BuzzSugar

Rewind: This Week's Buzz

BuzzSugar — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 07:30:48 PDT

CBS learned a big lesson this week: Britney equals ratings gold. I learned you should never mess with the fanboys of Fanboys.
The Oliver Stone Bush biopic cast is quickly filling out. I wonder who's going to play Dick Cheney? Which reminds me, all that horse-loving talk aside, I'm starting to think Kristy Lee Cook is an evil genius.
This is one of those weeks where TV news makes a lot of sense and then none at all. I can understand why there is interest in shows about escorts after the Spitzer scandal. But a show that's just people falling? Really?
More good stuff came out of the Paley Festival in Los Angeles this week, including the goods on Gossip Girl, Damages and Dirty Sexy Money.
Well it's the end of the road for the March book club, thanks to everyone for reading along! I'm really excited about April's book, The Life Before Her Eyes. I hope you can hunt down a copy for yourself this weekend and join in. And don't worry, I can confidently state the new editions of these books will never be selected.
Axl Rose, if you're listening, please finish up that that album so America can toast you with Dr. Pepper!
Can you guess which rock songs these lyrics belong to? Also, can you guess what TV show I'm recasting based on these lyrics? "What would we do, baby, without us? Sha-la-la-laaaa. . ."

Photo courtesy of CBS

Bad Idea of the Week: ABC's Wipe Out

BuzzSugar — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:30:48 PDT

It's a fact that falling can be funny. Look no further than Charlie Chaplin - or, for a more modern example, all those falling videos on YouTube.

But would you watch a show that was nothing but people falling, over and over again, on purpose?

ABC is about to find out: The network is picking up a reality show called Wipe Out, from the folks behind Fear Factor, that will feature "the most crashes, face plants, impacts and wipeouts ever seen on television." Um, woohoo? Also, instead of that sort of amusing, voyeuristic thing those YouTube videos have going for them, the show's falls will all be carefully designed.

The series will feature 24 contestants working their way through a series of obstacle courses that are "designed to make people crash and burn," with the promise that the wipeouts will begin almost immediately. Four finalists will move on to the even tougher Wipe Out Zone, with each episode's winner taking home $50,000.

Do you think it's true that, as one of the producers said, "there's just something inherently funny about watching someone wipe out"? Does that still hold true if you know the wipeout is coming? Does this show strike anyone else as Jackass without the edge? And really, how long will it be before even the biggest falling fans get really, really bored?

Source

How to Manage Sweat During Your Workout

Leta Shy — Sun, 20 May 2012 15:06:31 PDT

I love a workout that makes me sweat - it means I'm helping my heart stay healthy and burning calories at the same time. But a sweaty workout does have its downside. Here's how to manage your sweat while you work out.

Save your pores: You know to towel off after a particularly grueling workout, but it's also important to have a clean face before you start your workout; sweating through dirt and makeup on your face can lead to clogged pores. If you're getting ready for a midday workout, make sure to use face wipes before you set out to class, and keep your hands away from your face after handling dirty equipment. Read on for more ways to keep sweat from causing breakouts here.

Choose the right gear: Moisture-wicking, lightweight materials that are known to pull sweat away from your body - if you're looking for natural fabrics, merino wool and bamboo are good options - and make sure your clothing includes details like mesh panels to keep you cool. If you're running in the Summer heat, your shoes need to keep your feet sweat-free too; try airy, minimalist options to keep your feet feeling like they can breathe, like the Adidas Climacool Seduction shoes ($100).

Sweatiquette: If you're a regular at your gym, you know you're sweating among dozens of others, so make sure you keep things hygienic by carrying a towel around with you so you can wipe down machines and equipment before and after you use it. If your gym doesn't offer towels, try this cute antimicrobial double-sided towel from Towelmate ($25).

5 Solutions to Beginner Bike Commuting Problems

Leta Shy — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:41:55 PDT

That fact that it's National Bike Month and the warmer Spring days may mean you have cycling on the brain. Whether you're participating in your city's Bike to Work program or you're starting a commuting routine, here are some solutions to your newbie concerns.

