FitSugar

Where's the Muscle?

FitSugar — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 07:30:00 PST

So you've been doing tons of crunches to get rid of your gut, and you feel the difference. But you've got to press through a layer of flab to feel it. What gives?

Even if you do your ab work out every day, you're strengthening your belly, but not doing anything about the layer of fat above your washboard stomach.

The answer? To lose the fat you have to combine all those abdominal crunches with some cardio. Do 30-45 minutes at 70-80% of your maximum heart rate 3 times a week. Curious to know what your maximum heart rate is? Check out Fit's Calculator for the answer.

Burning calories, doing your crunches, and eating a sensible diet will have you seeing your fabulous abs in no time.

Marc Jacobs Fall 2012

Marisa Tom — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:45:08 PST

One thing's for sure - nothing is off limits or out of the realm of possibility when Marc Jacobs is at the helm. Set in a Rachel Feinstein-designed storybook-inspired castle-in-ruins Winter wonderland, he presented his Fall '12 lineup with more than just a little fashion fanfare. The first word that comes to mind? Hats! And lots of them, all by mastermind milliner Stephen Jones; each one more wonderfully whimsical than the one before. These wild toppers, in addition to the parade of rich, slightly oversized outerwear, giant safety pin closures, bejeweled square-toed shoes, luxe ostrich-skin handbags, and more, served as a serious testament to Marc's vivid imagination. All flights of fancy aside, though, there were ultra-wearable pieces peeking out from under the more fantastical garb. To this point, we spied cozy layered tweeds in muted tones, shimmery metallic pencil skirts in looser silhouettes, and slick cropped pants sent out in leather, brocade, and jacquard versions. Marc Jacobs's Les Misérables-meets-Dickensian disco-meets Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter tea party collection certainly highlighted the fact that fashion, at its core, is whatever you make of it . . . and yes, wildly fun.

Trends: rich textiles like brocade and jacquard, floppy hats, oversized outerwear, fur-accented accessories.
Colors: Muted jewel tones - green, purple, ruby red, pink, slate gray, and black.
Key Piece: Slightly oversized coats in luxe fabrics and cropped pants in every texture, from leather to brocade.
Accessories: Fabulously fantastical hats in every color, square-toed shoes with crystallized buckles, long opera-length gloves with finger cutouts, and large boxy totes, some covered in fur, some made in decadent ostrich skin textures.
Who Would Wear It: The fashion-daring set, like Anna Dello Russo.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban Travel Down Under With Their Girls

Lauren Turner — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:33:35 PST

The whole Kidman-Urban family stepped out in Sydney yesterday. Nicole carried 1-year-old Faith while Keith held onto Sunday's hand. The foursome recently traveled Down Under, where Keith will appear on the Australian version of The Voice. He'll mentor a group of singers along with other coaches Seal, Joel Madden, and Delta Goodrem in the series, which will air sometime this year. Keith's been the one singing lately, since he hit the stage at the Grand Ole Opry for his first post-throat surgery show earlier this month and had two concerts in Texas over the weekend. He's not the only star to recently recover from the vocal cord procedure since Adele made her own return performance at last night's Grammys.

25 Pretty and Plush Pillows Under $50

Sara Yoo — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:00:18 PST

My living room needed an overhaul, so recently we scraped together what we could to purchase two new sofas. They're my dream pieces, but their spare mid-century design screamed for a little adornment, and our investment left little in the way of a budget for throw pillows. Additionally, I forgot to account for the cost of what seemed to be simple decor items (often $100 or more) and the fact that I would need more than one! Fortunately for pillow shoppers on a budget, there's a plush supply of inexpensive options out there in a diversity of design styles. We've rounded up some of our favorites under $50 as well as some easy DIY ideas for sewers and non-sewers alike!

Source: California Home and Design

3.1 Phillip Lim Fall 2012

Brittney Stephens — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:39:57 PST

Phillip Lim showed a bookish, workwear-inspired cool for Fall '12 - some of the models even carried briefcase-style clutches down the runway. The designer offered up tapered trousers, fitted blazers, and his signature slouchy yet structured knits, all playing into a pretty, polished glamour that's perfect for the office. The collection was a refreshing mix of youthfulness (bright pops of colors, sleek pointy-toe loafers, tiny slivers of skin showing) and an underlying note of sophistication (turtlenecks, contoured coats, high-waisted pants), bringing a sweet sartorial dichotomy to the art of Fall layering. Get the details below.

