FabSugar

Celebrity Style: Eva Pigford

FabSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:10:22 PDT

"America's Next Top Model" Season 3 winner, Eva Pigford, looked absolutely iridescent at this year's BET Awards. Not only did her multicolored dress match the bright red carpet, it also went perfectly with her caramel skin tone. I love how she minimized her accessories and let the dress take center stage.

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25 Easy Organizing Changes You Can Make Today

Wise Bread — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:15:00 PST

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

I have a bad tendency to let things - paperwork, tasks, laundry - pile up. That's why I'm often not as organized as I should be. By the time I go to put things away, I feel like I'm dealing with clutter so powerful it could defeat Godzilla (I've already started on the screenplay for Godzilla vs. That Pile of Stuff I Still Haven't Put Away Since Moving).

Thus, I am a huge proponent of making little steps towards organization. Below are 25 ways to organize your home, your finances, and your life that are quick and easy enough to attempt today. Seriously, start making a dent in your disorganization before it turns into a movie-worthy monster.

Organize Your Stuff

From the fridge to the filing cabinet, here are some ideas for organizing your things.

1. Identify What You Want to Organize

Yes, I am telling you to organize your organizing. Make a specific list of what you want to organize - the bookshelf? Your closet? Your drawers? If you have time, start to formulate a plan. Now, when you have a couple of hours over the weekend, you're ready to attack.

2. Buy Masking Tape and a Marker

Masking tape is a great way to create temporary labels for everything from storage containers in the basement to Tupperware in the freezer. Buy a roll of masking tape and a Sharpie, and always keep them in the same place.

3. Buy Containers and Dividers

If you're planning an organizing project, buy any containers or other organizing tools you need now. Just as with making the list, you're now totally ready to tackle the project when you have a moment.

Read on for more organizing tips.

Guerrilla Guide to the Holidays: A Perfect, Price-Tag-Free Gift List

LearnVest — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:15:18 PDT

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

Don’t look now, but here come the holidays (really, they’re just 10 weeks away!). This year, we’re going to make planning and budgeting for them a snap.

That’s why we’re starting early to help you tackle the season step by step - and save time, money and stress. If you follow our Guerrilla Guide each week, we promise that by the end of December, you’ll be outside on the skating rink instead of stressing inside the shopping mall.

According to our Facebook poll, 78% of LearnVesters were already thinking about holiday gifts as early as last week. So, for this issue of the Guerrilla Guide, we bring you the newest way to sort out your holiday gift list.

WEEK 2: YOUR CREATIVE, BUDGET-FRIENDLY GIFT LIST

As you make your list this year, we want you to think about holiday giving a little differently.

Before you start assigning dollar amounts to everyone and hunting around for products to buy and wrap, first consider whether the best gift for them is a thing with a price tag. According to the Five Love Languages, defined by marriage counselor Dr. Gary Chapman, people receive messages of love very differently, and only one of these categories involves actual physical gifts. Some people would rather receive acts of service or quality time instead.

Read on to find out more.

5 Post-Summer Healthy To-Dos

Leta Shy — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:52:42 PDT

Between weekend barbecues and family vacations, it can be hard to stay on track during Summer. As Fall (and school sessions) roll around, the change of seasons means it's time to take a second look at your routine. Need some ideas of how to get back on the healthy track? Read on for some easy healthy to-dos for the upcoming season.

Start a meatless Monday. Endless summer grilling may mean a season of meat. Get excited about Fall's upcoming in-season crops by designating a night of eating meat-free. You'll be able to get creative in the kitchen while incorporating more flavorful veggies into your diet.
Change up your workout routine. It's after Labor Day, which means that change is in the air. All the more reason to assess your workout to see if you're pushing yourself. Whether it's signing up for a race or upping your endurance, make a new fitness goal for the rest of the year. Here are some tips on how to make your workout more challenging.

Read on for more healthy ways to celebrate the coming of Fall.

A 19th Century New Orleans Shotgun Gets a Modern Addition

Julia Walsh — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 03:00:49 PDT

In New Orleans, there is no shortage of beautifully restored homes. With such charming, unique architecture, it's not a city where people make a habit of tearing things down and putting McMansions in their place. That said, it's rare to see a historic restoration that incorporates contemporary design - moreover successfully so. I was lucky to tour one of these rarities firsthand during my last trip to the Crescent City.

I learned after graduating from Tulane University that my graphic design professor, Robert Gassiot, and his partner Michael Clement had purchased a 19th century New Orleans shotgun and were in the process of restoring it and giving it a modern addition. It took three architectural drawings until the plans were finalized; the scope of the project included removing an existing enclosed porch, which was added in the '20s, gutting and restoring the kitchen and laundry/bathroom, and building a modified "camelback" tower in the rear with a modern architectural style.

