FabSugar

Winter Boots To Wear Instead of UGG(lie)s

FabSugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 06:32:55 PST

I'm over them (for the record, I was never under them). Molly is over them. There are cuter and newer alternatives to the chunky, casual UGG - I swear it! Go ahead, be a trendsetter. Check these out, and please please please try to break the mold. For me? Also, these alternate UGGs are less expensive and, in my opinion, not as UGG(ly) as the played out boot.

Rubber Duck Snowjoggers in Olive, $80. These come in many more colors and are old school cool. And, did I mention Sienna Miller and Katherine Heigl sport these?

A couple more,

read more Front Lace Hardsole Suede Fringe Boot, $70.95. My personal favorite, these come in more colors and are so chic with long leggings and a tunic sweater.
Nine West Melba, on sale for $49.99 (originally $99). I think these are a nice mix of the above two styles.

Edun Fall 2012

FabSugar — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:06:37 PST

Bono and wife Ali Hewson's elevated eco-conscious clothing brand showed off a darker mood this season, but not to worry, the presence of Edun's signature exotic prints abounded in pops of silky fuchsia and electric blue combos. Even as the first model took her turn on the runway, the clothes delivered a strong message: the Edun girl, as the program notes, "has taken her punk rock roots on safari." With that said, this is one urban-infused African safari trip we've ever embarked upon. Among the most prevalently featured prints were zebra, leopard, gazelles - reincarnated into prettily draped shoulder dresses, loud shirt dresses, and even twist dresses. To add a layer of functional Winter warmth into the mix, Edun's Fall '12 lineup showcased boxy ribbed turtlenecks, leather slickers, and a plethora of structured, tough-girl overcoats. Cold weather, beware - this cool mix of animal-inspired patterns and chunky outerwear packs a seasonal punch.

Trends: Graphic animal prints, leather, and oversized turtlenecks.
Colors: Pops of electric blue, neon green, bronze, black, navy blue, fuchsia.
Key Piece: The silky, relaxed gazelle-printed blouse paired with slouch black pants.
Accessories: Utilitarian-inspired black ankle boots.
Who Would Wear It: The fair-trade fashionista á la Stella McCartney and Charlize Theron.

Tips For Practicing Yoga in the Winter

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:24:08 PST

When cold, brisk air is blowing outside, I crave practicing yoga in a heated room. Walking around barefoot in a tank top and feeling the warm arm on my skin is incredibly liberating. Practicing yoga in the Winter is a little different than in the summertime, so here are some things you should keep in mind until the thaw.

Don't just head to class in your just your capris. Be sure to wear warm layers over your yoga outfit. A warm body is less prone to injury.
If you live in a very cold climate, try to get to class at least 10 minutes early to sit in the hot room to allow your muscles to warm up before diving into Downward Dog. Do some Sun Salutations on your own to warm up faster.
To avoid getting sick, ask the instructor not to assist you. They touch every other body in the room, so there's a good chance they can pass germs on to you.
If you have a cold, stay home. I know you think a hot, sweaty yoga class is just the thing you need to kick your cold and unclog your stuffy nose, but be considerate of the other yogis in the class. This is a great time to test out your home practice or use your favorite yoga DVDs.
Use your own yoga mat and never borrow studio or gym mats. It's hard to know when they were last washed or what kind of germs may be living them. Along the same lines, don't let anyone borrow your mat either.
Make sure to bring a change of warm, dry clothes. You don't want to stay in your damp yoga outfit and step outside in the cold air. Cold weather doesn't make you sick, but it sure challenges your immune system.

Not Feeling It? How to Motivate Yourself For a Winter Run

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:44:22 PST

It's 20 degrees, the sky is dull and gray, and you're shivering inside just thinking about gearing up for an outdoor run. No wonder you're having a hard time motivating yourself. When a chilly Winter's day is the hurdle keeping you from going running, here are some ways to inspire a cold-weather workout.

