PopSugar

Come Fab Finding With Me: Cozy Winter Flats

FabSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:50:22 -0700

Here's a challenge that's going to take some thinking outside the box. A Fab reader who lives in NYC seeks warm, semi-dressy flats to wear in the Winter that aren't boots or sneakers. She wants to retire the Converse she currently lives in, so let's help her keep her feet dressy cozy. I'll start you off with this Banana Republic Black Skinny Jean ($90) because she will be mostly be wearing the flats with jeans and pants.

Let's go Fab Finding. Be sure to come back and tell me your Fab Finds are up, or just tag your Fab Finds with Cozy Winter Flats. Now, you can build outfits by creating your very own widget of clothing items. We have everything you need to build outfits, and you can use your Fab Find bookmarks, too. This is an even better way to put together an entire outfit when completing your Fab Finding missions. Learn what a Fab Find is and how to make one. And here's a detailed explanation of bookmarks from GeekSugar.

To see some of my favorite online stores, read more.

Where to Buy Sneakers Online: RoadRunner Sports

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 11:00:00 -0700

I have given you all many tips on how and why to buy good running shoes. Take care of your feet and they will take care of you. It seem like the good deals are often online, but when it comes to sneakers finding the right fit through the Internet can seem risky, but not with RoadRunner Sports.

They guarantee a perfect fit! Seriously. Here's how they explain their policy:

And now, with our unrivaled PERFECT FIT GUARANTEE, you can hit the road in your new running shoes. If they're not just right for you, simply exchange them within 60 days, no questions asked.

How cool is that?

They also have Fit Experts available for consultation via email or telephone (which seems charmingly "old school"). You can even sort the shoes by foot type and most shoe descriptions are accompanied by helpful reviews and rankings.

RoadRunner Sports sells other gear too: hydration systems, clothing, watches, scales, and heart rate monitors. If you prefer to shop at a retail store they have "brick and mortar" operations, mostly out west, so check their site for store locations.

Geek Tip: Customize Your Kicks Online

GeekSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:06:17 -0700

I love a good set of online tools on a website, especially when it's coupled with another one of my favorite things: shopping. I'm especially loving the instant gratification of the design-your-own sneakers tools from some favorite brand-name shoe companies: Nike, Puma, Converse, and Keds all offer a customization option for a few of their classic sneaker designs.

Though the tools vary by site, essentially you can click on different sections of the shoe: interior, left side, right side, details, laces - and choose a color or print for each section. You can view your shoe from different angles, too - side view, top view, back view, and more. The tools are incredibly easy to use and a lot of fun. I may not be able to commit to just one pair! If you can stop playing with the design tools and finally commit to your perfect pair, know that they'll take a little longer to arrive - each pair is custom-made to order.

Fit Tip: Stock Up on Your Fave Sneaks

FitSugar — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:00:26 -0700

Finding the perfect exercise shoe is a tough challenge. Even though there are a couple brands I've had luck with, I always end up spending at least an hour trying on every type of sneaker made by every brand in the store, just to make sure I've found the best fit. Sometimes I even end up having to go to more than one store! Who has time for that every time you have to buy new sneaks, which for me is about every three months?

So I've started stocking up on a pair I really love. I'll buy sneakers I think are perfect, try it out for a couple of weeks, and if my feet are still happy, I go back to the store and buy one or two more pairs of the exact same sneaker. That way a new pair I know I already love is waiting for me when it's time to ditch my old pair. If you don't like buying the same pair because they look the same, companies usually make the same sneaker in a couple different colors. If you can't find them at the store, order them online, which can save you dough and a trip to the store. You can also create a sale alert notice for the shoes on ShopStyle. You might have to wait a while, but you'll save some dough too.

Timeless Sibling Themes For Halloween: Varsity

LilSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:00:27 -0700

Give me an H-A-L-L-O-W-E-E-N! What's that spell? A couple of cheerleaders and a quarterback dressed up and ready to trick-or-treat. I bet John Moynahan and his impending sibling would cause quite a stir in these costumes! While the pom-pom girl ensemble can easily be made by pinning a felt letter on a pullover, stitching together a skirt and tying some fuzzy balls on sneakers. And a tot can be transformed into a footballer by sewing stuffed pantyhose "muscles" into a jersey, smearing a lil black makeup under his or her eyes and topping their noggin with a helmet, it takes even less time to find the outfits online. If you have a newborn, consider dotting two broken lines down a brown onesie or buying a football bunting. But, make sure no one tosses the pigskin!

What's cuter than one child in a costume? His or her sibling in complementary ones! After shuffling through some old albums, I came across photos of timeless attire for fellow parents to use as inspiration - no trip to the fabric store or thimble required! Check out themes for tots here!

Gear Review: Nike+ Sportband

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:00:26 -0700

I got my hands on the new Nike+ Sportband ($59) and was so psyched to start tracking my runs with it. Before you get started though, you need to download the Nike+ Sportband Utility software from the website. Then charge the Link (small black piece with the digital screen) by plugging it into your computer's USB port to charge, which takes about two hours.

If you don't have a pair of Nike+ sneakers, you'll need a holder for the sensor that sits on your laces. I use the weather-proof RunAway ($9). Once the sensor is attached to your shoe, plug the Link into the Sportband, and you're all set to go. Just hold down the top button for three seconds and it'll start recording your workout. Press the little side button and you can switch between seeing your time, distance, pace, and calories burned as you run. To end your workout, hold the top button for three seconds. Once your run is complete, the screen will go through the final stats of your run two times through.

