TresSugar

Dear Poll: Do You Prefer a Serious Man or a Kid at Heart?

DearSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 17:00:00 -0700

I can appreciate a serious guy who is mature and looks at things from a rational point of view, but too much seriousness can be dull. Since I have to be able laugh, I love a guy who's a kid at heart, but not at the expense of his reliability. The ideal guy would possess a perfect combination of both traits, but if you had to choose, what would it be for you?

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The How-To Lounge: A Proper Girls' Night Out

DearSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:00:00 -0700

Every woman, even the ones that love spending time at home with their significant others, needs a night with their female friends every once and a while. But sometimes even our best intentions for making it a bonding extravaganza gets thrown by the wayside in the midst of drama. If you have a night out with your gal’s coming up, check out my tips for making it as successful and fun as possible. To see them read more.

Have a plan before the day of. Pick a few places that would be good for your group. Then send out an email and let people vote on which place they like best. It will make everything easier if there’s a specific time and place in mind.
Make sure everyone understands that men are not invited. Even if you have to spell it out for them, it’s worth it. There’s nothing like one girl inviting her boyfriend to ruin everyone’s mood.
Plan on getting ready together if you can. Rushing around with your girlfriends before leaving will help get your energy up for the night out. Plus, it’s always nice to have someone around to ask opinions on your ensemble.
Let the night be an opportunity to splurge. Make dinner a smorgasbord. Order a dessert or two. Drink one glass of wine too many. Even if it means saving up for a few weeks, giving into temptation is worth it every once and a while, especially on a night that's meant to be fun.
Remember it’s all about your attitude. If you stay positive, it’ll reflect on every one else so put on a smile with your LBD!

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Do Tell: What Activities Make You Feel Like a Kid Again?

DearSugar — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Last weekend I had the pleasure of enjoying a quintessential Summer activity: swimming in a lake. I’m not going to lie; at first I was only brave enough to dip my big toe in, but after hanging out in the sun for a while, I finally took the plunge - and it was fun! The best part about being in the water was that it reminded me of how much I loved to swim as a kid, not for the health benefits, but just because of the sheer joy of being in water. Whether it’s slurping down a popsicle or playing boardgames with your family, do tell: What activities bring out the kid in you?

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Fun Ways to Get Together With the Girls

DearSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Sometimes it seems like we spend so much time focusing on new ways to go on a date or enjoy time with our guy that we forget there's an entire world of ideas for spending time with just our girlfriends. So in support of hanging with your ladies, I've come up with some ideas to make for a memorable time. But feel free to weigh in with other ideas of your own!

Host a good old-fashioned cocktail party with a signature drink and appetizers. Spice it up by asking your friends to each bring their favorite dessert. When you're not munching on finger foods, you can indulge your sweet tooth.
Get active. Slip on your tennis shoes and hit the courts, or pick a safe trail in your town and go for a hike. If guys can have pick-up football games, why can't girls have impromptu sunset strolls?
Take turns giving dinner parties and trading recipes. It's a fun way to bond and learn something new!

To see my other ideas, just read more.

Since most of us are trying to save money or can't take a few days off work for a vacation whenever we feel like it, try saving up to splurge on a cabin or house by the beach for a weekend together. It's a great way to actually relax for a while.
Try something completely out of your element! You can take a group self-defense class or sailing lessons. Exploring something new together is a great way to bond with your girls!
Throw an in-home dance party. You don't need a DJ or a full bar, just an iPod and your favorite bottle of wine. There's nothing like getting completely silly with your friends when there's no one around to watch!

And don't forget the Sex and the City night fall-back plan when all else fails. All it takes is a couple hours of good girl talk and a few hearty laughs to create the perfect get-together with your friends!

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The How-To Lounge: Enjoying a Saturday Night Alone

DearSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:00:00 -0700

Since being alone can be scary for some people, and because even the most social person can end up spending a Saturday night alone every now and then, I’ve come up with a few ideas on how to enjoy such an evening by yourself. To embrace your solo side, just read more.

Don’t waste time trying to find someone to hang out with when you could be getting your own night started. Hours can go by waiting for a returned phone call, and I speak from experience when I say it’s not worth the wait.
Try picking out an activity that you’ve been wanting to do for a while but never had time to do or could never find someone to do it with. It could be as simple as curling up with the newest issues of your favorite magazines or as exotic as a long drive to a beautiful spot to watch the sunset. Just make sure it’s something you really want to do.
Let your body and mind have a rest by giving into the down time, and make it a complete detox night. Take a long hot bath, give yourself a pedicure, whip up something healthy, and pop in a yoga DVD.
Or try going in the completely opposite direction. Opt for your favorite junk food and eat it in front of the TV while you catch up on all your favorite shows!
And if you’re feeling particularly antsy, try doing something productive that will keep your mind off of things. Turn on your music and start organizing, or try your hand at baking.

No matter what you do, try to take advantage of your alone time instead of resenting it - you might be surprised by how good you feel the next day!

