FabSugar

Fab Finger Discount: Report Boston Booties

FabSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 08:00:22 PDT

Folds and pleats aren't restricted to handbags, you know. They've made their way onto Fall's gorgeous footwear, like this Report Boston Bootie ($92, originally $115), which comes in black and brown. I'm envisioning wearing the brown ones with light gray skinny jeans scrunched up, an oversize gray sweater, and layered jewelry. That way, the booties can do all the wowing.

The Bag to Have: Bally Leather Zip Pocket Slouch Bag

FabSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:00:22 PDT

Pleated and folded handbags are popping up all over, and they're kicking the butts of structured purses. I predict this Bally Leather Zip Pocket Slouch Bag ($1,195), which also comes in nude, is going to be the next coveted accessory. Look at it; doesn't it scream the bag to have? I can see Charlize and Gwyneth all over it. It has all the right components - it's buttery, has slick asymmetrical zippers, a braided-slash-chain handle, and the coolest horizontal fold. And, it's Brian Atwood-designed, swoon.

Cool Idea: Sweet Paul's DIY Sweater Vase

Angela Swinderman Elias — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:20:24 PST

I always look forward to Sweet Paul's Crafty Friday posts, but I flipped when I saw his cozy little knit vase. As Paul points out, practically everyone has an old sweater with some sort of defect and a vase laying around the house. Instead of wasting money and time hunting for all of the necessary bits, just take a look through your sweater bins and cabinets to prep for this ridiculously easy DIY. Place the vase in the arm of the sweater, and leave a couple of extra inches of sweater material from the bottom of the vase. Fold the two inches of fabric, and you end up with the cutest Winter vase. Thanks Sweet Paul!

Photos by Alexandra Grablewski

Our "Roadway to My Heart" Downloadable Valentine Is Perfect For School!

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:32:24 PST

Who needs hearts, kisses, and all that pink? If your home is filled with lil ones who'd rather play with cars, trucks, and things that go than add some glitter to a valentine he'll hand out at school, we've got just the card for you! We were challenged by the editors at Martha Stewart's Living in the Family Room blog to create a boy-friendly valentine that would get tots excited about more than the candy associated with Feb. 14.

The result: "Roadway to My Heart," an interactive card that combines a downloadable valentine and Matchbox cars.

Keep reading for the free download and step-by-step instructions for creating the card at home.

5 Fab Sets of Folding Patio Furniture

Julia Walsh — Tue, 31 May 2011 04:00:00 PDT

I just returned from Lowe's with a brand-new, ravishing red, folding patio furniture set for the "balcony" of my exterior staircase - the few square feet of outdoor space I can call my own. I'm so excited to relax there in the evenings this Summer with a glass of wine and some hors d'œuvres. My set of two chairs and a table was a fantastic deal at $98. Better yet, the best feature is that they fold, making room for my charcoal grill (which also folds) and making the most of my small space. Do you live in a petite city apartment? Are you looking for some patio furniture for your own home? You're in luck: I've rounded up five affordable choices that you can order online or pick up in a store near you.

Say "I Love You" With Nutella Pound Cake

Lauren Hendrickson — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:20:43 PST

Valentine's Day is the perfect time to make sweet treats for the ones we love, and since my love is a chocoholic, I get to try out a couple of new chocolate recipes every February. This month: a decadent Nutella pound cake that will make your sweetheart swoon.

Traditionally a pound cake is exactly that: one pound each of the essential ingredients - flour, sugar, eggs, and of course, butter. The cake is pretty easy to make even for a beginner baker, and the key is to never overmix the pound cake batter. You can either layer the Nutella and cake batter to create a swirled, marbled effect or fold the chocolate hazelnut spread into the cake batter entirely.

This is a dense cake, so use the toothpick trick to see if it is baked completely. Resist the urge to cut into the cake right away and be sure to let it cool for at least 20 minutes, otherwise the cake might start break apart as it cools. To serve, sprinkle with cocoa powder and pour a tall glass of cold milk. If you have a chocoholic or Nutella fiend in your life, keep reading for the recipe.

