FabSugar

Fab Body Guide: Assets Unbelievable Underwear

FabSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 05:00:22 PDT

The creator of Spanx, Sara Blakely, is continuing her streak of genius with a new line of shapewear called Assets by Sara Blakely ($10-$20).

Take your pick from the unbelievable underwear (left), which sucks in bulges; the sensational shaper, which minimizes your waistline; and the fabulous footless, which makes you look slimmer in the thigh area. As far as I'm concerned, any product that makes me look more streamlined is A-OK!

Do Tell: What's Your Best Asset?

DearSugar — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 07:00:00 PST

We live in a society where it's considered arrogant or conceited to acknowledge your good assets. Even though parents try to raise self-confident women, it feels like a double standard when others put you down for being confident about your looks, or your brain. So ladies, since you're in a safe place here, be proud of what you have - do tell, what's your best attribute?

Source

Doutzen, Adriana, and Lindsay Give Us a Lesson in Valentine's Dressing 101

Hannah Weil — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:24:35 PST

When it comes to Valentine's dressing, there are of course the cliches: minidresses and heels, red and pink, and some slinky lingerie. While we're all reaching for some unexpected twist on the look, a quick chat - even just a glimpse of the girls in body-con Hervé Léger - may just be the argument to embrace the super-sexy albeit more predictable wear. We caught up with the gorgeous Victoria's Secret ambassadors Doutzen Kroes, Lindsay Ellingson, and Adriana Lima to find out exactly how some of the sexiest women on the planet prep for Valentine's Day, and now, we're newly resolved to keep it just as uncomplicated. Read on for their tips to getting the look just right, then shop our picks to channel the bombshells' V-Day 101.

Don't be afraid to wear red: "Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday so I love to get dressed up with a red dress, heels - the whole thing. I'm a little cheesy that way, but I love it." - Lindsay Ellingson
Slip something sexy underneath: "Whatever I wear, I would wear something super sexy underneath, like a lace corset or a garter slip because just knowing you have it on makes you feel confident and sexy." - Doutzen Kroes
There's nothing wrong with playing up your assets: "I haven't figured it all out yet, but it has to be something tight and sexy, like this [Hervé Léger bandage dress]." - Adriana Lima

Take a minute to digest the girls' get-sexy rules, then shop our picks to channel the same knockout style for your Valentine's date night.

Taryn Dress in Many Colors - by Ani Lee - $299.00	Riller & Fount Skipper One Shoulder Mini Dress - $158.00
ASOS Mini Strapless Dress with Sweetheart Neckline - $53.72	ASOS Midi Body-Conscious Dress With Short Sleeve - $44.76
Austin Draped Mini Dress - $368.00	ASOS Mini Dress with Frill Detail - $62.67
ASOS Mini Dress with Mesh Panels - $80.57	See By Chloe Short Sleeve Sweater Dress - $390.00
ASOS Mini Dress in Color Block - $71.62	ASOS Mini Dress with Cut Out PU Trim - $80.57
Casadei Mud Python Embossed Platform High Heels - $750.00	B Brian Atwood Consort High Heel Sandals - $325.00
GIANCARLO PAOLI High-heeled sandals - $145.00	Brian Atwood Maniac Platform Pump, Nude - $595.00
Suede and Leather Criss-Cross Colorblock Sandals - $995.00	Red Bow Bustier - $78.00
Olingerie Paula Lace - $39.39	eberjey Giovanna Bralet - $57.00
Garter Slip - $58.00	The Victoria's Secret Designer Collection Demi Push-Up Bra - $138.00
The Victoria's Secret Designer Collection Sparkle Thong - $48.00	The Victoria's Secret Designer Collection Ruffle Garterbelt - $58.00
Alice + Olivia Rosie Blouson Dress - $367.00	Rebecca Minkoff Claudia Dress - $328.00

Uh Oh! Watch Out For These 12 IRS Audit Red Flags

Kiplinger — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:06:09 PST

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

The IRS audits only slightly more than 1% of all individual tax returns annually. The agency doesn't have enough personnel and resources to examine each and every tax return filed during a year. So the odds are pretty low that your return will be picked for review. And, of course, the only reason filers should worry about an audit is if they are fudging on their taxes.

