GeekSugar

Geek Tip: How to Make a Monitor Cozy

GeekSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:00:59 PDT

Martha Stewart has some directions for how to make a monitor cozy from an old issue of Blueprint, which reminded me of the monitor cozies I created for my boyfriend's two monitors last year. Lest you get discouraged by how nice and fancy Martha's version is, just check out the ones I made on my own, with just a bit of quick measuring and side-seam sewing. I also added a lining as well as a decorative fabric, since, like Martha says, it adds a little bit of color to the room.

Of course, hers are made much more carefully, where I'm more of a sew-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of gal. For instance, she adds gussets, and I don't even know what a gusset is.

iCovers Protect Your Precious Monitor

GeekSugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:00:00 PDT

As pathetic as it is, I think of my computer as an extension of me, in that I want to keep it safe from bumps and bruises like any good mom. I take the time to select a comfortably padded bag or sleeve for my laptop, so shouldn't I want to protect it at home? Acme makes soft, sleek, and extremely attractive iCovers, not only for laptop screens, but Apple cinema displays and monitors. I actually hunted for something like this a year or so ago for my monitors and couldn't find it, so I sewed it. Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to post my instructions, but all I can say is that they don't look near as pretty as the iCovers.

Prices range from about $30 to $80, and they even take custom orders.

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Why Running Isn't Helping You Lose Weight

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:30:56 PDT

You started running months ago, yet every time you hop on the scale, you're let down by the results. What gives? While running does burn mega calories, here are some reasons you may not be seeing the weight-loss results you're after.

Postrun Pig-Outs
Burning tons of calories can cause a famished feeling afterward, but it's important to fuel wisely. Choose junk food as your recovery food and not only are you overdoing it on the calorie front, you'll be hungry again in the next hour. Although a postrun snack is essential, make sure it's packed with protein and filling carbs, and do not exceed 150 calories. If you exercised before a meal, enjoy a sensibly portioned plate, and don't go overboard as a way to reward your efforts. If you still find you're utterly famished after a workout, it probably means you need to fuel up before you exercise, so enjoy one of these pre-workout snacks before heading out for a run.

You Don't Run Enough
If you're running and not seeing results, take a look at your calendar. Doing one 45-minute run once a week, or a couple 20-minute runs won't burn enough calories to lose weight. In order to lose a pound a week, you'll need to ditch 500 calories each day, through a combination of diet and exercise. If losing weight is your goal, run three to four times per week and incorporate other forms of calorie-burning cardio on the other days.

Keep reading to find out why running isn't helping you lose weight.

Andrew Garfield Shows Muscle and Chats With Fellow Spidey Tobey Maguire

Lauren Turner — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:35:47 PDT

Andrew Garfield's buff arms were on display as he sat for photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin for the cover of V Man's Summer issue. He's in the spotlight for his upcoming role in The Amazing Spider-Man, which hits theaters in July. Andrew's not the first actor to zip into the superhero suit and he sat down with former Spider-Man, Tobey Maguire to chat about the iconic part. The guys talked about the fame that comes with being on the big screen and what it was like to audition. Here's more from Andrew and Tobey in V Man:

Tobey on finding out Andrew was the new Spider-Man: "When I heard it was you, I was literally like, f*cking perfect! I just want it to be great, and I thought, what a great actor Andrew is, I’m glad that’s what’s happening here."
Andrew on auditioning for the part: "You have the monitoring area with literally about 30 people judging you, looking at your face and whispering to each other - it’s one of the most disconcerting and kind of humiliating things to go through, if you’re aware of it."
Tobey on instant fame from the role: "But for me it was kind of unexpected. So much shifted in my life the weekend the movie came out. It was shocking. I’d been making movies for a while so I had experienced some attention. But then, all of a sudden, the Sunday after it was released, I remember I went to lunch with my little brothers and there were all these people outside and photographers-it was a lot more attention than what I was used to."

7 Strategies to Build an Emergency Fund

Kiplinger — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:15:32 PDT

Build up your emergency fund with these tips from Kiplinger.

You know you need an emergency fund - easily accessible cash to pay for unexpected expenses. Without one, you could find yourself looking around the house for valuables to pawn, racking up credit-card debt or maybe even considering a payday loan to cover the costs of an emergency.

