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Get Your Hands on a Celebrity Frock

FabSugarUK — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:30:40 -0800

Late last year, Topshop decided to use their close circle of celebrity contacts for good by setting up a dress hire service for the festive period with profits going to Help the Aged. This meant you could jazz up your office party with a frock previously owned by the likes of Kate Moss, Scarlett Johansson or Nicola Roberts (her dress is pictured) amongst many others.

Now that the party season is just a distant memory, they have decided to raise even more cash for the charity by auctioning off the wears. Next Tuesday, Kerry Taylor will host the auction in London, but if you're not able to get to the capital you can take part online. Prices are expected to be from £80 upwards and it's all for a good cause. You can find out more about the sale here.

Coveted Crib: Party in the Back

CasaSugar — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:00:50 -0800

If you've ever been to London, or even seen a film set there like Love Actually or Bend It Like Beckham, you may remember that many of its neighborhoods are lined with cookie-cutter rowhouses, townhouses, and duplexes. The homes are much better looking than the McMansion developments you see in the States, but that still doesn't alleviate the feeling of sameness. So I was very pleased to come across this large Victorian house in South East London which its owner perked up with a modern white kitchen and dining room extension off the back. The addition's glass doors fold open to a huge garden and patio area that's great for entertaining. The juxtaposition of its modern and Victorian architecture is really wonderful, and it eases the feeling that your home is a piece in a Monopoly game. Don't get me wrong, the inside ain't so shabby either: it has gorgeous architectural details like crown moldings and original fireplace mantels. Plus, it's been decorated for the smart modernist, who enjoys streamlined furnishings in a more historical setting. Business in the front, party in the back!

See more photos of this house when you read more.

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Love to Hate? Hate Dating Speeds Up Romance

TresSugar — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:00:57 -0800

When I am nervous or stumped on what to say next, I sometimes start to complain. My theory is complaining is easy, so it's a comfortable conversational default. Thankfully, I'm not alone. Hate dating is a new type of speed dating rushing through London, requiring you to bring nothing but a frown and your pet peeves and a willingness to discuss them with a potential partner.

Talking about your job and your interests is pretty dull if you're not scratching the dirt of it all. Hate dating drops the pretense and sends two strangers into a lively debate, immediate hatred, or mutual malcontent.

One dater calls it a quick test for compatibility (you see how you fight together), but the hate-dating pioneers behind Down With Dating see it as nothing more than an icebreaker. And if my nervous-tick complaining is as common as I suspect, it just might work.

Would you love to hate date, or would you rather date nice?

Natalia Vodianova Organises London Love Ball

FabSugarUK — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:15:07 -0800

Last month, Naomi Campbell announced plans for a Fashion for Relief show at London Fashion Week and now it seems she isn't the only one doing a charitable turn. Natalia Vodianova is organising a Love Ball to take place on 23rd February at the Roundhouse.

The event will raise money for Natalia's charity, The Naked Heart Foundation which builds playgrounds in some of Russia's poorest areas. The model is teaming up with Harper's Bazaar and De Beers for the event which is similar to a previous ball held in Moscow. The London event will include dinner and an art auction with works by Jeff Koons, Sir Peter Blake, Keith Tyson, Marc Quinn and Francesco Vezzoli.

Super Cute Video: Otters Can Juggle, Too!

PetSugar — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:00:00 -0800

I just want to help these lil guys get a grip as London Zoo otters are playing with some slippery stones. Check out the video . . . can you juggle better than this?!

Yummy Links: From Skillet Pizza to Vegan Substitutes

partysugar — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:30:55 -0800

The secret to homemade pizza is a cast-iron skillet. - The Atlantic
Ten tips for reducing food waste- Always Order Dessert
Learn the difference between parchment paper and wax paper. - Chow
What snacks do you sneak into movie theaters?. - The Epi-Log
Is London the most important restaurant city in the world? - Grub Street NY
An inside look at Burger King's new BK Whopper Bar. - Eater Miami
How much do you know about vegan substitutes? - Serious Eats

Kensington Palace Gets a Fashionable Makeover

FabSugarUK — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 06:00:23 -0800

Kensington Palace is one of London's most famous landmarks, not least because it was once to home to Princess Diana. In 2010 it is getting a makeover with a helping hand from some of the biggest names in the fashion industry. Vivienne Westwood, William Tempest, Stephen Jones, Aminaka Wilmont, Boudicca and illustrator and set designer Echo Morgan have all been signed up to help out with the £12 million transformation.

Each designer will takeover a room among the state apartments to create an installation inspired by the Princesses that once lived there – Mary, Anne, Caroline Charlotte, Victoria, Margaret and Diana.

William Tempest explained his contribution, "My dress is inspired by Victoria's childhood and represents the restriction and isolation placed on Queen Victoria during those years and also the empowerment she felt as she became Queen and left the palace forever. It is created from thousands of origami birds which swarm together to grant Victoria's wish for freedom."

The exhibition entitled 'The Enchanted Palace' opens on March 26th and runs until June 2012.

Donate Your Unwanted Clothes to Haiti

FabSugarUK — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:00:44 -0800

I just heard about a wonderful idea and I thought it would be great if we could get more people involved. This week there was an awful earthquake in Haiti and so many people have lost either their lives, their families or everything they've ever owned and we should all do something to help if we can.

Brix Smith-Start from Start boutique in East London has been particularly vocal about this and has now decided to donate sale clothes to Haiti. What's more, if you take your unwanted clothes to the store, they will also send them on.

I spoke to Brix earlier today and she explained that, "We should all do whatever we can to help. We get so much joy from clothes so wouldn't it be great to pass this on? We can all feel good about it. Wouldn't it be great if something good could come out of something so vile?"

If you want to help out and make a difference, take or send your unwanted clothes to 42-44 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3BN before the end of next week.

On Our Radar: Browns £100 Sale Day

FabSugarUK — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:00:55 -0800

If you're looking to bag a sale bargain then you might still have chance this weekend. A lot of department stores still have reduced pieces, but you've got to act fast.

London's Browns on South Molton Street are offering you the chance to get pieces by the likes of Chloe, Missoni, Marc Jacobs and Marni for just £100 this Saturday. For one day only items like this Chloe tulip skirt, these Lanvin heels, and this Marc Jacobs top will all be reduced in store.

The store opens at 10am and I would get in early with elbows ready if you're interested. Whilst you're in the area, why not check out the Hermes sample sale on South Molton Lane too?

Kate Moss is Staying in Town

FabSugarUK — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:30:59 -0800

There have been rumours this month that one of the cities biggest style icons is packing her bags and heading across the channel to Paris. Kate Moss had reportedly bought a 22.5 million euro apartment in the city in the Trocadero area. In recent years we have lost both Agyness Deyn and Alexa Chung to New York, so I must admit that I was a bit sad to hear of these plans! However, the good news is that they were just rumours.

WWD has today reported that Kate is actually staying in London. Earlier this month, Kate won the London 25 gong at the British Fashion Awards for 'embodying the spirit of London' so it seems quite fitting that she should remain in the capital.