However, the chances of being audited or otherwise hearing from the IRS increase depending upon various factors, including your income level, whether you omitted income, the types of deductions or losses you claimed, the business in which you're engaged and whether you own foreign assets. Math errors may draw IRS inquiry, but they'll rarely lead to a full-blown exam. Although there's no sure way to avoid an IRS audit, you should be aware of red flags that could increase your chances of drawing unwanted attention from the IRS.

1. Making too much money

Although the overall individual audit rate is about 1.11%, the odds increase dramatically for higher-income filers. IRS statistics show that people with incomes of $200,000 or higher had an audit rate of 3.93%, or one out of slightly more than every 25 returns. Report $1 million or more of income? There's a one-in-eight chance your return will be audited. The audit rate drops significantly for filers making less than $200,000: Only 1.02% of such returns were audited during 2011, and the vast majority of these exams were conducted by mail. We're not saying you should try to make less money - everyone wants to be a millionaire. Just understand that the more income shown on your return, the more likely it is that you'll be hearing from the IRS.

Read on for more red flags.

Pilot Scoop: Scandal

Shannon Vestal — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:30:51 PST

With ABC's midseason drama Scandal, Shonda Rimes, the mastermind behind Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice, moves out of the hospital and into Washington DC. Kerry Washington heads up a team of consultants who specialize in defusing political scandals, and if you're wondering if the new show will be juicy enough to make room for on your DVR, I've got a few opinions that may help you.

What it's about: Washington plays Olivia Pope, a brilliant and ambitious political "fixer" who runs her own firm to clean up PR messes. Though she relies on her gut and is incredibly successful helping others, her personal life is kind of a mess. Columbus Short and Lost's Henry Ian Cusick also star as part of her team.
Where it works: Lost fans will be happy to see Cusick as a dapper consultant (and on safe, dry land). Washington is also a beautiful asset as the leading lady, and there seem to be a lot of complicated relationships just under the surface.
Where it doesn't: While Olivia's interesting relationship with the fictional president (Tony Goldwyn) is certainly scandalous, her chemistry with Goldwyn leaves something to be desired.
You might like this show if: You watch Grey's Anatomy but have never particularly loved the medical setting.
When it's on: Thursdays at 10 p.m. on ABC, starting April 5

To see a preview and some photos from Scandal, just keep reading.

How to Stop Keeping Up With the Joneses

LearnVest — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:15:16 PST

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

At first glance, it doesn’t seem like there are many money lessons to learn from The Real Housewives.

One spent a season building a $1.8 million mansion and driving around a $1,280-per-month Escalade, only to file for bankruptcy with almost $11 million in debt.

Shortly postbankruptcy, she dropped another $60,000 on a shopping spree so she could continue to fit in with those in her social circle.

Even if you don’t end up with millions of dollars in debt - or have friends who are millionaires - trying to keep up with the Joneses (or the Gorgas, in this case) can not only make you feel lousy about yourself, but also inspire bad spending decisions. We call this phenomenon “money comparisonitis.”

How Having "Comparisonitis" Affects Us

In our own lives, the dangers of gazing enviously at the Real Housewives’ spending sprees, our neighbor’s new car, or that family down the street who can send their kids to private school are not only the fact that it makes us feel bad, but that it literally distorts our view of reality.

In other words, we look at celebrities like the Kardashians or the wealthier people we know, and we try to emulate their spending habits. “You’re not being truthful with yourself,” says Susan L. Hirshman, president of She Ltd., a consulting firm focused on enhancing women’s wealth, and the author of Does This Make My Assets Look Fat?. “As they make more money, that allows them to live a certain lifestyle.” In other words, you have to face facts and spend in accordance with your own budget, rather than feeling entitled to live a certain way just because other people do.

Read on for more.

Golden Globes Afterparty: Cameron Diaz

FabSugar — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 08:29:02 PST

Cameron Diaz's beach-blond locks popped against her cobalt-blue cocktail dress. The actress showed off her assets at last night's Weinstein Company afterparty, slipping into a lace-trimmed body-con dress, cut to show off her toned arms. She finished the low-key vibe with 'laxed waves and rosy cheeks. What do you think of Cam's easy, chic evening look?

Vote on all of our Golden Globe Awards polls here!

