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Be of Good Cheer: Cocktails for a Fab Festive Season

Getting your guests (or your self) in a festive mood is easy with a signature cocktail. 

To get your entertaining game on point, we turned to Gn Chan, an award-winning bartender who slings drinks at Angel’s Share in Manhattan. He created four custom cocktails that any home bartender (of any mixology skill level) can make, just for Fab. Meet the man himself below, get a sneak peek at the drinks in store and snag the recipe for the first: it’s the easiest and most delicious thing you’ll make all season.

What’s your background?  When did you start bartending?

I was born and raised in Taiwan. I’ve been a bartender for four years, although I trained as a designer—and a street magician. The nice thing about bartending is that it’s the perfect blend of both of those things. Coming up with drinks covers the creative design aspect, and bartending covers the performance part.

Why did you move to the US?

I came to New York because a bartender friend in Hong Kong told me it was the most challenging place to make a cocktail.

What are the best things about your job?

I like to perform. When you’re bartending, it’s like you’re on a stage, and people are watching you have fun. You can talk to people and learn their stories.

The best part is seeing people’s faces when they take that first sip of the drink you made them—whether or not they like it!

What is your process for creating new cocktails or coming up with drink ideas?

Sometimes I create a drink backwards. I imagine what it would look like, and then think about ingredients, and finally about how it might taste. I also like to deconstruct classic cocktails and build new things from their parts.

For the cocktails I created for Fab, I thought about how people like to drink in the wintertime: toasting with champagne, sitting by the stove or a fireplace sipping at something warm and buttery, with snow falling outside… I thought about vibrant colors and warmer tastes.

What’s your ideal cold-weather cocktail?

A twist on hot buttered rum and Bulletproof coffee—something hot & rich.

Do you have a favorite drink?

My favorite type of drink starts sweet and ends bitter. The first drink I ever liked is called a Spumoni. It’s a classic drink made with Campari, grapefruit juice and tonic. Very simple, and really popular across Southeast Asia.

What’s your favorite drink to make?

I like it when people quiz me about what they like. Customizing drinks for people is really fun! “Can you make me something happy?” If they don’t like it, I make something else until we get it right together.

What qualities do you think a successful bartender should have?

A truly successful bartender should be able to make people laugh before they leave the bar!

Any advice for someone looking to build up their home bar?

My advice to an aspiring home bartender is to just mess around. Mix whatever you think you’ll like, start from there. A good home bar needs a few essentials: A shaker, a bar spoon and glassware you like. And ice. Good ice!

Which of your original drinks are you most proud of?

It’s called the Tainan: kombu-infused gin, tomato water, green tomato jam, a touch of lemon juice and plum wine, with dried plum powder from Taiwan on the rim of the glass. It’s named for my hometown, because all the ingredients come from there: we always eat tomatoes with dried plums, and kombu is an essential ingredient in our food. The drink has lots of umami, it’s sweet and sour and a little savoury—very complex, with lots of layers.

Raspberry Bubbles

Something sparkling is always festive—this delicious drink plays with holiday reds and greens without looking too cheesy. Almost as easy as simply pouring champagne, it’s guaranteed to bring a sense of infectious good cheer to any party.

Makes one drink, but is easily multiplied

1 small scoop raspberry sorbet

1 small mint sprig (for garnish and fragrance)

10 ml creme de cassis

Sparkling wine

Place sorbet scoop in the bottom of your glass.

Gently stick your mint sprig into the top of the scoop—it’s both a garnish and a fragrance.

Pour in the cassis.

Top up with as much sparkling wine as you want.

Serve with a spoon to scoop up the sorbet or stir it in. Your choice. Stay fancy!

Next week: a mouthwateringly festive Holiday Mule. 

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Fab Book Club: Freak Out

Time for another installment of the Fab Book Club, a roundup of what we’ve been reading here at Fab HQ—and what we want everyone we know to read next. Here are some books to FREAK YOU OUT as October draws to a close and Halloween approaches. 

