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A Single Girl's Wedding Party on Dove's Fresh Takes: Discuss

BuzzSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:32:15 PDT

Last night, MTV aired yet another one of those little "Fresh Takes" microsodes for Dove, starring Alicia Keys. And yet again, the whole thing seemed stilted and cheesy, with some of the most cliched dialogue ever written. However, I have to say I really liked the party idea that Alex (Keys) and Diane (Desi Lydi) have for their friend Lizzie (Jessalyn Wanlim).

This week's story (which you can watch here) begins in a bridal shop where Lizzie is being fitted for yet another bridesmaid dress. Cynical Alex scoffs at all the wedding stuff while Diane states that she has until she's 32 to get married, so she won't worry about it until she's 30. Meanwhile, Lizzie has, apparently, wanted nothing more than to be a bride ever since she can remember. Noting that their friend is suffering from the ever-a-bridesmaid-never-a-bride blues, Alex and Diane throw Lizzie her very own wedding party and invite all her girlfriends to wear the bridesmaid dresses they otherwise have no use for. The guests bring Lizzie gifts and Alex and Diane present her with a wedding cake balancing little statues of the three girls on the top.

I find this to be an awesome idea: a wedding party for the fabulous single gal. It makes a friend feel special while also providing an opportunity for your girlfriends to get all dressed up in old bridesmaid dresses. What do you think about this idea? Would you throw such a party for your friend - or a group of single friends?

For more wedding-related posts, check out IDoSugar.
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Love It or Leave It: Dove's Fresh Takes, Starring Alicia Keys

BuzzSugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:30:22 PDT

I often like and admire Dove's campaigns, with their body-affirming messages and "love yourself" themes. I also fully support most anything that features women helping out other women, encouraging us to be good to each other rather than cut each other down.

Thus, theoretically, I'm all for the Fresh Takes micro-series that Dove is doing in collaboration with MTV. Airing both online and during episodes of The Hills, the Fresh Takes series follows three 20-something BFFs (one of whom is played by Alicia Keys) who try to soothe each others' insecurities about dating and body image, among other things. But while I'm kind of loving Jessalyn Wanlim as the energetic Lizzie, these episodes (microsodes?) just feel stilted and trite to me.

What do you think about the Fresh Takes micro-series? Have you watched it on TV? Is it kind of fun and girly? Or just silly? Check out the preview below, and you watch the two episodes that have aired so far on the Dove Go Fresh site.

Punch Up Your Weekend Wardrobe With a Little Help From 15 Totally Inspired Street-Style Snaps

Marisa Tom — Sat, 26 May 2012 05:00:00 PDT

Just because it's the weekend - and a holiday one, at that - doesn't mean you have to leave your styling prowess at the office. Instead, channel your off-duty panache via slick sneakers, polished flats, and a plethora of flirty floral frock options. If dresses aren't your thing, no problem. We've culled a cool mix of savvy street stylers from around the world who have nailed that laid-back but totally sophisticated look. For a brunch with the girls, opt for brighter knits and prints; for a chilled-out BBQ, don denim cutoffs and a breezy white blouse; and for drinks al fresco, try sexier semisheer and lace-infused silhouettes. And trust us, these ensembles take minimal effort but prove chic through and through. Keep clicking to get inspired, 15 ways, and then approach Memorial Day weekend with a fresh outfit outlook.

18 Tot-Friendly Burgers to Kick Off Grilling Season

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 25 May 2012 10:50:44 PDT

Patty-cake, patty-cake! We're not talking about sweet cakes here, but the juicy patties that come fresh off the grill onto a waiting bun. With this being National Burger Month, and the unofficial start of grilling season kicking off this weekend, we turned to some of our favorite kiddie chefs for their takes on the ever-popular burger. With input from Weelicious, Jessica Seinfeld, Annabel Karmel, and Cooking With My Kid, here are 18 recipes to try with your tots during the Summer grilling season!

The First Lady's Minty Spring Pea Salad

Lauren Hendrickson — Fri, 25 May 2012 05:07:30 PDT

Fresh green peas are the first sign for Spring and since they have a short season, I always get my fill before they disappear come Summer. And just in the nick of time, I spotted a new recipe from Michelle Obama's upcoming book, American Grown.

The First Lady's pea salad calls for peas, shallots, leeks, and mint, all tossed together with a healthy cream dressing.
After shelling the peas, they are quickly blanched and immediately soaked in an ice bath after cooking to ensure they don't end up mushy. The whole process, which might sound a bit complicated, actually takes just a few minutes. Michelle's recipe originally called for adding puréed peas into the salad, but since I already had my blender out, I opted to add the lemon juice and olive oil in with the pea purée for an even smoother dressing. The result was a spring salad that'd be great to bring along to a seasonal party, since it can be made ahead, and the flavor only gets better with time.

