CasaSugar

Do You Really Play With Your Kids?

LilSugar — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:00:19 PDT

Parents spend time with their children, but do they really interact with them? On trips to the park, do you chat with the other moms or dig in the sand, climb up the play structure and slip down the slide with your kids? When it comes to board games or even make believe, are you present or an active participant?

Relax Already: Get Juvenile

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:23 PST

Now that I'm an adult, I often think back to the days when I was a carefree little girl and the only things I had to worry about were which color dress to wear to school and where to get enough blankets to make a fort. When life's stresses get me down now, I take a cue from my girls and play like a kid. It really helps take my mind off frustrating grownup problems and calms me down so I can better deal with those adult issues. Here are some ideas:

Color, draw, paint, or knit. Do something crafty with your hands.
Play with your pet.
If it's nice out, enjoy the sunshine and the wind in your face with a bike ride. Don't forget your helmet!
Swing or play in a park.
If there's still snow where you live, go sledding or make a snowman.
Join a kickball team.
Read a kids' book or other easy read.
Play with a child - a good game of foursquare relieves a lot of stress.
Turn up some music and dance around the house.
Bake something scrumptious.

Open House: House Play

CasaSugar — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:15:38 PDT

Yesterday, I talked about one designer who advocates play in public, but today I'd like to focus on play at home. At my house, there's always a deck of cards and a Scrabble board on hand, if not littering my coffee table, and one shouldn't be surprised to find trails of paper penciled with hangman games throughout my home. And there's always play going on when my dog, Ozzie, is in the room (or the backyard). What about you? Do you still play? Is there a designated area in your home for games? Do you have a card table? Do you have a swing set? An indoor swing? Where do your kids play? Do you play sports in the yard? At the park? Tell me by commenting below!
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Wise Guide: on having more fun

DearSugar — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 08:01:00 PST

Indulge, but refine. -- Lawrence Durrell

We talk a lot here about all kinds of personal refinement, but how about indulgence? Where in your life could you be doing a bit more indulging?! In what ways could you be having more fun?!

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Buzz Blabber: The Great Gatsby Is Already Capturing Hearts

Maggie Pehanick — Sun, 27 May 2012 03:05:00 PDT

Between the glittery pictures and the trailer for The Great Gatsby, moviegoers are already looking forward to Baz Luhrmann's film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's famous novel. However, it was a big week for TV, too, and with finales popping off like champagne corks at one of Gatsby's soirees, everyone had something to say about the dramatic season enders of Glee and Revenge.

The Great Gatsby might be Baz's next hit

"Love Leo, I always envisioned him as Gatsby! The trailer looks great. The scenes, clothes - gosh, I love the roaring '20s! Can't wait until the movie comes out." - BlackKitty
"Amazing. Baz has done it again! Buzz, it might be said that the modern music may be used in the same way as done in Moulin Rouge - perhaps as an example of how revolutionary the music was of the time period, like architecture and entertainment?" - QueenB75
"This looks superb! Looks so much better than the old one. Looking forward to it." - chocolate79

To check out the reactions to this week's TV finales, just

Revenge's twisty finale had fans on the edge of their seats

"I loved it! Always suspected that the mom might be alive and I doubt that Victoria Grayson is dead. I really hope that the baby is not Jack's. Cant wait for next season." - nessa17
"It was amazing! I was tearing up when Fauxmanda showed up pregnant with Jack. Devastating on so many levels. Hope Victoria is still alive, I love her!" - pargie
"Excellent finish, I especially loved the final scenes with 'Seven Devils' playing on them. I have to admit I'm not too taken with the 'mother is alive' revelation, but I am curious as to what went on between Fauxmanda and Tanaka when he drove off with her. Agree that Victoria is probably still alive; I'm not sure that Revenge would be the same without her. And last but not least, brilliant acting from Emily VanCamp this episode!" - brushra

Everyone was tearing up at Glee's heartbreaking ending

"I cried my eyes out, really going to miss the original cast!" - dverrecchioxo
"I'm terrible with goodbyes in any form and I was a mess when Kurt started singing. I knew I had a long hour in front of me." - lekatvt
"I already miss Finchel!" - campbrad

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Video: 5 TV Shows to Help You Survive the Summer Drought!

Becky Kirsch — Sat, 26 May 2012 10:27:33 PDT

Most of our favorite shows are wrapped for the season, but that doesn't mean your DVRs will be getting a break for the Summer. There's a whole crop of series (both old and new) that are coming your way, and BuzzSugar editors Becky Kirsch and Shannon Vestal are breaking down the five must-see shows to get you through the Summer. Watch and tell us which show you're most excited about.

