BellaSugar

Black Market Makeup: How To Spot Fake Cosmetics

BellaSugar — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 09:00:20 PDT

You might think that counterfeits exist only in the realm of "Mark Jacobs" and "Guchi" purses, but there are fake and black-market beauty goods, too. I love a bargain, so I wind up buying a lot of housewares and accessories on eBay. But when it comes to shopping for cosmetics, you've got to be careful. I've found quite a few counterfeit eye shadows, lipsticks, glosses and fragrances-all offered at prices that are too good to be true. While there are honest sellers out there, a few folks are out to make a quick buck.

Why is buying counterfeit merchandise a bad idea? There are a few reasons, but first and foremost is your health. If you don't know where a product really comes from, or what ingredients are inside, why would you let it touch your skin? Counterfeits also funnel money into shady operations, and-oh yeah-they're illegal. And on a less sinister level, the colors just aren't accurate!

To find out how to avoid buying fakes,

read more Common sense will take you a long way. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is! For instance, the 12 "MAC" eye shadows shown here were being auctioned on eBay for $24.99. Hmm, that's a pretty low price, considering a single shadow is $14.50 in the stores. Now, I can't tell whether those eye shadows are genuine or fake, but the price seems a little odd. For that particular auction, I also looked at the seller's feedback, which had complaints by bidders who claimed the MAC shadows were fakes. The seller also had dozens of similar auctions; why would one person have literally hundreds of "new-in-box" eye shadows? Is there a possibility that this particular seller is legitimate and just being accused of selling fakes? Of course. But it's not a chance I want to take. For most people, common sense will help you spot obvious fakes, but the counterfeiters are getting better and better at making their junk look like the real thing. This detailed guide has great examples of counterfeits lined up to the real thing, and I recommend it as an excellent reference. What do you think? Would you buy counterfeit makeup to save a few bucks, or would you rather save up for the real thing?

Lighten Your Cellphone Bill by Texting For Free

Anna Monette Roberts — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:11:25 PST

People love the word "free," and cell phone addicts especially love the word "text." However, mobile phone services love to raise data service prices, and if you aren't careful about sticking to your service plan, you can find yourself outraged by the additional charges. Luckily, several companies have created ways to bypass the whole pay-for-texting situation. Here are six messaging services you must try.

iMessage – All iOS 5 users can send unlimited text messages with Wi-Fi or 3G from the iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch to anyone else that also uses those devices. The service is already built into the messages app, and like iChat, you can even see when someone else is typing you back (if you are urgently awaiting their reply).
BlackBerry Messenger – Send and receive messages using your BlackBerry; see when your messages are read; and know when your contacts are typing. Intended for BlackBerry-to-BlackBerry communication, you can still text your non-BB friends by adding the contacts to your BBM friends list.
Viber – Text or call (also works internationally) to other Viber users over 3G or WiFi. Viber automatically shows which of your friends has the service; otherwise, simply notify your friends to download it, so you can communicate via Viber.
Text Free – Download this app on the Android Market for free text and picture messaging as well as Facebook chat capability.
Google Voice – Send and receive free text messages using the app, which is available for Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, and Nokia S60.
ChatOn - This new Samsung-powered service allows you to send free messages, group messages, photos, videos, and audio messages to other ChatOn users. Currently, ChatOn is available on Android devices (2.2 and above), but will be rolling out to iOS and BlackBerry soon.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a Yoga Mat

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:36:43 PST

Buying a yoga mat is like buying a new pair of running sneakers. It takes careful consideration and research to find the right fit. Since there are hundreds to ~~confuse you~~ choose from, narrow down your search by asking these important questions.

How Much Do I Want to Spend?
Your budget is a huge factor in the mat you end up with. Do you have the dough to lay down for the priciest one on the market or are you happy buying a cheaper mat? The upside of buying a more expensive mat, like the Manduka PRO Black Magic ($104), is durability, which will actually save you money over time.

How Thick Do I Want It?
If you're new to the mat-buying scene, you might not realize that mats come in different thicknesses. A quarter-inch is the standard mat thickness, probably like the one you've borrowed from your studio. Think about how your body feels on this mat in certain poses where your bones are pressing into the floor. If you've felt discomfort, splurge on a thicker mat, but make sure it's also dense. A thick squishy mat makes balancing postures more difficult.

Keep reading for more things to consider when purchasing a new yoga mat.

Dunkin' Donuts Is Banking on All-Day Sandwiches

Susannah Chen — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:15:17 PST

Looks like Starbucks and McDonald's aren't the only two chains who want a piece of breakfast between bread: starting this week, Dunkin' Donuts introduces two new sandwich offerings, to be offered at DD locations throughout the day - including breakfast, of course.

