FabSugar

Fab Finding Follow-Up: Bring on the Trunk Shows

FabSugar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:00:22 PDT

It's trunk show season. And you better believe I'm not missing out on any. It's vital to look fashion forward, as you never know who will be there. If I'm lucky, maybe the designer! I asked you to help me put together an ensemble that will blow people's socks off.

I started you off with this Alexander Wang Zip Clutch ($650) because Wang is one trunk show I'm looking forward to. Let's see what you all came up with.

Look #1, created by daddio49, combines my two favorite looks - flirty and fierce. Love those gray booties!

Elizabeth & James James Blazer at Pink Mascara	Rebecca Taylor Tiered Ruffle Cami Dress at Pink Mascara
Marc Jacobs Stone Belt NET-A-PORTER.COM	Neiman Marcus?-?Shoes & Handbags - Booties - Designer
Rebecca Taylor Tights - shopbop.com	Jorge Morales Dragonfly Drop Earrings - shopbop.com
Accessories & Beyond Sparkle Elastic Bracelets - shopbop.com	Womens Designer Handbags- Lanvin, Givenchy, Prada, and more at Barneys New York

To see the rest,

Look #2, created by barbiesugar, is youthful. The bright scarf and sunnies are a fun choice.

ASOS \| ASOS Ruched Checked Lightweight Scarf at ASOS	Dooney & Bourke: Watches Small Midnight Chrono Watch
Linda Farrow Luxe Thick framed sunglasses	Report Rockwell (Blue) - Women's
Alice Olivia Latex Leggings - shopbop.com	ASOS \| ASOS Deep Band Bleached Sweat at ASOS	Alexander Wang Clutch ($650)

Look #3, created by jasmint, is made for the casual gal. Nothing says cool like a denim jacket.

Alexander Wang Clutch ($650)	Large Aviator Frame
Josh Goot Tube knit scarf	Cara Necklace at - Nordstrom
Urban Outfitters - Wrangler So True Vintage Denim Jacket	CLU Sleeveless Tunic with Ruffles
Alice Olivia Latex Leggings - shopbop.com	Golden Goose Fringed shoe boot

Come Fab Finding With Me: Bring On the Trunk Shows

FabSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:00:22 PDT

It's trunk show season. And you better believe I'm not missing out on any. It's vital to look fashion forward, as you never know who will be there. If I'm lucky, maybe the designer! Please help me put together an ensemble that will blow people's socks off.

I'll start you off with this Alexander Wang Zip Clutch ($650) because Wang is one trunk show I'm looking forward to.

Let's go Fab Finding. Be sure to come back and tell me your Fab Finds are up, or just tag your Fab Finds with trunk show.

Now, you can build outfits by creating a list of clothing items. We have everything you need to build outfits, and you can use your Fab Find bookmarks, too. This is an even better way to put together an entire outfit when you are completing your Fab Finding missions.

Learn what a Fab Find is and how to make one. And here is a more detailed explanation of bookmarks from geeksugar.

To see some of my favorite online stores,

Active Endeavors
Banana Republic
Bluefly
eLuxury
J.Crew
Jildor Shoes
Live Natty
Neiman Marcus
Net-a-Porter
Pink Mascara

Score Elizabeth and James's Fall Collection Right Now, Plus Dakota Fanning Dishes on Her Favorite Pieces

Chi Diem Chau — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 04:00:27 PDT

There are two types of people in the world: the ones that live in the moment and the ones that plan ahead. If you fall in the latter part of that statement, you'll be happy to hear that Moda Operandi is doing something pretty amazing right now. The luxury fashion site is hosting a bevy of Fall 2012 trunk shows (only for a limited time) and right now, they're hosting one of our favorite brands, Elizabeth and James. Compared to Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's pricier The Row line, Elizabeth and James offers a more affordable collection to satiate your cool-girl hunger. In fact, one of their biggest celebrity fans is Dakota Fanning. The actress has been spotted sporting Elizabeth and James on the streets and in front of the camera, so you can imagine her excitement when she laid eyes on the brand's latest Fall line. Dakota recently took time out to share her favorite pieces from Elizabeth and James's Fall 2012 collection and why she loves it. Want to see her top picks from the collection? Just click the slideshow to hear what she has to say, plus shop some of these looks for yourself.

