PopSugar

Instead of Feeling Guilty For Indulging, Get Back on Track

FitSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:30:44 -0800

The holidays can be pretty indulgent - decadent meals, cocktail parties, and dessert after dessert to savor. Add to that stressful gift shopping, holidays spent away for home, and workouts being replaced with entertaining and suddenly you've gotten completely off track with your health.

Before you beat yourself up for having that second piece of pumpkin pie, take a deep breath and tell yourself it's OK. We've all been there - instead of punishing yourself over it, make a commitment to get back on track now. In fact, punishing yourself can have potentially harmful results - a study found that women who feel guilty over missing workouts are more likely to develop eating disorders.

To see my tips on staying healthy during the holidays, read more.

After a big meal, go for a brisk walk. Encourage your friends and family to join you too!
Don't deprive yourself during the holidays, as this may lead to overindulging later. Treat yourself to a healthy dessert on the weekends like these pumpkin bars.
Try limiting yourself to one drink a cocktail party or dinner. If you do have more than one drink, alternate between water and alcohol, and opt for sparkling wine, it has way less calories than a cocktail.
If you do fall off the health wagon, schedule time to start exercising again. The holidays are hectic and making an exercise schedule will help keep you committed and motivated.
Find a workout buddy this holiday season. Exercising and staying fit is easier if you have someone in your corner rooting you on.
If you're worried about overdoing it at a holiday dinner, have a healthy snack like an apple or a handful of nuts before you go. This will help fill you up and reduce cravings.
If you really don't have time to exercise during this hectic season find small ways to be active. Use the stairs when you go shopping and park your car as far away from the store entrance as you can so you walk further.
If you do start to obsess over falling off the health bandwagon, limit your freak out time to ten minutes and then let it go.

Play Our Brand New Holiday Movie Faceoff and Win a Prize!

BuzzSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:00:56 -0800

There's no denying it now - the holiday season is officially upon us, which means it's time to dust off those decorations, blast those merry tunes, and cuddle up to watch festive movies. Everyone has a favorite, whether it's a classic like It's a Wonderful Life or the always-hilarious Elf. There are tons of great ones, and now we're pitting them head-to-head in our brand new faceoff game! Spend some time playing, and you'll be eligible to win an amazing prize package of holiday favorites. Just click here to get started!

The winner will receive the ultimate holiday movie collection courtesy of Warner Home Video! It includes the upcoming new release Four Christmases as well as favorites How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Charlie Brown Christmas. That’s not all - your collection will be completed by three spectacular holiday movie box sets: the Holiday Comedy Collection: DVD 3-Disc Box Set, with Elf/National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation/Fred Claus; the Holiday Family Collection: DVD 3-Disc Box Set, with A Christmas Story/Happy Feet/The Polar Express; and the TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection: Holiday DVD 2-Disc Set With Sleeve, with A Christmas Carol/Christmas in Connecticut/It Happened on 5th Avenue/The Shop Around the Corner.

Just be sure you're logged in to your PopSugar Community account to be entered, so if you're not already a member, register now. To read all the official rules, click here. What are you waiting for? Play now! The more you play, the more entries you have to win! Don't forget to tell your friends to join in on the fun.

Topshop Lets You Borrow from Kate, Freida, Scarlett, and More!

FabSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:00:22 -0800

Topshop is giving us the gifts of all gifts this holiday season with its Dress Me Up initiative. The UK retailer will be offering dresses worn by the likes of Kate Moss, Freida Pinto, Scarlett Johansson, and Naomi Campbell for rent. The cost? A mere $60 for one day.

The selection, which also includes frocks donated from other fashion forward celebs and designers such as Olivia Palermo, Christopher Kane, and Emma Cook, will then be auctioned off for sale. All proceeds will go to the Age Concern and Help the Aged foundation. "Having worked with Topshop for so long, we didn't think twice about donating our dress. It's such a great cause, especially at this time of year," said Emma Cook. I have my eye on that burgundy Kate Moss Lanvin dress . . .

To see more dresses up for auction, read more.

