PetSugar

Trade the Ikea Prints For Instagram Wall Art

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:21:34 PST

Blame it on the dozens of downloaded photo apps and high-quality cameras in smartphones for our obsessive photographing and documentation of everyday life. Since there are tons of ways to print Instagram photos, I wanted to see how the square lo-res images translate to wall-worthy prints. Using CanvasPop, I turned an Instagram print from a memorable weekend into gallery-style canvas art as seen here.

Available in two sizes: a 12-inch stretched canvas square ($30 for a limited time) and a 20-inch stretched canvas square ($60 for a limited time), each canvas comes outfitted with a sawtooth hook for easy at-home hanging. The entire CanvasPop ordering process was as simple as taking an Instagram itself. Select a canvas size, a white or black canvas edge (which is not seen from a head-on view of the print), then the image itself by signing into your Instgram account on the site. If a retro border is what you want, be sure to select a photo from your Instagram library created with a filter that has a built-in border like Lomo-fi or Earlybird.

My 12-inch print was ordered during the hectic holiday season, but even with national holidays accounted for, it only took about two weeks for the finished canvas print to arrive nestled in a very secure cardboard box. I'm eager to make a few more prints for a pretty wall vignette while the introductory price deal is still on, since it's hard to rationalize $80 per print, despite the expert craftsmanship. The photo and filter colors on the canvas were nearly spot-on to the original image, just slightly more saturated, which actually seems appropriate considering I usually only see Instagrams in their tiny phone-sized resolution.

Whether it's a college dorm room or your first "grown-up" apartment, the CanvasPop Instagram print is a high-quality and affordable way to decorate with favorite memories.

The Diana+ For Digital: First Impressions and Sample Pics!

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:49:40 PST

Photojojo was kind enough to send me the plastic Diana+ lens and digital adapter ($60) last week, allowing me to ditch the film while still getting that lo-fi feel to my images. Coming with three distance settings (1-2m, 2-4m, and Infinity), the Diana+ lens is a fun addition to your digital lens arsenal. Good news, plastic camera fans: if you already have a Diana+ lens, you can get the adapter for just $15.

Snapping on the lens is a breeze - just attach the adapter to your Canon or Nikon DSLR, then twist the lens on to the adapter and away you go. I found that the Diana+ works best when shooting in natural light outside, as opposed to indoors, and capturing pops of color. If you do grab this lens for your digital, don't bother trying to get close-up and macro images; that's not what this lens is for. It definitely creates a dreamy ambiance for your pics, so strap it on next time you're at the park with your friends, watching a parade, or taking a walk around town.

Want to see a few unretouched sample images? Click through the gallery!

One Day With the Samsung Focus S

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:15:37 PST

You may have noticed how excited we've been about the Windows Phone operating system around these parts, so of course, I jumped at the chance to review the Samsung Focus S ($200) on AT&T. This lean and mean phone comes with a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus touch screen and is only 8.5 mm at its thinnest point. But take away all the impressive specs and the cool features that come packed in Windows Phone Mango, and it's simply an enjoyable device that can become quite the addiction.

I spent one day with the Samsung Focus S, using it instead of my iPhone 4S during a typical workday. Check out my first impressions (and stay tuned for a full review) in the slideshow!

iLuv Sweet Cotton Headphones: Surprisingly Big Sound For Such a Small Package

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 06:30:29 PST

iLuv never fails to provide cute and crave-worthy accessories for your mobile devices, but I never really thought of them as a supplier for audio products. Until now, that is. I checked out the iLuv booth at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week and caught sight of these small Sweet Cotton ($40) headphones, which have a hint of '80s style in sweet candy-colored hues. I wasn't expecting much from what seemed to be a thin pair of ear covers, but when I heard the warm and deep bass sounds they produced, I was hooked.

Even better, the sounds of the noisy CES crowd behind me were nearly drowned out, another feature I wasn't expecting. I guess you could say that you shouldn't judge a headphone by its size?

I'm hoping to get my hands on these for a further review, but until then, check out the array of Sweet Cotton colors available now from iLuv in the gallery!

Chrome Niko: Serious Bag For Serious Business

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:30:05 PST

The holidays are a perfect time to get cozy with your camera. The lights, the food, the weather, all of it makes for an awesome shot at a moment's notice. And if you need a bag that's going to stand the test of time, there's none better than the Chrome Niko Camera Bag ($95) to do the job. Chrome was kind enough to send me this bag to test out, and so far, I don't want to give it up. At first glance the Niko may not seem so "female-friendly," but on the contrary, it has no problem fitting smaller frames, and best of all, it's not too bulky.

Made of tough military grade nylon, this bag can take a beating and come out the other side looking shiny and new. Cyclists and bikers will love the Niko since it's lightweight and compact, but offers amazing protection for your gear thanks to its padded interior and water-resistant zippers. The signature Chrome seat-belt chest strap offers a satisfying click when closed (which also doubles as a bottle opener for those beer-fueled hikes), and the waist straps help it stay snugly in place. I have worried that someone (or something) will accidentally hit the center closure and send my gear falling to the ground, which is a scary thought if you're toting an expensive camera. I will say that ladies with a larger chest may not find this bag desirable. The padded chest strap is wide, so it could cause an unpleasant and uncomfortable "separation of the girls" if you know what I mean.

See who I think the Niko is perfect for, and the one thing I wished it came with after the break.