Love Your Laptop: 8 Tips For Keeping it Healthy and Happy

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:23:02 PST

Valentine's Day doesn't just have to be about giving affection to your significant other. It can be about showing your appreciation for the people and things that make your life awesome. Take your laptop, for example. Your window to the vast Internet, your laptop works really hard for you without asking much in return. Give your laptop a little TLC this Valentine's Day with these tips that will keep it happy and healthy all year long.

Clean it up - Giving your laptop (or desktop) a thorough cleaning is essential to extending its life. Back up any data you may already have stored (on an external hard drive or a portable flash drive), organize your desktop icons, empty your computer's trash on a regular basis, and clear out any programs you don't use. This will help free up space and keep you on the fast track to productivity.
Practice proper shutdown habits - Shutting down all open programs and putting your laptop to sleep instead of just closing the lid will help your computer stay cool and safe while in transport. But if you've had your laptop in a cold environment, let it warm up to room temps slowly before turning it on. This will keep condensation and dew at bay, which can ruin your computer's sensitive guts.
Protect your investment - If you're going to be lugging a laptop around, make sure it's protected in a padded case!

See the rest of my tips after the jump.

Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian Breaks Out Her Bikini For a Tropical Getaway With Scott and Mason

Katie Henry — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:48:32 PST

Bikini-clad Kourtney Kardashian, boyfriend Scott Disick, and son Mason escaped their hectic schedules in LA for a few days and headed south of the border to Mexico last month for a family vacation. Kourtney sunned her baby bump in colorful two-piece suits while Scott and Mason wore bright swim trunks. Scott and Kourtney turned up the PDA on a romantic stroll and spent a fun afternoon on the beach with Mason playing on the sand.

This year is just kicking off and so far it's already been a busy couple of weeks for the Kardashian family. Kourtney, Kim and Khloe went topless for their latest Sears campaign, and if that wasn't enough the series finale of Kourtney and Kim Take New York finally aired on E! Close to 4.5 million viewers tuned in to see Kim tell Kris she wanted a divorce, which ranks as the third most-watched show in the network's history.

Rachel Zoe Hosts a High Fashion Meeting of the Minds on the St. Barts Beach

Allie Merriam — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 13:25:58 PST

Rachel Zoe had a fashion summit on the beach in St. Barts yesterday. The stylist-turned-designer chilled on lounge chairs with her pal Marc Jacobs, who was appropriately decked out in gear and towels from the design house he oversees, Louis Vuitton. Marc's possibly on-again love interest Lorenzo Martone showed his loyalty in a pair of LV-designed swim trunks. Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon was also there decked out in a red two-piece for the afternoon on the sand. Tamara actually left Choo in November and is reportedly seeking to launch another exclusive label. She and her daughter Minty are celebrating the big changes on vacation together. Tamara shared on Twitter that the girls have been stuffing themselves with crepes.

The holiday is also a family gathering for Rachel, whose husband Rodger Berman joined in on the sandy fun. Their young son Skyler came along too, and he was ready for the sun in an adorable white hat. Rachel's wrapping up her holiday vacation in the Caribbean. She's sharing well-wishes with fans, and tweeted yesterday, "Wishing everyone a healthy, happy and most glamorous 2012 from paradise."

Tori Spelling Takes Us on Her Christmas Tree Adventure

Tori Spelling — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:28:58 PST

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 shares her adventure in cutting down her own Christmas tree.

I love the holidays. To me, Christmas is a time to celebrate with my family and DIY the heck out of my house! We all know the Christmas tree is the focal point of any holiday home decor. I've done the pre-cut tree, lot tree, and the planted in a pot living tree, so this year I was determined to do the unthinkable in Los Angeles (or so I thought)...cut down my own Christmas tree!

Growing up in La la land, you tend to believe that trees come perfectly flocked and grouped together, pre-cut on a corner lot in Beverly Hills with a whopping price tag of $150 plus. I wanted out of that illusion, but never thought it was possible. Well, this year I did research and found an actual Christmas tree farm just 40 minutes outside of LA! Dean was participating in a celebrity charity golfing tournament, but the excited kid in me couldn't wait to cut down our tree, so I packed up the kids and headed to the farm.

When we arrived we weren't given much direction. We were told to grab saws . . . a cart . . . and head up the hill!