Night Film by Marisha Pessl “Night Film follows a slightly unstable journalist as he investigates the murder of the daughter of a cult horror movie legend. As a person who doesn't cope well with horror, I appreciated Night Film's balance between being scary and fascinating, without being overly disturbing. It's dark, at times surreal, and beautifully imagined, but you won't lose sleep over it (not much, anyways...).” – Adrienne, Director of Marketing 

The Stand by Stephen King “This one's a tome, but completely worth your time. I started this book right at the start of the Ebola scare last summer, so that coupled with reading a book about a virus that kills 99.9% of the world's population definitely qualifies as a book that meets the 'freak you out' requirement.” – L.B, Customer Support Specialist

Annihilation (The Southern Reach Trilogy) by Jeff VanderMeer “Multilayered, magnificent and so very haunting, this is the first book in Jeff Vandermeer's Southern Reach Trilogy—and you should read them all. Broadly, they're about a swathe of land, Area X, that has become mysteriously inaccessible to humans. Annihilation follow an expedition that tries to breach the boundaries of Area X, with catastrophic results. Totally unforgettable.” – Bettina, Director of Merchandising

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley “Brave New World, written by Aldous Huxley, is set in London in the year 2540. This novel about a dystopian society dealing with a world dictatorship, abolition of natural reproduction, psychological manipulation, and classical conditioning is downright scary but thrilling. It's a classic that's fun to read for the first time and again and again.” – Shanti, Jewelry Buyer

Frankenstein: Or, the Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley “A true Halloween classic,Frankenstein shows the ~deadly~ consequences of bringing the dead back to life. The story is both haunting and captivating. It really gets you thinking who the real villain is – the murderous yet remorseful monster or the scientist, his cruel creator?” – Jennifer, Marketing Manager

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson “Jackson is best known for her short story, The Lottery, which is taught in high schools everywhere—but her other work is even more hilarious and foreboding. In We Have Always Lived in the Castle, we follow the precocious Merricat Blackwood, who lives on the family estate with her sister Constance and her uncle Julian. There were once seven Blackwoods—until a fatal dose of arsenic found its way into the sugar bowl one terrible night. So creepy, so haunting, so funny and so good.” – Rawaan, Head Writer

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Hey Boo: A Fab Scavenger Hunt

UH OH, FAB IS HAUNTED! ONLY A SCAVENGER HUNT WILL SAVE US, AND YOU $250.

Hey boo. Congratulations— you're one step closer to winning a $250 shopping spree on Fab. But first, we dare you to complete this uber spooky scavenger hunt, and help save us from all the ghosts haunting Fab today.

Here's how this ghoulish game works:

There are seven clues to find, each marked by our ghostly friend here. The last clue has an extra evil word scramble to decode. 

First person to solve this super secret puzzle will win $250! Just send the unscrambled secret code to heyboo@fab.com. 

Even if you aren’t quick enough to solve the clues first, you’ll still be entered into a raffle to win a gift card worth anywhere from $10 to $25.

Beware! A few tips before you start:

So where are these creepy clues? Find your first clue in a book of faces (HINT HINT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE at 10AM EST), but then use Fab.com to search for clues hidden in products throughout the site.

Products containing hidden clues are haunted by our little ghost in their images. Scroll over these products or browse the product images to find your next clue!

Some clues can be especially tricky, and may require some extra hunting around on our Facebook, Instagram, or even this very blog (NOT A HINT (DEFINITELY A HINT)).  

Well, best of luck on this spine-chilling hunt. Hopefully, your screams on this Hallows Eve will be screams of joy when you win this Fab shopping spree!

Any questions? Reach out to us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Ready, Set, Go!

Terms and Conditions: 

Enter by completing scavenger hunt and submitting the final clue via email through which you may be contacted. No purchase is necessary to enter, but all entries must be received by 12:00 am, E.S.T., October 30, 2015. Sweepstakes is open to U.S. residents only. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Only one entry per person. Duplicates will be discarded. The winner of the $250 prize will be determined by who completes the challenge and emails the correct answer first. The winners of the $10 to $25 will be chosen on October 30, 2015, at random from all entries received. Odds of winning will depend on the number of entries received. The winner will be contacted via email. If the winner fails to claim the prize within 72 hours, the prize will be deemed abandoned and Fab.com will select another winner. The prize or any portion thereof may not be exchanged for cash. The prize is non-transferable. If anyone other than the winner attempts to redeem the prize, Fab.com has the right to void the prize without any liability. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You are providing your information to Fab.com and not to Facebook. By participating in this promotion you agree to a complete release of Facebook from any claims.

