FabSugar

Tips to Maintain (or Bring Back) the Romance in Your Marriage After Baby

Nicole Abbott — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 04:22:24 PST

Keeping the spark alive in any marriage is something that both spouses need to work hard to achieve. Add a screaming baby, two sleepless new parents, and a new daily routine that everyone is still trying to get used to, and the flames of passion can be pretty hard to ignite! We asked relationship expert Andrea Syrtash - author of Cheat On Your Husband (With Your Husband) ($11) - to give us her top three tips for keeping the romance alive after baby arrives. Check it out!

Commit to a Regular Date Night: What does not count as a date night: watching TV, running to Costco, spending the entire date talking about the baby and the bills. If your baby is too young, set special time aside at home where you can connect as lovers - not just as coparents. One couple interviewed by Andrea picked an ethnic cuisine they tried to master together each month and then ate by candlelight.
Flirt: Send a sexy or thoughtful text or email during the day to show your partner you're thinking of him, compliment how good he looks, tease your husband, resurrect a few inside jokes that used to make you laugh . . . flirt, flirt, flirt! Courtship isn't only for dating.
Have Date Talk: One study showed that the average couple with kids speaks (uninterrupted) about 15 minutes a day. With a baby, couples tend to be too tired to talk - but talking (about nonstressful topics, not household chores, in-laws, or bills!) is essential in order to keep the spark alive. Stay curious about each other and you'll stay connected.

Fab Finding Follow Up: Post-Baby Fall Wardrobe

FabSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:00:12 PDT

Our Fab reader mon_in_hdg went through the adventure of delivering a child and needed your help finding affordable post-baby gear for Fall. She will appreciate all your efforts as I'm sure she has her hands full with her little one. I started you off with these Hollywould Anthracite Helen D'Orsay Ballet Flats, $295. They're comfortable but most importantly, they're gunmetal, the color for Fall.

To see all the post-baby finds, go here. Let's see what you all came up with!

Oh! Now, you can build outfits by creating a list of clothing items. We have everything you need to build outfits with and you can use your Fab Find bookmarks too. This is an even better way to put together an entire outfit when you are completing your Fab Finding missions.

Look #1, found by mellie_608 screams Fall because of the dark hues. The houndstooth swing jacket will keep her warm and sophisticated.

Houndstooth Swing Jacket - J. Marco	Black Belted Jersey Pant - J. Marco
Fine Jersey Long Sleeve Sport Raglan	Sterling Silver Onyx and Mother of Pearl Earring
Nadri Large Circle Pendant	* HOLLYWOULD * Anthracite Helen D'Orsay Ballet	Meringue Boutique Petunia PB Fond of Flora

To see a couple more,

read more Look #2, found by c0rkie is simple and easy, perfect for a daytime get-together. I love the colorblock dress and would wear it with some grey tights!

Forever21.com - Product C3

Target : Juniors' Mossimo Supply Co. Colorblock Braid Tie Halter Dress - Brown/ Gold/ Brick

* HOLLYWOULD * Anthracite Helen D'Orsay Ballet

Look #3, found by CocoChic is trendy and ideal for post-baby errands! The Dominique Cohen for Target pieces are a nice touch!

Balloon-Sleeve Babydoll Top in Potent Purple	Cropped skinny jeans (dark)
* HOLLYWOULD * Anthracite Helen D'Orsay Ballet	Xhilaration Large Tote - Black Geo Flower
Dominique Cohen Bow Post Earrings - Black	Dominique Cohen Jewel Pendant Necklace - Black

Come Fab Finding With Me: Post-Baby Fall Wardrobe

FabSugar — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 11:00:33 PDT

Having a baby is hard enough; finding fashionable post-baby clothes is another story! Our Fab reader mon_in_hdg went through the adventure of delivering a child and now she's looking for affordable post-baby gear for Fall in a size 10.

It's important to note that she's nursing and will need some sort of breast-access for her daughter. Oh, and she refuses to wear "transition" clothes that maternity lines are marketing. I'll start you off with these Hollywould Anthracite Helen D'Orsay Ballet Flats, $295. They're comfortable but most importantly, they're gunmetal, the color for Fall.

Come back and tell me when your Fab Finds are up and tag them with post baby.

To learn what a Fab Find is and how to make one, click here. For a more detailed explanation of bookmarks from geeksugar click here.

To see some of my favorite online stores,

10 Celebrity Moms Who Breastfeed In Public

Celebrity Baby Scoop — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:04:47 PST

We're excited to share this post from our friends at Celebrity Baby Scoop! Every week, we will be bringing you the best celebrity baby stories from Celebrity Baby Scoop, including this post from Jenny Schafer about celeb moms who nurse out in the open.

Considering their lack of anonymity with paparazzi lurking on every street corner, we salute celebrity moms who breastfeed their babies while out and about!

Although it's still considered taboo in some circles, there's no shame in nursing your baby in public . . . or on the cover of a magazine for that matter! And we're so glad that celebrity moms such as Gwen Stefani, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Miranda Kerr are on board. And not to mention Salma Hayek's experience with wet-nursing a starving infant in Africa!

Take a look through our pictures and read about 10 celebrity moms who have breastfed in public.

In Defense of the Chronically Late Mom

BabyCenter — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:01:11 PST

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Betsy Shaw about being late for school.

If I were to wear a scarlet letter it would be T.

T for tardy. T for turd ball. T for totally inept mother.

We are late for school with such alarming regularity it’s embarrassing. The last time we were on time, after a mini snowstorm that excited my children enough to urge them into their snowsuits and outside at 6:30 a.m., we got to school five minutes early to find it dark and empty. Delayed opening. I was apparently the only mother who didn’t get the memo.

Calling Charlie Brown…

Being late for school brings up a vicious brew of conflicting emotion in me. On the one hand I just don’t care. Life is short. Far too short to risk traumatizing your children with a bullwhip and terrorizing morning walkers and squirrels, not to mention my own white-knuckled children, speeding our way to school like Toad on a motorcar bender each weekday morning.

On the other hand I am ashamed, deeply embarrassed, to be “that mom.” All the other moms can do it, even the single ones. Why. Can’t. I? What’s wrong with me?

I complained about this once to a woman from South Carolina who I met on my Guatemala trip and she told me her school started at 7:30. She also made it clear her kids were never late.

Never late.

Keep reading for more of Betsy's reasoning for being late.

Best Celebrity Pictures of the Week

Katie Henry — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:04:00 PST

The week kicked off with an exciting Super Bowl and wrapped up with Fashion Week celebrations! Beyoncé Knowles surprised fans with her first post-baby appearance in NYC while Kate Middleton stepped out solo in London. Gisele Bundchen consoled Tom Brady following his devastating loss and Jennifer Lopez worked on her tan in Malibu. All that and more happened, so click through to see the hot pictures.

"I Just Got Separated: Should I Stay Hopeful or Move On?"

Tres Community — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:05:00 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

My partner and I separated recently, and it has been very hard on both us and the kids. Things were simply getting out of hand; too much verbal and emotional abuse on both ends. We were together four years and I was very happy and in love at the beginning, but once I began working things started to go downhill.

We were engaged to be married, but since things were not going as well as planned, I decided to give him back the ring. Between stress, work, and money troubles, we just had too many problems. When I wanted to have sex (usually at night because the kids were asleep), he would reject me, and when he wanted to have sex (usually in the mornings when I needed to get ready for work), I simply wasn't up to it. In short, I am a very independent woman and I do not like being controlled.

I had to leave my apartment to get myself and the kids out of that toxic situation. I still feel so alone and confused, but I am definitely relieved. Since we do share one child together, (2 yr old) we must keep in touch and come to an agreement on custody. Right now, he has him twice a week and every other weekend, in addition to giving me $70 a week to help support him.
One huge problem I have with him right now is that I don't want him to smoke pot when he's around his son. Honestly, I had no idea it was such a large problem until now. I knew he smoked, but I thought maybe once the baby was born, he could give that up. Clearly, I was wrong. I don't want to keep him from his son, but I really don't like that fact that he has to be under the influence with his child. Is that wrong?

I am hopeful that maybe time is what we need to appreciate each other more and maybe we will be able to get back together sometime in the future. Although it may sound ridiculous, I did love him - I was just exhausted of all the arguments. I feel so tired, damaged, and jaded. I need therapy, but it's just too expensive.
Any feedback from you readers would be greatly appreciated.

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z Share the First Pictures of Blue Ivy Carter!

Brittney Stephens — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:48:42 PST

Beyoncé and Jay-Z have just released the first-ever photos of baby Blue Ivy Carter!

Jay-Z posted five photos of his daughter on his site, Life + Times, as well as a message of joy and appreciation to their fans. The sweet snaps show baby Blue in the arms of her mom and dad, as well as some solo shots - we even get a glimpse at her tiny hands and full head of hair. Jay and Beyoncé created Blue's very first blog - hopefully we can look forward to even more beautiful baby pictures! Click through to see all of the adorable photos now.

Baby's Debut: Celebrity Tots' First Official Photos

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:06:14 PST

Welcome Blue Ivy Carter! Beyoncé and Jay-Z kicked off the weekend by introducing the world to their daughter via a post to Jay-Z's website. They join a long line of celebrity tots who've made their public debut through some careful planning by their parents.

For a long time running, it seemed People had a monopoly on introductory celebaby photos. Nicole Richie, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, and the Jolie–Pitts all turned to the well-established magazine to show off their newest family members. However, today, many celebs are turning to competitors who are doling out generous offerings to new parents. Others are releasing their own photos - either on their own or through photo agencies - to bypass the whole magazine scenario. See how your favorite Tinseltown parents debuted their lil ones and tell us how you think the newest Hollywood babies will be introduced to us!

How To: Get Your iPad Ready For Resale

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:48:28 PST

If the rumors are true, the iPad 3 should be announced in March. If you're ready to upgrade from your first-gen iPad or iPad 2, now's the time to start thinking about selling. But before you post a listing on Craigslist or eBay, get all your ducks in a row first. Here's a few tips on how to prep your gadget for resale, and get top dollar for your efforts.

Back up your data and do a clean sweep - First thing's first - make sure you connect your iPad to iTunes and back up all of your data. You'll be able to sync it with your new iPad after you bring it home. And just like a computer, before you sell your old tablet, you'll want to wipe it clean of any sensitive information, apps, and contact lists. Erasing all of your content and settings (go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings) is great, but go ahead and perform a full restore in iTunes as well.
Polish the exterior - Cleaning your old iPad is kind of like cleaning your LCD monitor - you don't want to use any harsh chemicals or, even more damaging, water. Using a tried-and-tested cleaner like iKlear ($30) will ensure you won't damage your iPad's sensitive bits. Use the included microfiber cloth (or one of your own) and shine that baby up.

To see the rest of my list, including tips on how to get your gadget sold quickly online, just keep reading.