores), squeeze a generous amount onto the front of the knob and attach a mineral or rock onto its front.
Don’t try to use a different brand of glue for this project, no matter how powerfully strong it may promise on the package. I’ve used them all, and E-6000 is the best of the best for this.
Using low-adhesive painter’s tape, secure the rock onto the knob, so it doesn’t slide off as it dries.
Allow it to dry for a full 24 hours and remove the tape.

Thanks Danny! Want to see even more eco, upcyled decorating and entertaining projects? Then pick up Danny's new book Upcycling.

From Medical Records to Credit Card Accounts: Store Your Personal Info in One Place

LearnVest — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:15:24 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

In today’s day and age, many of us have traded in our little black books for little black Blackberries-but, regardless, these troves of information should contain more than the phone numbers of old high school crushes and college flings. The last time you needed your passport number or vaccination history, did you have it on hand? Are your bank passwords taped to your computer, in full view of hackers-to-be? We at LearnVest have re-envisioned the little black book, and we invite you to take the plunge: You should have a command center that contains every piece of necessary information you might need. We’ll help you set it up.

Your Financial Life . . . In One Place

All of your financial info should be stored somewhere safe, secure, and easy for you-and only you-to get to. We’re fans of Wallet (for Mac and iPhone), which is basically a password-protected database that has fields where you can enter your account name, password, and any relevant info. Alternately, check out the similar Clipperz or Passpack. If you’re attached to that old school black Moleskine notebook, just make sure to include all of your pertinent info and hide the book in a safe, secure place where you’ll be able to find it again. Know where to find the following:

Bank account numbers.
Login names, passwords, and bookmarked web addresses for all financial accounts.
Account numbers for your 401(k) or IRA.
Contact information for your company’s human resources department or retirement account administrator.
Your Social Security number.
Birth certificate.
Home and auto insurance policy numbers and contact info.
Credit card numbers (stored separately from your cards).
A copy of your driver’s license and passport.
Frequent flyer numbers.

Read after the jump for more tips to organize your personal information.

DIY: Book-Wrapped Trophy Mount

Elka Karl — Fri, 13 May 2011 05:00:00 PDT

Over a year and a half ago, I ordered a Styrofoam taxidermy mount with the intention of finishing it in some fun, unexpected way. Then the mount sat in my garage for over a year while I attended to other projects. Just a few months ago, I finally got around to finishing the mount. If you admire the look of the trophy heads you've seen everywhere from Anthropologie to Neiman Marcus, but don't want to spend upwards of $600 on something that may be a trend, you can DIY your own for under $50. Here's how.

What You'll Need:

Styrofoam Deer Mount like this one (you can order other animal shapes, but they're often a lot more expensive). While this one is listed at $40, I found one on sale for $12, so shop around.
Mod Podge
Thin paper for covering the head (college readers, dictionaries, and other large books work well)
Paintbrush
Branches
Swiss army or whittling knife
Paint
Masking Tape
Newspaper

Keep reading to learn how to make your mount!

How to Make an Hour of Exercise Fly By

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 02:33:53 PDT

Reese Witherspoon has said that she tries to exercise every day. "I like to run for about an hour and I'm big into working out with girlfriends. It's an acquired skill, being able to discuss your love life, children and friends - all while you're running! But we have mastered it." Gabbing with your friends is an awesome way to make the time fly. You get your cardio and therapy session all at once. Here are some more ways to make an hour of exercise feel like nothing.

Change Things Up - Just like Reese, do something super active or challenging that's not repetitive. Surfing, rock climbing, or an ashtanga yoga class require so much movement, balance, and concentration that you're too busy moving your body to think about how much time has passed.

Keep reading to find out what else you can do to make exercise time fly.

Refuse, Refuse, Refuse, Then Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: 10 Tips For Going Zero-Waste With Kids

LilSugar — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:31:18 PDT

The average American throws out 550 pounds of paper, 318 pounds of food, and 90 pounds of glass per year, with nearly 80 percent of that garbage ending up in landfills. Transforming the average household into a zero-waste, all-natural, toxin-free utopia is an overwhelming concept if you try to tackle everything at once. Best to go through the house room by room, step by step to see which disposable products can be replaced with more eco-friendly options.

Having children may somewhat complicate the zero-waste transformation, but they in no way make it impossible. If you need a little push in the right direction BeSimpler is an inspiring business where one of the two extremely eco-chic founders (they both have kids and live waste-free!) will actually do a house visit to help mamas simplify and eliminate unnecessary waste. Here are some of their tips to transform a house into a waste-free, kid-friendly, sustainable home.

Babies use a lot of diapers. Most disposable versions go right in the trash along with handfuls of wipes, destined to spend years decomposing at the dump. Reusable cloth diapers and wipes are the best option for a zero-waste home (there are plenty of services who do the pick up and laundry), while compostable diapers are a good second option. Unlike other single-use diapers, compostable nappies are made of ingredients that will compost when put in the proper environment - they contain no petroleum-based plastics that pollute our Earth by remaining un-decayed for hundreds of years.
Babies make messes. Swap paper towels for microfiber cloths.
Rid the home of piles of junk mail by getting yourself off the lists at dmachoice.org and catalogchoice.org.
Treat boo-boos with peroxide, gauze, and paper tape instead of Band-Aids.
Use a neti pot or reusable handkerchiefs for stuffy noses.

Keep reading for more tips for converting a home into a waste-free zone.

Trending on Très - NKOTB vs. BSB

TresSugar — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 03:15:58 PDT

New Kids vs. Backstreet Boys: can you tell the difference between their songs?
How Marilyn Monroe handled her nude photo scandal
The most promising new books of June
Heartfelt engagement gift ideas
5 bachelorette party ideas besides Vegas
Paris Hilton talks about her sex tape
Game on for French Open eye candy
Beyond dinner out: five creative date ideas
What do you make of colossal celebrity engagement rings?
Très hot! Watch Bradley Cooper speak fluent French