Trends: Knit blanket coats, subtle geometric prints and colorblocking, perfectly tailored trousers.
Colors: Black, white, red, bright blue, gray, taupe.
Key Piece: The wool patchwork coat with turtleneck; the mohair cape with white trousers.
Accessories: Leather belts, oversized fold-over clutches, metallic ankle booties and T-strap pumps.
Who Would Wear It: Women who want to look on-trend but professional at the office.

Jenny Packham Fall 2012

Hannah Weil — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:00:13 PST

A smoky backdrop and a slinky red gown set the stage for Jenny Packham's '40s-inspired collection of sequined, curve-conscious evening wear. Once the mellow jazz kicked in, Packham's perfectly coiffed film noir girls hit the catwalk in a bevvy of the designer's era-infused shorter frocks - all with bow-tied red or black belts - hitting that pitch-perfect styling note between pretty and sexy. There are the softer confections in pretty pastel pink and blue - the gowns we suspect Packham fan Kate Middleton will gravitate toward - but the bulk of the collection is devoted to the more vixen-like beauty in body-clinging detail, plunging necklines, and open backs. There's an underlying sense of sex appeal and a definitively glam finish with every piece, thanks to intricate shoulder embellishment, a subtle flash of skin, or a pretty dose of sparkle.

Trends: '40s glamour, cutouts, shoulder embellishment.
Colors: Black, red, nude, silver, pastel pink and blue.
Key Piece: We fell hard for the slinky gold-sequined gown.
Accessories: Crisscross black Louboutin pumps; red and black belts.
Who Would Wear It: Kate Middleton; red-carpet beauties with an eye for sexy silhouettes and pretty detail.

Preen Fall 2012

Hannah Weil — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:34:05 PST

Drawing inspiration from Victorian-era scrapbooks and abstract expressionists, Preen's Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi crafted a set of clean, cool silhouettes washed in bold color, florals, and collage-like prints for Fall '12. It's a cool-girl juxtaposition that plays out in this collection - minimalist separates dressed up in textured, overlapping prints and sequins create an almost literal scrapbook effect on dresses and tops. Still, it all works flawlessly - while some collections feel disjointed, there's no sense of losing the theme here or feeling disconnected. There isn't a look that doesn't speak to the overarching palette, structure, or playful printing, giving the whole collection a cohesiveness and effortlessness. Even in botanicals, sequins, flirty lace, and peplum, each piece carries with it an underlying ease - shapes are simple, sporty, even, with drawstrings on pencil skirts and color-contrasted collars and sleeves to counter the intricacies of every embellished cuff or printed silhouette.

Trends: Florals, graphic print, peplum, lace, sequins; textured, overlapping prints.
Colors: Camel, navy, white, red, black, and soft pink and moss-green florals.
Key Piece: The white fur coat with orange cuffs; the navy lace peplum knit.
Accessories: Neutral and floral-printed platform lace-ups.
Who Would Wear It: The modern sophisticate with an eye for clean lines and cool-girl flair; Kate Bosworth, Jaime King, and Rachel Bilson.

Lil Links: Postpartum Sex Tips For New Dads

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:32:50 PST

A dad's guide to postpregnancy sex - Parenting
5 things not to say to divorced moms - The Stir
Bobbi Kristina was Whitney Houston's pride and joy - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Lily Aldridge debuts her baby bump - Celebrity Baby Blog
3 simple exercise routines to get expectant mamas going in the morning - FitPregnancy
Mom gets fired for asking to pump at work - The Bump
Can you cheat at potty training? - Momformation
New Barbie wears your face on her stomach - Yahoo! Shine
7 creative birthday party ideas for under $7 per guest - LearnVest
Former Spice Girl Emma Bunton is inspired by her kids for a children's fashion line – Child Mode

5 Perfect Date Outfits - All Under $150

Brittney Stephens — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:00:00 PST

Whether you're celebrating Valentine's Day with a sweet, low-key dinner at home, doing it up big with your beau, or hitting the town with a group of girlfriends, we've got a look that will make it a night to remember (cross our hearts!). Click through to see and shop five chic, budget-friendly V-Day ensembles - all under $150!

Watch Derek Lam's Feminine Fall 2012 Runway Presentation

FabSugar — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:33:38 PST

Derek Lam is known for crisp, clean style, and for Fall 2012 he mixed in some beautiful florals for a more feminine touch. Check out the menswear-inspired pieces rendered in floral prints, sporty bombers, and lovely floor-length gowns layered under the chicest cable-knit sweaters we've seen in a while.