GeekSugar

Website of the Day: Karaoke Party

GeekSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:00:43 PDT

Why should people with fancy game consoles have all the American Idol-like fun? If what you really wanna do is sing then all you need is a microphone for your computer, a browser, and a strong set of pipes - and this fabulous website: Karaoke Party!

Karaoke Party challenges you to plug in your mic, pick a song, and then click "Sing." And then you, uh, sing. Belt your little heart out!

You can also compete against other users, so I'm off to go kill some people at Abba songs.

5 Ways to Make the Super Bowl More Entertaining

TresSugar — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:05:22 PST

Just because you're not a football fan doesn't mean you can't enjoy the Super Bowl. Whether you're single or attached, you can keep things interesting with a bet, a game, or - why not? - a costume contest. Check out these five ways to stay entertained on Super Bowl Sunday:

Start up a square football pool. Do a bit of research beforehand to learn the rules of a square pool system, then encourage your friends to play along. Square pools are all about the score, so you don't need to be a major sports buff to understand how it works. Going to a couple's party? Ask couples to team up and turn it into a battle of the couples.
Create a celebrity lookalike contest. Ever noticed that Aaron Rodgers - last year's winning Super Bowl quarterback - looks like Jake Gyllenhaal? While you're watching the game, tell friends to call out celebrity lookalikes, then vote on the best one as a group. It's fun, amusing, and - let's be honest - the perfect excuse to check out all the players.
Host a Madonna costume contest. The Queen of Pop is set to play during this year's halftime show, so encourage your girlfriends - plus any willing guys - to sport their favorite Madonna look on Super Bowl Sunday. After the game, kick the party up a notch with some classic Madge-themed karaoke.

Keep reading for more ways to spice up the Super Bowl.

How to Have an Old-Fashioned, Fun, and Frugal Christmas

LearnVest — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:15:49 PST

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

Ray-Bans aren't the only piece of the past worth revisiting.

There are also old-school photos, discreetly boozy drinks and Judy Garland. Let's go ahead and combine all three: It's Retro Christmas.

This year, we're planning to enjoy what we call "Retro Christmas": A return to holidays past, when the season was about togetherness rather than excess gifts, affection rather than perfection.

Although scaling down our celebrations means spending less money, that's not the point.

We’ve put together our plan for making this year special . . . and focused on elegance, simplicity and genuine holiday spirit. In the end, our goal is to spend time with the people we care about. Of course, while we call this "Retro Christmas," you can adjust most of our tips for whatever winter holidays you celebrate (except maybe for our advice on ornamenting your tree).

Here's to Christmas in sepia!

Gift as a Group

To make gift-giving as meaningful as possible, concentrate on quality rather than quantity. So, instead of buying something just because you need to get a gift, get one that you know will be cherished, even if that means going in with a group of family or friends.

One easy aid is Share a Gift, a website that allows people to make donations toward a communal gift. It uses PayPal and organizes money better than the usual cash collection.

Read on for more tips for a retro Christmas.

5 Apps to Look For on Spotify's New App Platform

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:15:04 PST

Music junkies, take note: today Spotify introduced an integrated HTML5 app platform to round out the online music experience. Since Spotify partnered with Facebook, their user base has grown to over 10 million listeners who subscribe to friends' playlists and cultivate our own streaming music library. Like an iTunes app, any third party can develop and submit an app for Spotify's approval to be included on the platform.

Spotify Apps are available to any user, and the beta version is set to roll out over the next several days. Your list of apps and link to the App Finder will be located on the left sidebar of Spotify. Check out the five apps we can't wait to add to our account, and tell us if you'll add apps to your Spotify experience.

Last.fm - Discover a playlist's worth new favorite tracks within Spotify via a service we already know well.
Songkick - We'll never miss our favorite band's local live performance with this app that keeps users abreast of an artist's tour dates and also makes buying tickets to said event a snap.
Pitchfork - When on the lookout for independent musicians, reference the reviews and editorials of Pitchfork to find great artists flying under the radar.

Follow the break for our two other must-try apps including what no karaoke party can do without.

5 Unique Ways to Add Pizzazz to Your Wedding Day

Emily Co — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:45:38 PDT

It's nice to stick to traditions for your big day; after all, that's what a wedding is all about, right? However, you can use some creativity to jazz it up a little. Here are some expert tips from Dana LaRue of The Broke-Ass Bride blog to add some spice to your nuptials.

