LilSugar

How Many Names Does Your Child Have?

LilSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:00:00 PST

Whether you give your baby one moniker a la Madonna or four like her daughter, Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon, they'll eventually have to spell them all. Forty-seven percent of lilsugar readers said nay to the notion that multiple names (specifically foursomes) were trendy.

We're curious how many your kids have first, middle and last combined?

Source

"I'm a 20-Something Seeking Literary Wisdom"

Tres Community — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:05:00 PDT

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I'll keep it brief, because I imagine my issue is one that virtually all women go through at multiple stages of life... Basically, I'm at a certain "milestone" in my life - my first career after college, my first time on my own, my first time having to be an adult in every sense of the word.

Call it a quarter-life crisis, or just a growing pain, but I'm having some seriously deep introspections about who I am, who I want to be, what I want out of life, what I value, what I don't, my place in the world . . . you name it, I'm thinking about it. I'm exploring my spirituality, my needs in love and my career, my general expectations for life. It's exhausting!

I don't want advice on how YOU answered these questions. What I WOULD love are some recommendations for a good book that tackles the issue of identity and, preferably, womanhood. Or any books that you've found to have a profound effect on your own identity and soul-searching. Something that helps us explore who we are and practice the cultivation of sense of self and self-love.

Maybe it is a lofty goal to find all of this in a book . . . but I can't afford therapy. Thanks!

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

5 Reasons Being a Single Man is Kind of Overrated

The Good Men Project — Fri, 11 May 2012 04:00:47 PDT

We're happy to present this story from one of our favorite sites, The Good Men Project. Today, Damon Young names five reasons being a single man is overrated.

While most will probably remember 2012 as the "Year Of The YOLO" (and by "most" I mean "like seven people"), it holds special significance for me because it’ll likely be the first year since 2002 where I spent the entire year single. I haven’t completed a full calendar year yet - May will make it seven months since the former Lady Champ and I decided to go our separate ways - but because I seem to enjoy doing random anthropological experiments on myself for absolutely no reason (and because I’m an INTJ and INTJs apparently suck at relationships), I’m confident that I’ll make it to 2013 without having to change my Facebook relationship status again.

Three Little-Known Stressors That Are Killing Men

Anyway, if I could sum up my seven months of singledom in one word, it would most likely be "interesting." I’ve met some "interesting" people, done some "interesting" things, made some "interesting" decisions, and, most importantly, thought some "interesting" thoughts. The most "interesting" of these "interesting" thoughts? Being a single man is kind of overrated.

Now, as I stated on the day where I wrote about orgasms, "overrated" doesn’t mean "bad." In fact, as the careers of Tupac and Derrick Rose continue to prove, something can be very, very good - even great - and still be overrated. I’ve enjoyed being single, and will likely continue to enjoy it. But, while it seems like many assume that being a single man (a single Black man, at that) is nothing but an utopic stream of easy popsicles and cold pancakes, there are a few downsides.

It can be very lonely. As a person who wanted to be single, is a natural introvert, and generally enjoys doing things by himself, I’m surprised by how, for lack of a better term, "noticeable" the solitude and loneliness of singledom can be. Even when seeing multiple people and/or having tons of friends, being single means that you are . . . single, by yourself, and there may be times when you want to have someone around but there will be no one that you want to be around readily available to be around.

Then, to add insult to injury, if you’re an angsty motherf*cker like me, you’ll start thinking things like "Wait. I’m a single man. A single Black man. My dad named me after Dolemite. Shaka Zulu is my second cousin. People who’ve never even met me call me "Champ" for chrissakes. Why the f*ck do I feel lonely right now?" which’ll make it even worse.

You have to wear condoms. And, wearing condoms sucks. If you’re one of the 137 people left on Earth who always has protected sex - even if in a long-term, monogamous relationship - just skip this section and move on to #3. Also, I’ve left a plate of gotdamn sugar cookies at the end of this post as a reward for your duty. Please eat them with a gotdamn smile.

If you’re not one of these people, you should be able to relate to how frustrating it’s been to go from condom-less sex to having to worry about having gotdamn condoms all the damn time. And, even if you’re not actively having sex, "Do I have condoms?" and "Since I don’t have condoms, is there somewhere close where I can buy them?" always has to be on your mind.

Also, from a logistical perspective, they’re a hassle to put on, they smell like a pack of slutty balloons, and "sex with condoms" will always be the Mike Conley of coitus. There is always the alternative - just don’t wear condoms while single, either - but I think one Cromartie per generation is enough.

(Btw, is it just me, or has the price of condoms spiked dramatically in the past four years? I was last single in 2008, and I don’t remember a box of condoms costing as much as it does to fill a gas tank. Does this qualify as a "first world problem?" If a Black blogger bitches about condoms in the woods, would Kanye’s missing draws make a sound?) As much as condoms suck, they don’t suck as much as . . .

Having to participate in the dating game. In a paradox so annoying that I almost didn’t mention it today because I plan on spending an entire day on this sole topic soon, I love meeting new, interesting women but I hate the process that usually goes along with meeting new, interesting women. I understand (and appreciate) the purpose of the process, but knowing why it’s necessary doesn’t mean that you have to enjoy it.

The superficial romantic connections synonymous with singledom gets old. Ironically, the best thing about being a single man - possessing the ability to have myriad short, commitment-free relationships AT THE SAME DAMN TIME!!! - ends up being one of the worst after enough time has passed. This actually hasn’t happened to me yet. I guess I’m still in the single honeymoon phrase. But, I’m certain it will, and the thought of this happening is already depressing me. Actually, this entire list is getting depressing. ***Making note to self to make sure tomorrow’s post is about the playoffs or strippers or something***

You start to realize some, um, "unpositive" things about yourself. I’ve been in three long-term - "long term" = "monogamous relationship lasting at least a year" - relationships as an adult. Each of these relationships failed, and my wanting to be single was the main catalyst behind each of these failures. Now, because I’ve always been a guy who did all the "right on paper" relationship things - I’ve never cheated, never physically or verbally abused any girlfriends, always followed the chivalry handbooks, etc - I’ve always assumed that I’m good at being a partner. But, these last few months have made me realize that I have some real deficiencies in the relationship department - personality quirks that have subtly sabotaged each relationship I’ve been in.

I wouldn’t quite call myself a trojan horse - the sabotage isn’t intentional (at least it’s not consciously intentional) - but I’m just not very good at this relationship thing right now, and I intend to spend the rest of 2012 trying to figure out why.
That’s it for me today. Fellas - single or coupled up - how do you feel about the concept of singledom? Is it all the beer commercials make it out to be, or do you agree that it may be slightly overrated? Also, ladies, are the "single man problems" expressed today at all similar to any "single woman problems?"

10 Grocery Deals That Trick You Into Spending More

Business Insider — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:15:24 PDT

To help you avoid an expensive grocery bill, Business Insider shares grocery deals that aren't really deals.

These days everyone's trying to make the most of their trip to the grocery store, but it's hard to tell when you're saving big if the grocer is using tricky marketing tactics.

We tapped deals expert and founder of the excellent site Grocery Game, Teri Gault, to help us decipher the deals from the duds and share her exclusive tips for stretching your grocery budget. Try them this week.

1. Reaching for big packages. "People are reaching for the big packages all the time but a lot of times the medium package is cheaper," says Gault. "It's just a marketing thing. We think the bigger package will give us the bulk price but that's not always the case." To find the real steal, calculate the cost per unit using the prices on the shelf.

2. Falling for the "buy one, get one half off" routine. "Whenever you see these they sound like a great deal but the two items together are only a 25 percent savings," Gault says. "Buy one, get one for free is truly half off, not this."

3. Hitting the clearance shelf. While there are good deals to be found here, the problem is that most of the items are only 50 percent off and damaged, says Gault. "You can score good groceries that aren't damaged whenever a sale hits instead."

Read on for more.

11 Things Hiring Managers Won’t Tell You

LearnVest — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:15:24 PDT

Ever want to read your interviewer's mind? LearnVest shares a couple of secrets hiring managers don't want you to know.

The next time you walk into an interview, consider the following:

Your wedding or engagement ring? Can and may be used against you.

Those photos of kids on a hiring manager's desk? They may not actually be the manager's children - but the photo is designed to get you talking about your kids or whether you plan to have some eventually.

And then there's the trick that can land some applicants $20,000 more when they start negotiating their salary.

In fact, LearnVest got the inside scoop from hiring managers across the country. Many spoke on the condition of anonymity because their methods were so controversial - and not what you'd find in any company manual.

New research out of the United States Census Bureau shows that women still earn less than their male counterparts at every education level. Although women are outearning men in terms of college degrees and doctorates, our wages aren't keeping up. In fact, the gap only worsens at higher levels of education.

RELATED: The 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs

But armed with this insider knowledge - straight from the mouths of those who hire you - you can help improve both these statistics and your bottom line.

I leave pictures of kids on my desk. They’re not even my kids.

Legally, hiring managers aren’t allowed to ask if you have kids, just as they’re not supposed to discriminate against you on the hunch that your child might occasionally have a soccer game. But we spoke to one hiring manager who leaves pictures of her niece and nephew to find out (legally) who has kids. “I’m not allowed to ask about family situations, but if they bring it up, it’s fair game. Kids are a distraction to this job, which requires long hours and weekends. I won’t hire someone who has other priorities.”

How to handle this: it’s very easy to get nervous and resort to small talk. (“Oh, are those your kids? How old? Mine are 6 and 10 . . . ”) Commenting on kids’ photos is easy bait, especially if you’re a parent yourself, but avoid it if you can. Talk about the weather or find something to compliment your interviewer on instead.

I check for wedding bands.

One hiring manager told us: “This is an entry-level job, and the people we hire are usually fresh out of college. If I see a wedding band, there’s a good probability that candidate is going to start a family soon. If I hire her and she goes on maternity leave, I can’t legally fire her, but I still have to find someone else to replace her while she’s gone. When she comes back, I can’t fire her either, so now I’m stuck with two employees when all I needed was one. No thanks.”

This one is an easy fix: leave your wedding ring at home. You're not obligated to share any information about your relationship status, so try to avoid doing so.

Read on for more.

Michael Fassbender Is a Robot in the New Viral Video For Prometheus

BuzzSugar — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:23:38 PDT

What's better than one Michael Fassbender? How about multiple Michael Fassbenders playing chess with each other? A few Fassbender clones make appearances is this new viral video for Prometheus, but it's not hot so much as it is creepy. We've already seen a trailer for the film, but this video puts a spin on what we had assumed. In the clip, Fassbender stars as a hyper advanced robot named David, and he's being interviewed about his various skills. In this universe, it appears robots are able to do almost anything a human can do, including understand emotions like sadness and gratitude.

When I saw that first trailer, I assumed Fassbender and his cohorts were of the human species, but now I'm not sure what to think. Are the robots or are these androids from another region? Ridley Scott's Alien franchise seems well suited for viral marketing, and this teaser gives out just enough information to get audiences intrigued. Weyland Industries, the company in the clip, even has its own website to explore. You'll have to wait until June 8 to see the movie, but you can watch the video when you

Mad Men's 5 Maddest Moments: "Signal 30"

Becky Kirsch — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:49:04 PDT

It's all about Pete Campbell on Mad Men this week, as we get a little more insight into what's making him so miserable. Though he's guilty of a few despicable acts, we also get to see Trudy in her best form, plus the added bonus of seeing Pete get put in his place in a very unexpected manner.

The Campbell comeuppance isn't the only twist: there's also an awkward kiss that takes place within the walls of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, and some great zingers from Don. Is it just me, or is Don funnier than ever this season? Just another reason why I'm a fan of the Megan effect. Let's break it down when you

