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Madonna Wants to Re-Create Her Former English Manor in NYC

CasaSugar — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:00:03 -0700

Since her split with Guy Ritchie, Madonna has parked herself in an Upper East Side apartment, moving on from their shared historic estate in Wiltshire, UK, the Ashcombe House. But, according to the Mirror, she misses the English countryside so much that she's asked her architects to re-create her country home room by room in her NYC digs. Let me add that the Mirror is not always the most reliable source, so this news bit still has rumor status.Apparently, she's hired people "to go out and troll the Upper East Side boutiques for candelabras, side tables, and period chaises" and even had the wood floors of her new Georgian-style townhouse "ripped up and replaced with terracotta tiles, similar to Ashcombe." There's even talk of bringing chickens into the Manhattan pad to make her kids feel at home - I'm going to go out on a limb and say that might be stretching the truth. Nevertheless, do you understand where she is coming from? Would you do (or have you done) the same thing? Or do you think she's nuts and should decorate like she lives in Gotham City, not the English countryside?

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Midday Muse: At Home on the Edge of the World

CasaSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:00:37 -0800

Over Thanksgiving weekend, I spent some time in Joshua Tree, CA, with friends who've built an eco-friendly house there. These friends love their peaceful home and amazing view (which goes on for miles with nary a house in site), but they also miss the comforts of city life. While I sometimes daydream about living in a place as remote as my friends' home, I doubt that I would be able to hack the extremely rural reality of this life for very long. Do you ever long for a home at the edge of the civilized world, or are you a city gal at heart?

Open House: Country Style Décor

CasaSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:30:46 -0800

If you watch Samantha Who?, you may have noticed that Regina Newly, Samantha's mother, is all about the country style décor. Blue gingham? Check! (Har har.) Handmade quilt? Check! Roosters? Check! Check! Check! I've never been one for décor themes, regardless of the inspiration behind it. And, I am a little turned off by homes with a country style that are not actually in the country. I think if you live on a farm, or in a rural area at least, it's acceptable. I can't say I'll be getting the look of Mrs. Newly's home in my own, unless maybe we're talking about a set of farmyard place mats. Samantha's pad, on the other hand, I'd willingly move right into. Enough about me, I want to know what you all think of this countryside style. Do you like it? Do you have any pastoral accessories in your home? Do you like theme decorating in general? Tell me by commenting below!
Photo copyright 2008 ABC, Inc.

Dear Poll: Are You a City Girl or a Country Girl?

DearSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:00:00 -0700

Whenever I can get away from San Francisco for a weekend, I always take advantage of a few days without the people, cars, and noise. There's nothing like spending time out of town enjoying the mellow nature of California's valleys. But I only need a few days before I'm ready to head home to the people, the cars, and the noise! I may appreciate the country, but I'm a city girl through and through. Ladies, if you had to pick one, which would you be?

Source

Teen Sex and the City - and the Country

DearSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:00:00 -0700

If you believe shows like Gossip Girl, you'd think that city-dwelling teens were the randiest and most rebellious. But a recent story on Slate reminds us that teenagers in rural areas are often more sexually active.

According to the article:

Several studies have shown that rural teens are more likely to have sex than their urban counterparts, that they lose their virginity earlier, and that they have more sexual partners.

The story cites various statistics indicating that country-dwelling teens have higher rates of high-risk sexual behaviors, including sex with multiple partners and infrequent use of condoms.

I'm certainly no researcher, so I can't speak to the accuracy of the statistics. But anecdotally, I can say that I know plenty of people from both urban and rural backgrounds who were promiscuous in their teens. Teen sex certainly isn't limited to cities; in fact, it often seems like nonurban teens have more sex. What do you guys think? Did you grow up in the city or the country, and what was the attitude toward teen sex where you grew up?

Photos courtesy of The CW

Do You Prefer the City, Suburb, or Country?

DearSugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Once you are on your own and living independently from your parents, you get to choose where you live. It has to do with the pace of life that makes you the happiest.

Maybe you're into living in the city. You love the tall buildings and paved roads. You love that there's no room to get bored, and that there are so many people to meet and things to see. You love the idea that you can go out to dinner every night of the week and never eat at the same place twice.

Or maybe you like living in the suburbs, just outside of a city. That means you can hop in your car and go to the city whenever you want, and once you've had your fill, you can go back home to peace and quiet. You love that you can live in a neighborhood with other people without that crowded city feel.

Could it be that you're a country girl? The open space makes you feel calm and you need to be surrounded by trees, animals, and fresh air. You love having a backyard your dog can run around in, and you love that you can look out and see miles of sky and grassy hills.
Source

There is no denying that I am a city girl through and through, so where do you prefer to live?

Coveted Crib: Country Living's 2008 Home of the Year

CasaSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:00:25 -0700

Contributing editor Danny Seo isn't the only thing about Country Living magazine that I'm enamored with. Check out the slideshow to see a coveted and classic home from Country Living's senior decorating editor Robin Mayer. I'm in love. Source

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Before and After: A Country Kitchen Lightens Up

CasaSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:00:37 -0700

I spotted the makeover of this small kitchen in an 1895 house in Dutchess County, NY, in Country Living and felt really inspired. When your room is plagued with dated features like these knotty pine cabinets, sometimes it's hard to see the potential in a space - even more so when you've got only 180 square feet to work with.

Home owner Jennifer Vreeland saw beyond this dreary space, and chose to remove the cramped, wall-to-wall cabinetry in favor of two open upper storage units and a hanging pot rack. The change immediately opened up the space, making it feel airier and less claustrophobic. Top that with fresh coats of white and baby blue, and the space looked instantly lighter and more spacious. See the after photo and hear about her other changes when you read more.

Vreeland kept the country vibe with a slim antique farmhouse table and iron draftsman stools. She made the smart choice to go with a modern, streamlined sink and an oven in powerful sunny yellow, giving the room a touch of modernity and keeping it fresh. I love it! Do you?Source

EW Gets Inside Teams Edward, Jacob, and Bella!

Molly — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:55:35 -0800

One New Moon cover was clearly not enough for Entertainment Weekly - this week they've got a trio of front images featuring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner. After the movie's amazing record-breaking opening weekend, it's no wonder why they want to further explore the phenomenon. We'll see what this holiday long weekend does for the box office take, but until then - which cover is your favorite? I'm pretty into how badass Kristen looks, but we can't forget about Robert, and Taylor does wear that leather jacket well. For now, at least Robert and Kristen are taking some time to relax in their success, including a recent cross-country trip just in time for a possible Thanksgiving spent together.

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Are Chicken Fried and Country Fried Steak the Same Thing?

YumSugar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 03:30:19 -0700

I've always been curious to know myself - so you can imagine my delight when The New York Times and Southern food expert John T. Edge answered my own personal burning question. Find out what the answer is when you read more.

To many Americans, the terms "chicken fried steak" and "country fried steak" are used interchangeably to describe steak that's been pounded, coated and fried, and served with gravy. But there is a regional distinction, Edge maintains: Country-fried steak is a "pan-Southern" dish - a dish that sort of embodies the cuisine of the collective South - and is usually simmered in gravy. Chicken fried steak is a Texas variation that's fried and served alongside creamy gravy.

Other authorities contend that chicken fried steak, a favorite in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, is deep-fried in the manner of fried chicken, as opposed to country fried steak - popular in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and the Carolinas - which is dredged and then pan-fried in gravy. And although the gravy in country fried steak may be brown or white, chicken fried steak is served with a white pepper gravy.

Were you aware of the distinction? Do you prefer country fried steak or chicken fried steak?