FabSugar

Fab Tip: Faux Fur, Snip Snip

FabSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:00:22 -0800

Sienna Miller's Topshop faux fur coat looked amazing on her (as does Anja Rubik's, left), but it reminded me that faux fur coats often overpower. A while back I bought one, a faux rabbit, and now I know why I haven't given it much wear - it makes me feel gaudy. Thanks to the cold weather recently, it hit me: I couldn't just let that gorgeous brown faux fur sit there, alone. I took matters into my own hands - or rather, gave the matter to my tailor and let her work her magic.

To hear my solution to an overpowering fur, read more.

Because fur makes such a statement, it can be overwhelming if it covers your entire upper body. At first I thought, I'll chop off the sleeves and make it a vest. Though that would look cool, it wouldn't keep me as warm. A friend suggested trimming the sleeves down to three-quarter length, just like Dree Hemingway's Adam Lippes For Mango Chubby ($129). It wasn't a huge alteration, and that's the beauty - just a small tweak like taking the sleeves up a few inches totally transformed the look from madness to modern.

What's more, I didn't have to pay a ludicrous dollar amount for it. The lesson is, when a coat, faux fur or not, feels outdated, think fast - chop the sleeves. It'll make a world of difference without costing the world.

Fab Tip: Boots Minus Blisters

FabSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:00:22 -0700

There are certain boots you can't wear with socks. You know, the ones that make your socks slip off with every step. I recently experienced this with a new pair of taupe suede boots that are the same length as these Bottega Veneta Cutout Suede Ankle Boots ($1,090). They're gorgeous, I love them, but I hate that I can't wear them with socks. Sporty ankle socks, Peds, even dress socks slide right off when I walk. I like to wear socks with boots because they prevent blisters on my toes and heels. Do you feel me? If so, there's a simple solution.

To hear how to prevent blisters with boots, read more

To prevent blisters when wearing boots without socks, invest in some Toe Tape ($4). Instead of using it on your skin, cover the area inside the boot that has been causing blisters with it. Use as much as you need, the more padding, the better. That way, when your feet rubs up against the blister-causing area, it will now rub against the soft toe tape and not harsh the material. I already tested this out with my taupe boots and it worked wonders.

Fab Tip: Vodka-Infused Cleanliness

FabSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:50:22 -0700

I recently got a tour of the backstage at the San Francisco Opera. Fab-u-lous. The drama, the behind-the-scenes action, the velvet, lace, beading. Oodles of hats and costume jewelry - I could have played dress-up for hours, it was a real treat. Along the way I picked up a stain-solution tip I'd never heard, or imagined, before. Let's just say, it involved one of PartySugar's preferred poisons . . . Intrigued?

To learn how to target stains like a pro, read more.

I wouldn't even recommend Stoli for this - find the cheapest vodka you can - but combine it in a spray bottle with equal parts water and spray fresh stains immediately. The costume designer sprays this on all the sweat spots of the costumes and lets it sink in. Apparently the vodka smell disappears and so does the nastiness. This is especially supposed to help obliterate one of the nastiest of all: underarm funk. Who's up for the spray test?

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Fab Tip: Lacquer Those Jewels

FabSugar — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 09:15:22 -0700

Nail polish is created to color nails - we all know this. But that's not its sole purpose. Have you ever considered using nail polish to liven up your jewels? I have a friend who uses it to spice up her earrings - like these Mini Hearts Studs ($14) - and the result is pretty fabulous. If you're interested, the process is rather painless.

To learn how to use nail polish to jazz up your jewels, read more.

Start with smooth-surfaced jewelry (earrings work best but rings, bangles, and necklaces are doable too) to work with. Make sure your item doesn't have rhinestones or a rocky surface.
If you're going to paint with a light nail polish color, it's preferable to use silver or white jewelry. Dark polishes like red and hot yellow work fine on gold.
Now it's time to start painting your earrings with the nail polish of your choice. Apply evenly and use two to three coats to avoid chipping.
Allow to dry for about 30 minutes.
Though not required, you can add a coat of clear polish for extra shine or glitter polish for pizzazz.

Fab Tip: Resole Your Brand New Shoes

FabSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 14:00:22 -0700

Geppetto, the local shoe cobbler, and I have a very special relationship. See, I take my weathered, beat-up, neglected shoes to him and he magically turns them back into the beautiful creations they used to be before I exposed them to life's harsh elements. Such handiwork costs a pretty penny, but it's well worth it. A couple months ago Geppetto let me in on a fabulous little shoe secret . . .

To hear his tip, read more.

He told me to resole my new shoes right after I purchase them before wearing them out. Taking this preventative measure will lessen the wear on my precious footwear tenfold and will make trips to the cobbler less frequent and cheaper in the long run. Also, new rubber soles are much more comfy than the thin bottoms most shoes come with. Geppetto, I will miss seeing you often but my wallet won't.

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Fab Tip: Squeaky Clean Your Patent

FabSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 06:50:22 -0700

It had been a while since I last popped into Yves Saint Laurent, so I just took another Fab field trip. I'm so glad I did because besides leaving with a brand new patent wallet (yay!) - a smaller, gray version of this Yves Saint Laurent Belle De Jour Wallet ($575) - I also left with a helpful tip on how to squeaky clean patent.

