GeekSugar

Facebook Infiltrates the Web With the "Like" Button

GeekSugar — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 19:30:49 PDT

At yesterday's F8 Developers Conference here in San Francisco, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed a new feature that lets Facebook roam free on the Web. Called the "Like" button, this feature allows you to "like" something you've found interesting anywhere a button is available. Used to be that liking something was restricted to your Facebook news feed, but now you'll see these buttons popping up all over the Internet as developers and webmasters add the feature to their sites. In fact, you can find them all across the PopSugar Network right now!

Once you or your friends "Like" something, you'll see tiny versions of your profile pictures pop up on the website, essentially saying you'd recommend this piece of content to your pals. You can "like" things without having to re-log in to Facebook, and can get a rundown of your friends' recommendations in your Facebook Activity feed. Worried about strangers catching a glimpse of your profile pic on a website? I'll tell you how to make sure your privacy settings are in order when you read more.

The Magic of Mushroom Sandwiches

OnSugar Blog — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:09:29 PST

These mushroom sandwiches via Between the Bread look so enticing, don't they? Makes us wonder why every deli board doesn't have a "mushroom sandwiches" section.

For most of my life, I hated mushrooms, and when I turned the corner into mushroom conversion, I became somewhat obsessed. Lately, 'shrooms have been my go-to sandwich filling if I'm not feeling particularly meaty. The earthy, salty taste and the substantial presence feel so decadent, especially when melted with cheese.

First we have a mushroom panini from DeLessio Market, smushed into cheesy service with zucchini and onions. Like many mushroom paninis, this suffered from a slight slipperiness, but that didn't stop me from eating the whole thing.

Check out her other mushroom sandwich encounters when you keep reading.

A Deeper Look Into One Winner of the World Architecture News' Long List of Best Houses From 2011

Anna Monette Roberts — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:00:26 PST

This stunning, five-story townhouse in London is featured on the WAN Interior Design Awards of 2011. The architectural and design team at Lawson Robb renovated and modernized the space to create a tranquil environment for their busy, travel-heavy client. Beyond the masculine yet cozy design, the beautiful, refurbished house includes lavish amenities like an entire floor devoted to a "wellness center," a cinema room, wine cellar, and gym. Click through to see more.

Photo courtesy of Lawson Robb

7 Savvy Community College Classes

Leta Shy — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:00:11 PST

Even if you're done with your school days, enrolling in a community college class can be a great resource to learn a new skill or develop yourself professionally. Plus, they are usually relatively cheap, and can be a great way to meet like-minded people. Check out my list of seven classes that are a great way to spend your after-work time.

Classic Board Games With an iPhone Flair

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:50:33 PST

Classic toy brand Hasbro thinks game night is in dire need of a tech edge, based on their just-revealed spin on classic games Monopoly and The Game of Life. At this year's Toy Fair, the company is previewing tech savvy versions of the games that use iOS devices during play.

Monopoly Zapped plays generally like the classic real estate game you know, but instead of fake paper money players tap "debit cards" on their iOS device of choice to withdraw or add funds to their game account. The app will also have side games to try for a free "get out of jail" pass.

Being mildly obsessed with The Game of Life as a kid, the Zapped version of the game is what I'm most excited to try. Use your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch for a digital version of the giant number spinner and view family snapshots of your fabulous life by the end of the game. The game also features over 100 videos from America's Funniest Home Videos, which I really hope can be skipped through on the app.

Life Zapped will hit store shelves in Spring, while its Monopoly counterpart debuts in the Fall. Both games will retail for $25. Are you interested in playing an apped-up version of the games, or is classic better when it comes to board games?

George Clooney Gets Candid About Drinking, Feeling Lonely, and Brad Pitt in THR

Lauren Turner — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:37:03 PST

George Clooney is front and center on the cover of The Hollywood Reporter's latest issue. He's had an exciting award season with The Descendants and The Ides of March so far. He picked up honors at the Golden Globes and Critics' Choice Awards, and grabbed nominations from the SAGs and Academy Awards. George's latest red-carpet appearance was at the BAFTAs over the weekend, though he didn't return home with a statue for either film. He also posed for the cameras solo, since girlfriend Stacy Keibler didn't join him overseas. George talked to THR about feeling lonely even when surrounded by people, the truth about his friendship with Brad Pitt, and why he stopped drinking. Here's more from George in The Hollywood Reporter:

On Brad Pitt: "Brad is one of the great guys. We’re good friends, but it’s different from what people think, meaning we don’t spend a lot of time together. He has been to my home in Como; we motorcycle together. But until recently, I hadn’t seen Brad in a year."
On quitting drinking: "I drink at times too much. I do enjoy drinking, and there have been times in my life when it’s crossed the line from being fun to having to drink late at night for absolutely no reason. So what I do is, I stop. I haven’t had a drink since New Year’s Eve."
On feeling lonely: "Anyone would be lying if they said they didn’t get lonely at times. The loneliest you will get is in the most public of arenas: You will go to a place and end up in the smallest compartment possible, because it’s a distraction to everybody, and you end up not getting to enjoy it like everyone else. I have been infinitely more alone in a bad relationship; there’s nothing more isolating. I have been in places in my life where that has existed."

