FabSugar

Yoga Block Can Be More Than Just Blocks

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:30:00 PDT

I am a huge fan of using blocks when practicing yoga. They are often used by beginners and those with injuries to help them modify certain postures, but they are also used by experienced and flexible yogis as tools to get deeper into poses.

Blocks come in many shapes, sizes, and they can be made out of many different materials including cork, foam and bamboo. If you're not sure where to begin, get a 4 inch yoga block and start with that. Once you learn ways to use it, you can figure out of you need to add more blocks to your home studio.

Here's a basic list of the different kinds you can get.

Hugger Mugger Foam Wedge	1 Inch Foam Yoga Bricks
2 Inch Foam Yoga Bricks	3 inch Yoga Bricks
4 Inch Yoga Blocks	Shoulder Stand Foam Block
Hugger Mugger Cork Block	Hugger Mugger Bamboo Block

United Nude Mobius Wedge Sandal: Love It or Hate It?

FabSugar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 08:40:33 PDT

Is it me or does this United Nude Mobius High Wedge Sandal, $146, have a huge cutout in its wedge heel? Talk about out of this world! I feel like the shoe is playing tricks on my eyes. I like the metallic color but the cutout is too extreme for me. What do you all think?

Thanks Gruaig_rua for posting it in the Love It or Hate It? group.

To post your selections go to the Love It or Hate It? group. And
if you want to learn how to do a blog post click here.

The Look for Less: Christian Louboutin Espadrilles

FabSugar — Wed, 02 May 2007 06:11:22 PDT

Any girl would be extremely lucky to own a pair of Christian Louboutins, but, unfortunately, not every girl is that fortunate. These Peep-Toe Slingback Espadrilles, $310, are no doubt gorgeous and the perfect way to showoff a Summer pedicure. But, do you really want to pay that much for shoes that must be thrown in the back of your closet once the cold weather strikes?

To see my look for less,

read more Instead, spend only $70 for these Tribeca 'Harbor' Wedge Sandals, that look very similar to the Louboutins. Sure, they don't have that apparent white stitching, but the shape and style is quite on-point. Plus, with the remaining $240 you can get yourself an outfit to match! Now that's a smart shopper.

Latest Exercise Trend: Ramping

FitSugar — Tue, 01 May 2007 11:45:00 PDT

I am always looking for a way to do something new, fitness wise. At one point, step aerobics was the latest thing, but that time has since come and gone. You'll still find step classes in almost every gym, but they are not nearly as popular as they once were.

Enter Ramping. I know it sounds a little odd but ramping is very similar to step aerobics (in fact it was created by the very same person that created step aerobics) but it is requires a lot less impact on your joints because instead of stepping up onto a flat step or bench, you lunge on and off an adjustable-incline ramp (half-moon looking contraption pictured above) specifically designed for ramping. Ramping is great for really working your butt and hamstrings. Great for getting those legs short shorts ready this summer. Check out the ramping site online for more information as well as to find a class near you.

Five Perfect Summer Wedges Under $100

Noria Morales — Mon, 09 May 2011 12:40:58 PDT

You want some height to go with that breezy sundress, and a Summery wedge will do the trick. These wedges are boldly hued, pretty, and the best part: ultra affordable. Check out our top five Summer wedges under $100.

Carolina Herrera Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:08:19 PST

Carolina Herrera delivered her quintessential elegance in brilliant red gowns, shimmering red-carpet-worthy dresses, and refined separates for her Fall collection. Pleasing both the celebrity clientele and polished working women, Herrera displayed her magnitude for the classics and modernity in one graceful swoop. Classic ballgowns were sharpened with angles and diaphanous silk dresses were swept with artistic brush-stroke prints, most of which were cinched in with Japanese obi-inspired belts. Meanwhile, for the working class, Herrera paired knee-length wool skirts with an array of sparkly, fur, and feathered sweaters, cropped jackets, and wrap coats doused in one of our favorite color combos: navy and black. More details from the collection below.

Trends: Black and navy color combos, full skirts.
Colors: Black, navy, red, gray, purple, mauve.
Key Piece: We can't wait to see one of the architectural ballgowns on the Oscars red carpet.
Accessories: Wrap obi belts, wedge pumps, long leather gloves.
Who Would Wear It: Michelle Obama would look amazing in the skirt suits, and we'd like to see front-row attendee Renée Zellweger in one of Carolina's magical ballgowns.

Helmut Lang Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:59:47 PST

For Fall '12, Nicole and Michael Colovos showed off their signature modern architectural style for Helmut Lang, highlighting a sleek and sumptuous array of tried and true favorites like leather and fur funnel-neck jackets, shiny treated skinny pants, and asymmetric draped dresses - all of which were paired with sexy thigh-high boots and wedge ankle booties. However, there were some new components interspersed in the mix; psychedelic lava and branch patterns made their way onto draped dresses and skinny pants, and a new color, a rust red hue, was used on a luxurious laser-cut pony-hair jacket. More details from the collection below.

