summer lovin'

Summer is wonderful for so many reasons. The warmth, the sunshine, the beach... It's also a great time to meet new people and perhaps spark a little summer romance here and there.

We've all heard the term "spring fling", but I think the summer fling sounds much better. Think of the hot months you can spend together, and then when its time to go back to the real world....you can let it go. Well, if you want to let those strings fall away. Summer is the craziest time of year so why not have someone to do crazy things with? The rules of the summer fling are simple :have fun, be carefree and most important understand that at the end of the day...it is commitment free!

When it comes to the summer fling, you should be aware that you can have several if you so please. Why date one person when you can explore the sea of the opposite sex?

So, how can the season of flings begin? Well, you might have to get your prowl on, but have no shame.

Perhaps your just looking for a pretty face? A long term relationship means you should be able to hold a decent conversation. But if that hot guy at the bar just isn't at your level...who cares? A few weeks of fun with a person you know you wouldn't want to be with forever just makes it even easier when play time is over.

If you're going on vacation this summer, you'll have the perfect opportunity to find an exotic friend to spend your days with. Foreign flings are great, but don't get too obsessed. After all, you have to get back on that plane eventually, and chances are, he's not coming with you. There's also a chance you could cross paths with another tourist looking for fun!

Flings to avoid...sex with the ex. No matter how tempting it might be, just don't do it. You've been there and done that so why put yourself through it all over again? Why re-open old wounds? When looking for a fling, we want someone new and fresh! Doesn't that sound much more exhilarating? I thought so.

Other than that, don't be afraid of regrets. Just erase the word from your vocabulary if you want to have a summer full of successful flings. Fun is what it's all about.

Oh, and did I mention some great sex/make-out sessions?

And if you feel an attachment coming on, think it over, and if you are scared of the C word, abort! If you think there's something more, then hold on. It might be breaking one of the key rules of the summer fling, but sometimes it's meant to be.

Let the flings begin!

-M

photos via sexedmusic.com and voodoohash.com

how to: rock headwear

Look, it's finally sunny enough to warrant those oversized shades we all love and to shed a layer (or two!) of clothing. But, as Sarah pointed out yesterday, we can't all love UV rays. I am of no exception, as I fry in the sun as soon as I step out into it. I can deal with putting sunscreen on my arms and other limbs, but the one place I stand my ground out is my face. It's not that I am welcoming a sunburn there - it's the greasy mess that happens with inevitable sweat in the sun or when I jump into a pool. Gross.

I have come up with solutions for this dilemna - and it's summer hats. We all need something light and airy to keep our faces looking like tomatoes and our scalps from peeling.

Thus, I propose a straw fedora. I rock mine, all the time, anywhere, when I know I'm going to be outside for longer than it takes to run from my car into a building.

 

I found the above picture on Lookbook, and it features the hat that has now become my mainstay. They're cheap, comfy and help hide your hair after it's hit with humidity.

If you see yourself lounging by the pool or lake this summer, class up your suit with a wide brimmed hat a la ISSA. 

But maybe you are one of the lucky girls (for which I am eternally jealous!) that doesn't have to worry about a looming sunburn whenever you step outside your house. You are lucky and can wear the 'turban'. I wrote about this a while ago, but I keep seeing them pop up everywhere! Refinery29 does a great tutorial on how to one so it stays and doesn't look like a mess.

Just please don't hook your man into wearing the now famed 'murban'...

photo: refinery29

Baptiste Giabiconi, Karl Lagerfeld's muse, wore one at the recent Chanel cruise show. Some speculate this is Lagerfeld's mission - to make these murban's popular.

Do you think this is a good look for the man in your life?

how to: look stylish with a sunburn

Since I can remember, I've had this strange problem where I seem to overestimate my skin's ability to tan. When those summer rays hit and my bikini flies on, I suddenly forget my 100% English/Irish heritage and mistake myself for someone who bronzes with the greatest of ease. I'm terrified of anything with an SPF over 30 (I just don't like being pale, okay) and keep my delicious smelling, coconuty tanning oil on hand at all times from June-August.
Now, I'm not an idiot. I'm aware of the risks and I know to protect myself- but sometimes I seem to forget that an SPF of 15, though it's protection, isn't exactly protection enough for my ghosty pale skin.

Yesterday, I may or may not have been a little too anxious to start my summer tan. It was a beautiful 25 degrees out, so as soon as I hopped out of bed I was in my bikini and in the backyard. I threw on some SPF15 and a bit of SPF8 oil (I mean, thats like, a whole SPF of 23 right??) and dozed off for 3 hours in the blissful sun.
And when I awoke, I was a beautiful shade of lobster red.
Damn it.

We've all been there, victims of a terrible and unattractive sunburn. Everyone makes mistakes (I swear, I've learned my lesson), and since sunburns can take up to a week or two to fade, we need to learn to deal. For example, tomorrow I have two very important meetings that I've already rescheduled once and cannot miss. I will be attending these meetings in a large amount of pain and looking like a freshly picked tomato.
So, considering my predicament, I thought it would be appropriate to write a post on how to dress stylishly/professionally with a terrible sunburn, yet feel comfortable and covered up at the same time.

First, lets be thankful that boho pieces are in this summer. Free flowing, long sleeved tops are my saviour when suffering from a burn. Not only do they breathe and cover me up, but they look great when paired with a nice pant or skirt.

Maxi dresses are key to covering a sunburn. This one below is from Zara, and not only covers up legs but also the chest area (notorious area for bad burns, and the most noticeable). It's professional enough to wear in a work atmosphere, but comfortable enough that it won't rub against your body (OUCH). If it's not too hot out, try pairing it with a jean jacket.

A pair of loose fitting hammer pants are extremely comfortable AND stylsih. They cover up your entire leg, but don't suffocate them, allowing for some airiness.

Remember, regardless of whether you care if people see your burn or not, it's key to cover up. Exposing an already bad sunburn to more sun isn't exactly the best way to heal it. And since it is hot out, I know covering up is frustrating. These suggestions should keep you looking wonderful yet comfortable in the heat, until that burn goes away and you can reach for the shorts again.

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather and keeping up with the sunscreen application. Don't follow in my footsteps!

I'm off to bathe in aloe.

Love,
Sarah

How to: cool down when things start to heat up...

Summer has obviously arrived if you didn't feel that wall of heat hit you these past few days! For those of you suffering without air condition, I feel your pain.

So now that the heat has arrived, I'm sure you don't want the heat in the bedroom to fade. Sweaty romps are fun and all but we could all use a few tricks to cool down while turning the heat up...you know what I mean?

Let's face it, sex can be sweaty. Slippery limbs all around and sweat everywhere could be a bit of a problem. So lets talk cooling down...while still keeping it hot in a different sort of way.

First of all...ice cubes. Take a few and rub them down each others backs, stomachs, legs and arms. It gives you a nice chill, and definitely wakes you up if you have the summer heat sleepy feeling.

Up next...the simplest solution, ever. Get a fan and place it beside your bed. Rotating fans are preferable. It will blow cool air all over your bodies, keeping the sweat at bay.

There is also the good old shower sex. Quite a task, but a good solution to sweaty situations. You could even just hop in before or after hitting the bedroom for a cool down.

Another delicious solution is to have some cool fruits like melon and berries at the bedside. Pop one into each others mouths every so often. Another fun bedroom food is ice cream, popsicles and the like. Maybe a bit sticky if things get out of hand, but cool none the less!

Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine! I know I am.

-M

*Images via sodahead.com and hubpages.com