LilSugar

Lil Tip: Color Coordinate Lil Closets

LilSugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 04:00:57 PST

Fashion Week is a great opportunity to get organized and teach your kids colors while cleaning up their closets.

Tidy up the space by placing coordinating colors together - pinks, reds, purples and blues, etc.

The exercise will educate your children and make it easier for them to pull items while getting dressed.

Notes From the Underbelly Hit Close to Home

babysugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:00:45 PST

I was excited to see that Notes From the Underbelly made a return to the ABC line up. I have no idea how many viewers they have, but I've yet to meet a new mom or pregnant woman who doesn't love the show. As silly as it can be, certain parts of it hit so close to home that it leaves you laughing out loud.

Last night's premiere episode had a bit of everything - people offering unsolicited opinions about the sex of Lauren's baby, a baby nurse cracking the whip on baby Perry's new parents, swaddling techniques, and single friends dealing with neurotic new parents.

My favorite phrase of the episode was from Julie. Lauren asked her,

"How hard is a swaddle?" to which she replied, "It's like giving an angry cat a bath when you're drunk."

Touché Julie.

Pregnant Sienna Miller Goes Boho With Her Maternity Style

Katie Henry — Thu, 24 May 2012 11:55:00 PDT

Pregnant Sienna Miller was all smiles during a stroll through her Primrose Hill neighborhood today. She stepped out in a short flowy dress and accessorized her baby bump with a low-slung belt. Sienna's been hanging in London while her fiancé Tom Sturridge traveled to Cannes for the world premiere of On the Road. Tom cleaned up his beard and wore a suit on the red carpet, where he posed alongside his big-screen costars Kristen Stewart, Garrett Hedlund, and Kirsten Dunst. Tom's best friend Robert Pattinson was also in Cannes to support Kristen and Tom's project. The film is expected in theaters later this year, which gives Tom more time to hang close to home with his own leading lady, Sienna.

Phillip Phillips Is America's New Idol

Katie Henry — Wed, 23 May 2012 22:30:22 PDT

American Idol closed out its 11th season in LA tonight and crowned Phillip Phillips the winner! The two-hour season finale brought out some of music's biggest stars like Rihanna, Chaka Khan, John Fogerty, and Dream Girls legend Jennifer Holliday, who joined finalist Jessica Sanchez on stage for an unforgettable duet of "And I'm Telling You." The judges also got in on the action. Steven Tyler and Aerosmith performed a medley of songs while Jennifer Lopez flashed her abs in a studded bra and got the crowd on their feet with her latest dance track, "Follow the Leader." The evening was packed with exciting moments, including a marriage proposal. Former contestant Ace Young got down on one knee and popped the question to girlfriend, and Idol's season three runner-up, Diana DeGarmo.

Following the results and Phillips's emotional performance of his first single, "Home," he headed backstage to chat with press about his long road to tonight's finale, and how he's processing the win. Phillip said of his big win, "It's so unreal . . . it hasn't sunk in yet, it's just such a blessing to have." Phillip was humble talking about his own success, but Jessica was quick to compliment her competitor, saying, "When they announced it was Phillip I was so happy. I love him so much; he deserved it. He's been having to keep up with his health issues; he's been through a lot more than us, both mentally and physically." Season 11 was full of excitement for the contestants and the judges. However, we'll have to wait and see if J Lo returns for season 12.

Barre Workouts are Expensive! Try This At-Home Alternative Instead

Self — Wed, 23 May 2012 04:23:06 PDT

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

Barre classes may make you easy on the eyes, but at $20 or more a pop, they're definitely not easy on the wallet. Rather than take a second job to pay for our latest fitness addiction, we turned to Beverly Hill-based Cardio Barre instructor Stacey Bosworth to get the inside scoop on scoring a long, lean dancer's body in your living room. "This at-home workout is effective because it targets the whole lower body. Cardio Barre is amazing because it is a no-impact workout that allows you to lengthen and strengthen your muscles while burning fat. It will also help increase your flexibility and strength," says Bosworth.

Celebrity devotees, including Dakota Fanning, Neve Campbell, and Heather Morris, can all attest to the fact that Cardio Barre has given them "a lifted tush and leaner, dancer-like legs!" Incorporate these three moves into your regular routine three times a week for maximum results.

Butt Blaster
Come down to the floor on both forearms with your knees bent. Your left hip is directly over your left knee. Your right leg is bent to a 90-degree angle with your foot flexed. Extend your right leg toward the ceiling as if you were pushing the ceiling away from you (see photo above). Bring your right leg down past your left hip and then back up toward the ceiling, keeping your leg parallel to the floor with your kneecap pointing toward the ground and your foot flexed. You are doing a full range of motion, trying to imagine extending your leg all the way through the ceiling.

Keep reading for more barre moves you can do at home!

American Idol Gets Ready to Crown a Winner and to Possibly Say Goodbye to Jennifer Lopez

Katie Henry — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:22:45 PDT

American Idol finalists Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips went out on a high note last night, with each hopeful singing their heart out for the judges, studio audience, and fans watching at home. Each contestant performed three songs, one chosen by the show's producer, Simon Fuller; one of their choice; and an original single they'll release should they win. Jessica kicked things off by belting out Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" followed by Celine Dion's "The Prayer," and she took her final turn on Idol singing her potential single, "Change Nothing." Phillip, who won the coin toss and chose to perform last, began his night with Ben E. King's "Stand by Me," followed it up with Billy Joel's "Movin' Out," and closed the show with his coronation song, "Home."

