12 Things Guys Should Know about Girls' Hair

Baby where'd you get yo curly hair from- I got it from my mama. Yea. My life story. But for some reason, on bad days, straightening my hair is always a quick fix.  It feels like suddenly my life is straightened out too.
The Curly-Hair Dylan: fuller, spontaneous, devious, risky, flirtatious, and a little bit wild
The Straight-Hair Dylan: fresh, simple, slimmer, sleek, sexy, in control

How can a hair texture totally change my mood?  Well, I've always associated sleek, straight hair with celebrities and other "beautiful" people.  Around age 10 I finally embraced my curls.  I stopped trying to brush my hair out straight and my poof-ball became bouncy ringlets. People were like "You are so lucky!".  I learned that curly hair wasn't a bad thing, and that it made me unique, however, when I have bad days I still often resort to straightening my hair.

12 Things Guys Should Know about Girls' Hair:

1. Never EVER run your fingers through a girl's curls.  It will break them up and make her hair a poofy mess.
2. If a girl straightens her hair and leaves it for a few days, try not to touch it too much because the oils from your hands will get in her hair and make her hair oily.
3. If you don't like a girl's hair cut, don't tell her! She's probably already self-conscious about it.
4.  Don't tug on a girl's hair to see if it's a weave.
5.  Every girl has their own hair care routine. Don't look at her like she is weird.
6.  If a girl straightens her hair, know that she may have done it because she is having a bad day.
7.  Don't ever tell a girl her hair is "big".
8. If a girl doesn't want to get her hair wet at the beach, show some respect, and don't dunk her under water.
9. Curly girls do not wash their hair everyday, and maybe not even every week, but it doesn't mean that she is dirtyyyy. Curly hair doesn't produce the same oils as straight hair.
10. If a girl does have a weave, don't be all over it like "pat cho weave gurl".
11. If you're going to smell her hair, do so discretely.  A girl will not like it if you explicitly sniff her.
12. If you're going to surprise a girl  who is naturally curly and take her to an amusement park, tell her to wear her hair straight. Trust me, she'll thank you later.

XOXO, Dylan

Post 25: Ima Be a Domestic Diva

The Kitchen. I look around. Omgoodness. Panic.  
What am I supposed to do in here? The extent of my cooking knowledge stops at making strawberry sugar-free jello. Yum, right? Yea, well if it involves a stove top, an oven, or heaven forbid, meat, I am screwed.
Today was my roommate's Birthday, and I wanted to make her something cute and edible for her birthday! I didn't think she would enjoy sugar-free jello, so I went out on the limb and made cupcakes.
Now, my attempt at making cupcakes for my boyfriend's birthday in November resulted in a dozen little black bootays. Yes, I somehow totally burned the bottoms.
I bought the typical cake mix, then I made my own personal secret frosting recipe.  It's perfect, light, fluffy, and easy to decorate the cupcakes using my cute little piping kit I got from Michaels. I then added sprinkles- instantly making them look gourmet.
I never tried one, but at least they looked cute right.  That's always a good motto. My dad and I would always joke about this when he was coaching my 6th grade basketball team.  "It doesn't matter how good you are, as long as you look good. "   

I'll tell that to my cupcakes.

XOXO, Dylan

Post 24: Abercombie and Fitch Marketing

Talk about great customer service! Abercrombie provides half-naked greeters for young girls to take pictures with.

Why wouldn't you want to go shopping in the dark?

Does the button closure on these pants not work?  If not, maybe I can get a 10% discount.

 

Question: If I wear Abercrombie shirts, will it make guys stare at my chest?

I've never seen this wooden post for sale in the stores. I'll have to check the online store.

Wait. Why is his hand up her shirt?  Did her back itch? Does it hurt? Does she need a chiropractor?

Wow, such wholesome advertising. This Abercrombie billboard in NYC features a doorway into a gentleman's crotch.  What a fabulous idea, right?!

Men, are you self-conscious of your nipples?  Lance Lozada models Abercrombie's new line of adhesive nipples.  2 for $10. You know you want them.

Gotta love Abercrombie and Fitch!

