BellaSugar

Sunday Confessional: I Cheated on Our Resolution

DearSugar — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0800

My boyfriend has been smoking cigarettes since he was in high school; he is now 31. When we started dating, I was a non-smoker but I recently picked up on his habit. I've been suggesting that we both quit for some time now, but it wasn't until this New Year's Eve that he felt ready and determined to kick the habit. He knew it was going to be hard to quit, but doing it together made it seem much more manageable for him.

We were doing great - three days cigarette free - but last night when out with my girlfriends, I cheated and smoked two cigarettes. I tried to cover up the smell as best I could, but he was luckily asleep when I got home.

When I told him about my night with the girls the next day, I purposely left out what I had done. I want him to be successful in his quest, but I feel terrible for lying to him. I've since sneaked a couple more cigarettes, but he has no clue. Can I be forgiven for keeping my cheating to myself?

Submit your own Sunday Confessionals here and see if you are forgiven!

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Do You Know the World's Best Hangover Cures?

YumSugar — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 03:00:03 -0800

If you woke up this morning feeling a little under the weather, know that you're not alone: All around the world, revelers are rising with a pounding headache, waves of nausea, and, after a night of wearing some serious beer goggles, 20/20 vision that's clear as day. Hangovers may be a universal experience, but each culture boasts its own cures, from simple solutions to seemingly bizarre behaviors. Can you match the cure to the country? Take this quiz to find out!

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The Anatomy of a Hangover

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0800

It happens to all of us at some time or another but maybe to more of us on New Year's Eve. We drink too much and then we pay for it the next day. Are you hung up by your hangover?

Let me take a moment to explain what that excess of alcohol does to your body once the party is over:

Your throat and mouth are dry due to dehydration, which is caused by the diuretic properties of alcohol. The dehydration also affects your muscles, making them feel weak. So drink up! And I don't mean booze. Keep yourself well hydrated today to fight last night's excesses.
The excessive alcohol also irritates the lining of the stomach, causing nausea and sour stomach. The inflammation delays digestion, which in turn contributes to the feelings of nausea.
Your liver gets backed up trying to metabolize all the alcohol, so you might be experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia, meaning you are highly irritable and moody. Some folks end up feeling ravenously hungry after a night of partying due to whacked out blood sugar levels too. If you can eat, you should eat.

Unfortunately, there are a few more symptoms of a hangover. To learn those, if you are not already experiencing them, read more.

Your central nervous system becomes chemically overexcited, causing sensitivity to light, sound, and touch.
Blood vessels in the brain dilate, and that is what is causing that throbbing headache, which is only exacerbated by your dehydration mentioned above.
Your pituitary gland becomes confused and releases the wrong amounts of the hormones that regulate sleep. So while you may want to sleep it off, your sleep pattern is severely disrupted.

On the bright side of things, it is not clear whether hangovers affect cognitive abilities. But fear not, the aftereffects of your partying should only linger about for about 24 hours. Tomorrow is another day and it is a fresh new year too. Here are some recovery tips if you need them.

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How-To: Wear Shimmer Without Going Overboard

BellaSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 14:00:51 -0800

This New Year's Eve, I'm planning on doing a super low-key gathering with some friends since I have to I have to catch a flight the next day. Plane ride plus hangover? No thanks. It is the new year after all, and that means it's a shimmer celebration.

Just like you'll be sure to "know when to say when" when it comes to boozy drinks tonight, you'll know "when to say when" when it comes to the sparkly goodness of shimmer with my tips below. Keep in mind that rules are meant to be broken, and makeup should always be expressive. But, for the most flattering look - pick one (two, tops) feature to add shimmer to, such as lips, eyes, cheeks, body, and/or complexion, and roll with it.

Shimmer or glitter?: Glitter is the more amped-up version of shimmer. While glitter is OK in small, small doses - like a sweep of Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner ($18) paired with a soft eyeshadow - it can look too Hot Topic when heavily applied.
Family jewels: When wearing sparkly cosmetics, keep your jewelry to a minimum. You don't want your fabulous face competing with your ginormous sparkly earrings.
Body glow: For some overall brightening, apply a shimmering lotion to your arms, legs, and/or décolleté. Try Jergens Soft Shimmer Skin Radiance Moisturizer ($5.12). You can also make your own by mixing a shimmery product with your body cream.

To see the rest, read more.

Bronzed goddess: Sweep a shimmering bronzer on your forehead, cheeks, and jawline in a "3" motion for a sexy, healthy glow. Try Jane Shimmering Powder ($4.19), and then add a pop of blush on the apples of your cheeks.
Highlight: To brighten up your face, apply a highlighter on the inner corners of the eyes, the upper cheekbones, and the brow bone. I like Aveda Shimmer Accents ($21.50), which are light enough to mix with your foundation or moisturizer.
Nail it: Butter London's Lacquer Duo Holiday Set ($20) has just the right amount of holiday pizazz.
Shiny lips: If you're not feeling shimmer on the body or face, why not apply a some sparkly gloss on top of your lipstick? Try Stila Silk Shimmer Gloss ($22), which is inspired by its famous eyeshadow shade, Kitten. Me-ow.

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Delilicious: Cheese, Onion, and Olive Toasts

LilSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 12:00:16 -0800

If your kids get a case of the midnight munchies tonight, steer clear of sugar treats and curb their hunger with a more nutritious snack. Now matter how picky a tot is, they usually have a taste for toast and cheese. So whip up this incredibly easy, warm appetizer that takes a matter of minutes and uses a handful of ingredients. Simply mix shredded cheddar cheese with a sprinkle of finely sliced green onion, and then sprinkle in some diced black olives. Spread the mix on baguette slices and pop it in a 350°F oven until the cheese bubbles. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving to those with tired eyes and growling bellies. For parents and those with more adventurous pint-sized palates, substitute the cheddar cheese with Monterey jack and add some diced green chilies.

