FabSugar

Designer Spotlight: Freedom of Choice

FabSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:00:22 PDT

Nathan Menashe's premium jean line, dubbed Freedom of Choice, is quite literally a rainbow of denim encompassing fun colors such as pink, green, periwinkle, white, and blue. The LA-produced denim collection was inspired by Nathan's love for rock and roll and consisted of a ton of different hues, cuts, and finishes. These sleek and funky designs are definitely geared toward the unabashed, modern woman like me!

Make sure to sign up for our fabulous Blue Jeans Giveaway, which ends this Sunday!

To see more from the Freedom of Choice collection,

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Bringing Home the Troops: 7 Reasons to Date a Military Man

YourTango — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:00:57 PDT

We're happy to present this excerpt from one of our favorite sites, YourTango.

Obama is bringing the troops home from Iraq, and it's a single woman's perfect opportunity to snag a man in uniform. So, dust off your patriotic heels and show our men in service just how much you appreciate their sacrifices.

Even though dating someone in the military can be incredibly challenging on many different levels, there are numerous reasons why a man in the service could be your ideal beau:

Conviction.
Nothing says sexy more than someone who is putting his life on the line to protect your freedoms and rights. Joining the military is a choice; by serving his country, you know he has strong ideals and is willing to fight for them.
He is in great physical shape.
Let's not pretend that the fact he's probably in the best shape of his life doesn't turn you on. The rigorous training he is committed to is part of his daily routine, and you get to reap the benefits of his occupation's strict physical and dietary habits. We'll salute to that.
Potential for love letters.
Since your relationship will probably be long-distance at certain points and for long periods of time, communication becomes quintessential. This means lots of emails, chats, phone conversations, and snail mail. The possibility of epic literary confessions of love is immense.
Independence and co-dependence.
Since he is often in unfamiliar environments, you know that he can take care of himself. He is trained to survive hostile circumstances and protect his fellow soldiers, so he knows what it takes to work as a team. He knows how to work together for a common goal, but he can also assess a difficult situation and figure out a solution on his own. This can translate well for relationships. After all, love can be a battlefield too.

To see three more reasons, check out YourTango: Bringing Home The Troops: 7 Reasons To Date A Military Man

Written by Lisa Thong for YourTango.

Comcast Introduces Network Cable Channel Packages

Kelly Schwarze — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 12:12:05 PDT

Fresh off speculation that cable companies may begin to offer à la carte channel subscription options, Comcast has started to offer a new package program called MyTV Choice.

Currently on trial in Charleston, SC, as well as parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont, the MyTV Choice starts with a base package called Get Started, which is $25 for 50 channels or Get Started Plus for $45 and includes ESPN. If desired, four optional channel theme packages are available to add-on for an additional $10 a month. The theme packs are offered as kids, news and information, entertainment and lifestyle, and movies.

Hopefully this is the start of cable network freedom.

Banned Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books of the Last Two Decades

Kelly Schwarze — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:49:54 PDT

When a high school in Missouri recently banned Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut's story of World War II as told through a science fiction lens, for creating "false conceptions of American history and government," the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library stepped up to donate copies of the book to any affected student that requests it.

Despite First Amendment protection, banning or attempting to challenge books has a long history, with many cases even making it to the US Supreme Court. As the American Library Association explains: "books usually are challenged with the best intentions-to protect others, frequently children, from difficult ideas and information." Science fiction and fantasy books often contain these themes that some find questionable, whether it's alien life forms, magical powers, or mystical worlds. In honor of Banned Books week, we're rounding up the most challenged science fiction and fantasy books according to the ALA. Browse the list below!

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling - The stories of the wizarding world are seen by challengers to have occult and violent themes.
Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins - The hot series for youth and adult readers has been deemed unsuitable to its target age group and violent.
Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer - Its movie stars may provoke pandemonium, but critics of the book say it's too sexually explicit.
His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman - The series beginning with The Golden Compass is often decried for its anti-religious viewpoints.
The Giver by Lois Lowry - Despite the book's message of freedom of choice, criticisms are made for the fictional dystopia's bleak family outlook.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley - Offensive language, racism, and insensitivity are often cited in challenges to the future dystopian novel.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - The tale of a future world where the printed word is banned and systemically burned was criticized for offensive language.
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle - Children's search through space and time for their vanished father is often challenged for the inclusion of supposed witches.

Follow the break for more challenged books of the last 20 years.

Miramax Adds More Streaming Video Options to Facebook

Kelly Schwarze — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:23:57 PDT

Good news for those wishing to stream movies online: Hollywood movie studio Miramax joins the streaming media crowd with the launch of a Facebook app called Miramax eXperience. For $3, rent any of the available movies, like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill (in addition to previously mentioned Doctor Who episodes) for commercial free viewing on Facebook, iPad, and GoogleTV.

