Outfit of the Day: Beat the Heat & Under $30

Top: Old Navy, $3 on sale a few years ago

Skirt: American Apparel, $20 on sale a couple years ago

Cuff: Forever 21, $7 a couple years ago 

A very simple outfit for running errands-- perfect for these 100+ degree days.  Is it just me, or do skirts breathe better than shorts?  Because for this Minnesota girl enduring a Southern summer the mindset is always: 

1) maximize airflow, 

2) wear as little as possible in a tasteful manner, and 

3) never, ever forget deodorant. 

XOXO,

Dylan

11 Things I Would Do for my Future Daughter

1.  Show her that candy is a special "treat," not its own food group.  

2. Teach her how to spot a true gentleman.... early on.

3. Teach her to always, always keep her legs together.  

4. Have a flowering tree to help her appreciate the different seasons.  

5. NEVER put her daddy in this situation.  Honestly?  You might as well give him a purse and a breast pump. 

6. Make family vacations a priority... and highly documented!

7. If she wanted to save up to buy a ridiculous looking car, I'd encourage her.

8. I would not watch her take off on the back of some motorcycle... unless it's her own. 

9. Always have fresh cut flowers around the house. 

10. Teach her how to accessorize. 

11. Hide the scales. 

Love,

Dylan

Why Guys Like Girls in Baseball Caps

I asked 10 guys what they had to say on the topic of girls & baseball caps.  Check them out, click their links, and hear what they have to say! 

"Eh, depends on the girl... Makes them look cocky/gangsta, and a lot of guys are into that." -Lars Dunaway, 21 

"I personally don't think girls in baseball caps is "that" attractive. It just sometimes looks too 'cutesy' for my taste. But I think it's a turn on for some guys because it screams, "that's my girl!" for some reason." -Paul Michell, 22, musician 

"I like that it's simple... I like when a girl doesn't try hard but still looks cute..." -Jonathan Krentz, 20, from the band, Maiden Dixie

"Baseball caps are sexy because it shows us that a girl is comfortable enough with us to dress comfortably" - Jesse Jordan, 21

"I couldn't tell ya... they really are [cute] though.  Maybe it's from music videos or cuz we like sports." -Peter Leighton, 23

"It shows many things...1) that they like sports, 2) its different so its attractive, 3) it makes them more approachable, 4) it makes them easier to relate to" -Keaton Kohler, 21

"Cause it's cute and sporty, and guys like sporty!" -Derek Zabel, 21

"I don't like it when girls obscure their faces with shades or hats.  Although bandanas are kind of sporty and nice." -Tommy Ward, 21

"...It goes along with the thing of wearing a boyfriend's clothes... but, in general I think the baseball hat usually has the connection to sports, and I think there is a natural attraction that a guy likes a girl that knows about sports...Also...when a girl wears a baseball hat, she is viewed as more laid back and real.  She isn't all dressed up and looking all fancy.  She seems more approachable and down to earth.  I believe that a girl can look gorgeous when she gets all dressed up, but I also think that she can look just as pretty when she isn't dressed up and is just relaxing.  And if she is wearing a hat she is most likely relaxing for the day. Haha, hope that helps." -Garret Shitlgen, 20

"Um, i don't know.  Maybe cause it looks sporty lol." -Luke Daninger, 21 

"Because they're cute. Boom. Roasted." -Karl Green, 21

There we have it, girls- straight from the source.  I think it's time to steal a hat from your dad/brother/boyfriend.  Don't you think so?
Which guy's advice is your favorite?  
Click their names if you want to know more.
THANK YOU FELLAS!

XOXO,

Dylan

6 Favorite Photos of Children

This trendy little hipster child looks extra mature through layering, ballet flats, long [stringy] hair, tanned skin, and seemingly shaven legs. 

She's never too young to be a Jackie O in-training.

There is something about the Mary Jane shoes, sunglasses on top of the head, and securely crossed legs... aging her in the cutest way possible.  Her hands suggest she's debating whether to invest in a new tech stock.

This is a really fun angle to shoot children from.... boy that sounds bad, doesn't it?

Anyways, I'm a fan of her lashes. 

This babygirl was definitely the target of a makeup artist.  A little  lot of bronzer along with a highlight on the cheekbone/forehead give her that sunkissed glow.  How inappropriate, yet pretty. 

This is a girl after my mom's heart. She's got the denim shorts, the muddy shoes, and a "girls-can-do-anything" attitude to boot.  Next she'll be sluggin' a softball and shootin' coons in her backyard.  Atta girl.  

Don't you adore these cute lil' babes?

I sure do. 

XOXO,

Dylan

Kate Middleton: Gorgeous in Green!

I LOVE this picture of Kate Middleton, perhaps because it's a photo I haven't seen before!  Green is such a royal color in this brunette beauty, don't you think?  I'm posting this photo because tonight I got the most awkward Kate Middleton "look-alike" comment while at Chickfila... in the bathroom.  An older woman, about 65-70, outfitted in thick bifocals and a moomoo, came up to me at the sink and said in a raspy voice, "You look just like Duchess Catherine.  You have the same face, the same curly hair, and the same dark, bushy eyebrows (as she touched my forehead)."   Not sure how to respond, I smiled and replied with an, "Awh, thank you, ma'am."  Two years ago, if someone had called my eyebrows "bushy" I would have immediately reached for the tweezers.  

