Entries from January 1, 2007 - February 1, 2007
V Day: Boxing Up Your Boy
Posted Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 08:42PM
If you’re not gorgeously gifting your guy lingerie to unwrap off your gift of a hot little body, you ought to gift your boy - and yourself - some boxers. ‘Cause -
“How can you not love a company who’s motto is ‘love like a kid’?” asks Boy_Under. referring to Ginch Gonch sleepwear and underwear .
I suppose I can’t not. And your 14th shouldn’t be heavy with drama, it ought to be fabulously -
“Fun fun fun underwear for your next play date. Everything from Western to kiddie inspired. Fire trucks, stars, and bandanas, oh my!”
Oh em gee, indeed, doll.
...continued: V Day: Boxing Up Your Boy
For the birds
Posted Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 06:00PM
Why should all things lovely and birdie-adorned be confined to the realm of jewelry, pretty frocks, and home decor? For all those bird-loving birds who strive to keep stylish while getting sweaty, Athleta’s Branwyn Top makes for very exquisite exercise apparel.
And, as we learned on fitsugar, “the clothes are tested by real ladies who are super active in a specific sport. The testers give feedback and Athleta alters their designs so the form of the clothes serves the function of the body in the activity.”
This top’s designed for yoga, but that breathable, wicking fabric should also work wonders when you’re up on the elliptical or out for a jog.
A very unBritney pregnancy
Posted Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 02:51PM
Contrary to what Britney Spears might believe, a steady diet of Cheetos and Coke Slurpees does not a healthy pregnancy make. For better baby-nourishing nutrition, you may want to step away from the 7-Eleven and reach for some fish oil supplements, according to a recent post at Babylune. “An Australian study published in The Archives of Disease in Childhood says that women who took fish oil for the second half of pregnancy gave birth to children who performed better on hand-eye coordination skills tests than the control group participants who took an olive oil supplement,” the blog explains.
For first-rate fish oil, turn to Natural Factors RxOmega-3 Softgels. “This is the highest quality fish oil on the web,” promises Alex. “Everyone should take 2 pills a day to stay healthy.”
To get your omega-3 fill through actual food, try snacking on a Nutiva Organic Hemp Seed Bar or scrambling up some Organic Valley Omega-3 Eggs for breakfast (“So delicious and better for you,” notes w0man1nr3d).
...continued: A very unBritney pregnancy
The Shins will change your life
Posted Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 11:59AM
Actually, they probably won’t. And even though it’s become terribly obvious to make fun of Zach Braff for that silly little line from Garden State, I just couldn’t resist here. Making fun of Zach Braff is one of my favorite hobbies (as is perversely crushing on him, for some reason).
Anyway - despite the fact that The Shins won’t change your life, they’re still a damn good pop band that’s gaining much acclaim for their just-released third record, Wincing the Night Away. In fact, according to Both Sides of the Mouth, the Albuquerque-based act’s latest release “clearly takes the cake. Every one of the eleven tracks is beautifully crafted, in every aspect. Lyrics are as story-like and poignant as ever, James Mercer seems to have developed a subtle edge to his voice, and instrumentals simply shine.”
...continued: The Shins will change your life
liz
|
Post a Comment
Tags: mp3, music, *Media: Film/Music/TV/Print, music blog, CDs
post to del.icio.us 
digg this 
post to netscape
|
Email
| 
Print
Contest: Tag it "Decorate"
Posted Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 11:58AMWin $250 of Blik’s transferable, gorgeous, instant spuce-it-up wall graphics!
How to Enter:
1. Recommend things that drive winter doldrums away from any abode.
2. Tag your recommendations “Decorate”
3. Multiple entries increase your chances of winning.
Blik surface graphics are oversized, geometric decals that allow anyone to quickly and easily create custom wallscapes in no time. The decals are self-adhesive and removable, so your blank walls have no excuse to be bare-naked. They’re perfect for commitment-phobes and rolling stones because you can re-stick them. We’re putting a flock of seagulls all over the new ThisNext office and a bunch of us have them at home. So trust us when we tell you living with $250 of blik decals will change your entire outlook on the world.
Our next newsletter will announce who wins the blik prize (2/7/07).
Long may you run
Posted Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 10:46AM
Endurance runners - as well as vegetarians who follow a low-protein diet - may have lower blood levels of a hormone linked to pre-menopausal breast cancer, prostate cancer, and certain types of colon cancer, according to a recent study from the Washington University School of Medicine. Though the study’s endurance runners averaged about 48 miles per week, lesser amounts of pavement-pounding (or treadmill- or trail-running) can still enhance your health by burning fat, protecting against muscle and bone loss, and providing a stellar cardiovascular workout.