To see if I liked the Sportband better than the Nike+ Sports Kit read more.

Using this Sportband is much easier than the Nike+ Sports Kit because you don't have to scroll through your iPod to start, pause, and end your workout. It's also easier to see your stats because the screen is right there on your wrist. If you don't work out with music, or don't own an iPod, then you'll like the Nike+ Sportband because no iPod is needed. I just wish there was a way to look at your recent history on the Sportband, like you can when using the Nike+ Sports Kit. With the Sportband, if you want to compare this run with previous runs, you'll just have to wait until you get home and plug it into your computer. Within minutes, the data of that run is automatically uploaded to the nikerunning.nike.com/nikeplus website, and then you can compare all your workout data online.

Overall, just like the Nike+ Sports Kit, I love how the Sportband offers an easy way to track your runs and your progress. It's twice as expensive as the Sports Kit ($29) though, so if you already own an iPod, you may want to save a little dough and stick with the Sports Kit.

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Gear Review: Instant Arches

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Running shoes feel great on my feet, but a woman cannot live in sneakers alone, so I have been looking for new ways to give my tired feet a little extra support. I found Instant Arches ($8), a comfy one-size-fits-all arch support. I literally stuck a pair into my flats - they have adhesive backing to keep the support in place. I wore the shoes all day, and like most days I logged a fair bit of walking miles. See how my feet felt at the end of the day when you read more.

My feet felt much happier having worn the Instant Arches in my shoes for the 10 hours I was in my flats. I suffer from very low arches and find most fashionable shoes don't provide enough support for the arch, but orthotics are too bulky for anything but an athletic shoe (plus they can be pricey). I found these arch supports easy to install; by peeling the protective layer back only halfway, you can fiddle with placement before completely sticking the support in the shoe. This means you cannot change the support from shoe to shoe, so buy a pair of Instant Arches for each pair of shoes that require some extra support. The adhesives mean you can add arch support to sandals and flip-flops - the least supportive shoes on the planet. You can buy Instant Arches online, at a discount when you buy five or more pairs.

Come Fab Finding With Me: Garage Sale Hopping

FabSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:00:08 -0700

Aren't garage sales so much fun? It's been a while since I've been to one so I'm planning on doing some garage sale hopping this weekend. I'm seeking funky and unique clothing, jewelry, home goods, and anything else that catches my eye. This outing requires an ultra comfortable getup: sneakers or flats, and maybe some leggings or comfy jeans. But remember, I still need to be stylish.

I'll start you off with this Charlotte Russe Striped Ruffle Scarf ($9) because it'll make me look cute.

Let's go Fab Finding. Be sure to come back and tell me your Fab Finds are up, or just tag your Fab Finds with garage sale.

Now, you can build outfits by creating a list of clothing items. We have everything you need to build outfits, and you can use your Fab Find bookmarks, too. This is an even better way to put together an entire outfit when you are completing your Fab Finding missions.

Learn what a Fab Find is and how to make one. And here is a more detailed explanation of bookmarks from geeksugar.

To see some of my favorite online stores, read more.

Banana Republic
Bluefly
eLuxury
J.Crew
Jildor Shoes
Live Natty
Neiman Marcus
Net-a-Porter
Pink Mascara

Weekend Reading: What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami

FitSugar — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 03:30:00 -0800

Reading about running inspires me to lace up my sneakers and hit the pavement. However, when I am curled around a book late at night in my PJs, a run isn't really a viable option. Setting my alarm, putting my running clothes out, and planning my route for the following morning - these are things I can do at 11 p.m. Reading What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, by one of my favorite novelists Haruki Murakami, definitely had me picking out sports bras and socks by the light of my bedside reading lamp. The tone of the book is considerably more contemplative than Dean Karnazes' book 50/50, but it still makes you want to get out and run.

Murakami is a solitary guy who began experimenting with running around the same time he began writing novels and explains how those separate activities influenced each other. He explains that he is not naturally a runner or a writer, but you can feel his pride at committing to both activities for years. I fully appreciate that he blows the hard drinking, cigarette smoking stereotype of novelists out of the water. He has run a marathon every year and has even started competing in triathlons. He explains that running keeps him healthy so he can keep writing. To him the endurance required to run 26.2 miles is not that much different from writing a novel. Murakami really enjoys running, even on the days he has to beat his leg muscles to start moving and you can feel his quiet love of running on each page.

I also appreciated that I could pick up this book, flip to any page, and find myself absorbed by Murakami's thoughts on running. He is a regular dude who runs. He just also happens to write really great novels too. This book would make a great gift for the runner your life, and you can put it on your wish list too.

Find it online or at your local bookstore. Enjoy the read, but keep your sneakers close!

Favorite Gear of the Year: lululemon

FitSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:30:00 -0800

When it comes to workout gear we all have our faves; though I suspect we are all a little more flexible about clothes than we are sneakers. This year Nike and lululemon were neck and neck, so I called it for lululemon.

I really like Nike's gear, but there's something about lululemon that just feels so right. They make the best sports bras for yoga and Pilates, and their pants are unbeatable for look, cut, and feel. The only downside is that their gear is pricey, but that could be manipulated into a motivational factor. Now if they would only get an online store . . .