XOXO,

Dylan

Gym-Etiquette and the Different Types You See at the Gym

This week, I had dance team practice at the rec center.  I've always been particularly fascinated by the whole "gym" scene.  It's a place where total strangers come together, and often do not speak a word to each other, but communicate through universal gym-etiquette.  The gym is great place to people watch, and I actually find it hilarious.

You walk into the gym and see that everyone is doing their own thing, in their own world, and  minding their own business.  You jump on an empty elliptical thing and start doing yo thanggg. For the first few minutes you're just getting into a good rhythm, but then boredom sets in, and you start looking around.

First you notice that the guy next to you is sweating bullets. Out of the corner of your eye, trying not to be creepy, you see he has been on his machine for over an hour.  It's no lie.  His 7th grade, pre-pubescent B.O confirms it.

On your other side is a normal looking college girl.  Wrong. Five minutes into your cardio session, you notice that this competitive perfectionist keeps speeding up her tempo so that it's slightly faster than yours.  Then, maybe it's your imagination, but you're pretty sure that she keeps trying to look at how many calories you have burned and how many miles you have gone.  You're tempted to look her in the eye and say, "You wanna race? It's on b*tch."

Then you notice the girl who has never been athletic but she is at the gym to work her ass off, literally.  You can easily identify this type because you see her every time you go to the gym, and every time she is wearing the exact same pajama bottoms and baggy t-shirt with the pit stains.  You go girl.

Then you glance back and notice a man on a stationary bike.  Now, this might not seem out of the ordinary, except there's something peculiar about his eyes. They are not watching the TV above you, nor are they reading a magazine, nor are they simply glancing around, but oh yes, they are glued to your butt.  You can even see this pervert in the reflection of the TV, and it is now quite obvious why he is in the cardio area a.k.a. girl territory.  This is a good excuse to end your cardio session early, and head over to the weight-lifting machines.

Over in the weight lifting section, you see a multitude of beasts.  That's right- BEASTS!  Men and women alike, lifting weights, getting buff, building muscle.  Face it, they're jacked, men and women alike.  Sometimes, the only way to distinguish the women is by locating the sports bra that is supporting their nonexistent boobs.  The men are often just sitting around half of the time, flexing their biceps, and making disgusting faces during reps.
This night of entertainment at the gym has made you thoroughly exhausted, and you decide to head home... of course, after a pit stop at Wawa for some Ben & Jerry's.  Hey, you deserve it.

Happy working out!

XOXO, Dylan

Celebrity Fashionista: Emma Watson

Yes, the proof is in the pictures.  Harry Potter's little lover is all grown up.  We can actually learn something from Emma Watson.  And no, I don't mean witchcraft.  Let's take a look at this upcoming British fashion icon!

I'm loving her fitted white cropped pants with the looser black top.  It's very sophisticated, yet the strapless cut of the top and the fitted pant make it a hott look. I like that she kept the jewelry simple with only a few bangles.  It helps show off her neckline and fabulous, glowing skin.

One word: Classy. Emma made the legging trend her own by wearing black pumps and and a 1960's inspired frock dress.  At first I thought those papers she was holding was a clutch.  Oops! It would have been a cute addition though.

And what a lovely little number we have here.  Photographed at the Burberry Fashion Show in London, Emma looks just darling and age appropriate in her yellow and black ensemble, with daring platform heels that accentuate her long legs.
God save the Queen!
XOXO, Dylan

Post 21: Tips for Getting Cute in a Hurry

Oh no, not again! I grab my phone to look at the time. 8:50 am. I'm about to be late for my 9:00 Calculus class.  Waking up almost an hour late has me frantic and scatter-brained.  I spastically jump out of bed as if Landrum's fire alarm went off. I have 10 minutes to get all the way to New Campus.  That leaves me 5 minutes to get cute. Don't panic, Dyl. Instead of "Stop, Drop, and Roll", I think "Swish, Dress, and Run".  Here's how to avoid feeling like a hot-mess and strut your stuff with confidence:

Swish: Get rid of that nasty morning breath. You don't want it smelling like the sewage problem in Tucker Hall (exaggeration). Make sure you always have a flouride mouth-wash on hand.  I love the green "ACT Flouride Rinse". It will kill all of the bacteria and your classmates who sit near by will appreciate it.

