FabSugar

Style for Style: How to Properly Wash Jeans

FabSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 08:00:22 -0700

We all have a pair of favorite jeans that we want to last a lifetime. Unfortunately dry-cleaning is expensive and handwashing is a pain. The problem with machine washing and drying jeans is they tend to fade and lose their stretch over time. Fab to the rescue!

To learn how to care for jeans read more

Wear jeans a couple of times before washing - unless of course, they're dirty or have a stain. Less washing will help preserve the color of your jeans. Invest in a detergent that specializes in color washes such as Caldrea's Dark Wash ($12). Don't forget to wash in cold water - hot water will melt that gorgeous dark stain away. Also, set your dryer to low or medium heat to avoid over drying, which can cause your jeans to lose Lycra and thus, lose that precious stretch.

Do You Hand Wash When It Says Hand Wash?

FabSugar — Mon, 28 May 2007 01:22:22 -0700

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Back to Cool: Saved by the Bell

FabSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:50:22 -0700

Hands down, Saved by the Bell was my favorite after-school show. High school couldn't look cooler with Kelly Kapowski, Lisa Turtle, and Jessie Spano. Of course, hotties Zach Morris (remember the huge cellphone he used to carry in his pocket?) and beefcake A.C. Slater provided hunky eye candy. And Screech, who could forget Screech? Loved him. I was only in grade school when this show debuted, so I could only dream of wearing Kelly's crop tops and Lisa's tight denim shorts - Jessie had legs for days in those washed out skinny jeans. The girls also fancied jean jackets, high-waist pants, and floral prints. Sigh, what I would do for a Freaky Friday experience with Kelly Kapowski circa '91 . . .

Source and Source

Style For Style: Gum Gum, Go Away

FabSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:00:08 -0800

After the following experience, I vow to never toss out my gum on the floor again. I was ordering a drink at a nice bar recently when I felt my shoe sticking to the ground. Shoot, I stepped on gum. How did that happen? No time to dwell, I had to get the gum off, pronto. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, I wasn't wearing this swoon-worthy Proenza Schouler Elastic Wrap Sandal ($595), but I was wearing a newly purchased shoe I love.

To see how I took care of the situation, read more.

First I grabbed a napkin from the bar and used it to remove as much of the gum as possible. I didn't throw out the napkin just yet.
I then asked the bartender for an ice cube and used it to rub the surface of the remaining gum until it was fully wet.
Finally, I used the gum from inside the napkin to blot the stuck gum with it. Voila.

If you happen to have a jar of peanut butter on hand, you can also use this technique:

Grab a butter knife and a jar of peanut butter, preferably without nuts.
Spread a thick coat of peanut butter all over the area with gum. Allow it to sit for five minutes.
Take a scrub brush and scrub the peanut butter/gum until it's almost gone.
Wash what is left on your shoe in the sink.

Denim Designer Spotlight: Current/Elliott

FabSugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:00:22 -0700

Are you tired of uncomfortable, skin-tight jeans? If you're nodding your head yes, nab yourself a pair of Current/Elliott jeans - if you can.

Celebrity stylists Emily Current and Meritt Elliott initially caused a frenzy of interest in their loose-fit jeans when they wore them to fittings and photo shoots. Since then, the duo's denim line has celebrities, including Rachel Bilson and Katie Holmes, and budding stylistas alike waiting to get their hands on a pair.

Their vintage cuts, such as the Elephant Bellbottom, the Boyfriend Jean, and the Bush Flare Jean all have a "worn-in" feel with washes ranging from "Loved" to "Super Loved." And if you like them extra used, check out their "Destroyed" option, which includes holes and finishes that will make it look you've had these jeans for years. Don't forget to take our jean pocket quiz if you're a jean junkie!

To see more from Current/Elliot, read more.

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Not So Fab Fashion Week Fumbles

FabSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 04:00:22 -0800

Fashion Weeks are fun and fabulous. But no one really talks about what happens on the way to the fashion show: the running around, lack of sleep, perpetual "where is my seat (if I even have one)?" question, outfit self-consciousness and, in my case, the fumbles you take along the way. After another week of all of the above, though, I feel a unique sense of elated exhaustion. Annabelle too, after two weeks at her grandparents' house, felt this. You've read my reviews and interviews, seen the New York collections and heard about my fabulous dinner with Diane von Furstenberg. But here's some insight into what happens along the way . . . it's not all fashion fun and games.

Day 1: Un-fabulous rainfall. Favorite Lulu Guinness umbrella breaks. (It was really cute: black with playing cards all along the rim.) Pop into trusty Duane Reade to buy a new one. One hour later, that one breaks. I end up going to the Marc by Marc store and buying two new ones that are really cute. True, money I didn't plan on spending; False: Fab caught in the rain again.

To hear about the rest of my fumbles, read more

Day 2: I burnt my foot on my iron. Tsss. How did I manage to do that? This is what happens when you dress to impress in a rush and forget you set the hot iron down on the floor.

Day 3: Left favorite (and necessary) black leather gloves in the cab on the way to the DVF dinner. But as I told you, it was worth it.