All eyes were on the finalists. However, Jennifer Lopez stole a moment of the spotlight in a sexy, asymmetrical see-through bodysuit. Jen will be back on the stage again tonight to perform her latest track, "Follow the Leader." It could be J Lo's final curtain call, as her future on the show is still undecided. Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery briefly spoke about J Lo's rumored departure from Idol, saying, "I'd hate to see her go. Whatever happens happens. She's got a lot going for her, so she'll be fine."

5 Things You Always Wanted to Know About Paying For College

LearnVest — Wed, 23 May 2012 00:15:23 PDT

Paying for college is such a complex issue. LearnVest helps simplify it by answering some key questions in regard to paying tuition.

If you believe everything you read, then you might think you need to be a Rockefeller to have kids.

That, of course, isn't the case.

Yes, kids are expensive, and thinking about paying for a college education can be scary and frustrating . . . but that's where we come in.

As with everything else in life, figuring out what to do about your kid's college savings is all about the planning, says Stephany Kirkpatrick, CFP, LearnVest's director of financial planning. Depending on where you are in life right now and how old your kids are, you may have questions about how to set up a 529 plan (which is an education savings plan designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs), what to look for, and when to start saving.

If you're pregnant or have a newborn and are starting to think about this, then good for you! The earlier you get started socking away cash for their college, the easier it will be. You'll learn a lot in this article, but you should also check out our Baby on Board Bootcamp, which will tell you everything you need to know - financially - to be ready for a baby. It includes 529 advice, as well as financial tips on everything from putting together a will and picking out a life insurance policy to buying nursery basics.
If your kid is slightly older and you’ve done your research but haven’t yet started saving in a 529 plan, then first read the four mistakes to avoid when choosing a 529 plan, and then check out the different college savings plans available to you.
If this is the first you’re thinking about it, no matter your kid's ageI, then don't worry about it. You have to start somewhere!

Read on for more.

Sarah Jessica Parker Preps to Host a Democratic Soiree

Katie Henry — Tue, 22 May 2012 10:35:27 PDT

Sarah Jessica Parker held hands and chatted with James Wilkie Broderick on their daily walk to school today in NYC. She dropped him off and then casually strolled home in her effortlessly cool cuffed jeans and Converse sneakers. SJP's known for her sense of style and a lucky fan could win the chance to get a sneak peek inside her home by entering a lottery. Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica are supporting President Obama's reelection campaign and hosting a fundraising event at their Manhattan home. By making a small donation to the campaign, you'll be entered to win an opportunity to rub elbows with SJP, Matthew, the president, and influential democrats on June 14. George Clooney held a similar event in LA that raised a record-setting $15 million. The Fall is shaping up to be an exciting season both personally and professionally for SJP. In addition to keeping a close eye on the presidential race, she's also one of the major stars making a cameo on Glee.

The Perfect Summer Getaway . . . in Finland

Elka Karl — Mon, 21 May 2012 09:48:18 PDT

When one thinks about perfect Summer getaway spots, Finland usually isn't on the top of the list - but maybe it should be, if Saunders Architecture's Finnish Summer house is any indication.

Located in the Aland Islands, a group of islands in the Baltic Sea just north of Stockholm, the house is nestled in a pine forest close to the sea. The home is comprised of a series of folding wooden structures that make up the walls, stairs, roof, floor, and roof garden. From the roof garden, guests can gaze at the islands surrounding the home, while at ground level all that can be seen is a thick pine forest.

The Summer house is also quite eco-friendly, with features including insulation made from woven linseed fibers and wood protected with cold pressed linseed oil. All of the wood for the home was sourced from a local sawmill, and the house was built on pillars, which eliminated the need to create a foundation that would uproot trees or disturb the forest.

Keep clicking to take the full tour!

Photos courtesy Saunders Architecture

What It Takes to Buy a Home

Kiplinger — Mon, 21 May 2012 03:14:47 PDT

Do you have what it takes to buy a home? Consider this exhaustive guide from Kiplinger.

Tired of renting? It could be a great time to buy your first home. In many cities, home prices have bottomed, and rents have risen. Mortgage rates are still superlow. In fact, homes haven't been as affordable since 1971. On the downside, in many cities, buyers have fewer homes from which to choose and more competition for the best houses.

In Austin, TX, newlyweds Mark and Ariane Corcoran bought their first home in March. They were renting in a popular downtown neighborhood, where they paid $1,200 a month for a 500-square-foot loft apartment, when they inherited enough money for a down payment. When they began shopping, they expected to buy a classic 1930s Austin bungalow. They found lots of prospects online but drove by most of them. "Agents are really good at taking photos that exclude what they don't want you to see, like the used-car lot out back," says Mark.

They put in an offer on a $225,000, 800-square-foot home. But after the home inspection, they realized that it needed $20,000 to $30,000 in renovations and repairs and that they'd quickly outgrow it. They walked away during the state-mandated rescission period (during which a buyer can back out for any reason and get back any earnest money deposited).

Ariane identified their next prospect within an hour after the listing appeared online. It was a newly built, 1,600-square-foot home with three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a yard for the dogs. The builder asked $270,000, the couple offered $260,000, he countered, and they paid $268,000. They put down 20 percent to avoid private mortgage insurance and snagged a 30-year fixed rate of 3.75 percent from a credit union. Their monthly mortgage payment is $1,524.

Before you take the plunge, consider the answers to questions often posed by first-time buyers. Read on for what to ask yourself.