Predrinks: Don't let your guests wilt in the heat, or during the wait, for your ceremony. Serve up a preceremony cocktail to get the party mood rolling and give your loved ones something to wet their whistles while you say your vows.
Toss Out the Rice: Throwing rice is for the birds, but there's lots of great alternative toss ideas! Colorful fabric poms, bubbles, sparklers, flower petals, and birdseed all send off the happy couple with pizzazz, and create great pictures!
Family-Style Dinners: For a less stuffy sit-down dinner option, serve up your meals family-style. It cuts back on waitstaff needs, lets people choose and control their portion sizes, encourages mingling and discussion among the diners, and reminds your guests that today, everyone is family!
Bust Out the Karaoke Machine: Looking for a memorable alternative to expensive DJs and bands, but want something more exciting than an iPod? Why not get your guests involved and rent a karaoke machine? It's a fun and unexpected way to keep the party going all night long, and your guests will be talking about it for years to come!
Bond With Your Guests: Involve your guests in the ceremony as much as possible. Write in a group vow, asking them if, by witnessing your union, they will pledge to support your marriage over the years. Encourage the guests to share in the end of the ceremony, by asking them to chime in on the pronouncement of your marriage at the end. Keeping them involved is key to keeping them engaged, and it will build a sense of community and warmth that will carry through till the wee hours of your reception.

Your Guide to Beauty Events For Fashion's Night Out

Annie Tomlin — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:24:46 PDT

This year, Fashion's Night Out is even bigger than last year's event - which, considering how difficult it was to move through the style-loving crowds, is saying something. Tomorrow, New York City will host hundreds of events that bring designers, stylists, celebrities, and fans together. The schedule of events is overwhelming, to say the least, so we're rounding up some of the beauty highlights. Chanel manicures, Swarovski updos, and a Backstreet Boy? Sign us up. See the top FNO beauty events after the jump.

Kate Moss Gets Down to Work Following Some Prewedding Fun

Allie Merriam — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:20:10 PDT

Kate Moss was in head to toe black this morning as she left her London home. She was bound for a day of work following a fun afternoon yesterday - she and fiancé Jamie Hince made the retail rounds in the city to finalize some plans for their July 1 wedding! The couple were spotted leaving Tiffany & Co., where they reportedly picked out their bands. Everything is getting into place for their nuptials, which are just 10 days away. A tent was erected on the grounds of Kate's Cotswolds home, and she and Jamie both threw their respective bachelorette and bachelor parties two weeks ago. The festivities are now being called "Mossstock," since she and Jamie want to incorporate lots of music. The Kills frontman Jamie and karaoke lover Kate apparently had the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin on their wish list along with Lady Gaga, who politely declined to perform since she's already booked.

Brooklyn Decker Hits a Stylish Soirée and Visits With Regis and Kelly

Lindsay Miller — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 10:10:00 PDT

Brooklyn Decker sparkled last night as she toasted stylist Annie Ladino with a party at NYC's 60 Thompson, but she traded the sequins for a more casual, safari-inspired look this morning for an appearance on Live! With Regis and Kelly. The model and actress is on the East Coast promoting the DVD release of Just Go With It, and Brooklyn was on Good Morning America early this morning too. She's been enjoying a couple of months away from work since the release of her romantic comedy, but has been filling her time with red-carpet events like the MTV Movie Awards and the Met Gala. She also cut loose a few weeks ago at a karaoke fundraiser, where she sported pigtails and belted out Britney Spears songs to raise money for UNICEF.

Kate Moss Hangs in London and Finalizes Her Summer Wedding Plans

Allie Merriam — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:46:23 PDT

Kate Moss was in head-to-toe black this morning as she headed out to seize the day in London. She was more dressed down than her errand-running session yesterday, when she wore a chic LBD around town with her fiancé, Jamie Hince. Kate left her house and met up with Jamie for an afternoon of furniture shopping - they are now the official new owners of a $12.6 million mansion in London's Highgate Hill neighborhood. She and Jamie are just two months away from their rumored wedding date in July, and they're putting the finishing touches on the big party. Snoop Dogg says he was asked to perform at Kate and Jamie's reception, which adds him to a wish list that also includes The Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin. Those are pretty tough bands to nail down, even for a supermodel, but Kate always has her favorite hobby, karaoke, to fall back on if those musical acts are booked on her big day.

Kate Middleton Steps Out to Do Her Own Grocery Shopping!

Molly Goodson — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:52:47 PDT

Kate Middleton stocked up on groceries today at a local store in North Wales, which is nearby where her husband, Prince William, is stationed as a search and rescue pilot. The Duchess of Cambridge was casual in her jeans, flats, and scarf, and just this morning she went on a romantic walk with her duke, who was wearing his own purple sweater as well. It's back to regular life for Duchess Catherine and Prince William as they come off a celebratory weekend in Scotland at his cousin Zara Phillip's own royal wedding to Mike Tindall. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge reportedly let loose at the party after the ceremony, with Prince William even performing karaoke to Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer."