BellaSugar

11 Fun and Useful Photoshop Tips and Effects to Try

GeekSugar — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:01:38 PST

Now that you've polished up your photography skills, it's time to take your photos to the next level by having some fun with Photoshop. Editing and tweaking your pics isn't considered cheating - it helps bring out the beauty in your images, and keeps things interesting. Here, I'll cover ten fun and useful Photoshop tips and effects that you can use every day, or when you want to add some pizzaz to your pics.

Get Photoshop for free - Don't have Photoshop? No prob! Get Photoshop Express for free!
Take in some free tutorials - Get the low down on Photoshop basics free of charge.
Get rid of blemishes - Who doesn't want clear skin? Make it a reality with this tip that ditches the zits.

See the rest of the tips, and learn about some sweet and simple effects you can add to your images after the break.

How to Dress For Every Job Interview!

FabSugar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:51:48 PST

Going in for a job interview is nerve-racking enough as is, and the last thing you want to worry about is your outfit. Not to worry - we've got you covered with three looks perfect for a corporate or creative job interview. If you're unsure of the dress code, we’ve got a great ensemble that gives a hint of personality while still keeping it professional. Show everyone that you mean business on your next job interview in one of these fabulous outfits. On Allison: Topshop dress, Brian Atwood heels, Banana Republic necklace.

BCBGMAXAZRIA black ribbed 'Monica' pencil skirt - Sold Out	Eight Sixty Knit Pencil Skirt (Petite) - Sold Out
Classic Straight Pencil Skirt - Sold Out	Tinley Road Cropped Velvet Jacket - $59.00
MARC BY MARC JACOBS Cream Simone Solid Silk Top - Sold Out	Marc Jacobs PEARL DETAIL BLOUSE - Sold Out
Deconstructed Cropped Jacket - $895.00	Tibi Four-Pocket Linen Jacket & High-Waist Belted Shorts - Sold Out
D&G DOLCE & GABBANA Rose/Black Bouclé Short Jacket - Sold Out	Moschino Bouclé wool-blend jacket - Sold Out
STEFFEN SCHRAUT Green/Camel Bouclé Short Jacket - Sold Out	ASOS PREMIUM Cropped Boucle Suit Jacket - Sold Out
Dolce & Gabbana BOUCLÉ JACKET - Sold Out	ASOS Classic Boucle Jacket With Trim - Sold Out
Fendi camel leather 'Linda' turnlock satchel - Sold Out	L.A.M.B. black leather 'Cahoot' platform pumps - Sold Out
Vince Camuto 'Jasper' Mary Jane Pump - $118.95	Wyatt black chiffon short accordion pleat skirt - $91.00
Twenty8Twelve black check 'Savino' full pleated skirt - Sold Out	Theory Wen Wool Ponte Knit Pleated Skirt - Sold Out
Dolce & Gabbana black silk organza pleated skirt - $278.00	Vegan Leather Pleated Skirt - $148.00
Silk Pleated Party Skirt - $225.00	Leifsdottir onyx linen-silk asymmetric pleats skirt - $139.00
Joie I Will Survive Lace-Up Wedge, True Tan - Sold Out	Deena & Ozzy Suede Platform Wedge - $88.00
Acne / Fusion Leather Wedge - Sold Out	Stuart Weitzman Covington Bootie - Sold Out
Wyatt sand stretch knit drape front cropped blazer - $88.00	ASOS Crop Raw Edge Blazer - Sold Out
Elizabeth & James black stretch wool cropped tails blazer - Sold Out	ASOS Tailored Cropped Pleat Shoulder Blazer - Sold Out
The Row Pell silk-georgette blouse - Sold Out	The Row Songel stretch silk-georgette blouse - Sold Out
THE ROW Long-Sleeve Stretch-Silk Blouse - Sold Out	Alexander Wang Crepe cropped pants - Sold Out
Alexander Wang Crop Skinny Boot-Cut Pants - $345.00	Fendi black kidskin 'Peekaboo' medium tote - Sold Out
Steve Madden Shoes, Bevv-L Platform Pumps - Sold Out	Cyppress - Sold Out
Alexander Wang / Skinny Pant w/ Dart Detail - Sold Out	Tie-Around Bracelet - Sold Out
Kate Spade New York Ahead Of The Curve Idiom Bangle - Sold Out	Milly Links Enamel Bracelet - Sold Out
Vanessa mooney Yellow Silver Bead Bracelets - Sold Out	MARC BY MARC JACOBS 'High Tide Colorblock' Large Bangle - Sold Out
Black Satin Collarless Crop Jacket - Sold Out	Herve Leger black bandage pencil skirt - Sold Out
Fendi SLEEVELESS COTTON BLOUSE - Sold Out	Sleeveless Lawn Button-Up - $42.00
Blazer - Sold Out