Day 4: Slip on old, but fabulous Sonia Rykiel floral blouse I haven't worn in years to discover I neglected to wash it since the last time I wore it (no judgment!). Incidentally, there was a big brown stain front and center. A little warm water got it right out but sh*t and ew! And vowed not to wear heels the rest of the week.

Day 5: Banged hand on hotel room handle, hard. Had to ice my precious typing hand that night, and wince while taking runway notes the next day. I'm all better, thanks for asking.

Day 6: Manicure terminated. Stopped by a cheapy nail place to have my polish removed; my hands had gotten to a very uncouth place.

That was the worst of it, stay tuned for the best of it!

Style for Style: Fab Vintage Care Guide

FabSugar — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:30:33 -0700

Vintage is always a gamble - not just because you're putting something that was fashionable many years ago back into rotation, but also because the fabric of the garment has been around the block a few times.

Vintage fabric can be a lot more fragile than new fabric. I bought this beautiful silk dress from the circa 1950 a couple of months ago, and the first time I wore it, the sleeves tore and disintegrated - the fabric just couldn't take the stress.

The beloved Topshop put together a great little vintage care guide that I wanted to share with you - I will definitely take their advice so that no more of my vintage finds fall apart! Especially since they know a thing or two about vintage with their newly launched Topshop archive.

To see how to take special care of your vintage treasures, read more

Keeping garments in plastic covers can be harmful to fabrics - clothes need to breathe!
Direct sunlight can discolor and age fabric, so make sure to hang your vintage pieces in a dry, dust-free, dim place.
Fabric, padded, or wooden hangers will prevent unwanted stretch marks and lines from forming on your clothes.
Wash your vintage according to its specific fabric needs, but it's best to either dry clean it or bring it to a vintage specialist, unless you're really confident in your cleaning skills.
Repeated washing can damage clothing fibers, so to keep your garments in the best possible condition, wash them as little as possible!
For garments that are too delicate to be hand-washed, hang them in a room with a bowl of white vinegar for a few days, allowing the vinegar to absorb any odors (woah).
Underarm stains, which sometimes come with a vintage piece, can be removed by dabbing the spot with white vinegar or lemon juice.

To see even more great tips for vintage care, go here!

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Would You Let a Project Runway Designer Create Your Prom Dress?

FabSugar — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:00:22 -0800

What's "horrible and tacky and gross"? Last night's Project Runway challenge, according to Christian. The designers were asked to make prom dresses according to the specifications of some very opinionated high-school girls. I can't blame the girls: Who doesn't want to look good at prom?! Kevin was stuck in memories of his own Jersey prom, Rami twisted up a matronly frock, Ricky washed out his client, and Christian earned a berating from Nina Garcia herself. After all the mess that went down, could you confidently say you would put your prom dress's destiny in a PR designer's hands? If so, which one?

For a full run down of the "What a Girl Wants" episode, be sure to check out what Buzz has to say.

Photos courtesy of Bravo.

Travel Essential: Soap Leaves

FabSugar — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 23:19:02 -0700

I'm somewhat obsessive about washing my hands, particularly before eating or after riding the subway. But let's face it: Lots of public restrooms are sorely lacking in soap. That's why I always carry a pack of Crabtree & Evelyn Soap Leaves.

Folded inside a credit card-sized envelope, these thin, sweet-smelling petals work just like soap: You simply hold the leaf in your hands under running water, and it turns into a lathery liquid, then disintegrates as you rub your palms together. Now I never have to worry about being without soap, and this product makes my hands feel much cleaner than when I use those no-wash antibacterial gels. Plus, with the recent liquid ban on planes, you're better off carrying these lightweight soap leaves when you travel than a bottle of gel. You can buy a pack of 20 leaves here for $4; available in lavender and rosewater scents.

Face Wash That Goes the Distance

FabSugar — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 07:32:49 -0800

I'm a big fan of Origins products, particularly the miraculous No Puffery Cooling Mask and the refreshing Modern Friction dermabrasion scrub. On my most recent trip to Origins to get my regular anti-puffiness fix, I scored a great new find: the Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash. (Hey, it was included in a gift set with No Puffery; how could I resist?) This stuff seemed fairly ordinary at first-that is, until I squeezed some into my hands and realized how little an amount you have to use.

To say that a little of this face wash goes a long way would be a major understatement. Designed for combination skin, this stuff is so fluffy and frothy that the tiniest dab will magically expand to clean your whole face. Even a pea-sized amount is too much! I'm especially psyched to use it the next time I travel, because I'll never have to worry about running low even if I bring the tiniest travel-sized container I can find. Pick some up yourself and see what I mean. It's available for $17.50 here.

Zebra Print Crop Tank - $66.00	McQ High-waisted bleached skinny jeans - $390.00
Keds Champion Core Coral Sneaker - $34.50	Double Hoop Texture Earrings - $3.80
Denim Pocket Shorts - $50.00	Loose Crop Tank - $15.00
Cropped Plaid Blouse - $21.99	Dr. Martens - 1460 W (Pink Patent McMarten Tartan) - $114.95
Juicy Couture - $248.00	Crochet Trim Capsleeve Top - $22.80
So® Silver-Tone Star & Heart Drop Earrings - $10.00	Mesalina Headband - $3.80