CasaSugar

Do You Decorate an Outdoor Christmas Tree?

Julia Millay Walsh — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 13:30:00 PST

I can't help but chuckle over this 1954 Christmas Swim Photograph ($275) by Slim Aarons of his wife, Rita, swimming in a pool with a decorated Christmas tree and ornaments floating about. For one, it's absolutely unheard of to put a Christmas tree actually in your pool. Second, the tree is so extravagantly trimmed with lights, tree-toppers, tinsel, garland, and ornaments! I've certainly seen plenty of outdoor trees, but this one takes the tradition to a whole new level.

Do you decorate an outdoor Christmas tree? Take the poll below!

Open House: What's Your Favorite Outdoor Feature?

CasaSugar — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 05:00:20 PDT

With temperatures rising all across the country, I'm sure those of you who have pools will be mighty glad you do this August. For those of you in chillier climates, a hot tub could be a key feature of your home. Perhaps since you built a new deck in your home, it's become your favorite place to entertain. One of my favorite places to escape outdoors is to my rooftop hammock. A friend of mine barbecues and grills literally every single night of the week on her new Weber. So tell me, what's your favorite outdoor feature of your home? A pool? A lounge chair? An outdoor kitchen? Tell me by commenting below!

Found It! Pool Chaise in Shrink

CasaSugar — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 09:00:00 PDT

In the darkly funny and sweet indie drama Shrink, Kevin Spacey's Hollywood psychiatrist protagonist is going through an inner turmoil so profound even his movie star-status digs can't cheer him up. I, however, couldn't get enough of the snazzy sets. I was especially drawn to the sleek, curvaceous poolside chaise lounge Spacey passes out on in the film, but I hadn't given it a second thought until I saw it in my latest DWR catalog! Keep reading to see the drool-worthy lounger.

Love It or Hate It? Kit-Cat Pool

CasaSugar — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:00:00 PDT

Acclaimed midcentury photographer Slim Aarons shot this photograph of a feline-shaped pool inspired by the Art Deco novelty Kit-Cat Clock at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami in 1955. The retro swimming pool seems pretty evocative of the era and fitting for a place frequented by celebrities and socialites. And it's only natural that Aarons would photograph it . . . after all, he often referred to his career as "photographing attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places." What I'm wondering is: do you still think this kooky kitty pool is "an attractive place"? Or do you think it would be kitschy or dated were it still around today?

Love It or Hate It? Life in Wartime's Ball Topiary Garden

CasaSugar — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:00:00 PDT

I was looking at the photos from Life During Wartime, Todd Solondz's semisequel to Happiness and fell for this poolside patio. While I'm not so smitten with the tiling on this patio, I love how the ball-shaped topiary shrubs look against the modern white walls of this home. And, those outdoor armchairs are rad! What do you think? Is this space too modern for you? Or do you love it?

Do You Pee in the Pool?

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 03:47:42 PDT

At the movies the other night, before the feature rolled, my husband and I were treated to what felt like 30 minutes of movie previews. Among them was a trailer for Adam Sandler's new movie Grown Ups, which featured a scene of the four stars peeing in a pool. After urinating, the mythic blue pee-detecting chemical begins to bloom around the four "grown-ups" as they float. The public shaming element is kind of funny, but it's also really just gross.

Since no colorful chemical cloud will give away the fact that someone has peed in the pool, people continue to empty their bladders where they should not. In fact, one out of five Americans admits to peeing in pools. Urine can deplete the chlorine levels in pools, and the CDC reports that poor water quality led to one out of every eight public pool closures in recent months.

I believe in the stats on public pool closures, but I'm not sure that 20 percent of people pee in pools. I pose the question to you directly . . .

Purposeful Poop Art Pops Up in NYC

PetSugar — Fri, 28 May 2010 09:35:01 PDT

Just to play devil's advocate, let's say that some less responsible pet owners don't simply forget to pick up the poop, maybe they realized they don't have a bag to do it? Well, to address both the problems - and hammer the point home - is this new art installation by Jay Shells to tackle the pet peeve.

When I spotted this picture, I loved the artwork and the simple message with an instant solution as the squatting dog is pooping out a roll of poop bags that passersby can use for themselves. Cuter than the Ikea holder in my kitchen and own local park, I'm jealous I don't live in NYC to see this for myself.

Source: AnimalNY

Open House: What's Your Perfect Bedroom?

CasaSugar — Sat, 08 May 2010 05:30:00 PDT

I stumbled across this gorgeous photo and thought, "Now that is the perfect bedroom." To have a swimming pool at the foot of my bed would be an absolute dream. I would definitely become "a morning person" if I could wake up and take a dip in warm water. Not to mention, the cool color scheme of this bedroom is soothing and sleep-inducing; I want to shut my eyes right here at my desk just looking at. But to each her own. What would your perfect bedroom be? A room with a mountain view? On a cliff overlooking an ocean? Share your ideas by commenting below!

Source

Have You Started Working Out For Bikini Season?

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 03:47:39 PDT

With Summer just a few months away, many women have already cranked their workouts into high gear to attain a bikini-ready body, or at least tone up for all the tanks, shorts, and sundresses they'll be wearing. Health and fitness magazines are on it too; almost every subscription I've received in the mail this month has a four- to eight-week program on how to sculpt yourself beach-body-ready.

Now that sunnier skies are on the horizon, I want to know if you are ramping up your diet and workout regimen in time for the season . . .

Do You Pee in the Pool?

FitSugar — Sun, 24 May 2009 03:30:00 PDT

The Memorial Day weekend means pools across the country will be opening for the Summer. In light of the start of swim season, a bit of news caught my eye - in a recent survey, one in five Americans admitted to peeing in the pool. Wow! A while back a Kelly Clarkson quote prompted me to ask you all about peeing in the shower. Now I am curious about this issue, because I am incredulous about these statistics.

Source