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5 Genius Ways to Work a Scarf

When in doubt, add a scarf. 

1. La Parisienne

Fold a square scarf into a triangle and tie behind your neck; bring the knot forward for a totally French, effortlessly chic look.��

2. Ride ‘Em Cowboy

Update the bandana with a futuristic print—it’ll freshen up any look, and keep you warm to boot. 

3. Tie the Knot

Wear a long wool scarf like a tie—knot at the neck and let it dangle free.

4. Don’t Be A Square

Don’t let your silk scarves languish. Fold in half and knot at the corners—now you have a tote bag. 

5. Silken Tresses

Tightly roll a silk scarf along the diagonal, then braid into your hair for a luxe weekend look. 

Shop scarves on Fab >

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How to Tie A Bowtie

Essential life skills.

Whether you’re going to yet another wedding or you just refuse to go out for brunch unless you’re feeling fancy, this is the guide you need to keep your look dapper. 

1. First, make sure one end is longer than the other by a few inches. Keep the longer end of the tie on your right.  2. Cross the longer end of the bowtie across the shorter end.  3. Pass the longer end under the shorter end; then bring it out from the center. 

4. Horizontally fold the shorter end over the longer end. 5. Bring the longer end of the bow tie over the shorter end.  6. Fold the longer end horizontally, as with the short end in step 4. Pull the longer end through the loop behind the shorter end, and tighten up the knot by pulling both ends. 

Shop bow ties and other formal accessories on Fab >

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How to Mix the Perfect Drink

Up your mixology IQ with this genius gadget. 

When my husband Jay and I met we barely knew the difference between a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned. But after 6 years of living in NYC and exploring the excellent cocktail joints at our disposal, we’ve developed a pretty good understanding and palette for the wonderful world of cocktails. Along the way, Jay has embraced cocktail making as a serious hobby. And while Jay is the cocktail crafter, I’ve settled in as household taster. Our post-dinner evenings at home go something like this:

Jay: Any cocktail requests tonight? Amy: Just make me something good!

Each night as Jay labors in the kitchen, thinking up new ways to make an Old Fashioned with just the right amount of Nocino, or a Martini variation with China China and grapefruit bitters, I’m in the living room lounging supine, awaiting the bartender’s latest creation. The few times I’ve endeavored to make a cocktail myself I’ve relied heavily on Jay’s input for ingredient suggestions and measurements.

When Fab offered to hook me up as a tester for the Perfect Drink, I thought it could be just the thing to help me whip up a few masterpieces on my own. Perfect Drink is a scale that calibrates to any Apple or Android app-enabled device (both smartphones and tablets). It comes with a cocktail shaker and a rest for your device, although you can move about with your device thanks to the wireless Bluetooth connectivity of the PRO version. The app has a number of functions: it syncs with the provided scale to accurately measure your drink ingredients, hosts more than 300 recipes, contains a recipe editor so that you can create your own drinks or modify existing ones, and it allows you to catalog everything in your booze cabinet. You can also pay a little extra for the Perfect Bake PRO app and have the ultimate 2-in-1 scale. Perfect cocktails and perfect cookies? Yes, please. 

To get started, I downloaded the free app and synced the scale to my iPad. Then I decided to catalog our booze. Did I mention we have a lot of booze? We’ve been collecting bottles for a few years. We also have quite a large bitters collection and a freezer full of ice cubes and chilled glasses (and little else). We could probably open a little speakeasy in our apartment for all the liquor and accoutrements we have.

Once the app knew what I had on hand, I was able to scroll through the list of recipes that I could make. I chose the Blackthorne, a boozy Manhattan variation with absinthe, Irish whiskey, Angostura bitters, and sweet vermouth.

