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Do Tell: What's the Best Part of Being a Woman?

DearSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 07:00:00 -0700

I am a total girly girl. I love getting manicures and pedicures, massages, facials, really anything to pamper myself! I also love wearing high heels and getting dressed up. These are the fun things about being a woman. Of course we also have to deal with PMS and remembering to take birth control, to name a few negatives, but I happen to think it's all worth it at the end of the day. So ladies, do tell, what do you think is the best part about being a woman?

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Spring Running Tip: Pepper Spray

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 02:30:00 -0700

Woman have to be careful when running alone outside. It's an unfortunate fact of life. Now that the weather is beginning to warm up, you might have that motivating itch to run outside.

Of course running with a friend is always a safer choice than running by yourself, but if you're like me, you can't always coordinate with your friend. Exercising is also a time for me to be alone with my thoughts, so running with someone would defeat the whole purpose.

Some women feel safer running with some protection. Check out this pepper spray for active women. It has a velcro strap so you can attach it to your clothes. Or, you can even wrap it around your palm in case you need to make a quick response.

Pepper spray is non-toxic, so it won't cause any permanent damage, but it is hot. It's made from cayenne peppers and contains 15% of capsaicin, the heat creating substance found in the peppers. It can fire up to a distance of 18 feet, and the effects can last up to an hour. Each holder can spray about 20-25 1-second bursts.

Fit's Tips: You can order one for $10.50 or 3 for $29.25. It's a small price to pay for your peace of mind.

On Our Radar: Diane Von Furstenberg Is a Wonder Woman

FabSugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 02:00:22 -0700

Diane Von Furstenberg is the fashion industry's wonder woman - is there any project she's not a part of? - but now she's using her special powers to design a new collection. Come October, Von Furstenberg will unveil a line inspired by none other than Wonder Woman. It will consist of quirky dresses (left), footwear, and a few leather accessories in bright colors and the star motif the heroine is known for.

So why Wonder Woman? "Wonder Woman is the ultimate symbol of female strength, independence and freedom. When Warner Bros. approached me to collaborate, I immediately thought it was a fun idea that would reinforce my belief in women and commitment to their empowerment, " Von Furstenberg said.

Ask a Wife: How Do I Stop Being the Other Woman?

TresSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:00:58 -0800

Conventional Wisdom is a different kind of advice column. Your questions will be answered by people from all walks of life rather than by advice experts. This week, a woman in a happy marriage tries to help out a woman stuck in an affair. If you have a question you'd like answered on Conventional Wisdom, you can submit it here.

Today's Question:

I am involved with a married man and I don't know how to stop. He's been married for a couple of years, and his wife often goes out of town. I feel like I'm in a relationship with him: he calls or texts before he goes to sleep, cooks me dinner when he can, and we talk about almost anything with each other. I don't expect him to leave his wife for me, and it doesn't seem like he's going to. He just says he wishes we would have met before he got married. I know deep down that this is so wrong, but I feel like I can't do anything about it. I feel too happy when I'm around him. Help!

Signed,
The Other Woman

To see the advice, read more.

Dear The Other Woman,

I have some bad news and some good news. First, the bad news: you are not happy. You are in a relationship that is damaging to both you and this man's wife. The only person remotely benefiting from the situation is this unfaithful person you are involved with.

Now the good news: real happiness does exist. You can find someone - who's not married - to talk, laugh, cry, and have sex with. And it will be so much better. But first you need to do some work on yourself. Look at your life and decide what type of person you want to be. Do you want the adjectives selfish, dishonest, and disrespectful to describe who you are? Or would you rather have the words loving, faithful, and complete describe your behavior and your relationship? Next you need to boost your confidence. Think about what has made you do something that is undoubtedly so hurtful to yourself and this other woman. Is it because you are afraid of being alone? Is it because you think this is the best thing you can get? If so, let me tell you that a little patience can go a long way. Focus on the things you really enjoy in life (do you like running? painting? traveling?), the things that make you excited, and you will only become more desirable.

The search for love is a hard and frustrating one, but you are just going down a dark and depressing path with nothing but hurt waiting at the end of it. End things with this unavailable man, figure out why you love yourself, and then you will find someone who loves you for all those qualities too.

Signed,
A Wife

Serena Williams Named Woman of the Year

FitSugar — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:30:37 -0800

Looks like having a potty mouth won't hurt you too much. Serena Williams is one of 11 outstanding ladies Glamour magazine has chosen for its Women of the Year issue.

Glamour cites Williams's competitive spirit and drive as a testament to her success, even in the face of hardships like the tragic murder of her sister Yetunde and her rise through the rankings after suffering injuries in 2006. This year it all came full circle for Williams when she captured the Wimbledon victory against her sister, Venus - whom she credits as being a major force in motivating her to work the hardest and become the best.

