FabSugar

Have You Ever Regretted an Indulgent Purchase?

FabSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:12:22 PDT

7 Basic Things to Keep in Mind When Buying Engagement Bling

Emily Co — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 00:15:05 PDT

The engagement ring may be one of the biggest expenses of your wedding, and as with buying any big-ticket item, you need to do your homework. We tapped Jerry Ehrenwald, the president of the International Gemological Institute, for some quick guidelines on what couples need to do when they're buying an engagement ring.

Learn about the four Cs. "Before purchasing a diamond, learn all about the four Cs - the color of the diamond, the clarity of the diamond, the quality of the cut of the diamond, and the carat weight of the diamond."
Check out reputable stores. "Shop at reputable jewelry sources. Make purchases from a jeweler who has been in business for a number of years. If you are not familiar with the jeweler or online site, check their reputation and rating with the Better Business Bureau before you buy."
Buy a certified diamond. "Certified means that a diamond rating report has been issued by an independent, unbiased gemological institute. This way, the consumer has the opportunity to compare one diamond’s quality to that of another, with regard to the value and quality of the diamond they’re looking at."
Grading report. "Purchase diamond jewelry accompanied by a grading report. The grading report provides an unbiased assessment of a jewel’s four Cs. It informs you if a stone is synthetic - in other words, man-made or laboratory grown - or has undergone any treatments, which may dramatically affect the value. Be sure an accredited gemological institute, such as IGI, has graded the diamond jewelry to the one internationally accepted system for diamond grading."

Read on for more.

Why Does Rent Keep on Rising?

Business Insider — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 03:05:00 PDT

If you're frustrated by the increase in rent, you're not alone. Business Insider sheds some light on this phenomenon.

With mortgage rates at record lows and a rental market flooded with previous homeowners, most experts agree that now's the time to transition from renter to buyer.

That's easier said than done.

Today's reality is that consumers left battered and bruised by the recession aren't exactly the most attractive candidates for home loans - especially at a time when lenders are choosier than ever with loan applicants.

The result is a new wave of frustrated renters, says Citi Habitat President Gary Malin. Edged out of the housing market by foreclosure or turned down by lenders, they're left with no choice but to rent at some of the highest rates in years.

In Manhattan alone, the first quarter of 2012 brought the highest monthly rent average since 2007, tipping past the $3,400 mark, according to the brokerage firm's latest data. The city's vacancy rate is hovering just about the one percent mark.

"In Manhattan, in general, the housing market has yet to fully recover," Malin says. "Look at the cost of acquisition and the cost selling. If you don't have a long enough time, you might not get your money out."

Read on for more.

Why You Shouldn't Buy a Fragrance at First Sniff

Miriam Lacey — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 03:10:54 PDT

The scenario goes a little something like this: you walk into Sephora searching for a new fragrance and walk out with a scent you adored in the store, only to realize two days later that you actually can't stand the smell. It's a classic case of first-sniff buyer's remorse, and it's exactly why you should never purchase a fragrance based on an initial spritz. To find out why you should wait on fragrance, just keep reading.

Winter Sales: 15 Standout Shoes to Snag Right Now

Marisa Tom — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:32:56 PST

We all have that pair of shoes we've been eyeing all season, and now that Winter sales are in full effect, we can finally reap the benefits of our patience. To assuage any preemptive buyer's remorse, remember these luxe soles are serious investment pieces - at a fraction of their original price tag - and when worn correctly, can all but steal the show. From slick Alexander Wang wedges to an exotic Dolce & Gabbana pump, we've culled 15 standout pairs that will stand the test of time and, barring any breaking-in woes, should make your feet very happy, too. Keep clicking to see which steals you'll be staking out and shop your favorites now.

Link Time: Eco Chic Home Tips, Forced Blooms, and Furniture Buyer's Remorse

CasaSugar — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:05:49 PST

Tips and a video help you to create an eco chic home. - Stylelist Home
Pro tips for home housecleaning. - Elle Decor
Treat yourself to Spring flowers in the Winter. - Houzz
Pebble drawing? Perfect coffee table accent. - Craft
Find your favorite shade of gray. - House Beautiful
Eliminate cord clutter! - Real Simple
Do you have buyer's remorse over a bad furniture purchase? - Offbeat Home

Tori Spelling on Shopping Estate Sales

Tori Spelling — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:01:39 PDT

We're excited to bring you a new post from mother and actress Tori Spelling! Every other week we're bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle advice from ediTORIal by Tori Spelling, which is Tori's daily blog about everything from food and fashion to parenting and relationships. This week Tori teaches us how to shop an estate sale.

Estate sales are a great place to find everything at a range of price points, from furniture to antiques to art to jewelry and vintage clothing. You never know what you’re going to find when you enter one, and each estate sale is different.

Here’s a little bit of background about what they are and how they work:

First of all, the term "estate" in this context refers to the belongings that an individual has accumulated over a lifetime. Estate sales are held for all sorts of reasons – sometimes people are moving or just want to get rid of stuff! An estate sale is different than a yard sale in that a company is usually hired to run the sale. It’s a lot of work; so for many families, it’s well worth it to work with an experienced company.

Insider Tips First, get there early! The best stuff goes the fastest, so you want to have first dibs. It’s easy to feel like a kid in a candy store at an estate sale, so arrive with a budget in mind and stop at an ATM on the way - many estate sales accept cash only. Even if the sale accepts cards or checks, bringing a set amount of cash will help you to stick to your budget.

People shop estate sales for all sorts of reasons. Collectors go to find rare and beautiful pieces to add to their collections. You can also shop for furniture, clothes, or items like gardening tools and kitchen utensils that were made with more care back in the day.

Related: Stella's Style - '50s Glam

Be picky, and arrive with a list in mind. Don’t buy $100 worth of antique dolls if you came intending to find a mosaic table for your patio. Stay open to inspiration - maybe you find a smooth, slate table you’d rather have instead - but don’t set yourself up for buyer’s remorse. When you decide what you’d like to buy, get ready to bargain! The more you buy, the more leverage you have.

Shop Around Want to get started shopping estate sales? Go to EstateSales.net to find sales near you. For many sales, you can even view the items on sale in advance, so you can plan what you want to buy.

I usually research what estate sales are in the area and come up with a game plan, but this one we just randomly drove by. Score!

Entering the estate sale. Always get a little rush wondering what treasures lie ahead.   

Love all these sea treasures. They have so many uses! Great for display on tables, mantles, armoires, or shelves. Also make great bookends, paperweights, door stoppers, or centerpieces! If shells look a little not so fresh, a little bleach will whiten and brighten them right up! Or be creative and lacquer them gold or silver.   

Small tchotchkes are great to sort through to find gifts for friends or family that have collections.   

A beautiful Indian fabric would make chic pillows, napkins, place mats, or part of your wardrobe! Think outside the box when sorting through estate sale treasures. But try to buy with an endgame in mind.   

Not sure exactly what I'll do with this vintage kids fabric but it was a must have for $15! In the kids playroom it could make adorable throw pillows.

Estate sales can be for the serious shopper, seller, decorator, or collector, or can be a social outing. I love going with my friends who love antiques as much as I do. We make a fun day of it! We grab coffee on the way (early bird gets the worm), pop in and out of local sales, and then discuss our great (or sometimes lack of) finds over a fun, weekend brunch.   

More great stories from ToriSpelling.com:
Photo Contest: Back-to-School Pictures
Fashion Forward: Wedge Yourself Into Fall
Fashion Forward: Tribal Chic
Weekend PicTORIal: Malibu Chili Cook-Off Fair