The app walked me through the process step-by-step. I rinsed the cocktail shaker with absinthe, then started pouring the whiskey. A delightful little beep told me when I reached the 2 oz mark. Next up was the sweet vermouth. As I poured, an animation coached me to the 1 oz mark ending with that sweet beep indicating I’d hit my mark. A few dashes of Angostura bitters were next, plus some ice.

Then it was time to stir. The app counted down from 40 seconds so I’d have a perfectly cold drink. I strained the ice, poured into a coupe glass, and garnished with a lemon peel. Voila!

Here is Jay tasting the creation. His critique: “This is actually a really good drink!”

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy and satisfying it was to use Perfect Drink. I could totally whip up some awesome drinks on my own with this tool. I liked knowing that I didn’t have to deal with measuring precise jigger amounts. I I can toss some stuff in and the scale will recalibrate. I also liked how interactive and fun it was to use. All in all, a great experience!

—Amy DeCicco

Shop the Perfect Drink & other smart home tech on Fab >

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5 Things To Do While You Wait For Your Face Mask To Dry

We’re big on natural beauty products here at Fab—and not so big on boredom. Waiting on a beauty treatment to do its magic work and turn your skin full-unicorn can grow taxing, we know. But you can use the twenty or so minutes it will take for your all-natural, skin-glorifying face mask to dry to disconnect, unwind, and declutter your mind. Here are some suggestions for things to do while you wait for your skin to get its glow on. 

1. Light a candle 

Do some deep, meaningful meditating on the most important relationships in your life—you and your bestie, you and your parents, you and pizza…

2. Write a letter to a friend 

Bonus: illustrate it with a drawing of yourself in a face mask for a piece of unforgettable correspondence.

3. Have your cake

Image Make, eat and delight over “the most dangerous cake in the world”: ready in two minutes, this microwave chocolate mug cake will change your cake game forever.

4. Nail it

Get on board the beauty train and go all the way: add a hair treatment into the mix, and decal your nails with these on-point Monica Hues cuties. 

5. Build your own tiny universe

By the time you’ve assembled (and misted!) this too-adorable terrarium you’ll be ready to wash off your mask and greet the world all dewy-faced.

Shop Beauty.

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Stack It Up: Layer Your Jewelry Like A Pro

Leave it to Shanti, our jewelry buyer, to come up with stacking secrets that will take your jewelry game to the next level. Here are her rules for the perfect stack.

Stacking Secrets: Rings

The main rule for stacking and layering any jewelry is balance!

Multiply your simple dainty bands for a modern look

Don't be afraid to mix and match metals. Rose gold and yellow gold together add some contrast and drama

Let a statement ring stand on its own or wear with a midi ring on the middle finger. Keep the remaining fingers simple with a delicate band or two

Balance the look on your other hand by wearing stacks on your index and ring fingers

Stacking Secrets: Earrings

Keep larger or more elaborate earrings at the bottom; pair with simpler earrings for balance and proportion

If you opt for a dramatic piece in one ear, be sure to balance the other ear with smaller or simpler studs

Consider leaving one ear bare: sweep your hair to the opposite side of the ear with hardware to balance out the look

Stacking Secrets: Necklaces

Go for a graduated effect: wear delicate shorter necklaces with slightly chunkier, longer necklaces

Larger-than-life necklaces pair well with dainty chains

Personalize your collection with a letter or zodiac pendant

Colored gemstones make a layered look pop 

Lengthen a necklace with an extender, available at any jewelry store—we added a few inches to a Julia Szendrei piece here for the perfect dangle

Shop stacking jewelry on Fab > 

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Free Download: Cover Your Bases With Our Kitchen Essentials Checklist

Kitchen cupboards bare? Need a little help figuring out what a great working kitchen actually needs (hello, skillet) and what you could probably get away without? (The egg slicer. Seriously). There’s hope—and guidance—in our handy downloadable checklist of the tools every kitchen needs. Adorable life hack, right this way. 

