BuzzSugar

Better Together Than Apart

BuzzSugar — Mon, 26 May 2008 13:15:27 PDT

Be it TV or movies, some pairs and trios create more magic together than they do apart. Sometimes a person's entire career is thanks to someone else with whom they do great work. And sometimes a new pair is born right before our eyes - like the combination of Jon Favreau and Robert Downey Jr., arguably the key factor in Iron Man's success. I've rounded up a few folks who I love together more than apart. To start my slideshow, hit "Start."

Geoffrey Zakarian on Winning The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs

Susannah Chen — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:50:31 PST

Those of you who've tuned into the Food Network at all in recent days might have heard that the last season of The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs has just wrapped, and a new champion has emerged victorious out of the star-studded (and highly competitive) lineup.

That would be Geoffrey Zakarian, guest judge of Food Network's Chopped and chef and owner of The National and The Lambs Club in New York City and Tudor House in Miami.

I had a chance to catch up with the chef over the phone, where he revealed his thoughts on why he won, how he hopes to set himself apart from the others on Iron Chef America, and what he always makes for the holidays.

YumSugar: You had a very serious expression on your face when the final outcome was revealed. What was your first thought when they announced you as the winner?
Geoffrey Zakarian: Well, they actually didn't call my name, which was sort of confusing, because whenever anyone got kicked off, they would actually say, "You will not be the next Iron Chef." But I was stunned, shocked, and relieved; there was a real sense of accomplishment.

Zakarian on his toughest Next Iron Chef moments, and his upcoming Kitchen Stadium challenges, after the jump.

The Complete Guide to Body Language

LearnVest — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 03:16:43 PST

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

Studies show that people size you up within two seconds.

Consciously or unconsciously, they'll take in how you establish eye contact, the strength of your handshake and the way you hold yourself. Even when you're talking to someone you know, your message consists of more than just the words you say: It also includes the visual and vocal cues you send.

Whether you're reviewing your salary with your boss or negotiating with the cable guy, it's important to be aware of your body language, so you accomplish your aims instead of unconsciously turning people off or giving them the impression that you're a pushover.

These body language tips will help you appear more confident and professional. Read the suggestions below to start making a better impression . . . instantly.

Head: People will take you more seriously if you stand tall, which conveys confidence and status. You don't need to be physically long and lean, but take care to stand erect and keep your shoulders back. It will make you seem taller and more sure of yourself.

Eyes: When talking to someone, make eye contact in order to establish your trustworthiness, sincerity and confidence - but only hold their gaze directly for a few seconds at a time, which is as long as is comfortable for most people. The only exception? When you enter a room and want to make an impression. In that case, hold each onlooker's gaze for a beat longer than is comfortable, then look away. This move conveys that you're confident and interested in meeting others. When you're speaking to a group of people, switch your gaze from one person to another every so often.

Read on for more body language tips.

The Vampire Diaries "Ordinary People": The Good, the Bad, and the Bloody

Marisa Tom — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 07:46:06 PDT

On this week's episode of The Vampire Diaries, we pick up where we left off - perplexed by the mysterious writings on the cave walls beneath the Lockwood property. It's imperative that Alaric, Elena, and Damon unearth the meaning behind these ancient cryptic inscriptions, for better or for worse. With Stefan locked up, Rebekah basking in her new-found high school popularity, Klaus nowhere to be found, and Katherine stirring up trouble with Mikael (we presume), it'll take more than a little luck for the motley trio to decipher the cave code.

For Elena that means making nice with Barbie Klaus in order to press her for information about her past, while Damon tests out a riskier method of research, and Alaric continues to work tirelessly to crack the "vampire Pictionary" messages the old-school way. If you're ready to dive right into the good, the bad, and the bloody, just keep reading.

Guerrilla Guide to the Holidays: A Perfect, Price-Tag-Free Gift List

LearnVest — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:15:18 PDT

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

Don’t look now, but here come the holidays (really, they’re just 10 weeks away!). This year, we’re going to make planning and budgeting for them a snap.

