LilSugar

Texts and Tunes: Spring Into Reading

babysugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 05:00:00 PDT

Since today is the first day of Spring, I thought I'd suggest some cheery, floral laden books for your tot's library.

To see a few of our family faves,

Bunny Kisses ($10): A take on Pat the Bunny, this board book has a "kiss" button that your wee one will delight in pushing at every page.
Wake Up! It's Spring! ($16): As the sun warms the earth, lil creatures from all over are ready to shout, "Spring is here!" The sweet story truly is a blissful celebration of Spring.
It's Spring ($8): Linda Glaser wrote this delightful tale that beautifully illustrates welcoming Spring. The paper–cut images are inspiring for young artists. And at the end of the story, the author provides a list of outdoor activities for youngsters.
Caterpillar Spring, Butterfly Summer ($8): A smart way to introduce your tot to nature and the transition of seasons, this brightly crafted text shows a caterpillar's adventure as he starts as a tiny thing and turns into a beauteous winged creature.
Planting a Rainbow ($7): Help jump start your babe's color knowledge and green thumb by reading this vibrant tale to your sweetheart. Soon enough, the whole family will enjoy a jaunt in the garden.

Natalie Portman and Aleph Hit the Slides During a Smiley Park Day

Lauren Turner — Fri, 25 May 2012 11:45:46 PDT

Natalie Portman and her son Aleph Millepied spent Wednesday afternoon at an LA park together. Aleph played in the sandbox and took a ride down the slide with help from his mom. Natalie had the company of her husband Benjamin for a recent couple's night out on the East Coast, where they attended the New York City Ballet's Spring Gala. It's an exciting time of year for the family of three since Aleph is nearing his first birthday. The little guy has had a fun year with trips overseas, traveling coast to coast, and the marriage of his parents in February. Natalie's been focused on family lately, but she'll soon get back to the big screen with news that she'll star in the western Jane Got a Gun.

Trench Time! 9 Great Trench Coats For Your Stylish Little Girl

Lisa Horten — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:15:34 PDT

Jacket weather is almost behind us, but until Summer's officially started, it's a good idea to bring along a little something for those chilly afternoons. Trench coats are a Spring staple for many city slickers, and there's nothing cuter than a scaled-down-to-size version for tiny tots. Your pint-sized fashionista will look fab, whether her style is classic khaki or a fanciful floral print.

Space-Saving Decor Tips For Kids' Rooms From Design Expert Kelly Edwards

Lisa Horten — Wed, 23 May 2012 12:40:01 PDT

We recently caught up with design expert Kelly Edwards, who has been featured on HGTV's Design on a Dime and Style Network's Tacky House for her scrappy style and ability to transform ordinary rooms into incredible spaces, even on a budget. Kelly's decorating and design expertise apply to any room in the house, but we were eager to hear her ideas specifically for lil ones, and she didn't disappoint! Read on for five of Kelly's best tips for making your kids' rooms organized, creative, and playful spaces that can grow along with them.

Kelly Edwards's 5 Pieces of Design Advice That Every Mom Can Put to Use

On Space Saving and Storage: Look for furniture pieces that your kids are going to grow into. Stay away from the typical bins and baskets, and instead opt for some really cool furniture for a more put-together look. Whether it's a midcentury modern credenza that's been in your family for years or a thrift-shop find, not all furniture has to scream "kids!"
On Coordinating With the Rest of Your Home: Your kids' rooms are where you can really have some fun. Visitors will judge your home on your kitchen and your bathroom. They're not the ones spending time in the bedrooms, you and your children are. Turn their rooms into places for creativity, and don't be afraid to try out that fun paint color.
On Trends: Remember, it's just $20 or so for a can of paint, so wall colors are a great place to try out a trend like neon. If that scares you, get a giant canvas, and paint that instead of the wall. Tack their artwork up on it. It'll add a splash of color to the room without your having to worry about repainting.
On Making the Most of Small Spaces: Look for ottomans with removable tops - you can stash everything in there! In a nursery that doubles as a guest room, put a twin bed in there along with your crib, but be sure to buy an upholstered box spring with drawers built in, so that you have extra storage without the boxes and bins showing.
On DIY With Kids: A fun DIY project that your kids can partake in is to find an old TV armoire and paint it with chalkboard paint, which you can either buy at the store or make yourself by mixing a cup of latex paint with two tablespoons of unsanded tile grout. The armoire becomes a great storage piece, and the chalkboard paint turns it into a piece of furniture that they can really have fun with.

What to Buy and What Not to Buy During Memorial Day Sales

Emily Co — Wed, 23 May 2012 11:00:11 PDT

Just hearing the word "sales" can stir people up in a frenzy, especially during a holiday weekend. But just because something is discounted during a holiday weekend doesn't always necessarily mean it's actually a good deal. Dealnews, a site that scours the web for the best deals, gives the lowdown on the best and worst deals to expect this Memorial Day weekend.

