Girl Gone Wild: Lindsay Perry

Photo courtesy of Lindsay Perry.

They say God doesn't give with both hands, but after chatting with Billabong surfer and artist Lindsay Perry, I'd have to disagree. She's a bonafied stunner with classic sun-kissed beauty (tousled waves, freckled skin), a knack for art and graphic design and, now, a budding career in music. Sure, she's a triple threat, but she's also too sweet to eat. See what I mean? Two. Hands. I caught up with Lindsay to hear what's new in her life (and snag some awesome packing tips!).

What makes you a Dirtbag Darling?
I like that term, ha ha. I think partially it's being able to just go with the flow. Not being high maintenance—being able to camp all night and surf all day, but still be stylish and feminine. I love all outdoor activities, really. Surfing, fishing, book reading at the beach, bike riding, and even outdoor leisure sports like corn hole, bocce ball, ladder ball.

How does the ocean influence your art and music?
The ocean influences my whole life. It's something that keeps me calm and peaceful. When I go too long without getting a little salt in my hair, I get grumpy.

Art by Lindsay Perry.

Tell me about your album!
Thanks for asking! I'm so excited about it. It's my first album, titled L.O.V.E. and it releases this month. It's a lot of blues, but nothing too emotional. I'm working with a really great group of people in Florida, Studio 18. They've put in so much work with me for it, I can't thank those guys enough.

What's your ideal Saturday?
An early surf, hang at the beach for a while, come back, make a good lunch, cruise for a bit then maybe an evening session. Come home, get dolled up and go out for dinner and a night on the town with my girlfriends.

You've traveled so much—have you become a good packer? Any tips?
You have to be, especially if you travel with boys. After my European road trip with Billabong, I learned to only bring the essentials. For me, I try to not pack an article of clothing unless I know for a fact I'll wear it. If I'm not wearing it at home, chances are I won't wear it traveling. I usually carry:

Guy Lines: Brandon Scherzberg

Photo by Corporate Dirtbagger

Guy Lines: The dudes we love, sharing their love for us. Also: A rope that keeps a tent from blowing away.

The Guy: Brandon, a.k.a. Marlin, is the founder of Corporate Dirtbagger, finance analyst by day. I love that he's showing 9-to-5 desk-dwellers how to break off the shackles of the work week for rad weekend adventures!

The Girl: "'Why not?' is Frannie Root's response when approached with a new adventure. I first met Frannie through a college group and could instantly feel her energy and passion about the outdoors. By trade, she's a special education teacher, but she's also been in the business of getting kids outside to explore nature in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oregon and California. I'd trust her in any situation we may face in the mountains. Everything from rock climbing to white water boating to mountain biking and dumpster diving, she does it all. She's a true inspiration to myself and countless others."

Check out Brandon's blog at corporatedirtbagger.com!

Get Gear: One Snow Jacket Three Ways

Photo by Lizbeth Hernandez. Jacket by Burton; leggings by Nike; socks by Stance, shoes by Nike.

'Tis the season for winter sports and new gear, but if you’re like most Dirtbag Darlings you’re sure to notice the lack of funds that tends to result.If most of your money is spent on gear instead of new clothes, relax. It's still possible to make your investments versatile and fashionable! Take the snowboarding jacket, for example:

Photo by Lizbeth Hernandez. Beanie by Forever21; sweater, vintage; jeans by RVCA; shoes by Converse; sunglasses by Ray-ban.

Since the Anorak has become a staple for most, why not substitute it with a solid-colored snow jacket? Over a dress, paired with a sweater and skinny jeans or even with shorts and a T-shirt, it looks right at home for a casual hangout. Pair with leggings for a chilly hike, and of course, it's always appropriate for the mountains. 

Photo by Lizbeth Hernandez. Board by Forum; bindings by Burton; boots by Burton.

Have a style question for our Fashion Editor Lizbeth? Ask us on Twitter @dirtbagdarling or in the comments below and we'll answer!

Guy Lines: Aaron Carerra

Photo courtesy of A. Carerra.

Guy Lines: The dudes we love, sharing their love for us. Also: A rope that keeps a tent from blowing away.

The Guy: Aaron Carerra has my dream job as social media editor at Surfer Magazine, where he rubs shoulders (and Instagrams) athletes like Kelly Slater.

The Girl: "When I was four, I really wanted a little brother. Instead I got a little sister. By default, Megan became my bro-sister. Growing up, whatever sport or outdoor activity I did, she did. And she was good. Really good. She beat people in my age group. I used to think she wanted to do whatever her big brother was doing, but now I think she just loved being outdoors and never accepted 'you can't' as an answer. She's 5'3" but will tell you she's 5'5"...and acts like she's 6'10." A titanium bracelet holds together the collarbone she broke in three pieces snowboarding, but she still walks up to an increasing swell or a challenging mountain with the same grin. She's what I hope my daughters will be someday. Love you, Meggers!"