Chill Your Champagne, Stat!

YumSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:15:00 -0800

When you're celebrating the onset of 2009 tonight, 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 water (the colder the better) 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, I'd love to hear it below.

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Spruce Up Your NYE Style With a Hair Accessory

BellaSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:00:49 -0800

Tonight, I'll be laying low with a small group of friends and some bubbly. I'm not making any stops to the mall for a new outfit, but instead, I'm thinking some type of hair accessory will do the trick. After doing a little search on ShopStyle, I found a few sparkly headbands, bauble-y barrettes, and satiny hair pins that are sure to make the look all the more festive. So, take a peek at my widget below for some inspiration. Are you planning on wearing something a little extra in your locks to ring in 2009?

Buzz's Guide to New Year's Eve TV

BuzzSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:45:42 -0800

Staying in tonight? Just looking for the best place to watch the ball drop? Most of the networks - and several cable channels - are pulling out all the stops for New Year's Eve blowout bashes, with musical guests and star appearances galore. Here's your guide to who's on where:

On ABC: ABC has Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest, live from New York City. The special starts at 10 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, takes a break for local news at 11, then returns from 11:30 p.m. till just after 2 a.m. Guests include Fergie (who will perform and also host the West Coast part of the festivities), will.i.am, the Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, Lionel Richie, Natasha Bedingfield, the Pussycat Dolls, and more.
On NBC: NBC has New Year's Eve with Carson Daly from 10 to 11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Eastern and Pacific from New York City. Sir Elton John, is a headline performer, along with Ludacris, T.I., The Ting Tings, and Katy Perry.
On Fox: Fox has New Year's Eve Live from Las Vegas starting at 11 p.m. Eastern and going till 12:30 a.m. (in other time zones, it will be tape delayed). Spike Feresten and Mark Thompson will host the show, which features appearances by David Cook, Daughtry, Scott Weiland, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, a stunt by Robbie Knievel, and reports from three Vegas Cirque du Soleil shows.
On MTV: MTV has A Miley-Sized Surprise: New Year's Eve 2009, in which Miley Cyrus will surprise one fan with a performance, The Veronicas will anchor a New York City broadcast, and Metro Station, The Academy Is ..., and Kevin Rudolf will perform. The broadcast starts at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.
On CNN: Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin anchor the news network's New Year's special starting at 11 p.m. Eastern and Pacific. Musical guests include My Morning Jacket, Lil Wayne, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Coolio, and 3 Doors Down.

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Times Square Will Be Lit by Pedal Power

FitSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:00:00 -0800

Your focus might be on the ball dropping tonight (and the kiss that follows), but don't forget to pay attention to the bright 2009 sign lighting up Times Square after midnight strikes. That not-so-subtle reminder of another year gone by is extra special this year, because the energy used to power the numerical sign is derived from people!

In a stroke of green (marketing) genius, Duracell invited New York natives and visitors to ride stationary bikes rigged to electric generators. The generators charged a set of four large batteries that will light the sign, which is made of 608 halogen bulbs requiring 7.25 kilowatt-hours of electricity.

I love that the annual event is becoming greener this year and that the bikes provided a fun way for people to get active. A manager for the staff at the Duracell power lodge said, "A group of elderly women came in several times to ride the bike. They brought water bottles and would go at it for 20 minutes or so a day." How cool is that?

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Say Cheers to Chic Champagne Flutes

partysugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:30:16 -0800

Champagne is chic, so why shouldn't your glassware be? Ring in the New Year with a champagne flute that puts a contemporary twist on the traditional look. These modern, sleek designs can capably contain your bubbly while looking surprising and sophisticated.

From the minimalist MOYA Champagne Flute ($27.50) to stylishly simple offerings from fashion designers Monique Lhuillier and Calvin Klein, these glasses add punch to any New Year's party - as if you needed help. Check out my favorite finds below.

Duchess Headband - $28.00	Becca Headband - $10.50
Jennifer Ouellette Vintage Veil Headband - $75.00	Fab Satin Bow Bobby Pins - $1.50
Sarah Skinny Headband - $38.00	Felt Flower With Rose Barrett - $25.00
Rhinestone Headband - $24.00	Dotted & Striped Headband - $3.80
Rose Headband - $59.00	Jennifer Ouellette Side Divit Headband - $75.00
Karina Pearl Barrettes Autoclip - $6.00	Slice-Of-Crimson Headband - $34.00
Clara Bow Headband - $38.00	Well-Pruned Headband - $28.00
Oyster's Bounty Headband - $34.00	Sequined Headband - $2.80

Olya Champagne Flute - $22.50	Calvin Klein Home "Boulle" Champagne Flute Pair - $60.00
ELINA Champagne Flute - $31.50	Champagne Flutes - $24.95
Monique Lhuillier for Royal Doulton "Joie" Champagne Flute - $35.00	Dansk "Karin" Organix Flutes, Set of 4 - $43.00
Monique Lhuillier for Royal Doulton "‰toile" Champagne Flute - $35.00	Nambe Champagne Flutes, Pair 11" - $79.00
Robert Mondavi by Waterford Champagne Flute, Pair 6 oz. - $50.00	Calvin Klein Home "Halcyon" Flutes, Set of 2 - $50.00
Orrefors "Amor Vincit Omnia" Champagne Flute, set of 2 - $150.00	Morph Champagne Flutes by Nambé - $79.00
Calvin Klein Home "Angled Cut" Flute, 6 Oz. - $35.00	MOYA Champagne Flute - $27.50