How To Download:

Click here. The image will open up in this tab or a new tab in your browser. Drag the image to your computer desktop (or right click and save image). Print out and check off. Voila!

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Set The Mood With A Fab Fall Playlist + MiPow’s Playbulb

This lightbulb basically has magical powers. 

Because, of course, it’s no mere lightbulb—it’s also a wireless speaker and a mood-enhancing, room-color-changing all-in-one extravaganza. Connect your phone to the bulb and control the color, lighting and good vibes of the room. Talk about mood music! 

We’ve curated a playlist of our favorite fall tunes so you can get your sweater weather on—sync it up to the app and prepare for the ultimate in cozy feelings. 

We recommend an autumnal palette of Playbulb colors to complement our fine musical selection—think pumpkin, foliage, pomegranate, firewood, hot cocoa and warm cider—and you have over 16.7 million colors to play with on the app, so you can get it just right. 

Shop Playbulb on Fab >

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I Wore a Smart Ring for Three Weeks. Here’s What Happened.

I’m your prototypical millennial – late twenties, hyper-connected, avid multi-tasker. So when I was approached to test drive a new smart ring called Ringly, my first reaction was anxiety. Do I really need another device in my life? 

But intrepid technology enthusiast that I am, I couldn’t say no to the latest in wearables… so I was in.

The Unboxing

The experience of receiving and opening the product was a lot of fun. The wrapping is beautiful, but I think the ring box itself is the highlight. Its clever magnetic design snaps the ring neatly in place to charge or lightly nudges it out of the box if it’s not correctly aligned.

The Technology

Connecting the ring to the app was easier than expected (given my long and frustrating history with Bluetooth technology). Since it was already charged, all I had to do was hit connect and then confirm that “yes” I wanted to connect the device with my phone… and it was done.

Setting up notifications was fun too, and the part that would wind up being most important over the next few weeks. With a few simple swipes, you can select which type of notifications you want to use and how you’ll be notified. The notifications are a series of buzzes and lights, so for example, a phone call is most important to me so I get four buzzes and a red light. Facebook notifications are a dime a dozen, so they get no buzzes and a blue light.

Here are a few of my favorite notifications:

Calendar: I am chronically late to meetings. Having a notification for this allowed me to engage in meetings instead of constantly checking my calendar.

Text: I miss texts all the time. I don’t know how it happens, but setting this one up with 3 buzzes helped me to not miss as many important messages.

Uber: Don’t forget to set up your Uber notification! This one is clutch.

*Pro tip: Set up personalized notifications for your favorite people. For example, when my husband sent me texts, I would get the usual series of buzzes and lights plus an additional blue light to signal that it was from him.

The Ring

Given that most wearable tech on the market right now is uninspiring at best and ugly at worst, I was pleasantly surprised to see a connected ring with a serious sense of style. Getting to wear this beauty for a few weeks was fine with me.

I got compliments from strangers and questions from the friends who know me well. I’m a bit of a minimalist and although the ring is lovely, it’s larger than my typically go-to accessory would be.

So, How Was It?

In order to get the full experience, I took Ringly with me everywhere – to work, on a vacation to Portland, to brunch, to concerts… And it was great!

It turns out my anxiety about adding an extra device was unfounded. Ringly let me to put my phone away and engage with the world around me without obsessing about missing a call, text or social notification. 

The buzzes became second nature and never felt intrusive, so I learned to only react if something I really cared about was incoming. I adjusted my notifications a few times as I learned how Ringly best fit into my lifestyle and ultimately wound up with a personalized system that helped me put down my phone and go about my life.

–Adrienne Rhodes

Shop Ringly on Fab >

Image credits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 

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Make Your Work Bag Worth It With Angela & Roi

Fab Exclusive Morning Crossbody in Blue; supports the Colon Cancer Alliance

Lovers and business partners Angela & Roi believe that fashion can do good—and they founded their NYC-based brand to prove it. Using vegan leather, killer style instincts and a solid foundation of philanthropy, they're changing the world one bag at a time. Each handbag color is linked to a different charitable cause; 5% from the proceeds of each sale go toward improving lives. 

