LilSugar

What a Difference a Year Makes

babysugar — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:00:53 PST

A year ago, I was laid up in a hospital bed in the maternity ward ogling my little newborn. She was born exactly one year ago today and what a year it has been. From pushing to posting, my life has been forever changed. Here are some of the ways that motherhood has revealed herself:

An unconditional love and worry for a little being has overwhelmed me.
I can no longer sleep peacefully, unless I'm on vacation.
I know I have a little partner in crime (until she can speak at least).
I never eat alone.
My body will never be the same as it was when I was 18.
I prefer the smell of baby detergent over my own scented lotions.
I like to spend the night cuddling with my hubby on the couch instead of out on the town (most times).
Our friends and family don't care so much about us - just about her.

The thing is, I love and accept it 100 percent. I know there are times when it's hard, especially at the beginning. But it grows on you as your baby grows. I can't imagine life without her.

What I've Learned From Baby Number Two

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:15:00 PST

We're excited to share this post from our partners at BabyCenter! Every week, we will be bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle stories from the experts at BabyCenter, including this post from Carolyn Robertson about lessons learned from a second child.

Motherhood has been a very humbling experience so far . . . which is a nice way of saying it’s knocked me on my ass many times over. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been midconversation with another grown-up and suddenly realized that (a) my breasts are leaking, or (b) I have a crusty old food stain on my shirt, or (c) I am decorated with Little Mermaid tattoos and sparkly dinosaur stickers and Phineas & Ferb Band-Aids.

I assumed, though, that I would have a much better handle on things the second time around. Sleep issues, tantrums, separation anxiety, potty training: been there, done that, bring it on. And then I met my second daughter.

Here are a few things that I’ve learned from baby number two:

Sleep training doesn’t always work: I was one of those moms who swore by sleep training. CIO works, I’d tell my mom friends. It’s not fun, but if you stick with it, it works. My oldest, after all, started sleeping through the night and never stopped after we let her cry it out at 6 months old. Well, it turns out it doesn’t always work, after all. I did everything exactly the same with Amelia, but at 21 months old, she’s still not a great sleeper.
Sometimes babyproofing really is necessary: I read in some baby book that we do our kids no favors when we babyproof the home - they have to learn limits, after all. Made sense to me! So with our first, we did the bare minimum (baby gate on the stairs, potentially poisonous stuff out of reach) and took care of everything else with a firm “no touch!” and gentle redirection. Worked like a charm. We figured we’d do the same with our youngest, but as it turns out our little angel loves to body slam the window screens and climb into the fireplace. Everything - everything - goes in her mouth. We tell her "no," we redirect, and she laughs and becomes that much more determined. Our house is now so childproofed that even I have trouble getting into the kitchen cupboards.
No two kids are the same: My first is shy and cautious - my second would run into traffic to hug a stranger. My first is sensitive and gentle - my second is a crazy little steamroller. They are different in every way imaginable, and I’m starting to see that all those tried-and-true tricks that worked for one probably won’t work for the other.

One last thing I’ve learned? You really can love another baby as much as you love your first. I harbored secret fears that I would never be able to love any other child with the depth and intensity that I do my older daughter. I was wrong.

What did you learn from your second - third or fourth - child?

More great reads from BabyCenter:
What does a stay-at-home mom do all day?
Is Strawberry Shortcake looking a bit trampy these days?
Five children's books that celebrate Black History Month
Seven adorable mobiles for any nursery
Is a 6-year-old too young for boarding school?

Get Great Benefits by Taking on One of These 11 Part-Time Jobs

LearnVest — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:15:46 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

“Underemployment” is a term that, compared to “unemployment,” more fully captures the lack of job opportunities.

The underemployed includes the unemployed as well as those employed part-time but wanting full-time work.

According to a recent poll, underemployment is currently at 18.1 percent. That’s down from 18.3 percent the month prior, and 19 percent a year ago. While these numbers are still high, there are opportunities to work part-time. You won’t make as much money as you would with a full-time job, but with many part-time positions, you’ll not only earn a salary but also score some great perks.

Related: the 10 Fastest-Growing Jobs

We’ve put together a list of 11 big-name companies that provide big benefits to its part-time workers. Whether they're offering free merchandise, health insurance benefits, or tuition aid, these employers certainly make it worth your while to work, even if you’re only putting in 20 hours a week.

Whole Foods

After part-timers have worked 400 hours, they get health, dental, and vision plans, as well as 401(k) retirement plans, paid time off, and a 20 percent employee discount. After working 6,000 hours, employees are offered stock options.

Target

Work at Target as few as two and a half days a week for six months, and you can become eligible for Target’s health care coverage. Employees also get access to other health benefits like free flu vaccinations, a 24-hour nurse hotline, and discounts for Weight Watchers.

Read on for more.

Runway Retrospective: Michael Kors

FabSugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:47:11 PST

New York Fashion Week is only days away from wrapping, and one of our favorite shows is coming up on February 15th - Michael Kors. With that in mind, we're taking a closer look at his impeccably classic, luxurious aesthetic.

Before we fell in love with him (again) for his honest critiques on Project Runway, we already knew Michael Kors as the quintessential all-American designer, with an affinity for the classics and collections inspired by his travels. For consistent sophistication and undeniably chic outerwear, women look to him for cozy cashmere turtlenecks, glam evening gowns, and ladylike trousers - all of which are impeccably tailored. Over the past 30 years, he has built one of the most famous lifestyle brands in fashion, and after looking through his memorable collections, you'll be a convert to the Kors tribe too. Catch up on Kors, get excited for what's to come for Fall '12, and stay tuned for our full runway report.

Angelina Jolie Debuts In the Land of Blood and Honey With Brad Pitt on Valentine's Day

Katie Henry — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:53:22 PST

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt celebrated a very special Valentine's Day in Sarajevo tonight at a screening of In the Land of Blood and Honey. Brad and Angelina arrived in Bosnia earlier in the day fresh off a layover in Berlin where she was honored last night with the Cinema for Peace award. The pair are back together after being apart while he traveled to London on Sunday for the BAFTA Awards. Brad didn't take home a new trophy, though he did get to hang out with fellow nominee and close friend George Clooney.

The Jolie-Pitts are traveling without their six children at the moment; however, Brad says the kids love joining them on the road. During his recent taping of Inside the Actors Studio Brad talked about traveling as a family, and that each person is responsible for packing their own bag. Award season will bring Brad and Angelina back to LA soon enough for the Feb. 26 Oscar ceremony where he is among the leading men in contention for year's best actor.

Dark Tide Trailer: Halle Berry Goes Swimming With Sharks

Shannon Vestal — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:41:25 PST

If you miss Shark Week all year, perk up, because the Dark Tide trailer is here. Halle Berry plays Kate, a shark expert who stopped swimming with the fearsome creatures when her mentor was attacked and killed by a great white. Her fear is enough to keep her out of the ocean until she gets the opportunity to revisit the shark-infested waters on the dime of a danger-seeking businessman, alongside her ex-boyfriend (Olivier Martinez).

Any movie with a great white baring its teeth brings up my lifelong Jaws fear, but the movie feels like a cheesy sequel to Into the Blue or The Deep Blue Sea, only with the inclusion of an Oscar winner. Berry is a great actress, but it doesn't look like she's flexing her acting muscles so much as her ab muscles. To see Berry in her bikini and facing down sharks, just keep reading.

Natalie Portman and Dakota Fanning Team Up For a Fashion Week Front Row

Lauren Turner — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:17:19 PST

Natalie Portman and Dakota Fanning posed together before taking their front-row seats at Rodarte's NY Fashion Week presentation this afternoon. Also on hand to see Rodarte's 2012 collection were Maria Sharapova and George Lucas. Natalie's back home on the East Coast after a stint in LA, where she attended the SAG Awards and the Golden Globes. Last year, Natalie was a big award season winner for Black Swan, and she's finally lining up her first post-Oscar projects. Apparently, Natalie's involved in two Terrence Malick movies, Knight of the Cups and Lawless, which will film this Summer and Fall.

How Sports Illustrated Cover Girl Kate Upton Stays Healthy and Fit

Michele Foley — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:48:16 PST

After being named the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition's "Rookie of the Year" in 2011, Kate Upton is this year's cover girl! The five-time equestrian champion has showed off her curves in campaigns for big names like Guess, Victoria's Secret, and Dooney & Burke. On being fit, Kate told The Daily, "It's really important to stay slim for the industry . . . but you still want to have a body." Here's the scoop on how Kate maintains her model curves.

Kate's fitness regimen: Like many of the industry's top models, Kate trains with former competitive swimmer Justin Gelband. Justin told Shape that he "incorporates multidirectional exercises" into Kate's training sessions. To keep things fresh, Justin changes up the types of workouts he and Kate do together (Pilates and kickboxing are favorites) and uses a variety of equipment like medicine balls and exercise bands.
Kate's diet: For Kate, it's all about living a healthy lifestyle. Kate has said in several interviews that it's important for her to watch what she eats, but she doesn't go on any sort of special diet to prepare for a shoot or runway show. Her splurge? The occasional treat of ice cream or french fries.

Photos courtesy of Sports Illustrated and The Daily

25 of Our Favorite Romances - and the Stylish Looks We Want to Steal

Marisa Tom — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:29:56 PST

Our favorite romantic movies - rom-coms included - have the ability to transport us from our couch to falling in love aboard the RMS Titanic, to sipping lattes in a quaint café in Montmartre, to attending Beverly Hills High with best friends Dionne and Tai, and beyond. In a nutshell, it's pretty great. To add to their cinematic charm, these flicks not only have us daydreaming of modern-day knights in shining armor, but they've also made quite the stylish impression. We can't help but call to mind An Affair to Remember's dreamy '50s wardrobe, Ali MacGraw's classic American style in Love Story, or even Cameron Diaz's Winter-luxe looks in The Holiday. From period pieces to last year's Ryan Gosling takeover, we've rounded up a sweet mix of Valentine's Day-perfect flicks that just so happen to flaunt some fun fashion, too. Click through to see our editors' picks and shop your favorite looks.

Jennifer Lawrence Goes For a Stroll With Her Valentine Nicholas Hoult

Lauren Turner — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:05:55 PST

Jennifer Lawrence and her boyfriend Nicholas Hoult went for a walk in LA this afternoon. The couple stuck side-by-side and smiled during their Valentine's Day outing. It was their latest sweet afternoon together since they also played a game of basketball earlier this month. Jennifer was without her man, though, when she hit the gym solo last week and announced the Oscar nominees in January. She was up for an Academy Award herself last year, but this time she might be attending simply as the star of The Hunger Games. The much-anticipated movie hits theaters in March - we're getting ready with our very own DistrictSugar and giving you a chance to win a trip to The Hunger Games premiere!