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The Card Shop: Fold Cards

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:30:03 -0700

Artist Miro Chun makes her Fold handmade cards sitting in her workshop surrounded by stacks of paper, lengths of wire, and spools of thread. Mini wire sculptures sit on colorful arrangements of paper, creating a motif that is both pared down and full of personality, be it a simple sailboat, a wedding cake, or any number of recognizable creatures including lobsters, frogs, and robots. Her inspiration for these meticulous creations includes her namesake Catalan painter and sculptor Joan Miro, as well as Alexander Calder, known for his wire circuses and mobiles. Send one of these charming cards to a friend, and suddenly "hello" can help someone collect art. I'm loving the Summer style of this five-by-five-inch Boat Card ($11).

Get Physical: Go Pedal Boating

FitSugar — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0700

Pedaling for exercise isn't limited to just biking. You can pedal around a lake with your boo in a rented pedal boat. The two of you can work your legs and burn some calories, too. It is a fun workout and being out on the water is sure to have a calming effect on both of you. It's just as easy as pedaling a bike, but you sit side by side so you both have a nice view (unlike a tandem bike).The seating arrangement is more conversational as well. If your workout makes you sweat, you can just jump into a the lake to cool off. You'll still be burning calories and toning your muscles while swimming and treading water. If you live near a lake or are visiting one this Summer, renting a pedal boat is fairly inexpensive (less than $40 for three hours), but it's totally worth it. Just make sure you have enough energy to pedal back to shore!

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Get in Gear: Sealine Dry Bags

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 10:15:00 -0700

If you are going to be near water, either backpacking, camping, swimming, going to the beach, boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, fishing, or kayaking, you've got to protect all your stuff from getting wet. You know - the stuff that absolutely can't get wet like your camera, cell phone, wallet, and dry undies.

Check out this very practical dry bag (it means it's waterproof) made by Sealine. They make many different kinds of bags, but these Dry Seal Roll-Top Closure bags are great because they're made with transparent vinyl. So if you are looking for something in your bag, you can see right through the plastic to make sure it's still in there.

The bottom is made out of heavy-duty vinyl to protect against abrasion. All you do is place your things in the bag, roll down the top a few times (to keep the water out), and then you easily secure it closed with the D-ring closure.

These see-thru dry bags come in 4 sizes: 18 oz ($23.95), 14 oz ($19.95), 10 oz (16.95), and 6.5 oz ($13.95). They also make other kinds of bags that are much larger, so check out the Sealine website if bigger is what you need. If you are planning to be on or near water, dry bags are a total necessity.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Boat

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 04:00:00 -0700

Recently, I posted about vinyasas - the 5-movement sequence that links poses together. In order to be able to lift your body back from seated and get back to Chaturanga (this is called a "jump back"), you need to have some serious core muscle strength.

This pose called Boat is great to practice if you want to tone and build up your abdominals. The increased strength and control you gain will help you get closer and closer to getting the jump back.

Sanskrit Name: Navasana
English Translation: Boat Pose
Also Called: Boat

Want to know how to work your core? Then read more

Begin sitting on your mat. Lift your knees up to your chest and work on balancing on your sit bones (the bottom of your pelvis).

The most important thing here is to keep your spine as long and straight as possible. Keep pulling your knees into your chest and at the same time, keep lifting your chest up as high as you can.
Keep your shins parallel to the ground (as shown), draw your navel towards your spine, and work on slowly straightening your legs up. If your back starts to hunch, bring your shins back down. Your legs don't need to be straight - the action of keeping your spine long and drawing your belly in is what works your abs here.
Wherever you are, hold for 5 complete breaths.
Now you are ready to take the lift. Cross your legs just below your knees, point through your toes and pull them in as close to your body as possible, without letting them touch the ground. Plant your palms firmly beside your hips, spreading your fingers wide. On an inhale, hold yourself together like a little ball, press your palms into the ground, engage your core and try to lift your body off the ground. (If your body won't cooperate, then touch your toes to the mat and work on lifting your hips off the ground. After you practice this for a while, I'm sure you'll be able to lift everything up.) Exhale, and slowly release your body back to the ground.
Come back into Navasana (Boat) for 5 breaths, then take the lift again. Do this three more times for a total of five reps of Navasana. Take a vinyasa and flow to your next pose, or take Child's pose to release your lower back.