Before you get all speedy with your feet, check to make sure you’ve got all the essentials for a safe and satisfying run. Your shoes, for instance, should provide good traction, shock absorption, and stability. Socalrunnergirl loves her Women’s Gel-Nimbus VII Running Shoe by Asics, which are “super comfortable” and “work great if you have higher arches like I do.” Alyson digs the Gel-Nimbus VII as well, noting that “for runners with a fairly neutral gait, these tennies provide excellent support and cushioning.” Meanwhile, Three and Steve Romeo prefer Vasque AMP Trail Running Shoes, which the latter deems “relatively lightweight, yet very stable [with] a great tread pattern for grip.”
...continued: Long may you run
Don't dream it's over
Posted Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 06:47PM
Like ThisNexter boens, Crowded House fans all over the place are psyched about the Australian pop-rock trio’s upcoming worldwide reunion tour (which will include a stop at this year’s Coachella, fantastically enough). Most likely those fans will spend the next few months wearing out their copies of Farewell to the World, a two-disc live concert DVD recommended by boens. And for all those who haven’t heard Crowded House since misplacing their cassette version of the band’s eponymous debut some years back, much nostalgia can be indulged in by downloading “Don’t Dream It’s Over” at the relentlessly awesome Brooklyn Vegan.
liz
|
Post a Comment
Tags: DVDs, music, *Media: Film/Music/TV/Print, CDs
post to del.icio.us digg this post to netscape
|
Email
| Print
Eat your greens (and reds too)
Posted Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 06:18PM
Eating an antioxidant-packed combo of tomato and broccoli can help fight prostate cancer more effectively than consuming either food on its own, according to a new study from the journal Cancer Research. Researchers fed lab rats the human equivalent of 2.5 cups of cherry tomatoes (or one cup of tomato sauce) and 1.5 cups of broccoli daily, finding that those amounts significantly slowed tumor growth.
To get your fill of those anticancer veggies, read up on the tomato- and broccoli-rich recipes included in cookbooks like The New Enchanted Broccoli Forest by Mollie Katzen, which Sean considers “a must-have for the vegetarian home cook.” For Fanny The Fairy, it’s all about Leith’s Vegetarian Bible, since “vegetables are too good to be just an side dish.” And my favorite veggie cookbook is Deborah Madison’s Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone, a wonderfully thick recipe collection that Liz at Pocket Farm dubs “my bible.”
Neo New Wave
Posted Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 01:56PM
“That Eighties Show played out on spring runways, where design and pop-culture icons of the decade - Azzedine Alaia, Gianni Versace, Boy George, Madonna - made repeat appearances,” says Style.com.
So go on, gorgeous, I could use some schooling - at the end of the Me Me Me Decade I, I, I was only learning how to sign “Kristopher” in cursive, with neon pink crayons. So lay out the looks, this neo New Wave of spring double-oh-seven. Tell me how -
“Twenty-somethings Proenza Schouler and newcomer Christopher Kane nodded in Herve Leger’s direction with their mulicolor bandage minis and fluorescent elastic dresses,” says Style.com. “In Milan, Alessandra Dell’Acqua relived his own club days with body-consious metal-mesh shifts; and in Paris, Peter Dundas’ vivid, slashed-to-the-thigh glamour gowns for Emanual Ungaro recalled the heyday of super models Linda, Christy, and Naomi.”
...continued: Neo New Wave
Tea for free!
Posted Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 10:39AM
I’ve become so addicted to my Woman’s Dong Quai Tonic from Yogi Tea over the last few months, drinking a big cup every morning to reap the hormone-balancing benefits that have worked wonders for my very difficult skin. So it’s delightful to discover (via fitsugar) that my favorite purveyor of herbal blends is now offering free samples, without the hassle of filling out some exhaustive survey. “You even get to pick out your desired tea experience (A World of Flavor, Fragrant and Uplifting, Seasonal Support, Wellness from Within and Especially for Women),” fitsugar notes.
Once you’ve indulged in the exquisiteness of Yogi Tea, you might even feel inspired to try their Green Tea Energy and Ginkgo IQ, both guaranteed to remarkably rejuvenate your health.
liz
|
Post a Comment
Tags: herbs, tea, teas, *Health/Wellness/Fitness
post to del.icio.us digg this post to netscape
|
Email
| Print
Good buzz for expectant moms
Posted Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 09:35AM
For all those coffee-loving expectant moms who can’t quite cope with giving up their daily trip to Starbucks, a new report from the British Medical Journal may bring on much rejoicing. Researchers studied about 1,200 healthy pregnant women: One group drank decaffeinated coffee during the second half of their pregnancy, while the rest of the study participants drank at least three cups of caffeinated coffee a day. There were no significant differences observed in gestation times or birth weights among babies born to the two groups, leading researchers to conclude that moderate caffeine intake should not impact birth weight or pregnancy length.
