BellaSugar

Six Fragrance Types at a Glance

BellaSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:00:31 PST

The big trend right now in fragrance is gourmand, or food-based aromas, according to perfume expert Mandy Aftel. So what does it all mean anyway? Are you a floral kind of gal or does chypre do it for you? In case you're uncertain, check out six of some of the more popular fragrance category definitions below. Then, impress your friends with your olfactory group knowledge about the "juice" - 'cuz you know, that's how it's referred to in the biz.

Chypre: fresh, mossy, and leatherish	Gourmand: sweet and food-inspired	Florals: romantic, feminine, and smooth
Fougère: fresh, floral, and herbaceous	Orientals: sensual, exotic, and spicy	Citrus: crisp, light, and energizing

Definition: Orientals

BellaSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:00:08 PDT

When it comes to women's perfume, orientals are one of the more intense, longer lasting fragrance groups. Warm, sensual, exotic, and spicy, orientals are composed of rich notes such as musk, vanilla, balsam, and oakmoss. Floral types (aka, florientals) are naturally softer, while spicier versions can include nutmeg, cinnamon, and/or clove. This type of fragrance doesn't mess around.

A great example of an oriental fragrance is the classic Opium by Yves Saint Laurent ($50 to $95), which has notes of tangerine, plum, cloves, coriander, carnation, lily of the valley, rose, myrrh, cedarwood, and sandalwood. Also try, Guerlain L'Heure Bleue ($68), with notes of rose, iris, jasmine, vanilla, and musk.

Want to learn more about some other fragrance categories? Check them out here.

How Matt Bomer and Other Gay Stars Have Come Out

Tara Sharp — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:05:00 PST

White Collar's sexy star Matthew Bomer has officially come out as gay. At the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards over the weekend, Matt Bomer thanked his partner and three kids when he accepted his New Generation Arts and Activism Award. And Matt is just the most recent celeb to tell the world their sexual orientation. This Valentine's Day, be inspired with some of the celebrities who've used magazines, talk shows, and their blogs to come out as gay. See the ways stars like Ellen and Neil Patrick Harris came out and what they had to say about their decision to open up.

Gay Marriage Supporters Cheer as Appeals Court Rules Prop 8 Is Unconstitutional

Annie Scudder — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:05:05 PST

A federal appeals court has reaffirmed that California's gay-marriage ban is unconstitutional. Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found that voter-passed Proposition 8 violates the 14th Amendment of the US constitution. Gay marriage supporters outside the courthouse in San Francisco cheered the decision, but the fight isn't over yet. The case will likely make it to the US Supreme Court as early as next year.

The court's ruling stated: “Proposition 8 served no purpose, and had no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California." The court also refused to throw out the decision of lower court judge, retired Chief US District Judge Vaughn R. Walker, on the basis of his sexual orientation. After the trial, Judge Walker, who is openly gay, revealed that he has been in a same-sex relationship for 10 years. See photos of the celebrations now.

Sugar Shout Out: Make Chocolate-Covered Strawberries in No Time

Lauren Turner — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:55:46 PST

LuRu Home Brings Shanghai Style to NYIGF

Angela Swinderman Elias — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:52:24 PST

If you're a fan of Indian block printing, you'll flip for Chinese Nankeen cloth. After moving to Shanghai, Liza and Claire picked up more than just Chinese. The two fell in love with the vibrant indigo hues and imperfect patterns of Nankeen cloth and decided to translate the look to products for the modern home, with LuRu Home.

The ritual of making this traditional cloth dates back thousands of years to ancient China. It involves applying soybean-rice paste to cotton and linen with hand-cut stencils. After the paste dries, the cloth is dipped over and over again into baths of indigo ink. While the fabric dries, oxidation creates brilliant hues of blue. The soybean-rice paste is finally scraped off to reveal a marvelous piece of hand-dyed fabric.

New to NYIGF, I have a feeling LuRu Home is going to be a hit! With pillows, tabletop linens, and aprons, I'm anxious to incorporate this look into my own decor. Keep reading to see more goods from LuRu Home and a peek at additional shots from their imaginatively styled lookbook!

Untapped Resource: Antique Suzanis For a Steal!