Angela talked to us about the brand’s beginnings, and where things are headed for this bastion of affordable luxury—along with some great tips for enjoying fall in NYC. 

What’s the story behind Angela & Roi? How did you come up with the idea to “Donate By Color”? 

Roi has always been a businessman, he found me and saw a future in the fashion industry with me. He saw my love for fashion, and as he loves me, he found a way to intertwine our passions. Growing up, my mother molded my interest in fashion, she bought me the best quality and most beautifully crafted handbags, and styled my outfits with impeccable taste; she showed me a whole new world. 

As I grew older and lived independently of my parents, I learned the truth behind fashion. It was too expensive for me as a college student to buy the high quality handbags I grew up with; I could no longer afford them. I realized then that no one was selling quality bags with classic design for an affordable price. Why can’t luxury be affordable? 

But we didn’t want to be just another handbag brand. When we attended a fashion show that supported AIDS with the red ribbon, we were inspired and applied the concept to Angela & Roi. We believed that we could create a sustainable model where fashion consumerism meets philanthropy. 

Roi’s father had diabetes and faced a serious cerebral hemorrhage when Roi was 10; he realized that the most significant factor in any individual's life is health—so we decided to focus on health issues. There are so many people in the world who struggle with health problems and don’t get enough support. The Angela & Roi brand launched with our “Donate by Color” Mission in February 2013. 

Fab Exclusive Morning Crossbody in Silver; supports the Joslin Diabetes Center

What's next? 

Our next step is to introduce more styles of handbags and other fashion accessories. We would like to expand our 'Do Good' initiative to positively impact the world. 

What's your advice for when the going gets tough? 

We believe in ourselves; we are always telling ourselves that we can do it together no matter how hard it gets, we extend this mantra to our team as well; it’s so important to be able to work together as a team and be productive, effective, and efficient. Self-improvement is key in life! 

Between Roi and I, there are five things that we consider as everyday advice: first: Hard work; second: Persistence; third: Courage; fourth: Focus and lastly Love. We strongly believe that if we are adhering to these five things every day, this will eventually bring us to the point where we want to be. 

What do you like to listen to while you work?  

My two favorite Pandora Stations are SBTRKT (favorite track - New Drop, New York) and DISCLOSURE. 

What do you do to relax? 

We live on the Upper West Side and during the weekend, we like to go to Riverside park, sit at the bench and read a book while drinking an Americano.

What are your top three favorite places in your hometown of Boston?

Yokohama (238 Washington St, Brookline, MA 02445) The best Japanese Food and we always got our lunch from here. The restaurant is run by two Japanese old grand parents Cafeteria (279 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116) The best Sangria in Boston Our go-to night out place in Boston Sorelina (1 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02116) Roi brought me here for our very first dinner date (no girl would say no to this place!) Their grilled scallop and mushroom pasta is our favorite.   

V-Chain Cross Body in Red; supports Keep A Child Alive

What's your favorite seasonal drink? The almond chai tea latte at the Highline Hotel’s Intelligensia Cafe 

What's your favorite thing about the fall? 

I like the scent of the season. I like the breeze. I also like fall fashion; it's not too thin or too thick. I love fall color tones. 

What was your favorite cartoon when you were a kid? 

We both loved Tom and Jerry—so does Angela's mom!

Shop Angela & Roi on Fab >

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These 3 Knives Are All You Need To Get Cooking

Time to brush up on your knife skills—here’s the lowdown on the three tools every serious home chef needs. 

1. The Chef’s Knife

Hit the sweet spot of an 8" to 10" knife and you'll find yourself wondering how you ever lived without this all-purpose chopper. Use it for everything from slicing meat to chopping vegetables, mincing herbs, whacking coconuts—you name it. Versatile and efficient, it will do 90% of the work in your kitchen... so it's worth investing in one you love.

2. The Paring Knife

Like a tiny, sharp extension of your hand, the paring knife peels the skins off things and chops stuff too small for a big chef's knife—think garlic, shallots, juicy strawberries.

3. The Bread Knife

Don't be fooled by its name—this long, serrated blade is useful for slicing way more than crunchy loaves. Its teeth are great for getting a grip on waxy-skinned foods, like tomatoes, peppers and pineapples, without splatting their innards everywhere. Look for a blade that's 6" to 10" long, depending on what feels right for you. 

Bonus—you’ve found the next clue.  Follow this trail to find the next ghost! Hurry! >

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A Guide To Keeping Your Succulents Succulent

We’re a nation of DIY-ers, more inclined than ever to get back to nature—literally. Which is why we’re particularly big fans of the indoor succulent. These no-muss-no-fuss plants come in varieties that only look better in greater numbers, and cater to a range of different styles whether you fancy yourself a minimalist of a maximalist. Nearly indestructible, these plump beauts can take wear and tear (and forgetful plant-keepers, too).

With a virtually endless list of options to house your plant-based friends, you can definitely afford to get creative—especially when succulents can clock in as cheaply as a few bucks. We aren’t here to school you on all the ins-and-outs of succulent plant care—just know the task is not as daunting as it seems. 

1. Rule of (Green) Thumb

The greener the succulent, the more likely it is to thrive indoors. So zoom in on the brightest greens you can find, and save the other colors—silver, blue, yellow, orange and purple—for when you have an outdoor space. If you want variety, look for different shapes of green succulent—it’ll feel just as riotous and paradise-like when they’re all planted. 

2. Hot Day, Cool Night

Succulents love dry heat—their ideal situation is a hot day and a cool night. So if you live in a humid place (helloooo New York City!), be sure to let your succulents dry all the way out before you water them again. There’s a reason for those juicy leaves, and it’s to keep the water in when in desert conditions. 

3. Drain Gain

Use pre-mixed cacti/succulent soil; it’s sandier, which means that it dries out between waterings and keeps your succulent happy. Succulent roots like to suck water out of the air, not out of the soil. Planting them in unglazed pots can also help make sure the water drains past the roots quickly, so they don’t become waterlogged.

4. Sunny Daze

Put your succulents in the sunniest space in your home. They thrive in bright sunlight—after all, they’re desert plants—so if they aren’t too happy in your dimly-lit office, you know why. 

5. Just Breathe

Yes, all of Pinterest is filled with crowded blankets of succulents spilling out of their adorable plant pots. But if you plan to grow yours indoors, give them room to breathe. They need more space apart from each other because of the lower light available indoors—this way, you’re maximizing the amount of sunlight that can reach them. 

6. Fake It ’Til You Make It

Still can’t keep those succulents alive? Surround yourself with succulent-themed home décor, art and accessories and go about your business without worrying you forgot to water the plants today. 

3D-printed succulent rings by Lo & Chlo—cast from real baby succulents!

Succulents Print by Romina Bacci

Succulents Throw Pillow by Julie Jonquet-Caunes (a Fab exclusive!)

Succulents Print by Elena Boils

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Make Mine Marble: 10 Mineral-Inspired Objects You’ll Love

We're all about the calm purity of marble—whether it adorns hand-swirled leather pouches or marble cheeseboards. Here’s a roundup of our 10 favorite marble (and marbled!) pieces right now.

1. Piedmont Marble Cheese Board by Shiraleah

2. Five Station Necklace by House of Harlow 1960

3. Button Pouch (a Fab Exclusive!) by Molly Virginia Campbell

4. CLIC Real Marble iPhone 6 Case by Native Union

5. Meteora Drop Earrings by House of Harlow 1960

6. Hera Necklace by Janika

7. Ngong Moyen Pouch by Katrin Reifeiss

8. Natural Marbled Opal Necklace by Julia Szendrei

9. Crumple Tote by Cook & Gates

10. Howlite Egyptian Necklace by Larissa Loden

Shop Marble Madness on Fab >

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Fab Book Club: Girl Power

Time for an installation of the Fab Book Club, with a roundup of what we’ve been way, way into here at Fab HQ—and what we want everyone we know to read next. Today’s theme is GIRL POWER: books about taking control of and pleasure in life as a woman—but, of course, they’re great reads for everyone.

