LilSugar

The Pull Present

babysugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:00:00 PDT

Okay, so the father doesn't actually pull the baby out per se, but he's often there to mentally coax mama along as she pushes the baby into the world. It has become common practice in recent years for men to bestow a gift upon their wives for birthing their child. Whether it's a card, balloons, roses, or a diamond tennis bracelet, it's nice to be recognized for nine months of hard work.

When I had my first child, I gave my husband a lil something to thank him for all of his coaching, attention to detail and concern during my childbearing months. Here are some ideas if you're looking to give your daddy a "pull" present, too.
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5 Steps to Your Best Blowout Ever

Allure — Thu, 24 May 2012 06:05:00 PDT

We're happy to present this story from our friends at Allure:

It's not every day you get a lesson in blowouts from Alli Webb, founder of the Drybar blowout bars. Rule number one: If you've gotten your blowouts down to 10 minutes, you're doing something wrong. (Sorry!) Webb gave me the rundown on the other most common styling mistakes - and how to get the ultimate results. Get her advice when you read more.

An Everyday Athlete Is Still an Athlete

espnW — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:59:39 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Risa Isard

On June 23, 1972, Title IX was signed into law, leveling the playing field for female athletes. To mark the 40th anniversary, espnW explore the impact of this landmark legislation.

You might not know me, but chances are you know someone like me. I'm that girl who grew up playing hoops in the driveway with my dad and brother every night after dinner. The one who played rec soccer for 10 years, starting out on a boys team. The one who persuaded her middle-school gym teacher to let her run the monthly timed mile against boys, then wrote her target time on her arm - in permanent marker. The one who took field day just a little too seriously.

The one who is thankful every day for Title IX.

Counting down the best of the past 40 years

Growing up, I wasn't an elite athlete, but I had passion to spare. I ran, jumped, threw, and kicked on a daily basis and eventually I found my calling in high school track and cross country. I was good (I earned seven varsity letters), but not good enough for the next level.

So when I arrived at Duke nearly four years ago, I found myself wondering something that had never crossed my mind before: was I still an athlete?

Answering that question was no easy task. As I read about various elite athletes, I recognized our shared pasts. Like gymnast Jordyn Wieber, I used to pull old cushions into the middle of the family room and do cartwheels, somersaults, and front handsprings. Like many WNBA stars, I was the only girl in neighborhood basketball games. I lacked their natural ability, but I came to realize that we are connected through dreams and experiences. We all began by thinking of ourselves as athletes and scheduling our lives around sports at a young age. That doesn't just go away.

Read on for more.

9 Love Lessons I've Learned In 10 Years Of Marriage

YourTango — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:00:36 PDT

We're happy to present this excerpt from one of our favorite sites, YourTango. Today, we have tips for a long-lasting, loving relationship.

As much as we all want to believe that once we find our true love, we'll live out our lives in blissful happiness, reveling in that loving feeling forever, reality is not quite like that. We tend to think that love is something that happens to us, instead of something that comes from us. The truth is that successful relationships take energy, effort and attention from both partners.

This year, I'll be celebrating my tenth anniversary with my husband, and while that's certainly not a record-breaking accomplishment, there are a few things I've learned along the way regarding keeping a relationship healthy, or at least from falling apart at the seams. Here they are:

Touch him. As human beings we all crave being touched. It gives us that sense of being connected to others, that sense of bonding. I'm not necessarily talking about sexual touching, but things like simply touching his forearm when you're talking to him, running your fingers gently through his hair or rubbing his ears lightly when you kiss him goodbye. A little bit of touch goes a long way, and in these hurried modern times, we can all use more than we're getting.
Compliment him. We're all naturally quick to point out our partner's flaws or things they did wrong or could do better, but why is it so hard to comment on what's great about him? Once we get used to each other, the great things become expected and taken for granted. Pick three things that he does really well, and the next time you see him doing one of them, give him a nice little compliment like, "You're so good at that, thank you for taking care of that for us." If you aim to give him one compliment every day it will begin to become natural and soon you'll find yourself doing it even more often. And you'll also find his annoying habits won't seem so bad.
Keep your dirty laundry in your house. If he's done something that really bothers you, and you feel the need to complain to your friends, co-workers, or your mom, bite your tongue as hard as you can. Words spoken in one ear have a tendency to make it to other ears very quickly, and these people will think less of your guy long after you've gotten over it. Mom and Dad are particularly good at holding grudges against the guy that hurt their daughter. If you need to complain, write it down in a journal instead of voicing it, or if you absolutely have to voice it to someone, tell it to your therapist or a relationship coach.
Be a winning team. Look at life's ups and downs as something that you're both in together. If you work together as a team, always looking out for the other, you'll be able to handle whatever comes at you. Just as the various members of a team have different talents, you and your partner have unique talents, so put them to work together to create greatness.
Take him at face value. Know that he is what he is and also know that he's not going to change. Then love him for what he is. Instead of looking at his bad habits as annoying, look at them as quirky traits that make him such a loveable guy. Write down three things that you absolutely love about him on an index card and keep it in your pocket at all times. Any time he annoys you, pull out the card and read each to yourself; you won't be able to stay mad. (If you can't come up with three things that you love about him then dump him and move on. I mean, seriously.)