To choose the healthiest java when you’re expecting - or at any other time - look for antioxidant-rich beans like those found in Caffe Sanora coffee. “What’s not to love?” asks Anna of the brew, which is handled and roasted so as to retain 100 percent of the coffee’s natural antioxidants. What’s more, the company supports AMC Cancer Research Center, an organization that’s committed “not only to understanding how and why cancer occurs, but also to developing effective strategies to help people lower their risk factors and reduce their chances of ever getting cancer.”
...continued: Good buzz for expectant moms
V Day with Your BFF
Posted Monday, January 29, 2007 at 07:18PM
There’s a reason why “BFF” isn’t text message-ese for “boy friend forever.”
Though I love you fellas.
Nope, your BFF is your best friend for ever (and a day), so skip spending your time hunting for wearable chocolates and edible lingerie for your boy, and invest your Valentine time and money in your true love.
You could do her a box of See’s candy heart chocolates, though I know my platonic lover would play polite - smile, “Thanks,” trash - but have none of that.
We like to keep fit for each other.
ThisNexter Chantel gets it:
“Girls should get practical and sparkly gifts for Valentine’s Day.”
Type that a little louder, I want everyone to hear you. Shiny shiny is key.
“Buy her a [Aspects butterfly-print suede clutch],” says Chantel, “she’ll use it and think of you a lot longer than she would trying to lose the weight from the chocolate.
...continued: V Day with Your BFF
Essential Bob Dylan
Posted Monday, January 29, 2007 at 05:47PMTrying to make sense of which artists get a Grammy nod and which get snubbed is usually nothing more than an exercise in futility. Still, we’re doing a little head-scratching over the fact that Bob Dylan’s Modern Times is absent from the Record of the Year category, while James Blunt’s You’re Beautiful somehow made the cut. As evidenced in a previous post on the blog, ThisNexters like thesonofhob, Margo, eastmeath, FredWilson, and ev1225 are full of Modern love, with ev1225 hailing the record as “truly remarkable.” And Tom Watson very much digs the record’s deluxe edition, which he considers the “best in Dylan’s ‘comeback’ trilogy.”
...continued: Essential Bob Dylan
liz
|
Post a Comment
Tags: DVDs, music, *Media: Film/Music/TV/Print, CDs, folk music
post to del.icio.us digg this post to netscape
|
Email
| Print
Good for your gums
Posted Monday, January 29, 2007 at 02:52PM
One more reason to finally start flossing: A new study from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that gum disease might increase your risk for pancreatic cancer, the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health studied data on about 48,000 men, finding that those with periodontal disease had a 63 percent higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer than those with healthy teeth and gums.
To safeguard your gums and possibly lower your cancer risk, use a ThisNext-approved floss each time you brush your teeth. Some smart choices: superminty Glide Comfort Plus Floss, GUM Eez-Thru Flossers (dubbed “as good as [flossing] gets” by Caryl Chinn), and AP-24 Gentle Action Dental Floss (“Never had a cavity, don’t plan on getting one!” boasts shopcaster Hannah Teter). Or try the recently ThisNext-blog-featured Reach Clean Paste Floss, of which Matt Nando says: “I doubted, but am converted. This kicks major butt.”
A Swinging Spring
Posted Monday, January 29, 2007 at 11:56AM
“The bubble has burst,” says Style.com.
I have been seeing more cheapy chic shoeboxes looking for love on Manhattan’s real estate market. Though, on second-and-a-half thought, I assume you’re chatting about bubble hemlines breaking over, and -
“Taking pointers from Yves Saint Laurent’s January 1958 Trapeze collection for Dior, designers are turning out swingy, gemoetric dresses and skirts,” says Style.com.
Do tell, doll. I want to hear how -
“At Fendi, Gucci, and Salvatore Ferragamo, this little girl’s silhouette barely grazed the upper thigh, while at Zac Posen, it came in dramatic, floor-sweeping silk jacquard. Jackets and coats flared out from the bust, too. They were paired with stovepipes at Unique and bare legs and platform sandals at Derek Lam and Erin Fetherston.”