I don't know my route: Finding a bike-friendly route is especially crucial if you're a cycling newbie, so before your actual commute, find out how the cyclists in your area do it, plan or map your route and test-ride it when the roads are not so busy. Keep in mind, the best (and safest) cycling route is not always the same way you get there when driving or on the bus. Read more about how to plan and prepare for your bike commute here.
I don't know what gear I need: Commuting by bike demands that attention is paid to what you're wearing and carrying. Stretchy, comfortable office attire is key, for example, and you're gonna have to ditch that purse for an all-weather cycling bag or backpack (or at least buy a basket to dump your stuff into). There's more; find out exactly which five essentials you need if you're bike commuting here.

See more tips on bike commuting after the break!

8 Cool Uses For Lemons

Emily Co — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:05:41 PDT

You can make more out of lemons than lemonade. In fact, lemon juice is a really useful liquid that can be used to clean your home, can treat cold symptoms, and can even be part of your beauty regimen. Here are a couple of other uses for the yellow fruit:

Wash your hands: When you're serving messy food like crabs or ribs, put out little bowls of lemon water for guests to wash the smell and gunk off their fingers.
Relieve flu symptoms: If you have a sore throat or a cough, mix lemon with honey and water for a drink that will soothe your throat.
Clean a chopping board: Add some lemon juice or use a lemon slice to wipe the chopping board to deodorize and sanitize it.
Lighten blemishes: If you have some blemishes or you notice your face darkening in pigment in some spots, put some lemon juice on it every day until it lightens.
Brighten white loads: To make the whites even brighter, add a quarter cup of lemon juice with the clothes that you throw into the washing machine.
Brighten fingernails: Soak your fingernails in a lemon water mixture to whiten and brighten them.
Freshen household equipment: Make your appliances fresh by adding lemon juice or lemons to them. For example, microwave slices of lemons to freshen it up. Add lemon juice to the dishwasher when it's empty and let it run a cycle and clean itself with the lemon juice. Add a bit of lemon juice to the humidifier or vacuum bag if those appliances are getting a little smelly and old.
Disinfect wounds: Stop bleeding and clean small cuts and scrapes with lemon juice.

OnSugar Blog: If the World Revolved Around Families . . .

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 07 May 2012 03:16:38 PDT

Lots of moms like to think out loud, and Jo Aaron is one of them. Here is one of the latest posts to her Mommy Brain blog.

While innocently looking for a restaurant suggestion online the other day, I stumbled across an anti-parent, anti-child blog entry that just annoyed me. It was an angry (and narrow-minded, in my opinion) piece about how awful it is when this particular person has to dine with families at his favorite restaurants. He/she literally suggested that families shouldn't be allowed to dine in restaurants at all, and most definitely not the ones that are any good.

Here are my guesses:

#1, this person is somewhere between 21-26.

#2, this person will have a completely different blog in about 5-10 years when he/she has kids of his/her own and realizes that going out for dinner is like parental heroin . . . you know, your fix is having someone else prepare and clean up your meal while all you have to do is watch the kids and make sure they don't drive the other patrons nuts. Because that's the easy part. Right.

So, while I get that I shouldn't be carting my kids off to the Pump Room for a 9PM Saturday night reservation, I don't think it's such a crime to have them enjoy a 5:30PM reservation at a local haunt regardless of how cool and trendy it is this week. Instead of digitally flicking this guy or gal off by replying to his/her post, instead I thought I'd make a list of all of the ways that the world would be a better place for those of us with kids . . . maybe this will drive it home:

If the world revolved around families, there would be no such thing as lines at the grocery store. Instead of spending 15 minutes telling our kids to stop touching everything in the checkout line, like candy, magazines, or batteries, we'd just breeze through the aisles, yell our credit card numbers out to the teller as we beelined to our cars. No fuss, no muss.
If the world revolved around families, there would be a Starbucks with dozens of drive-thru windows and on-duty baristas somewhere between my house and school.
If the world revolved around families, there would be TVs with DVD players and current Disney movies playing in every waiting room in the United States. This includes all airport terminals as well. And speaking of airports...
If the world revolved around families, there would be such a thing as teleportation like on Star Trek (yes, I'm a nerd), so that families would never, never, never, ever have to deal with air travel at all.
If the world revolved around families, no one with kids would ever have to go to the DMV, post office, or emergency room.

