FabSugar

Handbag Designer Spotlight: MZ Wallace

FabSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 07:00:22 PDT

Amid a sea of gaudy and ambiguous designer handbags, MZ Wallace purses stand out with their utilitarianism. Founders Lucy Wallace Eustice, a former Harper's Bazaar editor, and Monica Zwirner, a fashion stylist and interior designer, met through the fashion industry. Turns out, they had the same vision; they both realized that luxury consumers weren't about to give up their Birkins for newcomers.

They also knew that women who spent thousands on bags also want a less serious option. MZ Wallace bags are relatively inexpensive (from $225 to $350) compared to many labels out there and are made of high-quality Italian nylon. They can all be purchased online through their site.

To see more from MZ Wallace,

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A Doctor Dishes: Which "Superfoods" Are Worth the Cost?

LearnVest — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:15:00 PST

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

Most people you speak to these days are trying to stretch every dollar as far as possible - even the ones they spend buying apples and oranges.

Food prices are expected to increase yet again this year, and food manufacturers are making portions smaller without reducing prices. Not surprisingly, a recent Rasmussen poll found that 93 percent of adults report paying more for groceries now than they did a year ago.

So how can we supercharge our grocery dollars and get them to do overtime for us?

Yes, some foods are obviously a better nutritional deal than others (think apples vs. potato chips), but there’s another class of foods that blows the rest of the field away in terms of nutrients and health-protecting qualities: superfoods.

Superfoods can help prevent diabetes and heart disease, repair damage to your body’s cells, and more. But before you go piling them into your cart, know that some superfoods are better nutritional bargains than others. As a doctor and a mom, I’ve sleuthed out which ones are worth the extra cost in terms of their long-term health benefits. Below is the scoop on which ones may help you age better, ward off cancer, and more.

What to Know Before Buying Superfoods

Before we dive into what to buy, there are a few important things to remember about consuming these foods:

Eating foods fresh and in their natural state, especially fruits and vegetables (rather than in pill or powder supplement form), usually allows us to absorb the greatest amount of their nutrients. The way a superfood is processed or cooked can significantly lower its antioxidant content.
If the superfood can’t be eaten fresh, look for easy and appetizing recipes containing it. No matter how “super” a superfood may be, if you don’t know how to cook it, you’ll probably let it go to waste.

Are Superfoods "Good Buys" If I’m Shopping on a Budget?

Read on to find out.

Beyond Red: Decorating With Ruby Hues

Elka Karl — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:25:49 PST

When it comes to deep saturated color, ruby rules the red tones. This saturated color originally was used to represent the color that best expressed the ruby gemstone. Its gorgeous red color strikes me as passionate, regal, and perfect for adding to your home decor.

Ruby is actually an easier shade to decorate with than straight red, thanks to the brown and purple tones present in varying shades of the color. Essentially, this means you have a red shade that plays well with a variety of other colors. Try mixing a ruby-red chandelier with a duck's-egg shade of painted walls, or add a ruby-red sofa to an eclectic mix of multihued wood furniture and patterned upholstered chairs.

For a modern ruby chandelier that won't strain your pocketbook, try the Boom Lucite Chandelier ($105). Inspired by papercut art, the chandelier features two planes of voluptuous laser cut into lucite curls. For an even greater impact, try hanging a cluster of three.

The color mix in Flavor Paper's Shore Leave Wallpaper ($150) has a fun edge, which matches the imagery. Designed by Emily Minnie, the pattern features old-school tattoo images including stars, pinup girls, and anchors. I'd love to see this papering a powder room in a roller derby girl's home.

Perhaps my absolute favorite find is the Hans Wegner Oculus Chair ($5,500). Available in a variety of colors, this gorgeous chair features a wool upholstery and a stainless steel base. Originally designed in 1960, Carl Hansen & Son began reproducing the Oculus chair three years ago based on the prototype still owned by Wegner's family.

Did something else catch your eye? Click the image to shop your ruby-red favorite.

In Season: Carrots

YumSugar — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:29:21 PST

You eat carrots regularly - but how much do you know about them? Although they can be grown year-round, all root vegetables thrive during the Winter season, protected from cooler temperatures by the earth. Carrots are known for their vibrant orange color, but there are also purple, red, yellow, and white varieties - mostly grown as novelty crops. The root itself is crunchy and sweet, while the leafy greens tend to be on the bitter side.