That’s why we’re starting early to help you tackle the season step by step - and save time, money and stress. If you follow our Guerrilla Guide each week, we promise that by the end of December, you’ll be outside on the skating rink instead of stressing inside the shopping mall.

According to our Facebook poll, 78% of LearnVesters were already thinking about holiday gifts as early as last week. So, for this issue of the Guerrilla Guide, we bring you the newest way to sort out your holiday gift list.

WEEK 2: YOUR CREATIVE, BUDGET-FRIENDLY GIFT LIST

As you make your list this year, we want you to think about holiday giving a little differently.

Before you start assigning dollar amounts to everyone and hunting around for products to buy and wrap, first consider whether the best gift for them is a thing with a price tag. According to the Five Love Languages, defined by marriage counselor Dr. Gary Chapman, people receive messages of love very differently, and only one of these categories involves actual physical gifts. Some people would rather receive acts of service or quality time instead.

Read on to find out more.

Away We Go: How to Travel (Better) With Friends

LearnVest — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 00:15:33 PDT

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

You love your friends, imperfections and all, so the only thing better than a trip to Ibiza might be a trip to Ibiza … with them. After all, group travel affords you freedom to do the activities you want, with zero worries about loneliness: Someone will always be game to ski that double black diamond run or dance the night away at that tiki club.

But while traveling with a group can be fun, it can also be fraught. The little differences that might seem small at first-like extra-long showers or reckless spontaneity-can get blown out of proportion after a few days of being together 24/7. Remember that time you tried to split the hotel bill to account for your BFF’s room service? (“But you totally ate some of my calamari!” “Not $20 worth!”) What a headache.

But you can leave the Advil at home, ladies. With our tips on organizing a successful and stress-free group getaway, you’ll come home with both your friendships and your budget intact.

Know Thyself (And Your Friends)

No two friends travel alike, as one woman’s “high standards” can be another friend’s “being difficult.”

You might enjoy getting a manicure with your diva friend, but think twice about inviting her camping. Likewise, if you don’t enjoy drinking, be wary about inviting the party girl on your getaway. Small differences can blow up when deciding how to spend a whole week together.

So, think strategically when planning your trip: Suggest a weekend in Vegas with your diva girlfriend, plan a camping trip with your high school buddies and save up vacation days for that European getaway with your bilingual best friend.

Read on for more travel tips.

Why Cohabitation Will Ruin Your Finances

LearnVest — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:15:00 PDT

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

The views expressed here are those of the essayist and not the LearnVest staff, but we look forward to opening the floor to debate and discussion, so tell us what you think. This Money Mic is part of a conversation about living with your partner - click here for the opposing view.

A Seductive Idea

First off, let me say that I have no moral qualms about cohabiting: No “Why would he buy the cow . . . ?” arguments here.

In fact, I lived with my ex-boyfriend through most of my 20s before we finally broke up - which is why I would never move in with someone again, unless I was certain I was going to spend the rest of my life with him.

Why? We’ve all done the back-of-the-napkin math, and when you do, living together can look seductive. Half the rent! Half the utilities! With the added fun of playing house.

I get it - that’s why I did it. And in the short-term, I agree: living together can look like a good deal. But in the end, it can turn out to be ugly, financially and emotionally. In the long-term, shacking up can cost you far more than any savings you rack up. And don’t just take it from me.

The Financial Perils of Playing House

“I moved in with my boyfriend mainly because I was tired of commuting to Brooklyn,” says Sarah*, 24. “But I did only pay $700 a month. So that was a perk.” In six months, she’d saved $4,900, as compared to living in her old apartment.

Then, just six months in, the relationship ended. All of a sudden, Sarah needed somewhere to live - and fast. She paid for movers ($300), for storage ($100), and for a real estate broker to find her a new place ($1,800). And now that she’s got one, she’s faced with refurnishing: “I have to buy all new furniture because I got rid of it all when I moved in with him,” she says. “I don’t even want to think about how much that will cost.”

