Get Fed: Outdoor Vino From Naked Winery

Photo by Dirtbag Darling

I like to get Naked and take it outside...my wine, that is. I'm a major wine enthusiast (boxed wine is real wine, too, ok?) and I love having a toast back at camp, but cumbersome glass bottles can spell disaster if dropped during a hike.

That's why I was sooo stoked when I found Outdoor Vino from Naked Winery. The Oregon-based grape smashers have created a special line of wine meant to be taken outdoors. Their Rambling Red, Picnic Table Pink and Wanderlust White varieties are packaged in BPA-free plastic bottles meant to be reused and recycled. The bottles are one-sixth the weight of a normal wine bottle and come with a screw cap so you won't need to pack an opener. Plus, they taste awesome!

Snap a picture of where your wine has been.

I went rambling with my red wine.

Get Inspired: Jeff Luker Photography

Photos by Jeff Luker

If a picture is worth 1,000 words, photographer Jeff Luker is certainly on his way toward writing the next great American novel. A brief interview at an old job was my introduction to his ethereal take on our own backyard—if his work isn't the kick in the pants you need to get up and explore this great, big, beautiful slab of rock we call home, I'm not sure what is.

"I love the outdoors and have much to say, but I thought I'd share one of my favorite quotes by environmentalist Edward Abbey:

'It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it's still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious, and awesome space. Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to the body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much; I promise you this one sweet victory over enemies, over those desk-bound men and women with their hearts in a safe deposit box, and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this: You will outlive the bastards."' —Jeff Luker

Thanks for sharing your work with Dirtbag Darling, Jeff! We love you!

Win This: Custom Dirtbag Darling X Sandalista Flip Flops

Photo on flip flops by B. Scherzberg

Up until the time I was 18 and discovered other warm-weather footwear options, I would wear a pair of flip flops every single day. Every. Single. Day. In fact, my big toe is actually really far away from my other toes because of it. That's probably a little TMI though.

Still, I learned to appreciate a quality pair of flip flops that wouldn't fall apart after a couple beach trips. That's why I'm head-over-heels for Sandalista. Sandalista let's you design your own custom pair of comfy flip flops using your own photos and images. Or you can choose from hundreds of designs from top surf artists like Drew Brophy, Jay Alders and Colleen Wilcox!

Sandalista designed Dirtbag Darling a pair of custom flip flops using one of my favorite images from a trip out West...and I'm giving it to one of you! Just tell me your favorite beach in the comments below and you're entered to win (don't forget to include your email address).

This sweepstake is now closed. 

Good Fear and Bad Fear

Photo part borrowed from Poler.com

"Fear and panic are two separate emotions. Fear is healthy. Panic is deadly."

Leave it to Hollywood to claim ownership over a theory I thought I'd developed years ago. Guess there really are no original ideas. Actor Gerard Butler feeds this line to Johnny Weston's Jay Moriarity in the surf biopic Chasing Mavericks after the younger surfer panics during a shark encounter.

Fear has been a guiding hand in my life since I was pretty young. I'm inherently scared to try things—we're all born a certain way and no matter how we portray ourselves to our peers, the fact is we're either introverts or extroverts. But I've never been a believer in the "status quo." So I've learned how to break off those shackles and become an adventurous person. I swam with sharks. I've flown in a tiny plane. I've jumped off of cliffs and into murky water, surfed bigger waves than I knew how, climbed challenging routes, trusted my equipment more than I should have, moved across the country by myself.

Here's what I've learned: Fear is important, because it helps us take calculated risks. Panic is fear's ugly sister who clouds our judgement and causes needless mistakes. But like Butler said, they are two separate emotions. My most important advice for new adventurers is to learn the difference—it could save your life.

One of my favorite pieces of advice is to "do something everyday that scares you." But when you take that and run with it, just remember to evaluate if what you're feeling is good fear or bad fear.

Get Pretty: Action Wipes Are Little Portable Showers!

Photo by Dirtbag Darling

When you're a self-proclaimed "dirtbag," you know to prepare to spend your days covered in trail dust and your nights cuddled up next to some foul-smelling trail buddies. And believe it or not, it's fun.

Then there are those nights when my sleeping bag suddenly feels like a incubator for grime and bacteria and no amount of deodorant can cover up the stench coming off my feet. Attractive, right?

I was recently introduced to Action Wipes, a line of body wipes designed especially for dirtbaggers. They're the first wipes made with 100 percent natural ingredients and a washable fabric (both of these are crucial criteria for the Dirtbag Darling stamp of approval). There are NO harsh chemicals or drying agents to worry about because each wipe is infused with coconut oil, sugar cane and pure essential oils of tea tree and eucalyptus (so you only have to worry about hungry koalas).

Mmmm dirt.