Miramax's foray into Facebook video streaming is just one addition to the many streaming options consumers can choose from for their entertainment needs, including the following:

Netflix - With access via gaming consoles, TVs, iPhones, and Android smartphones in addition to computers, the popular classic doesn't seem to be going anywhere despite the competition and controversial new pricing structure.
Hulu Plus - The $8 monthly subscription fee for Hulu Plus allows access to the most current episodes of TV shows and has an even larger catalog of movies available than its free Hulu counterpart. Available via iOS, Android, select gaming consoles, Samsung TVs, and computer systems.
VUDU by Walmart - The service is accessible through the VUDU page on Walmart's website or from VUDU-enabled devices like certain HDTVs, Blu-ray players, or PlayStation 3. Customers do not sign up for a subscription, but rather pay per film viewing. Rentals begin at $3, with new releases starting at $4 and higher for HD-quality streams; many movies can be purchased for unlimited viewing for $15.
Blockbuster Total Access - Pricing models give customers the option to rent DVDs for home delivery with a subscription plan for $10 or $15, choose to rent DVD without subscriptions, or stream films online on demand.

For those who love the freedom of choice, check out more streaming options after the break.

Gone the Way of the Pager: 5 Technologies That Have Been Replaced

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 07:13:59 PDT

You wouldn't consider a 30-year-old person "outdated," but when you're in the tech world, that's almost ancient. The PC is approaching its 30th birthday, and IBM engineer Mark Dean recently blogged about how quickly things move in technology, saying that "while PCs will continue to be much-used devices, they're no longer at the leading edge of computing. They're going the way of the vacuum tube, typewriter, vinyl records, CRT and incandescent light bulbs." Ouch. Of course, smaller and more portable items like a tablet, netbook, and smartphone could be helping usher the PC out of the spotlight, but there are a few other technologies that have felt the burn, too.

Landline telephone - It's rare these days that you'll find anyone without a cell phone, and it's becoming an appendage that people can't live without. So much so, that lots of tech-savvy people are going wireless full time and canceling their home phone service. The landline had its heyday, but the smartphone is the future.
Email - Sure, we still use email on a daily basis, but recent studies show that email is on the decline among teens. It's only a matter of time before email becomes "too slow," and the adults of the future find other ways to communicate. Facebook Messenger, by chance?
VHS - Video stores are a rarity in 2011, especially since you can rent videos without leaving your house. So it goes, I suppose, since the DVD brought about the demise of the VHS, and now DVDs are nearing the end of their prime. Hello, Blu-ray!
Typewriter - There's something about the clickity-clack of an old-school typewriter. It's kind of romantic, wouldn't you say? But let's get serious - there's really no comparing a typewriter with the functionality of a laptop, especially when you factor in weight, ribbons, and portability.
Cable - Cable companies should be sweating bullets right now. Not only are they being ousted by online streaming options like Hulu and Netflix, but customers are dropping subscriptions left and right because it's too darn expensive in this time of financial instability. If cable/Internet providers want to stay relevant, they need to adopt an online-only a la carte program that streams live shows online. Yes, live. If I had my druthers, I'd subscribe to an online-only version of HBO, Showtime, AMC, and SyFy. I'm sure there are plenty of others who would follow suit with their own combination of channels and would be happy to fork over the cash for the freedom of choice.

Kate Hudson Gets Wild in Bed For Her New Jewelry Collection

Katie Henry — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:07:02 PDT

Kate Hudson playfully poses inside Elle's September issue wearing only her new jewelry collection, CH+KH, a collaboration with Chrome Hearts designer and co-owner Laurie Lynn Stark. Check out more pieces from Kate Hudson's Chrome Hearts collection and hear what Kate has to say about Ryder's music career on Elle.com. Kate recently gave birth to her second child, Bingham "Bing" Bellamy, and since then she's been hanging close to home with her fiancé, Matthew Bellamy, and 7-year-old son, Ryder Robinson. In the issue, Kate talks about embracing motherhood, choosing projects based on how much time she'll be away from her family, and parenting tips she's gotten from Goldie Hawn. Here's more:

Kate on setting a wedding date: "One thing at a time. We’ll say hello to our new one [son Bingham] and enjoy that for a while."
Kate on her busy lifestyle: "Most relationships I’ve had in my life have been with people who travel quite a bit for work . . . I don’t know if I’m attracted to that specifically, but it is nice to be with somebody who understands having to be on the move."
Kate on choosing new projects: [Choosing roles is] definitely getting harder. You have to think about things like, ‘Where is it? How long is it going to keep me away from my family?' But, you know, life moves on. I would never want to be someone who complains and goes, ‘Oh my God, my life is so crazy . . . if you make the best of it, it can be amazing.”
Kate on turning to Goldie for advice: "We’ve definitely had lots of talks about parenting and being a working mom . . . She never hands out unsolicited preachy words of wisdom, though. My parents allowed my brother and I to have our freedom and be ourselves and feel confident in our choices and to make mistakes without too much judgment. I hope that I can do as good a job."