Angela Swinderman Elias — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:39 PST

While clicking through dozens of pictures during a late night Google Image search for suzanis, I stumbled upon the mother ship. If you're a sucker for central Asian prints like suzanis and ikats, you must check out Uzbek Craft, an online store stocked with Oriental textiles. Aside from offering fabrics, they also carry pretty pillows and jewelry. My favorite though, is their gallery of breathtaking vintage suzanis, which are astonishingly reasonable at a price range of $50-$300.

There are several stages to creating these magnificent textiles. First, a pattern is drawn on the fabric to serve as a guide for the embroidery. Then a group of artists, usually family members, work on embroidering separate panels of fabric using colorful silk thread. Once the panels are complete, they are sewn together to create a cohesive piece of cloth.

The layered process of creating a suzani is reflected in interior designer Kathryn Ireland's approach to incorporating the prints in her work. The varying patterns and pops of color in the suzani pieces she uses make for eclectic and warm spaces. Keep reading to see some of my favorite examples of Kathryn Ireland's layered suzani rooms!

Stay Fit (and Sane) All Holiday Season With Alison Sweeney

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:03:51 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

She has two kids, two jobs, one lofty fitness goal and a crazy holiday schedule ahead . . . how does Alison Sweeney do it? The host of The Biggest Loser and star of Days of Our Lives, who is currently training for the L.A. Marathon in March, has a few tricks to keep her life organized, manageable and healthy all at the same time. We recently spoke with Sweeney to snag some secrets and learn more about her relationship with Bob, Jillian, and this season's two new trainers, Dolvett Quince and Anna Kournikova.

How do you stay fit during the holidays?

It's really important to find a workout that you can do with no excuses (Get Sweeney's routine here!) And I keep track of my nutrition. With so many treats around, it's really easy to just pop brownies without thinking about it! You may not even be hungry. I also eat before going to parties so I'm less tempted when I get there and am satisfied with a smaller amount of the treats.

Do you and your family have any seasonal traditions?

We shop for gifts and pick out a tree together. When I was young, my parents always took me skiing in the Winter, which was really festive since I grew up in LA. It was so fun and exhausting - you're basically burning calories all day long! Now, when I'm skiing with my family, I take a picture at the top of the mountain and email it to my dad. I thank him daily for instilling this love of activity at an early age.

So you mentioned that you shop and travel - as a busy working mom of two, how do you stay connected and keep track of your to-buy lists and events this month?

There are so many distractions during the holidays, so I try to use technology to keep my family together. I use my Windows phone, which syncs with my computer, to keep track of my calendar and get photos texted to me. It's really family-oriented and you don't need a manual to understand it!

To learn about Sweeney's 2012 resolutions and get the scoop about the future of The Biggest Loser, keep reading.

More from FITNESS Magazine:

• Reality TV Workouts – Tested!

• You Can Do It! The Get Your Best Body Ever Plan

• Our Top 10 Thigh Exercises

Angelina Jolie Smiles Big as She Steps Out in a Silky Brown Dress

Lauren Turner — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:27:45 PST

Angelina Jolie left NYC's Mandarin Oriental Hotel wearing a brown silk dress after starting her day in all white this morning. Angelina is on the East Coast to continue press for In the Land of Blood and Honey, which she's already promoted with a spot on 60 Minutes and in an interview with Nightline that airs this evening. Angelina's been mixing work and family during her Big Apple trip, since she was seen with Brad Pitt's parents, Bill and Jane, today and also took a few of her children to the movies this weekend.

Angelina still has a full day of press and the premiere of her film ahead of her, though we'll have to wait and see if Brad joins her on the red carpet. There have been so many hot Brad and Angelina moments this year, and if the couple do decide to pose together, it's likely they won't disappoint.

Gift Guide: Thoughtful Holiday Gifts For 2012 Brides

CasaSugar — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 06:00:56 PST

For those brides-to-be, the holidays can be an especially sweet time. There's a fab ring to show off to relatives and friends, memories to cherish with the fiancé, and an exciting last-holiday-as-an-unmarried lady feeling to celebrate. Gifts for the 2012 bride-to-be should reflect on her changing status, and perhaps offer some couple-oriented tasteful gifts to recognize her upcoming nuptials. Take a look at my favorite finds.