Anonymous Hacks CBS, Universal, Heading For Facebook Next?

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:15:58 PST

Internet hacktivist group Anonymous blocked traffic from CBS.com and deleted all of its files last night during Operation Global Blackout, a hackathon that began shortly after file-sharing site MegaUpload was shut down, and has its sights set on Facebook as its next target. In a YouTube video released this morning, the group (or an affiliate group) asks users to help take down the world's biggest social network at 12 a.m. on January 28th.

Your Facebook profile most likely holds tons of your most precious photos and videos, and like your computer, you should back up all that data just in case. Here, I'll tell you how to download all of your Facebook content - from wall posts to photo galleries - for safe keeping.

Download Your Data From Facebook
You can download a copy of all of your Facebook data right on the social network. Just head to Account > Account Settings > Download a Copy of Your Facebook Data (this link will be in the bottom left-hand corner of the Account Settings window). Included in the download is your contact info, photos, videos, notes, and wall posts as well as chat conversations, friend lists, events, and comments made on your wall posts. If you do choose to back up your Facebook data (it's recommended!), then be sure to keep it in a safe place, like a password-protected file on an external hard drive.

How to Contour 101

BellaTV — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:29:44 PST

Whether you want to highlight your cheeks or make your face look more symmetrical in pictures, a little contouring goes a long way. Smashbox Cosmetics Lead Makeup Artist Lori Taylor shows us how to contour your face using bronzer, blush, and a highlighter, as well as tips she uses to contour the faces of leading ladies like Sandra Bullock and Rosario Dawson.

How to DIY a Totally Unique iPhone Case

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:59:02 PST

There are so many iPhone cases out there to choose from, but if you change your style with the seasons (or tire of your case after only a few weeks), then this iPhone case DIY is for you.

By snatching up a clear iPhone case - such as the clear Moshi case that is both slim and strong - you can customize the back of the case with many different materials and patterns. Style blogger Maegan Tintari put together three different looks for her iPhone using a peacock feather (my favorite), scrapbook paper, and photos, just by slipping each between her iPhone and the clear case. It will take some handiwork if you plan on using paper since you'll need to cut it out to be the correct shape and size, but you'll spend just $25 for one case and have endless styling options. Saving money, saving materials, and keeping your phone on the cutting edge of fashion? It's a win-win!

Geek DIY: Remove Photograph Backgrounds

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:16:03 PST

Is showing your blog more love among your top resolutions for 2012? Start a new year of blog dedication by learning some important basics to make photos and collages stand out on the page.

Pugly Pixel's Photoshop tutorial on image background extractions and how to use layers may sound intimidating, but the how-to is so carefully explained that even Photoshop newbies can get a handle on this more creative side of photo editing. Removing the background of a photo is necessary when you want to create collages of multiple small images, or to layer an image on top of another. Pugly Pixel's technique, pictured here, to layer the ribbon on the Instagram photo is also perfect for a "look of the day"-type post to showcase multiple objects with one base image.

Photoshop is a powerful tool that can inject amazing effects into your images, but going beyond the basics can be frustrating if you're experimenting on your own. Which Photoshop tips and tricks would you like to learn this year? We'd love to help you become a photo editing ninja!