Want to know what that tip is? Then read more.

When the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding said Windex is the solution for everything, I didn't believe him. I'm officially a believer after the YSL specialist told me to use it to clean my patent leather wallet. He said to take an old t-shirt, spray the wallet or any other patent leather item with a few spritzes of Windex ($6), and wipe it clean. I definitely had a duh moment - I'm glad I heard it from a professional.

Fab Tip: Keep Your Jewels Travel-Friendly

FabSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 01:00:22 -0700

It's so nice to escape the mundaneness of life by taking a vacation. But, sometimes, that's no easy feat. Besides having to book plane tickets, hotels, and figure out activities, we women have to figure out how to take our clothes and accessories there in one piece. Honestly, my main fear after traveling is finding my jewels - like these Amrita Singh Coral Chandelier Earrings ($92) - all tangled up. Gasp! Sound familiar? If so, it's time to prevent it from happening again. P.S. I always recommend you carry your jewelry in your carry-on; I've had jewelry I checked stolen out of my suitcase before, true story.

To learn how to make your jewels travel-friendly, read more

What better way to compartmentalize your jewelry than with the king of compartmentalization, a 7-day pill box? But not just any old pill box. Check out this lively Med Sun 7 Day Pill Box Organizer ($4). It's inexpensive, bold, and will ensure that all your small to medium-sized jewels stay in their place. Plus, you can decide which pieces you'll wear on which day and put them in their slots accordingly. If you're scared of scratches, I recommend putting each piece in a small pouch then putting it in the slot.

Fab Tip: Pit Stains No More

FabSugar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 04:00:22 -0700

A friend of mine recently complained that her new James Perse top, much like this James Perse Slouch Fleece Top ($165), was ruined by yellow pit stains. Sucks. Pit stains are ugly, but they're not the end of the world. The first plan of attack is to try to prevent them. Should they succeed in making their way onto your shirt, there are ways to obliterate them. Mua-ha-ha . . .

To learn how to fight pit stains, read more.

Sweat alone doesn't cause armpit stains. The chemicals from your antiperspirant are also to blame. The best thing to do is to switch from an antiperspirant to strictly a deodorant. I did. If you must use an antiperspirant, try an intense one that will more actively stop sweat, like Klima ($25), which you apply once every five days.

To remove pit stains, spray Shout Laundry Stain Remover ($5) on the problem area and let it sit for five minutes. Then take a brush and scrub the area until the stains have been removed. You can also use RID White-Wash Dye Powder ($3) to get yellow stains out. A more obvious solution is to wear loose-fitting tops so that the arm holes don't stick to your armpit. Lastly, avoid wearing a jacket or cardigan during sweaty times; the extra layer will force your top to stick to your armpit. Am I missing anything?

Fab Tip: Turn Your Tube Into a Mini

FabSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:00:22 -0800

It's safe to say most of you loved Anja Rubik's saucy look in the Giuseppe Zanotti Spring '09 ads. A few even wanted to wear her sequin miniskirt. More power to you. There are plenty of sequin skirts on the market but few are as body-hugging, colorful, and playful. Know what I mean? Follow my lead to find out how to get Anja's sequin miniskirt look . . .

To find out how to get Anja's look, read more.

Have any of you worn a tube top as a skirt? I have. It's possible but there are vital stipulations. First, make sure the tube top - like one of these eDressMe Sequined Tops ($45) - isn't cropped because, well, it won't cover your booty. For more coverage, you can pair your tube over a longer mini.

Second, don't try pulling this tube-as-skirt thing in broad daylight. It's a nighttime look that should be reserved for clubbing or dancing. And obviously, you can use this technique for non-sequin tube tops as well. Just make sure to pair it with a demure blouse or tee like Anja, or you'll end up looking trashy. You can also pair with an off-shoulder sweater for a sexier look or a blazer for a menswear vibe. Let your imagination run wild.

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Fab Tip: Play Shoulder Peek-a-Boo

FabSugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:00:22 -0800

The peek-a-boo effect always gets me. It's the ideal way to look sexy while retaining mystique. My favorite area to show off? My shoulders. But I've found that many cutout tops are too '80s for my taste. Hence, I came up with a way to get the peek-a-boo effect minus the cheese. The process involves using two items - one sleeveless tank, like this LOVE YAYA Glitz Top ($73, originally $145, left) and one off-shoulder top, like this Arden B. Basic Off Shoulder Top ($28, right). Confused? Read on.

To learn my peek-a-boo shoulder trick, read more.

To start . . .

Grab a sleeveless top. It can be high neck or low neck; both work. Note that mine, below, is a high neck.
Now take an off-shoulder long-sleeve top, preferably in a different fabric from your sleeveless top. This will make for maximum impact.
First wear your off-shoulder top.
Now throw on your sleeveless top over the off-shoulder top.
Flatten any bulges to make sure you look neat.
For a greater cutout, pull your off-shoulder top as far down as you wish. If you want a small peek-a-boo effect, pull the off-shoulder top slightly higher.

Small peek-a-boo effect:

Large peek-a-boo effect: