GeekSugar

The Hang On Outlet Holds Your Loose Cords Securely

GeekSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:00:20 PDT

Since I love uncommon ways to keep power cords stowed away that are still aesthetically pleasing within your home's decor, I was all eyes when I came across this simplistic cord holder. The Hang On Outlet, designed by Paulo Oh, has created this user-friendly cord holder that makes unplugged cords look neat and tidy.

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Why You Snack at Night - and How to Avoid It

FitSugar — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 13:13:30 PST

Late-night snacking can be a calorie-loaded diet pitfall, but if you're able to recognize the reason behind your cravings, you can curb the impulse and stick to your healthy habits. Regularly find yourself back in the kitchen shortly after dinner? Here's why you keep snacking, plus how to scale back:

You skimp on food throughout the day. If you aren't eating enough at each meal, your body is going to kick into hunger overdrive later. Do you skip breakfast to save time? Breeze through a small lunch because you're too busy to keep eating? It's important to space out your food intake so that the hunger doesn't sneak up on you after dinner. Make sure to stay satisfied by eating a mix of protein, fats, and carbohydrates at every meal.
You're sad, angry, or _____. Any and all emotions can trigger the impulse to eat. Lower the odds of stress-fueled fridge raids by staying in touch with how you're feeling and choosing different outlets. If you start to regularly unwind in other ways - by calling a friend, for instance, or taking a walk - then you'll learn to deal with your anxiety before you even think to storm the cabinets.

Keep reading for more healthy snacking tips.

How to Hang Your Christmas Tree Lights

Julia Millay Walsh — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 03:00:33 PST

The Christmas tree may be an international icon, but you'd be surprised by how many people don't know how to hang lights on one. Beginning tonight at 7 p.m. EST, the folks in Rockefeller Center will kick off their annual tree lighting celebration, so I thought I'd let you in on a few tips so you can join in on the fun and light yours too!

Begin with a bare, undecorated Christmas tree that is seated firmly in its tree stand.
Plug your string lights - which had better be LED lights - into an outlet to make sure they work before you get started. If they do not light, first make sure that none of the bulbs are broken. If so, replace the bulbs. If no bulbs are broken, you'll need to replace the fuse in the fuse panel on the pronged accessory plug. That should do it!
Begin at the base of the tree and work your way to the top by weaving your string lights over and under the branches alternately as you go across.
Keep reading for the rest of the steps!

Jessica Biel Tells Elle She Almost Starred in The Notebook!

Allie Merriam — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:46:10 PDT

Jessica Biel wore a Donna Karan New York dress for the cover of Elle's December 2011 issue and inside spoke about her aspirations and career. One topic that the actress wouldn't touch on, though, was her on-again relationship with Justin Timberlake. Jessica has been busy shooting both Total Recall in Vancouver and New Year's Eve in NYC recently. Nonetheless, she's had plenty of time to hang out with JT in places like LA and Las Vegas, as well as a few hours for a chat with the magazine. Jessica said:

On her status with Justin Timberlake: "A girl doesn't kiss and tell."
On a role that got away: "The Notebook. That's one that I wanted so badly. I was in the middle of shooting Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and I auditioned with Ryan Gosling in my trailer - covered in blood. [Director] Nick Cassavetes put me through the wringer in an interesting, excitingly creative way. But there's a million that get away. We're gluttons for punishment. It's just rejection."
On whether she would consider leaving show business: "Absolutely. I'd love to write. I wrote a lot of short stories and poetry when I was a kid. That was my creative outlet. I've written a short film, and I write poetry."

Cell Phone Rant: Unplugging Etiquette

Geek Community — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:35:25 PDT

This post comes to us from Elfyn, who let it all hang out in our Cell Phone Rant group:

I own a mail and parcel shipping store in Southern California. A customer comes in wanting to make a copy, but the copier doesn't seem to be working. I go to help him and find my copier unplugged and a mysterious charger plugged in in its place. Note, the person who plugged in their charger had to physically move the copier to get to the electrical outlet. I follow the cord to a customer standing near the front of my store yakking away on his cell phone. When I try to ask him about it he holds up his finger to have me wait while he finishes his conversation. After he finishes his phone call, I ask him why he unplugged my copier to plug in his charger. He said, "Oh I didn't know that was your copier." Really? You just walk into a business and unplug their equipment to plug in your charger without even asking?

Need to vent your cell phone frustrations? You've found the right place! Join the Cell Phone Rant group and give me your best, most annoying tales of the rude cell phone users in your world - your story could be featured on GeekSugar! Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Red Flags That Aren't Really Red Flags

Annie Scudder — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:00:00 PDT

Some dating red flags are universal - like getting wasted on a first date - but no man is perfect. Although relationship expert Natasha Burton wrote a book all about the warning signs women need to look out for when looking for love, she says her mission is not to cut down men for having flaws. If a guy shows signs of any of these commonly mistaken red flags, Natasha, the coauthor of The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags, thinks single women should think twice before writing him off.

He's never had a girlfriend before. Natasha admits this could be a red flag. "But before you think he's clearly got issues with women or commitment or both," she explains, "find out the real story. He may have just been waiting for the right gal to come along."
He's got terrible style. "We can't tell you how many stories we hear of women who refuse to date a guy because of a physical imperfection or superficial flaw," Natasha tells me. "We say - red flag on you! While a guy may be stuck in a world of flannel or graphic tees, don't let his appearance take precedence over who he is."
He plays video games. "While a guy who does nothing but play Xbox is not one we'd suggest for a boyfriend," she says, "playing games can be a great outlet for guys in high-stress jobs, allowing a dude to detox after a long day at the office. As long as his Halo habit doesn't usurp his hang-out-with-you habit, you're in the clear."
He lives with his parents. "In this economy, most young people - men and women - are being forced to live with multiple roommates. And sometimes those roommates are our parents," she concedes. "If he's taking steps toward independence and doesn't expect to live in mom and dad's basement forever, don't judge."
He's terrified of having children. "Most guys we know think babies are cute . . . as long as they are other people's babies. If your guy can't talk about your joint future together (moving in, marriage, etc.), that can be a big red flag. But if he's a little squeamish about the presumed end of your normal sex life and the beginning of changing diapers all night long, let him slide a bit."

Do you agree with Natasha that these characteristics are no big dealbreaker? Or would you run the other way without thinking twice if you met a man with any of these qualities?

For more advice on dating red flags, check out our series with the authors, or pick up their book The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags.

Miranda Kerr Returns Home and Takes Baby Flynn on a Ride Around Town

Katie Henry — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 13:41:07 PDT

Miranda Kerr was back on the West Coast Tuesday and stepped out with her little bundle of joy, Flynn Bloom. Last weekend, Miranda was in the Big Apple to team up with fellow supermodel and former Victoria's Secret Angel Heidi Klum for a jog. The moms caught up on work and family, even sharing photos of their little ones. Miranda's now back in LA hanging with Flynn while she preps for the debut of her upcoming Australian TV special, which takes a closer look inside her life with Orlando, Flynn, and their dog Frankie. News outlet The Sunday Program flew her parents and grandparents to California earlier this year and hung out with the whole Kerr crew while filming the visit. Miranda talks more about life as a new mom on the show and also shares new details of her intense childbearing experience.