Keep reading for more of Jo Aaron's funny observations!

5 Things to Never Do During Indoor Cycling Class

Michele Foley — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:59:55 PDT

Indoor cycling classes are an amazing cardio workout, but if you don't know what you're doing, you'll walk away frustrated, or, even worse - injured. Compared to other group fitness classes, indoor cardio cycling is also a little harder to pick up on when trying it for the first time. After getting the lowdown on what to expect from your first class, follow these rules on things you should never do in an indoor cycling class.

Arrive to class late: As a rule, be on time for any fitness class, but more so if you plan on riding. Since there is a cap on the amount of bikes in a class, most gyms require students to register ahead of time (either online or using a sign-up sheet). A few minutes before or after class starts, instructors often release unclaimed bikes to those on the waiting list. Show up late, and chances are the bike you registered for will be taken, or, if you didn't sign up at all, the class will be full.
Hop on the bike as-is: This is definitely not a one-size-fits-all scenario - the person who was on the bike previously may have a good 10 inches on you. To avoid injury and ensure a comfortable ride, adjust the bike to suit your body. You'll also want to make sure the handlebars and seat are firmly secure to avoid any wobbling during class. Watch this video to learn the proper way to set up an indoor cycling bike.

Find out what else you should never do during an indoor cycling class - including pedaling too fast - after the break!

Give Your Desk a Healthy Makeover With These Tips

Leta Shy — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:44:46 PDT

Since you spend so much time at your desk, it's important that you make it a healthy environment - especially since there are so many ways your job can make you fat. Here's how to make over your desk to stay healthy while you work.

Stash snacks: Vending machines and office candy jars can be too much temptation, especially when your grumbling stomach is egging you on. Instead, stock your desk drawer with a few filling snacks, like almonds, trail mix, all-natural homemade fruit and nut bars, and green tea bags to satisfy tummy and taste buds before you give up and reach for the leftover break room doughnuts.

Use a reusable water bottle: Nothing reminds you to drink more water than a filled water bottle living on your desk. Drinking enough water throughout the day is crucial for both your health and your mood, since dehydration can lead to fatigue and irritability, so fight that afternoon slump (or the urge to snap at your fellow co-workers) by drinking up. Find out how much water you should be drinking here.

Deal with germs: Many times, lunch at your desk is just inevitable. Those days dining in front of your monitor can make things a little messy at your desk. Keep your area germ-free with desk wipes and all-natural hand sanitizer (find out how to make your own hand sanitizer here).

Adjust that chair: You're sitting there for most of the day, so make sure you keep your chair and computer comfortably aligned with the position of your body to prevent back, wrist, and neck pain. Not sure if your monitor is too low or if you are sitting correctly? Read our tips for creating an ergonomic desk here.

5 Easy Ways to Keep Your Jewelry Clean and Sparkly

Marisa Tom — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:30:06 PDT

As part of our Spring-cleaning overhaul, we've taken it upon ourselves to break out our most beloved, and well-worn, jewels for a quick cleaning. We know we're not the only ones guilty of letting our silver statement necklaces dull from wear, and we can't remember the last time we gave our gold bracelets a once over; so to make sure your jewelry is in prime form - shiny as the day you got it - we've pooled five totally easy ways to polish your prettiest pieces. From handy Windex wipes-turned-diamond miracle cleaner to an old school toothbrush technique, it's super simple to clean (and maintain) your jewelry. Just keep reading to see how, and then take the next step: learn the best way to organize your jewelry.

5 Quick Fixes to Ensure Your Spring-to-Summer Sole Survival

Marisa Tom — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:43:33 PDT

Part of being prepared for the incoming season means weatherproofing your wardrobe. Whether it be switching out your heavy wares for ultralight layers or putting your floral frocks at the very front of your closet lineup, now's the time to emerge the victorious warm-weather dresser. To this point, we've got five quick fixes (read: minimal effort required) for your Spring-to-Summer shoe collection. Learn from our mistakes - don't get caught in a mid-July monsoon without waterproofed sandals, always have eco-friendly leather wipes on hand, and if you're a sneaker lover, it's probably a good idea to invest in The Laundress's sports spray. Just keep reading to see how we've mapped out your sole survival.