GeekSugar

Totally Geeky or Geek Chic? Electric Table

GeekSugar — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 13:05:58 PDT

The electric table is "decorated" with electrical outlets on all sides and mixes electronic aesthetic with furniture and function. As the designer Broberg and Ridderstrale points out, this encourages the integration of gadgets in our homes.

"Depending on how it is used, the electrical appliance turns into "electro-decoration," says the designer.

Power source issues are a big deal at my house and at my office, so I am naturally intrigued by the idea of being able to hook up my phone and computer right at my desktop. I'd prefer the outlets be hidden under the table top, but this is still a clean way to avoid the ugly black surge protector - assuming this table has a protector built in.

LilSugar's Baby Registry Essentials

LilSugar — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:56:34 PDT

It's amazing just how much stuff a person as tiny as a newborn baby needs. But as anyone who's gone through it before can tell you, babies are high-maintenance little people! If you're lucky enough to have friends and family who want to gift the new addition, they'll likely be looking to rely on your registry.

Consider registering at a larger, all-inclusive baby store, like Giggle or Buy Buy Baby in addition to a smaller, local specialty shop to provide the greatest variety in terms of projects. Sites like MyRegistry.com and AmazingRegistry.com allow you to create a customized registry from a variety of different online sources, making them a great option when family and friends are spread out around the country. Make sure that you get the most out of your registry by following our guide to everything you need to bring home baby!

LilSugar's Registry Must Haves
Every mom (and every baby) is different, and while we recommend using our list as a starting point, it really helps to see products in person, and talk to other new parents to find out exactly what worked for them. While this list encompasses what we believe to be the essentials, don't be shy about adding on some "just for fun" selections as well. If there's a piggy bank or stuffed animal that you've been coveting, go ahead and put it on there - people love gifting pretty presents. Happy registering!

At Home and on the Go
The amount of living/storage space that you have available should be a factor when making your decisions about whether you need a bouncy seat, playmat, and swing. When it comes to selecting a stroller, think about how soon you may be considering baby #2 - if it's within a year or two, you'll want to check out double strollers or convertible options. And now's a good time to think ahead to a toddler car seat (if you have room to stash it).

Stroller (or two)
Stroller Blanket
Footmuff or Bunting
Infant Car Seat
Toddler Car Seat
Swing and/or Bouncy Sea
Portable Crib
Carrier or Sling
Tummy Time Mat or Blankets

Layette (and Beyond)
You'll quickly learn that people love buying itty bitty baby clothes . . . but the 0- to 3-month wardrobe doesn't last very long! Register for a variety of outfits for baby's first year, but not beyond that. Since you don't know how quickly he/she will grow, it's hard to forecast what your needs will be for more than a year out.

Receiving Blankets
Swaddling Blankets
Side-Snap Undershirts
Coming Home Outfit
Onesies
Rompers
Sweaters
Sun Hats and Beanies
Socks
Sleep Gowns

Keep reading for the rest of our registry essentials!

Kelly Wearstler Goes Casual With a New China Collection For Pickard

Angela Swinderman Elias — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:40:42 PST

After falling for Kelly Wearstler's delicately gilded debut collection for Pickard, I was excited to catch a glimpse of her new casual collection. In true Kelly Wearstler fashion, her sophomore collection of china is covered in bold patterns, half of which also come in iconic '80s hues. Think deep periwinkle and electric fuchsia. Inspired by the natural patterns found in marble and stone varieties, classic moiré patterns, and designs from her sculpture collection, the six new settings look especially rich when they are mixed. Plus, at $175 for a five-piece casual set compared to $450 for one from her formal collection, you almost feel as though you're getting them at a steal.

I'm curious to know what you think of the new collection. Although I usually gravitate toward color, I'd have to say that my favorite designs are the black and white options. If I had to narrow it down to a first choice, though, I think I'd set a table with the Black on White Dots, shown here. Which set would you choose?

