FitSugar

How-To: Pack Efficiently and Fashionably

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:30:00 PDT

With honeymoon season in full gear, I thought I'd cover one of the most crucial topics for enjoying your newly married getaway: packing. The task is never fun, but it's especially un-fun when you're in a rush, anxious to get to your vacation spot, and when, God forbid, you have nothing to wear. So, I have a few of my simple tips that will allow you to pack more of your chic ensembles into your suitcase, and spare them from treacherous wrinkles. Although these tricks of the trade will certainly aid you on your next sojourn, they also apply to packing boxes for moving, shipping, storing, etc.

To learn how pack like sardines,

Get in Gear: Kelty Day Pack

FitSugar — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:45:00 PDT

Hiking is one of those outdoor sports that's great for late summer and early fall, when warm weather begins to cool. When you go for a hike, it's a great idea to go with someone who has trekked the trail or mountain you're planning to hike. You need some durable hiking boots and some wicking socks to go with them.

You're also going to need a comfortable pack to hold your water and gear. Check out this Kelty Range Daypack. Like the name suggests, this pack has a whole range of uses. There's a roomy, padded main compartment that features an interior sleeve that can be used to carry a hydration reservoir (like one from Platypus), a journal or laptop.

Want to hear more? Then

read more There's also a pocket for your iPod or MP3 player with an exit hole for your headphone cords, if you like to hike and listen to tunes. There's also a front zippered pocket you can use to hold your cellphone, camera, snacks, a long sleeve shirt, a lightweight raincoat, a first-aid kit, or whatever. You can also use the 2 mesh side pockets to hold stuff for easy access. If you're carrying a heavy load, there's a removable waistbelt and adjustable sternum strap to cinch the pack to your body for added comfort and stability. I know when I'm hiking up a mountain, I get really hot, and this pack features air-mesh padded shoulder straps and a padded no-sweat backpanel with venting channels to help keep your back dry. You can order this versatile Kelty Day Pack from REI.com for $70. It comes in denim/navy (as shown) and caramel/brown. It's the perfect size for any day outing.

I Forgot to Take my Birth Control Pill, What Should I Do?

DearSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 08:00:00 PDT

One of the complaints I hear from women about the Pill is that they have a hard time remembering to take it everyday. So what happens if you forget?

Being even 12 hours late taking your birth control pill could increase your chances of getting pregnant. If you miss any of the first 21 pills in your pack, you need to use a backup method of birth control (condoms) until you have taken 7 consecutive days of pills.

If you miss 1 pill, take it as soon as you remember. Take your next pill at the regular time.
If you realize when taking your pill that you skipped 1, take the pill you skipped AND the new 1 together. It's okay to take 2 pills at once.
If you miss 2 pills, take 2 pills each day for the next two days, and then go back to 1 pill each day at your usual time. You could get pregnant if you have unprotected sex for the next 7 days, so make sure to use a backup method.
If you forgot to take 1 pill during the 3rd week of your pill pack, finish the pills for that week, skip the last week (inactive pills) and begin a new pack. Understand that you probably won't have another period until the 4th week of this new pill pack. Use a backup method of birth control until you have taken 7 consecutive days of pills.

What if you forgot 3 or more pills in a row? To find out

If you forget 3 or more pills, call your doctor for advice. They may suggest to take one pill daily until Sunday and then start a new pack, or to discard the rest of the pill pack and start over with a new pack that same day. Be sure to use a back up method of birth control method each time you have sex because you are no longer protected against pregnancy. After you've had 7 days of pills, then you are protected against pregnancy.

Dear's Advice: It's always a good idea to talk to your doctor if you have any questions. If you think there could be a chance that you are pregnant (and you don't want to be), Emergency Contraception (Plan B) is always an option. It is available in many pharmacies over the counter without a prescription if you're over 18. Something that I have always found to be effective is to set the alarm on your cell phone or outlook calendar to remind you! Source

Backpacking: The Essentials

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 10:15:00 PDT

If you love to camp, you'll love backpacking. Basically instead of packing all your stuff in your car and driving to your campsite, and enjoying nature with people all around you, you pack all your gear into a backpack and hike to a remote and way more private location. No neighboring campers playing acoustic versions of their favorite Metallica tunes until the wee hours of the morning.

I would start off slowly and just do an overnight trip. There is a lot less food and water to pack if you are only going for an overnight. I tell you though, chances are high you are going to love it and start planning longer and longer trips. Serious backpackers go for weeks at a time.

Before heading out, it's a good idea to get a book on the basics of backpacking like Backpacking: One Step at a Time ($18.05). It'll give you life-saving tips on how to enjoy yourself in the wilderness, and how to have the least impact on the environment.

Having good gear is essential and you'll need lightweight hiking boots (sneakers are not sturdy enough when you're carrying extra weight on your back), and a good sized backpack. Since you're carrying all your stuff, you want to carry only what you NEED, and you want to get lightweight versions of everything. You'll need a lightweight tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. You'll also need enough food for your trip as well as layers of clothes - warm stuff because it can get cold at night.