Best Deals:

Apparel. Spring apparel will be on sale and if you use a holiday sales coupon on top of the discounted price, you'll find plenty of great deals. You'll also see discounts that will let you take an extra 30 to 50 percent off, says dealnews. Some clothing retailers that had great deals last year include Perry Ellis, Last Call Neiman Marcus, and ShopEcko.
Home goods. Home goods are another sector to keep an eye out for. Last year, Designer Living, Pottery Barn, and West Elm had some of the best sales, so keep an eye on these brands.

Worst Deals:

Electronics.Memorial Day is not the best time to buy electronics - dealnews calls it an "awkward period" for electronic goods.
Summer-specific deals. Summer's about to start, which means less discounts for Summer-related goods. Items like patio furniture and grills will go on sale later on in the season, so wait for it!

Link Time: The Great Gatsby Trailer Is Pretty Amazing - Flapper Style, Kanye West, and More

Marisa Tom — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:46:33 PDT

The Great Gatsby trailer is pretty fabulous - flapper style, Kanye, and all - Styleite
Could Gisele be expecting her second child? - HuffPost Style
How to rock the tribal touch this Summer - Olivia Palermo
Kate Moss snubbed by her hometown - Stylelist
Thoughts on Jennifer Lopez's latest Zuhair Murad number? - Red Carpet Fashion Awards
Ugg has a bridal collection - The Frisky
The Celine luggage tote: what makes a legend - Bag Snob
Yes, you can wear that strapless dress, superhigh heels, and more - Real Simple
Get to know Karen's Candy Bar . . . hint: it's not candy - Style.com
Iris Apfel to donate over 60 pieces from her famous wardrobe to museum - Racked
20 very cool baseball jackets for Spring's quirky weather - The Cut
First look at Louis Vuitton's collaboration with Yayoi Kusama - Fashionista

Say Goodbye to the Bloat With These Healthy Asparagus Recipes

Michele Foley — Mon, 21 May 2012 02:19:20 PDT

If you're getting in shape for a big event like a wedding, or want to look your best for bikini season, what you eat makes all the difference. Besides helping with weight loss, the right foods can also minimize bloating. Here's where asparagus comes in: this Spring veggie encourages colon health and also stimulates the growth of probiotics in the body. From breakfast to dinner, help give your digestive system a little support with these healthy asparagus recipes.

Spring Veggie Frittata
Start your morning off with a asparagus-filled frittata. What's great is that you can make this recipe on a Sunday and portion it out to enjoy over the course of the week. Omit the cheese to keep the recipe flat-belly-friendly.

Marinated Mushroom and Asparagus Salad
Vegan and gluten-free, this salad puts you in asparagus heaven. Earthy enough to stand up on its own, it's also great when paired with tofu, fish, or chicken.

See what's for dinner after the break!

5 No-Cook Meals You'll Have Time to Make This Week (We Promise!)

Susannah Chen — Sun, 20 May 2012 04:51:40 PDT

When it comes to weeknight cooking, Spring and Summer days are both bad and good things. On the one hand, with longer, warmer days, it's easier to be out and about than behind the stove in a kitchen. On the other hand, balmier evenings call for fast, superlight, no-cook meals that come together in a heartbeat. Keep reading to see five of our favorites right now.

Our Biggest, Brightest Color Breakdown Ever: The Top Color Trends For Spring 2012

Marisa Tom — Sat, 19 May 2012 05:00:33 PDT

For Spring 2012, designers dipped their collections into every shade and vibrancy of the Roy G. Biv spectrum. Simply put, it's all about placing your favorite colors on blast. From ladylike pastel pinks at Rochas and powdery floral blues at Erdem, to electric greens at Jean-Paul Gaultier and soft lemon iterations spotted at Jason Wu, it's safe to say where there's color, there's a way to wear it. We've rounded up the prettiest blues, reds, purples, and more to pop up on the runways and taken care to hone in on the coolest color combos we've seen this season. Time to put those chic black pieces away (for now), and click through to see which rainbow-inspired shade you'll be donning for Spring.

5 Solutions to Beginner Bike Commuting Problems

Leta Shy — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:41:55 PDT

That fact that it's National Bike Month and the warmer Spring days may mean you have cycling on the brain. Whether you're participating in your city's Bike to Work program or you're starting a commuting routine, here are some solutions to your newbie concerns.

I don't know my route: Finding a bike-friendly route is especially crucial if you're a cycling newbie, so before your actual commute, find out how the cyclists in your area do it, plan or map your route and test-ride it when the roads are not so busy. Keep in mind, the best (and safest) cycling route is not always the same way you get there when driving or on the bus. Read more about how to plan and prepare for your bike commute here.
I don't know what gear I need: Commuting by bike demands that attention is paid to what you're wearing and carrying. Stretchy, comfortable office attire is key, for example, and you're gonna have to ditch that purse for an all-weather cycling bag or backpack (or at least buy a basket to dump your stuff into). There's more; find out exactly which five essentials you need if you're bike commuting here.

See more tips on bike commuting after the break!