Besides her Wimbledon victory, Williams has 11 Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals, and has earned more prize money than any female athlete in history. But her trophies and bank account aren't the only reason Glamour thinks Williams is tops. Between winning matches, she's managed to start her own clothing line, pen an autobiography, and open a school in Kenya through her Serena Williams Foundation.

Who else did Glamour name as Women of the Year? Some of the other notables Williams holds court with are Michelle Obama, Maria Shriver, Rihanna, and poet Maya Angelou.

Would You Wear Thigh High Boots?

FabSugarUK — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:48 -0700

Last winter it was all about over the knee boots, now the footwear has stepped it up an inch as thigh high boots are en vogue. This style might remind you too much of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, but it's more wearable than you think. They appeared on the catwalk at Prada and Rodarte to name a few, will you be embracing the style this Autumn?

Fab Read: Entre Nous, A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl

FabSugar — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 01:00:11 -0700

OK, I think I have finally found the book of my dreams: Entre Nouse: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl ($12) by Debra Ollivier. It's a must-have for any non-French woman (present) who seeks that je ne sais quois that French women possess (present). The author herself is American but is married to a Frenchman, and insists that you too can attain the glamor and mysteriousness of the French with the help of her insider tips and must-dos. But ladies, if you really want to appear French, you must lose those baggy sweats. Sorry, no one said it's easy being French!

Wonder Woman: Michelle Obama

LilSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:00:31 -0700

How do you get the Queen of England to let down her guard? Send in Michelle Obama. Royal onlookers were stunned last week when the first lady was hugged by Queen Elizabeth II upon introduction.

Since moving into the White House two months ago, Mrs. Obama has shown herself to be a new kind of president's wife - a woman who is very much her own person. Not content simply picking a token cause and speaking about it on occasion, Mrs. Obama has been seen out and about in her new community as she begins to tackle the issues that mean the most to her. From education - she was seen reading Dr. Seuss books to children - to healthy foods - she helped her staff plant an organic vegetable garden on the White House grounds - Obama has proven herself to be one of a kind. And, a woman to whom most mothers and wives can relate. Though we still envy her toned arms.

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The Mighty Boosh Bring a Merry Christmas to Stella McCartney

PopSugarUK — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:09:16 -0800

Noel Fielding, Julian Barratt and the rest of The Mighty Boosh cast helped Stella McCartney switch on the Christmas lights at her London store last night! Dressed in drag, Noel and Julian performed songs with the rest of their Boosh band, but - as you can tell - they weren't wearing Stella's clothing line. The woman of the night was, however. Stella stepped out in leggings featuring a lace insert and a satin coat, while Louise Redknapp wore a sparkly body suit that showed onlookers more than they bargained for under the camera lights! Louise was accompanied by her hubby Jamie, and other guests included Stella's sister Mary, and Twiggy.

To see more photos, just read more.

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Speak Up: Are the Reebok EasyTone Ads Offensive?

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:00:24 -0800

In a sea of words, a title like "Make Your Boobs Jealous!" really jumps out at you - something I can attest to when I came across it on one of my favorite blogs this weekend. The post is a scathing commentary from Jezebel on the new Reebok commercials for EasyTone.

If these shoes do what Reebok claims, the shoes themselves seem pretty neat - balance pods in the shoes create natural instability in your step, which forces muscles to adapt and encourages toning in the butt, legs, and thighs. Listen, I'm all for a little help in getting firm in the right places, but the Jezebel writer points out that the ads seem more intent on sexualizing women than really touting the benefits of the shoe, or exercise for that matter.

To see these controversial commercials and judge for yourself, read more.

In the commercials, the camera constantly focuses in on the butt of the actresses and two out of three times you don't even see a face. And in the commercial where a face is shown, the actress playfully teases with the cameraman that he must like what he sees since he's zooming in so much. Some of the tag lines seem questionable too: "88% of men will be speechless, 76% of women jealous, and 0% will know the reason is on your feet." I don't know about you, but my reason for staying fit is not to make the women around me feel inadequate.

I shared the commercials with a friend and she thought I was being a bit too serious. She got a good laugh out of them and thought they were playful and funny. She especially loved the one where a woman's breasts are given life as they complain about not getting any more stares. Why? Because the butt has taken all the attention away, thanks to EasyTone sneakers! Cue tag line: "Make your boobs jealous!"

When I asked why she wasn't the least bit offended, she left me with the reasoning that "sex sells" and "women want to feel beautiful." She also said that she has more to worry about than a silly commercial. I might not be as pissed off as the Jezebel writer, who says: "My boobs actually felt sorry for my brain when it had to process the amount of bullsh*t in these three ads, and my eyes were jealous of my toes for being tucked deep in my socks, away from this sexist mess. Thanks, but no thanks, Reebok. You can kiss my butt, and my money, goodbye." But shifting the blame to "sex sells" as a justification for the ads seems too easy. I'm going to mull over my friend's comments and ask myself if I am being way too serious, but in the meantime, I'd like to know what you think of these ads. Share your thoughts with me in the comments section below.