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?

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.

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

Celebrity Accessory Report: Add a Pop of Red

Hannah Weil — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 14:04:43 PDT

The way a scarlet red lip makes a look entirely more playful than a plain pout, so do red accessories amp up the fun on practically any outfit. We love the sexy effect of a candy-apple red shoe on our date night look or a simple LWD; it's an easy add with a huge impact. These celebrity looks speak perfectly to our point with red hues on their handbags and totes, flats and heels. Alexa Chung adds polish and panache with a sweet red Chanel purse, Whitney Port gives her denim an eclectic-chic finish in red flats, and Gwyneth Paltrow ventures into some unexpected color play with a pair of peep-toe booties. Click through for those and lots more in the way of playful red pops - then shop the look for yourself.

The Gym-Free Interval Workout

Health — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 04:24:23 PDT

We are pumped to share one of favorite stories from Health.com here on FitSugar.

From the editors at Health.com

No time to rush to the gym for your daily workout? We've got you covered. From fab abs to thighs of steel, these easy to try-at-home exercises will have you looking and feeling great. This fun, 20-minute, equipment-free interval workout was created exclusively for Health by Crunch Gym’s regional group fitness director, Marc Santa Maria.

Hoppers
Hop from leg to leg and then hold your jump on the third hop: hop, hop, and hold; hop, hop, and hold. Continue for one minute.
After a 30-second break, repeat two more times.

Power Push-Ups
Start standing, bend at the waist, and put your hands flat on the floor. Walk your hands out to regular push-up position, do the push-up and walk your hands back to your feet. Stand back up. Repeat 10 times.

Health.com: 30-Minute Workout, No Gym Required

Step-It-Ups
Find a raised surface like a bench or stairs and count how many times you can step up and down in one minute. Be sure to alternate which foot steps up first. Repeat for a total of three sets, and try to beat your number of steps each time.

Touch & Squeezes
Get in push-up position. Bring your right knee up to touch your right elbow, and squeeze your abs in. Hold for a few seconds and do the other side. Repeat each side 10 times.

Health.com: The 7 Best Fat-Blasters

Chorus Line
Stand on one leg, raise the other leg, and bend at the knee, making the thigh parallel to the floor. Straighten the raised leg and hold. Repeat 10 times, making sure to point those toes. Then do the other side. For more stability, put one hand on a wall.

Check out the rest of the workout after the break.

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!

3 Butt and Thigh Moves Celebrity Trainers Swear By

Shape — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 05:46:44 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

The annual Muscle Milk Fitness Retreat always brings out some of the best trainers in Hollywood - and the chance for Shape fitness editors to sweat beside stars! During this year's event, we took a Pussycat Dolls dance class with Robin Antin, a Rock Bottom Body session with Teddy Bass (who’s sculpted Cameron Diaz), and punched out our aggression during a BodyBox class with Audrina Patridge’s go-to guy, Jarret del Bene. Want a taste of the celeb workout treatment? Try these three lower-body moves - courtesy of three celebrity trainers at the Muscle Milk Fitness Retreat.

Workout details: Perform one set of the prescribed number of reps for each exercise without resting in between, and then repeat the entire circuit one more time.

Lower-Body Exercise 1: Side Step
This lower-body blaster comes straight from trainer Andrea Orbeck, whose celeb-client roster includes Heidi Klum, Karolina Kurkova, and Amanda Bynes.
Body parts: butt and thighs
How to do it: Stand with feet together and hands clasped in front of your chest. Push off left foot and hop to the right [shown], landing with weight on right foot. Immediately repeat in opposite direction. Continue, quickly hopping from side to side for 1–2 minutes total.

See more moves from celebrity trainers after the break!

Prada Suede Pointed-Toe Flat - Sold Out	Marc by Marc Jacobs Pointed Toe Flat - Sold Out
Jimmy Choo Lychee Pointed-Toe Flat - Sold Out	Marc Jacobs Stamped leather Mouse shoes - Sold Out
Mia Sabrina - Sold Out	Isaac Mizrahi Women's Miki Flat - Sold Out
KORS Michael Kors Castle Flat - Sold Out	Manolo Blahnik Leopard Flat - Sold Out
Loeffler Randall Dot Button Low Wedge Flat - Sold Out	Mia Viper - Sold Out
Tapeet Pointed Toe Skimmer - Sold Out	Moschino Cheap and Chic Shoes Metallic Flat - Sold Out
BCBGirls "Kika" Flat - Sold Out