4 Reasons Strong Women Should Watch The Iron Lady

Annie Scudder — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:00:00 PST

Love or hate Margaret Thatcher's conservative politics, you can't deny her life story is intriguing. Meryl Streep's performance as the UK's only female prime minister in The Iron Lady has rightfully garnered award season buzz. Through flashbacks and scenes in the present day, Meryl brings to life a woman at the height of power and in the depths of grief. Here are four reasons any strong woman should watch the film about the lady with an iron will.

It's honest about aging. I thought The Iron Lady would spend most of its time back in the 1980s. So I was surprised to see how much of the film focused on modern-day Margaret Thatcher, who is dealing with what appears to be dementia, grief, and irrelevance in modern society. Juxtaposing Margaret at her prime and then in her older age demonstrates that she's lived a full life with many highs. But it also makes you reflect on the inevitability of aging. Our lives can be filled with success and a great romance, but The Iron Lady offers young women an insightful peek at the melancholic chapter of life that comes after that. It gives the audience an elderly woman we can empathize with, not just a grandma caricature.
There's an unusual love story. Unlike the typical relationship dynamic we see in movies or TV, in The Iron Lady the woman is the power player in the relationship. Margaret Thatcher's husband takes backseat to her career, and during her prime minster days we see her struggle to make time for her relationship and give her devoted husband more attention. When the film flashes forward to present day, it deals with Margaret Thatcher's horrifying grief and denial over her husband's passing. Meryl Streep's performance as an older woman longing for her beloved husband will help you relate to a grandparent, parent, or anyone else who has lost a partner.
Femininity is an asset. In The Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher breaks down gender barriers to become Britain's first woman prime minister. But while she take lessons to make her voice sound more authoritative, she insists that keeping her pearls is non-negotiable. It seems Margaret Thatcher knew women had assets men don't posses. For example, in one scene she uses shared motherhood to connect with mothers who had lost their sons at war. As Margaret writes a letter, she notes she is the only PM in history who is a mother with a son, assuring the grieving mother that she can truly imagine her pain.
It's an important moment in history. Margaret Thatcher witnessed views about a woman's role broaden dramatically in her lifetime and helped changed perceptions, too. Starting with a fresh-faced Maggie eager to go to Oxford, The Iron Lady tells the story of a woman with ambitious goals, and the entrenched and sexiest biases she must overcome to accomplish them. In the film, Margaret says "one's life must matter" - and she means that for both men and women.

In Honor of David Beckham's New Shirtless H&M Ad, See His Hottest Six-Pack Moments!

Allie Merriam — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:09:30 PST

David Beckham's work on the soccer field helps keep him in top shape, and, thankfully for us, he shows off his fine form regularly. From visits to the beach with his family to jersey-less victory laps with the Galaxy, David's abs are frequently on display. He's also using his assets in business! He appeared in a 2009 Armani underwear ad and now is fronting a campaign for his own Beckham bodywear line with H&M. In honor of David's latest shirtless shots, look back at his hottest six-pack moments!

10 Really Surprising Things That Hurt Your Credit Score

LearnVest — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:15:05 PST

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

Most people know the typical credit no-nos:

Don't make a late payment. Don't allow an account to go into collections. Avoid tax liens, bankruptcies and foreclosures.

And of course, paying off credit card debt should be one of your top financial priorities. (To find out your other top financial priorities, use this simple tool.)

But there are also lesser-known ways you could unintentionally damage your credit score.

Here are ten actions-from least to most harmful-that could make your number take a plunge.

10. Renting a Car With a Debit Card

While many rental agencies require that you pay your deposit with a credit card, some will accept your debit card instead. However, agencies typically have a clause in the contract stating that they can pull your credit report if you choose to pay with a debit card. That credit check causes a hard inquiry, which will ding your score a few points.

A hard inquiry is when a lender, credit card issuer or other financial institution requests a credit check in order to decide whether or not to extend a line of credit to you, such as a credit card or home loan. Each hard inquiry usually drops your credit score by a few points and will remain on your credit report for two years. The other kind of inquiry, soft inquiries, are made by people who don't intend to take action, such as your landlord checking your credit, and won't have any effect on your credit score.

Read on to find out more.