But you may be wondering how you can find enough spare cash in your budget to set aside for a rainy day. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, I’m sure the thought of saving up enough money to cover six months’ worth of expenses (as is usually recommended) is especially daunting. The good news is that you don’t have to stash that much cash at once.

The key is to start setting aside a little each month to build your emergency fund. And that doesn’t require a big salary. After all, saving is a function of discipline, not income.

Here are seven ways to find enough money - and motivation - to create an emergency fund.

Save - don’t spend - your tax refund. About 75% of taxpayers received a refund last year, and the average amount was $2,913. A refund of that size can get your emergency fund off to a great start. Open an interest-bearing savings account and have the money directly deposited into it so you won’t be tempted to use it.

Pay yourself first. Rather than wait until next year for another refund to stash in your emergency fund, adjust your tax withholding by filing a revised W-4 form with your employer (see How to Adjust Your Withholding). This will put more money in your paycheck each month, and you can set that amount aside in your savings account so it can earn interest and grow. (That money won’t be earning any interest during the year if you leave it with Uncle Sam.) If possible, have your employer deposit the designated amount directly into your savings account so you don’t see the money in your checking account and aren’t tempted to spend it.

Read on for more.

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!

Down but Not Out: Tori Spelling Shares Her Friend's Perspective on Raising a Child With Down Syndrome

Tori Spelling — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:02:22 PST

We're excited to bring you a new post from mother and actress Tori Spelling! Every other week, we're bringing you the best parenting and lifestyle advice from ediTORIal by Tori Spelling, which is Tori's daily blog about everything from food and fashion to parenting and relationships. This week, Tori shares a letter from her friend about her baby who was diagnosed with Down syndrome.

Today, I’m sharing a guest blog by my friend Lisa, owner of Evolution Vintage. Her son was born with Down syndrome, and in honor of World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st, she has offered to share her story. When I read this, I had tears streaming down my face - not because I felt sorry for Lisa’s son Blake, but because she inspires me as a mom. I hope you are as touched by her story as I was:

Down But Not Out
By Lisa Graystone

Friday the 13th turned out to be the luckiest day of my life . . . in hindsight. I gave birth for the second time to my son Blake under very traumatic circumstances. He was born blue, lifeless and his first sounds resembled a watery gurgle, not a cry. His birth was fast and as a result he had lungs full of water and had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck twice. I was unable to hold him before they rushed him to the special care nursery for respiratory therapy and monitoring. We spent six days in the hospital. During this time, due to the shape of his eyes, the doctors suspected Blake had Trisomy 21; also known as Down Syndrome (DS). He fought to live and to be here, only now to be faced with a prospective hurdle he would continue to jump for the rest of his life. The postpartum hormones were swirling as I sat down the hall from my new son who was fighting for his life; quietly smelling the receiving blanket from his NICU nest and pumping my breasts alone in tears. Nine agonizing days later, the test results confirmed the doctor’s suspicions. The joy and relief that my son was alive was immediately shrouded in darkness, sadness, despair and shock. I am under 35 and was not given the option of amniocenteses (the test that can conclusively tell you if your baby has DS). The blood test that was available I opted not to do because of the high false positive rate and the fact that there were no "risk factors" - my first child was healthy and my ultrasounds were normal and we were reassured that everything was "fine." I was surrounded by fear and unknowns, questions with no answers and a baby boy to care for.

Related: Children With Swag

I have no time to be on the "why me" program being the ambitious mompreneur that I am. I had to force myself to say: "WHY NOT" and bring it on to my already full plate. There seemed to be no other alternative than to take it head on and realize that the only thing I can control is my attitude, approach and perspective. I feel very lucky to have been given this boy and with him the opportunity for personal growth, education and evolution.

I introduced Blake to my family and friends (many who live 3,000 miles away in Canada) via this letter written from his perspective:

Keep reading to see Blake's letter and for more facts about Down Syndrome.

Gear Review: Incase iPhone Armband and In-Ear Headphones

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:23:25 PST

If you have an iPhone 4S and need an armband, you can always make your own, or you can check out the Incase Sports Armband Deluxe ($45). Stylish and sleek, the Incase iPhone 4S armband offers everything you'd want in a fitness accessory: it's easy to use, comfortable, durable, and Iightweight. It also pairs perfectly with the Incase Capsule headphones ($50).