As we headed up and over the hill into miles of Christmas trees, I might have wondered . . . was this smart?

There were literally miles of trees of all shapes and sizes. So many worked, but none were perfect.

Forty-five minutes later, as the sun was just starting to set and I realized we were all alone amidst hundreds of trees, I thought to myself . . . is this safe? I reassured myself with the realization that no one would, in good conscience, harm a saw-wielding woman and her two toddlers cutting down their own Christmas tree weeks before the holiest day of the year. Then, not at all reassured by that realization, I closed my eyes and quickly pointed to the first tree in front of me and squealed, "Look kids, the perfect tree!" Was it perfect? No. However it did have only one major bald spot, which was a win-win, as it was surrounded by miles of misshaped firs. We had a winner!

Keep reading for more details and photos of Tori's adventure cutting down her own tree!

5 Tips For Strength-Training Newbies

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:20:15 PST

Aside from toned and sculpted muscles, strength training can also make you a better runner, cyclist, or swimmer. Increasing your muscle mass also increases your metabolism since muscles burn calories at a higher rate than fat. These are all great reasons to include strength training in your routine. If you're new to the scene, here are some helpful tips for beginners.

Start off nice and easy: You may have a goal of doing 50 push-ups or five pull-ups, but building your strength takes time. At first, start with lighter weights and less reps, and gradually increase as your body is ready.
Learn proper form:When starting out, it's important to learn proper form, which ensures that the exercises you're doing are effective while also preventing injuries. To do this, it's best to set up a few sessions with a personal trainer; aside from proper form, they'll also personalize your routine and show you moves to specifically target your weak areas.
There's more to strength training than dumbbells: Hand weights are inexpensive and easy to use and can strengthen every part of your body, but you'll get more out of your session (and prevent boredom) by mixing up your fitness equipment. Take advantage of your gym and use the machines, resistance bands, exercise balls, medicine balls, kettlebells, battle ropes, and TRX training system - whatever they have. Also peruse the class schedule and try out classes with name like Body Pump, Body Blitz, Cardio Sculpt and anything else specifically designed to tone and define muscles.

Continue reading for more essential tips and for links to five strength training workouts.

Joe Manganiello Makes a Shirtless Splash in Hawaii With a Female Friend

Lindsay Miller — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:40:17 PDT

Joe Manganiello showed off his impressive abs as he hit the beach in Hawaii with a female friend yesterday. The actor, who waded into the water with the bikini-clad woman, sported a baseball cap and swim trunks. Joe stays in tip-top shape for his role as Alcide on True Blood, and his buff bod was also appreciated on the set of Magic Mike, one of his first big movies. The film, loosely based on Channing Tatum's days as an exotic dancer, also stars Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Bomer, and Alex Pettyfer. The guys most recently shot in Tampa, but have also put in time in Miami and LA. Joe's most recent stop in the City of Angels, however, was linked to his small screen work. Last weekend he attended the Scream Awards, where his performance as True Blood's hottest werewolf earned him the honor for best male breakout performance.

The Vampire Diaries "The Reckoning": The Good, the Bad, and the Bloody

Shannon Vestal — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:05:17 PDT

If last week's episode of The Vampire Diaries wasn't as exciting because it was largely setup, it was worth it for this week's super-exciting and satisfying episode. Klaus, Stefan, and Rebecca terrorize the halls of Mystic Falls High, and the doppelganger/hybrid problem is pretty much resolved.

The ghost ex-girlfriends Vicki and Anna both play a big part this week, too, and one of them introduces us to the show's next big supernatural character. Stefan is still adrift in a sea of evilness, but all it does is make this episode even more interesting - especially where Damon and Elena are concerned. Ready to break down the good, the bad, and the bloody? Just

The Good

The kids are back in school (remember when they used to go to school?) celebrating senior prank night. It's where Klaus finds Elena, and Stefan finally stops playing it cool about Elena when Rebecca reveals that Klaus has gone after her. Rebecca stakes him, and he's not the only one who gets badly injured in the crossfire. Klaus gets Elena, Bonnie, Matt, and Tyler, and explains his hybrid problem. To illustrate it, Klaus grabs the werewolf in the room, Tyler, and feeds him his blood - then ruthlessly breaks his neck.
Best line of the episode goes to Rebecca: "Why is that doppelganger b*tch wearing my necklace?!"
Damon and Katherine are on their road trip, and Damon gets it out of her that she has the necklace. She also has something else: Jeremy in the trunk (and I snorted when Damon sees the unconscious body and says, "Jeremy? Really?") The unexpected cargo makes sense when Katherine talks about the person who was hunting Klaus all those years ago, someone that Pearl and Anna knew - and of course, Jeremy is the only one who can see Anna.
The other ghost girl shows up this week too, when Matt finally gets a visit from Vicki. Vicki and Matt try hard to contact each other, and she says she can help, but they're just not getting there. To move the situation along, he sinks himself to the bottom of the school pool. Bonnie pulls him out and frantically tries to revive him, but Matt's plan - to see Vicki in an unconscious state - works. Vicki has a message for Bonnie: Elena being alive is what's preventing the hybrids from surviving. Then, Matt gets his wish to see Vicki again, at the end of the episode, but this time without attempting suicide.
Tyler is, as Rebecca says, "dead . . ish." Caroline breaks the news that he's in hybrid transition, and it may come down to his death or Elena's. But surprise, surprise: Klaus finds out that the doppelganger doesn't actually need to be dead - the hybrids just need her blood. On the one hand, it feels like a cop out, because Elena having to die was emphasized so much before, but hey, at least it works out for Elena's mortality. Anyway, Klaus feeds Tyler Elena's blood, and the trial run pays off: Tyler turns into a vampire/werewolf hybrid, the first successful offspring of Klaus. Being a hybrid kind of seems like Red Bull, because Tyler's all energetic and happy. "This is going to be an amazing year," he tells Caroline. It's nice that he's so confident, but come on dude, you just jinxed yourself. Saying that in Mystic Falls basically means there's nothing but trouble heading your way.
Klaus's cruelest act is commanding Stefan to drink from Elena, and he puts a countdown on the clock. Elena tries to tell Stefan that he will be able to stop, but Stefan disagrees. He urges Elena to run, which she does, and Stefan can't help but run after her. He goes so far as to stake himself, and Klaus finally gets Stefan to "turn off" all his humanity. To test his work, Klaus tells Stefan to drink from Elena again, which he finally does.
Elena wakes up in the hospital to find that Klaus is extracting her blood for future hybrids. With Stefan out of the running to protect her, Damon returns. He confronts Klaus in the hospital parking lot, and an angry Klaus attacks him, but Damon says the one thing that gives Klaus the willies: Michael. He warns Klaus that he and Katherine have found him, so Klaus skidaddles, leaving Damon to rescue Elena from her hospital bed. He nurses her back to health with a combo of bourbon and sexy looks, and even offers to erase any memories she doesn't want to remember. Elena refuses, and faces the fact that Stefan is lost to her.
Damon tells Elena that he stole back the necklace for her, and that he will never leave her again (this has been your Damon and Elena Moment of Sweetness). But I guess there wasn't room in Klaus and Rebecca's car, because Stefan interrupts them, telling them that he's now assigned to watch over them while Klaus is gone.
Anna reveals what she knows about Michael, the vampire hunter Rebecca mentioned in last week's episode. Michael apparently has to be woken - because he's entombed. Katherine and Jeremy, one of this show's oddest combos, go to the crypt to find Michael, and yep, he looks just like what you imagine an entombed guy to look like: gross.

The Bad

Is Stefan the most cheeseball villain ever? He gets no scary points for screaming "I'm a ripper! A ripper doesn't stop!" at Elena.
Come back Klaus! You were upping the hotness of this show to unforeseen levels!

The Bloody

Stefan is quite the ripper this week, and it is a little bit shocking to see him sink his teeth into Elena so forcefully.
The most shocking violent moment is actually bloodless: when Klaus breaks Tyler's neck. I gasped, and though I was pretty sure they were going to find a way to make him survive, I wasn't 100 percent.

I think this is my favorite episode of the season so far, and now I'm finally really believing Stefan as a villain. I'm glad too, because it seems like Elena may be able to take that leap with Damon since she accepts that Stefan is no longer boyfriend material. What did you think of the episode, and what do you make of the Tyler/hybrid and Michael/vampire hunter situations?

Photo courtesy of The CW