FitSugar

Move It At Home: Billy Blanks Full Throttle Amped

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:00:00 PST

Did you know that Billy Blanks is still kicking ol’ school? He just released a new series of DVDs and the other night I checked out Billy Blanks Amped ($17.99). I was impressed that the DVD wasn’t over produced and you could tell that the workout was shot in one take with many cameras, so the folks exercising on the DVD were working with you. Billy Blanks does not slow down. He has, however, lost the ability to count and has hired a young, cute but fierce, fitness professional to count on set for him. Together they make quite a team.

The workout is tough and when using the amplifier sculpting bar, an extendable hand weight, it gets even tougher. The amplifier weighs just a little over three pounds (according to my kitchen scale).The workout is shot with only half the class participants using the amplifiers, so if you don’t have one there is still plenty for you to do. The class goes through many kick boxing motions at different speeds, so you're working both your endurance and your speed, your slow muscle fibers as well as the quick twitch. Bouts of straight up kick boxing moves are thrown into the mix ensuring that your heart rate stays in the upper zone of moderate and the lower zone of intense. I wore my trusty heart rate monitor and burned well over 300 calories for my time investment of just under 60 minutes low impact.

I love that you can see everyone sweating. It inspires you to work hard. Blanks likes to get up close to the camera and tell you to push harder and not to give up. It is part Mr. T, part inspiring coach and oddly effective.

To see what the amplifier looks like, just

read more You can order this DVD from Amazon. Or you could go for the entire Amped package for $39.95, which includes 5 DVDs, the amplifier body sculpting bar, and other health perks!

Look of the Day: Ladylike Luxe

FabSugar — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:48:06 PST

Fab reader JustPatience went full throttle with chic monochromatic pieces and an ultra ladylike vibe. Her black asymmetrical-hem sheath dress proved a classic silhouette, but when paired with polka-dot tights and patent-leather Mary Jane pumps, the look got a dash of girlieness and quirk. She topped the all-black outfit with a bright blue Celine statement bag, matching gold cuffs, cat-eye sunglasses, and a bold pink lip. We love her attention to detail and accessories - the finished result is polished and pretty.

Congrats JustPatience!

Everyone else, submit your looks, and we might just feature you on FabSugar!

Your Complete Guide to Wearing Bright, Bold Lip Color

Guest Writer — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:14:45 PST

We're thrilled to present the following post from Brett Freedman, BellaSugar guest writer, celebrity makeup artist, and founder of Vanitymark Cosmetics.

The bright lip trend is in full throttle. Are you on board? Still feeling like it's not for you? Here's my insight into dipping your toe in the bold lip pool! The other night I went to a friend's for dinner and a screening of My Week With Marilyn. In honor of the film (and Ms. Monroe), my gal pal, Whitney, showed up with a beautiful cherry lip (Guerlain's #529) and matching nails (Sephora by OPI's And a Cherry on Top). Keep in mind, Whitney is a neutral/pinky gloss girl.

Seeing her with scarlet lips was striking and felt totally fresh. She looked so great that I found myself asking why she doesn't do it more often. Whit's reply: "It's not special if you do it all the time." So true, and on closer inspection I noticed both her lip and nail color had a touch of gold. How very smart of her, as gold softens. A red lipstick may seem very thick and garish, but with a tinge of gold it seems to have more depth and feel very wearable. Every woman has a bright shade that will make her look sensational. Check out Brett's complete guide to getting bright lip colors right when you read more.

Lap of Luxury: Fall's Velvety Trend

Lizzie Fuhr — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:00:51 PDT

Velvet has long been associated with nobility and elegance, and this Fall, the oh-so noble fabric has made a serious comeback with some much-needed, updated charm. All over the showrooms, warmer Autumnal colors and rich jewel-toned shades provide perfect hues for the velvet trend.

I adore the bright pops of velvety orange that The Penelope Chair ($1,300) from Jayson Home brings to the table. If you're looking to incorporate velvet in an even more unexpected way, consider a modern lighting option like this Fiona Chandelier ($300) from Cindy Crawford Home.

