FitSugar

Get the Look: Clustered Lampshades at Mr. West

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:00:00 PDT

Tired of boring old chandeliers? Take a cue from New York nightclub Mr. West and turn a tabletop accent into something glamorous. The custom-built fixture in this photo is made from oversize lampshades that are dripping with LED lights. Clustered together, they remind me of bell-like delphinium blossoms. So gorgeous, and also so eco, thanks to the LEDs!Want to see where else a similar look was featured? Find out when you

.

A more casual interpretation was seen at the Milan International Furniture Fair. To get the look, choose lampshades that you love, and then suspend them from a grid, from which they can be hung. You can try eco-oriented light sources, such as chains of LEDs, or simply use cord sets if you're unwilling to hardwire this project.
Source and Source

Mom-Me Time: Citibabes

babysugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:00:48 PST

New York seems to reign superior when it comes to things that are hip and cool. And, they've done it again with an amazingly convenient and luxurious club for moms, Citibabes. Started by two women, Tracey Rensky and Tara Lipton, the club opened a little over two years ago in downtown Manhattan. And, it has been hugely popular - currently has over 500 members. The membership is a whopping $2,000 a year but apparently it's worth every penny.

Moms and dads can drop off children ages three months to five years, for some babysitting which is only $8 an hour, while they relax in the club's lounge, workout, get a mani-pedi or their hair blown out. The caregivers at the club have been background checked extensively so the parents can rest assured that their lil one is in good hands.

To learn some more about Citibabes,

Some of the amenities that are included in the Citibabes membership are:

Access to the Citibabes store, which is stocked with adorable kids clothes.
A workout facility with adult fitness classes and cardio equipment.
An unbelievably cute indoor playground, which is especially nice for rainy, snowy, or cold days.
A cafe specializing in organic and healthy fare for the whole family.
Lounge and Concierge services to help families find a nanny or plan a party.

Services the club provides at an additional cost are:

Birthday parties with photographer, gift bags, special cakes, etc.
A hair and nail salon to pamper Mommy and her friends.
Personal training and private exercise sessions so Mama can get back into shape.
Art, music, cooking, dance, language, science, and sports classes for the lil ones. How will you pick which one to choose?
Private counseling services, workshops and discussion groups on subjects ranging from childhood development to discipline, toilet training, and infant and child CPR.

For pregnant women who aren't so concerned with the indoor playground yet, they can still join with a prenatal membership. When they sign up, they receive a posh little bag with a book and access to all the amenities. Once baby arrives, she'll be a step ahead of the gang knowing her way around Citibabes. Lucky girl.

We're hoping these clubs will open across the country. Wouldn't it be so nice to channel that old polished and fabulous you while junior is playing in kiddie wonderland? Sign me up!

Which Has More Sodium?

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:30:00 PDT

Watching your sodium intake? Then take this quiz on which has more sodium: One 6 inch club sandwich from Subway or 3 ounces (51 chips) of Lay's Salt & Vinegar potato chips?

10 Tips to Save on Memorial Day Grocery Shopping

Emily Co — Sat, 26 May 2012 00:15:10 PDT

It's fun to host people for a barbecue, but it can also get quite pricey when everyone isn't chipping in. Consumer expert Andrea Woroch provides suggestions to cut your grocery bill when shopping for your Memorial Day meal:

Prepare most of your meal. Woroch says, "The general rule for prepared foods is that they are more expensive, and it's cheaper to buy the ingredients to prepare yourself." For example, prepared veggie platters and fruit salads "are never a good deal" and aren't exactly the freshest produce. However, prepared potato salad at a regular supermarket is less expensive and will save you time in the kitchen.

Get chicken from the butcher. Buy chicken breasts from the butcher counter instead of the prepared packets. They tend to be cheaper and are generally more fresh.

Consider boxed wine. Save money by skipping the bottled wine and going for the box. "Boxed wine is an affordable option for large parties, and the quality has greatly improved in recent years," she says.

Buy liquor at a superstore. If you're insistent on a specific bottle, then check out warehouse clubs like Costco. There are better deals on wine, liquor, and beer at a superstore, according to Woroch. While you're there, pick the store's generic version of vodka for an even cheaper deal.

Make your own salad dressing and marinade. Check out recipes online - here's a list of over 60 different marinades to make. "Most people will already have the basic ingredients like olive oil, some type of vinegar, and herbs at home," she says. "Other ingredients like lemon or lime, soy sauce, or honey won't cost much extra."

Read on for more.

Yogini Kristin McGee Dishes on Bethenny Frankel's Fave Pose and Getting Ready For Beach Season

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:36:21 PDT

I was lucky enough to take a class taught by Manhattan-based yoga teacher Kristin McGee right here in San Francisco! Although one busy lady, Kristin traveled across the country to teach Vinyasa Vibes (a new offering at The Sports Club/LA), a flow-based, powerful yoga sequence enhanced by music. The most musical part of the practice? During Savasana, the class culminated in a live sax solo by Grammy-nominated musician Dave Koz. After class, Kristin and I chatted about her yoga journey, getting ready for bikini season, and what it's like working with one of her famous clients, Bethenny Frankel.

FitSugar: Some of the moves in Vinyasa Vibes are Ashtanga-influenced. Is that what your yoga teacher training background was in?
Kristin McGee: My original background was really eclectic because I started in the early '90s. I started taking [yoga] at NYU; some of my very early teachers were Jivamukti teachers who did study Ashtanga. Then I did study with Richard Freedman for a while, who is pure Ashtanga, and Cyndi Lee at OM Yoga. I wanted to get deeper into Iyengar classes and get into the alignment and the detail. Now in my practice I want to get more into Pranayama, more of the breathing, and maybe take some more Kundalini classes. I just feel like it constantly evolves.

