FitSugar

Yum's May Must Haves

partysugar — Mon, 03 May 2010 12:03:36 PDT

Summer is just around the corner and I'm excited for everything the warm weather has to offer. From picnics and barbecues to strawberries and hamburgers, this is my favorite time of year! And with Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, and Memorial Day, there are a lot of parties to look forward to. Wondering what items we're totally obsessing over this month? Here they are, our must haves for May.

Style for Style: A Foot's Best Friend

FabSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 13:25:44 PDT

I have scars on my feet. I'm sure we all have some scars on our feet. Our feet are our tools for experiencing life, really. They take us through our day-to-day and beyond. They are important, they are precious. We should take good care of them! So the next time you're not sure if you can afford a pedicure, consider this your pep talk.

Many of us also have a shoe fetish and will sometimes splurge on a killer pair that we pray will not pinch and blister our precious feetsies. Alas, it happens. And when it does, it's good to always have a certain something on your person.

To meet a foot's best friend,

Moleskin, $5, is the best! The reason it rocks is because it is soft and nude colored and has adhesive on the other side. You can cut it to the size you need to protect either the back of your heel, side of your foot or wherever. You can also stick it to the sole of the shoe to prevent slippage. Overall, it's super handy and better than a band aid to prevent stingy blisters!

Source

You Asked: How Do I Break in New Hiking Boots?

FitSugar — Tue, 29 May 2007 12:30:00 PDT

Dear FitSugar,

Your recent hiking post reminded me of a problem that I am having with my new hiking boots. I am trying to break in the shoes in preparation for the Half Dome hike in Yosemite next month. Unfortunately, I got terrible blisters on the back of my feet (under the Achille's tendon area) after hiking the first day. Desperately needing to break in the boots, I just bandaged the already punctured blister and went hiking again the next day with 2 pairs of socks, even though it was quite painful. After the second day, the blister got bigger and even more painful. Should I ignore the wound and keep hiking or wait until the blister heals before wearing the boots again? Is this common when breaking in new hiking boots or is there something wrong with my boots?

That's a great question since it is hiking season and lots of people are shopping for new boots. The key to breaking in new hiking boots is to take things slowly. Different kinds of boots will require different amounts of time to break in. Lightweight models might not need much breaking in time at all, while the heavier, stiffer, all-leather boots could take weeks to soften up and form to the shape of your feet.

Want to hear my advice? Then

The boots you buy should feel snug with 1 pair of socks (preferably ones that wick). It sounds like since you could wear 2 pairs of socks, that your hiking boots might be too loose. They will stretch out slightly as they break in, so you don't want to start off with a loose boot - if your foot can move around with each step, that friction will definitely cause blisters.

If your boots do feel good and snug, start breaking them in by wearing them inside for short periods of time. Be sure to wear the kind of socks you'll be wearing on the trail. If you feel pinching, rubbing, or pain right away, take those boots back. If they still feel good, wear them out and about like to the grocery store, or for a short walk.

Gradually increase the distance and time you wear your new boots, until eventually you can go for a long hike with a pack on your back. It does take a while to break in your boots, but it's worth it since they'll last you for years to come.

Fit's Tips: If you have a blister or a sore spot that is getting rubbed, Dr. Scholl's Moleskin Plus Padding is great. You can cut a piece to fit the area you need covered, and it's self-adhesive, so it'll stick to your skin and offer more padding than a regular band-aid.

Wicked Awesome Wicking

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 11:58:08 PST

Do you get blisters when you work out? Sweat can soften your skin, which will make you more prone to blisters when your foot rubs against your shoes. Then the friction can tear softer skin and cause blisters -- Ouch!

A sock that keeps your foot drier will help to prevent blisters from forming. Socks with wicking will help to wick (or draw) the moisture away from your foot to keep your tootsies dry and blister free.

I like: Patagonia's Lightweight Endurance Ankle Socks ($14.50) are lightweight and airy, with enough ankle coverage to stop the sock from slipping in the shoe. Buy them here.

