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Turn Signal Bicycling Jacket: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:30:00 -0700

This Turn Signal Biking Jacket, designed by Leah Buechley, uses wrist-mounted switches to activate LED arrows on the back. It's easier than using old-fashioned hand-turn signals, and the lights provide an added element of safety.

Though it's not for sale - I think it's just a prototype - this could be a smart purchase for cyclists. What do you think?

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Joel McHale and Ken Jeong Share Details About Community!

BuzzSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:00:29 -0800

Community is one of those shows where you know the cast has an awesome time together. So I wasn't all that surprised to hear stars Joel McHale (Jeff) and Ken Jeong (Senor Chang) fawn over one another when they recently sat down with reporters. I've been waiting to see these two cement their friendship on-screen too, and it sounds like I'll get my wish tonight. Both actors shared a few tidbits from the episode, plus thoughts on Chevy Chase, the possible Jeff and Annie romance, and their mutual admiration.

Joel on Jeff and Annie's kiss last week: I haven't seen any scripts where it'll be revisited, because I'll probably be arrested, but believe me it was good times. I mean it's Alison Brie from Mad Men!
Joel on Jeff's relationship with Britta: His first initial reaction was, hey there's a really hot chick. And she has like an endless, you know, she has all the denim jackets that you can find. And so I think that was his first reaction. And then at the complete rejection of him he was like, ah, a challenge. And then as he got to know her, she was so much more than he expected, which was she was a totally grounded cool person...So that intrigued him, and she really is I think the moral compass of the show.

To hear more from Joel and Ken, including what's in store for this week's episode, read more.

Ken on Senor Chang's constant power trip: There is something to be said about being in a room where you have students hanging on every word. And it's definitely, as a teacher I think it's an ego rush, you know. You're definitely feeding off of that. It's really the only time in life you get to have a room where people are hanging on your every word and learning from it, and you have a power to influence.
Ken on tonight's episode: You really get to see why Senor Chang has the chip on his shoulder that he does. And some of that involves love and some of that involves friendship, and you really get to see more of the back story of Chang...And it's the relationship with Joel. Joel is really the guy that sees how [Chang's] character comes to be, and why he's developed all these traits along the way.
Joel on working with Chevy Chase: It's like working with Nolan Ryan. He's older than everybody, he's got the best stories. He has worked way more than any of us, but he still throws it harder than any of us...We have a lot to learn from that guy and it's so weird to be walking around with this kind of icon and legend that, you know, you grew up with.
Joel on Ken: Ken he will invent comedy where there is not comedy. He creates it...He's a damn good performer and you pray to God you get him in your movie or your TV show because it's like having a secret weapon.
Ken on Joel: I'm amazed at how Joel handles everything. He's always just grace under pressure this guy, because we'll be working, you know, on a Wednesday or middle of the week, and then he's got to do the Soup or another show and it's just how he switches gears is effortless. I just marvel at that. I'm like dude, how do you do it?
Ken on Community hitting its stride: I think that my wife has a good theory about sitcoms...They're like fine wine, you give them a little bit of time, and they just keep tasting better and better......The audience gets more familiar with the characters, the writers get more familiar characters, and so do the actors.

Do you like the theory that comedies get better with time? I think Community has gradually improved week after week, don't you agree? (Don't forget to watch tonight!)

The Pros and Cons of Buying Topshop Online

Fab Community — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:22 -0800

Check out what Emily EMS has to say about her online Topshop experience in our 24/7 Go-To Fashion Guide group.

I always knew they existed - I have seen their chic dresses, sexy heels and cool tops. I am talking about Topshop. I got even more excited when I found out they opened a store in NYC, although I live in Denver, Colorado. I must say, things come around a lot slower around here, and don't get me wrong, there are nice stores here, but it's not to the point where they satisfy my fashion cravings.

This is when the beauty of online shopping comes in handy. My friend Sophie loves to shop online. She says that it's the best because she can buy things anytime, even at two in the morning, not have to worry about driving to the mall, (and not finding anything at the mall!), and in most cases, there's no sales tax, a small shipping fee, and usually, the return and exchanges are easy.

I must say, I was never comfortable with buying clothes online. Shoes and bags, I'm OK with. With clothes, things are different simply because every brand has slightly different sizing and all. Topshop was no exception. It's from the UK, and I know sometimes the equivalent of those sizes can be confusing - look at H&M!

One day, as I was looking through tons of pictures as always - new trends, jackets and coats for Fall and Winter. And there it was. I fell in love with this striped knit jacket from Topshop. I looked at the price, and fell in love with it even more - it's only $80!

I had to go to the store - but wait, there is no Topshop here in Denver! As I envied those folks in NYC, I went online. I quickly navigated myself to look for the jacket and there it was! I want, I want! Pause. What is my size?