But tonight, this woman reminded me of something else, something deeper, 

that raw sincerity is rare and beautiful.

And for that, I will set the tweezers down. 

XOXO,

Dylan

TREND: How to Wear Feather Extensions, 6 Tips

We're moving PAST highlights, PAST fake ponytail-extension clips, and PAST extra-long [ratty] Paris Hilton extensions.  Feather extensions are taking flight and sweeping the headlines (well, not quite yet).  But, they are the #1 hair trend of the summer, but I predict their popularity will soar this fall.  Recently I have gotten quite a few emails about how to wear feather extensions.  Because let's face it-- they're a bit risky.  And I know you don't want to be looking like Big Bird.   Here are my tips.....

1.  Curly girls should get curly feather extensions.  Otherwise the extensions won't blend, and it will look like you have a straight piece of straw stuck in your hair.   Likewise, if you have straight hair choose straight feather extensions.

2. Choose a contrasting color.  We DON'T want to choose feathers that match our hair color.  From a glance it will either appear as if a) you have a damaged chunk of hair or b) you have gunk coating your hair.  Blondes should lean towards brown/gray feathers, and brunettes towards a lighter/darker shade of red or caramel. 

3. Stay away from the "snake" look.  Some of the speckled feathers look like snakes, so try to avoid these at all costs.  They will make you look straight-up demonic. 

3. Age DOES matter.  If you have a professional job or work in an office, I would absolutely avoid feather extensions.  If you work in fast food, certain retail stores, or waitressing, then you can likely pull off such a hair accessory.  Just to be safe, I would draw the line at age 22, or once you're a college graduate. 

4.  Location is key in how it's perceived..... if you place the extension on the outer layer of hair, towards the front, it will look more juvenile (see picture on left).  If you place the extension on the under layer of hair, towards the nape of your neck, it will look more understated and discrete (see picture on right).

  

5. Consider removable feather extensions.  If you're really unsure about getting the bonded extensions, then I would recommend going to your local Claire's or the Icing, and buying a simple clip-in extension. This will give you the ultimate flexibility, and it's likely much cheaper (*very cheap on Los Angeles Beauty Supply and the Hair Candy Store). 

6.  If you are "too old" for this trend, but still want to join in on the feathery fun, consider this-- feathery necklaces, earrings, headbands, purses, or wrist cuffs.  There are so many feather-adorned accessories right now that give a similar laid-back, boho vibe, WITHOUT the time commitment, $$ investment, and added risk of looking like one of those "old ladies trying too hard to be hip."  Check out Charlotte Russe, Love Culture, Heartbreaker, and Forever21 for these accessories. 

Hope this helps!

Love,

Dylan

Decor Inspiration for Last Year of COLLEGE

Holy buckets, time flies!!!!! It's already approaching my senior year of college.  Duh duh duh duhhhhhh.  That was supposed to be the sound of "doom." This coming year my class load is looking pretty heavy-- I'm talking clinically obese.  Regardless, I'm really happy about the living situation that I'll be coming home to every day.  Fantastic house, fantastic housemates, and fantastic dog!  And, oh, did I mention I love my room!??  It's my first time having a big girl bed (queen size).  In the past 6 months I've been confined to couches, futons, floors, air mattresses, and little plastic dorm mattresses.  Basically, I'm upgrading from the Super 8 to the Ritz.   Here is some of the inspiration for my interior decor.  I've been working on it for a few days, and it's still a work in progress, but I want to post the pictures soon!  Oh, and I'm trying to work some fung shui magic in this joint, so if you know anything about fung shui I would appreciate some tips!  Or even post links to rooms that you like.  I would love to see your inspirations, too!                                                                                                                                                       Love,                      Dylan the Decorator

Don't forget to leave me a cute comment! Tips/Ideas/Inspiration are all welcome :)

Something Annoying that MOST People Do on the Phone

On a phone call with your friend, family member, or significant other... for this example we will call mom. 

Ring Ring Ring.....

Mom: "Hello?"

You: "Hey mom, what's up?"

Mom: "Oh nothing, I'm just here with so-and-so.  Would you like to talk to them?"

You: *Silence*.... "Well, um...."

Mom: "Here, I'll give them the phone."

This is honestly happens to me at least 1x a week.  

Why is this so annoying?  The person you are calling is basically throwing you under the bus.  See, the other person with your mom (or whomever you originally called) has already heard your mom ask if you'd like to talk to them.  If you tell your mom, "No, I don't really want to talk to so-and-so," then you might as well be rejecting this other person face-to-face.  Then, when your mom doesn't hand them the phone, they are left sitting there, knowing you didn't want to talk to them.  For the rest of the conversation you feel like crap. 

Solution?  It's 3 simple steps.  

1) Pretend you didn't hear your mom (or whomever you called) ask that question.  

2) Instead, move forward swiftly with the reason that you called.  

3) Keep the conversation short and to-the-point.  Then the "rejected person" will feel like it wasn't them that you were rejecting, but that perhaps you were simply pressed for time. 

Has this ever happened to you?  If so, how do you handle it gracefully?

Alright, off to get ready for the Harry Potter premier!  I'm bringing my boyfriend and two kiddies I babysit.  

Love,

Dylan