For the rest of the article, head to YourTango: 9 Love Lessons I've Learned In 10 Years Of Marriage

Written by Jane Garapick for YourTango.

Five Ways Feminism Helps Men

The Good Men Project — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:00:30 PDT

We're happy to present this story from one of our favorite sites, The Good Men Project. Today, Justin Cascio names five ways feminism helps men.

Can’t think of a single reason why men should support feminism? Here are five.

Gives us equal partners. For men who have women in their lives as co-parents, lovers, wives, partners, clients, and associates, it means that our partners in these relationships have equal power.

Why Don’t Women Like Nice Guys?

Provides a model for consciously changing gender roles. Women have changed what it means to be a woman. Even women who don’t call themselves feminists have had their ideas of themselves shaped by feminism. Women who imagine themselves pursuing a career, or even imagine themselves having choices of whether and when to become a wife or a mother, owe their freedom to choose to feminist thought. As men, we have had our lives changed just as helplessly as the women have. We have the same power, as men, to consciously shape what we think a man should be, and how to live up to the standards we create. Feminism taught us it can happen.
Provokes us to consider the many identities that yoke us, sometimes in competing directions. Through feminist dialogue and consciousness raising, women began to realize that their identities as wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters were colored by their other identities: as human beings, citizens, workers, artisans, people of color, people with disabilities, queer people . . . the list of identities goes on, and the ways they overlap filter our experiences and to some degree determine who we are. Men are as subject to these double and triple yokes that tell us what we should be doing or caring about.
Encourages us to speak in our own voices. Betty Friedan identified a problem without a name, and began a conversation that hasn’t stopped. There are problems that men have that don’t have names, because we are not encouraged to talk with one another about our lives in the same ways, and because we want our stories to fit into the patterns that already exist: to make sense of them. By having the courage to talk about our experience, even when it doesn’t match our ideas of what a man does or feels, we can begin to learn what our common experiences are, and to name them.
Makes us all more free. Unless all of us are free, none of us are free. As long as women still feel the pulls of gender roles, men are forced by the laws of physics into an equal and opposing position. And as long as anyone in our world is subject to limitations because of an identity like those we construct around sex and gender, race and ethnicity, and our deeply held beliefs and loyalties, then any of us is subject to being limited for who and what we are, or for what we believe in.

David Beckham Gets a Pile of Presents and an English Breakfast on His 37th!

Allie Merriam — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:59:52 PDT

David Beckham is 37 today, and his family pulled out all the stops! His sons cooked him a semitraditional English breakfast of eggs, bacon, and sausage. It was then time for David to open his presents, which was no small task. David shared another image of himself surrounded by presents, with a Jo Malone candle burning in the background. All the presents were even wrapped the same! The largest gift turned out to be a framed Magic Johnson Lakers jersey, which David dubbed the "best birthday present ever!" It was an appropriate gift for basketball superfan David. In fact, last night, he and Victoria Beckham got a jump on the celebrating as they watched the Lakers beat the Nuggets with his mom, Sandra, and sister Joanne. Victoria and David even appeared on the Kiss Cam! David was appreciative of all the love. He wrote on his Facebook wall, "Thank you to my amazing family for making my birthday so special!"

5 Things I Wish I Registered For (and 5 I Wish I Hadn't!)

Sara Yoo — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:15:01 PDT

Though we may be loathe to admit it, one of the most exciting - and frenzied - moments of wedding planning is setting up a registry. While deep down I knew that marrying the man of my dreams was the best present of all, other visions, like that of a perfectly appointed home, turned me into Dirty Harry with the scanner gun. A fondue set? I'll take two. The enormous countertop convection oven? We'll make room. Salt and pepper shakers shaped like mated doves? You get the picture.

It's easy to go crazy when registering for wedding gifts, but ending up with a pile of things you'll never use results in annoying trips back to the store for returns or very full storage closets. Eight years after my perfect wedding, I can't help but think that I should have provided my generous guests with better direction as I watch the dust collect on the paella pan I've never used. Every bride's needs are different, but I've come up with a list of five items from my registry that are highly underutilized and five items for which that money would have been better spent. Tell us: what are your must-have registry items, and what do you wish you left off your list?

