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.

Get Gear: O'Neill 365 Workout Apparel

Photos courtesy of O'Neill

When the face of your activewear brand is a 12-time Olympic medalist, you know they're doing something right. Such can be said for O'Neill 365, the workout apparel branch of the surf and snow wear giant, which nabbed swimmer Natalie Coughlin as its collaborating athlete.

The line is "inspired by and designed for active females who demand both style and performance from workout apparel." So let's examine...

The innovation is there—take the Keen LS Layer shirt, for example. It's got odor resistance treated fabric and wicking technology that pulls moisture away from your skin. It has a lightweight, long sleeve fit with well placed darts and seams, and a upper back design I've yet to see from another retailer. All of these details are important—nay, crucial—for outdoor hikes during the fall and winter. You need a tough shirt that keeps you warm, dry and stank-free underneath warmer layers. Your base is your bodyguard as I like to put it.

I'm also in love with their multi-colored Endurance bra and Aleez wrap, both of which are made with style and technology in mind. Plus, their sweet colors and shapes just make me happy.

I can't say for sure if the O'Neill line is a tried and true favorite, but I'm hoping to purchase a few pieces soon. Until then, I'd say this line is a safe bet for any outdoorsy Darlings out there in need of some activewear basics.

Have you tried out O'Neill 365 yet? What did you think? Let me know @dirtbagdarling on Twitter and Instagram!

Everything You Need to Know About Fresh Cut Flowers

Photo courtesy of Holly Hipwell

This is a post I did for the Free People blog.

I like to bring a little bit of nature indoors whenever I can, and fresh cut flowers are my favorite way to do so. I LOVE when someone gives me flowers, and it turn, I LOVE giving someone flowers. And ladies, you can say you don't want flowers all you want, but I know you do. Everyone does.

Photo courtesy of Holly Hipwell

That's why I chatted with Holly Hipwell of the blog the Flower Drum, who successfully turned her love for flowers into a career in floral design. She's hilarious. If you need proof, just read our interview over on the Free People blog, where she filled me in on the language of flowers. For example, did you know giving an orange flower means "I'm secretly in love with you and want to smell your hair, but you don't know that"?

Girl Gone Wild: Amanda Chinchelli Greer of Seea

I remember the day I met Amanda Chinchelli Geer because I was terrified. I've never been pro at interviewing people, and I was intimidated: Italian/Brazilian designer, amazing surfer, and a natural beauty? That all changed once she greeted me with a huge smile and warm, honest answers (which can be hard to get from people who probably spent the afternoon deciding what they really wanted me to know for my articles).

That's why I'm extra glad she's seen major success with her surf and swimwear line Seea. Get to know this beautiful (inside and out) lady:

My name is Amanda Chinchelli and I live in San Clemente, California. I'm originally from Italy but I was born and raised in Brazil until I was 10, when I moved to Florence. I grew up learning to swim fast underwater, sew, crochet and ride scooters in traffic.

I'm the founder and designer of Seea, which is a swimwear brand created to help others enjoy the surf without worrying about sunburn and wardrobe malfunctions while looking stylish and feminine.

My favorite piece from Seea!

Get Pretty: DIY Makeup Remover

This is a guest post for Free People's BLDG 25 Blog.

When it comes to makeup, there's one thing I can't live without: eye makeup remover. But break down all of those foreign-looking ingredients on the back and I'm suddenly not as stoked to slather the store-bought version on my delicate eye area. So, I whipped up this easy DIY recipe for eye makeup remover for Free People using only three, inexpensive and gentle ingredients. See how to make your own on the BLDG 25 Blog!

What else do you want simplified in your beauty arsenal? Let me know on Twitter @dirtbagdarling!

Editor's Note: I had some negative feedback on this post because a lot of people don't like that Johnson & Johnson tests on animals. Obviously, I'm not super stoked on this either, but it's a gentle alternative to what I normally use and, yep, it's what was in our linen closet! There are plenty of alternatives, so just choose the gentle shampoo that works for you!

The Look: The Casual Hiking Outfit

Photo by Lizbeth Hernandez

Can a Dirtbag Darling be both fashionable, functional and on-trend without having to tote a Proenza Schouler PS1 bag crammed with hiking gear? The answer is YES! Whoever said an outdoorsy lady couldn't be stylish was utterly misinformed about a female's ability to multitask. I'll be proving, as DD's Fashion Editor, that you can be outdoorsy and adventure seeking while simultaneously staying fashionable and comfortable.

