FitSugar

Weekend Well-Being: Make a Nalgene Bottle Lantern

FitSugar — Sat, 10 May 2008 02:00:00 PDT

The news about the Nalgene bottle and other shatter proof polycarbonate plastics being dangerous for human health hit me a little hard. I've had my Nalgene bottle for years and taken it on many hikes, road trips, and picnics. Lucky for me, I found a way to reincorporate my Nalgene back into my outdoor life.

The company Sol Light has come to the rescue, saving my old water bottle from spending an eternity in a landfill by turning it into a lantern. The LightCap 200 - Solar Powered Light ($20) fits onto any standard water bottle with a two inch wide mouth and turns the bottle into a light source. To make this an even greener experience, the LED light is powered by solar power, so no batteries are required. You can get a light cap directly from here.

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Fall Preview: Our Favorite New Products From Crate and Barrel and CB2, and Land of Nod

Elka Karl — Fri, 18 May 2012 06:00:47 PDT

We recently swung by the Fall press previews for Crate & Barrel, CB2, and Land of Nod, and were utterly delighted by the new Fall lines. Most of these pieces won't be available until July, so you're getting an exclusive peek at what to expect from these companies in the coming months - make sure to bookmark your favorites so you can look for them online or in-store after July. Here are some quick notes on each collection:

Crate & Barrel: Gorgeous Marimekko fabrics, natural woods, plaid and stripe upholstery, organic, handmade-looking tableware, pops of blue, and beautiful pendant lamps are some of the highlights for us.
CB2: A fun, urban vibe, big pops of color, especially yellow, experimentation with pattern (see the red gingham lounge chair and various rugs), and natural woods.
Land of Nod: This kids' retailer provides major inspiration for weddings or outdoor party decor thanks to the lanterns, garlands, string lights, and textiles. We're also loving the throw pillow, pendants, Sante Fe-style rugs, wall decor, and more.

Keep clicking to see everything we loved from the retailers!

All photos courtesy of Tanya Salazar for Crate and Barrel
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See Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds's Hand-in-Hand Park Afternoon

Allie Merriam — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:15:33 PDT

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds spent a sweet afternoon together in LA yesterday. They stopped off for some ice cream, then went for a hand-in-hand walk in a park. Blake and Ryan retreated to the West Coast after she spent much of the last month in the Big Apple working on Gossip Girl. There is a hiatus for the CW program, though, until a new episode returns on April 2. Blake apparently made a weekend detour to New Orleans for Brad Pitt's Make It Right NOLA charity gala on Saturday night. Ryan's name wasn't on the list of expected attendees, but the Louisiana city is close to his heart. Ryan owns a house not far from New Orleans, having purchased it a few years ago with then-wife Scarlett Johansson. The home is still Ryan's, though, and he and Blake reportedly visited it recently during a trip back to NOLA, where they first met working on Green Lantern in 2010.

DIY: Garden Lanterns

Casa Community — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 10:25:00 PDT

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member Funkytime from the Su Casa group:

Have you ever heard of lampions? Well, it's the same as lanterns, only that I didn't really find anything when I searched on Google. In Germany we say lampion, and everywhere else in the world we say lantern I guess. This is a beautiful, inexpensive décor for any kind of party, even a wedding or just a simple garden party!

You will need:

For the DIY and more pictures go here!

Have you been doing any projects lately? Be sure to share them in the Su Casa group!

6 Ways to Add Romantic Allure to Your Bedroom

Anna Monette Roberts — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:00:07 PST

Whether you are single or taken this Valentine's Day, romanticize your bedroom with a bit of charming decor. Lighting, soft linens, candles, and fresh flowers are just a few ways you can make your bedroom a more alluring space to retire for the evening.

Chandeliers add a grandiose element to a bedroom. Hang a dramatic cascading light fixture to the center of the room like this Tier Cascade Faux Chandelier ($58) from Urban Outfitters. Going with a neutral color like champagne will easily work with most color schemes plus it will set off a rich, warm light when turned on at night.
Nothing feels better than tucking into a soft, fluffy duvet comforter at night. Pottery Barn's Cherry Blossom Organic Duvet Cover ($99 for full/queen) has a tranquil porcelain-blue background and beautiful flowered design for a romantic, Spring touch.
Allow your room to be filled with soft, natural lighting by using sheer curtains like Restoration Hardware's Open Weave Sheer Linen Drapery ($129).
Keep your room dimmer by avoiding overhead lighting and opting for petite, bedside table lamps instead. West Elm's Perch Glass Lamp in Clear ($55) has rustic charm with its blown glass base and natural-hued shade.
Candlelit rooms are always seen as a romantic gesture, but you can also enjoy the warm, glowing silhouette of candles on the day to day as well. West Elm Candle Lanterns ($12-$34) come in orb and cylinder shapes, and they don't require plates or candle holders to catch drippings. They are a simple yet sophisticated design that allows the candle light to pass through the thick wax.
Fresh flowers always add a pop of brightness and intoxicating scent to the bedroom. Find new and creative ways to showcase your blossoms, like using a Lidded Canister ($69) to float large blooms atop water.

Ryan Plays It Safe in Spain as Blake Celebrates Gossip Girl's 100th Episode

Katie Henry — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:35:12 PST

Ryan Reynolds joined Denzel Washington and Safe House director Daniel Espinosa for a photocall in Madrid today. The trio are kicking off their international press tour from Spain before making their way back to the States. Ryan and Denzel shot the CIA thriller in South Africa last year, and since then, Ryan's sparked up a romance with his former Green Lantern costar Blake Lively.