I had the chance to try a few samples out and I have to say—I'm impressed. The towels are big enough to get your whole body and gentle enough to use on your face. Just start rubbing the towel over your whole body and a nice sudsing action starts. My first thought was "Oh yuck, now I have to dry myself off with something." But a few seconds later, I was dry and the sticky sensation was gone. My skin felt clean and softer than before. I was really worried about the smell as it was a little too strong for me, but just like the suds, the scent was gone pretty quickly. Even if it had stuck around, any smell is better than dry sweat.

These babies get my stamp of approval—they come in individually wrapped packs and you can stock up at actionwipes.com!

Travel Guide: Muir Woods

Photo by James Redenbaugh

This is a guest post from writer Lily Betjeman. See more of her photos here.

Trees are famous in California. Most of us have heard tales of cars fitting inside giant trunks, but the stories don't prepare you for the real thing. When I saw the first cluster of trees in Muir Woods—an old growth redwood forest 12 miles north of San Francisco—my jaw dropped like in a cartoon. There were two trees growing right next to each other. They looked to be as wide as a house and by far the tallest living things I'd ever seen, let alone come close to.

The size is astonishing, but it's the age of these guys, too, that's impressive. Some redwoods are 2,000 years old. Just being in their presence induces reverence.

My boyfriend and I got there on the late end of the day, so the light was low. The dark gray sky fit with the ancient fern-carpeted groves—I felt like talking too loud would be disrespectful. The word "magic" is used freely in northern California, a little too freely for me (not everything is a peak experience), but these woods do feel enchanted. It's one of the most special places I've been to.

How To Get There:
Your best bet is to stuff inside a car/station wagon/SUV and take the Golden Gate Bridge to the aptly named Redwood Highway (101) to Route 1. From Route 1, you'll hit Panoramic Highway, which will take you to Muir Woods Road. The Route 66 Muir Woods Shuttle bus operates on holidays and weekends throughout spring and summer. The shuttle service is closed for the remainder of the year, but will reopen in spring 2013. Check marintransit.org for details.

Photo by Lily Betjeman

Inside the Park:
There are six miles of trails, and entry is $7 a person (we got there as the sun was literally almost setting and skipped the fee, but it's worth getting there with enough time to adsorb the plae. You're going to want to take your time.) Make sure to step inside one of the trees that's been hollowed out; there's one that's about 1/4 mile from the trailhead. Bohemian Grove is the site of the annual boys' club party, the kind Gatsby'd have throw to woo his Daisy. Important mend with important jobs gather there in what's a kind of patrician bacchanalia each summer.

What's Nearby
There are lots of stunning views and epic walks along the foggy Pacific coast. Mount Tamalpais State Park is wedged up next to Muir Woods and is host to many trails. If you take Route 1 (Shoreline Highway) 25 miles north you'll hit Point Reyes Station, a charming village near Point Reyes National Seashore. Inside the park there's a variety of day hikes to choose from and camping options for $15 a night. Get a trail map and book your camp site at the Bear Valley Visitor Center in Point Reyes Station.

Have a trip planned in another part of the country? We're adding new mini-guides all the time. Check out where we've blogged about so far HERE.

Get Healthy: Uses for Lavender

Photo by Dirtbag Darling

This post originally appeared as a guest blog for Free People.

Lavender is hands down my favorite scent—it's light, pretty, natural and calming. Plus, it has so many practical uses!

1. Insect Repellant
Lavender fends off both moths and mosquitoes. Stuff a satchel of dried lavender in your closet or mix a few drops of lavender essential oil with aloe vera and rub on your skin before heading out on your hike.

2. Ease Headaches and Stress
There's a reason baby lotions are starting to smell like lavender—it's a soothing, calming scent that helps your body relax. Aroma therapists use it for inhalation therapy, but you can do it right at home. Just mix five drops of essential oil with boiling water and inhale.

3. Treat Sunburn
Vinegar can help ease the pain of a burn, but it smells terrible. Opt for this recipe instead: Mix a few drops of essential oil with water and spray onto sunburned skin.

4. Grow Your Hair
Massage a few drops of essential oil onto your scalp every few nights and in a few months, you'll see hair regrowth.

5. Disinfect Your Kitchen
Nurses used lavender to disinfect some hospitals during World War II. Fill a spray bottle with baking soda, lavender oil and water and store under your sink.

Read the whole article at blog.freepeople.com!

Girl Gone Wild: Lorna Jane Clarkson

Lorna and her pup Roger

I'll admit it: I'm a bit of a workout apparel hoarder. I have more sports bras than I do pairs of pants, and I'll take a pair of sneakers over red-soled pumps any day. But when I find a brand I love, I'm loyal forever, mostly because it's so gosh darn hard to find a brand that lives up to the hype and the ever-important criteria of looking cute, fitting well, and performing perfectly. 