Or you can try: Nike's AirMax 360 Dri-Fit Tab Sock ($7). Dri-FIT properties wick away moisture for rapid evaporation and cooler, drier wear and Air Max technology cushions feet against impact. Buy them here.

Fit's Tip: If you're blister prone then pre-treat problem areas. So say you always get blisters on your heels, pad them with moleskin prior to working out.

Star Wars Moleskine Notebooks Coming in July?

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:39:07 PDT

The Internet is all aflutter this morning after these Star Wars Moleskine notebooks showed up on Instagram. As a fan of the old school pen and paper notebooks myself, I am definitely buying up one of my own when they are available.

I searched around and found this imageless placeholder on Amazon for an official Moleskine Limited Edition Star Wars Ruled Large Notebook ($18.95), that has a launch date of July 1. Consider my calendar marked!

4 Ways to Geek Out Your Moleskine

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:46:40 PST

We're living in a digital world, and I'm a digital girl, but sometimes I just want to write things down with a pen and paper. Not just any pen and paper though - I must use a Moleskine. These paper notebooks have been a favorite among geeks of all kinds - writers, designers, artists, and more - and now they have more than just plain ole black covers. They've been geek-ified. Check out these four limited-edition and specialty covers that you can buy now.

Star Wars Moleskines on Sale Now: Get 'Em While They're Hot!

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 14:56:29 PDT

The Star Wars Moleskines have finally arrived! Traditional pen and paper users will be happy to know that the portable and durable notebooks with the Star Wars theme are available for purchase now through Moleskine's website for $15-$20. Available in two sizes, these notebooks come complete with a tricked-out front page and an included vintage Star Wars poster. They'll make a great addition to any geek's bookbag.

I ordered mine already. What about you?

Disguise Your iPhone as a Little Black Book

GeekSugar — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:30:41 PDT

I know, I know, it's been iPhone 4 case overload on GeekSugar - but there are just too many awesome cases worth posting about. My latest (and maybe even most favorite) find: The Little Black Book iPhone case ($40). The case disguises your iPhone as a little black book, secured by a hand-carved wooden frame and wrap-around strap. The inside of the case is lined in red, and it even features classic red bookmark detail, making it look even more like an adorable, pocket-sized notebook.

There's a version of this case for the iPhone 3GS, too, so even if you're not rocking a brand new iPhone 4, you can enjoy this sweet design. Fits perfectly with my love for all things Moleskine including the DODOcase for iPad.

View 5 Photos ›

DODOcase For Kindle Fire First Impressions

Kristy Korcz — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 12:13:54 PST

When I received the Kindle Fire DODOcase last week, I was immediately taken by its distinct woodsy odor, almost like old books. It was quite enjoyable. But more than just the initial smell, the Kindle Fire DODOcase is practically perfect in every way - it's a notebook-style case that looks just like a Moleskine and folds back for standing your tablet upright, it's lightweight and easily portable, and better yet it fits the Kindle Fire to a T.

The padded edges make for a perfect and secure fit without blocking the speakers so you can still get a full sound when watching videos and movies. What's more, the cutout on the bottom helps to keep you from accidentally turning your Kindle Fire off. That power button sure is in an awkward position, isn't it?

All in all, my first impressions are totally positive. The DODOcase for Kindle Fire is worth the $45 purchase and would make a great holiday gift! Want to get a closer look? Check out our pics in the gallery.

DODOcase Makes Room For the Kindle Fire

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:30:08 PST

If you've already got your hands on a Kindle Fire, but are still deciding on a case to keep it safe, might I suggest the new DODOcase For Kindle Fire ($45)? Just like its iPad, Kindle, and BlackBerry PlayBook counterparts, the Kindle Fire DODOcase protects your gadget from scratches and scrapes thanks to its strong bamboo casing and hardcover face that looks and feels just like a Moleskine notebook, complete with an elastic strap closure. Best of all, the cover folds back to prop your Kindle Fire up sideways so you can properly watch videos without having to hold it upright. You can even get it monogrammed for yourself, or for your Kindle-toting pals.