Warm up your clothes: Pop your sports bra, shirts, pants, and even your socks in the dryer for a couple minutes. Slipping on warm gear is sure to get rid of that chill you have when looking out your window into the cold.
Warm up yourself: Take a quick shower allowing the hot water to envelope your skin, being careful not to get your hair wet. It'll warm your body and get your muscles ready to move.
Warm up inside: Once you're dressed properly for a cold-weather workout, do your warm-up inside rather than outside. Run up and down the stairs, do jumping jacks or a round of push-ups, or whatever you need to do to get your heart rate up without getting sweaty. You'll feel warm and loosened up when you step out the door, and you can start running right away to stay warm. Here are warm-up ideas that can be done indoors (even in a small apartment space!).
Blast a tune that speaks to you: Whether it's Beyoncé, Adele, or Pitbull that lights a fire inside you, use your favorite upbeat song to get you psyched for a run. You can dance and scream lyrics as you slip on your sports bra and sneaks. This is a great technique when you're really not feeling a run because it can instantly flip a switch and help you head out the door fast. Continue the musical motivation by listening to a newly crafted running mix.

Need more inspiration? Keep reading for other ways to inspire a wintry run.

5 Can't-Fail Winter Skin Care Tips

Real Beauty — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:02:16 PST

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Real Beauty.

Just because you're showing less skin during the colder months doesn't mean you can skimp on a proper skin-care regimen. Dr. Mitchell Chasin, medical director of the Reflections Center for Skin and Body, tells us his top tips for keeping yours hydrated and healthy all season long.

Tip #1: Find a body wash that isn't going to dry out your skin. Look for products that are soap-free and use the word "hydrating" to maintain moisture. Now would be a good time to swap your gel formula for a creamy one.

Tip #2: Moisturize everyday to keep dry skin at bay. When you apply lotion right as you step out of the shower, you are sealing in the moisture that your body has just absorbed. Not to mention, the combination of the cold weather, wearing gloves, and constant hand washing can cause painful dryness and cracked skin. (Your hands can show signs of aging faster than other parts of your body.) Indulge in a heavy moisturizer and keep it in your bag, car, and office-and don't forget to use it often.

Tip #3: Since your skin type can change with the seasons and environment, you may need to asses what's happening and switch up your products. Look for signs of dry or oily skin, breakouts, or changes in pigmentation. To ensure you are treating your skin appropriately, visit your dermatologist for a consultation.

Tip #4: Sort through your skin-care routine. Using too many products together, such as facial masks and exfoliators, can irritate skin. If you have to, label your products with designated days so that you don't overlap treatments too often. Also, remove and replace any expired products from your stash.

Tip #5: Did you know that UV rays can damage your skin through your clothing? Sunscreen is essential in protecting your skin against premature wrinkling, skin cancer, and dryness. We recommend using at least an SPF 40 daily. And, don't forget your lips-a great balm with SPF can prevent dryness and cracking.

Winter Running Woe: Burning Lungs

FitSugar — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:22:30 PST

Temps across the country are plummeting, but a little cold (or even snow) won't keep die-hard runners indoors. Layering up with wicking clothes is the key to staying warm and dry while sweating it out, but what about breathing in that frigid air? It's not only painful to inhale, but since the air is often dry, it causes your airways to narrow, making it harder to breathe.

If running in the cold makes your lungs burn or causes you to cough, try this simple solution: wear a moisture-wicking neck warmer, like this Smartwool Neck Gaiter ($25), over your mouth. It'll not only keep cool air off your neck, but the gaiter also traps the natural water vapor you exhale, making the air you inhale moist and a bit warmer, which is easier on your lungs. A regular scarf could also work, but who wants to wrestle with slowly unraveling loose ends, especially on a windy day? Another benefit is that a neck warmer can be lowered below your chin or easily slipped off, bunched up, and stored in your pocket after you warm up, while a scarf is much too bulky.

