FitSugar

Partner Yoga Pose: Butterfly Pull

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:30:00 PST

Most of us can always use some lower back stretches, and this one called Butterfly Pull stretches your entire spine and opens your hips as well.

Partner #1 (blue shirt) sits in Butterfly pose with his heels together and knees out wide.
Partner #2 (no shirt) sits with his legs straight facing Partner #1, and places his feet on Partner #1's shins.
Both partners hold each other's hands or wrists. Partner #1 folds forward over his feet as Partner #2 leans back, pulling him deeper into the stretch.
They hold for five or so deep breaths, making minor adjustments if necessary. Then both partners slowly sit back up and they switch roles.

Source

Fashion to Interiors: Caramel Leather, Animal Prints, and Metallic Accessories

CasaSugar — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:00:20 PST

I'm constantly finding similarities between the pieces I'm coveting for my closet and the items I'm looking to incorporate in my home. I've pulled together an outfit and a home decor look that combines texture, bold prints, metallic hues, and yummy leather. See how I translate fashion to interiors with these two looks!

Even with a secretary blouse and heels, this Romantic Leather Skirt ($1,400) feels effortlessly cool. One of my favorite ways to achieve this look at home is by adding a piece of '70s-style furniture in buttery, caramel-colored leather. This Leather Butterfly Chair ($200) achieves the same earthy but slightly polished look at a great price point.

A metallic hybrid of sorts, this Sloan Lizard-Effect Metallic Leather Clutch ($220) works equally well with silver and gold accessories. I'm applying the same philosophy to this Armand Riviera Pendant ($375). A gold interior casts a warm glow against the hammered silver exterior - perfect for mixing up metallic decor!

I love incorporating animal prints into my wardrobe and decor, because they add a graphic punch but are classic prints. This Animal-Print Cotton and Silk-Blend Blouse ($1,100) feels especially polished with a tie-neck detail. I always gravitate toward a great animal-print layering piece for a room, like this Leather Zebra Cowhide Rug ($2,360).

Click the pieces above to shop both looks!

Tips For an Enjoyable - and Hopefully Successful - First Date!

Annie Scudder — Thu, 12 May 2011 18:02:06 PDT

Even though we're in the middle of wedding season on the PopSugar Network, we can't forget the beginning of all lifelong or best-forgotten relationships: the first date. Trying to decide whether a perfect stranger is a potential mate can get stressful and tiresome. So I have eight tips to help make it all go as smooth as possible. Add yours in the comments!

Wear your favorite go-to outfit, rather than trying out a new look. You'll feel more comfortable, and you might as well be yourself.
Especially if you met the person online, follow these safety tips, including meeting in public and letting a friend know where you're going.
Plan an outing that won't take all night. That way you can go home if you're not feeling it, or extend the fun if you are. You could just agree on drinks, perhaps at a place you know serves dinner, and opt to dine together if you don't want the night to end.
Remember to ask a lot of questions if you're worried about keeping the conversation going. That trick, along with simple things like eye contact and a smile, will make a thoughtful first impression.
Before you head out, think ahead about something funny that happened to you that day or recently. You can pull that story out if you're feeling nervous or come up against awkward silences. Plus, having a sense of humor is always a good thing!
Consider ordering a festive cocktail when you get to the restaurant to cut the tension, but choose wine by the glass rather than a whole bottle during the meal. Or go for low-alcohol cocktails. You'll prevent any drinking-induced oversharing about the ex or other unfortunate topics.
Don't forget that it's just a date, and the other person is likely just as nervous. Embrace the uncertainty and the butterflies in your stomach, because once you're paired up and retired from your first-date career, it's hard to find a feeling quite like it.
Throw some mints in your bag, just in case you get that end-of-the-night kiss!

Feeling Crampy? Low-Impact Exercises For That Time of the Month

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:19:16 PDT

During Aunt Flo's monthly visit, feeling crampy, fatigued, or bloated may make it hard to stick to your normal fitness routine. Instead of skipping out on exercise completely, swap high-intensity workouts with something less intense - light exercise can actually help alleviate symptoms associated with PMS and your period. Here are some low-impact workout ideas to send your period's symptoms packing while also shedding a few calories at the same time.

Go for a brisk walk with a girlfriend: Head out on your lunch break for a 20- to 30-minute walk in the park or around your neighborhood before dinner. This light form of cardio is enough to get your muscles moving and your heart rate up, which is the type of exercise recommended for cramp relief. For an added bonus, chatting it up with your gal pal will let you vent about work, your BF, or other things that especially set you off during that time of the month.
Go swimming: Hitting the pool is a great way to relieve cramps and get your exercise on. Since your body feels so light and free, you can move your limbs in all directions without having to expend much energy to hold your body weight. I wouldn't try to beat your best lap time, but rather focus on moving with ease through the water, and doing what feels good. All that movement and increased blood flow is sure to lift your energy levels and relieve your headache (if you have one), and I find spending time underwater also calms my mind.
Do strength training moves that target your abs: I know this seems a little odd to purposely tense up the area that already feels like it's in knots, but doing ab work can actually bring relief. The relaxing Scissor Abs move will target your lower abs as well as loosen tight hips and hamstrings - all of which can contribute to menstrual cramps.

