GeekSugar

Gossip Girl's Second Life Secret

GeekSugar — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:00:41 PDT

While we've been enjoying the stylish fashions and gadgets on Gossip Girl - and the fact that the show is about a blogger! - some fans have started enjoying Gossip Girl's neighborhood in Second Life experience called "The Upper East Side."

In case you didn't know, Second Life is a 3D virtual world entirely built and owned by its residents. It opened to the public in 2003, and is now "inhabited" by millions of residents from around the globe. The Upper East Side community allows you to build and customize your avatar, have a dance party with friends, play games, watch clips and full episodes of the show. From what I can tell, it's much like the Virtual Worlds MTV has set up for shows like The Hills, Newport Harbor and Laguna Beach, only it exists in the Second Life platform.

The virtual Gossip Girl world looks like the set of the television show, with the same streets, the same hot spots, and even the same characters. To try it out you just need to download the software, go through a brief orientation, and start your "second life." Who knew geek was so chic?

To check out more pictures of the Upper East Side community on Second Life,

View 11 Photos ›

Tyra Hosts A Post Grammy Party Today In Cyberspace

GeekSugar — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 03:01:52 PST

Looks like Tyra Banks is following in the footsteps of her protégée and Top Model Adrianne Curry for once! Last week, Tyra sent out an e-mail saying she'd been keeping a secret for months - she and some hot designers have created Tyra Banks' Virtual Studio on the internet. She explains "We all IM and chat online with our friends, so I decided to TYRASIZE (kind of like "Super Size") online chatting - so I've had the talk show set and myself turned into 3D animation!" Users can even leave the studio and explore an entire virtual city filled with fun. Tyra will host a post Grammy Party, where she'll be on hand to ask you your favorite moments from the big show and chat with fans like yourself, today at 6pm PST/9 EST.

Want to join in the fun?

Here's what you need to do: download the software ("don't worry," says Tyra. "You know I'm cheap, so the software is free!") and then you create a virtual "mini me" of yourself. You can pick and choose from different hairstyles, eye color, clothing and more. Then you can hang out on the set and chat with other people, a group of your friends, or even Tyra. Apparently, Tyra fans have been flooding to the site, so if you just can't get enough, you better check it out.

Note: Works for PCs and Macs.

"I'm a 20-Something Seeking Literary Wisdom"

Tres Community — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:05:00 PDT

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

I'll keep it brief, because I imagine my issue is one that virtually all women go through at multiple stages of life... Basically, I'm at a certain "milestone" in my life - my first career after college, my first time on my own, my first time having to be an adult in every sense of the word.

Call it a quarter-life crisis, or just a growing pain, but I'm having some seriously deep introspections about who I am, who I want to be, what I want out of life, what I value, what I don't, my place in the world . . . you name it, I'm thinking about it. I'm exploring my spirituality, my needs in love and my career, my general expectations for life. It's exhausting!

I don't want advice on how YOU answered these questions. What I WOULD love are some recommendations for a good book that tackles the issue of identity and, preferably, womanhood. Or any books that you've found to have a profound effect on your own identity and soul-searching. Something that helps us explore who we are and practice the cultivation of sense of self and self-love.

Maybe it is a lofty goal to find all of this in a book . . . but I can't afford therapy. Thanks!

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.

Julie Andrews on the Importance of Princess Culture, Princess Kate, and Her Favorite Roles

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:32:56 PDT

It's hard not to become giddy when talking about Julie Andrews. The legendary actress's career spans more than 50 years, with multiple generations of families still enjoying her library of work together - from Mary Poppins to The Princess Diaries. What many people don't know is that the 76-year-old Academy Award winner is also the coauthor - with her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton - of more than 20 children's books, including the just-released The Very Fairy Princess: Here Comes the Flower Girl!, part of the "Very Fairy Princess" series.

As far as meeting her in person - well as someone who can still recite virtually every line of The Sound of Music, it's a totally surreal experience. From the beautiful English accent that spoke to me from my favorite films to the fact that she still exudes the authoritativeness of the governesses she played, the experience was almost regal - which is why Andrews is perfectly cast as the spokeswoman for Disney and Target's first National Princess Week, which runs from April 22-28. I met up with the living legend, her daughter, and her granddaughter at a princess-themed tea - feather boas, scepters and all - to discuss the relevance of princesses today, working motherhood, and her favorite roles over the years.

On why playing princesses is really OK:
Julie Andrews: "My personal take on it is that they may be trying on for size what it feels like to be, say, a real lady. [It] perhaps, in some way, helps them find their own identity later in life. I do think fantasy and play of this kind - whatever it is, if you want to play at being a nurse, or if you want to play at being a florist - it's all important and should be allowed, because it would be an awfully sad place if we didn't try on those airs and have fun doing it."

