FabSugar

Online Sale Alert! Discounts at Designer Laundry

FabSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:00:22 PST

Rick Owens, Catherine Malandrino, Helmut Lang, Calvin Klein - these are just some of the designers whose goods are on sale at Designer Laundry. You'll mostly find jackets and dresses, with some bags and shoes sprinkled in.

What do you think about this Catherine Malandrino Lunar Print Dress, size 4 ($154, originally $280)? I think it would be a marvelous New Year's dress. If you agree, make it yours.

5 Simple Tips to Keep the Spark Alive After Moving in Together

Laura Marie Given — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 06:00:48 PDT

When a relationship shifts into the living-together phase, it can be difficult to maintain the exciting spark that exists in the beginning. There's a tendency to treat each other as roommates instead of romantic partners, but a few simple tweaks to your everyday routine can help to amp up the chemistry and strengthen your bond. Worried that you might get a little too comfortable with each other? Follow these five tips to keep the flirty, sexy vibes alive:

Meet after work. There's something to be said for seeing each other across a crowded restaurant - rather than, say, getting ready together in the bathroom. Maintain a bit of mystery and stir up some excited anticipation by skipping the DVR and making post-work dinner plans instead.
Avoid typical roommate drama. He doesn't close cabinets, you don't make the bed, and when exactly were the dishes going to be done? Nothing screams "unsexy" like nagging each other over housework, so do your relationship a favor and communicate any small complaints before resentment builds.
Keep the bedroom work-free. Designate your bedroom as an intimacy-only area. A little bit of bedtime reading is fine, but don't bring your laptop into bed with you. Set your desk up in another room and resolve to steer clear of screens as soon as you get ready to hit the hay.
Make chores fun. Turn dish-cleaning and laundry-folding into your favorite sweet and sexy time by turning on some music, dancing, or having a meaningful conversation - first date-style - while you fold your clothes. It may seem silly at first, but eventually you might look forward to the housework you used to dread.
Don't forget the little things. A simple bouquet surprise or breakfast in bed can go a long way in sparking a bit of passion, so keep up the cute habits that tend to fade after the courtship phase. Leave each other sweet notes and treat him to a fancy home cooked meal to get back to the butterflies.

21 Disposable Products You Can Reuse

Wise Bread — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:00:39 PDT

Even when the product is supposedly "disposable," you can always reuse it. Wise Bread shares awesome ways to reuse these 21 disposable products.

It’s said that we live in a disposable society. But the word "disposable" is a misnomer. Disposable is considered throwaway, something you use once and dump, regardless of the life that may be left in it. As a frugal shopper with a concern for the state of our environment, I think that just won’t do.

I often reuse many so-called “onetime-use” items, and I asked friends, family, and colleagues to tell me which disposable items they squeeze more life from. Here’s my list, including some of the surprising ideas I was given.

RELATED: 25 Things to Throw Out Today

1. Butter Wrappers

If you’re like most people, you unwrap your butter, pop the stick into your handy holder, and throw the wrapper away. But wait a second - instead of trashing the wrappers, keep them in a sandwich bag. The next time you need to grease a baking tray or dish, you’ve got something all ready to go.

Read on for more.

25 Easy Organizing Changes You Can Make Today

Wise Bread — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:15:00 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Wise Bread story here on Savvy!

I have a bad tendency to let things - paperwork, tasks, laundry - pile up. That's why I'm often not as organized as I should be. By the time I go to put things away, I feel like I'm dealing with clutter so powerful it could defeat Godzilla (I've already started on the screenplay for Godzilla vs. That Pile of Stuff I Still Haven't Put Away Since Moving).

Thus, I am a huge proponent of making little steps towards organization. Below are 25 ways to organize your home, your finances, and your life that are quick and easy enough to attempt today. Seriously, start making a dent in your disorganization before it turns into a movie-worthy monster.

Organize Your Stuff

From the fridge to the filing cabinet, here are some ideas for organizing your things.

1. Identify What You Want to Organize

Yes, I am telling you to organize your organizing. Make a specific list of what you want to organize - the bookshelf? Your closet? Your drawers? If you have time, start to formulate a plan. Now, when you have a couple of hours over the weekend, you're ready to attack.

2. Buy Masking Tape and a Marker

Masking tape is a great way to create temporary labels for everything from storage containers in the basement to Tupperware in the freezer. Buy a roll of masking tape and a Sharpie, and always keep them in the same place.

3. Buy Containers and Dividers

If you're planning an organizing project, buy any containers or other organizing tools you need now. Just as with making the list, you're now totally ready to tackle the project when you have a moment.

Read on for more organizing tips.

Guerrilla Guide to the Holidays: A Perfect, Price-Tag-Free Gift List

LearnVest — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:15:18 PDT

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Don’t look now, but here come the holidays (really, they’re just 10 weeks away!). This year, we’re going to make planning and budgeting for them a snap.

That’s why we’re starting early to help you tackle the season step by step - and save time, money and stress. If you follow our Guerrilla Guide each week, we promise that by the end of December, you’ll be outside on the skating rink instead of stressing inside the shopping mall.

According to our Facebook poll, 78% of LearnVesters were already thinking about holiday gifts as early as last week. So, for this issue of the Guerrilla Guide, we bring you the newest way to sort out your holiday gift list.

WEEK 2: YOUR CREATIVE, BUDGET-FRIENDLY GIFT LIST

As you make your list this year, we want you to think about holiday giving a little differently.

Before you start assigning dollar amounts to everyone and hunting around for products to buy and wrap, first consider whether the best gift for them is a thing with a price tag. According to the Five Love Languages, defined by marriage counselor Dr. Gary Chapman, people receive messages of love very differently, and only one of these categories involves actual physical gifts. Some people would rather receive acts of service or quality time instead.

Read on to find out more.

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 PST

Sally Hansen's Salon Effects Manicure Review: A Week Later

Jaime Richards — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 06:07:10 PDT

Last week, I was singing the praises of Sally Hansen's Salon Effects stick-on nails in Misbehave, a gold shade with a black fishnet stocking pattern. But, was I singing its praises after wearing them around for a week? As promised, find out how well they wore when you keep reading.

A 19th Century New Orleans Shotgun Gets a Modern Addition

Julia Millay Walsh — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 03:00:49 PDT

In New Orleans, there is no shortage of beautifully restored homes. With such charming, unique architecture, it's not a city where people make a habit of tearing things down and putting McMansions in their place. That said, it's rare to see a historic restoration that incorporates contemporary design - moreover successfully so. I was lucky to tour one of these rarities firsthand during my last trip to the Crescent City.

I learned after graduating from Tulane University that my graphic design professor, Robert Gassiot, and his partner Michael Clement had purchased a 19th century New Orleans shotgun and were in the process of restoring it and giving it a modern addition. It took three architectural drawings until the plans were finalized; the scope of the project included removing an existing enclosed porch, which was added in the '20s, gutting and restoring the kitchen and laundry/bathroom, and building a modified "camelback" tower in the rear with a modern architectural style.

When I visited in February, the project was essentially finished, and I was invited to spend a day with Robert and Michael, touring the space and learning about the project. The duo have tackled five previous renovations and have a strong interest in interior design, as well as in collecting local art. Michael, a landscape designer, made use of his skills by turning the backyard into an oasis for entertaining, dining al fresco, and relaxing. Michael is also an artist and sculptor, and many of his exquisite sculptures and lighting designs can be seen throughout the house.

Come take a look. Prepare to feel a pang of envy; you are in for a treat!

5 Post-Summer Healthy To-Dos

Leta Shy — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:52:42 PDT

Between weekend barbecues and family vacations, it can be hard to stay on track during Summer. As Fall (and school sessions) roll around, the change of seasons means it's time to take a second look at your routine. Need some ideas of how to get back on the healthy track? Read on for some easy healthy to-dos for the upcoming season.

Start a meatless Monday. Endless summer grilling may mean a season of meat. Get excited about Fall's upcoming in-season crops by designating a night of eating meat-free. You'll be able to get creative in the kitchen while incorporating more flavorful veggies into your diet.
Change up your workout routine. It's after Labor Day, which means that change is in the air. All the more reason to assess your workout to see if you're pushing yourself. Whether it's signing up for a race or upping your endurance, make a new fitness goal for the rest of the year. Here are some tips on how to make your workout more challenging.

Read on for more healthy ways to celebrate the coming of Fall.

Do We Multitask Too Much?

Yahoo Shine — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 05:05:32 PDT

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Yahoo! Shine:

There's a really interesting piece at Work It, Mom!, about unitasking instead of multitasking, and it got me thinking. Maybe part of the reason my stress levels are off the charts right now is because I'm multitasking too much?

Unitasking is kind of at the root of the whole Fly Lady way of cleaning and decluttering - focus on one task, do it for a set amount of time, and then move on to the next thing. I can see how easily it works in terms of doing the laundry or tidying up the house, but could I apply it to my to-do list? Or, better still, my hours at the office? Keep reading to hear how I fared.