View 5 Photos ›

Source

Food Section Sampler - Nov. 25, 2009

YumSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:15:26 -0800

Behind the scenes at the Obamas' first White House state dinner. - New York Times
The Andy Warhol cocktail is nearly as charismatic as the famed artist himself. - San Francisco Chronicle
How to prevent overeating at the Thanksgiving table. - Washington Post
For restaurateurs, this holiday is looking to be another dreary dining season. - Los Angeles Times
Why one consumer advocacy group is taking a stand against Ocean Spray cranberries. - Boston Globe
Sick of turkey and vegetable leftovers? Transform them into a fragrant Thai curry. - Chicago Tribune
What recession? A 760-gram truffle has sold for $129,000. - Wall Street Journal

The Road: A Bleak Journey That Will Haunt You

BuzzSugar — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0800

It's not that I was expecting a film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's The Road to be happy sunshine - I just wasn't expecting it to seem so possible.

The apocalyptic tale takes place in a wasteland in the future after most humans are gone. It's desolate, the sky is a brownish-gray, and the land seems to be covered with ash. Unlike showy 2012, this is an end-of-the-world tale stripped down, which makes it all the more realistic and chilling.

To see what I mean, just read more.

We meet Man (Viggo Mortensen) and Boy (Kodi Smit-McPhee), a father and son making their way down south because they can't survive another Winter in this ominous setting. (Charlize Theron plays their wife and mother through a series of flashbacks). With a meager amount of food left on the planet, the select few people remaining (and there aren't many) will basically kill for supplies - or turn to cannibalism for sustenance. If this sounds like a horror film, it's because it pretty much is one. In fact, it's the worst, most plausible kind: one that explores the evils of humanity.

I'm sure many viewers won't be able to (or won't want to) stomach the subject matter, but the film is worth seeing thanks to the relationship between the father and son. In terms of plot, there isn't a ton that happens, and most of the action involves bumping into new strangers, like an elderly man (Robert Duvall) and a threatening gang. Some may find the lack of events monotonous, but this is why father and son are so important. Man is an average Joe who questions how far he'll go to keep Boy safe and what that means for his conscience; Boy is an innocent who still looks for good in people. The film obviously raises questions about the nature of who we are when tested - but the story is ultimately about their relationship.

As Man, Viggo Mortensen gives a mesmerizing performance that should bring his name up around awards season, and Smit-McPhee as his son is a great child actor, especially given the dark subject matter.

If you're a McCarthy fan or even just a fan of great acting, you'll want to check this one out. But, I'd suggest saving it for next week - after you find your Thanksgiving warm fuzzies somewhere else.

If you'd like to review a movie you've seen recently, check out the Movie Reviews Group in community. I may even feature your critique on the site!

Jon Hamm Pops Up in Plaid in an Entirely Different Town

PopSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0800

Jon Hamm flashed a big smile after a meeting in LA yesterday afternoon. He's back in California after months working on The Town in Boston, as is his costar/director Ben Affleck. Jon's schedule is busy despite Mad Men ending for the season, and he recently traveled to Canada to start on his next film project Sucker Punch. Jon's show is on hiatus until the fourth season starts sometime next year, so we'll have to get our Hamm fix through one of his upcoming big-screen roles.

To see more Jon, just read more.

View 10 Photos ›

Buzz Gift Guide: For the Geeky Guy in Your Life

BuzzSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:30:11 -0800

Guys may seem tough to shop for, but in the end there are a few (almost) universally accepted gifts - like DVDs. Luckily I've tucked a few of those into my latest installment of holiday gift guides. This one is dedicated to the geeky guys out there, whether it's your boyfriend, brother, or super cool uncle.

To get you started, I've picked up the first five seasons of Lost on DVD - now he can go back and analyze seasons before the big season six premiere, or get into the show for the first time. If you're still feeling uninspired, be sure to check out all of the great holiday content across the PopSugar Network.

Did You Tune In to the Series Finale of Jon and Kate Plus 8?

LilSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0800

Last night marked the end of an era for one of TV's most talked about families. The series finale of Jon and Kate Plus 8 aired after five seasons on TLC and showed the separated couple striving to be single parents. While this past year has been filled with loud headlines about the bunch, the show went out on a high note - reminding viewers that at the end of the day, it was about the great eight kids Jon and Kate had together. We've followed the crew's moves on and off the small screen for years so we were sad to see the show end. Did you tune in to bid adieu to the family?