Keep Your iPhone 4/4S Slim With the Moshi iGlaze Case

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 05:01:50 PDT

Some people just feel better with protection. iPhone protection, that is. I've been using the Moshi iGlaze case ($25) on my iPhone 4S for the past few days now, and I have to say - it's been a very pleasant experience. Not only does the iGlaze keep my phone from getting scratched up in the back (thanks in part to a buffer film that you attach before slapping on the case), but it also keeps my iPhone 4S looking slim and trim. The sides of the case don't protrude out, and after a while you'll barely know you've got a case on your device. What's more, there's a nice matte finish on the back of the cases of color, while the clear version virtually disappears altogether.

The Moshi iGlaze comes in the five colors you see here (along with a clear version), but you can get a closer look in the gallery!

Post Your Geek Gear Reviews in Our Community Group!

GeekSugar — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 01:21:18 PDT

We all get excited when we get a new tech toy, so don't keep your opinions to yourself - post your thoughts about the new products in your life to our Geek Gear Reviews group! Tell us if your new iPhone case is crappy, if your shiny new laptop is totally worth the price, or if that new video game you bought (and spent hours playing) is really worth our time. What you review is totally up to you!

What do you have to do to get started? First, you'll want to log in with your PopSugar Network account (or create one if you aren't a member yet). Then join the Geek Gear Review group, and get to blogging! Bonus - your review may end up being featured on GeekSugar! If you need some additional tips, here's a detailed guide on how to post to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community. Happy reviewing!

OnSugar Blog: Huggies Slip-On Diapers Review

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:15:12 PDT

Lots of moms like to think out loud and CelebBabyFashion is one of them. She put Huggies newest diapers to the test. Here's an except from her review.

My baby girl Katie is always on the move. At 22-months-old, she's hard to catch to change a diaper these days. While she's getting close to the potty training age, Katie refuses to use the potty. Alas, we love the new Huggies Slip-On Diapers for this very reason.

After we were done going through an entire pack of the Huggies Slip-Ons, I can tell you that they're pretty neat! It's so much easier now to diaper my little squirmer. Plus I absolutely love the fact that I can easily open the diaper at the sides if I need to.

Want to see more? Start following Celebrity Babies or start your own OnSugar blog. It's easy, it's free and we just may feature your content on our site.

Catch Up on All of Our NYFW Runway Reviews

FabSugar — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 04:00:27 PDT

From Alexander Wang to Zac Posen, we've watched and reviewed each amazing New York Fashion Week runway show, and now we've rounded them up in one place for you to enjoy! Click below to read the review and see each designer's Spring 2012 collection.

Prabal Gurung	Ralph Lauren	Pamela Love
Rebecca Taylor	BCBG Max Azria	Mara Hoffman
Monique Lhuillier	Diane von Furstenburg	Marc by Marc Jacobs
DKNY	Rachel Roy	Tommy Hilfiger
Derek Lam	L.A.M.B.	Donna Karan
Rachel Zoe	Alice + Olivia	Gap
J.Crew	Tory Burch	Marchesa
Hervé Léger	Theyskens' Theory	Calvin Klein
3.1 Phillip Lim	Michael Kors	Marc Jacobs
Proenza Schouler	Anna Sui	Reed Krakoff
J.Mendel	Narciso Rodriguez	Tibi
Rodarte	Oscar de la Renta	Karen Walker
Diesel Black Gold	Vera Wang	Betsey Johnson
Carolina Herrera	Rebecca Minkoff	Thakoon
Jenny Packham	Christian Siriano	Zac Posen
Cut25	Yigal Azrouel	Tracy Reese
Victoria Beckham	Lela Rose	Erin by Erin Fetherston
Altuzarra	Helmut Lang	Alexander Wang
ADAM	Suno	Lacoste
Jill Stuart	Cynthia Rowley	Rag & Bone
Jill Stuart	Peter Som	Richard Chai Love
Nicholas K	Jenni Kayne	Rachel Comey
Lulu Frost	Vena Cava	Steven Alan

Mountain Buggy Duet Double Stroller Proves Good Things Come in Small Packages

Rebecca M Gruber — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 11:31:19 PDT

Double stroller pushers are often faced with a dilemma: sacrifice comfort for the convenience of a compact stroller, or choose a wide side-by-side carriage that is often unwieldy and hard to manage in crowds. The newest crop of double strollers is out to solve that dilemma with side-by-side pushchairs that mimic the size and maneuverability of classic single strollers. The latest to enter the market is Mountain Buggy's Duet ($600). The company sent us one of the first strollers off the assembly line for testing purposes. See how it measures up.

Who is this product designed for? As the narrowest side-by-side double stroller on the market, the Duet is perfect for parents of twins, or tots close in age, who use their stroller around town, not just for walks through the neighborhood.

Is it practical? The Duet gives double stroller-pushing parents more flexibility than ever before. It easily fits through the standard 32-inch door frame and maneuvers as smoothly as lightweight stroller down both nicely paved paths and torn up city streets. Able to accommodate two car seats (one seated slightly higher than the other) and two bassinets, the pushchair can be used from birth on up. The fully-reclining seats provide lil ones with plenty of space to stretch out and rest while the seats' independent canopies feature "flick-out sun visors" that provide extra protection once tots lay down. An adjustable handlebar provides both taller and shorter-than-average parents comfortable pushing positions.

Keep reading to see what sets the Duet apart from other double strollers and where it could use some improvements.