FitSugar

Best of 2011: Which Runway Trend Was the Most Outrageous?

Brittney Stephens — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:30:48 PST

No year is complete without a few crazy fashion trends, and in 2011 there were a few that especially had us scratching our heads. Marc Jacobs sent moonboot-style wedges down his Fall runway, making for a far out, slightly space-age footwear trend. Burberry Prorsum and Christopher Kane showed '60s-inspired plastic and PVC pieces, great for keeping the rain at bay, but still a questionable everyday look. We also saw overstuffed, gorilla-esque fur sleeves at Peter Som and YSL and overtly sexy, undie-baring sheer skirts at Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, and more. Out of all the wacky wardrobe pieces we saw this year, which one was the craziest?

Celebrity Style: Brittany Snow

FabSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:00:22 PDT

Good girl, bad girl. You have to admire a girl who can do a fashion double take. Though risky, Brittany took a chance in her black PVC mini, white tank and killer Jimmy Choo studded heels at the Teen Choice Awards Pre-Party. Works for me. For those who aren't into kinky PVC, I provided another well lacquered black skirt.

Caslon® Scoop Neck Rib Knit Tank - Sold Out	Shiny Late Night Mini Skirt - $32.00
Jimmy Choo Groove patent sandals - Sold Out	Gara Danielle Gold Link Chain Necklace - Sold Out
D&G Crinkled Metallic Pencil Skirt - Sold Out	Gossard London - Desire Bra w/ Removable Straps (Black) - Sold Out
Cole Haan Weave Clutch - Sold Out

Source

PVC Shower Curtains = Bad For Your Health

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 02:00:00 PDT

Air pollution affects our health, but most of us think about the air outside being polluted - not the air in our homes. There are many silent culprits polluting our air from odorless radon to stinky off-gassing PVCs (polyvinyl chloride). It seems that PVCs are in just about everything from household items like vinyl flooring, vinyl shower curtains, and children’s toys to beauty products like perfumes, nail polish, and lotions. Plus PVC is very difficult to recycle and never breaks down.

Since many "plastic" shower curtains are made from PVC which off-gasses plasticizers that are potential hormone disruptors. Plus, they are easier to throw away than to clean once they become covered with mildew. These plastic/PVC shower curtains never breakdown and they are difficult to recycle. On so many levels, plastic shower curtains are just plain bad news.

A simple way to improve the quality of air in your house is to replace vinyl shower curtains with cloth ones made of organic cotton or hemp. Of course you should use a nylon liner in stead of a plastic one. You can easily wash both a cloth shower curtain and the nylon liner, so they will be around in your bathroom for a long time, rather than clogging up landfills. Plus hemp is naturally mildew resistant and sturdy, there's a reason sailors made ropes out of the fiber. Some hemp curtains are so thick, they don't even require a liner!

The only downside that I can see is that hemp curtains only come in "natural" and "white" - not so fashionable. Since the green revolution has begun, I think we will start seeing fun colors in these shower curtains.

And you, what kind of shower curtain do you have? Let me know in the comments section below.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Yoga Mat

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:36:43 PST

Buying a yoga mat is like buying a new pair of running sneakers. It takes careful consideration and research to find the right fit. Since there are hundreds to ~~confuse you~~ choose from, narrow down your search by asking these important questions.

How Much Do I Want to Spend?
Your budget is a huge factor in the mat you end up with. Do you have the dough to lay down for the priciest one on the market or are you happy buying a cheaper mat? The upside of buying a more expensive mat, like the Manduka PRO Black Magic ($104), is durability, which will actually save you money over time.

How Thick Do I Want It?
If you're new to the mat-buying scene, you might not realize that mats come in different thicknesses. A quarter-inch is the standard mat thickness, probably like the one you've borrowed from your studio. Think about how your body feels on this mat in certain poses where your bones are pressing into the floor. If you've felt discomfort, splurge on a thicker mat, but make sure it's also dense. A thick squishy mat makes balancing postures more difficult.