Blake and Ryan spent Thanksgiving together at her sister's Park City, UT bed and breakfast, Johnson Mill Bed & Breakfast, and then celebrated Christmas with his family in Vancouver. The couple were recently spotted on a romantic getaway to Louisiana where Blake and Ryan explored New Orleans on foot. Last night, Blake's 100th episode of Gossip Girl aired and it seems fans are one step closer to discovering Gossip Girl's true identity - get all the OMG moments from Blair's royal wedding including Georgina's return and Serena's big confession.

Winter Views on the Sea

OnSugar — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:00:32 PST

Here's a post from OnSugar blog House of Anaïs:

Here's some special winter decor for the patios and gardens. Snow, giant lanterns, plants, and reindeer furs - totally weird yet so cute it makes me wish I could do the same!

The combination is so unusual that it definitely wins the eclectic inspiration award prize for the day. Just love this garden setup and that fab sea view!

Like what you see? Start following House of Anaïs to read more! Or start your own OnSugar blog and maybe it will be featured here as well!

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Pumpkin: A Savory Flavor That Spans Seasons

Padma Lakshmi — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:40:09 PST

We've got a new partnership with Padma Lakshmi! The host of the Emmy-winning Top Chef, writer, and designer started Padma Lakshmi, a social-networking site that celebrates our favorite topics including food adventures, recipes, and party planning. She'll be dishing up goodies for us here on YumSugar monthly. Today Padma offers creative ideas for cooking with pumpkin during the Winter months.

Pumpkins, or winter squash as many people call it, has many more uses beyond a traditional jack-o'-lantern or filling for pumpkin pie. Aside from a delicious, mellow flavor, pumpkin provides really significant levels of potassium, vitamin A, and beta-carotene making it a healthful, wintry addition to hearty meals and more.

A delicate slice of pumpkin pie or pumpkin cheesecake flavored with allspice, nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon tastes like a nostalgic slice of home for many people this time of year. While a pumpkin puree most definitely lends itself to dessert very well, it’s also great as an appetizer and main course.

It’s very common to see pumpkin ravioli in Italian cooking or a pumpkin tempura or sushi with kabocha, which is the Japanese variety. In parts of India, you see pumpkin in vegetarian stews or chowders called sambar that is made with pigeon peas and tamarind. Keep reading for Padma's favorite pumpkin preparations.

Green Lantern: Ryan Reynolds Is the Brightest Day in Blackest Night

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 05:46:55 PDT

It's a bad sign when the opening sequence of a movie not only fails to grab your attention, but has your eyelids drooping before you even meet the main character. Such is the case for Green Lantern, and the frustratingly dull first few minutes set the tone for rest of the film, which is based on the popular comic book series.

Ryan Reynolds is the actor throwing his hat into the superhero ring this time, and he's actually a great choice. With charisma coming out of his ears and a perfectly chiseled body, Reynolds easily fits the bill as Hal Jordan, a self-assured test pilot with a taste for adrenaline. Hal's fearlessness eventually makes him a candidate for the Green Lantern Corps., a league of alien warriors that keep the peace amongst the galaxies. Seemingly out of nowhere, Hal is absorbed by a large green bubble and transported to a site where a dying alien gives him a ring that signifies his place as a Green Lantern (and provides Hal with a slick CG suit and superpowers in spades). If you think the green bubbles and purple aliens sound silly, it only gets more convoluted from there. To see what else I thought of Green Lantern, just

The movie shifts back and forth between the Green Lantern realm in outer space and Earth. On his home planet, Hal wrestles with his new superhero status, which makes for a few entertaining scenes as he shows off his suit to his best friend Thomas and tries to repair his fractured relationship with his childhood sweetheart, Carol Ferris (a mostly bland Blake Lively). I found myself cringing every time Hal skyrockets off into space again where Reynolds's charm is swallowed up in a world that's almost entirely CG. Even Hal's suit is animated, which makes him look like a floating head performing stunts on a cartoon body.

There is some semblance of a good story when you're not having comic book facts spewed at you in rapid succession, thanks in part to Peter Sarsgaard's performance as Hector Hammond. He's Hal's nemesis, (though their history is a little foggy), who's recently acquired some superpowers of his own. Though Sarsgaard doesn't get as much screen time as a standard comic book villain, he makes his mark as a nerdy loser turned evildoer who's drunk on power and literally grows a giant head.

Trying to tell too much at once is ultimately Green Lantern's downfall. Hal's human interest story isn't nearly developed enough, and the climax of the film feels rushed and stuffed in between everything else. The space aspect is what makes Green Lantern stand out as a superhero, but it's an other-worldly experience that's hard not to scoff at. You can't blame Reynolds for seizing the opportunity to get his own action figure, but he may end up with nothing more than a souvenir of a failed attempt at a franchise.

Buzz Gift Guide: Super Gifts For Comic Book Film Fans

Rose Curiel — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:30:00 PST

From Thor to Green Lantern to Captain America, plenty of comic book heroes took to the big screen this year. With their superhero good looks and dedication to protecting the little people, it's no wonder that fans young and old alike have become obsessed with caped crusaders. We've rounded up 20 gift ideas appropriate for any age - and budget - that are sure to make you a superhero in the minds of those lucky enough to receive one of these gifts this holiday season.