See Aaron's work at surfermag.com or on Instagram @surfer_magazine.

Rock Climbing 101: Talk the Talk

Photo by Dirtbag Darling

One of the biggest hurdles a person faces in life is overcoming a fear. Climbing was mine—I felt inept about where to begin. Do I want to "belay on" or "belay off" when I'm ready? Wasn't Gaston the smarmy charmer from Beauty and the Beast—and why is my guide book telling me it's the name of a grip? There are 40 different types of carabiners in front of me—which one do I use?

My first introduction to climbing was back in 1999 during summer camp, but I'll admit at first I was more interested in the Zach Morris look-alike climbing instructor. But once I got harnessed in and tapped out on the top of the indoor rock "mountain," I was hooked. So if you're ready to climb on, first thing's first: Learning the lingo.

Belay
A manner in which two people aid one another while scaling a climbing route. Once person is the anchor, the other is the climber. Anchor-man stays on the ground while the climber scales the wall. Each person wears a harness, and they are connected to a shared rope, with the anchor using a belay device to assist during a fall. That anchor is responsible for catching the climber if she falls, and for aiding her in getting back down to the ground once she's reached the top.

Guy Lines: Christopher Clark of Shaper Studios

Christopher Clark shaping a board. Photo courtesy of Clark.

Guy Lines: The dudes we love, sharing their love for us. Also: A rope that keeps a tent from blowing away.

The Guy: Christopher Clark, aka Clarky, is the founder of Shaper Studios surfboard workshop in Southern California, were he gets to spend time with some of surfing's top female talent on a regular basis (and just be an all-around stand-up guy).

The Girl: Clarky may spend his time surrounded by many water women, but the adventurous lady with his admiration? Liz Clark, a Patagonia surf ambassador and dedicated sailer who travels solo aboard her 40-foot boat named Swell. "The thought of navigating the planet's oceans all alone would bring discomfort to even the most adventurous swashbuckler. Liz Clark (no relation) has been a bold inspiration in my navigation of the great outdoors."

Learn more about Liz at swellvoyage.com!

Stocking Stuffers: Mountain Pillows

Photo courtesy of Mountain Pillows

There are gifts that make you smile. Then there are gifts that make you smile so hard you feel like your face is going to fall off. Such said gift is a handmade bundle of love from Mountain Pillows.

Sewn by designer and adventurer Simone Drucker, each pillow is hand-signed and dated by the Venice, CA dweller (hey, my old stomping ground!) and looks like patchwork perfection for more rustic abodes.

Goal 1: Buy a house. Goal 2: Fill it with awesome pillows.

"I was inspired by rock-climbing trips I've taken this year, mostly in the Sierras and in the Bishop/Mammoth area," says Drucker. "The first pillow I made was a gift for my boyfriend, who is an obsessive climber. Everyone loved the design so much, I was encouraged to start a collection."

Simone Drucker.

If you have any doubts about what to get the gear-lover in your life, ditch REI and head to Drucker's website esty.com/shop/mountainpillows or  www.mountainpillows.com. Oh, and send me one while you're at it!

Why I Love the Aark Wildlife Rehab Center

B. Scherzberg

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

An injured fawn on the side of the road. A bird with a broken wing. A nest of baby rabbits your dog found. Chances are if you live in an even remotely suburban or rural area, you've encountered wildlife in need of some help. For your own safety and the health of the animal, it's not a good idea to try and tend to it yourself—so what can you do? We visited the Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, a Philadelphia area wildlife shelter, for their open house, where we talked with volunteers to find out the best way to take care of lost or injured wildlife and what we can do to support the centers nursing them back to health.

When you find an injured wild animal:

•Remember that caring for the animal is dangerous and most often the animal needs professional help. Diet, temperature, humidity, medications and human contact have to be controlled.

• It's actually illegal to care for the animal yourself!

Find out more on the Free People blog.

DIY: Bird Seed Bombs

Photos by Dirtbag Darling

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

Going on a winter hike can be magical: the snow falling all around you, cozy mittens on your hands, hot cocoa in your thermos. But it can be disheartening watching winter animals search for hard-to-find food. Give them a hand by mixing up a batch of birdseed bombs before you head out—tie them on trees or drop them behind you as you walk.

What you need:
Pears or apples, wild birdseed, biodegradable string or twine, peanut butter, lard or suet, wooden skewer or long toothpick.

To see how to make these bombs, visit blog.freepeople.com!

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.