POPSUGAR Australia Beauty (BellaSugar)

Quick Geek Tip: Adjust Your Mac's Volume

POPSUGAR Tech — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 07:45:32 EST

A friend just shared an awesome keyboard shortcut that allows you to adjust the volume on your Mac, making the sound level precisely as you like it. Hitting the volume control buttons on the keyboard gives you 16 levels of volume, from completely silent to impossible-to-listen-with-headphones loud. But for even more control, hold down the option + shift keys while you press the volume buttons. This turns each of the 16 volume levels into four more levels, for a total of 64 different levels of volume and maximum control over your Mac's sound.

Learn more after the jump.

Volume Control Adapter: Love It or Leave It?

POPSUGAR Tech — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:30:51 EST

I'm all for gadgets that facilitate lifestyle improvements, but I'm not so sure this one falls into the category of "worth it." The SRS Labs MyVolume adapter is a small device that plugs into your cable box meant to regulate your TV's volume. The premise is fairly simple, but the technology is advanced; basically everything on your TV - from prime-time programs to commercials - will be leveled out to the same volume.

At first read, this sounds like a great device to deal with loud commercials but . . . isn't that what a remote control is for? In my opinion, the mute or volume buttons work just fine for volume control - this little device will run you $99! There's still no word on when a new bill regulating commercial volume will be put into effect, but I'd sooner hit "mute" than shell out more cash. What do you think? Is it worth it?

Good News: Watching Live TV Will Soon Get a Little Quieter

POPSUGAR Tech — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:44:30 EST

I'm addicted to skipping through commercials via TiVo, but when I do watch live television, my eardrums get a major blast whenever ads come on. At first I thought it was just me, then I noticed the lack of volume control while at a friend's house watching a Sex and the City marathon. What gives?

Apparently advertisers think that screaming at us about their products will make us want to buy, buy, buy. But all it ever really makes me want to do is mute, mute, mute. Thankfully, us apartment dwellers who can't handle a lot of neighbor TV noise at one in the morning have the government on our side - a new bill is making its way through congress that requires broadcasters and operators to normalize the volume of commercials on TV.

I guess doctors have known for years that excessive TV volume can damage your hearing, so soon, your ears will be saved from early retirement due to insane TV volume. What about you - do you notice the change in volume when commercials come on?

Fab Celebrates Spring With Saks: Win This Flippy Twenty8Twelve Skirt!

POPSUGAR Fashion — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:22 EST

It pains me to giveaway this Twenty8Twelve Faust Ruffle Skirt ($250) because it's so darn cute. Seriously - I could put together a week's worth of outfits with this little charmer in three minutes. Just dare me. It's the perfect amount of volume and the gathered elastic detail is precious. If you want to turn up the volume this Spring, try it via a skirt - Saks has many more unique options.

To enter to win, log in to take our quiz. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just on taking the quiz once you are logged in. You need to be a TeamSugar member to take the quiz; if you're not already a member, register here for an account and join in all the fun on the Sugar sites! Just click on "take the quiz" below and we will do a random drawing to determine the winner. US residents eligible only (sorry!). Click here for the official rules.

Take the Quiz

Protect Your Ears: iPod Safety

POPSUGAR Fitness — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 07:00:00 EST

Who doesn't crank up the tunes occasionally for a rocking cardio session or to block annoying conversations on a morning commute? Unfortunately, dialing up the volume of your iPod can adversely affect your hearing.

We all know that prolonged listening to loud music can lead to hearing loss. Hearing experts say the maximum safe level for listening with ear buds or headphones is 85 decibels, but most people push the volume past competing ambient noise, which for NYC and DC is 80 decibels. This five-decibel window doesn't allow for much play when it comes to hearing your tunes. The European Union recommends a 100-decibel limit to MP3 players sold within its jurisdiction, with the purpose of decreasing associated hearing loss. But the US has no volume cap for music players, and recent tests found that many MP3 players crank all the way to 115 and 125 decibels. Hearing specialists recommend not only decreasing the volume but also the amount of time we all listen to our mighty iPods. Listening to one at maximum volume for only five minutes can begin deteriorating the delicate hair cells that line the inner ear, which decode sound waves into signals the brain interprets as sound.

I just set the volume lock on my iPod to about 80 percent of maximum volume, and I urge you to do the same with your MP3 player, whatever the brand. Easy listening might just mean hearing forever.

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Elizabeth and James Parachute Dress: Love It or Hate It?

POPSUGAR Fashion — Fri, 30 May 2008 02:00:22 EST

This electric orange Elizabeth and James Parachute Dress ($375) is bright and perfect for a lazy stroll on the beach. However, I'm not too sure about the puffiness and bubble hem. Do you think this dress is hot, or not?

Take all of my Love It or Hate It Polls here! To post your selections go to the Love It or Hate It? group. And if you want to learn how to do a blog post click here.

Trend Alert: Puff Party

POPSUGAR Fashion — Mon, 05 May 2008 19:00:08 EST

Join the puff party! Not to be confused with the '80s bubble hem, the puff is all about creating contrasting volume. This is an ideal party look. To avoid looking like a puff pastry, make sure the puff starts high on the hip and the top is fitted and structured. See Miu Miu's delectable short and puffy concoction (left) - love!

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The Look For Less: Maria Sharapova's Black Tulip Skirt

POPSUGAR Fashion — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 07:00:22 EST

Tennis star Maria Sharapova appeared on the Late Show With David Letterman looking quite the style maven in her black-and-white ensemble and to-die-for YSL sandals. I don't normally look to sports figures for inspiration, but I have to give credit where credit is due . . . and Maria's black tulip skirt spurred a hunt to find something equally sexy but not equally pricey.

To see the look for less,

I haven't seen a more adorable tulip skirt than this Naomi Black Belted Skirt ($47) in a long while. It's a bit longer than Maria's, but that's probably a good idea considering many of us don't have her legs for days. And, I love that it has pockets!

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Do You Worry About Your Cell Phone's Volume?

POPSUGAR Tech — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:00:13 EST

Health problems and hearing loss from cellphone and iPod use have been heavily debated ever since portable devices became a part of our everyday lives. The thing is, studies showing a correlation between use and hearing loss go back and forth. Sometimes they tell us cell phones cause hearing loss, other times they tell us use right before bed is bad, but otherwise we are OK and occasionally they tell us not to worry.

Scientists have noted that cellphone users who were on the phone for 60 or more minutes per day over a yearlong period showed early signs of hearing loss. According to this month's Shape magazine experts believe the problem comes from cellular receivers, which are louder than regular phone handsets. Do you worry about and pay attention to your cell phone's volume?

Paris Fashion Week, Fall 2008: Giambattista Valli

POPSUGAR Fashion — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 06:11:11 EST

The river runneth red at Giambattista Valli. Blood red. Billowing red evening gowns, protruding red crepe necklines, toweringly high red heels, and even a red fox fur cocoon coat were all flowing. When it wasn't red, it was white, or black, or ivory - with lots of protuberances. Tufts of fox fur hang from the back of an otherwise simple ivory sheath. Architectural ruffles, poufs, and anemone-like brooches embellish other notable pieces.

The collection as a whole was a play on volume; and when I say volume, I mean Giambattista really turned up the dial. There was nary a piece in sight without the addition of something bigger . . . but better? Well, I'll leave that verdict up to you.

To see more Giambattista Valli,

View 14 Photos ›

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