FS: The Vinyasa Vibes class has live music during final relaxation. Can you elaborate on the experience of live music and yoga combined?
KM: In yoga practice, it’s a very intimate, immediate place. It's almost like live theater or live music where it brings you right into the moment. Music is a universal language, just like our breath is a universal breath. I think the second we're in this surrounding, in this environment with that live music and the intimacy of a live class, it brings it all together in one beautiful experience.

FS: You’ve collaborated with Bethenny Frankel on some projects. What's her favorite pose?
KM: Bethenny’s all-time favorite pose is Straddle Forward Bend because she says it feels like the weight of the world is falling off of her shoulders. Someone like Bethenny Frankel has a million things going on, and I don’t know how she does it! But I think you also noticed it in the practice tonight. Right when we finally got to that Straddle Forward Hang, it was kind of just like, "Ugh! Such a release!" You feel like you could stay there for quite a while.

Keep reading for Kristin's favorite snack before class and how to get your body ready for Summer.

Glee-ful Highlights From Season Finale "Goodbye"

Shannon Vestal — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:00:40 PDT

We say goodbye to McKinley High's graduating class of 2012 on this week's season finale of Glee, and while we'll be seeing a lot of these characters next year, for some, it was their swan song (pardon the pun). Everyone is feeling nostalgic, not the least of whom is Mr. Schue, who gives the kids an assignment of picking a goodbye song. The episode is mostly devoted to the characters giving each other touching send-offs, which made me feel sentimental too.

There's a pretty big development at the end of the episode that I was expecting, but it surprised me by how bittersweet it actually is. Ready to break down the highlights of the Glee season finale? Just keep reading.

The Best Turkey Club Sandwich in the World

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 22 May 2012 05:45:38 PDT

Club sandwiches, like burgers or fried chicken, come in a myriad of styles and spinoffs. Some prefer turkey to chicken, rye bread to white, or aioli to mayonnaise. This recipe isn't a true classic club, as it has avocado, cheese, and mustard, but I consider it to be the best. Here, smoky turkey and bacon complement the buttery flavors of the ripe avocado and cheddar cheese. This sandwich - fully loaded with my favorite sandwich fixings - is so good that it converted me back to eating meat after years of vegetarianism. Keep reading to make the sandwich yourself.

5 Things You Always Wanted to Know About Paying For College

LearnVest — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:15:23 PDT

Paying for college is such a complex issue. LearnVest helps simplify it by answering some key questions in regard to paying tuition.

If you believe everything you read, then you might think you need to be a Rockefeller to have kids.

That, of course, isn't the case.

Yes, kids are expensive, and thinking about paying for a college education can be scary and frustrating . . . but that's where we come in.

As with everything else in life, figuring out what to do about your kid's college savings is all about the planning, says Stephany Kirkpatrick, CFP, LearnVest's director of financial planning. Depending on where you are in life right now and how old your kids are, you may have questions about how to set up a 529 plan (which is an education savings plan designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs), what to look for, and when to start saving.

If you're pregnant or have a newborn and are starting to think about this, then good for you! The earlier you get started socking away cash for their college, the easier it will be. You'll learn a lot in this article, but you should also check out our Baby on Board Bootcamp, which will tell you everything you need to know - financially - to be ready for a baby. It includes 529 advice, as well as financial tips on everything from putting together a will and picking out a life insurance policy to buying nursery basics.
If your kid is slightly older and you’ve done your research but haven’t yet started saving in a 529 plan, then first read the four mistakes to avoid when choosing a 529 plan, and then check out the different college savings plans available to you.
If this is the first you’re thinking about it, no matter your kid's ageI, then don't worry about it. You have to start somewhere!

Read on for more.

Brad Pitt Brings a Bit of Sun to Rainy Cannes

Molly Goodson — Tue, 22 May 2012 06:36:40 PDT

Brad Pitt stepped out with a smile this morning to promote Killing Them Softly at the Cannes Film Festival. He joined his costars for the photocall and will hopefully have Angelina Jolie on his arm later today for the world premiere. The movie, which we screened already, showcases a humorous and violent side of Brad, which is just the kind of work that has gotten him some of his highest praises, like Inglourious Basterds and Fight Club. Brad was looking every bit the movie star in his gold sunglasses as he arrived during a brief break in the rain. The weather at the festival has been less than ideal so far, but hopefully it will stay clear tonight for his big red-carpet moment. Stay tuned for all of our Cannes Film Festival updates by following PopSugar on Twitter and checking out all the celebrity Cannes pictures in one place!

Sneak Peek! Club Monaco Shows Irresistible Prints and Textures For Fall '12

Chi Diem Chau — Mon, 14 May 2012 12:11:48 PDT

Club Monaco just released its Fall lookbook filled with two-toned tweed blazers, printed trousers, and plenty of pretty blouses to take you into the chillier months ahead. The collection, inspired by Linda McCartney’s Life in Photographs, the leading male characters in the Silent Generation, and block-print patterns from Jewish-French artist Sonia Delaunay, focused on tailored pieces with a casual twist via pajama-like cropped suit sets, multicolored silk striped dresses, and graphic-printed separates tempered with chic blazers and tweed jackets. Read below for our favorite looks, then click the slideshow to see Club Monaco's complete Fall collection.

This green silk maxi dress is perfect for pairing with ankle boots in the warmer months, then layered with a cozy turtleneck and blazer when it gets colder outside.
We love the idea of styling louche printed trousers with a streamlined blouse and sleek jewels for a day at the office.
Tweed never looked so good thanks to this sleek blazer rendition, especially when paired with a simple pencil skirt and blouse.