FabSugar

Is Cooking Real Food Cheaper Than Eating Junk Food?

YumSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:00:29 PDT

It's a widely accepted notion that healthy, fresh food costs more than prepackaged, processed junk food, and not without reason. After all, vine-ripened tomatoes at the supermarket will set you back a few bucks more than frozen taquitos.

But in the Times "Bitten" column today, Mark Bittman attempts to dispel this notion altogether. "You can cook less expensively than you can buy fast food, junk food, processed, packaged, and prepared food - and you can get enough sound calories to live better," he argues.

While dissenters maintain that food stamp recipients may not have the resources for future meals, the time to cook at home, and transportation to get to adequate grocery stores, Bittman believes that a mere $10 for basic cooking equipment, some dried rice and beans, and a bit of time spent while cleaning the house is all you need.

Although Bittman makes several valid points about the cost effectiveness of cooking at home, some of his arguments (like the part about cooking equipment costing $10) seem less feasible. Still, I appreciate his noble cause - and agree that we need to focus our attention on issues such as remedying urban food deserts. What's your take on healthy home cooking on a budget?

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Biggest Headline of 2008: Steve & Barry's Faces a Tumultuous Year

FabSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:00:22 PST

I remember it like it was yesterday. In March '07, Sarah Jessica Parker announced her partnership with an athletics apparel store. That's when Steve & Barry's entered our stylish lives. I admit, at first I was confused by SJP's choice of distributer for her line, but boy did the retailer deliver. Besides SJP's Bitten, it also hosted Dear by Amanda Bynes, a Sex and the City Movie merchandise line, a Venus Williams sportswear collection, and more. All seemed well in the world of Steve & Barry's until we got hit with devastating news - the retailer filed for bankruptcy protection in July.

To hear more about Steve & Barry's tumultuous year,

read more. An update soon followed: Steve & Barry's officially filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition in Manhattan bankruptcy court. Bitten, and all the other celebrity clothing lines, would now be homeless. Then, word came in August that Steve & Barry's would survive. Huh? The company had been purchased by investment firm Bay Harbour Management for $168 million. How I wish this story had a happy ending, but in November, Steve & Barry's had its final blow and decided to cut its losses. In the end, the flailing economy forced the retailer to file for its second bankruptcy. We have yet to learn if Bitten will make a new home, but Steve & Barry's, and the idea of fast fashion under $10, will be missed! Source, Source, and Source

Fab Flash: Steve & Barry's Final Bow

FabSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:00:22 PST

Tear. After a long, hard struggle, Steve & Barry's will finally cut its losses. The current flailing economy has forced the retailer to file for its second bankruptcy. Steve & Barry's, which featured fun collections from the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Amanda Bynes, and Venus Williams, plans to liquidate all assets. Another one bites the dust. This one will be dearly missed.

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Fab Flash: Would You Miss Steve and Barry's?

FabSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:00:22 PDT

UPDATE: Steve & Barry's have officially went under and has filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition in Manhattan bankruptcy court.

Tear. Mega retail chain Steve and Barry's is headed toward major financial downturn. The 28-year-old clothing chain who recently gained popularity for carrying celebrity sportswear lines - most notably, Bitten by Sarah Jessica Parker - at rock-bottom prices has filed for bankruptcy protection.

Steve and Barry's is set to shut down a large number of its 270 stores and will most likely be forced to liquidate all assets. So how does SJP feel about this failed venture? “We are surprised and disappointed that this situation has developed. We are surprised because our understanding, based on the accounting statements we see, was that sales have been very, very strong” said Sarah Jessica Parker's lawyer, Ira Schreck.

Let's not lose hope too soon. The company is looking for an acquisition; Sears and Kmart have showed interest, with the possibility of continuing a partnership with its licensed celebrity lines. Would you miss Steve and Barry's?

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Yummy Link: Eating at the Best Restaurant in the World

partysugar — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:03:18 PDT

if you're wondering what eating at El Bulli - the best restaurant in the world - is like, be sure to check out this account. It describes the four hour, once in a lifetime, too many courses to count dining experience. - Boarding Area via Bitten

SJP Bitten Update!

FabSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:30:22 PDT

We've been getting lots of inquiries about when Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten Fall collection will be hitting Steve & Barry stores. Here's the latest! The Fall collection began trickling into stores August 10th and the full floor set should be in stores by September 15th. With every item still priced at $19.98 or less, you can visit Bitten's website for more information and Steve and Barry's website for store locations.

What's in store for Bitten come Fall? An expanded assortment of nearly 500 apparel items and accessories including classic outerwear styles in current silhouettes and wool and cashmere sweaters in a variety of styles and colors. I am most excited for outerwear from wool coats to hooded puffer jackets, a denim collection constructed of cotton denim produced in the same mills and finished with the same techniques as many premium brands, and, of course, an array of accessories including: handbags, jewelry, belts, hats, scarves, gloves and footwear. Bitten continues to rock on!

SJP Getting Bitten In Chicago

Molly — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 17:00:33 PDT

Sarah Jessica Parker continued her Bitten Tour at Mt. Prospect Mall in Chicago on Friday. Even after years of having to smile for the cameras, SJP looks genuinely happy to greet her fans at the autograph session. Judging from her many expressions at the event it looks like she had no problem getting animated with everyone who came out to see her promote her line. I hope she enjoys the SJP-centric red carpet time, because her perfume Covet is finally available. Bella wants to know -- which celebrity scent are you most excited about?

To see more of SJP's range of emotions just read more

View 10 Photos ›

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Friday Fab News Roundup!

FabSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 12:15:55 PDT

Q & A: Sarah Jessica Parker - On the Runway
Doherty may clean up to marry Moss - Yahoo
Steal This Bag (If You Can) - Fashion Week Daily
Red Carpet or Rehab, It All Sells - NY Times
Swap 'N' Shop - Style File
China gives fashion instructions to police - Yahoo
Faithfully Marianne - Times UK
The Find: White Dresses - New York
The Illusionist: Matthew Ames - Refinery29
The 10th Anniversary of Gianni Versace's Death - Telegraph UK

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The Look For Less: Anna Corinna Mini City Tote

FabSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:04:44 PDT

Last month, I went on a huge handbag-shopping binge and one of my victims was this Anna Corinna Mini City Tote, $360, in grey. I use it all the time (actually, I'm carrying it today) because it's very handy and comfortable. Plus, it's oh so cute and adds attitude to my look.

To see the look for less,

read more Seems Forever 21 isn't the only retailer who bites off high-end fashions. Per Fashionista, SJP's Bitten has made an almost-identical copy of the Anna Corinna bag and it's only $10! Though it isn't sold online, you can find it at a Steve & Barry's stores or probably on Ebay soon enough.

SJP Shows Off Bitten on The Today Show

PopSugar — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:20:57 PDT

Sarah Jessica took her Bitten line to The Today Show this morning and showed off her cute and affordable creations to Matt Lauer. After admitting that the ladies are all on board for the Sex and the City movie everyone just wants to know more, including Matt who asked her what was up. She said, "I feel more hopeful this time, but there still remains so much stuff, simple, logistical things to be done and hammered out." To watch the whole interview and fashion show revealing her Bitten line just click here. I wonder if it will be as much of a hit as the sold out Topshop line.

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