Equipment Lab: Manual Citrus Juicer

Camilla Salem — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:33:25 PST

Honestly, at this time in my life, I'm just not ready to shell out hundreds of dollars or give up precious counter space in my tiny kitchen for a massive juicing machine. But that doesn't mean I'll never get to enjoy a glass of freshly pressed orange or grapefruit juice from the comfort of my breakfast table. I swear by the manual citrus juicer that was passed down to me from my grandmother. It's a solid piece of equipment that is incredibly easy to use, store, and clean. And if you're a fan of pulp like I am, then you'll really appreciate the juice that this little contraption produces. To find out the benefits and drawbacks of this affordable juicer, keep reading.

25 Things to Do With Old Jeans

Wise Bread — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:00:46 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Wise Bread story here on Savvy!

Recycling fabric is a powerful green living and cost saving strategy. Denim is one of the coolest fabrics to do it with. It's sturdy, gains character with age and can be acquired very inexpensively at yard sales or in your own "old clothes" closet. Some of the coolest ideas I've found?

Pot holders. In my opinion, these look far better out of used denim than the new stuff. And you can incorporate your own style via choice of trim or a patch stitched to the outside. Here's a link to some tips for making your own.
Cool quilts. You can do this in many forms. Different shades of denim patchwork options abound and are certainly sturdy and fun. Unfortunately, one of the coolest ideas I've ever seen I've been unable to find pictures of. It was done with pieced denim, but they had left on all the details like pockets, buttons, belt loops, etc. It made for a really fabulous unique quilt with a lot of attitude. If anyone has a link to a picture of one of these, please post below in the comments section.

For more ideas, read on.

3 "Skinny" Thanksgiving Sides (Sweet Potatoes and Stuffing Included!)

Self — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:02:58 PST

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from Self here on FitSugar!

We have some alarming news about your Thanksgiving dinner plans. According to SkinnyChef.com founder Jennifer Iserloh, the average American consumes 3,500 calories on Thanksgiving Day. That, Iserloh points out, is the equivalent of one pound of body fat, people. (Are you running in place yet?)

Don't worry. We're not going to suggest that you skip the gravy or - gasp! - dessert (let's not get crazy here). Believe it or not, says Iserloh, despite that "pound of fat" comment, the average Thanksgiving meal is already fairly healthy. "It's all about portion size," she explains. "So remember not to overload your plate - your waistline will thank you, and it means a lot more leftovers throughout the week!"

Iserloh offers two simple strategies for making traditional sides "skinny," so your table (and thus your plate) isn't totally overloaded with calories:

Cut down on milk fat. Use skim milk when the recipe calls for milk or half and half. And, Iserloh assures us, you don't have to forgo butter all together - just cut the amount in half and use a little chicken broth if you need more moisture for whipped potatoes and stuffings.
Boost the flavor! When you cut the fat in half in your traditional recipes, use "flavor boosting" ingredients that are low-calorie. Iserloh recommends orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, mustard and turkey bacon.

And now, the SkinnyChef's three recipes for trim and tasty Thanksgiving sides

Quick Tip: Try Using Fans Instead of Air Conditioning at Night

Elka Karl — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 12:30:49 PDT

Isn't this retro-looking fan adorable? I have a couple fans in this style at our house and love the way they look - and the fact that they help cool the house effectively on the rare, hot Summer days in the Bay Area.

Did you know that you can actually use electric fans to supplement your air conditioning system? Instead of running the AC all day and all night, try using fans during the night to pull cool air into your house. Then, pull down the curtains and shades in the morning to eliminate sunlight pouring into rooms and warming up your house. With these easy steps, you can often delay turning on your air conditioner during the day and eliminate its use at night in many areas of the country.

Have you tried using fans instead of - or in addition to - air conditioning in your home? Interested in buying the fan shown here? It's the Deco Breeze Retro Table Fan ($47).

Michelle Williams Talks Marilyn Monroe, Healing, and Being Single in Vogue

Allie Merriam — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 07:23:14 PDT

Michelle Williams covers October's Vogue, which hits newsstands on Sept. 20, and she's featured wearing the makeup, hair, and costumes from her upcoming movie My Week With Marilyn. The Marilyn Monroe biopic is out in the US on Nov. 4. Inside the issue, Michelle speaks about the process of making the movie. Michelle also touches on more personal topics, like how she and 6-year-old daughter Matilda are faring three years after Heath Ledger's death as well as some thoughts on dating. Michelle confessed to being single despite an apparent romance with director Cary Fukunaga! She said:

On getting older: "I feel like something has changed for me, but it’s a new change, so it’s going to be hard for me to describe. Maybe it has something to do with turning 30. I don’t feel as shy or nervous or self-conscious. I have more confidence that I can handle what life brings me. I don’t feel scared to have an idea and express it. I feel giddy about it because it’s a complete transformation. It’s like I’ve found my voice."
On gaining weight to play Marilyn: "Unfortunately, it went right to my face. So at some point it became a question of, 'Do I want my face to look like Marilyn Monroe’s or my hips?'"
On healing after Heath's death: "Three years ago, it felt like we didn’t have anything, and now my life - our life - has kind of repaired itself. Look, it’s not a perfectly operating system - there are holes and dips and electrical storms - but the basics are intact. . . . It’s changed how I see the world and how I interact on a daily basis. It’s changed the parent I am. It’s changed the friend I am. It’s changed the kind of work that I really want to do. It’s become the lens through which I see life - that it’s all impermanent."
On dating: "Relationships have always seemed very mysterious, and therefore worth exploring. I’m single, so it’s still kind of a mystery - a worthwhile mystery, one that I want to be on the scent of. . . . I’m not lonely, and I think that has a lot to do with what’s on my bedside table rather than what’s in my bed."

DIY a Radiant Cocktail Station

Julia Millay Walsh — Tue, 10 May 2011 12:31:25 PDT

If you read my five ideas for creating a bar at home and you're still stumped as to where to set up a cocktail station in your own digs, look no further than your radiator! Gap's director of concept, Jane Herman, got creative in her home, which was featured on Refinery29, and turned an unsightly radiator into a pretty tabletop and minibar by setting a basic - or homemade - console table over it. (She can't take all the credit though; Jane says she learned this trick in Domino magazine.)

Whether you have an old iron radiator like this one or an electric one, the trick works the same - assuming it's about hip height. I'd just be careful to make sure your tabletop is thick enough; you wouldn't want your precious liquor bottles overheating. Then accessorize as you see fit, with a tray, a lamp, a family photograph, etc!

Have any of you ever created a bar at home?

Macarons

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 03:22:23 PDT

Love macarons? Then you'll enjoy OnSugar blog Yoo Eatz's recipe for black sesame macarons.

Relationships often have early omens that signal whether they are meant to last. When I met my husband in college, it was clear that our mutual love for Star Wars (I know, I know -- nerd alert!), amusement parks, late night runs to Jack in the Box, and practice of couch potatoism were harbingers of a long life together. But oddly enough, what sealed the deal was meeting his parents. It happened at an elegant Chinese banquet restaurant over the largest meal you have ever seen. His dad took charge ordering for the four of us, and soon four 5-course meals appeared followed by five or six additional heaping platters. We had so much food, the waiters couldn't fit it all on our table. We had so much food, boxing it up in doggie bags seemed like a futile effort. We had so much food, his mom got violently ill later that night. I knew I was in love with him, but I guess I kind of sort of fell in love with them, too.

Then I met his sister, and all of the pieces fell into place. She shares my love of baking (though she shares their dad's scientific curiosity and patience, whereas I am impatient and want it to work the first time), and within the last few years took up the task of creating the perfect macaron. Mind you, she has been a full time grad student living on her own in NYC, so where she finds the time I have no idea. But her creations are lovely, and while she was visiting this past week, she taught me her fine art.

The recipe and tips for making macarons right this way.