Want to see what I pack? Then

Source

What to Pack for a Day Hike

FitSugar — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:01:18 PDT

I love to get an early start in the morning when I am planning an all day hike up and down a mountain. The air is cooler in the morning and there are less people on the trail. Since I plan to be out for at least 4 hours, maybe even 8 hours if I am feeling really ambitious, I need more than just water in my day pack.

I made this widget - it's a list of day hike essentials. Check it out.

You can create your own Fit List and then Build Your Own Widget to share on TeamSugar.

Fit's Tips: I always pack my lunch and snacks in a plastic grocery bag and when I'm done, I use the bag for my trash and any I find on the trail.

Get In Gear: Mountainsmith Dart

FitSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 10:15:00 PDT

I am so psyched for the warm weather so I can go trail running and hiking. What's a girl to do when she gets thirsty though? I hate carrying a huge pack just so I can have my water bottle, but now I don't need to. Check out the Mountainsmith Dart.

It's a lumbar back, so it fits snug against your lower back, but it's lightweight (3 oz), so it won't cause any strain. The waistband is adjustable, and there's also a little zippered pouch so you can keep your LARABARs, cell phone and digital camera safe and sound.

The best part is that it comes with a 20 oz water bottle, and it's tilted sideways for easy removal. Not only that, but Blush Pink is just one of the colors you can choose since the Dart also comes in Cobalt, Evergreen, Green Mist, Lime, Lotus Blue, Powder Blue, and Rio Red. Buy it through the Rock Creek website for $15.95.

Get in Gear: The Sugar Pack

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 04:00:00 PST

If you are into doing anything outdoors, you've got to have a Camelbak. It's an easy way to make sure you've always got your water with you.

Sometimes when you're out for the day, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or whatever, it's annoying to have to stop all the time to get your water bottle out of your backpack.

Using the Camelbak keeps your water much more accessible so you are apt to drink as much water as you need.

It's a pack that has a reservoir pouch that holds the water. And there's a little tube that goes from there all the way up to your shoulder. To get the water out, you bite down on the end and suck - it's like a big straw - it's so easy.

But won't my water freeze? Nope. Camelbak makes insulated packs like this one so your water is protected from the cold. It's called the Sugar pack. You know I love that!!!

For $70, it holds 70 oz of water and has extra storage space for important things like snacks, a camera, your cell phone, and extra layers. What a brilliant idea.

Angelina Jolie Debuts In the Land of Blood and Honey With Brad Pitt on Valentine's Day

Katie Henry — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:53:22 PST

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt celebrated a very special Valentine's Day in Sarajevo tonight at a screening of In the Land of Blood and Honey. Brad and Angelina arrived in Bosnia earlier in the day fresh off a layover in Berlin where she was honored last night with the Cinema for Peace award. The pair are back together after being apart while he traveled to London on Sunday for the BAFTA Awards. Brad didn't take home a new trophy, though he did get to hang out with fellow nominee and close friend George Clooney.

The Jolie-Pitts are traveling without their six children at the moment; however, Brad says the kids love joining them on the road. During his recent taping of Inside the Actors Studio Brad talked about traveling as a family, and that each person is responsible for packing their own bag. Award season will bring Brad and Angelina back to LA soon enough for the Feb. 26 Oscar ceremony where he is among the leading men in contention for year's best actor.

Rachel Zoe Totes Skyler in Style as She Makes the NYFW Rounds

Lindsay Miller — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:10:32 PST

Rachel Zoe had her son Skyler in her arms as the pair returned to their NYC hotel yesterday. Rachel bundled him up in a knit hat and sweater while she rocked a fur coat and shades. The duo stayed close during a break from the NYFW festivities, but she was back out on the town later in the evening to claim a front-row seat at her longtime friend Marc Jacobs's runway presentation. It's been a busy few days in the Big Apple for Rachel and her family. On Saturday, she debuted her Fall 2012 Rachel Zoe collection, and on Sunday, she hit up several of her fellow designers' shows. Rachel was backstage at Diane von Furstenberg and at Derek Lam, where her husband Rodger Berman joined her for a few photos. We caught up with the stylist during the latter show. Rachel shared her cold weather styling tips with us as well as her advice for looking chic on the go. There are still several fashion-packed days left to go this NYFW, so be sure to stay tuned to Fab and Fashionologie for their backstage reports and runway coverage as the week goes on!

Trailer: Greta Gerwig Tries to Help Her Fellow Damsels in Distress

Becky Kirsch — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:26:16 PST

Just in time for Valentine's Day comes the trailer for Damsels in Distress, which follows a group of college ladies determined to save depressed girls and set them on what they deem to be the right track. Greta Gerwig leads the pack, and Analeigh Tipton (who you may remember from Crazy, Stupid, Love) is the wide-eyed newbie that Gerwig and friends are determined to make over. This isn't your typical Mean Girls-style group though: the ladies seem genuinely interested in helping people (and also, there's tap dancing).

The preview is reminiscent of many movies we've seen before (Clueless immediately come to mind), but it's more deadpan and perhaps a bit deeper than those types of comedies. I'm not totally in love with Gerwig as the queen bee, but I am most definitely on board with Adam Brody as Tipton's off-limits love interest. I was also excited to see some familiar faces like Aubrey Plaza and The Office's Zach Woods added to the mix.

See the trailer for yourself when you