GeekSugar

People to Power Times Square New Year's Party

GeekSugar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 06:00:39 PST

The spectacular Times Square New Year's Eve celebration is already going to be that much more entertaining this year with the bigger Times Square LED-covered ball, and now Duracell has announced that they will power the ball with batteries charged by people.

They've recently built a "power lodge" in Times Square, which features rows of bicycles with generators that are connected to massive batteries. Visitors are able to take part in the pedal power that will provide enough power for the batteries to last 10 to 15 minutes during the live show. In total, Duracell is expecting 230 hours of visitor participation to reach their power goal by Dec. 31. Talk about going big and eco-chic!

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Times Square New Year's Eve Ball to Be Bigger Than Ever

GeekSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:30:53 PST

Get ready, get set, because this year's New Year's Eve in Times Square is going to be bigger and better than last year.

How? Well the signature Times Square ball, will be twice as big as previous years, being covered in more than 2,668 Waterford Crystals.

And not only that, but it will be powered by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDS, giving it that picture-perfect colorful kaleidoscope effect. Too bad I won't be in NYC for the festivities!

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A Modern Floral and Dragon-Inspired Chinese New Year Tablesetting

Casa Community — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:00:58 PST

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member CourtneyOutLoud from the Lovely Little Vignettes group:

The Year of the Dragon is upon us! January 23rd marks Lunar New Year, or what many people call Chinese New Year. I initially created this table for our Christmas holiday but instantly realized that it could serve double duty for a Chinese New Year Party. The bright red and white color scheme works perfectly with the theme of the holiday: happiness, fortune and renewal.

Traditionally, windows and doors are decorated with red paper cutouts emphasizing the themes I listed above. On the Eve of Chinese New Year, supper is a feast with families. Food will include such items as pigs, ducks, chicken and sweet delicacies. The family will end the night with firecrackers. Early the next morning, children will greet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year, and receive money in red paper envelopes.

I reinterpreted these themes into a more modern aesthetic. Rather than the traditional couplets used to decorate windows, I handcrafted supersized red, white and silver paper flowers to provide a textural backdrop.

The tablescape centered around a spray lacquered manzanita branch that provided a nice sense of movement and bold splash of color to the table. Clear glass balls, red dragonflies (a homage to it being The Year of the Dragon), geometric glass candlesticks, and two white wicker pagodas with red poinsettias finish off the centerpiece. I loved the idea of using poinsettias after the holiday season since we had them in the house and they went perfectly with the color scheme.

Individual place settings are comprised of Ralph Lauren plates in the Pagoda pattern, red napkins, and individualized shadow boxes lined in red sparkly craft paper. The shadow boxes are a great way to elevate the place settings and create one-of-a-kind gifts for your dinner guests. Each were personalized to the individuals attending the dinner party. To finish off the place settings, small red and white bouquets were placed in Chinese take-out containers and each plate had a red envelope containing a personal wish for each guest.

Keep reading for more photos of Courtney's gorgeous table!

Did You Receive a Midnight Kiss?

Anna Monette Roberts — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 04:00:00 PST

New Year's Eve is about good company, a little bubbly, and the highly anticipated countdown. While the midnight kiss is a NYE tradition, it shouldn't make or break the evening. Some might hunt down a man for a midnight kiss. While for others, the kiss is just a spontaneous happenstance. If you snagged a kiss last night, how did it happen? Did your guy friend finally confess his feelings or did a love interest make a move? Did you have a steamy, passionate kiss with a stranger? Did the lover in your life sweep you off your feet when the ball dropped?

Are You Celebrating New Year's Eve Frugally?

Emily Co — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:05:19 PST

Whether you'll be part of the massive crowd in Times Square waiting for the ball to drop or spending a quiet night in with family, I'm sure many of you already have your New Year's Eve celebration plans in place. I'm wondering how you'll be ringing in the New Year - are you celebrating frugally or are you dishing out some dough for this once-a-year event?

What's Your New Year's Eve Beauty Plan?

BellaSugar — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 07:12:04 PST

New Year's Eve is a time marking change, renewal, and in some cases, a little bit of serious partying. Depending on your NYE itinerary and your overall style, everyone's beauty regiment is bound to be a little different. Hitting up the hottest spot in your neighborhood? You're probably planning on getting glitzed out. If a low-key evening to watch the ball drop on the tube is more your speed, glitter may be the last thing on your mind. On the cusp of 2012, how do you plan on getting primped as we ring in the new year?

Time For New Year's Eve Party Prep

OnSugar — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:00:46 PST

Here's a post from OnSugar blog House of Anaïs:

New Year's Eve is just days away, so it's time to start thinking of the evening's decor and search for some inspiration. Be it cute home-made labels for the bubbly, wine or water bottles, a cute centrepiece with the ball dropping a la NYC, or a full-blown table setup for dinner, the sky is the limit when it comes to colors and decor (although silver and gold in stars and baubles still seem to be the winning combination when it comes to popularity...).

Make sure to read the rest of the post from OnSugar blog House of Anaïs:

to see the rest of her fab ideas for New Year's Eve decorating! Like what you see? Start following House of Anaïs to read more! Or start your own OnSugar blog and maybe it will be featured here as well!

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Jessica Biel Goes Glam in Valentino For Charity: Ball

Mackenzie Wagoner — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:57:36 PST

Jessica Biel flashed a smile at last night's Charity: Ball in NYC. The star rubbed shoulders with fellow philanthropic celebs like Sophia Bush at the bash, which raised money for charity: water's efforts to bring clean, safe drinking water to those in need around the world. It was Jessica's latest act for the cause, after she helped coordinate a Live Earth run in 2009 and climbed Kilimanjaro in 2010 to bring attention to the global water crisis.

Jessica chose a sheer black dress for the occasion. It was designed by Valentino, the same fashion house who outfitted her for the NYC premiere of New Year's Eve with Sarah Jessica Parker and Zac Efron last week. Jessica handled press rounds in the Big Apple and the UK for the ensemble film, but Zac picked up promotional duties today by heading to Japan for more events.

Fab's Top 10 Celebrity Looks of the Week - Diane, Olivia, Jessica, and More!

Hannah Weil — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:53:11 PST

This week's favorite looks are culled from red carpets, store openings, and parties, making for one incredibly glamorous crew of celebrity favorites. Diane Kruger stepped out for UNICEF's Ball in a sultry, sheer Emilio Pucci gown, Jessica Biel hit the New Year's Eve premiere in a sparkly Valentino, and fashion darling Olivia Palermo dazzled in a little black Marchesa. There's more in store, like Kristen Bell in a wintry white Christian Dior gown and Nicole Richie channeling her signature edgy chic in a leather cutout Osman gown - step inside to see them all.

Rachel McAdams Shines in Standout Metallics!

Allison McNamara — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 10:51:30 PST

For the LA premiere of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Rachel McAdams donned a silver metallic Marchesa gown with a plunging low back. We love the idea of making a simple silhouette fresh and modern by opting for one in a cool, textured print. A silvery, mixed-materials frock is a festive alternative to your go-to red party dress and is also perfect for watching the ball drop on New Year's Eve. She finished the look with pretty diamond earrings and pinky ring by Jacqueline Nerguizian. Take a look at Rachel McAdams's perfect party look!