Five Things I Could Have Done Without

Preassembled cookware sets. Those 10- or 12-piece cookware sets may seem like a great deal with many stores advertising "deep" discounts vs. buying individual pieces, but I found that I ended up with pots and pans in sizes I've never used. Take the time to register for individual pieces (you may even find that you like pieces from a few different cookware lines) in standard sizes that make sense for your frying, sautéing, and simmering needs.
Cooking utensils. Basic utensils like rubber spatulas and wooden spoons are a wedding-registry must have. But I've found that many of the specialized tools I thought I would need have gone untouched. There are so many variations of potato mashers, strainers, ladles, and whisks that you ought to take your time finding the perfect one for you.
High-ticket single-use tools. Cookware companies would love to sell you pasta cookers, egg poachers, asparagus pots, and butter warmers, often at a few hundred dollars a pop. My pasta pot rarely sees the light of day, because I opt instead for a standard stockpot and colander (which drains much better, IMO). By investing in the right standard pots and pans, you still can cook any of these items and save room in your kitchen cabinets while you're at it.

For the rest of the list as well as a list of items I'd register for instead, just keep reading.

Game of Thrones "Garden of Bones": What We're Still Talking About

Shannon Vestal — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:46:22 PDT

To say there's little lightheartedness in this week's Game of Thrones is a bit of an understatement. In fact, it's pretty messed up - we see more of how twisted Joffrey can be, some creepy rat-torture, and the episode ends with a giant WTF moment. And to add insult to injury, there is no trace of Jon Snow this week, either.

While this week's episode may have been tough to watch, the many awful things give us a lot to talk about today. Let's talk about what's still haunting me after the jump.

Buying Guide: Find the Best Planters For Your Garden

Stylelist Home — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:00:34 PDT

We're happy to present a post from one of our favorite sites, Stylelist Home!

Like a great tailored jacket over a casual ensemble, the right planters can instantly "pull together" any outdoor garden space. (Even if it's the size of a postage stamp.) However, getting the right one can be tricky. Planters like metal ones hold water better than porous containers made out of wood, while lightweight plastic pieces are not the sturdiest choice for larger plants. So, we've rounded up the basics you should know about planters.

Keep in mind that the style and size of your planter depends on your garden and the type of plant you're looking to use it for. But, if you're looking for one to amp up the look in your garden, here are some very general things remember when shopping for planters.

A good size. Generally, a good size planter is one that can hold a healthy amount of soil for the plant and also allow room for roots to grow. And, you should see more of the flowering plant than the planter. So, generally a good-sized container is one where the plant is about two times more visible than the actual pot itself.

Consider the materials. Planters made from wood and metal are affordable and easy to move around. Wood is porous so it provides better drainage (since it soaks up water) and it's also more resistant to the elements than metal, which may rust over time. Also, wood planters are generally not used for planting inside directly. Instead, they're great for concealing plastic pots. Because wood planters are so porous, they can get mildewed if not carefully cleaned. But if you have a plant that requires a lot of water, go with metal or plastic, which will keep the water from evaporating. However, metal (as well as dark color planters) absorb more heat, so you'll have to keep a close eye on the plants to make sure the soil doesn't dry out completely. If you're looking to really amp up the look in your garden, go with ceramic or terra-cotta planters, which come in an array of colors. However, these are usually more expensive and are most breakable out of all the materials. On the contrary, lightweight plastic planters are the most cost-effective, but they're also the least sturdy, meaning they're not best-suited for heavier plants nor hold up in harsh weather.

Keep reading for more tips on selecting the best planter for your garden!

Winter Kate and House of Harlow's Fall Lookbook Shows Off an Updated Take on '60s Cool

Marisa Tom — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:37:00 PDT

Fall may seem like a far-off cry from the season in bloom, but we couldn't help but take a peek (and lust over) Nicole Richie's latest Winter Kate and House of Harlow autumnal wares. With Richie's signature brand of bohemian-luxe style ever present, we were delighted to note an edgier (read: rich jewel tones, plush velvet textures, and slick lasercut details) vibe in place. The collection is chock-full of '60s-inspired pieces - sheer herringbone blouses, wide-leg pants, and a plethora of oversize round sunglasses to start - that evoke a structured, geometric retro feel (hello Mad Men!) more than ever. Come chillier temps, we can't wait to rock an eclectic House of Harlow bone-wrap cuff with one of Winter Kate's vintage-looking pencil dresses. To tide us all over, we've pulled our top three looks below, then make sure to check out the rest of the Fall '12 looks in the slideshow.

Winter whites are a cold-weather staple, and to prove our point, we'll be wearing this ultrasheer white maxi dress with a quirkier set of accessories.
It's all about the Swinging Sixties for Fall '12, and what better way to capture the essence of that stylish era than with a distinct geometric print.
Update your floral obsession with an antiqued rose-print sheath - it's ladylike, sophisticated, and will look great against a luxe faux fur coat.