When temps dip really low, you'll probably prefer a balaclava that covers your nose, mouth, ears, and head. It may look a little scary, but at least you'll be warm and comfortable. Plus it's a great option whether you breathe through your nose or mouth, although you might find breathing through your nose may ease the burning in your lungs - just bring along tissues in case your nose runs.

Keep reading to find out other ways to relieve your burning lungs.

Get Outside! Cold-Weather Exercising Tips For Winter

Michele Foley — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:07:17 PST

Going for an outdoor run or bike ride when it's 40 degrees outside might not seem like your idea of a good time. The treadmill offers warmth, but exercising outdoors breaks up the monotony of the gym, increases calorie burn, and can also help performance increase. Follow these cold-weather tips for exercising outdoors, and you'll find that Winter workouts aren't as daunting as you think.

What to wear: Sure you'll work up a sweat, but it's important to dress warmly when exercising in cold weather. In the Winter, it's all about layers (like these cute long-sleeved tops). You also want to make sure that your bottom layer of clothing is moisture-wicking. To avoid overheating but still stay warm, dress like it's 20 degrees warmer than the true temperature outside. Here's a checklist of what to wear for cold-weather workouts.
How to warm up: It's important to warm up before any workout - outdoors or otherwise. It can be even harder to do in cold weather; muscles feel extra tight and the last thing you want to do is brave the elements. Get blood flowing and muscles loose by warming up indoors first. Here are warmup ideas that can be done indoors (even in a small apartment space!).

Keep reading to see more tips on exercising outdoors during the Winter!

Keep Your Post-Gym Trek Sweat-Free

Leta Shy — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:21:24 PST

There's nothing worse than heating up at the gym only to be met by frosty cold temps outside when you're done. If you're not making a pit stop in the locker room to get street-ready, you're met with a problem: you're too hot and sweaty to brave the cold outdoor air without feeling uncomfortable. If you're skipping the shower at the gym, here are two simple reminders to make sure your next trek outdoors post-workout isn't uncomfortable and cold.

Wait it out: Don't just hop off the treadmill and grab your stuff. When you're exercising regularly, it can take several minutes for your heart rate to go back down from peak to resting rate (the normal heart rate recovery rate is a decrease of 15-20 beats per minute) so if you go outside too soon, you'll still be pumped up from your workout. Use the time to cool down properly with post-workout stretches and foam rolling instead.

Always choose moisture-wicking: I've worked out in any old T-shirt and I've worked out in gear designed for working out, and there's definitely a difference. To keep yourself from being uncomfortably soggy under those Winter clothes, use performance wear designed to wick away sweat and keep you dry. And always bring a similarly sweat-wicking cover-up to layer under your coat before you head outside for even more protection. Here are some lightweight cover-ups that would work well under your puffy outerwear.

How do you brave Winter weather after sweating it out at the gym?

What to Wear Weather Thermometer: Ga Ga or Gag?

Anna Monette Roberts — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:08:55 PST

Especially during colder months when the heater is on full blast, it can be a difficult and exhausting battle to help your kids make appropriate clothing choices. Have your lil ones resisted putting on an additional layer of long underwear only to complain later about being cold? The Apparel Indicating Weather Thermometer ($21) is geared toward kids to help them learn how to read a thermometer and dress accordingly.

The dial features large, colorful pictures indicating the appropriate clothing to wear for the corresponding temperature. There are three regional face options, so whether you live in the north with colder weather, the south with hotter weather, or somewhere in between, you can help your kids make the right clothing choices. Do you love this thermometer or do you think it's unnecessary?

How to Choose a Fragrance For Winter

Miriam Lacey — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:00:00 PST

No one even thinks twice about switching out their clothes when the weather changes, but fewer realize that the colder air also profoundly affects the way your perfume expresses itself. A scent that's great in May can be plastic-y or nonexistent in December, and something that gave you a headache in June can be gorgeous come November. So how can you ensure that you get a perfume that works beautifully in sweater weather? To find out, just keep reading.