FabSugar

Link Time!!!

FabSugar — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 09:20:05 PST

Victoria Beckham is pregnant! - PopSugar
Leighton Meester on her latest balancing act - People
Hermès's anti-takeover plan will probably be delayed several months - The Cut
How to wear houndstooth in Winter - Stylelist
Miranda Kerr is now a mommy - Modelinia
The book that celebrates a century and a half of style - Vogue Daily
Fashion flashback: Victoria Beckham's maternity style - FabSugar UK
Get ready for the (actual) return of the pointed-toe flat pump - Refinery29
Anna Wintour receives French Legion of Honor Award - Vogue UK
The end-all, wear-them-every-day ballet flat - Lucky
Three up-and-coming jewelry talents "ring" in the New Year with top trend picks - The Inside Source
Fill in the blank: this Chanel bag is . . . - Purse Blog

Trend Alert: Pointed Toe Flats

FabSugar — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 06:00:22 PST

You went gaga over the lovely pointed toe pumps I featured not too long ago. So my question is: do pointed toe flats have the same effect? When I look at these I see ladylike, flirty and sophisticated. But I always have the slight feeling when I'm wearing a pair that my feet look really long, almost witch-like. Maybe that's just my foot neurosis. Do these make you swoon?

Find Your Wedding Sole Mate - 15 Pairs Perfect For Walking Down the Aisle

Marisa Tom — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:00:02 PDT

You've snagged the wedding dress of your dreams, now it's time to find its perfect sole mate. When it comes down to it, it's all about mastering that vision from head to toe. Thus, polish off your bridal look with the perfect heel (or flat). For every bride, we've got your wedding shoe match: a metallic-infused Vera Wang caged heel will inject an edgier sense of glamour, a modernist white T-strap Zara sandal will work itself into your post-wedding wardrobe, and a gauzy bow-tie BHLDN pump will provide a princess-worthy vibe. Take a look inside - there are 15 gorgeous pairs at every price point, just begging to walk with you down the aisle.

Celeb Style: Beyoncé Makes Pulling Off Spring Brights Look Easy (So Can You!)

Hannah Weil — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:41:13 PDT

Beyoncé may single-handedly be making a case for Spring-bright prints. Last week she took the printed-pants trend for a spin, and today, her floor-length Etro skirt caught our eye. She topped her patchwork pattern with a hot-pink Michael Kors tee and finished the look with a few boho accents. The defined waist on her maxi skirt hits at the smallest point, then flows away from the body, while the snug-fit top hugs her slim upper body, making it perfect for highlighting an hourglass frame. To finish, Beyoncé threw an Alexander Wang bag over her shoulder and slipped into Spring's pointed-toe pumps - you can easily swap them out with a pair of flat sandals for a more casual vibe. Feeling inspired? Shop our editors' picks to channel Beyoncé's breezy, color-injected style.

How Supermodel Miranda Kerr Got Her Prebaby Body Back

Self — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:17:28 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Sure, your chances of becoming a Victoria's Secret model may be as remote as winning the lottery, but looking like one is an entirely different story. When Miranda Kerr needed to tone up fast after giving birth to son Flynn with actor Orlando Bloom, she turned to FITiST celebrity trainer Andie Hecker to whip her back into supermodel shape.

"She came to me shortly after Flynn was born so we needed to I focused on pulling her abs back to Victoria's Secret model-flat and strengthening and toning her arms so she could easily and safely tote her growing baby around," says Hecker, founder of LA-based dance studio Ballet Bodies.

Their workout routine consists of Pilates fused with ballet techniques, a fat-blasting combo that burns 300 to 500 calories per workout. "Ballet Bodies is a classical ballet-based workout," she explains. "It's actually a workout that utilizes true ballet fundamentals placed atop Pilates, traditional personal training, and various cardiovascular activities such as jumping and kicking."

To do Kerr's postbaby arm workout at home, incorporate these four moves into your regular workout four to six times a week. Add one- or two-pound hand weights for "optimum muscle exhaustion and results." Get the workout after the break!

High Heels Can Give You Barbie Feet

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:41:45 PST

High heels. You either love them or hate them, but you can't deny they are chic. We love the height boost and illusion of longer legs they offer, but we do realize they're not the best things for our feet. Unfortunately, recent research shows that these lovely shoes may be worse than previously thought.

In a study of longtime high heel wearers, published in the Journal of Applied Physiology, researchers found wearing heels actually shortens the fibers of the calf muscle, making the Achilles tendon stiffen instead of flex when walking. High heels keep feet in a pointed position, so even when habitual high heel wearers (those who wore heels at least 40 hours a week) slipped off the pumps, their feet were so used to walking with the heels raised that it became the new norm for their muscles and joints - think permanent Barbie feet. The constantly engaged calve suffers from serious muscle fatigue, but switching abruptly from heels to flat shoes, like sneakers, puts stiletto wearers at a greater risk for injury.

Keep reading to find out what you can do to heal your heel-wearing legs.

The Fitness Goal You Can Accomplish Before 2012

Self — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 14:23:44 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Self here on FitSugar!

"Make your last set the one that counts," the instructor cued us during last night's workout. And while the last things my arms wanted to do was another bicep curl, ending on a strong note not only made me feel extra accomplished, but it's that extra push towards sculpting a slim, strong bod.

So while we've only got four days left before the end of year, end on a high note by crossing a fitness goal off your to-do list. Your challenge: perfect a squat. (We know it's one of your least-favorite moves, but maybe this'll change your mind!)

"The squat is what we call a functional exercise. If you can practice doing it properly in your workout routine then when you have to do it in everyday life it becomes easier and you're less likely to get injured as you age," says NY-based fitness expert Melissa Paris. "You don't even realize but you are already squatting every day: when you go to the bathroom, when you pick something up off the floor or when you get up and down from your office chair."

Read on for tips on how to perfect the all-important squat.

Work Out With Lady Gaga

Self — Wed, 25 May 2011 05:03:00 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Lady Gaga has finally dropped her latest masterpiece, and Born This Way was born to inspire our workouts. The '80s-inspired opus is full of gym-ready grooves, from Eurodisco to Latin rhythms. Let's get moving!

Gaga training sessions with Harley Pasternak consist of a 25-minute routine combining strength and cardio. The trainer has attributed her killer abs to an intense regimen of crunches, but we know the pop star is a fan of core-chiseling yoga as well. With her new album freshly loaded on our iPods (the fourteen songs clock in at exactly one hour), we took her daily drill to the next level.

First, we hand-picked eight tracks (35 minutes) to keep our feet pounding the treadmill - raising your heart rate for at least a half hour will melt fat so your toned muscles emerge. Warm up with the easy-paced "Electric Chapel." Lady Gaga's monster singles - "Hair," the Madonna-esque "Born This Way," club-thumping "Judas" and Bruce Springsteen-inspired epic "Edge of Glory"- all made our list. Then we added the Debbie-Gibson-meets-Donna-Summers jam "Marry The Night," the empowering, rave-worthy "Scheibe" and "Highway Unicorn (Road To Love)," with its "run, run" lyrics.

Read on for the rest of this energizing hour-long workout after the break!

Check Out Madewell's Super-Cute Spring '12 Collection

Chi Diem Chau — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:58:38 PDT

Madewell had us at hello, with its effortlessly cool separates and easy dresses. We just checked out the Spring collection and as expected, it's another winner showing lots of colors (think reds, blues, and greens), its signature penchant for cool prints and, new to the table, a workwear-inspired denim heritage collection. We especially loved how designer Kin Ying Lee took stripes to a whole new level with pieces like a pair of polished, ultraflattering, diagonal-striped trousers and a silky sleeveless dress with a varying pattern. Madewell amped up its shoe collection for next season, offering up colorful point-toe flats, ankle-strap sandals, and, our favorite, suede ankle boots - perfect for pairing with floral dresses and denim jackets. Needless to say, we want it all. If you do too, just click the slideshow to see more shots of Madewell's super-cute Spring preview.

3 Get-Fit-Fast Moves From Jennifer Garner's Trainer

Self — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:09:29 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

Ever wonder why "the beautiful people" often seem so chipper? (Not that we can't all answer that question firsthand.) It could be the free gifts from transfixed average folks. Or . . . it could be the exercise.

Just ask Valerie Waters, fitness expert on LIVESTRONG.com's advisory board and trainer to pretty folks like Jennifer Garner, Ben Affleck, Cindy Crawford, and Jennifer Lopez. Her motto: "You're one workout away from a good mood."

And I would add, with these moves culled from her "Red Carpet Ready" program, you're only a few workouts away from a better body too.

So, first of all, what makes Valerie Waters such a sought after trainer? It might be her flexible attitude and her bright smile, among other things. "Every workout needs to move you toward your goal, but also make you feel better," she asserts. "I always have a plan, but I also have a plan B. If someone didn't sleep the night before or they [have] PMS, I may modify the workout. I always make sure the client feels successful."

4 Tried and True Tips From Waters

Being consistent is key. That doesn't mean doing the same exercises all the time, but being regular, healthy and moderate in your lifestyle.
Don't do too much too soon or assume the workout will do it all. If you want to lose weight, you must work on your diet!
For fast results, circuit train and eliminate sugar and white flour.
Eat more veggies and drink more water. These are cliches for a reason.

So, what's this "Red Carpet Ready" program really about? Read for a few key signature Valerie Waters moves using signature Valslide props, demonstrated by model Courtney Parks, after the break