Suddenly, I was lost. I usually wear a 2 or 4, depending on the brand. I also have jackets and tops that run rather small or large. While all those thoughts kept going around my head, I looked up on the sizing chart. Hmm . . . I think I am 4, but I don't want it to be too tight since it's a knit jacket . . . oh well, let's just order 6 in case, and if it didn't fit, I'd just exchange it. Before placing an order, it suddenly dawned on me that in case this size didn't work out, I better check on the return policy. Just in case. I'm not sure if that was a sign of something, but I looked. And I discovered many things I did not know. At first, I did not know Topshop's merchandise all ship out from UK. Thus, $15 shipping charge makes sense. Then I realized another thing. What if I wanted to return or exchange something? Sure, you can either return it in person at their stores but that is not my option. According to their website, if you wanted to return or exchange an item, you have to ship it back to their UK warehouse at your own expense. Hmmm . . .

Now I'm determined to make my purchase more "oops wrong size" free. I certainly don't want to go through with shipping the item back and forth till I get it right. It's not only time consuming, but also could end up being costly. I carefully studied the sizing chart, I realized, I needed some real people's opinions. Of course, the chart gives you the idea to narrow down which size you could possibly be, but just in case, to double check it, I did my own research.

I googled the "Topshop sizing review" and voilà! There were a few out there, but one forum was particularly helpful - Facebook. People with the same problems come together and discuss the sizing. Some argue Topshop's sizing runs smaller. Others disagree.

In the end, I ended up getting a 6 - I figured if it's bigger rather than smaller, I could live with it. I haven't gotten the jacket just yet, because I just ordered yesterday, but I'll keep you posted on the sizing. I must say the forum, like the one Facebook, did help me tremendously, sometimes a sizing chart won't do justice. Real people's opinions really do count.

So will I shop online again? Yeah, sure. But do some research beforehand, and read the fine print in case you don't like it, or it's too small or too big, or it's not what I thought it would be, or whatever the reason may be. As for me, for now, I'm waiting and hoping that all the research and reading will pay off.

There are already a bunch of groups you can join and explore, and please - start some new ones! Here's a helpful guide to creating in case you need some clarification.

Kate Moss Opens Up About Her New Perfume, Says Nothing Tastes as Good as Skinny Feels

PopSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:30:41 -0800

Kate Moss was back in one of her favorite fur jackets for an evening out in London on Thursday. She's able to balance the demands of her career and social life, and Kate just added another element to her growing business empire. She's set to launch a new fragrance called Vintage, with hair and beauty products to follow. She sat down with Women's Wear Daily to chat about her business, touching on a few issues like her impressions of herself and the maxims by which she lives. Here's more:

On her definition of beauty: "It sounds really corny, but I think that if you’re beautiful inside, it shows on the outside for sure. You can be a pretty face, but if you’re not a nice person, it just doesn’t work. I’m not traditionally a beauty, but apparently people think I’m all right. If you’re a nice person, it definitely helps."
On getting inspired: "I write sometimes, or I’ll draw. It all depends what’s around. If I’m with my daughter, I’ll paint. I make jam. It’s kind of creative when you make jam. In the country, I get creative with what I have in my house. I just did my dressing room [with my former personal assistant who now designs interiors] and that was quite a good creative process. It’s heaven. We did it together. I wanted it to be a space, not just a closet. I wanted it to be a room you could feel comfortable in and hang out in without just being a wardrobe."
On her mottoes: "There are loads. There’s 'nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.' That’s one of them. You try and remember, but it never works."

To see what Kate has to say about her business, mentors, and preferred relaxation techniques, as well as more photos, just read more.

On who her mentors are: "My close friends, probably. There are lots of women I look up to, but mentors are someone you talk to and not just admire. A lot of my friends that I trust are my mentors. They would say, “Oh no, Kate, that’s not a good look."
On how she relaxes: "I’ve got a steam room now, I go in there. It’s heaven. I steam and then go to the relaxation room and cool off. In the country, I go for walks and hang out and make jam."
On the secret to multitasking: "I think women are really good at multitasking. Men just cannot do it. My boyfriend cannot talk on the phone and [answer] if I ask him a question or get dressed at the same time. I can do all of that - talk on the phone, answer a question, get dressed, and put my makeup on all at the same time. Women just do, don’t they? I think it’s something to do with babies. When you have a child, you have to be able to multitask."

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Celeb Style: Stella McCartney

FabSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:00:22 -0800

The 2009 Glamour Women of the Year awards in NYC celebrated the industry's most powerful women. Rihanna went for high drama, but Stella McCartney played it nonchalantly cool. The designer walked the red carpet in a look from her Resort line: a purple silk frock, a cropped black collarless jacket, and black pumps. Never one to go overboard with accessories, Stella added a touch of sparkle via diamond drop earrings. Perfection.