Recently Cut Cable or Satellite? Here's How to Stream Your Favorite Shows Online

GeekSugar — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:16:54 PDT

Nearly 200,000 Americans canceled their cable or satellite subscription this quarter. This loss comes as no surprise (since cable and satellite subscriptions have been heading downward all year), and while some folks are cutting back on monthly bills due to the down economy, some are moving to online streaming options.

If you're toying with the idea of canceling your outrageously priced cable subscription, check out these online streaming options that are just a mouse click away.

Netflix - With access via gaming consoles, TVs, iPhones, and Android smartphones in addition to computers, the popular classic doesn't look to be going anywhere despite the competition and controversial new pricing structure.
Hulu Plus - The $8 monthly subscription fee for Hulu Plus allows access to the most current episodes of TV shows and has an even larger catalog of movies available than its free Hulu counterpart. Available via iOS, Android, select gaming consoles, Samsung TVs, and computer systems.
Blockbuster Total Access - Pricing models give customers the option to rent DVDs for home delivery with a subscription plan for $10 or $15, choose to rent DVDs without subscriptions, or stream films online on demand.

For those who love the freedom of choice, check out more streaming options after the break.

The Cast of The Playboy Club Talks Bunny Costumes, Female Empowerment, and How They're Different From Mad Men

Becky Kirsch — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:20:48 PDT

NBC took front and center at the Summer TCAs on Monday, with The Playboy Club as the first new series to step into the spotlight. The cast, which includes Amber Heard, Eddie Cibrian, and Jenna Dewan, joined showrunners to discuss their upcoming drama about a Playboy Club in Chicago in the 1960s. The panel fielded a lot of questions about objectifying women (they promise that it's "empowering"), explained why the show isn't particularly racy, and addressed those inevitable comparisons to Mad Men. Here are highlights:

It's hard to ignore all the fishnets and cleavage, but the cast pounded home the theme that the show is really about female empowerment. Heard, who plays the central character Maureen in the pilot, said, "Maureen by no means relies on any character, male or female, as you'll see throughout her journey, and it's empowering. This is about choice, ultimately. It was a different generation, there were different opportunities and different expectations for women. . . . It's chauvinistic to deny a woman her sexuality. If they are making the choice, then they're not being exploited."
Her costar Jenna Dewan echoed this sentiment, saying, "Once we started doing research, we realized how independent these women were at a time when jobs for women were limited. These women had a big choice and there's freedom in that. And I think you'll feel that freedom in the show."
The showrunners were pretty straightforward when asked how the show will be distinguishable from Mad Men. They said the comparison ends with the 60s setting, and also cited the musical numbers as a major difference between the two series.

To see what the cast had to say about their costumes and Eddie Cibrian's new character, just

The Most Powerful F Word: Forgiveness

TresSugar — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:00:00 PDT

We all know that sinking feeling of anger and resentment that creeps up when we least expect it. Whether your car got towed, your boyfriend ended things, or your parents constantly criticize your choices, you have two options of how to deal: you can make a scene or you can breathe and forgive. And it's not as easy as it sounds; after all, "forgiveness . . . is more than saying sorry." But it's worth it, and here's why.

Forgiveness is freedom. When we forgive, we are giving ourselves the chance to think new thoughts and perceive our experiences with a new consciousness. Everyone makes mistakes, and by forgiving, we allow those who have done us wrong a chance to redeem themselves. After we forgive, the relationship is fresh and new. We can look at things with an untainted perspective.
There is no future in the past. Letting go of what happened before is crucial. Holding on to past hurts only limits your future potential. And I know there are truly terrible things that happen that may seem unforgivable, but in order to move on, you've got to try to forgive. Otherwise, you're letting someone live rent-free in your head.
Holding a grudge hurts one person. And that person is you. When we build up grudges, they live in our minds. Think about it. If you seek serious revenge on an ex-boyfriend and you spend hours plotting different scenarios out in your mind, is that hurting him? Not at all. It's only hurting you. Holding onto anger and resentment can have really serious psychological implications. But if you give yourself a chance to reflect and forgive, you'll be a far happier lady.

Wondering how to pull it off? Keep reading!