How to Catch the Quadrantids Meteor Shower Wednesday Morning (Even If It's Cloudy)

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:14:09 PST

If the new year's fireworks weren't enough for you this weekend, fear not - a big meteor shower, called the Quadrantids, will be producing up to 100 falling stars an hour tomorrow morning, essentially creating a natural fireworks show the entire country can see. The light show kicks off in the Northern hemisphere on Wednesday morning at 3 a.m. local time, with meteors coming from the North sky and radiating out from below the handle of the Big Dipper. You should be able to see at least one shooting star per minute until 5 a.m. local time.

The good news is that the National Weather Center is predicting clear skies for most of the country, but if you do have clouds or fog above your head in the early morning hours (or, if it's too cold to hang outside for two hours), there are a few ways you might still be able to see the show with a few live cams. Check them out below!

Oak Grove Observatory - Take a peek into the skies with this camera from Louisiana.
Twin Pines Observatory - This California cam activates when the sun goes down.
Sandia Sentinel Fireball Camera Network - It's a bit of a blurry cam, but you'll be able to catch some of the brightest meteors on this live stream from Texas.

How to Publish Your Own Book in 2012

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:40:45 PST

If writing a book is always the resolution left behind once the calendar runs out, make 2012 the year to finally get your novel out of your brain and onto the page. The fear of being rejected by publisher after publisher can set you back, but more than ever, self-published novelists are turning to ebooks to make their mark on their own.

Ebooks are gaining some serious ground in sales, even being recognized by the New York Times Book Review. It just goes to show that if you've got an awesome manuscript, you don't have to wait for a publisher to pick it up - you can self publish on digital formats with limited to no investment. Find out how you can get your ebooks on Kindles, Nooks, iPads, and mobile devices all around the world with the outlets below. Happy writing!

Barnes & Noble PubIt! - Easily publish your own books through the Barnes & Noble ebook store with PubIt! Just upload your files, and PubIt! converts it to an easy to read format that can be bought and downloaded to your Nook or other B&N apps, like the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and PC. Royalty rates range from 40 percent (for any book priced under $2.98 or over $10) to 65 percent (for any book priced between $2.99 and $9.99).
Amazon Kindle Store - Get your book sold in Amazon's Kindle store and nab royalty rates of 35 to 70 percent of sale prices. The Kindle Direct Publishing program accepts Word, zipped HTML, PDF's, ePub, and plain text files, and makes your book available on the Kindle, as well as other Amazon apps for the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac, PC, BlackBerry, and Android devices.

But wait, there's more - see the rest of your options after the jump.

5 Carry-On Packing Tips You Should Know

GeekSugar — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:01:43 PST

If you're heading back home from a long holiday vacay, you've probably already given airport security some thought. If the thought of long TSA lines triggers a migraine, these tips from the TSA will teach you how to properly pack your gadgets, accessories, and chargers and help you speed through the X-ray line.

Pack in layers. Layer clothes, electronics, then clothes again inside a carry-on so the TSA agent can quickly see what's in there. This strategy also works better than the cram-everything-in-your-bag strategy once you unpack at your destination.

Check out the rest of the tips, including how to wrap your cords, and what kinds of bags are TSA-friendly after the break.

Chill Your Champagne, Stat!

YumSugar — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:00:00 PST

When you're celebrating the onset of 2012 tomorrow night, don't fall short on chilled bubbly. If you've got a warm bottle of Champagne and very little time to make it cold, we've got a fast solution for you.

Place your sparkler into an ice bucket or another tall plastic container. Add ice to the bottom and sprinkle the layer with a few tablespoons of salt. Continue to repeat layering ice and salt until the combination reaches the neck of your bottle; add cold water until it reaches ice level.

In a mere ten minutes, your bottle will be chilled. This method of chilling works much faster than simply sitting the bubbly in ice. Adding water increases the chilly surface area, and salt speeds the drop in water temperature (along with ice), making your sparkling wine frigid much faster. Have your own secret tip for chilling Champagne? If so, we'd love to hear about it!