LilSugar

iPhone Applications for Parents and Mommies-to-Be

LilSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:01:00 PDT

The cheaper and faster iPhone 3G comes out today and geeks everywhere have begun exploring the cool new applications, which are now available on iTunes.

I was shocked and excited when geek told me there are a couple fun applications geared toward pregnant moms and family health. Check them out!

Hot Wheels Wall Tracks Takes Playtime to a Whole New Level

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:27:17 PDT

For 44 years, kids have been racing Hot Wheels cars around their homes, on the sidewalks in front of their houses, and, if they're my kids, down the slides on the playground. Playground play aside, most die-cast car play has been strictly horizontal since that time. Now Hot Wheels is shaking things up - really up! - and moving car play vertical! Hot Wheels Wall Tracks, the company's new line of wall-mounted race tracks, literally takes playtime off the floor and onto the walls. The company sent me the Hot Wheels Wall Tracks Starter Set ($32), one of four playsets in the collection, and I took it for a test run with my two car-obsessed kids. Here's what we thought!

Who is this product designed for? The manufacturer suggests that race tracks are for kids ages 4 to 8 years old, but my 2-year-old is having a very good time playing with it, too.

What sets it apart? For generations, car racing has been limited to floor play, where intricate tracks were laid on the ground to facilitate races, crashes, and general play. For the first time, that play moves up the wall, helping to clear the clutter of toys on the floor, but also creating a new play experience. Using 3M Command Strips (which are safe for painted and wallpapered walls - I tested it!), the track supports easily stick on the wall to create vertical, complex race tracks that eventually lead cars to the ground. The enclosed templates make setup a breeze - within 15 minutes of opening the box, we were ready to play!

What could be better? Unfortunately, the 3M Command Strips can lose their "stickiness" pretty easily, and if they do, the entire track falls down - quickly. This problem is easily remedied, though, by simply purchasing additional strips at an office supply store.

Keep reading to see how long the tracks entertain youngsters and for more views of the toy.

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!

Lauren Conrad Heads Off on a Solo Trip From LAX

Allie Merriam — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:52:20 PDT

Lauren Conrad wheeled her luggage behind her yesterday when she checked in for a flight out of LAX. LC's on the go again, though her rumored new boyfriend wasn't photographed going along for the journey. According to reports, Lauren Conrad's dating William Tell, an LA-based law student at the University of Southern California. The out-of-town trip came following a busy week for Lauren. Lauren shared her schedule on her personal blog, recounting how the last few days have been full of work. She shot the holiday lookbook for her Paper Crown line, and even started Bikini Boot Camp! Lauren still managed to fit in some fun with friends and hours catching up on sleep.

Why You'll Love to Use the Color Wheel in Your Makeup Routine

Jessica Cruel — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:10:00 PDT

The color wheel is used by professional makeup artists time and time again to help disguise discoloration on the skin, as well as find the best shadows for any eye color. Learn how to use this tool at home to raise your application skills to megastar status.

Emphasis: Color theory can be used to bring out your best colorful feature - your eyes. When you arrange two colors from the opposite side of the wheel next to each other, it makes them both pop. So blue-eyed beauties should look to orange and golden-toned shadows and liners. Green-eyed girls look to purple or rosy shades for an extra bright look. And for the brown-eyed babes, practically every color can work for you.
Corrections: If you're looking to reduce the appearance of a mark, dark spot, or pimple, turn to a colored primer or concealer to balance out the area. So, if you're attempting to shade in visible blue under-eye veins, reach for an orange concealer. Have rosacea or a red-toned pimple? Dab on a bit of green primer to erase it. Just remember: put an unwanted color in its place by looking to the opposite side of the wheel to find its balancing match.

Source: Flickr User glovsky225

Download of the Day: artCircles

Anna Monette Roberts — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:11:04 PDT

ArtCircles, a free iPad app, lets you spin through classic and contemporary art based on colors, words, or curators. Search for things like "blue," "van Gogh," and "kiss," to pull up art circles relevant to those key words. Tap the painting to learn about the piece's history and its artist and to even buy a framed print for your home collection. The app makes it a breeze to discover new masterpieces in the worlds of modern and classic art with a quick spin of a wheel.

Watch a video of artCircles in motion.

ABC Cancels GCB, Pan Am; Renews Scandal and Don't Trust the B----

Becky Kirsch — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:15:18 PDT

There's a lot of wheeling and dealing going on in Hollywood this week, as all of the major TV networks have been cutting the fat and rolling out their new shows for Fall. ABC has made a lot of moves in particular; in addition to renewing the likes of Revenge, Happy Endings, and more, it's also bringing back freshman series Scandal, Last Man Standing, and Don't Trust the B---- in Apt 23. Of course, this means that the network must make room for fresh meat by making some cancellations, and ABC is axing GCB, Pan Am, The Missing, and The River. Stay tuned for more updates about the shows we can expect from ABC come Fall!

7 High-Tech Finds For Your Bike

Anna Monette Roberts — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:44:16 PDT

To celebrate National Bike Month, we're busting out some serious bike gear to make your set of wheels high tech. Whether you want to retire your arm signals in favor of an LED turn signal or are looking for a way to mount your iPhone to use as a GPS guide, check out our list of gadget musts for your bike.

Jay-Z Hits the Town For a Launch Party With His Sister-in-Law

Allie Merriam — Thu, 10 May 2012 07:57:07 PDT

Jay-Z was the center of attention last night at the launch party for the new cognac, D'ussé, at the Top of the Standard. He went to the NYC hotel despite the big playoff game going down between the NY Knicks and the Miami Heat. That wasn't a problem for Jay-Z though - the Standard wheeled out a big screen so Jay could watch the action in his VIP area. Beyoncé Knowles didn't join her husband, but her little sister Solange was on hand along with Pharrell Williams and a bearded Jake Gyllenhaal, who politely declined being photographed when he arrived just before 10 p.m. Jay-Z was also treated to a soundtrack of his own greatest hits at the Standard, since DJ Jus-Ske played "Otis" and more for the crowd. Beyoncé and Jay-Z were together on Tuesday evening, when they attended a bash for mutual friend Erica Reid's new book.

Feelin' Blue: When to Use a Cool-Toned Concealer

BellaSugar — Mon, 07 May 2012 03:35:00 PDT

You can try to grasp the purpose of each and every shade of color-correcting concealer on the market until you're blue in the face. But why do that to yourself? Speaking of blue, it turns out the icy hue doesn't have to leave you looking like an extra on The Smurfs. So what can blue do for you? Let's first look to the color wheel for guidance. Oh color wheel, tell us your magic ways.

Not only does blue add radiance to the complexion, but it also assists in reducing the appearance of minor imperfections. And if you have deeper skin tones, blue might be your cure to quelling under-eye circles. Another cool tip is that blue, the opposite of orange, can also help to neutralize overly Oompa Loompa-esque pigments caused from self-tanners.

In addition, purple, lilac, and mauve shades (which are somewhat close to the blue color family) can neutralize sallow, yellow tones. Hues of purple also can brighten olive skin and balance out yellowish blemishes on most skin tones. Try: Make Up For Ever's HD Microperfecting Primer in Blue or Mauve ($34), Givenchy's Mister Mat Mattifying Foundation Primer ($33), or Signature Club A by Adrienne's Anchorwoman Blue Dark Circle Cover ($16).

Source: Flickr User Linzi Clark /