PopSugar

Do You Pee in the Pool?

FitSugar — Sun, 24 May 2009 03:30:00 -0700

The Memorial Day weekend means pools across the country will be opening for the Summer. In light of the start of swim season, a bit of news caught my eye - in a recent survey, one in five Americans admitted to peeing in the pool. Wow! A while back a Kelly Clarkson quote prompted me to ask you all about peeing in the shower. Now I am curious about this issue, because I am incredulous about these statistics.

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Cool Idea: Ostrich 3-in-1 Chair

CasaSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 05:30:40 -0700

I'm not gonna lie: I like to flash a little tan in the Summer. But getting an even color can be tricky on the beach when you also want to read. So I was kind of thrilled when I came across this Ostrich 3-in-1 Chair ($89).

This is not your standard folding beach chair. The seat comes equipped with a face flap with cushions on the backrest, which you can flip up when you want to tan your back, and arm slots, allowing you to read with a book below. It also has five back positions and a three-position footrest, so it works as a chair, recliner, and chaise. I never thought I'd see innovation in a beach seat, but I'm so glad it has arrived! Now only if I can get myself a house with the ocean as my backyard . . .

Kidmazing: Tot Knows How to Break 'Em on the Pool Table!

LilSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:00:45 -0700

A 23-month-old doesn't come to mind when one conjures up the image of a pool shark, but it should. Keith O'Dell, 23 months old, keeps his eye on the eight ball and can't stand to scratch! The tot who is likely still in diapers spends two to three hours a day angling his stick around his mini felt table perfecting shots. His parents say they aren't pushing their son, but will allow him to continue as long as he's happy.

Would you let your youngster spend this much time focused on one activity?

Casa Quickie: Keeping Bees Away From Your Pool

CasaSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:00:02 -0700

It's hard to enjoy your endless Summer if bee stings come hand in hand with taking a dip in your pool. But bees have many uses for water, including drinking and using as material to build hives. So, unless there's another source of water nearby, you can bet your bottom dollar that they'll be making a poolside visit. According to the USDA, bees will forage any open water source, so the only way to detract them is by making the water unpalatable. You can do so by filling a spray bottle with a mix of 1/4 cup of dish soap or vinegar and a quart of water, and spraying bees that are at your pool. This will eliminate bees as they forage on water, and prevent others in the colony from learning about your pool's location.
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Midday Muse: Everybody in the Pool

CasaSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:00:30 -0700

Wondering where this cool, patterned pool is located? I can tell you that you'll be surprised by the answer.

To find out, read more.

It's actually a manhole cover! British artist Slinkachu, a former design student, has been creating various everyday scenes - though in miniature -in London for the past year as part of his "Little People" street art project.

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Jump into ClubSwim!

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0700

During the dog days of Summer, I am always looking for a pool to jump in, especially now that I am all pumped up about Olympic swimming this August. Being that I don't have a pool of my own and neither does my gym, I am always wondering what local pools are available for public use.

ClubSwim.com offers an easy search tool to find local pools in your area. Not only will the results turn up pools within a 15-mile radius, but you can also find out which clubs are public, members only, have indoor and/or outdoor pools, and more. I was shocked to see how many pools were in my area that I didn't even know existed. Check it out today and you may be doing laps (or just splashing around with your kids) this weekend.

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Steal of the Day: Pottery Barn Chesapeake Changing Cabana

CasaSugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:00:52 -0700

Ever since I snuck up to the rooftop pool at W Hotel in New Orleans for a late-night swim, I've been convinced that a cabana is the key to the ultimate poolside haven. Not only can you use it to slip into your teeny weeny yellow polka-dot bikini, but it's also a great escape from the sun and other poolside dwellers. In other words, it's the quintessence of Summer style. Those of you with a pool might want to open your ears now: the Pottery Barn Chesapeake Changing Cabana ($299, reduced from $429) is on sale and ready to make its debut in your backyard. And, it has a FSC-certified solid eucalyptus frame finished with a protective oil-based wood stain, so it may actually outlast your bikini years.