Continue reading to hear more exercise ideas to relieve period symptoms.

Welcome Home With Fashionable Floor Mats

Lizzie Fuhr — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 03:00:06 PDT

A floor mat isn't just a practical necessity. It's the very first impression someone gets of your home, so why not make a stylish statement? Maybe you're lucky enough to have a home with a long and winding entry, or maybe your front door floor mat is the only detail of your space's exterior you're able to individualize as you see fit. Either way, a design-inspired floor mat is a welcoming addition to any space. I always notice when someone has something that stands apart from the standard, tired-looking mat at their door.

I love the majestic monarch rug on Butterfly Orange Rug ($57) from Liora Manne. The detail is exquisite and the shape is anything but traditional. And there's nothing more warm or welcoming than that beautiful butterfly's burnt orange hue. I also love the bright colored symmetrical circles of the Step Lively Polka Dots Doormat ($45). It's a modern and fun option I'd love to see at someone's door before I ring their bell. But my favorite has got to be that whimsy Hippo Door Mat ($34) by Droog. Talk about a quirky and welcoming surprise.

While there are a plethora of options for the material used to create a gorgeous indoor rug for your front door, you'll need a mat that will stand up to the dirty shoes crossing over your threshold. I've pulled some sweet options for every budget!

Grown-Up Back-to-School Blazers

OnSugar Blog — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 02:30:57 PDT

OnSugar blogger fashion fortuneteller is helping us shop the best grown-up blazers for back to school:

I'm so nervous about going back to school. I know I shouldn't be. I mean I'm going for my Masters, it's not like I'm new to sitting in a classroom, managing work load, and pulling all-nighters! But something, just has my stomach full of butterflies. So naturally, what do I do when I'm feeling nervous or unsure about something, need time to think things through, or am simply having a bad day... I make outfits! I dip into my closet and just start creating new looks. It's my CALM. Lately, I've been trying to think about how I could use the tons of blazers I have in creative ways. I work a corporate 9-5 that requires suits, therefore I have blazers galore. Suits are so not my thing - just seems too structured. Can you think of any creative ways to use blazers, like any of the ones I selected to feature today?

Want to see more (and shop the items)? Head over to Fashion Fortuneteller now!

Decorating Ideas to Steal From Anthro's New Bridal Line: BHLDN

Tara Block — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:09:17 PST

Anthropologie debuted its new bridal line BHLDN today, and it has me dreaming of all things lacy, eyelet-edged, butterfly-topped, and sequined. If you're not in the market for wedding gowns and accessories, fret not. I've pulled some of my favorite head-to-toe pieces from the ethereal line to show you how they can inspire your living spaces.

Hairstyle Inspiration: Kate Middleton's Dressy, Half-Up Bun

Jaime Richards — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:52:20 PDT

While Kate Middleton may be known for her signature long, wavy hair (which she most frequently wears down), there are a few times she experiments with her style. Last week while visiting Canada, the Duchess of Cambridge looked as sophisticated as ever wearing a half-up, looped style accentuated with butterfly clips.

And over the weekend while visiting LA, she made a classic bun all the more modern by incorporating it into this pulled-back-at-the-sides coiffure. To see her latest look at various angles, and get a few tips on re-creating the minibun yourself, be sure to check out the gallery now.

Get It Up, Your Heart Rate That Is: Swimming Sprints

FitSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 05:30:00 PDT

Many of us are starting to move our workouts indoors. Temperatures are cooling off and daylight is becoming increasingly limited; the days are going to get even shorter. One way to move your cardio inside is swimming and here is a fun workout to try. Sprinting intervals are not just for running; they're great for the pool too. I suggest adding some sprints into your swimming workouts to keep things fresh and challenging. Check out this simple workout and try it next time you head to the pool. Better yet, print it out and use it as your excuse to head to the pool. I have even added some kicking sprints to target your legs too.

To see the workout, just

Warm up:
100 yrds Freestyle - easy
50 yrds kick Freestyle
50 yrds kick Backstroke
50 yrds kick Breaststroke
100 yrds pull* Freestyle

The Main Event:
200 yrds Freestyle

Sprints
8 x 25 yrds alternating Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and Butterfly***
(rest :10)**

200 yards Freestyle

Kick Sprints
4 x 25 yrds Freestyle kickboard sprint
(rest :20)
4 x 25 yrds Breaststroke
(rest :20)

200 yards Freestyle
100 yards Breaststroke

Cool Down:
50 Backstroke
50 pull Freestyle
100 Freestyle - easy

* Pull: Hold a buoy with your legs and use only your arms to swim
** Rest the listed amount between reps/laps
***If you don't swim Butterfly, substitute Freestyle

This workout is 1650 yards, a mile. A swimmer's mile is 1500 meters, or roughly 1650 yards - 66 lengths in a 25 yard pool.

Fit's Tips: If you are new to swimming check out this beginner's program to get you from sitting on the side of the pool to swimming a mile.