So when a pair of lovely PR ladies introduced me to Australia's leading activewear and sportswear label, Lorna Jane, I was impressed. Since then I've acquired a few pieces from LJ and they've taken me from my local jogging paths all the way to Yosemite and back again. I run in Lorna Jane, I climb in Lorna Jane and I'd sleep in if I could (wait, no I wouldn't, sweatpants are too awesome). I was humbled when the founder herself, Lorna Jane Clarkson, read a review of her apparel on my blog and spread the word—she's definitely a down-to-earth business woman who hasn't let success go to her head. So of COURSE I had to get to know the fitness-guru (and, to my surprise, outdoor enthusiast). Read on to meet Lorna and get majorly inspired to do something healthy for yourself today:

What makes you a Dirtbag Darling?

One of the things I crave as soon as I wake up is to get outdoors, breathe in some fresh air, soak up a little sunlight and get my body moving. I absolutely love an early morning hike, run along the beach or simply walking my dog. It has become a daily ritual that allows me to clear my head, be in the moment and prepare for the work day ahead. On weekends, I might follow my run with a swim in the ocean or some yoga moves on the beach. It's amazing how much positive energy you can generate by simply being outdoors.

The Lavish Zip Through jacket. Photo courtesy of Lorna Jane.

Girl Gone Wild: Stephanie Schechter

Like most teenagers, Stephanie Schechter loves bikinis, the beach and trying new hair products. Unlike most teenagers, she's a stylish competitive and sponsored surfer (Axxe Classic Wetsuits, Wonderland Sun Optics, Kevin Connelly Surfboards, Insight, Hansen Surf Shop) with one of the raddest internships out there.

I met Stephanie last year at Shaper Studios, a do-it-yourself surfboard shaping workshop in San Diego where she interns. While I was interviewing some better-known female surf talent who frequented the shop, she bounded in and stole the show with her epically long hair and bubbly attitude, quickly introducing me to the entire staff and showing me some of her quirkier surfboard designs (she's notorious for doodling Pokémon and monocle-clad octopi on her friends boards). Needless to say, the girl is going places.

How did you learn to surf?
My father has been surfing since a very young age and taught me and my brother how to surf as soon as we could swim. Around age three, he would take me out on the nose of his longboard and by six or seven I was catching my own waves.

Get Gear: Sirena Sealegs™ Ladies Fishing Shorts

Courtesy of Sirena Water Wear

I had my introduction to fishing last year with a few big fishing trips including jaunts to the Florida Keys and off the coast of New Jersey where we caught a huge bigeye tuna. I'm still not sure where I stand on fishing—I can't say I love watching a fish flop around, but I'm at least proud of myself for baiting my own hooks and catching a few keepers.

And little did I know just how specific the fishing wardrobe can be. It gets really hot. It gets really cold. The sun is really harsh. The fish are stinky. There's blood and chum involved.

That's why I was stoked to find Sirena Water Wear and their new line of tough fishing shorts made for women: SeaLegs™ Ladies Fishing Shorts. These are the real deal: quick drying technology paired with old school tailoring and a comfortable boyfriend fit. There's a security pocket for keys, a pocket for your phone, expert darts for flattering shape and durability, and they come in four really cute colors (I love Hana Sunset!).

I'm really lucky to say I'll have a chance to test them out next time I'm invited fishing, so I'll let you know how they stand up! But if you're chomping at the bit for a pair, you can buy them via PayPal now at sirenawaterwear.com.

How To Take Better Hiking Photos

Photos of the Dirtbag Darling by B. Scherzberg

This first appeared as a guest post for the Free People blog.

Ever see a National geographic photographer lugging two tripods and case of lenses into the forest? Yeah, I'm not feeling that, especially when my pack feels heavy enough as is. Not all of us have expensive photography equipment or the camera know how to take stunning, magazine-worthy photographs. Still, we all want memorable snaps from our favorite hikes. Here are four easy tips for taking more interesting photographs when you're in the great outdoors:

1. Use your surroundings
It's easy to post next to a huge boulder—but why not climb on top of it? Or pretend you're stuck under it? Add some levity and depth to your photographs by using your surroundings creatively. Rocks, puddles, branches and ice all lend themselves to endless setups. Sounds simple, but people too often forget to have fun with all of the unique features of nature.

Photos of the Dirtbag Darling by S. Callene and B. Scherzberg

2. Move away from your subject
You'll never get an epic landscape shot if your friend won't back the heck up. Try jogging a few feet behind them at the beach and capture their fading footsteps, or climb higher than them so you can capture the steepness of a hike. This helps provide some scale in your photos and will help you create unique perspectives.

For two more fun ideas, visit Blog.FreePeople.com.