Financially, at least, she’s pretty much right back where she started - and that’s to say nothing of the emotional toll. “It was super stressful,” she says. “Now I tell my friends, ‘I’m getting a studio and not moving out until I get back from my honeymoon.’”

Read on for more on cohabitation.

Our Readers' Case Against Roommates

Tara Sharp — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 02:00:13 PDT

If you've ever had roommates, chances are you've dealt with some sticky situations. I've had all sorts of roomie experiences over the last eight years, from great to not so great, but I'm currently on the cusp of moving into a place all my own for the very first time. While I've always been a believer in the benefits of roommates - splitting costs, safety, etc. - I must admit the drama-free perks of living solo are appealing. In the midst of my own unsavory living sitch, I reached out to you on Facebook for advice on dealing with difficult roommate environments. Some of you offered helpful tips like being flexible, sharing cleaning duties, and creating boundaries, but a majority of you have found through trial and error that living alone is the way to go.

Here's a case against roommates with your real-world horror stories to illustrate:

Lost Friendships

"After years of terrible roommates and lost friendships I choose to live alone. My apartment is older and TINY, but it's just me and I LOVE IT!" - Cameron
"Just do not do it. I lost my best friend because of it, she turned into something that I couldn't believe . . . so it didn't work out. You just have to be very communicative and ALWAYS talk about bills and be on the same page. Never make a decision alone when it involves the apartment, drama will happen for sure." - Jessica
"I did it once and will probably never do it again. I lived with a friend and her bf and it was the worst mistake ever. He and I hate each other and it makes it hard on her especially now that they have a baby together!!" - Lauryn

Keep reading for more reasons to nix housemates.

5 Vegas-Free Bachelorette Party Ideas

Mandy Harris — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 02:09:00 PDT

A bride's bachelorette party isn't really just about one last drunken night of debauchery. Let's face it, if she's marrying the right guy, she'll have plenty of those on the horizon! A bachelorette bash is more about spending the kind of intensely girlie quality time with friends that it's hard to find the time or space for once she's happily hitched. So if you're planning a bachelorette party for a friend - or someone is planning one for you! - ditch the clichéd trip to Vegas and plan a truly memorable event that will allow for plenty of QT.

Head to the beach: For a party that's all about location, location, location, take things beachside. What better venue for relaxing, working on your prewedding tan, and knocking back a cocktail or two than a warm, sandy beach? If you can round up enough girlfriends, forgo the often-skeevy beach motels and rent a house near the sand instead. Need more inspiration? Take a cue from this community member.
Take it to the Ace: All of the Ace's hipster hotels are perfect for a weekend of relaxing - and partying - with your girls, but as one community member found out firsthand, the Ace Hotel Palm Springs is especially well-suited to a bachelorette weekend. Lounge by the pool, indulge in an adult sno-cone, and never even have to leave the premises.
Wine country weekend: A trip to wine country can be almost as relaxing as one to the beach, but, you know, with wine. Rent a house or apartment for the weekend if you can to cut down on costs. Then stock up on a few of your favorite bottles as you're tasting during the day, and skip the pricey wine country dinner that night; instead, bring an assortment of cheese, charcuterie, and fruit back to your digs, and continue the tasting on your own.

More ideas, after the break!

Grey's Anatomy Rundown, "Unaccompanied Minor"

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 20 May 2011 00:13:32 PDT

Oh what a difference a year can make. It's hard to believe that this week's tame season finale of Grey's Anatomy came from the same writers that gave us the gripping shoot-out that ended in two major deaths (but at least I didn't come close to a panic attack this time around). In lieu of shocking moments and major cliffhangers, the season seven finale is all about love and loneliness. While some are coming closer together (like Lexie and Jackson), other couples and friends are seriously drifting apart.

Both Alex and Meredith have to suffer the consequences of Mere's actions with Derek's trial, while a local plane crash makes Teddy rethink a major decision. Meanwhile, Cristina learns that she's pregnant and the new chief resident is finally chosen. Ready to rehash everything that went down? Just