The company you keep: Despite his resistance, Don and Megan get roped into a dinner party at the Campbells' new suburban home at Trudy's urging. Don's the man of the hour, as Pete can't stop brownnosing, and Don comes to the rescue when the sink starts flooding. The real hilarity is that no one can remember poor Cynthia's name (Don gives a classic "Hello, you" when he arrives, and Megan even blurts out Cynthia's name during her "eureka" moment). It's a nice insight into Pete's seemingly perfect life, complete with an adoring wife, cute daughter, and of course, a brand-new stereo.
Hail to the king: We've known that Pete's been unhappy for quite some time, but his issues with both work and his home life come to a head this week. First off, he's taking driver's ed, but he's learning a lot more about a fellow teenage student than he is about the rules of the road. His blatant ogling is enough to make my skin crawl, but then he takes it up a notch by actually asking her out on a date. Multiple times. (Even she appears to be a bit weirded out by the situation). No matter though, because she finds herself a suitable lad her own age, and Pete turns to a hooker for a self-esteem boost, but more on that later. The real bottom line here comes from Pete himself, who says to Don, "I have nothing."
Big leagues: After a jolly good World Cup outing, Lane befriends a fellow Brit named Edwin, who's interested in using Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce to represent Jaguar. Even though he's not an account man, Lane wants to wine and dine Edwin on his own, and Roger even preps him for the dinner. Unfortunately, Lane can't deliver the goods, so Roger, Don, and Pete take over. They court Edwin with a lobster dinner, but he's got more sinister ideas on his mind. He asks the SCDP guys to show him a good time, which is essentially code for a prostitute party. Everyone wastes no time shacking up - except Don, who seems to be sticking to his guns and staying faithful to Megan. Everything seems to be well and good, until Edwin's wife finds some chewing gum in an, um, unfortunate area, and Edwin pulls the plug on working with SCDP.
Dukes up: Lane's furious about the guys going behind his back, and puts all the blame on Pete. Pete insults Lane in return and they settle the score with a legitimate fist fight right there in the meeting room. Bert, Don, and Roger can't help but watch as the two throw punches, and Lane eventually knocks Pete out. Pete's obviously mortified, and even Lane doesn't get much time to celebrate his victory, since he makes a fool of himself a few minutes later. When Joan comes in to talk about the situation, he makes a pass at her. Lucky for him, Joanie just sweeps it under the rug and it doesn't seem like it'll affect their friendship.
Writer's block: Ken and Peggy seem to be butting heads a little, until we learn that they've got a secret pact: if either of them leave, they'll bring the other one along. It's not a main focus of the episode, but it's definitely something that will likely pop up again later this season. What is a major focus of the episode is Ken's writing career. Posing as his alter ego "Ben Hargrove" (so clever, Kenny), Ken's been getting his sci-fi works published under the radar. At least he is until Cynthia spills the beans at the dinner party and Pete reports the information back to Roger in no time. Ken claims that he's giving up to "leave the writing to the writers," but it's clear that he's still indulging in his passion at the end of the episode - and perhaps using Pete as inspiration?

Were you surprised to see Lane and Pete come to blows? How much longer do you think Don can stay faithful?

Photo courtesy of AMC

Name That Movie: George Clooney Edition

BuzzSugar — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 03:05:00 PDT

George Clooney is one of the biggest movie stars in the world after starring in many blockbusters and earning multiple Oscar nominations since he got his start on TV shows like The Facts of Life and ER. We're always happy to get our Clooney fix with films like the ones included in this week's Name That Movie, so if you're also a fan, see if you can identify which image goes with which popular Clooney flick.

Question 1 of 5

Name that movie:

11 Ways to Print Instagram Photos

Kelly Schwarze — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:09:01 PDT

Instagram is the easy way of creating dreamy iPhone photos in a flash. The filters work their magic so well that nearly every picture comes out looking like a keepsake. Making those memories permanent can be just as easy with these tools for turning Instagram photos into a lasting work of art.

PostalPix - Use this iPhone app to print four-inch squares from your Instagram library for only 30 cents each. Fast shipping, matte finish, professional quality resolution, and the convenience of mobile shopping make this our first stop for Instagram prints. They even sell just-right square 4-inch wooden frames.
CanvasPop - Those filtered photos are worthy of an at-home gallery. Create a high-resolution 12-inch square or 20-inch square stretched canvas print for the temporary price of $30 and $60, respectively. Buy multiple canvases for an artful wall vignette.
Printstagram - The company offers multiple ways to print Instagram photos, but the 20-by-40-inch posters will make the most stunning addition to a living room wall. Between 50-400 photos are arranged in a clean grid on thick, archival paper for $25.
Blurb - Haven't looked at a photo album in a while? Blurb brings back what now seems like an antiquated way of sharing photos with a modern, Instagram twist. Softcover books with 20 pages of Instagram photos runs $11 and a hardcover is $22. Christmas present, perhaps?
Postagram - A fun way to show people you're thinking of them, Postagram mails a postcard with popout Instagram photo and message to friends for 99 cents each. A thoughtful alternative to a birthday e-card!

Three more ways to print Instagram beauties after the break.

Catch Up on All Our Fun Oscar Features!

Shannon Vestal — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 03:05:56 PST

We're excited that the Oscars are finally here, and you can see how pumped we've been by all the coverage we've been doing just to gear up for the big night. From fun slideshows about the nominees to useful things like our printable ballot, we've rounded up all the stories you should check out before the show.

Oscar Winner Predictions	Oscar Hall of Shame	Movies That Star Multiple Oscar Nominees
Oscar Party Theme Ideas	Printable Oscar Ballot	Name That Movie: Oscar Edition
Which Best Picture Nominees Have You Seen?	Actors Who Swept Award Season	Funny Pictures From the Oscar Press Room
Actors Who Won Oscars For Playing Real People	Actresses Who Swept Award Season	Love in the Oscar Press Room Over the Years