My favorite feature is that the iPhone is protected by a hard case, which has a clip attached to the back. Simply clip the case into the plastic slot on the armband to keep it secure. If you need to make a phone call or get a better look at your running app, the case can easily be detached from the armband by lifting it up and out of the slot. If you'd rather wear your iPhone on your waist, just clip the case onto your waistband or pocket and leave the armband at home. The case doesn't cover the screen, so you can easily skip songs or check the weather. Another awesome feature is that the armband is hand-washable, which is a necessity if you're exercising with it. It's also adjustable, fitting over multiple layers when Winter running, or on bare skin if you're using it at the gym.

Of course, if you're listening to music, you'll need a set of earbuds. Pair your armband with Incase Capsule headphones. They come with three different eartip sizes to offer a comfortable, stay-put, snug fit. Your tunes will be clear, and the remote control attached to the wire makes it easy to monitor the volume or pause a song. The best part is the microphone that allows you to answer phone calls midworkout. They come in four colors: black, white, gray, and bronze. I just love this kind of practical, no-nonsense fitness gear that does nothing but make a workout easier and more enjoyable.

6 Ways to Sit Less Every Day

Health — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:03:42 PST

We are pumped to share one of our favorite stories from Health.com here on our site.

By Sarah Kehoe

Need help being less sedentary? Here are the best ways to sit less and move more, from easiest to hardest.

Pace on the phone
Invest in a two-way speakerphone, a superlong phone-to-ear cord, or a quality headset so you can be more mobile while you chat.

Even if you simply stand while on the phone, you'll naturally shift from leg to leg.

Health.com: Little Ways to Lose Big Pounds

Putter after eating
Or take a quick walk postmeals. The fat levels in your bloodstream are highest after eating, and simply moving around afterward increases the activity of lipoprotein lipase, which spurs your metabolism.

Opt for bar seats at restaurants
Sit on the front third of the bar stool. Spread your feet just wider than hip distance, so they're supporting a fair bit of your weight, and gently roll your hips forward, arching your back slightly.

This position is called "perching" - it maintains an S-shape in your spine and distributes your weight more evenly.

Health.com: 20 Ways to Torch 200 Calories

Leave the seat at home
Whether you're going to a concert, tailgate, or park, don't bring a chair.

You'll find that if you don't have one, you stand the whole time or naturally move back and forth between your blanket and standing, says Marc Hamilton, PhD, a microbiologist at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center.

More suggestions for giving up the chair after the break.

8 Ideas to Use Up Your FSA Before the Year-End

Emily Co — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:15 PST

Now that it's nearing the end of the year, there are some money chores you need to take care of, such as making sure you've spent the money in your Flexible Spending Account because it will expire before the New Year. You're actually allowed to file an extension if you haven't used up all your FSA dollars, but you need to check your company policy to see if they allow that. Don't fret if you can't extend, here are some last-minute ideas to use your FSA money:

Over-the-counter items: We're not allowed to spend our FSA dollars on over-the-counter medicines without prescriptions but there are plenty of nonmedicinal products that we can still use the FSA money for. For example, band aids, crutches, first aid kits, and rubbing alcohol.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture is covered by your FSA, so if you have a condition such as pain, consider acupuncture.
Chiropractic: Your FSA also covers chiropractic visits, so now may be the time to schedule an appointment with your chiropractor.
Birth control: Contraceptives are covered by the FSA, although some require prescription.
Glasses and contact lens: Schedule a vision exam and use your FSA dollars to buy a new pair of glasses or supplies of contact lenses.
Prescription medicine: Buy prescription medicine if it makes sense for you to do so. Most insurance policies will only let you buy a month's supply at a time, so you can't exactly stock up on medicine.
Doctor's visit: Your FSA will cover the copay so if you're due for a doctor's visit, try to go before the end of the year.
Medical monitoring and testing devices: If you need a gadget to measure and monitor your blood pressure or ovulation, perhaps it's time to buy one now. Pregnancy and glucose test kits also qualify.

FSA is best used when it covers items that your health insurance doesn't generally pay for. Remember to use them or you'll lose them before the year's up!