Delta of Venus, Anais Nin

Anaïs Nin’s lush, erotic vignettes are pioneering takes on porn for women, a masterpiece of sex-positivity that revels in fun, kinky, superbly sexy sensations.

Vagina: A New Biography, Naomi Wolf

Wolf set out on a quest to learn about the link between the vagina and the brain after a spine injury that affected her ability to orgasm, and it makes for a fascinating, educational read that can help you become a happier, more creative and more confident woman. A blend of cutting-edge science and pop-culture history that champions orgasms for all. 

What You Really, Really Want, Jaclyn Friedman

An interactive and educational guide to sex and sexuality by the co-editor of Yes Means Yes, this book is empowering, accessible and totally relatable. Providing women with the tools to discover their own unique and healthy personal sexuality with quizzes, creative exercises and more, this book may be aimed at younger women, but it’s helpful for everyone.

Men Explain Things to Me, Rebecca Solnit

Mansplaining gets dissected—and ripped apart—by Solnit in this darkly humorous take on the effects of sexism on women. The result? A brave and witty guide to dealing with those subtly misogynistic situations that come up time and again in a woman’s life and career.

Dear Jenny, We Are All Find, Jenny Zhang

Sexy, dirty, hilarious and vulnerable, Zhang’s poetry explores female sexuality and life as a woman of color with raw aplomb. For a sampling of her riotous language, here is I Would Have No Pubes If I Were Truly In Love, up at the Hairpin.

How To Build A Girl, Caitlin Moran

A coming-of-age novel that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure at the same time, Moran’s book is brutally honest and endlessly entertaining. It’s also educational—not exactly a How-To manual, but certainly a feminist take on sex, love, growing up and swearing exceptionally well.

We Should All Be Feminists, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The text version of Adichie’s TED Talk on the same subject, this is a unique take on what feminism means in the 21st century, and how the gender divide is harmful for men as well as women. Nuanced, witty and powerfully written, it explores this concept across cultural as well as gender divides.  

Yes, Please, Amy Poehler

Inspirational, endlessly hilarious and brimming with Poehler’s signature charm, this is a book for everyone who wants to shoot for the stars and become a thinker, creator and magic person of the world. A successful woman sharing her secrets in style.

Bad Feminist, Roxane Gay

We are all imperfect—who hasn’t learned the lyrics to their favorite song without thinking about how ridiculously misogynistic they are, or watched a movie without questioning why the only female character is only there as a sexy object in the background? Gay’s intelligent, compassionate and biting examination of society’s problems with women is bolstered by her credentials as a pop culture critic, academic and woman of color—and it’s brilliant.

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Curated Basics is Here to Take You From Work to Quirk

Based in NYC's Lower East Side, Curated Basics designs men's accessories that add a thoroughly affordable pop of color to your outfit. 

The brainchild of self-taught entrepreneur Andrew Cheung, the brand got its start in 2013 with a line of quirky socks. Fast-forward to today, and it's home to a curated host of men's goods that put the 'fun' in 'functional'. 

Where are you located—and where is production, if it's elsewhere? Lower East Side. In-house design, oversee production. Can you sum up your company's motto, in a single sentence?  That you get better style by stepping outside of your comfort zone. 

What's your most inspiring vacation destination? Portland, Oregon.

What do you like to listen to while you work? Radiohead, The Neighborhood.

How do you brighten up your workspace? Bright paint on the wall.

What's your idea of a fun night out? How about a fun night in: Friday night, stay home and watch Shark Tank! 

What's your favorite hometown meal? Crispy duck over rice and bubble tea in Chinatown on Bowery/Grand.

What's your advice for when the going gets tough? You keep going. Stay unreasonably focused. There is only one possibility. 

What's your favorite seasonal activity?  Visiting the flea market in New Hope, PA for inspiration and staying in a B&B for the night. 

What three things would you bring to a desert island?  Bonobos swim trunk, sunscreen and paracord bracelets!

What was the last thing you searched for on Google?  "How to make amazing iced coffee."

What's your spirit animal?  Elephant. 

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