GeekSugar

Casa Quickie: Don't Be Afraid to Paint

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:30:22 PDT

It always bugs me when my friends put up with their beige rental walls, and then complain that their homes aren't as cute as mine. After college when I was living on my own in a rented studio, my first design decision was to paint my walls Benjamin Moore's "Wales Green." I painted before I'd bought any furniture, aside from a mattress and box spring. It instantly made me feel at home, even though my bedside table was a cardboard box turned upside down.

Apparently, decorator Nick Olsen is with me on this one. He recently shared his biggest design mistakes with The Washington Post, and first on the list is being afraid to paint. "If you're not willing to paint, you're really not willing to do much in terms of decorating," he says. "Being safe will get in the way of good design." I can hear your response already: your landlord won't allow it. Nick says, "I know people will say that they signed an agreement and they are not allowed to paint; fair enough. But every situation is different. I painted every single surface of my first apartment studio and only lost $200 of my security deposit, so it was totally worth it." Worth thinking about.

Source

File Away Your Dreams With This DOS Directories Pillow

GeekSugar — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:00:13 PDT

Before I even saw these pillows I knew that I'd love them considering they were designed by the Art Lebedev Studio - the same artistic genius behind the adorable byte-sized Babushka dolls. Embroidered with DOS directories, these Dosugus cushions will certainly bring any geek back in time, to the days before Windows (yes, computer life existed before then). And not only that, but for $36, they will also file away all your dreams on your C: directory!

Tips For Building an Effective Online Dating Profile

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:02:33 PST

In this digital age, men and women aren't just hitting bars and coffee shops to snag a date. More and more, they're heading to the Internet. In fact, 50 percent of men have met a woman online according to a recent survey. It's obvious that online dating has become the norm, and for good reason - the Internet gives you more options because you can cover a wider area of partner possibilities (as in, the entire globe). And while your chances are better of finding a compatible mate on the worldwide web than, say, your small town of 13,000 people, the Internet can't help you if you don't give off the right signals. First impressions are everything - even virtual ones. Beef up your online dating profile with these tips, and snag yourself one of those "many fish" your mother is always talking about.

Make sure you're fishing in the right pool -You wouldn't go to Craigslist's Casual Encounters to look for a serious relationship, so don't go to Match.com if you're just looking for a little fun on a Friday night. Sites like eHarmony and Chemistry have had a lot of success by getting scientific about the dating process (taking your likes and dislikes and matching you up with someone who's compatible), so make sure you're ready to commit before diving in!
Lose the negativity - No one wants to meet up with a Debbie Downer, so if your online dating profile is riddled with sarcasm, negativity, and pessimism, you can be sure that you won't be getting many date requests any time soon. This doesn't mean you have to be fake, just keep the "I'm too cool for school" attitude to a minimum.

See a few more tips, including some important dos and don'ts for your profile photos, when you read more

Relaxing Ways to Stay Healthy and De-Stress

Leta Shy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:38:17 PST

Exercise is a proven way to beat stress, but if you're more in the mode for relaxation, here are some ways to ensure you stay healthy and stress-free without a bead of sweat.

Eat fresh: Greasy, fried foods may be endorphin-boosting since they're addictive, but in the end, they'll only make you feel bloated and tired. Instead of eating processed foods, reach for feel-good foods that will not only help you get the nutrition you need but will also boost your happiness, like these five foods that fight stress.

Think low-intensity, not no-intensity: On those lazy days when you don't want to sweat it out, there's ways to still burn calories and boost endorphins. Whether you're walking or practicing restorative yoga, make sure you stay moving when you're feeling especially overwhelmed.

Read on for more tips after the break.

7 Things You Should Do This February

SavvySugar — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:05:00 PST

We're just getting started with the year! To make sure you're sticking to that January resolution of staying on top of your money, read my list of February must dos that will help you stay on track with your 2012 goals and keep your finances in order. Get a fresh start to this short month with these must-do savvy moves.

Link Time - When Marriage Leads to Boredom

TresSugar — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:59:30 PST

Are you feeling bored with your marriage? Here's how to fix that! - YourTango
Eight celebs who converted for love - The Frisky
Signs you might be into your guy friend - CollegeCandy
The redeeming qualities of the Housewives - The Daily Beast
Say what? Men can hear when you have your period - Huffington Post
Are these Legos sexist? - Newser
A sneak peek of Blair Waldorf's royal wedding album - BuzzSugar
The dos and don'ts of drunk sex - Glamour
"I'm in love with my roommate’s live-in boyfriend" - Nerve

5 Ways to Stay Healthy During a Super Bowl Party

Leta Shy — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:37:18 PST

Super Bowl parties, whether you're a football fan or not, are a great way to socialize with friends over food and drinks, but that doesn't mean you have to disregard any of your healthy eating goals this weekend. If you're going to a Super Bowl party on Sunday, read on for five ways to keep it healthy during all the fun.

Bring a healthy side: You can't control how many of your friends will be bringing a vat of their famous spinach dip, but you can save a few calories by bringing a healthier treat that you can't wait to eat. Bone up on ideas for healthy Super Bowl dips and snacks with this recipe guide and bring something calorie-conscious yet still delicious to the table.
Get up, stand up: Yes, for some, the Super Bowl is all about the commercials, but that doesn't mean that you can't watch while moving. Sitting for all those hours just isn't healthy, so instead of staying still once you've found a seat on the couch, take a few TV breaks by making your rounds at the party or excusing yourself for a stretching session (just make sure you aren't distracting die-hard TV watchers in the process!).

Read on for three more must-dos to keep Super Bowl Sunday healthy.

Gossip Girl Sneak Peek: See Blair's Royal Wedding Album!

Becky Kirsch — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:06:23 PST

Ready or not here comes the bride! Tonight marks Gossip Girl's 100th episode, and Blair and Louis will finally make it to the altar for their royal wedding. Blair looks gorgeous in her Vera Wang gown, while her bridesmaids (including Serena, of course) are decked out in pastry-pink dresses and fascinators. Meanwhile, Chuck and Georgina are lurking in the wings, which means they're likely hatching an intervention plan. It wouldn't be Gossip Girl without a major plot twist, so nothing is settled until we hear the "I dos." In the meantime, let's ogle these pics!

Photos courtesy of The CW

If You're Craving Girl Scout Cookies, Try These Instead

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:13:50 PST

It's Girl Scout Cookie time! Noshing on these fund-raising treats seems like an American pastime, but it can be challenging to keep a snack session of these seasonal sweets in check. If you can enjoy your cookies in a reasonable manner, then good for you! But if you're looking for a way to scratch that sugary itch without killing your healthy eating agenda, here are some healthier alternatives.

Do-Si-Dos
Two-cookie serving: 120 calories, five grams of fat, seven grams of sugar

Quick Fix: The Larabar Peanut Butter Cookie is a perfect substitute since it's so filling - I usually only eat half of a bar at a time. One bar contains 220 calories, seven grams of protein, and four grams of fiber. Made out of dried dates, one bar equals one half serving of fruit. There are 18 grams of sugar in this bar, but the sugar content is not added; it naturally occurs in the dates. The other two ingredients in this bar are peanuts and salt.

DIY Fix: Make your own tasty peanut butter treat! Blend a little peanut butter, apple sauce, and raisins for a sweet, satisfying, and nutritious homemade spread. Two tablespoons of this peanut butter raisin spread offers almost five grams of protein and two grams of fiber.

Don't see your fave cookie? Keep on reading!

Pros Dish on 2012's Hottest Wedding Trends

Tara Sharp — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:00:26 PST

This past weekend I attended the San Francisco Wedding Fair at the Four Seasons and was able to chat with a variety of wedding biz pros about what's trending in the world of I dos. Professionals involved in everything from wedding planning to invitations to cupcakes to dress designing gave their insight on what's going to be hot this wedding season. So if you're planning your big day or helping out someone who is, we've got the scoop on this year's big wedding trends!