BuzzSugar

Buzz News Roundup, 12/5

BuzzSugar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:33:06 -0800

The Hollywood Reporter has news that Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, and James Franco have joined Sean Penn for the Harvey Milk biopic, Milk.
The stage musical version of Mary Poppins will begin its U.S. tour in Chicago during the spring of 2009, writes Variety.
Michael Urie of Ugly Betty will host a Miss America special on TLC starting in January; details are at The Futon Critic.
E! Online has news about the tour John C. Reilly will do to promote his mock musical biopic Walk Hard.
Randy Jackson is auditioning hip-hop crews for an upcoming MTV show, TV Guide reports.
According to Variety, Edward Norton will star in the comedic thriller Leaves of Grass.
Dancing With the Stars professional champion Julianne Hough is launching a singing career, Billboard reports.
Old episodes of Pop-Up Video will start airing online via VH1 Classic, Broadcasting & Cable reports.

Tell Mommy: Have You Done Something Wrong in the Name of Motherhood?

babysugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:30:33 -0800

Moms can be a protective bunch - sticking up for their child when they are wronged or going to bat for their hubby when someone shoots him down. And sometimes, she takes that badge of motherhood and uses it for her own agenda. In the "Don't Walk on the Grass" episode of Desperate Housewives, Gaby chews out Juanita's principal, which earns her daughter a leave from school. While the sassy-mouthed mama believes Juanita's punishment is too harsh, she goes overboard and gives the head of the school a piece of her mind. Always the voice of reason, it is Carlos that calls her out on her selfish act.

Tell us, have you ever done something in the name of motherhood when it was actually for your own purposes?

Healthy Eating Tip: Join a CSA

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:00:10 -0700

With local and organic food having such a high price tag, it can be hard to eat in a sustainable way. One way I've gotten around the high costs is by joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). The idea of a CSA is pretty simple - consumers pay farmers directly for a portion of their crop. It's a huge benefit to my health, and my money goes directly to a small, family-owned farm.

To give you an idea of how a CSA works, I'll use mine as an example. I pay $23 each week for enough produce to feed two people. My last box contained four Braeburn apples, four oranges, two pounds of heirloom tomatoes, one bunch of broccoli, two pounds of red potatoes, one pound of zucchini, one pound of green beans, one bunch of basil, and one head of red lettuce. All of the produce was grown on an organic farm located 90 miles from my home in San Francisco. For an additional fee I can also request organic dairy products, grass-fed meat, and Fair Trade coffee.

For tips on choosing a CSA, read more.

Although the basic idea of a CSA is the same no matter which you choose, details vary among farms. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for a CSA.

Decide how you want your produce box delivered. Many CSAs offer home delivery, while other CSAs leave boxes at convenient pick-up points in your town or city.
Membership is either calculated by the season or on a month-to-month basis. You'll save even more money if you can pay for the entire season at once.
Most CSAs choose what produce they deliver each week. Don't be alarmed -recipes are usually included and you can expect the best the season has to offer, as well as staple items. There are some CSAs that will let you pick and choose specifically what you'd like in your box that week based on their crop.
CSAs are beginning to offer much more than produce. If you are interested in meat, dairy, baked goods, and other eatables, shop around.

Visit the Local Harvest website to find a CSA near you.

Source: Flickr User 427

Office Space: Take a Deep Breath With the Breathing Partition

GeekSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:05:29 -0700

At times, I feel the need to take my laptop and head down to the park to work in the grass. You know, be a little closer to nature in this high-tech world. But with deadlines looming, I can't always make the trek and leave without a power source. But this genius Breathing Partition I saw on Yanko, could bring my two worlds together after all.

Thick slots in the attractive cube dividers make for a green home for your plants and grass, to turn your office from dull to alive. A self-watering system ensures that grass will never be greener on the other side of the office (cause you neglected to do your gardening duties), and I'm especially in love with the patch of grass that acts as a foot rest - how cool is that?

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Roundup: Pillows to Fall For

CasaSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:30:08 -0700

After months of beach days and green grass, I long for crisp Autumn days and changing leaves. Do you feel the same way, or do you wish for an endless Summer?

To help get you into the Autumn spirit, I've rounded up some great pillows and cushions in bright Fall colors and patterns. Start with this Squirrel Tapestry Pillow (on sale for $76). What could be more autumnal than a little squirrel gathering nuts for the Winter? This tapestry and chenille pillow features oak branches surrounding a squirrel. The image is the personal emblem of Louis XIV's minister Nicolas Fouquet, and his residence Vaux-le-Vicomte, which inspired the king to build Versailles.

Check out the rest of my pillows to "Fall" for below!

How-To: Stay Safe During a Wildfire

CasaSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:00:24 -0700

Since the breakout of the August wildfires north of Los Angeles, at least 53 buildings have been destroyed, and 4,300 people have been evacuated. As of this writing, more than 12,000 homes are under threat.

While some families have been reluctant to leave their homes, in the end, your home is just a house. It's the nonmaterial things you fill it with - namely your family, pets, and memories - that make it truly a home. This is why I urge readers to listen to firefighters' warnings, and to leave their homes if a mandatory evacuation is issued. Your life is much more important than any piece of property, no matter how much you love it.