My advice: run to the farmers market before all the year's peas are gone, then make this spring pea salad recipe.

20 Totes to Take You to the Beach and Beyond (With Everything You Need in Tow) - All Under $100

Laura Marie Given — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:35:57 PDT

Thanks to extra daylight hours and plenty of warm-weather plans, Summer tends to be the season of running from place to place. Your must-have accessory to carry you through the chaos? A versatile, take-anywhere tote that's big enough to stash your beach reads, farmers market finds, or office essentials all season long. Whether you're into stripes and straw or brights and colorblocking, we've found 20 perfect finds to make toting your stuff easy and chic - and nothing's over $100. From neutral canvas weekenders to fresh florals - they're all inside. Click on for our favorite ways to "carry all" this Summer.

Back on Track: Map Out the Week's Healthy Dinner Menu

Jenny Sugar — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:45:06 PDT

After getting home from a busy day of work, especially if I hit the gym, the same question always pops into mind - what to make for dinner? Without a plan in mind, it's easy to fall back on boxed mac and cheese or Chinese takeout, which aren't the healthiest options. To prevent scrambling to whip together a not-so-healthy meal, take time to map out your dinner menu for the week. Knowing which dishes you're making will also make you more efficient in the grocery store. Here's a sample menu (complete with a grocery list) that you can follow to ensure your weekdays always end in a nutritious meal.

Monday: Salad With Grilled Chicken and Fresh Strawberries

What you'll need:

Chicken
Fresh spinach
Carrots
Cucumber
Green peppers
Broccoli
Strawberries (feel free to add other fresh or dried fruits)
Avocado
Goat cheese (optional)
Your favorite dressing

Continue reading for the rest of the week's healthy menu and grocery list.

Staying Vegan on the Big Day: Wedding Menu Options

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 18 May 2012 01:15:45 PDT

Even though wedding meals typically include bacon-wrapped scallops, filet mignon, and wedding cake smothered in buttercream frosting, you can still enjoy a delicious vegan menu if you, your partner, or your guests follow this animal-free diet. A little creative planning is all it takes, and since many venues, caterers, and bakers are being asked more about vegan options, chances are your venders will be able to accommodate your needs. When planning your own wedding, here are some tasty ideas for your vegan meal.

Cold Hors d'Oeuvres

Crispy sweet-potato pancakes topped with apple cinnamon chutney
Mini shot glasses of roasted red pepper hummus with carrot and celery sticks
Dates filled with soy cheese and wrapped in crispy portobello strips

Warm Hors d'Oeuvres

Tomato oregano risotto cakes topped with dairy-free pesto
Roasted veggie skewers with cardamom ginger dressing for dipping
Falafel balls with tzatziki sauce

Salads

Baby spinach with golden beets, candied walnuts, and raspberry vinaigrette
Mixed greens with ripe pears, edamame, sunflower seeds, and an avocado ginger dressing
Cucumber, tomato, and basil salad with cubes of baked tofu and balsamic vinaigrette

See vegan options for the main course, dessert, and brunch course after the break!

Are Your Undertones Warm or Cool? Take the Quiz to Find Out

Jaime Richards — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:00:00 PDT

Have you ever wondered which makeup colors would complement your own skin, hair, and eye colors? Back in the '80s, a huge movement existed that used seasons to determine just that. Were you a Winter or a Summer? And what color palettes would go with said season? On and on the process went - there were even swatch books with fabric samples carefully customized by a color expert so that the guesswork was taken out of each and every shopping trip. They were definitely on to something, though.

Choosing the wrong colors will give you that blah, worn-out look, after all. Choosing the right colors, however, will accentuate your natural features and make you glow. Now that you know how to find your face shape, take this quiz below to uncover more about yourself. See if you're a warm or a cool, and get helpful tips on making your color selections a breeze. Note: It's best to do this test in natural light with a freshly washed face. Also, pull your hair back and keep your shoulders bare so you get a true sense of your natural coloring. Take the quiz now.

How I Learned to Love Tuna

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:01:24 PDT

Growing up, I never went through a picky stage, and today there is nothing that I wouldn't taste - except for one fishy thing. As a small child, my mother claims I gorged on tuna fish with no hesitation, but for some inexplicable reason, things took a very different turn. It's been a family mystery ever since.

I recently moved in with a new roommate and felt confident that, when it came to all things kitchen, I had covered all the bases with her: sharing food is a necessity for me (labeling containers just seems so sad and weird), if there are dishes in the sink, just do them (it all evens out eventually), and depending on the week, I call for Indian takeout an embarrassing amount of times.

Then it happened. I walked into the apartment postwork one rainy night and saw my roommate cooking up tuna and tomato soup in the kitchen. That was when I realized I'd left an important detail out of the equation.

Keep reading to see how I faced up to my fear of tuna.