The new sandwiches will "be familiar, but with a twist," said Stan Frankenthaler, Dunkin' Brands' executive chef and head of product innovation. The Ham & Cheese Bakery Sandwich contains Black Forest ham, white cheddar, and a creamy dijon mustard sauce; Turkey, Cheddar, & Bacon is made with turkey, white cheddar, bacon, and ancho chipotle sauce. Both are made to order on a croissant, bagel, or the new baked-fresh-daily French roll.

The announcement of these all-day sandwiches arrives just as Taco Bell rolls out its First Meal menu of breakfast items. Still, Dunkin' is quick to explain what differentiates the brand's ham and bacon sandwiches from similar breakfast sandwich offerings already on the market. "We think our bakery leadership is a real differentiator in our brand," Frankenthaler told us. "Our guests already know us and love us for our fresh bagels (we're the number one retailer of bagels in the United States) and croissants."

Providing all-day options is "extremely important for Dunkin’ Donuts," he added. "Breakfast sandwiches are popular with our guests, and they like the flexibility to enjoy them throughout the day."

With first Taco Bell and now Dunkin' Donuts taking the mornings to another level, it's clear that the fast-food AM wars won't be letting up anytime soon. Will you try a new sandwich from Dunkin' Donuts?

Source

Umbrella Stands: Options to Buy and a Smart DIY

Angela Swinderman Elias — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:51:43 PST

Now that the rainy season is finally upon us in San Francisco, I'm remembering why umbrella stands become so essential this time of year. Since most are located by the front door, I think it's a great way to introduce the style of your home. I've pulled together a roundup of some of the statement umbrella stands I have my eye on, as well as a clever tutorial for turning a stock stand into a customized standout for your home.

Chevron prints are still everywhere, and this Hand Painted Chevron Stripe with Red Interior Umbrella Stand (price upon request, second to the left, bottom) comes in eight different shades of lacquer.

I think rope brings texture and warmth to everything, and this Rope Twist Umbrella Stand ($525, right of chevron stand) is no exception. Instead of just wrapping rope around a traditional cylinder shape, this one has a lasso-like look that makes it sculptural.

This Zontik Umbrella Holder ($350, left of chevron stand) reminds me of the Elsa Peretti Bean designs from Tiffany & Co. It's super mod, but the gold shade gives it a glamorous edge.

Find out how Jenny from Little Green Notebook turned her admiration for Leontine Linens monograms into a chic umbrella stand DIY project. The addition of the black and white umbrella stand instantly tied in the entryway with her living room, which has graphic black and white striped drapes.

Click on the rest of the umbrella stands to shop directly!

Truffle Mac and Cheese

OnSugar Blog — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:55:45 PST

Winter's prime time for comfort foods, and what could be more reassuring on a bleak day than truffle mac and cheese? Cooking in Pajamas expounds.

You could go to a restaurant and pay $15 for a bowl of this decadent pasta, or simply make it at home for a fraction of the price. That's right. You can make this at home for a surprisingly reasonable price. The secret is truffle oil.

The use of truffle oil has become controversial in culinary circles. Ask any chef what they think of truffle oil, and they will most likely turn up their noses and declare it to be an unacceptable substitute to the real thing. One of the biggest reasons for this is that many truffle oils on the market do not contain any actual truffles. They use a synthetic ingredient to duplicate the aroma of the truffle, but their are a few brands that contain natural truffle to infuse the oil.

Keep reading for her truffle macaroni and cheese secrets.

10 Things You Do to Save Money That End Up Costing You More

Wise Bread — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:15:37 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Wise Bread story here on Savvy!

Have you heard of the expression “penny wise, pound foolish”? It’s something I heard a lot growing up, from my parents, and it can have multiple meanings:

You are very careful with small amounts of money, but throw caution to the wind with large amounts. This is akin to someone who eats from the dollar menu every day but then blows a hundred dollars every month on a gym membership that’s never used.
You do things to save money now, only to have those savings cost you more farther down the road.

The second definition is what I’m focusing on today, because it’s a lot easier to fall into the trap of saving money only to have it bite you later on. Here then are 10 things that you may be doing to save money that could actually cost you a lot more in the weeks, months, or years to come.