Dress: While you are swishing, spend the remaining 4 minutes and 30 seconds on the most important step- actually looking cute.

- Always have a go-to dress that you can just slip on.  Keep accessories simple with maybe your signature necklace or earrings.  Also have a neutral shoe/boot that goes with everything.

- You now have about 2 minutes left to fix your crazy hair and cover the pillow-lines left on your face.  I would recommend smoothing out your hair with your fingers and twisting it into a low chignon, adding a headband if desired.

- Then, quickly wash your face using a product like Oxy or Clearasil pore-cleansing pads.  On your fingertips apply a tinted moisturizer, rubbing it in from the T-zone and moving outward.  Set the look with a sheer powder.  Then add some black/brown eyeliner on your water-line and two swipes of mascara.

- On your way out the door spritz yourself with your favorite scent- I love Ralph by Ralph Lauren and Pure Seduction by Victoria's Secret.

Run: Move that lil booty as fast as your can down those stairs and out the door.  Then stop running. Please.  There is a trade-off: A. Be on time for class, but be that kid running across campus like with their book bag bouncing awkwardly on their back, or B. Be 3 minutes late to class. I would choose the latter. 

Welcome back to a new semester at William and Mary!

XOXO, Dylan

12 Reasons Why I Love Dresses

Dresses, Dresses, Dresses!  This is my absolute favorite fashion staple.  When I decided to go to school in the "South" I thought that all the girls would wear dresses, so I spent the summer before freshman year developing a collection of dresses- sundresses, party dresses, strapless dresses, winter dresses, short dresses, church dresses, etc.  I ended up with about 30 dresses, some as low as $4, and from everywhere from Nordstrom to Target.  What began as a desire to fit into the "Southern girl" stereotype soon became a fashion obsession that myself, a small-town girl from Minnesota, fell in love with.

Why I LOVE dresses:

1. They are easy to pack- it's a whole outfit in 1 piece of clothing.

2. They can easily be dressed up or down by adding different shoes/accessories/a cardigan.

3. They fit even on "fat days".

4. Add a wide belt to change the silhouette.

5. The Comfort factor: No tight waistbands, no restricted movement, and bend over without worrying about showing off that lacy thong!

6. Transition easily from summer to winter with tights and boots.

7. Makes you feel instantly more feminine.

8. No one can see your food-baby, so go ahead and eat that cupcake!

9. A classic piece. Dresses will never go out of style.

10. No muffin top. Enough said.

11. Way more classy than Abercrombie jeans and a wife-beater. (Side note: What a trashy name for a shirt)

12. They look so cute all hung up in your closet. I use different shades of pink hangers and clear, plastic dress bags.  The combination of pink and shiny clear plastic makes me feel like Barbie.

XOXO, Dylan

16 Things Girls Love to Hear

There are certain things that all girls love to hear from guys.  They might be little, but they mean so much.  My favorites are:

- "You are beautiful"

- "Hey babe"

- "I got you"

- "Don't worry about it"

- "I'll take care of it"

- "Oh yeah?" (only in a deep sexy voice)

- "Let's catch up"

- "You are hilarious"

- "Those jeans fit you so good"

- "Let's just be close"

- "You're a great dancer"

- "You're so light"

- "Can you pick out my outfit?"

- "Do you need anything?"

- "I'm here now"

- "You smell so good"

- "Want me to carry you?"

XOXO, Dylan

Post 18: So She Dances

So I'm currently in the class ballroom dance II at my college, and my favorite song to Waltz to is So She Dances by Josh Groban.  It is so beautiful.  Dancing With The Stars last year and Tony and Julianne danced to it on Dancing With The Stars last year. Too bad they're not still together, but still.... I LOVE it :)

Here is the link to Dancing With The Stars:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQClyMBpuxw

XOXO, Dylan

Celebrity Fashionista: Carrie Underwood Style

I've been so inspired lately that I'll sometimes do more than one post a day, and on this particular morning, I'm really loving Carrie Underwood's style. Here are some of my favorites:

American Music Awards 2008: Great neckline and the perfect updo to go with this dress!

In Naeem Khan Resort 2008: Great color! This totally has a Greecian feel to it!

XOXO, Dylan

25 Tricks to Feel Better (these always work)

As a young woman, I definitely have my ups and downs, but here are some of my favorite "feel better" tricks:

1. Paint your toenails 

2. Straighten your hair

3. Hug 5 people

4. Look at the big picture. (how will this affect you in a year?)

5. Identify how you really feel. (angry/hurt/self pity/afraid/shame/embarrassment)

6. Organize your purse

7. Whiten your teeth

8.  Make a list of all the things currently going well in your life

9.  Find yo inner Beyonce and bounce dat thang, drop it to da flo. (a lil secret... i gots me a thug 'tude)

10. Watch funny youtube videos

11. Stay off the scale

12. Stretch

13. Give someone a compliment each day

14. Try a new make-up look

15. Wear an outfit you haven't worn in a long time 

16. Dance with a boy

17. Call yo mama

18. www.urbanoutfitters.com

19. Watch How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days 

20. Count your blessings, at least 5 

21. Listen to your favorite song from high school ("to the windowwwws, to the walls....)

22.  Learn how to do the stanky leg

on a more serious note...

23. Pray for peace

24. Pray for understanding

25. Remember: "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future"- Jeremiah 29:11-13

Day 15: Puppy Love

Isn't this the cutest thing?  I wonder what breed it is...  Ok I know what you're thinking, but no, it's not a rat.

XOXO, Dylan

Day 14: Need a Vacation?

           Today was the first day of classes.  Fifteen minutes into my first class my phone went off.  It's new so I don't know how to make it silent. I quickly press a random button that I thought would end the call. The phone went silent. Thank God. Oh but wait. "Hello? Dilly? Hello?".... I had put my phone on speaker. Laughter broke out.  Everyone in my class had just met my mother.... 

          Since the first day of classes was somewhat bittersweet, to put it nicely, I tried to focus on all of the places I dream of traveling to once I get through this academic boot camp.

Trip 1: Santorini (where Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants was filmed).  

I want to go here, and while wearing big sunglasses and linen pants, sit on the edge of a dock with my man and eat raspberries. 

 

Trip 2: The Maldives

It would be amazing to stay in one of these private huts that are right over the water. 

Trip 3: Florence, Italy.

When I go here I'm going to barter at a street market for some fresh pink and yellow tulips. 

Trip 4: Cabo San Lucas

For the record, it's not because the cast of the Hills went here for spring break a while back. I imagine taking a boat out onto those turquoise waters, jumping off of rocky cliffs into the ocean, and drinking a diet coke at one of those water bars. 

Ah, Someday :)

XOXO, Dylan

Day 13: Nasty Guy No-No's

Up until now, I've written mostly about girls, however, I thought I might branch out for my 1 or 2 guy readers.  Here are my top five no-no's for all you guys out there- that is- if you ever want to pick up a supa fly shawty. 

Mistake #1: Tight jeans. Unless you want a girl to question your sexuality, never wear tight jeans.  Hot guy jeans are either straight or bootcut (not relaxed fit!).  P.S. We don't wanna see all that.

Mistake #2: Socks and Sandals. It makes you look like a nerd.  Don't get me wrong, us ladies lovelovelove a smart, intelligent man, but please, show us your fashion knowledge too.

Mistake #3: Stink.  Trust me, there is no bigger turn on than a guy who smells GREAT.  Some of my favorites for men are Lacoste Essential and Ralph Lauren Polo Blue. 

Mistake #4: Man Jewelry. I can handle a small chain or something religious/sentimental, but hemp chokers might as well say "I smoke pot".  Also, never wear more jewelry than the girl you wanna pick up.  And if it's something that could have been made at the beach, i.e. seashells, save it for your next vacation. 

Mistake #5: Hair gel. Never use styling gel in your hair. Unless you're trying to look like the cast of Jersey Shore, LEAVE THE GEL ALONE! Girls love running their fingers through your soft hair, so toss the gel.  When using products, moderation is the key.

XOXO, Dylan