Share your reaction to the finale in the comments below. For a bittersweet look back at photos of the family and episode recaps and quizzes from this past season, read more.

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "School Days" episode

View School Days Photos ›

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "Time to Organize" episode

View Time to Organize Photos ›

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "Tea Party & Snakes" episode

View Tea Party and Snakes Photos ›

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "Farm to Table" episode

View Farm to Table Photos ›

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "Dude Ranch and Dress Up" episode

View Dude Ranch and Dress Up Photos ›

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "Battleship and Barber" episode

View Battleship and Barber Photos ›

Relive the growth, gossip and tales of the famous family by checking out our past coverage.

Photos courtesy of TLC

Holiday Trendtotting: Malibu Chrismukkah Looks

LilSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0800

'Tis the season for holiday pictures and functions and every mama wants her children to look fashionable and festive. If you plan on spending the holidays in a warm California casual-type climate or tropical destination you'll have to skip the red tights or tube socks. Embrace the sunshine by adding simple seasonal flare like glittery shoes, a sharp tie or ribbons to your lil one's ensemble. Red J. Crew chinos ($19) are comfortable and casual enough your elf can wear them throughout the rest of the school year.

Here are a few of my favorite wallet-friendly and breezy styles (all pieces are under $60) that can be worn all Winter in warm locales.

For a breakdown of Malibu Chrismukkah looks for toddler girls, boys and infants, read more.

Malibu Chrismukkah Look For Toddler Girls:

Malibu Chrismukkah Look For Toddler Boys:

Malibu Chrismukkah Look For Infants:

Bella Bargain: Buy One, Get One Free at Miss Jessie's

BellaSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:00:09 -0800

Just in time for gift-giving season, Miss Jessie's hair care is offering an amazing deal: buy one item, get another free. The product line offers styling solutions for curly, kinky, and wavy hair, including the cult-favorite Curly Pudding. Through Dec. 31, you can choose a second item of equal or lesser value for nada. So if you're stocking up on hair care for yourself, or you're thinking of a more affordable way to give the gift of gorgeous hair, you're all set. Don't forget to check out our Beauty Bargains group for even more deals and steals.

Topstitched Skirt - $16.50	Rhinestone Tee - $9.50
Gladiator Sandal - $16.50	Sparkle Flat - $22.50
Fair Isle Sweater Dress - $22.50	Girl Ruffle Sock - $3.50
Uniform Pleated Twill Skort - $16.50	Button Collar Top - $16.50
Plaid Jumper - $24.50	Uniform Jumper - $19.50
Uniform Jumper - $19.50	Girls' glitter ballet flats - $58.00
Girls' cascade dress - $49.50	Girls' polka-dot ruffle bikini set - $42.00
Girls' taffeta ballet flats with strap - $45.00	Girls' crushed glitter belt - $22.00
Girls' floret patent ballet flats - $118.00

Boys' essential chino short - $28.00	Boy Bulldog Tie - $7.50
Boys' jersey critter pocket crewneck tee - $10.50	Boys' plaque belt - $24.50
Boys' summerweight pull-on chino short - $29.50	Stripe Waffle Tee - $12.50
Patchwork Short - $14.50	Cargo Drawstring Short - $16.50
Kids' Converse® Jack Purcell® sneakers - $42.00	Boys' piqué polo - $24.50
Boys' broken-in chino short - $29.50	Boys' Reindeer tie - $22.50
Boys' railroad-stripe beach short - $39.50	Boys' Black Stewart tartan tie - $45.00
Boys' lined broken-in chino - $52.00

Plaid Short - $14.50	Holiday Tee - $7.50
Horse Print Dress - $16.50	Rosette Metallic Flat - $18.50
Railroad Stripe Short - $14.50	Plaid Overall - $16.50
Coast Leather Boat Shoe - $50.00	Check Dress Shirt - $14.50
Baby Girl Rose Collar Bodysuit - $10.50	DAPH DAPH Toddler/Little Kid Robin Sandal - $92.95
Lace Sock - $4.50	Double Sleeve Corduroy Dress - $26.50