Since fall has graced us with its presence, I decided to take inspiration from some of my favorite fall 2012 runway looks. I loved how Juicy Couture paired fun, colored, printed skinny jeans with great sweaters and blazers. I also loved the prints at Kenzo and how T by Alexander created a polished and work-friendly look by pairing a knit sweater, a sports bra-esque blouse and skinnies.

 By picking and choosing elements of each fashionable outfit, you can totally translate trends into comfy wearable outdoors outfits. Nike has some great printed running leggings that are reminiscent of the fun pants at Juicy Couture. I decided to pair the leggings with a knit sweater and a fun, tribal-print anorak jacket, a fun alternative to the usual T-shirt and fleece.

Photo by Lizbeth Hernandez

As my work here at DD continues, I'll show you ways to be a little more creative in your outdoor style, while paying attention to the versatility of clothing before you make a new purchase.

What outfit do you want me to style for you? Tweet us at @DirtbagDarling!

-Lizbeth, Fashion Editor 

Get Gear: Sew 'N Sing Board Bags

Female surfers are a tough breed—wipeouts, coral reefs, sharks and heavy boards mean learning to surf is not for the faint of heart. But even the toughest lady still wants to slip her board into something cuter than a black vinyl bag at the end of a session to prevent dings and dust. To the rescue comes Sew 'N Sing, a line of handmade board bags made from vintage and found fabrics that speak the female surfer's stylish side with floral patterns, classic stripes and muted colors.

Read more on the Free People blog today!

Dirtbag Darling friends and uber-talented filmmakers Fran Derham and Clare Plueckhahn of CosWeCan reached out to share some stills from their shoot with Alana Blanchard for Rip Curl (see the behind-the-scenes video here). The Alana's Closet collection and the Mirage Bikini are some of the best bikinis I've ever tried on—seriously! The fit is perfect, the material feels like silk, and everything stays put, even if the waves are knocking you off your board. If you don't have one, save up and get one for next surf season. I'm dying to get myself the Tiki Goddess bottoms and Mirage Solid Revo Bra top in black!


The collection is available now at RipCurl.com and at Rip Curl stores and stockists. 

Oh, and stay tuned for more from these amazing filmmakers right here!

Adventure Log: Old Rag and Little El Cap, VA

So this weekend Corporate Dirtbagger and I took off for Virginia. Yes, it was a long drive. Yes, I'm still exhausted from it. But that's a small price to pay for a weekend of hiking and climbing in a new location (and the bruises and blisters to prove it). Here's a little visual diary of our weekend:

Get Gear: Lorna Jane Workout Apparel

Me in my Lorna Jane leggings at the top of Little El Cap in Virginia!

Don't get me wrong, I love my Colombia/North Face/Patagonia/Mountain Hardware/EMS/REI gear, but sometimes I just need a little color when I'm packing for a weekend warrior trip. That's where my obsession with Lorna Jane comes in.

I need the Work for Chocolate T-shirt...it's true!

LJ is an Australian active apparel company founded by a fitness guru who just wanted cuter workout gear. Now the brand, created on the principle "Move. Nourish. Believe," offers a wide range of sweat-wicking form-fitting goodness including tanks, tees, jackets, pants, shorts, yoga mats, motivational bracelets and more. I personally own a few items and can confirm they fit well, are made from the best materials, resist sweat and moisture and make your butt look out-of-this-world by providing support in all the right places.

Done!

The brand also offers up an entire lifestyle experience with their blog MoveNourishBelieve.com, which serves up a giant dish of inspiration and motivation to get active and eat right. The visuals are as bright and full of life as the clothing!

This is Lorna behind the scenes on a LJ shoot.

The woman behind it all is cute as a button with toned arms to spare, with a (almost) rags to riches story that proves hard work pays off, in the gym and out. Check it out, you won't be disappointed!

Girl Gone Wild: CO Babe Alex Swanson

There are plenty of amazing women out there, but I've only met a few that are truly exceptional in every way. Alex Swanson is one of these ladies. She's inherently kind, outgoing, inspiring, adventurous and loyal, and has that rare quality that makes you feel like she's really listening when you talk. It doesn't hurt that she has legs for miles and supermodel good looks to match. But what I really love about Al, who works as a marketing manager for nature-loving label Element Eden? She's a true dirtbagger. Oh, and fellas...she's single:

Her favorite outdoor activity:
If it involves the outdoors and a moving body, it's my favorite.

The most adventurous thing she's ever done:
It started in the third grade when my older brother told me my dearest boy crush would date me if I jumped off the garage roof...and I believed him. Turns out it was all a lie, but it did result in a new passion for "flying" by way of snowboarding off the roof, cliff jumping into water, and skate ramp bungee launches into the lake. I still have yet to find a dream guy with enough balls to hold up his half of the deal.