When I visited in February, the project was essentially finished, and I was invited to spend a day with Robert and Michael, touring the space and learning about the project. The duo have tackled five previous renovations and have a strong interest in interior design, as well as in collecting local art. Michael, a landscape designer, made use of his skills by turning the backyard into an oasis for entertaining, dining al fresco, and relaxing. Michael is also an artist and sculptor, and many of his exquisite sculptures and lighting designs can be seen throughout the house.

Come take a look. Prepare to feel a pang of envy; you are in for a treat!

Do We Multitask Too Much?

Yahoo Shine — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 05:05:32 PDT

We're happy to present this article from one of our favorite sites, Yahoo! Shine:

There's a really interesting piece at Work It, Mom!, about unitasking instead of multitasking, and it got me thinking. Maybe part of the reason my stress levels are off the charts right now is because I'm multitasking too much?

Unitasking is kind of at the root of the whole Fly Lady way of cleaning and decluttering - focus on one task, do it for a set amount of time, and then move on to the next thing. I can see how easily it works in terms of doing the laundry or tidying up the house, but could I apply it to my to-do list? Or, better still, my hours at the office? Keep reading to hear how I fared.

A Beautiful Basket Case: Bow Bins

Julia Walsh — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:55:00 PDT

Areaware has teamed with fair-trade NGO Preda and the Aeta people, indigenous inhabitants of the Philippines, to produce a new line of wonderfully unconventional waste baskets for all you modernists out there. Conceived by German designer Cordula Kehrer, the baskets are made from sustainably harvested rattan and a colorful plastic bin offsetting the natural wickerwork.

The charming baskets are as visually captivating as they are utilitarian. Whether you use them to stow away small loads of laundry (they range from 10.5-x-10-x-10" to 17-x 14.5-x-14.5"), to toss crumpled-up love notes, or to store bath towels, there's no doubt you'll find plenty of use for them around your house. Ringing up at only $36 and $48, they won't break the bank, either. And at least when you're being wasteful, you can find comfort in the fact that you're supporting marginalized craftsmen across the globe.

Click through to see more of the collection.

Get the Funk Out! The Best Ways to Wash Workout Clothes

Anna Monette Roberts — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:52:47 PDT

Sometimes throwing workout clothes in the washing machine isn't enough to get them clean. Sweat and dirt can stain fitness gear, and if not washed properly, clothing will remain smelly even after the rinse cycle. If you struggle to get rid of gnarly stenches from your fitness clothes, follow these tips to get gear so fresh and so clean.

If your clothes are drenched in sweat post-workout, wash them immediately after wearing them. If you don't have a washing machine nearby, hand wash them. This is the best way to stop stains and smells from setting.
If you want to wash your clothes later, hang them up to dry instead of tossing them in your laundry hamper. Bunched up, wet clothes can harbor stinky mildew spores that are tough to get rid of in one wash.

Read on for more cleaning tips.

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 16:00:00 PST

Clean Up Your Act With Earth- and Baby-Friendly Laundry Products

LilSugar — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 12:09:50 PDT

Everything changes when a baby comes along, especially parents' perspectives on safety. Every decision is made with protective goggles on as parents want the best bottles, the healthiest food, and household products without toxic chemicals. This is especially important when it comes to washing tots' tiny clothes and cloth diapers. What's good for baby is generally what's good for earth, and detergents made with irritating petrochemicals are harmful to both. Check out these products that are both eco and baby conscious.

Clockwise from top left:

Vaska Spotoff Advanced Botanicals Spot Remover ($10), and Vaska Herbatergent Light Lavender, 48 oz. ($12): Vaska products earned recognition by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment Program as they break down quickly to non-polluting compounds. The natural lavender scent actually smells like lavender because it is - unlike most brands which use manufactured scents.
Rockin' Green Classic Rock Laundry Detergent ($15): One of the most popular brands used to clean cloth diapers, this detergent was developed by a parent whose kids had very sensitive skin that broke out with every cleanser they tried.
Seventh Generation Liquid Laundry 2x Ultra Concentrate, Baby, 150 oz. ($22): Seventh Generation products have been a go-to for eco-conscious mamas for a while. The liquid is super concentrated so a little really does go a long way.
Biokleen Laundry Powder, 5 pounds ($22): This nontoxic, biodegradable powder is gentle while strong enough to launder cloth diapers - and everything else. The price is also right so customers don't have feel like they have to choose between green (eco) and green (money).
Method Baby Laundry Detergent, Sweet Pea ($15): When Method launched a line of laundry detergents in 2010, it was an instant hit with fans of green, clean laundry. The cleverly designed pump bottle means multitasking mamas can do laundry and hold the baby at the same time.