DrSugar Answers: Deadly Pools?

FitSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:00:00 -0700

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

DrSugar,
I have a friend who was banned from swimming as a child. She grew up with a pool in her backyard and developed a serious ear infection that landed her in the hospital. Her doctor told her that if she ever swam again she could die. Is this lifelong ban from swimming warranted? Is there such an ear infection that could kill you? I cannot imagine not swimming.
Missing Mermaid

To see DrSugar's answer, just read more.

When you dive into the matter, swimming pools can be a mine field of dangers for adults and children alike, ranging from sunburns to dreaded cramps if you swim less than 30 minutes after eating, from skin infections or ear infections. The list of hazards also includes drowning and thermal shock. But swimming is a common form of recreation and with it come some side effects.

Outer ear infections, called otitis externa, are relatively common among aquatic athletes and those who spend a lot of time in the water. The infection is caused by bacteria or fungi, and symptoms include ear pain, a feeling of fullness in the ear and itching. It is generally a mild condition easily treatable with antibiotic ear drops. Common risk factors for developing an outer ear infection include swimming and diving in polluted or infected waters, such as a lake populated with waterfowl, hot and humid weather, eczema of the ears, and any trauma to the ear canal such as aggressive cleaning with cotton swabs.

While outer ear infections are usually relatively benign, there is a very small risk of developing a more serious condition known as malignant or necrotizing otitis externa. Essentially a more severe infection, it can spread to the skull or even the brain. This infection is more common in untreated outer ear infections and people with severe immunosuppresion such as diabetes. Having an outer ear infection also puts you at higher risk for developing another outer ear infection again in the future. To answer your question, it’s unclear why the doctor in this situation banned the girl from swimming forever, but she should definitely consult with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist before jumping into the pool with you.

If you have a question for DrSugar, send me a private message here and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

Summer Style: Pool Photography

CasaSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:30:04 -0700

If you can't pop out your back door and jump into a nice, wet watering hole on those dog days this month, you can still feel the warmth of Summer in your home by purchasing some pool photography. And, if you do have a pool, hanging a photograph of one on your walls will coordinate nicely. New York-based photographer Samantha West's moody and romantic "Saint James" print (2007) is available for purchase in 22" x 22" (inquire for price) — a perfect square to soak your house in Summer style. To get your feet wet with some other pool photography, read more.

New Zealander Carlo Van de Roer's Pools series explores abandoned swimming pools that were once bustling social environments, and his Swim series focuses on outdoor swimming pools and public baths marked by patterns and groupings of people. Inquire for prices.

Austin-based photographer Will van Overbeek's 24 Summers at Barton Springs Pool" is just that: a photo series documenting Summer after Summer spent capturing the allure of a favorite Austin locale. Call for prints.

Minnesota-based photographer FriendlyMade's "Swimming Pool" ($11) is a refreshing splash, and a far cry from the weed-filled lakes used by Minnesota swimmers. At 5" x 5" it's petite — or what I'd call a skinny dip.

Southern California-based photographer Jena Ardell's "Pool Triptych" ($25), a trio of three of her Polaroids on a white background, is a hat trick, proving that three is company.

How Would You . . .

CasaSugar — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 05:00:11 -0700

These 48-drawer Swimming Pool Basket Lockers ($600) were once the keepers of some groovy retro swimsuits and certainly not produced for home storage. But they've got a great industrial-style look to them that I think is worthy of personal use. In the past, the dealer's customers used the lockers to store vegetables, sewing supplies, porno (!), and socks. Unless you're the Brady Bunch, you probably have no need to store 48 wet swimsuits. So for the next round of this challenge, I'd like you take a look at this locker and tell me how you'd use it in your home. What would you store in it? Clothes? Veggies? Swimwear? Would you use it for a purpose other than storage (perhaps to conceal a secret door)? Would you leave the painted steel bluish gray or paint it? Would you paint it yourself or have it powdercoated? Tell me by commenting below!