On raising strong, independent, confident women in a culture saturated with princesses:
Emma Walton Hamilton: "Sometimes I think princesses are given an unfair rap. We compiled a list of over 70 contemporary princesses. In doing the research for that, I was reminded once again of the extraordinary work princesses do in the world. The charitable contributions, the causes they champion, the amount of good and service they contribute and provide. I think they're a wonderful example of being strong, feminine, and kind, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that."

On her favorite Disney princess:
Julie Andrews: "Mine has to be, because I've been involved with it, Cinderella. I played Cinderella when I was about 17 years old in England, and then when I came to America it was the first Rodgers and Hammerstein musical they wrote for me. So for me Cinderella has always resonated. And I love the rags to riches, kind of like my own story in a little way."

Keep reading for Andrews's thoughts on Princess Kate, the state of motherhood today, and her favorite role.

7 Glasses Straight Out of Science Fiction

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:54:06 PDT

Google unveiled its Project Glass specs last week, which brings your virtual life into the real world (sort of), thanks to augmented reality. If you think these glasses look like they've jumped right out of a futuristic flick, you're not alone. We hunted down a few other sci-fi specs that we might like to wear and a few we hope never come to pass.

Passwords: the Promise Rings of a Digital Generation

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:11:18 PST

Once you've gotten to a comfortable point in a romantic relationship, how do you recognize mutual trust and respect for one another? With our private lives stored within emails, Facebook photos, and Netflix queue preferences, many young couples now see the final pillar in solidifying trust in a relationship is sharing the password into a partner's virtual world.

The New York Times recently profiled what they see as a growing trend of teenagers showing their security in a relationship by sharing the passwords for email, Facebook, instant messenger accounts, even their phone with a girlfriend, boyfriend, or close friend. It's easy to get lost in the euphoria of a new love, believing they should be privy to your every digital thought. The hindsight of a relationship gone sour suggests that sharing a password can lead to a slippery slope where the no-longer-significant other has access to potentially embarrassing information on the former love.

If you've had either a positive or negative experience with sharing passwords in the past, chime in with your thoughts in the comments.

Lose Weight and Get Fit With Your Phone

Health — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:14:36 PST

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

A sleeker, stronger body could be just a tweet or a Facebook post away
By Jamie Beckman

One of the best tools for peeling off pounds is already in your bag: It's your smartphone or iPad. In fact, all that texting, tweeting, and posting - the average woman spends more than 80 minutes a day on her phone, according to a recent report from the mobile apps analytics firm Flurry - can tip the scales in your favor.

And one in three of us are already using social sites like Facebook to get slender, reports research from the University of Arizona. So go ahead and steal these suggestions from women who took their shape-up viral.

Tweet Your Way Thin
Nancy Tessier, 50, lost 28 pounds by posting all her meals and snacks to Tweet What You Eat (@twye), an online food journal that lets others eyeball your noshes. "Sometimes it was a lot easier to decide not to eat something than to have to tweet it for the world to see," she says.

Posting your weight-loss numbers can help, too. The University of Arizona research suggests that women who reveal shape-up victories on a weekly basis trim down faster than those who update less frequently. If you're feeling shy, think up a Twitter handle and upload a cartoon character as your avatar so you can share the skinny without feeling self-conscious.

Health.com: Diet Tricks the Pros Tell Their Friends

Gain a Following
Get some virtual support pronto by following Twitter hash tags like #fitblog. Carla Shorts, 27, started chiming in on #fitblog's weekly live chats - and dropped from a size 12 to a size 6 in just a year. "When my weight loss reached a plateau, having women point out that my 30-minute elliptical routine wasn't going to cut it anymore was key," she says. "I started running and began to lose again."

You can also start your own hashtag, like Sherry Pagoto, 38, from Massachusetts, did with #plankaday, a challenge to spend at least a minute in plank pose each day.

Find more ways your phone can help you lose weight after the break.

Download of the Day: Poshmark

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:08:40 PST

Shopping is quickly moving to the mobile world, with stores offering deals on the go and only accessible via mobile devices. Now, consumers can get in on the draw of selling their own goods to a mobile world with the new shopping app Poshmark.

Forget the old days of dragging bags of unused clothes to thrift stores hoping your trash becomes someone else's treasure (and let's face it, those buyers are so picky); Poshmark turns the hassle of fashion resale into an easy digital experience all within the comfortable confines of an iPhone. Created by the same brains behind social fashion website Kaboodle, Poshmark came to life "so that anyone can easily convert their closet into a stylish boutique with their phones," according to founder and CEO Manish Chandra.

Based on virtual events called Posh Parties, app users can enter a specific party - designer accessories, for example - browse goods, interact with other guests, and list items from their own closets for sale. The experience gets even more social by sharing listings on Facebook and inviting friends to future Posh Parties.

