CasaSugar

Taking a Closer Look at Vibrant, Plush Fresco Towels

Elka Karl — Fri, 06 May 2011 11:40:23 PDT

Note: I've updated this review to reflect Fresco's most current line of towels. Please click through to read my thoughts on the new line!

I've been admiring the colorful designs from Fresco Towels for a while now. The towels are available for purchase through the company's website and major retailers like Anthropologie. The designs are so fresh and unusual - I'm hard-pressed to think of anything on the market that has a similar look.

Fresco Towels is based in Los Angeles and produces bath, beach, and hand towels, as well as terry bags, pillows, and other products that are all created by a family of artisans. Made with long-staple, Turkish cotton, all the products are prewashed, preshrunk, and feature designs inspired by fashion, architecture, and nature.

Fresco sent over some products for review, and two editors excitedly snapped up the pretty towels to try out. See what they thought of the towels and terry bag.

5 Slipless Towels For Hot Yoga

Heather Dale — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:20:52 PST

Is it bad that I get more motivated to workout when I have all the "required gear" for a specific fitness classes? I'll go to one class and then convince myself that I need just the right headband, shoes, socks and sports bra to really step in up in class number two. What I truly love about yoga is the fact that it's a minimalists dream - heck, just show up and you can take part in what you're already wearing (OK, I take that back, you might need some lycra).

Aside from my yoga mat, the only other investment I've made to my yoga routine is getting a proper non-slip towel for Bikram yoga classes. Hot yoga is great for sweating out toxins, but your mat can turn into one dangerous Slip 'N Slide if you don't use a towel that is specially designed to grip to your mat. Trust me, I learned the hard way!

Here are some of my favorites that not only soak up the sweat, but keep you in one place during your practice. Namaste.

Nice and New: PataPri Reopens Textile Shop

Tara Sharp — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 11:00:52 PDT

After taking a hiatus, textile designer Yuko Uemura has reopened her PataPri Etsy shop. I'm a big fan of her whimsical tablecloths, towels, and bedding, so I'm glad she's back in time for holiday shopping season! First up on the site are her hand-printed Imabari towels, made from 100 percent cotton and suitable for the bathroom or the kitchen. Next on the horizon are baby blankets and bedding. While I have many favorite patterns, I'm particularly smitten with the circular maru print on these small towels ($30 for set of three). From hedgehogs to raindrops, see my other picks below!

Hexagon Small Towel ($12)	House Towel ($18)
Hedgehog Towel ($18)	Rain2 Small Towel ($12)	Tree Towel ($18)

Brooks Brothers Launches a Dapper New Décor Line

Julia Walsh — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:00:15 PDT

If there's a man in your life who has the dapper dress going on, but whose bachelor pad still qualifies as cringe-worthy, now he can shop for his throw pillows and cuff links in one fell swoop: Brooks Brothers has launched a home décor collection! The masculine new line, available exclusively online, includes decorative pillows and bedding and bath items.

Most noteworthy are the Tie Stripe Silk Twill Pillows ($248-$288), which are made from the English silk used to craft the brand's classic, dashing neckties - though I must say they're a bit overpriced. For the bedroom, Brooks Brothers Home offers two collections; the Blue Yarn-Dye line is inspired by men's dress shirts, while the Herringbone line features classic white linens with a three-row embroidered border. I'm just hoping one day they'll offer monogramming. Meanwhile, simple terrycloth towels, robes, and slippers make up the bath collection. The brand is expected to debut some more home accessories like lampshades this Fall, too, so stay tuned! Check out my favorite picks from the line below.

Glen Plaid Full Flat Sheet ($148)	Horizontal Guard Stripe Square Pillow ($288)
Terry Bath Sheet ($48)	Herringbone Full Bed Skirt ($128)	Diagonal Repp Stripe Square Pillow ($268)

15 Design-Savvy Summer Beach Towels

CasaSugar — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 06:00:46 PDT

Spreading a giant beach towel onto the sand is like staking out your design territory. This Summer, pack a beach towel that packs design punch. With labels like Missoni, Tracy Reese, and Lacoste getting in on the action - plus cute designs from retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond and PBTeen - you'll find plenty of fashionable beach towels for design fiends.

I love the preppy look of this Lacoste Tournois Mer Beach Towel ($30, reduced from $40), but I've found something for every style. Consider incorporating a beach towel into your decor or using it as a tablecloth for a casual Summer party. Check out 15 choice finds below.

10 Beach-Chic Towels You Need Now!

FabSugar — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 04:50:22 PDT

When heading to the beach or pool this Summer, don't forget to take a fashionable towel along for the fun. But Fab, who's going to pay attention to my towel? Everyone! A beach towel is just as much a part of your ensemble as your sassy swimsuit. Would you leave the house without a chic coat in the Winter? So then why leave your bikini hanging alone, or worse, with a dowdy towel in the Summer? Both Rachel Zoe and I prefer Missoni, but there are many other affordable and smashing options.

5 Spring Essentials For Every Fitness Fanatic

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 07:00:57 PDT

Working out in sunny weather is a whole other beast than what we're accustomed to during the Winter months. Spring equals lighter layers, stronger sun protection, and creative ways to keep the sweat off of us. No worries; here are my five essentials for meeting the challenge that Spring weather provides - did I miss anything?

Casa Beta: Amy Butler For Welspun Bath Towels

CasaSugar — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 08:00:35 PST

As you know, I'm a big fan of Amy Butler's fabrics. I've reupholstered chairs with it, made it into skirts and curtains, and used it for bags. So, I'm happy to be able to now add her designs to my shower routine, with Amy Butler Bath Towels ($12.99 each). As part of the line, you can also stock up on hand towels and wash cloths, all made from an organic cotton blend, and manufactured in India.

I recently received two Amy Butler towels to test. To see how I liked them,

read more. I found these towels to be very soft and fluffy. In fact, compared to most of my towels, this one felt absolutely plush. I also like the fact that the towels have an organic cotton component, even if it is only 10 percent organic cotton. In the future, I'd love to see this percentage raised. Besides that, though, I have little to complain about. The patterns are adorable, as is expected for an Amy Butler product, and while they have a fresh, fun, girly feel, I do think that some of the designs would work in a man's home as well. For those of you who have been strict white-towel households, you might want to reconsider and add some brilliantly patterned Amy Butler towels to your powder room.

Do You Reuse Your Hotel Towels?

CasaSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:00:52 PDT

When staying at a hotel, I always reuse my towels if I'm staying for more than one night. Almost all hotels leave cards in the bathrooms asking guests to do so, and studies show that the majority of guests do. Are you in the majority?

Casa Quickie: Throwing In the Towels

CasaSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:15:35 PDT

Lucky enough to score some fluffy new towels for your bathing routine? Make sure to take extra care when washing them. After buying new towels, make sure to wash them separately. This is because most towels will run when first washed. After the first wash, they're usually fine, though, so separate by color and wash as normal.

Missoni Jamelia Beach Towel	PBteen Tie-Dye Coffee Beach Towel
Basic Dot Beach Towel Set - Blue (30x60	Lacoste Tournois Mer Beach Towel
Tracy Reese Beach Towel	Amy Butler Peacock Orange Beach Towel
Martha Stewart Collection Damask Beach Towel	Hang Ten Surfboard Beach Towel
Missoni Hugo Beach Towel	Volcom Dusty Beach Towel
Steve Madden Juliet Beach Towel	Lacoste Court Beach Towel
Big Brown Towel by Bloomingdale's	Peacock Alley Ikat Beach Towel	Yosh*tomo Nara Beach Towel