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The How-To Lounge: Having a Fling

DearSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:00:00 -0700

Regardless of what the studies may say, there are some women who enjoy a more casual sexual relationship from time to time. Though I know a casual fling isn’t for everyone, if you're a woman who's looking for some fun without the obligations of a relationship, I’ve come up with a few ideas to make a legitimate no-strings attached experience satisfying (and safe). Check them out and read more.

First and foremost, be safe. As with any sexual encounters, prevention of STIs should always be the biggest priority, with pleasure a close second. Just because a fling requires more interaction and time spent together than a one-night stand, it doesn’t mean that your rules for casual sex should go by the wayside. Keep those STI stats in mind, and wear a condom!
The plus of a fling over a one night encounter is that you can create a dialog about what you like and don't like. Just because this isn't a serious relationship doesn't mean you should refrain from discussing your physical needs.
Don’t potentially sacrifice a friendship for the sake of a convenient hook-up. Though a friend you’ve always had a flirty connection with is an obvious choice, try to avoid that kind of situation if you can. Now, friends of friends are always an option!
On that note, avoid a tricky work situation too, unless of course, he’s leaving in a few months.
Be realistic with your expectations, and do your best to keep both of you on the same page. Basically, you don’t want to be having a fling with someone who thinks he’s beginning a serious relationship with you. It only leads to stress and hurt feelings.
The less complicated things are the better. This isn’t a relationship that’s meant to be demanding or time-consuming so don't let it be. If you find yourself becoming drained by it, it's time to step back and see if there's something more going on. Take care of your emotions and his.

And remember, it's supposed to be fun!

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The How-To Lounge: Making the Most Out of Your Weekend

DearSugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0700

I think we all can agree that when you work or go to school full time during the week, the weekends become sacred. But even so, sometimes the dread of going back to work or exhaustion from the week makes it hard to take advantage of the weekends properly. I know I’ve been guilty of this once or twice before, so check out my advice for making the most out of your weekend, read more

Don't dwell on Monday! Monday is going to rear its ugly head no matter what, so you might as well enjoy the time you have before it rolls around again, and deal with Monday when it comes.
During the week, keep a running list of all the things that fly through your mind that you can’t get to because of work. It can be anything from errands to the title of a movie you’ve been wanting to see. First thing Saturday morning pull it out and start getting things done.
Make plans for Friday night, no matter how tired you are. It doesn’t matter what you do, just do something to keep yourself from getting stuck in a weekend rut.
Do one thing just for you. Go out and get your favorite espresso drink or settle into a great book for two undisturbed hours. Taking time out to rejuvenate yourself will prep you for a fun night, and help you bear the thought of a long work week ahead.
Get outside even if it's only for a bit. Fresh air works wonders, especially if you're stuck in doors the rest of the week. Take some time to enjoy nature - walk to the little park down your street or go for a long hike with your BFF.
Try beginning either Saturday or Sunday with a physical activity. If you like to work out, hit the gym in the morning. If that’s not your thing, just trying taking a walk or cleaning your room. Getting stuff done first thing helps pave the way for a productive day.

Most importantly, have fun - whatever your idea of fun may be!

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Dear Poll: Who Would You Switch Places With?

DearSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:00:00 -0800

Have you ever wanted to switch places with someone and walk in someone else's shoes? If Freaky Friday body swaps were possible in real life, I’d be the first one in line to give them a go. What could possibly be more eye-opening? The only problem is I wouldn’t know who to choose first! Boyfriend? Best friend? Mom? If you could only choose one person, who would you want to switch places with, just for a day?

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Do Tell: What Do You Do For You?

DearSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:31:22 -0800

I recently asked you what you do just for your guy, and I wasn't surprised to find out that you all do a lot of compromising to make him happy. Compromise is great, and it makes for a healthy relationship when it's reciprocated, but so does giving into your own needs and wants every once and a while. I love to save up all my favorite sappy dramas and worst reality shows throughout the week on my DVR and give myself a mini-marathon on a free Sunday afternoon but what about you? Do tell ladies, is there anything special or even mundane that's something you do just because it makes you feel good?

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People Watching: Rude or Fun?

DearSugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 08:00:00 -0700

I can't help it. Whenever I'm in a public place, be it an airport, an outdoor cafe, or park bench, I love to people watch. I'm not obvious about it (or at least I hope I'm not), but just taking a few glances at the people passing by somehow relaxes me. People are just so interesting to me because we're all so different.

I find great joy in watching old ladies walking their dogs and couples holding hands. I like to see groups of friends and how they interact, and I of course have to check out what everyone's wearing! I love seeing dads and their kids and mothers and daughters spending quality time together. Seeing people's interactions is inspirational, and it can really uplift your mood. I can relate in some way to all these strangers, and it makes me feel connected and human.

I do think you have to be cautious with who you watch and how you do it. You don't want to freak anyone out or make him or her feel self-conscious. There's a huge difference between people watching and stalking! So what do you think about people watching? Are you a fan or do you think it's a no-no?

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