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Open House: How Do You Dress Your Thanksgiving Table?

CasaSugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:30:04 -0800

When it comes to the Thanksgiving table, how you dress it is often as important to the hostess as what food sits upon it. Over the years, I've seen family members fuss over table settings, switching out placemats, rethinking china sets, and shifting floral arrangements.

I admit that I'm known to fuss over my Thanksgiving table as well. The first year that my hubby and I hosted Thanksgiving dinner for friends and family, I stayed up late into the night sewing a dozen napkins, pressing tablecloths, and arranging flowers. In the end though, it was all worth it. Not only did the food turn out wonderfully, but the table looked spectacular as well. Plus, as far as I'm concerned, deciding on color schemes and flower arrangements is all part of the fun.

So tell me, how do you dress your Thanksgiving table? Do you keep things casual? Is your feast a buffet-style affair? Or do you get formal with placecards and calligraphied names? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Source: Flickr User thedabble

Come Party With Me: Bold Flavorful Thanksgiving - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:50:16 -0800

When serving a bold and flavorful Thanksgiving dinner, the theme should carry over to the table setting. You don't need a tablecloth to add a sense of formality; a satin and embroidered runner is equally as festive. Set placemats in front of each chair and top with a shiny brown charger and white plate. Arrange the utensils and napkins on the placemats next to the chargers. Add white and red wine glasses to the upper right of the plate. Serve the food on light brown platters and the dessert in individual ramekins. Tea lights in globe candle holders create an illuminating and slightly romantic ambiance. Homemade leaf placecards provide an element of whimsy and a lush bouquet of plum flowers completes the look.

Go Natural With a Branch Chandelier

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:30:08 -0800

If you're craving the look of a hanging chandelier, but not necessarily the formality, you can keep things natural by using a branch motif in your lighting fixture. Or, just use actual branches! Check out some ideas for going natural with branch chandeliers.

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Color Theory: Mix Pink and Red

CasaSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0800

When you're talking fashion, there are a lot of rules about color. No white after Labor Day. Black and brown clash. A lot of these rules have fallen by the wayside now that people dress a bit more bohemian, but for interior design, they've never really applied. You can be more liberal with the colors in your home. There's no doubt about it that red and pink clash, but if you mix them purposefully, it works!

I love the color pairing of these photos from stylist Olga Naiman. The solid red corner headboard and solid magenta bedspread on the left were very clearly designed to be used together, and it looks chic in a bold way. On the right, patterned and textured pinks and reds were mixed in a very playful manner. Since it's a low, lounge-y space, there's no need for those formal rules to apply. You'll see in both images that neutral colors were used on the walls and furniture; this tames the palette a bit. Mixing these colors also gives them a new association. On their own, pink is girly, while red is seductive. Together, they are lighthearted and fun. Try this at home!

Kristen Keeps Her Pants up in Mexico With Taylor

PopSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:08:05 -0800

Kristen Stewart looked snazzy in her suspenders, rolled-up jeans, and blazer while posing at a photo call with Taylor Lautner in Mexico City today. The two have already been quite the jet-setting duo promoting New Moon, but aren't causing the same level of frenzy that Robert Pattinson has been in Japan. Today we got a sneak peek at Kristen trading in her casual style for formal wear in her Harper's Bazaar shoot with Rob. Taylor Launter looks happy being the one on Kristen's arm at the moment, since their relationship is the center of the film, but we're also wondering if he'll be back with his girl Taylor Swift to make a cameo on her SNL this weekend. The Twilight cast will be in LA on Saturday for their press day - don't forget to leave questions for the stars all week long for a chance to win!

Lots more of Kristen and Taylor in Mexico so read more

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Love It or Hate It? Hilary Swank's Retro Bouffant

BellaSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:00:18 -0700

If you don't believe that big hair is back, here's pouf - er, proof. Last night at the Hollywood Awards, the always-soignée Hilary Swank appeared wearing a bouffant worthy of Ladybird Johnson. (Hers wasn't even the only crunchy-meets-sleek look of the night, just the most voluminous.) Hilary's long been known for a certain brand of demure elegance, and while this look was certainly classy, it was also a lot more formal and constructed than we usually see her hair. What do you think? Is Hilary ringing in a new style, or does her hair just look kinda like a bell?

2009 Primetime Emmy Awards: Jamie-Lynn Sigler

BellaSugar — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:01:52 -0700

Jamie-Lynn Sigler looked simply stunning on the red carpet tonight. She pulled all of her hair back in a not-too-perfect updo that looked right at home at the Emmys. Her makeup was equally as beautiful. She started with a bronzed complexion, added some dramatic eyes (false lashes and a nudish shadow), and finished with barely brown cheeks and a pink lip. All of this set the stage for those dramatic earrings. Are you liking Miss Sigler's look, or is it a little too formal for your taste?

Vote on all of my Primetime Emmy Awards polls here!

Mad Men: Is Birthing in the '60s as Bad as You'd Think?

TresSugar — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Sunday's Mad Men told me more than I ever wanted to know about childbirth in the '60s. Betty Draper is hushed away from her husband upon arriving at the hospital, forced to fill out paperwork midcontractions, and bossed around by an unsympathetic nurse whose bedside manner approximates a warden's - you made your bed now have your baby in it.

What did I expect anyway - for Betty to have her baby in the master bath while Don burned lavender and massaged her shoulders. Of course not. But I also did not expect to see Betty give birth in a semiconscious state. I thought you were either awake or out. This in-between state, more formally known as twilight sleep, is made of a cocktail of drugs to relieve pain and induce amnesia. Because who wants to remember the birth of her child!

Today natural childbirth is applauded, so it's easy to be appalled by Betty's semiconscious experience. But was it oppressive or an initial, if flawed, step toward a better childbirth? Probably both! Read on

MTV Video Music Awards: Taylor Swift

BellaSugar — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 18:24:35 -0700

Taylor Swift chose a soft and romantic look for tonight's MTV Video Music Awards. Her hair looks like what you'd expect to see on a bride on her wedding day. Yes, it might be a little too formal for this occasion, but given her age and her innocence, I think it works well on Taylor. She vamps it up a bit with the makeup, especially with her strong red lip and green-tinted eyes. Are you liking this star's look, or is it a little too country on a night of rock and roll?

Vote on all of my MTV VMAs polls here!

Love it or Hate it: Samantha Jones' '80s Look

FabSugarUK — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:00:18 -0700

Filming for the Sex and the City 2 movie continued yesterday as the girls dressed up in classic '80s attire. Carrie had a funky Madonna vibe, Miranda was formal, Charlotte was very preppy whilst Samantha went for full-on bad taste! I love the clashing prints of Samantha's ensemble complete with red buckle boots (very similar to a Chloe pair from Autumn 2009). Although I wouldn't actually go out like this, Patricia Field has definitely nailed what we all imagined Samantha to be like 20 years ago! What do you think of her '80s look?

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