Of course, the employees of the Poshmark marketplace are always on hand ensuring that transactions go smoothly, and that all home sellers and customers keep coming back to the app to score fellow fashionistas' finds.

Black Friday Sales You Should Know About

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:00:50 PST

Calling all lovers of great deals and design! This year, I've rounded up Black Friday sales that will surely shake you out of your turkey comatose. So, get a head start on organizing your wish list shopping day by browsing these upcoming sales.

20x200

Enjoy savings on Thanksgiving and the day after! The Thanksgiving sale will offer a 20 percent discount on sports-themed prints (certain prints excluded). On November 25, save 20% on black color-category prints (certain prints excluded).

Velocity Art & Design

On November 25, shop 20 percent off all in stock items at the Velocity Art & Design store at 251 Yale Ave North in Seattle, WA. For cyber shoppers, enjoy 20 percent off all Offi products November 17-30: 15 percent off on Roh and Hiya lines until November 30; 15 percent off all Herman Miller products November 23 to December 13.

One Kings Lane

Beginning on November 25, One Kings Lane shoppers can partake in a special “Treasure Hunt” for elephant illustrations that will randomly appear throughout the website. Shoppers that find the elephant can enter to win one of several amazing prizes, including One Kings Lane E-Gift Cards and luxurious cashmere throws. The grand prize winner will receive a $5,000 One Kings Lane shopping spree and a virtual design consultation with One Kings Lane cofounder, Susan Feldman, focusing on one room in their home.

styleVISA

On November 25, get a head start on StyleVisa.com's November 28 sale by following the shop on Twitter for an exclusive 15 percent discount code. Shop early before the official sale kicks off on Monday and enjoy free shipping on all orders of $100 or more.

CB2

Donate 7 non-perishable food items in store for the CB2 Can Do Food Drive and receive 15% off. Cyber shoppers can donate $10 to Share Our Strength, save 15%, and get free shipping! Sale runs from Nov 10 – Nov 28 and applies to all items except FLOR™ tiles, the Geneva Sound System, pro-ject turntable and Grado sr80i Headphones.

Cost Plus World Market

On November 25, buy one, get one free for all games, toys, and tabletop frames
Get 50% off of all faux fur throws

Y Living

November 23-December 12 save 15% on Herman Miller, Magis and Mattiazzi.
November 25-December 12 save 15% on all Humanscale
November 25-December 9 save 15% on all Loll accessories
November 21-December 15 save 20% on all Cerno Lighting (will ship in time for the holidays)
Now through December 31 save 15% on select Artemide lights

Hive Modern

November 23-December 12 save 15% and get free shipping on all orders

Greenhouse Design Studio

November 25 save 20% on gift orders and receive free gift wrap

Chewing the Cud

November 25-28 save 30% off site-wide

Z Gallerie

November 23-28 save 20% off accessories (excluding sale items) and 10-15% off furniture. If you have a store nearby, the first 5 customers to check in at any of the fifty five store locations via foursquare will receive a $25 gift card for free!

Source

7 Tips For Eloping Around the World

Emily Co — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:05:34 PST

If you want to save on your wedding budget, maybe cutting down on the guest list by eloping is a possibility you can explore. Further, if you pick a destination in another side of the world, you can combine both the joys of travel and the celebration of love all in one occasion! Lisa Tabb, the coauthor of Beyond Vegas: 25 Exotic Wedding and Elopement Destinations Around the World and who eloped 10 times with her coauthor husband, Sam Silverstein, while writing the book, is definitely an expert on this topic. Here are Lisa's seven quick tips for couples looking to elope around the world:

Check the marriage laws in the country that you want to get married. Some countries require that you are there for only a day, and others require that you be in the country for more than six months.
Go with the resort wedding packages, or wedding planners that do this for a living. Many countries like Bali and The British Virgin Islands do tons of elopements, and there are a plethora of experts to usher you through the process - it's worth the money. In fact, in countries like Kenya and Italy, it might be be virtually impossible for you to figure out how to get it done because it sometimes requires paying off government officials on the side to move things along.
Wear a simple dress that can travel and bend easily and doesn't need special care at all times.
Integrate local traditions when you can - it is part of the adventure. In Bali, we had a Hindu priest marry us, and we spent five hours getting outfitted in the local wedding garb. In Fiji, we dressed from head to toe in tapa cloth and drank Kava for good luck, and in Kenya, we had Chuka drummers encircle us as part of the ceremony.
See the bureaucracy of getting the marriage license as part of the adventure - not as a hassle.
Tell everyone along the way that you are getting married because there's always lots of perks like champagne and chocolates in your room or special tasty treats at dinner.
You can Skype the wedding if you want others to see it live or bring a friend and call it a destination wedding.