Trends: Colored fur, asymmetric silhouettes, laser-cut details, bold prints.
Colors: Rust red, black, off-white, olive green.
Key Piece: The fur and leather funnel-neck jackets top our Fall must-haves list.
Accessories: Leather and suede thigh-high boots and wedge ankle booties.
Who Would Wear It: Girls who crave sleek, modern pieces - like front-row attendee Leigh Lezark - Elizabeth Olsen, and Ciara.

Nicholas K Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:00:33 PST

Nancy Sinatra's epic "Bang Bang," set the mood for Nicholas Kunz's Fall Nicholas K collection. Inspired by the Taos artists in the '20s and '30s, Kunz imagined a line bursting with Western influence - we loved all of the cool Stetson-inspired hats - and a dash of deco. Fringe was heavily prevalent, making its way onto geometric leather jackets, sheer crochet dresses, and for a vintage touch, metallic fringed flapper dresses. For eveningwear, Kunz showed off her signature draping technique on a variety of gorgeous sexy bias-cut dresses and fluid tops. The outerwear category also shined: parka jackets came complete with inner straps (so the coat can hang just off the shoulders), structured leather jackets highlighted by luxe fur collars, and the closing look featured an undeniably slick black asymmetric leather and canvas zippered coat. More details below.

Trends: Western influence, fringe, parka jackets, crochet detailing.
Colors: Desert sand, gray, black, army green, sienna.
Key Piece: We loved the simple yet sexy sheer asymmetric and draped dresses; outerwear showed amazing structural pieces.
Accessories: Wedge platform boots, knee-high boots, leather harness vests, Western-inspired hats, turtle shell necklaces.
Who Would Wear It: Girls who like the utilitarian look with slight, modern edge.

Adventures in Ingredients: Indian Bitter Melon

Camilla Salem — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:10:57 PST

To me, Berkeley Bowl is a sacred place worthy of a weekly pilgrimage. Perhaps the ultimate food-lover's grocery store, this massive Berkeley, CA, food emporium carries a huge selection of goods from around the world, and at great prices. I consider it a must stop for friends visiting the Bay Area, so why not share my adventures?

The most remarkable part of the store is probably the produce, which is clearly labeled to identify where each item comes from. The international and bulk sections offer never-ending inspiration, the meats and seafoods offer countless options and price points, and I always find myself mesmerized by fruits and vegetables from around the world that I've never seen before.

Case in point: Indian bitter melon. I grabbed five or six of these a week ago in an effort to learn about new exotic foods. Knowing nothing at all, I selected these purely based on the fact that they seemed sort of reptilian and would be fun to photograph. As the days went on (and as the bitter melon sat in the crisper drawer of my refrigerator), I became more hesitant, not sure what I was thinking.

Finally, I braved up, opened my computer, and did a little research. As it turns out, Indian bitter melon, or karela, is a commonly cooked vegetable in Indian cuisine. It's described all over the Internet as an "acquired taste," and apparently soaking it in salt water helps to remove some of the bitterness. I found recipes for stuffing and sautéing with various spices. The health benefits of this strange vegetable are plentiful, particularly in managing diabetes, and typically, I can convince myself to like anything if it's good for me.

To find out what I did with these and what I thought of them, keep reading.

I Love Your ShopStyle: Stunning Neutrals

FabSugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:00:11 PST

Shopstylist HarperLeo plays with a light and airy palette to create one killer New York Fashion Week look. Inspired by floral scents like Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh and Chloe Love, this flirty mood board pairs a two-tone crepe and leather dress with chunky cream-colored Chloe wedge sandals. For an even more feminine twist, add sweet-minded accessories to the mix - a rosy-hued satchel, heart-shaped stud earrings, and a Lanvin crystal heart necklace should do the trick. Spritz on your favorite romance-inducing fragrance and let the fashion world fall in love with your wit and whimsy.

Don't forget to style up your own Fashion Week-worthy ensemble - just submit here and include "Fashion Week" in the title. We may just feature you on FabSugar!

Platforms by Chloé
Satchels by See by Chloe

Arena CPH Lova Gold Heart Studs - $80.00	Chloé Leather wedge sandals - $595.00
See by Chloé Patent-leather satchel - $495.00	Jay Ahr Draped stretch-crepe and leather dress - $2,325.00
Chloe Chloè Eau de Toilette - $45.00	Yves Saint Laurent Teint Parfait-2: Rose Pearle - $42.00
Lanvin Swarovski crystal heart and arrow necklace - $695.00