...continued: A Swinging Spring
Playing Chopsticks
Posted Monday, January 29, 2007 at 11:14AM
Chow Magazine’s blog The Grinder has picked up on one of the downsides of the East-meets-West cultural showdown:
Worried that students may be losing their culture to the onslaught of hamburgers and spaghetti, a high school in Nagasaki, Japan has added a new test to their entrance exams—chopstick skills.
If Japan must fight to retain this important part of their culinary and cultural heritage, maybe we here can do our part to make chopsticks an integral part of the global table. After all, once you learn how to use them, chopsticks are convenient, delicate and surprisingly adaptable to a variety of tasks. You don’t believe me? Try eating salad with chopsticks; you’ll never go back to the salad fork again.
First things first: Knowing how to use chopsticks is more than just how to hold them and pick things up. There are a few rules of etiquette best followed lest you look like a lumbering oaf with your utensils. Escape Blog highlights a few tips to ensure you’ll be gracious in both Japanese and Chinese settings, and Garrett at Vanilla Garlic has some good all-around usage pointers that should keep you out of imminent trouble.
...continued: Playing Chopsticks
Sean
|
Post a Comment
Tags: chopsticks, *Food/Drink
post to del.icio.us digg this post to netscape
|
Email
| Print
Silly love songs
Posted Sunday, January 28, 2007 at 08:48PM
Somehow I have been completely, unironically obsessed with “Silly Love Songs” by Wings for a good month or so now, an infatuation that consistently draws lots of snickering from the music snobs among my friend group. Whatever - I heart Paul McCartney forever, and I’ve got no shame about being taken in by so much sappiness. Which is a nice way to feel during Valentine season, since packing a Scroogey attitude about all those heart-shaped boxes floating around right now gets old real fast.
It seems that others roaming ThisNext may share my fondness for fantastically lovey-dovey lyrics, considering all the picks for records like Elton John’s Greatest Hits. Whether or not “Your Song” makes visions of hot Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman dance in your head - thanks to its use in Moulin Rouge - there’s no denying the ballad’s beauty. And the collection makes for a “great album to sing along to during a car trip up the coast,” promises joe.
...continued: Silly love songs
liz
|
1 Comment
Tags: music, *Media: Film/Music/TV/Print, CDs
post to del.icio.us digg this post to netscape
|
Email
| Print
Sweeter sleep
Posted Sunday, January 28, 2007 at 08:37PM
One more reason why you need those ever-elusive eight hours of sleep each night: A new study from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that stressful, sleepless nights can have a negative impact on your memory. For a little help in finding sounder, sweeter sleep, consider using a sleep mask to block out light and lull you off to dreamland. Plus, eye pillows can make you look all diva-esque and fabulous while you snooze, especially if you’re wearing a hot-pink number like the Victoria’s Secret Wake Me With a Kiss satin sleep mask recommended by szlea.
A little less girly but still quite pampering, the szlea-selected Luxury sleep mask from Fluff Pillows is 100 percent linen and deliciously soft. Perfect for plane travel, the mask is also suited for those daydreamy moments when you just want to “close your eyes and see what your mind’s eye sees,” says szlea.
...continued: Sweeter sleep
Base Shopping
Posted Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 09:09PM
“Today, I smelt my first faint whiff of spring,” says fashion bloggette Susie of Style Bubble.
Your K soaked up the scent of fresh espresso, though that’s hardly indicative of any certain season. Maybe you’ve got -
” - a very pecuilar sense of smell and seem to pick up the weirdest notes and chords in the air and there was definitely something spring-y in the air today,” says Susie. “Which means it’s time for some ‘base’ shopping.”
What’s “base” shopping, love?
“What is ‘base’ shopping you ask?”
Yes, echolicious.
“People call them basics or the simple stuff but I call it ‘base’ shopping,” says Susie. “By now, you may already be familar with my um, not so basic style but it doesn’t mean I eschew those essentials.”
...continued: Base Shopping
A Fresh Bond No. 9 for Your Spring Double-Oh-Seven
Posted Friday, January 26, 2007 at 07:08PM
“With the warmer months ‘round the corner it’s only fair that your fragrance collection as well as your wardrobe gets a spring clean,” says fashion blogette Michelle of My Fashion Life.
Sounds L7 to me, doll. I’m afraid Givenchy’s Organza is getting vain on my vanity, accompanied by only a fragrance - hush, hush, honey - by a certain American heiress. Not that we ladies really need -
“Any excuse!” says Michelle. “Bryant Park is the new scent from and is made from rose-patchouli with a hint of pink pepper.”
Sounds spicy, like you. Go on, gorgeous.
...continued: A Fresh Bond No. 9 for Your Spring Double-Oh-Seven