Want to know how to protect your family and your home from a wildfire? Check out these smart pointers from the City of Napa, CA's fire safety page:

Maintain a "defensible" space around your home by clearing all flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around all structures.
Clear dead leaves and branches to leave widely spaced ornamental shrubbery and trees.
Clean all needles and leaves from the roof, eaves, rain gutters, and yard.
Trim tree limbs within 10 feet of your chimney and trim all dead limbs hanging over your house or garage.
Cover your chimney outlet or flue with a spark arresting half-inch mesh screen.

To see the rest of the tips, read more.

Make sure your address is clearly visible for easy identification in an emergency.
Check to see if a fire hydrant is located near your home. If not, you should have a water storage supply of at least 2,500 gallons for use in an emergency situation.
Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from buildings, fences, and other combustible materials.
Clear all vegetation and other flammable materials from beneath your deck. Enclose undersides of elevated decks with fire-resistive materials.
Remove "ladder fuels." They link the grasses and the tree tops.
Create "fuel breaks" - these can be driveways, gravel walkways, or well-maintained lawns.
Maintain your irrigation system regularly.
Prune tree limbs so the lowest is between 6-10 feet from the ground.
Dispose of cuttings and debris promptly, according to local regulations.
Keep at least two means of escape (either a door or window) in each room.
Mark your driveway and access roads clearly.
Keep ample turnaround space near your house for fire equipment.
Prevent sparks from entering your house by covering vents with wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch.
When possible, use construction materials that are fire resistant or noncombustible.

Keri Keeps On Walking Down the Road

PopSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:00:49 -0700

Keri Russell was bundled up Sunday for a walk in Brooklyn. She's all about her solo strolls these days, though soon she'll be trading the NYC sidewalks for those of Toronto when she heads up to that city's film festival next month to support her film Leaves of Grass. Keri also just wrapped up work on the thriller Crowley with Harrison Ford, though that one won't be hitting screens until next Spring.

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Keri Russell's in Brooklyn Before Bringing Her Grass to Toronto

Molly — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:03:09 -0700

Keri Russell stepped out without her boys Shane and River in Brooklyn earlier this week. The family has been spotted sticking around their home borough this Summer, but they're also known to sneak off to Shane's native Martha's Vineyard when they can. In a few weeks Keri will be back in the spotlight when her next movie, Leaves of Grass, premieres at the Toronto Film Festival.

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Crave Worthy: A Backyard Bocce Court

CasaSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:00:52 -0700

I've recently become a bocce fanatic - I'm even in a league. It's the ultimate social game because anyone of any age or skill level can play. So, when I saw this backyard bocce court at Ceja Vineyards, I nearly died and went to heaven. I'd kill to have one installed at my house. You can build your own by picking up perimeter and base materials locally and a crushed oyster shell blend from Boccemon for as little as $595, which is still an investment. To have a court professionally built, it could cost between $18,000-$35,000. Yikes, right? For now, I'm happy to play on uneven grass in my backyard or local park. Divits, wet soil, and other natural elements may leave things slightly out of control for the players, but I'm not in it for the competition. Would you like one built at your home?

Cut Picnic Costs by Tossing Household Items in the Basket

babysugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:03:44 -0700

The point of a picnic is to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors with the family. I am an admitted foodie, but not going to break the bank by packing a gourmet meal for our afternoon adventures with the kids. They dine and dash toward the swings leaving my husband and I to scarf up what we can before chasing them around. Leave the fine dining to date night and use existing household items for a day on the grass with the tots.

Grocery bags - If they're good enough to bring food home from the store, they'll serve well for toting it to the park, too. They also double as trash and recycling receptacles.
Finery - I keep take-out utensils for these occasions. If it's not too much trouble, you can also bring along your own silverware and wash it at home later.
Blanket - Instead of packing a fancy throw for the occasion, use an old moving blanket (like those used by U-Haul or moving companies) and a sheet. A heavy moving blanket will stay in place and absorb any wetness from dew or rain and can unfold for seating many. Bring along paperclips and attach an old sheet for a soft and cheery appearance.
Old containers - Pack sandwiches, veggies, fruits, and other delectable snacks in rinsed out containers. Refill reusable bottles with water and juices instead of buying new ones.
Games - Bring along a bevvy of games to humor the whole family. Blow bubbles, throw dice, doodle with chalk, or fly a kite!
Music - Bring the noise and the funk! Don't fret if you're iPodless, make your own music with cups, tubs, or a guitar for those who are musically inclined!

Source

Twinkle Living Zigzag Brown/White Throw Pillow - $50.00	Flora Orange Silk Twill by Thomas Paul - $70.00
Orimono Pillow, Vines - $78.00	La Vie Pillow - $49.95
Sharon Spain - Trees 16 x 16 Pillow - $68.00	Paper Cloud Twig Sprouts Pillow - $82.00
Mum 18\" Square Pillow in Orange - $119.00	Rhumba 18\" Square Pillow in Orange - $119.00
Paper Cloud Dandefluffs Pillow - $82.00	Tiburon Spice Pillow - $250.00
Lost Garden Pillow, Orange - $88.00	Batik Bird & Branches Pillow - $108.00
Squirrel Tapestry Pillow - $95.00	Tree in Brown Pillow - $60.00
Pom-Pom Accent Pillow - Brown with Blue Pom-Poms - $59.00	Leaf & Trunk Border Embroidered Pillows - $68.00