GeekSugar

Blogger Brings New Layouts to the Table

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:47:58 PDT

Blogger is one of the simplest blogging platforms around, and today, it's adding some new templates, technology, and speed to make its users even more on-trend. Photo blogs are super hot these days (thanks in part to Tumblr's success), and now Blogger users can take advantage of new photo-focused layouts to feature their awesome snapshots. Additionally, there's a very "Gawker-like" Sidebar template and a clean, three-column template called Timeslide.

Besides the new layouts, Blogger is adding some fresh new features as well: infinite scrolling and speedy photo uploads. Check out all five of the new layouts - which are in an early preview for blogger feedback - in the gallery!

In Her Shoes: Jen Singer, Professional Stay-at-Home Mom

Emily Co — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 12:20:53 PDT

There's nothing more rewarding than being a mother. Having a full-time job and taking care of kids can feel like having two jobs, which is why many women dream about being a stay-at-home mom. I talked to Jen Singer, a mom who turned her stay-at-home mom status into a job.

SavvySugar: How did you turn being a stay-at-home mom into a career?

Jen Singer: Right now I'm an author and a blogger. I created the blog MommaSaid.net, which I've done actually for eight years now. I started it when my kids were little and when they were in school, I would write it at night. Now it's become more of a full-time job because with that I published five books, most recently the Stop Second Guessing Yourself guides to parenting; there's three of them. And I've also been a spokesperson for several companies. I'm a Pull Ups potty training partner so I give potty training advice to moms on Facebook for Pull Ups.

Jen never has a typical day! To hear what it's like, read on.

Bad For Women? Online Name-Calling and Lawsuits

TresSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:30:00 PDT

This is one of the most childish stories I've read in a while.

Rosemary Port, who used to blog anonymously for "Skanks in NYC," riled up a fellow fashionista, model Liskula Cohen, by calling her an "old hag," a "ho," a "skank," and a "lying psychotic whore." (You can't say Port doesn't know how to hurl insults!)

Why is there bad blood between the women? They hang out in the same fashion circles - Port is a Fashion Institute of Technology student, Liskula a model - and apparently Liskula badmouthed Port to an ex-boyfriend once. (How old are these people, you ask? Port is 29 and Liskula is 37.)

Cohen claims the site hurt her reputation and pressured Google to reveal the "Skanks in NYC" writer. (Now, Port is suing Google for $15 million for invasion of privacy.) "By going to the press," says Port, "she defamed herself. Before her suit, there were probably two hits on my Web site: One from me looking at it, and one from her looking at it."

I'm pretty embarrassed for both of them and order a time out during which they both should retreat to a corner and sit until they can behave. What do you think - are these two too old for this nonsense?

Should You Be Able to Say Anything Negative on the Internet?

GeekSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:00:05 PST

It's quite the litigious news day for the Internet, what with the news that a Yelp user is being sued for his negative review of a doctor, and a model is suing Google because of anonymous nasty comments about her which were posted on a Blogger-hosted blog.

Disregarding the validity of each case, they both present interesting cases for how we should and shouldn't use the Internet; as for Yelp, you're supposed to be able to post negative reviews (reviews tending to be one way or the other); will each negative claim be investigated? Could I be sued for not being able to prove that I found a hair in my burrito?

As for the nasty comments on a blog, I'm pretty sure this model will be told one way or another that a thicker skin is in order. Or will she? What are her rights (or anyone that's bullied) in comparison to the freedom of speech of the anonymous poster?

What do you think? Should you be able to say anything negative on the Internet? What are the limits?

Source

A Lovely Little Vignette From Frankie Hearts Fashion

Angela Swinderman Elias — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:01:52 PST

Our design-savvy readers are always inspiring us with shots of stylish scenes from their homes in our Lovely Little Vignettes group. In honor of Fashion Week, we decided to tap the shoulder of one of our favorite personal style bloggers, Nicole from Frankie Hearts Fashion, to take on our Lovely Little Vignettes fashion challenge! And, just as we expected, she absolutely killed it.

Nicole mixes bold, neon citrus with classic black-and-white graphics, and a touch of fire-engine red, for a combination that works equally well in an outfit and a room. Aside from crafting a mesmerizing color palette, she also experiments with mixing bohemian and more refined style influences in both shots. Her flowing halter dress and sunflower bouquet reveal her inner flower child while her Louboutin heels and crisp white sofa showcase a more polished side.

Check out Nicole's blog to see additional photos of her chic ensemble, plus details on how she got the look. If you have a stylish nook in your home, show us! You might just be our next featured blogger.

Get to Know Our Nominees For Elle Decor's 2012 Bloggers' Choice!

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:00:35 PST

Last month, Elle Decor asked us to nominate our picks for under-the-radar designers who we believe are going to make it big in 2012. Now, our choices are highlighted along with those of Elle Decor's other (and I quote) "favorite design bloggers." You can check out our choices, along with other bloggers' favorites, on Elle Decor's site now, and in the March issue of Elle Decor.

Keep reading to learn more about our two choices, and to see their portfolios!

Would You Want to be as Successful as Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg?

Emily Co — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:34:15 PST

Many of us look up to Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg as a role model because she's one of the most successful female business leaders of our time. She's consistently ranked by Forbes as one of the most powerful women in the world and she's estimated to be worth a cool $1.6 billion. She's the face of women trying to crack the glass ceiling, and with so many glowing praises showered on Sandberg, I was surprised to see career blogger Penelope Trunk make the bold statement that "very few women want to be Sandberg." Trunk explains:

"Sandberg wants to be a role model for women who want big, exciting careers. But here’s the problem: women don't want to be Sandberg. It’s no coincidence that the number one woman on the list of self-made millionaires is Oprah. She has no kids and no husband. She’s fascinating, nice, and smart. But few of us would really enjoy her life.

Sandberg and Oprah represent extreme choices in life. The things they give up are not things that most women would want to give up in exchange for the wild career success they could have . . . You can't have small kids and a startup if you want to see your kids."

Everyone has a different definition of what it means to "make it." In fact, success for many women doesn't mean climbing the corporate ladder; it's having a good work-life balance, according to a More magazine survey. The Facebook executive may be one of the wealthiest women around, but her intensive job may leave her with less time to spend with her two kids and husband. What about you - would you want to be as successful as Sheryl Sandberg?

Two Is Better Than One (Just Ask Romeo and Juliet)

Sponsor — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:00:00 PST

What happens when premium espresso meets rich, creamy cocoa? Aside from your coffee dreams coming true, the answer is simple and decidedly delicious - Starbucks® Caffé Mocha. Like the yin and yang, a blogger with their laptop, peanut butter and jelly, or Angelina and Brad, espresso and cocoa are better together. The icing on the cake? Every Starbucks® Caffé Mocha is handcrafted from the world's finest beans, wholesome freshly steamed milk, and premium chocolaty mocha. Rich and delicious (another winning combo) and perfectly balanced, being together has never tasted so sweet. The new Starbucks® Caffé Mocha (much like cookie dough and ice cream) is the perfect balance of fabulous flavors. So, @Starbucks wants to know, who would you share a Caffé Mocha with? #bettertogether.

Our "Roadway to My Heart" Downloadable Valentine Is Perfect For School!

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:32:24 PST

Who needs hearts, kisses, and all that pink? If your home is filled with lil ones who'd rather play with cars, trucks, and things that go than add some glitter to a valentine he'll hand out at school, we've got just the card for you! We were challenged by the editors at Martha Stewart's Living in the Family Room blog to create a boy-friendly valentine that would get tots excited about more than the candy associated with Feb. 14.

The result: "Roadway to My Heart," an interactive card that combines a downloadable valentine and Matchbox cars.

Keep reading for the free download and step-by-step instructions for creating the card at home.

MAC Bloggers' Obsessions Collection: See All the Products Now!

Jaime Richards — Tue, 31 May 2011 11:14:29 PDT

Last month we heard word that MAC Cosmetics would be launching a blogger collection, and now we have all the details about the line. The Bloggers' Obsessions collection will feature nine new shades (five Lipglasses and four shadows) custom-created by nine beauty bloggers. The limited-edition products will be available on MAC's website only from June 21 through Aug. 2, but until then, check out the gallery now to peep all the great new makeup colors.