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2011 Summer

Gear to Keep Your Water Cold When Exercising in the Heat

Thermos sponsored a recent study with leading fitness researchers and discovered that cold hydration increases performance when exercising.

Thermos sponsored a recent study with leading fitness researchers and discovered that cold hydration increases performance when exercising. Sipping down cold water (40° F) has been shown to keep a person's core temperature down, and drinking enough water will help you exercise longer and harder. I'll drink to that! Depending on the length of your workout, whether it's a 30-minute run or a 6-hour hike, here are some items you'll need to keep your water frosty cold in the Summer heat.

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Adorable Tea Party Sets For Little Girls (Mom-Friendly, Too!)

Clockwise from top left: Porcelian Tea Set ($17), Tin Tea Set ($20), It's a Party Tea Set ($12), Children's Tea for Two Set ($40), Rosanna Tea For Me Too Set ($50)
As soon as lil girls learn about princesses, they'll be asking for their very own tiara and tea set, in hopes of hosting their own Beauty and the Beast tea party. What I love about these sets is that they are made from materials like porcelain, fine china, stoneware, or tin, so moms can have real tea parties with their own lil princesses (maybe swap in an English Breakfast for you and a Chamomile for your lil lady). Buying a set that's real porcelain, or one of the other materials, ensures its longevity, will allow you both to enjoy it, and your daughter will have it for years to come — I still hold on to my Peter Rabbit set! Here are some options for future tea parties in your home.

Clockwise from top left: Porcelian Tea Set ($17), Tin Tea Set ($20), It's a Party Tea Set ($12), Children's Tea for Two Set ($40), Rosanna Tea For Me Too Set ($50)

Workout Clothes

Quick-Drying Performance Wear That Looks Stylish on the Street

Clockwise from left: Lole Energic Dress ($70); Roxy Layer Up Tee ($34); VPL Strainer Camisole ($58); Lululemon Your Best Breath Wrap ($88); Velvet Velvet Shay Workout Leggings ($66); Adidas by Stella McCartney Studio Image Tank ($60-85); Calvin Klein Performance Sequin Stripe Racerback-Knot Tank Top ($20); Nau Decypher Jacket ($265).
Summer's all about easy livin', and that includes a no-fuss wardrobe that can beat the heat. If the searing season has you wanting to stay in your comfy workout clothes, luckily, there's no shortage of cute performance clothing that can do double duty as your everyday wardrobe. Check out these picks, for example; they're stylish, lightweight, and made of moisture-wicking performance fabric — perfect for a wardrobe that works whether you're sweating in the gym or pairing with wedges for a stylish weekend look.

Clockwise from left: Lole Energic Dress ($70); Roxy Layer Up Tee ($34); VPL Strainer Camisole ($58); Lululemon Your Best Breath Wrap ($88); Velvet Velvet Shay Workout Leggings ($66); Adidas by Stella McCartney Studio Image Tank ($60-85); Calvin Klein Performance Sequin Stripe Racerback-Knot Tank Top ($20); Nau Decypher Jacket ($265).

Shopping

OnSugar Blogger Girl Meet Fit's Cycling Look

If you're looking for a new cycling look to sport this Summer, the OnSugar blog Girl Meets Fit has you covered.

If you're looking for a new cycling look to sport this Summer, the OnSugar blog Girl Meets Fit has you covered. Keep reading to shop her fun, hip look!

Snake from top left: Oakley Commit Sq sunglasses ($150), Nike Air Pegasus+ 27 running shoe ($70), Timex Road Trainer heart monitor ($110), "Reduce Reuse Bicycle" Sigg bottle ($28), Adidas by Stella McCartney cycle padded short ($81), Adidas cycle tee ($64), New Balance reflective jacket ($40), Smartwool cycling socks, 3-pack ($41)

Gain more fun workout shopping suggestions by following Girl Meets Fit. And why not start your own OnSugar blog? Your posts could be featured here on FitSugar.

Shopping

Sweatpants Update: From Frumpy to Fab!

Clockwise from top left: Heather Overdyed Active Jogging Pants by Splendid ($60), Vintage Gauze Sweat Pant by Splendid ($110), Windfall Sweatpants by Roxy ($45), Studio Pant by Lululemon ($98), Cotton Cuffed Sweat Pant by Nike ($47), Marissa Sweatpant by True Religion ($92), Relaxed Sweatpant by Juicy ($128), Garment Washed Cuffed Sweatpant by Lacoste ($105)
As much as I've tried to purge my closet of baggy, unflattering sweatpants, I can't seem to find it in me to say goodbye to these cozy pants — when it comes to comfort, they really are incomparable to anything else I own! It's been awhile since I've shopped for sweatpants, but after some online perusing, I was happy to see that the selection is better than ever. And not only that, but they've advanced over the years — to sexy, sophisticated pants you can wear to the gym, yoga, or when running errands. Enjoy!