Kristen Stewart Rocks Short Shorts to Party With Robert Pattinson

Katie Henry — Sat, 26 May 2012 11:33:00 PDT

Kristen Stewart slipped out of her Reem Acra gown and into a Dolce & Gabbana t-shirt and sexy black shorts for Robert Pattinson's Cosmopolis Cannes Film Festival afterparty. Earlier in the evening, Rob hit the red carpet solo at the film's formal premiere, while Kristen stuck close to his best friend, and her On the Road costar, Tom Sturridge. The trip to France came right in the middle of Kristen's international Snow White and the Huntsman press tour. The film opens in theaters June 1, and Kristen's headed back to the states next week for a few more promotional stops. As for Rob, he's in the running for two of the hottest roles in Hollywood. New reports say Rob's considering the part of Finnick Odair in Catching Fire, the follow-up to The Hunger Games, and he's among the sexy guys competing to play Christian in Fifty Shades of Grey.

22 Actresses Who Could Play Anastasia in Fifty Shades of Grey

Becky Kirsch — Sat, 26 May 2012 10:31:08 PDT

We've been throwing out ideas for who should play Christian in Fifty Shades of Grey, but he's not the only lead in the upcoming movie. It's safe to say that a ton of young actresses will be vying for the role of Anastasia Steele, the beautiful but insecure 21-year-old that becomes a love interest (and an obsession, really) for billionaire Christian. You've had a lot of thoughts and suggestions about which actresses you'd love to see play Ana, so here are the top 22 candidates.

Men in Black 3: A Return to (Alien Life) Form

Becky Kirsch — Sat, 26 May 2012 10:29:01 PDT

I saw the original Men in Black movie so long ago that my memories of the film might as well have been zapped with a neuralyzer (that's the memory-erasing device the guys use in the movie, for those of you who are also having trouble recalling the original). What I did retain is that the film was funny, fresh, and silly and that it didn't hold up very well for the 2002 sequel. With that in mind, I had low expectations for Men in Black 3, but the newest installment is just as much fun as the original, and it actually benefits from the 15-year time lapse.

The script for the film is one of its biggest assets and truly sets Men in Black 3 apart from its predecessors. The aliens are still alive and ickier than ever now that they're in 3D, but the story is more focused on the friendship between J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) and how it has evolved over the years. We learn early on that K has been keeping a secret from J all these years, and the mystery drives a wedge between the partners. Meanwhile, a treacherous alien named Boris the Animal (played to hilarious perfection by Flight of the Conchords's Jemaine Clement) breaks out of maximum-security prison and goes back in time to get revenge on K, who arrested him back in the '60s. The day that K had Boris locked up is the key to K's secret, so J heads on a mission back in time to save K and learn the truth.

To see why Men in Black 3 is so much fun, just

Will Smith hasn't been in a movie since 2008's Seven Pounds, and I didn't realize I missed him until I found myself giggling all the way through Men in Black 3. His shtick is still the same (he's one-liners still consistent of dialogue like "Where did you come from? Planet damn?"), but you can't help but love Agent J as he bumbles through the '60s, desperately trying to sell his story to people who don't recognize him - or believe him. You can tell that Smith feels completely comfortable in the role, and in the signature suit, which still looks perfect on him, as he hasn't aged a day.

Tommy Lee Jones is ever the reliable curmudgeon, but the film mines extra laughs when J travels to the '60s and meets a much younger version of his partner, played by Josh Brolin. Brolin looks enough like Jones to pass for him, but it's really his studied delivery and mannerisms that sell the performance. We also get some insight into how K has evolved over the years (he's always had a penchant for cowboy music, but he also used to be a bit of a dreamer), giving the film an extra layer to the enjoyable banter between J and K.

I'm not usually one to gush about 3D, but the special effects really come to life in Men in Black 3 in a way they never did in the first two movies. Not only do the aliens look creepier than ever, but the cartoonish feel of the film is taken to the next level with the 3D aspect, especially with the time-travel thrill-ride element. Much like with the 3D movies from my youth, I found myself shrinking in my seat just to avoid being too close to the alien goo, blood, breath, and beyond. Combined with the welcome return of Will Smith, you've got yourself a fun, mindless blockbuster.

Photos courtesy of Sony

4 Reasons We Can't Wait to Play Harry Potter For Kinect

Laura Marie Given — Sat, 26 May 2012 09:02:00 PDT

There's a book series, a film series, a Florida amusement park, a London studio tour, and, coming this Fall, there will also be the Harry Potter For Kinect video game! Based on the eight films, the game gives diehard fans a chance to experience the movies' most memorable moments for themselves, whether as a character or as their own avatar. Check out the top four reasons we're excited to play:

Pretending we're wizards: Thanks to hands-free and voice-recognition technology, users can cast spells using physical maneuvers or by calling out spell names. We're already practicing our "Expelliarmus!" technique.
Flying (sort of): It's a dream come (virtually) true. Gamers will have the opportunity to fly on a broomstick for their very own Quidditch match.
Walking in Harry's shoes: With the game, users can experience some of Harry's classic moments, like choosing a house at Hogwarts, visiting Ollivanders, and confronting He Who Shall Not Be Named in a final, dramatic battle.
Some friendly competition: Select co-op gameplay to connect with wizardly friends, and master lessons so you can challenge other opponents in competitive minigames.

Do you plan to buy Harry Potter For Kinect?

Photos courtesy of Warner Bros.