Corey Lynn Calter Purple Sam Wrap Dress - $160.00	Madewell - $170.00
Stella McCartney Gold Trim Platform Pump - $795.00	Kir Tassel Earrings - $292.00
KC Malhan 04 Leopard Clutch - $78.00

Visit CelebStyle for lots more celebrity street style!

Beyonce Knowles: What Would She Wear?

FabSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:30:22 -0800

Most stars have a signature style. You know, when you look at an item and automatically think of a specific person. That's what happened when I saw this military-style jacket - the first thing that popped into my head was, I can totally see it on Beyonce. It reminded me of her Alexander McQueen velvet band vest. Why not take it a step further and find a bunch of other signature Beyonce pieces? Statement earrings, sexy pumps, cool shades, and embellished bags are all a part of the sexy diva's world. Step inside to see what else Mrs. Jay-Z would wear and where you can get it.

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The Look For Less: Smythe Tweed Slouchy Boyfriend Blazer

FabSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:50:22 -0800

I already have a tweed Chanel-inspired jacket, but I don't have a cool tweed blazer . . . This Smythe Tweed Slouchy Boyfriend Blazer ($550) is bound to add a smart edge to any ensemble. It would look especially dapper with a pair of liquid leggings and some black-rimmed glasses. Unfortunately, I can't afford to dish that much on a blazer right now.

To see the look for less, read more

This Silence & Noise Tweed 3-Quarter Sleeve Blazer ($78) is just what I need to get the aforementioned look. It's tweed, long, and equally oversized. It's not cheap, but I can justify spending $78 since I'll be wearing it all Fall.

Trendtotting: Baby Eggi For Lil Chicks

babysugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:00:35 -0800

I don't know much about the Korean language but if it's as logical as this one word, I have a feeling I'll like it: eggi means baby. I love the simplicity and cuteness of it, much like the company that includes it in their brand: Baby Eggi.

A clothing label made just for kiddos, Baby Eggi is sweet, sassy and cool all in one. The stylish 3-button bell sleeved jacket is easily one of the most chic pieces of apparel I've seen for wee ones and its price tag is quite reasonable at $48. Young lads will look dapper but sporty in the long-sleeved jersey button-up that is suited for a dressy occasion or a roll in the mud. New moms, who are known to be dazed and confused, will enjoy the days-of-the-week onesies that will help keep her mush mind in line.

If mommy needs to legitimize her shopping cart, she might feel better knowing that Baby Eggi donates 20 percent of its net proceeds to partnering children's charities. Oh, and they're offering a 15 percent discount to our LilSugar readers for the entire month of November. Use the code LILSUGAR09 at checkout. Happy shopping!

Fab's November Most Wanted

FabSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:30:22 -0800

These rad, red Balmain suede booties are helping me battle my post-Halloween depression. Thank goodness for Balmain, right? The rest of my November picks are either cozy or cozy chic; it's finally time to stow my sandals and lightweight jackets and reunite with my bodacious boots and tights. I admit: I missed them. Furry hats, cool jewels, and Sienna Miller-inspired moccasin boots also made the want list.

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Gear Review: Radiance Jacket by Mountain Hardwear

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:00:33 -0700

If you are looking forward to Winter but not the cold that accompanies it, Mountain Hardwear has constructed a jacket for you. The Radiance Jacket ($230) is pre-wired for the Ardica Moshi Power System ($145).

When fully charged, the battery powered energy pack will keep you warm for a little over eight and a half hours when set on the low setting and three hours when set for high. The heater fits into an internal pocket in the back of the jacket that sits between your scapula with extra heating coils in the front just above the pockets. Simply pressing the black button on the top of the jacket turns on the heater. The contrast between the lightweight jacket and the stiff battery is quite noticeable though. Known for their lightweight yet warm jackets (I ski in an older version of the company's Flip Jacket), the power system makes the jacket heavy.

I sat in my cold house (why houses in Northern California aren't well insulated is beyond me) and cranked the jacket to the high setting and was quite toasty. I was sweating in minutes. I have no doubt it would keep me warm on the slopes or sitting at a snowy football game, I am not sure I want to pay $375 to stay warm. Think of all the hot chocolate you could buy, even overpriced ski lodge cocoa, with that kind of dough.

If you're an electronics junkie, the jacket will charge them. To learn how read more.

The left pocket of the jacket houses a USB cable, they come with a variety of adapters making it useful for charging your iPhone, iPod, camera, or BlackBerry. The Ardica System takes more than a few hours to fully charge, but it can fully charge your phone multiple times once it's charged.

I think the concept of a warming jacket that helps you stay wired (or at least charged) is cool, but I am not completely sold on the technology. While the jacket is cute and streamlined - it would fit well under a shell to keep for added wind and water protection - but if it is so cold that I need a heater to keep me warm riding up a mountain, I might just opt for a lodge day. What about you? What do you think of the Radiance Jacket?

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