Keep reading for more things to consider when purchasing a new yoga mat.

15 Statement Bags to Jazz Up Your Winter Wardrobe

Marisa Tom — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:23:27 PST

Winter dressing calls for chunky sweaters, lots of layers, and super-functional boots. But don't let your personal style get lost amongst the cold. We think a bold arm-candy statement is a seriously simple way to spruce up your cold-weather attire. Try a playful Marni PVC purse, a subtly sexy exotic-print Victoria Horning satchel, a neon-infused DVF duffel, or a snakeskin-detailed Zara tote on for size. These accessories are standalone pieces that defy dreary skies and chilly temps, so click through to see our editors' picks and shop your favorites.

Source: Telva Magazine

Get in Gear: Eco-Friendly Mats

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 02:30:00 PDT

Who wants to do their Downward Facing Dog on PVC (polyvinyl chloride)? It's a toxic plastic that's used to make many sticky mats. According to Greenpeace, PVC products that are being disposed of within a few years of use, are causing serious waste problems since these and other plastics don't biodegrade quickly. In response to this growing PVC crisis, many manufacturers are beginning to make environmentally friendly mats using natural fibers like jute, cotton, and rubber.

Not only are these mats biodegradable, and free of hazardous chemicals, but their makers say they provide more traction. Other mats made of plastic take a few washings and hours of practice to get rid of the chemical sheen, not to mention the stinky smell.

Since practicing yoga and Pilates is doing good for you, why not use a mat that does good for the environment as well? By choosing environmentally friendly products, you are doing your part to support the movement toward a healthier, sustainable planet. Here are some of my favorites:

Saka Studio Eco Yoga Mat	Cotton Rug
The Original Eco Yoga Mat	Jute Yoga Mat
prAna E.C.O. Sticky Mat	Natural Jute and PER Yoga Mat

6 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First Yoga Mat

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:57:25 PDT

When I started practicing yoga over 10 years ago, I couldn't wait to own my first yoga mat. I impulsively bought a pretty purple one, based on color alone. Not the best move, as it began disintegrating after a few weeks. What a waste of $35. Like any fitness gear, it pays to do a little research and to know some tips from well-seasoned yogis. Here are things I wish I knew before buying my first yoga mat.

Not All Mats Are Created Equal
Just as there are many types of yoga, there are even more varieties of yoga mats. Some are lightweight for traveling, some are eco-friendly, and some are designed for classes where you don't sweat much. Choose a mat based on the type of yoga you're doing and the amount you perspire. Avoid mats made for other types of exercise like physical therapy or Pilates, as they can be too squishy or slippery.

If You Want It to Last, Spend the Dough
There are plenty of mats that costs $20 or less, but you get what you pay for in the yoga mat world. Typically found at huge stores like Target or Walmart, less-expensive mats not only wear down after a few months, but they're typically made with chemically-smelling plastics like PVC, which aren't good for the Earth or your body. Pricier mats like the Manduka Black Mat cost ~~a small fortune~~ over $90, but you're paying for a durable mat made to last a lifetime (or two). In the long run, you actually save money.

Keep reading for more tips on buying your first yoga mat.

OnSugar Blog: Packin' Smart Snack Containers

OnSugar Blog — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:15:42 PDT

Lots of moms like to think out loud, and House of Anaïs is one of them. Here is one of the latest posts to her House of Anaïs blog.

Our family has become, lately, such a great tester family, and especially the kids love testing as they get some cool new things to try on. Last time the lucky one was little Hugo, who got the Din Din steel bus platter from Innobaby. He's definitely become a better eater - and he's been a real gentleman by letting his sisters take turns and use that cool platter too.

We had some more green products to test from Innobaby and this time I thought the lucky girl would be Celeste, but it turns out that kids have become such good sports that they all just happily shared their snacks and things with each other. And that makes mom happy too. What we got to try was the Packin' Smart Zoo Animals stackable containers in Strawberry Sorbet. Our container had three tiers, but there are also 5-tier containers available.

The verdict was very positive - both from the kids and mom, especially the mom I should say. I have been using resealable plastic bags (not very green I know) and sometimes little plastic containers with lids, but somehow most of the raisins, goldfish or cheerios end up crumbled in the lunch bag, or even in the backpack among the schoolbooks. As we have had some ant issues (building site next door!), I am desperately trying to prevent crumbs outside the kitchen, as these ants just smell them instantly! What is so great about these containers is that when stacked and the lid is on, they don't open up magically by themselves. And if you happen to knock over the little container just one or few items will spill out and onto the floor (and not the whole bag) - depending on the size of the snack you have packed into these containers.

Miss C. loves carrying her stack of containers around like a handbag and she also learned quickly to stack and open the containers by herself. I love the reduced mess and the fact that I have less crumbled goldfish and Cheeries that I need to throw away. This stack is easy to take on a trip and then share among everyone. And for school I am planning to start packing each kid their own container once I have ordered some extra lids (the stack comes with one lid) as this is a perfect snack size for them at the moment.

This certainly is yet another step for our family to become greener while reducing disposable waste (plastic bags). And just like other Innobaby products, these containers are safe as they are free from BPA, Phthalates, PVC and Lead - and can go to the dishwasher, freezer and microwave.

So our verdict of Packin' Smart containers is that they are very functional, cute, safe – and fun products, and therefore recommended for families with kids (or no kids if you are looking for cute and fun snack container for yourself)!

Want to see more photos of the snack set in action? Click here. Or, start following OnSugar blog House of Anaïs or start your own OnSugar blog, and we may just feature your post on LilSugar.

Think Outside the Box: Go Completely Waste Free With Lunchbox Extras

LilSugar — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 08:30:02 PDT

Get an A+ in sustainability by preparing school lunches that produce absolutely zero waste. Investing in an eco-friendly lunchbox is the first step in reducing the huge amount of trash typically produced by kids' lunch, but it's easy to forget about little everyday things like utensils and napkins. Greening tots' lunch routine is more than ecologically friendly; it's economically beneficial as well. Families can save an average of $50 annually by simply replacing disposable with sustainable, reusable versions.

From left to right:

To-Go Ware Repeat Utensil Set ($13): These reusable utensil are made from bamboo, a lightweight but strong material that won't absorb flavors. Even the case is eco-friendly; it's made from recycling plastic that would otherwise end up in a landfill.
SIGG Customizable Water Bottles ($11-$30): Kids will love that they can customize their water bottle, with their name or a design. Constructed from a single piece of nontoxic, BPA-free aluminum, SIGG bottles are virtually unbreakable, and they're all 100-percent recyclable backed by a lifetime warranty.
Stainless Steel Drinking Straws ($10): Stainless steel straws are an underutilized way of cutting down on plastic and paper waste. Free of BPA, phthalates, PVC, and lead, they're obviously not suitable for young children to carry around, so parents' commonsense will dictate when their kids will be able to safely manage them.
Kids Konserve 4-Pack Cotton Napkin ($20): These cloth napkins have a prominently displayed name tag for easy identification in the lost and found bin, and they double as a great place mat ensuring a clean, germ-free surface for tots to eat on, regardless of the grimy surroundings.

5 Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats That Bring Good Intention to Your Practice

Michele Foley — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 04:43:26 PDT

After yoga class it's common practice to clean up after yourself - whether that means picking up your own belongings or putting away props, none of us want to leave behind a mess. But if we buy a standard yoga mat made with PVC, that's exactly what we're doing. Long after our own practice had ended, our yoga mats will be clogging up landfills. I doubt this was anyone's intention with their practice.

Luckily, more mats are being made with eco-friendly materials like natural or recycled rubber, cotton, and jute. Admittedly, an eco-friendly mat may not be as sticky as a PVC mat, but they will recycle and are better for the planet. And don't worry about slipping during Downward Dog, these mats are made using techniques and materials that will ensure you stay put!