Lonny Magazine's Big Announcement

Angela Swinderman Elias — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:37:29 PST

Once it became clear that the January/February issue of Lonny magazine wasn't going to publish, fans of the online magazine dreaded the worst. In the midst of rumored reports that the publication might be folding, Lonny editors blogged about an upcoming announcement and placated readers with a teaser for the upcoming March/April issue. Yesterday, Editor-in-Chief Michelle Adams shared that Lonny magazine will begin publishing monthly beginning with the May issue. The long-anticipated March/April issue will be on schedule to go live on March 10.

As a pioneer in the realm of online shelter publications, it seems fitting that Lonny would be the first to switch to a monthly publishing schedule, but as Adams mentions in her announcement, Lonny surely won't be the last. "We admire and embrace our competitors, as they have brought excitement and legitimacy to the industry," says Adams. And surely they have. In the past year alone, we've watched our favorite budding and newly launched online magazines become increasingly popular - an exciting accomplishment for cyber journalism and design enthusiasts, indeed. Cheers to Lonny!

Look of the Day: Spotted Fashionista

FabSugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:00:33 PST

Fab reader JustPatience inspired us to whip out our favorite pair of sleek shorts - Winter, take heed - for a super chic Fashion Week ensemble. She rocked a cool pair of navy polka-dotted shorts with a crisp white blouse. To take the look up a notch, she added a bejeweled collar necklace and a cream-colored fur jacket. Her suede midcalf boots, oversized red fold-over clutch, and aviator sunglasses were the final touches on this fashionista attire. It's fashion forward, but super comfortable too - exactly what we dress for during our hectic runway-ridden days.

Congrats JustPatience!

Everyone else, submit your looks, and we might just feature you on FabSugar!

Cool Idea: Origami Folding Flux Chair

Julia Walsh — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 04:00:00 PDT

One of my favorite products I discovered at Messe Frankfurt's Ambiente consumer goods trade show in February was the Flux Chair, a weather-proof polypropylene origami chair, which can be used indoors or out. Designed by Dutch industrial designers Douwe Jacobs and Tom Schouten, it folds out from flat to a chair in only 10 seconds. Better yet, it's light as a feather at only 10.6 lbs., but can carry up to 352 lbs. It folds into a rectangular envelope-like shape with a built-in handle, which can be easily transported to the park, the rooftop patio -wherever! When it's not in use, you can hang it on a hook on the wall, slip it upright in a closet, or slide it under a sofa. When stacked, 21 chairs take up only one foot of space.

The chair is available exclusively at Y Living ($199) in eight different color options, including pure white, pebble and anthracite gray, jet black, bright orange, classic red, lemon lime, and ice blue. You can also order a Flux Chair Wall Strap ($75) to make hanging easy and Flux Chair Cushion ($65) for extra comfort.

I'm coveting a few of these for my two-bedroom San Francisco apartment, where space is at a minimum. I currently have four chairs to pull up for a dinner party, but I'd love to be able to fold out a couple when I'm hosting a six-person fête. Better yet, I'd love to bring them to the rooftop when the weather is nice; but, at only 10.6 lbs., I wouldn't leave them there, they might blow away!

Would you like to own a Flux Chair?

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Yoga Mat

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:36:43 PST

Buying a yoga mat is like buying a new pair of running sneakers. It takes careful consideration and research to find the right fit. Since there are hundreds to ~~confuse you~~ choose from, narrow down your search by asking these important questions.

How Much Do I Want to Spend?
Your budget is a huge factor in the mat you end up with. Do you have the dough to lay down for the priciest one on the market or are you happy buying a cheaper mat? The upside of buying a more expensive mat, like the Manduka PRO Black Magic ($104), is durability, which will actually save you money over time.

How Thick Do I Want It?
If you're new to the mat-buying scene, you might not realize that mats come in different thicknesses. A quarter-inch is the standard mat thickness, probably like the one you've borrowed from your studio. Think about how your body feels on this mat in certain poses where your bones are pressing into the floor. If you've felt discomfort, splurge on a thicker mat, but make sure it's also dense. A thick squishy mat makes balancing postures more difficult.

Keep reading for more things to consider when purchasing a new yoga mat.