Continue practicing this sequence and you're guaranteed to notice a difference in your core strength.

Mondo Pasta Slurps at Sea

YumSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 11:47:58 -0700

Do you slurp your pasta? I know I'm guilty of it, something about it just seems so much fun. The folks behind the advertising of Germany's Mondo Pasta seem to know that too. They've used the slurping idea to create one of the most clever ad campaigns I've seen in a while. These giant faces have been pasted onto sides of ships in Hamburg, Germany and the ropes that come out of their mouths is supposed to represent Mondo Pasta. It's slightly disturbing to look at, but I really like the concept.

Source: Spluch (Thanks to GeekSugar for the tip!)

Have Your Dogs Gone Boating?

PetSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:00:14 -0700

Ahh, Summer! To celebrate the warm season, we're dedicating this week to Wet 'n' Wild fun! Before I share the best boating tips, products, and more, I wanna hear your furry firsthand experiences onboard! Many dogs - like my pal's pup, Sam - looooove taking a watery ride, while others prefer the stability of solid ground. Have you ever tested your pets out?

Toy Box: Vilac Balloon Powered Boat

LilSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:01:00 -0700

The days of "Rubber Duckie, you're the one - you make bath time lots of fun" may have gone down the drain, but that doesn't mean your child's nautical entertainment needs have to end.

The Vilac Balloon Powered Boat ($9) offers a retro option for playtime in the bath, pool or pond. I'm no mechanic, but it appears the balloon lets out air through a little tube and propels the all-wooden boat for some simple, all natural fun. Splash, splash, it's definitely time for a bath.

Off to Market: Gravy Boat

partysugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 05:30:58 -0800

If there is one thing I am completely obsessed with this Thanksgiving it's gravy. Although I have a love/hate relationship with it, I like to serve the rich, creamy sauce in a delightful little pourer. Unfortunately the one at my parents' house is straight out of the '70s and is far from delightful. Thanksgiving is just four days away, so I need your help now! Let's head off to market in search of the perfect gravy bowl.

Bookmark the pourers in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Gravy Boat. I look forward to checking out your finds! Read geeksugar's guide to bookmarking to better understand how this fun feature works.

To see where I like to shop for all my culinary needs, read more

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens and Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Off to Market Recap: Gravy Boat

partysugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:30:25 -0800

This year my obsession for the perfect Thanksgiving gravy was completely out of control! Not only did I research countless recipes, but I also decided to invest in a new gravy boat. I asked you to help me find one by heading off to market in search of the perfect gravy pourer. You bookmarked the boats in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, Gravy Boat. This crystal gravy boat discovered by jenhead is elegant yet practical. It can be used on Thanksgiving or at any special occasion throughout the year. For more saucy finds, check out the widget below.

Interested in bookmarking? Read geeksugar's explanation of this feature and learn how to participate.

Boating Safety: Things to Know Before You Go Afloat

FitSugar — Sun, 27 May 2007 02:00:00 -0700

It seems like boating season unofficially begins on Memorial Day weekend. I don't want this to be a bummer, but did you know that more people die every year in boating accidents than in plane crashes. Alright, now that I have captured your attention let's review a few tips on boating safety.

Boater's Fatigue is real and it can wear you down. The U.S. Coast Guard warns people about this condition created by the combination of wind, noise, heat, and vibration of the boat. All these elements can mentally and physically fatigue boaters and subsequently impair their judgment.

Personal Flotation Devices, otherwise known as Life Jackets, are vitally important for everyone on board the boat, be it a canoe or a speed boat. Some states even require children under a certain age to wear life jackets, so if the little ones complain about wearing the big orange life vest them tell them it's the LAW.

Boating and alcohol don't mix. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and it reduces your body's ability to stay warm.

Watch the Weather and know local weather conditions and be prepared for electrical storms. Water conducts electricity so you don't want to find yourself on the open water during a lightening storm.

Have fun out on the water and don't forget your sunscreen!!!

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