To learn more about carrots and discover new dishes, just keep reading

Re-Create Emma Stone's Sultry Eye Makeup Look

BellaSugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 06:02:00 PST

Emma Stone wowed everyone at the Golden Globes, donning a purple and fuchsia Lanvin gown that she accentuated with a sexy, metallic cat-eye and soft rose lips. We loved the look so much that we invited makeup artist Rachel Goodwin (who created Emma's red-carpet palette for the evening) to our studios to show us how to get this sultry style at home. So watch now to learn how you can make this gorgeous look your own on your next big night out.

Couture Fashion Week: Christian Dior

Hannah Weil — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:06:09 PST

Just in time for award season, Bill Gaytten debuted an ultra-feminine collection of ladylike frocks and gowns begging to be worn on the red carpet. With a nod to vintage Dior, Gaytten delivered cinched waists balancing fit and flair shapes and classic ladylike silhouettes with folded open collars, exposing a hint of decolletage ever so tastefully. The structure and glamour of the Old Dior house are there, but not without Gaytten's modern updates - we're treated to fresh sheer pleats, sleeves, and tops, while evening gowns are a study in delicate texture with organza and chiffon layers. We can think of little else but who might walk the Oscars red carpet in one of these gowns.

Trends: Ladylike, sheer.
Colors: White, black, gray, purple, and red.
Key Look: The white sheer frock, nipped at the waist with black floral embroidery.
Accessories: Full-length gloves, black patent belts, classic pumps in red, black, white, and nude.
Who Would Wear It: Charlize Theron, red-carpet beauties, and Hollywood A-listers.

Bold Rugs in Every Color of the Rainbow

Anna Monette Roberts — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:20 PST

Most people will migrate toward a traditional Persian rug or one that is neutral colored when investing in a rug. However, a bold colored rug instantly brightens a room and can be a fresh and funky statement piece. These eight brilliantly colored rugs cover the rainbow, so you can be as adventurous as you'd like.

6 statement rugs for any room:

Yellow: Saffron Rug by Anthropologie ($200) is made out of silk-cotton dhurrie and is hand-knotted.
Green: Cablelock Braided Reversible Rug in Bright Green ($90) is stain- and fade-resistant and reversible to offer twice the wear.
Orange: Steepholm Rug by Design Within Reach ($5,832) is made from hand-spun wool and is manually dyed. Over time, the wool's natural lanolin will emerge and will boost the rug's luster.
Red: Second Studio Stockholm Rug in Ruby Wine ($1,190 for 41" x 63") is made of 100 percent wool and is constructed by hand.
Purple: Second Studio Samba Contigo No. 2 Rug in Purple Dewberry ($1,050) is soft, thick, handmade, and 100% wool.
Blue: Ralph Lauren Sheldon Rug ($12,000) has a brilliant pattern, styled after traditional fair isle knits of Scotland.

Golden Globes Trend: Mad For Mauve

Jaime Richards — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:10:32 PST

Back in the late '80s and early '90s, the word mauve conjured up a dusty rose shade that was more drab than fab. But these days, mauve has gotten a whole lot brighter, richer, and wearable, and the women of the 2012 Golden Globes red carpet know it. A pretty mix of pink with a tinge of purple, the color stands out in a sea of expected red lipsticks and pale pink glosses. Take, for instance, Evan Rachel Wood, who paired her hot hue with a golden shadow. And then there's Viola Davis, who went for a classic look with a dramatic, darkly lined eye, and Sofia Vergara, who spiced things up with a bronzed shadow and flirty lashes. So dust off that theory that mauve can't work. It's actually a shade that's as versatile as it is flattering.

Golden Globes: Michelle Williams

FabSugar — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:32:09 PST

We've been eagerly anticipating Michelle Williams's arrival on the red carpet and now, the wait is over. The actress just made her appearance wearing a purple burnout gown by Jason Wu. Letting the dress speak for itself, Michelle kept her makeup to a minimum and accessorized with a Forevermark diamond headband and Fred Leighton for Forevermark diamond stud earrings. Does her look live up to your expectations?

Vote on all of our Golden Globe Awards polls here!

Golden Globes: Octavia Spencer

FabSugar — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:56:33 PST

Fresh off her Critics' Choice Award wins, Golden Globe-nominated Octavia Spencer hit the red carpet glowing in a lavender Tadashi Shoji gown. Embellishments at the bodice highlight her curves, while a pretty updo highlights her mega-drop Judith Leiber earrings. She echoes the dress's gorgeous hue with smoky, purple-tinted shadow and a soft lilac clutch in tow. Thoughts?

Vote on all of our Golden Globe Awards polls here!