The 5 Hottest Trends From the 2012 Toy Fair

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:34:09 PST

Like a kid in a candy shop, I made my way through the 100,000 new toys introduced at the 2012 Toy Fair this week. There was no shortage of games, toys, and new characters to pique a mama's interest, and while there wasn't one "standout toy" that had everyone on the floor talking, I noticed quite a few trends among the wares. Keep reading to see what toy manufacturers think kids will want to be playing with come Fall, and tell me which are already catching your eye in the comments below!

"I Feel Unappreciated"

Tres Community — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:30:53 PST

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

I guess I am naturally a giver. As in a person who is happy doing things for others and in the process am happy when the other person is. However I find this terribly exhausting when I seem to give and no one appreciates it. Am I just setting myself up to be miserable? How do you find balance between giving and receiving?

While I know my boyfriend loves me, I find that I do things for him that he may take for granted. Like sometimes when I go by a store and see a shirt I think would look good on him, I would buy it. But that never happens for me. I just feel really crappy. I know I shouldn't expect anything in return, but on some level it is bound to happen. I have stopped with random giving. But what else can I do?

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.

Global Pantry: A Short Course on Cardamom

Padma Lakshmi — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:18:02 PST

We've got a new partnership with Padma Lakshmi! The host of the Emmy-winning Top Chef, writer, and designer started Padma Lakshmi, a social networking site that celebrates our favorite topics, including food adventures, recipes, and party planning. She'll be dishing up goodies for us here on YumSugar monthly. Today, Padma shows us what the spice cardamom is useful for, and why it's so much better to grind cardamom yourself.

Cardamom comes in two main forms: pale, sage-green pods that contain eight to 10 tiny, highly perfumed seeds (which are crushed to make the spice powder), and the larger black cardamom that is used to give savory roasts and curries their heat. For baking, make sure you ask for the green kind, as it is significantly more delicate in aroma and taste; the black variety tastes of menthol and eucalyptus. Most supermarkets sell cardamom in its powder form, but it’s very easy to make your own freshly ground cardamom powder for baking and mixing into spiced teas, like masala chai. Turkish and Arabic coffee also get their aroma from cardamom; it’s a lovely spice to have on hand to dress up many a simple sweet concoction.

Just take a dozen or so green cardamom pods (they are only a 1/4-inch long) and slowly peel away the pale, dry, green shell of each to reveal the tiny black pellet seeds inside. One side of the pod will be more pointed; with your thumb and index finger, peel back a side by breaking the little pointed nub. You can even smash or crush a few at a time with the back of a large metal spoon or ladle. Make sure you have a small mortar and pestle on hand; peel the pods directly over the mortar’s basin so as to catch all the seeds. Once you’ve collected enough seeds, discard the green outer shells and pound the seeds into a fine powder with the pestle. Save in a small glass jar in your pantry; the powder will keep its fragrance for months if you seal it well.

What’s your favorite spice for baking and cooking?

Photo Source: 2bp

More stories from PadmaLakshmi.com:

Global Pantry: A Dash of Asafetida Is All You Need

Warm Up With Drinking Chocolate

From My Kitchen: Basil and Blood Orange Salad

Pumpkin: A Savory Flavor That Spans Seasons

Oscar de la Renta Fall 2012

Marisa Tom — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:11:28 PST

We can always count on Oscar de la Renta for red-carpet perfect dresses and the most elevated execution of ladylike wares, and this season was no exception to the rule. Marked by a definitive nod to the refined woman, Oscar upped his fantasy fashion quotient with a collection positively dripping in jewels. Teardrop-shaped pearl earrings, antique-inspired brooches, embellished sheaths, satin-and-diamante headbands, and even jewel-print graphics popped up on the runway. In addition to the dazzle factor, the designer honed in on updating his classic tweed jackets, perfectly tailored circle skirts, and "ladies who lunch" suits for both the younger, daring crew and the more sophisticated set. He adorned dresses with long pastel-hued feathers, added long, chunky cable-knit cardigans for a casual feel, and polished off looks with bejeweled leather belts. And as any fairy-tale show must end, Oscar delivered stunning, princess-worthy, or in this case - Academy Awards-worthy - ball gowns. These frothy, ethereal creations boasted full skirts, slightly drawn up in front like theater curtains, and off-the-shoulder necklines, and of course, they have "A-list" written all over them. See below for more Oscar de la Renta details.

Trends: Jewel embellishments, brooches, refined suits, and fairy-tale gowns.
Colors: Soft pink, powder blue, red, and black.
Key Piece: The voluminous jaw-dropping ball gowns in both slate blue and muted pink - chances are, we'll be seeing these confections on the red carpet very soon.
Accessories: Teardrop-shaped pearl earrings, antique-inspired brooches, fishnet stockings, velvet bow tie shoes, and satin-and-diamante headbands.
Who Would Wear It: Oscar de la Renta's arsenal of loyal fans, like Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Chastain, and Anna Wintour.