RELATED: The Case For Expensive Shoes

1. Avoiding Regular Checkups With the Doctor, Dentist, or Optician

It’s something I did in college when money was tight. “Aah, who needs to pay money to a dentist to have him tell me I should floss more?” Well, after leaving the dentist alone for a few years, I paid the price. Avoiding the regular cleanings and checkups left me facing a hefty bill later on when I needed a bunch of costly fillings. I was lucky that I didn’t need root canals or replacement teeth. Now I have a dental plan that covers free checkups twice a year, but even if you don’t, get to the dentist and doctor for health checks. It’s a lot better to pay a co-pay now than pay for major surgery later on. And worse still, it could even cost you your life, especially as so many conditions can be treated if they’re caught early enough.

Read on for more.

Link Time: Ikea's Maskros Pendant, Flea Marketing 101, and Christina Aguilera’s Home

Elka Karl — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:00:56 PST

The Ikea Maskros pendant illuminates these interiors. - Houzz
Get cozy with these stylish throw blankets. - Real Simple
10 spaces with surprising decor details. - House Beautiful
A transparent Apple store is going to be built in France. - Geek
DIY this sunglasses holder in mere minutes. - Eco Salon
Take a tour of Christina Aguilera’s on-the-market home. - Hooked on Houses
Gather some tips for flea marketing in 2012. - Stylelist Home
See why Craft and Make have gone black today. - Craft
Tips for creating the ultimate Super Bowl party. - Country Living

Darjeeling Tea: Elegant and Elusive

Camilla Salem — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:55:29 PST

January's National Tea Month, and we're celebrating with a look at some of the world's most notable teas. If you're anything like me and don't know much about Darjeeling tea, you might find yourself overwhelmed by some of the complex terms. A little further investigation, however, and it all starts to make more sense.

Darjeeling tea is a black tea from the Darjeeling region in West Bengal, India. All tea labeled Darjeeling must be made in this hilly district, similar to how champagne needs to come from the Champagne region of France. Leaves are harvested from the same plant as green, white, black, and oolong tea. While Darjeeling tea is marketed as black tea, its incomplete oxidation process makes it actually closer to oolong tea.

Varieties of Darjeeling tea actually depend on what time of year the leaves are harvested. For example, tea plucked during the Summer is much stronger flavored than that plucked during early Spring. The flavor profile ranges from fresh, bright flavors to spicy and tannic. The colors of resulting tea even changes, depending on the plucking season. Darjeeling is available in four forms: whole leaf, broken leaf, fannings (which are smaller pieces than broken leaf), and dust.

When brewing Darjeeling tea, you should take one level tablespoon of pure Darjeeling and put it into a teacup. Bring water to a vigorous boil and pour into the cup. Brew the tea for three to four minutes and enjoy.

Source: Flickr User A Girl With Tea

Ruth Reichl: "American Food Is the Best in the World Right Now"

Susannah Chen — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 11:23:06 PST

This weekend, food artisans from around the country are being honored in the second annual Good Food Awards, which celebrate American food producers who enhance the country's agricultural landscape and help to build community. While the awards are relatively new to the gastronomic landscape, they're already backed by some of the country's biggest food influencers, such as Whole Foods, and seminal culinary figures, like Ruth Reichl.
Ruth is currently the editorial adviser at Gilt Taste, another cosponsor of this weekend's Good Food Awards. The author, former New York Times food critic, and final Gourmet editor sat down with me over dinner at Mission Chinese Food to talk more about good food and future projects.

YumSugar: Tell me about the partnership between Gilt Taste and the Good Food Awards. How did it come about?
Ruth Reichl: I've known Sarah [Weiner, the director] for a long time, and we've been talking about this for a long time. When I went to Gilt Taste, it just seemed like a seamless, natural partnership, finding and supporting food artisans in America.

YS: You're the keynote speaker at this year's Good Food Awards. What kind of a legacy do these awards create?
RR: It's hard for younger people to understand how bad things were in America, a time when all food was essentially industrial. There were no farmers markets. I have an interview with Wolfgang Puck that I did in 1982 where he goes, "Six years ago, there was no decent food in America." Now, there's this explosion of farmers markets, and while so much of the world is abandoning their food heritage, Americans are reclaiming theirs before it gets lost . . . We have these two completely parallel, simultaneous, and opposite tracks: on the one hand, people with money who eat organic, sustainable, handmade food. But if you're a poor person, you're stuck eating stuff that's cheaper than food and that will kill you. Food safety in this country becomes a worse and worse issue; we import more and more food; 80 percent of the antibiotics in this country go to perfectly healthy animals. We have a real crisis on the one hand - and on the other hand, we have, for the first time, an awareness of it. Which is quite stunning.

I really do think American food is the best in the world right now, because of the people making the kind of food that goes to the Good Food Awards. We have to nurture it, and make sure that it doesn't just stay with us in this little enclave.

YS: There's movement toward eating a plant-based diet. What do you think of that?

To find out her answer, keep reading.