Maybe you're not prepared to jump on the velvet bandwagon full throttle, but you'd be willing to test out a look or two in your home. I'm currently loving these retro and romantic Parlor Curtains ($150-210) from Anthropologie. The sandy color of these heavy curtains makes them a pretty funky treat for your windows. If the curtains are still too much of a commitment, but you'd love to test out the texture of velvet, consider this sweet little Red Velvet Jewelry Box ($20). It's got a classic vibe, updated with a cute black tassel.

I'm interested in your thoughts. Are you totally into the luxurious vibe of velvet, or is it simply not your thing?

J.Crew Offers Romantic Silhouettes and Covetable Colors For the Whole Bridal Party

Chi Diem Chau — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 10:15:01 PDT

Bridal season is in full throttle; we're looking to J.Crew's bridal and bridesmaid collections for romantic inspiration. With silhouettes ranging from short and ruffled to long and ethereal, there's an aisle style for everyone. Meanwhile, bridesmaids can satiate their need for a stylish dress – that can be used for weddings and beyond - with an abundance of silk organza and chiffon confections dipped in pale peach, yellow, blue, gray, and moss green. Click the slideshow to see the whole dazzling collection. We promise, you'll love it.

Are You Excited For Another Hot, Young Charlie's Angels Reboot?

PopSugar — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:07:18 PDT

Charlie's Angels is being revived yet again with Minka Kelly heading up the latest reboot of the classic TV series. The sexy show that originally catapulted Farrah Fawcett to fame in the '70s has already enjoyed one major comeback with a big-screen version in 2000 featuring Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu, and Cameron Diaz as the ass-kicking female detectives. The film was a hit at the box office, and the threesome teamed up again in 2003 for the sequel, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle. Minka and her costars Rachael Taylor and Annie Ilonzeh have been shooting their series in Miami for the past several weeks, revealing their great chemistry both on and off the set. So, tell us - are you looking forward to watching a brand-new installment or have you seen enough of this story before?

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Stuffed in the City Gives Loveys a Big Town Adventure

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 03:05:04 PST

Tots who've dreamed of a visit to the Big Apple, but haven't made it there can send their favorite toy. Stuffed in the City, a toy-traveling firm, arranges tours of New York City for a child's favorite doll or lovey to experience the big city over the course of a week (starting at $50). Tour participants visit landmarks and their trip is documented with photographs in each location. When the tour is over, the toy is returned along with both printed and electronic copies of the photos, a certificate, and a token souvenir.

The company arranges approximately 25 tours each month, many of which customers customize with added stops that have personal meaning for them. While most toys are sent in from the US, SITC has seen visitors from as far away as Russia, China, and Australia. They are in talks to expand to other cities. The company offered my son's beloved teddy bear a complimentary "Full Throttle" tour ($100). Check out his big city adventure!

2011 Fall Paris Fashion Week: Dries Van Noten

Chi Diem Chau — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:25:14 PST

Dries Van Noten stayed true to his decadent eclecticism for Fall 2011, supplying us with a full-throttle experience filled with tweedy textures, snakeskin swirled skirts, shimmery knits, and a heavy helping of outstanding collage-effect prints. Sounds busy at first read, but look closely and you will soon become entranced with the designer's genius story. The inspiration, which Van Noten cites as David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust and Ballets Russes founder Sergei Diaghilev, came together to form a mixture of marbled tweed jackets, tuxedo striped trousers, fur-lined coats, and a bevy of multicolored patterns made into knee-length skirts and blouses. There was an eye-catching button-up work shirt - one of our favorite pieces - smartly remixed with a bold silk print trailing down one arm and across the back. And then the dresses appeared: languid, loose, and seductive, cut almost like a loose tee up top and sliced all the way up to the thigh on down below.

Trends: Collage prints, tuxedo trousers, metallic tweed.
Colors: Bright rust, blue, gray, black, gold, silver.
Key Looks: Collage print pieces, especially the gowns.
Accessories: Snake print, fur, and velvet booties along with multicolored sandals.
Who Would Wear It: Eclectic glamorous women like Cate Blanchett and Julianne Moore.