Clockwise from top left: Heather Overdyed Active Jogging Pants by Splendid ($60), Vintage Gauze Sweat Pant by Splendid ($110), Windfall Sweatpants by Roxy ($45), Studio Pant by Lululemon ($98), Cotton Cuffed Sweat Pant by Nike ($47), Marissa Sweatpant by True Religion ($92), Relaxed Sweatpant by Juicy ($128), Garment Washed Cuffed Sweatpant by Lacoste ($105)

Shopping

Stylish and Sporty One-Piece Swimsuits For Summer

Clockwise from top left: Nike Shattered Glass Modern Fast Back Tank ($74), Speedo Solid Lingerie Speedo Clip Back ($54), TYR Pop Rocks Double Binding Reversible ($74), Nike Angled Lanes Classic Lingerie Tank ($46), Lole Calypso ($60), Nike Double Puzzle Cut-Out Tank Reversible Swimsuit ($50), TYR Fit Solid Aqua Tank Suit ($66), TYR Solid Thin-X Back ($44)
With Summer almost upon us, are any of you tempted to hit the pool to revive your breaststroke, front crawl, or butterfly kick? It's been awhile, a long while, since I've done laps of any sorts. And with my hideous collection of eight-year-old one-piece bathing suits, who can blame me? One-piece swimsuits used to be so blah, so restrictive, and would cover up way more than needed to be covered. Even Michael Phelps would have been appalled. Nowadays? Not so much. Now you can find every color, pattern, and cut of one-piece bathing suits you could ever want. Here are some of my faves — swim swim!

Clockwise from top left: Nike Shattered Glass Modern Fast Back Tank ($74), Speedo Solid Lingerie Speedo Clip Back ($54), TYR Pop Rocks Double Binding Reversible ($74), Nike Angled Lanes Classic Lingerie Tank ($46), Lole Calypso ($60),
Nike Double Puzzle Cut-Out Tank Reversible Swimsuit ($50),
TYR Fit Solid Aqua Tank Suit ($66), TYR Solid Thin-X Back ($44)

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Gadgets, Gizmos, and Apparel to Keep You Safe on Your Bike

With the hefty price of gas these days, National Bike to Work Week couldn't have come at a better time.

With the hefty price of gas these days, National Bike to Work Week couldn't have come at a better time. Biking to work is not only good for the environment because it helps to reduce greenhouse emissions, but you're also raising awareness about the presence of cyclists on the streets. When biking, make sure to exercise caution and use common sense to ensure your safety on the roads. Here are some cycling accessories to keep you safe when transporting yourself from A to B.

Clockwise from top left: Recycled Bicycle Tube Reflective Pant Leg Straps ($17), Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier Convertible Jacket ($100), Giro Skyla Bike Helmet ($40), Mirrycle Incredibell Brass Duet Bicycle Bell ($10), Planet Bike 3044 Blaze 1-Watt LED Headlight ($36), Sunlite 4 Piece Bicycle Reflector Set ($4), Garmin Edge 800 Wireless Bike Computer ($450), Light & Motion VIS 360 ($169)

Fitness

Are Toning Shoes For You?

Clockwise from top left: MBT Fora ($170), Aetrex Bodyworks Toning Lace-up ($139), Avia IBurn ($40), New Balance WW1442 Rock & Tone ($68), Sketchers Shape Ups SRR ($70), Reebok EasyTone Flash ($100)
It all started with MBT, then Sketchers introduced the Shape-ups, and after that, I feel like I lost count of all the toning shoes being introduced to the fitness world. When the American Council on Exercise (ACE) investigated the fitness claims associated with these types of shoes, they found that "none of the toning shoes showed statistically significant increases in either exercise response or muscle activation." While some people love them; others feel they are just another pair of sneaks. Have you tried out a pair of these toning shoes pictured below? What was your experience?

Clockwise from top left: MBT Fora ($170), Aetrex Bodyworks Toning Lace-up ($139), Avia IBurn ($40), New Balance WW1442 Rock & Tone ($68), Sketchers Shape Ups SRR ($70), Reebok EasyTone Flash ($100)

Shopping

Fashionable Feet-Friendly Flip-Flops For Summer

Clockwise from top left: Savvy Sandal by Aerosoles ($40), Chaco Flip EcoTread ($56), Simple Flippee ($30), Nike Comfort Thong 2 ($28), Orthaheel Tide ($55), Sanuk IBIZA Sandals ($16)
Once the weather warms up, it's out with the boots and in with the sandals. And when I say sandals, I mean flip-flops — in every style, color, and brand — I practically live in them 24/7! Granted, flip-flops may not be the best shoes for your feet, always choose a pair with more support. Here are some that provide some additional cushioning and comfort.

Clockwise from top left: Savvy Sandal by Aerosoles ($40), Chaco Flip EcoTread ($56), Simple Flippee ($30), Nike Comfort Thong 2 ($28), Orthaheel Tide ($55), Sanuk IBIZA Sandals ($16)

Shopping

Jeff Andrews Calls It Mellow Yellow

In the premiere issue of the new Traditional Home/Lonny digital magazine hybrid Trad Home, one of the 20 designers heralded for ushering in a "new trad" design style is one of my personal favorites: Jeff Andrews.

In the premiere issue of the new Traditional Home/Lonny digital magazine hybrid Trad Home, one of the 20 designers heralded for ushering in a "new trad" design style is one of my personal favorites: Jeff Andrews. Trad Home gives us a peek at a cozy living room Andrews designed for a client with a young family. There are plenty of elements to swoon over, like velvet upholstery, a plush shag rug, and a foursome of starburst mirrors, but what I'm truly coveting is the mellow yellow color palette!

A mix of chartreuse textiles, gilded furniture and accessories, and layers of dark greens paired with two shades of green paint come together perfectly to create a dimensional, engaging, and relaxed space. The surest way to replicate this look is to pick up some groovy green paint swatches and then head straight to the fabric shop to have your furniture upholstered. But I thought I'd start you off with a few mellow yellow décor items that tell this color story; click each item above to shop the look!