What women in their 20′s want

They say that after about three days, house guests, like fish, start to get old…quick. But like fish vary in stench, some house guests keep better than others. Some house guests are a pleasure. Such pleasurable house guests posed a sticky situation last month when my very dear friend asked if she could stay in my extra bedroom for a couple weeks while her apartment was being renovated. Without thinking or consulting my boyfriend, I excitedly agreed. This would be great.

For two weeks, we went to yoga, had dinner, and talked like the sisters we never had. My boyfriend played guilt free golf both weekend days. She walked our dog. On the second weekend, her landlord called saying her apartment was not ready. Thrilled to have her stay, I immediately told her yes. Upon relaying the news to my brother, he said, “You are letting her stay for three weeks and you wouldn’t even let me, your own brother, stay for four days?” As I rationalized away the distinction, I could feel his anger grow. We hung up the phone unhappy.

I recounted the conversation to my best friend who agreed. She said other people feel unwelcome in my home around the fourth day and pointed out that I had never lent her my car, my computer, or my cashmere pajamas.

When my boyfriend got home, he said he wanted her gone a week ago. It turns out he wasn’t reveling in her company as much as I was. In fact, he didn’t see her as the impeccable house guest I did. He pointed out faults and flaws I never saw, and requested kindly that she choose another friend “to invade.” How do you kick someone out when you already told them yes? When you already promised? Isn’t that horribly, horribly cruel?

I’m not sure the answer. I was honest with my friend and told her that while I loved having her, but it was getting a little tight in the apartment. My other friends were taken aback by my house guest inequality claiming I was unfair and rude. I considered explaining the rule of house guest equality, but quickly realized that was as crude as a stinky old fish. So I let it go, but if it comes again, I might hatch the rules. After all, shouldn’t friends who are stinky house guests become aware of their stench?
Emma Dinzebach

We’re all about avoiding skin cancer. Duh. The younger you start tanning in the direct sunlight (or god forbid in a tanning bed!) the higher your chances of getting melanoma. If you just can’t embrace your god-given hue and the thought of putting your pasty body into a bathing suits makes you puke, then you’re forced to explore some sunless tanning options. That is, if you can fake it.

So if you’re going to fake it, here are the safest ways. Self-tanners leave you either stinky or smelling like a bagel bite. If you insist on self tanners, refer to our previous list. Spray tan also does the trick with two benefits: 1) Air brushed tans looks more even and real and 2) You can tone it up while you tan. Do you notice how dancing with the stars contestants look so ripped? That’s because they are airbrushed to look that way. Toning and sculpting in the privacy of your own home. (Most companies do make house calls, pop up this little tent thing and spray away.) Weary about spending the money? There are some tricks to extend air brushed tans. Visit tanning expert cosmetic company Au Courant’s blog for tips on how to get the most brown for your buck.

Air brushing is a sneaky form of faux self-improvement. You can’t will away wrinkles without Botox and you can’t make your hair fuller sans extensions. You can, however, make your skin naturally tan by laying at the beach for five hours and tone yourself through diet and exercise. Or you can just call your local air brush queen.

Emma Dinzebach

Tribal influences pranced down the runway at Galliano and Lanvin, and not just the Paris runways. Spring’s Manoush dresses and Laurence Helle’s lovely blouses are alsp tribally inspired and making the brink of summer the perfect time to listen to the call of the wild.

From tribal punk to tribal chic, there are several ways to pull off the earthy and exotic look. Anyone can embrace their inner African Queen by accessorizing with Alexander McQueen’s Large Tribal Scarf. Pair it with a printed dress, your favorite bomber jacket or denim shorts.  If you have an extra $1,600, you might wan to consider blowing it on Louboutin’s “it” shoe of the season. The Ulona platforms have geometric shapes with thick gold straps and make you feel like a real African Queen.
For styles that won’t break the bank, American Apparel’s Afrika print dress and Top Shop’s Geo Graphic Maxi dress are affordable options and easily paired with last year’s gladiator sandals. Jonesing for authenticity? Max Osterweis spent a decade collecting fabrics in Kenya before launching his Africa-inspired line Suno. Suno’s separates are wearable art and beautifully handmade in the homeland.

   
Emma Dinzebach

If you haven’t heart, the sun worshiping baby boomers have higher cases of melanoma than anyone in history. Even earlier morning runs should be preceded by a sunblock lathering session. Nobody wants wrinkles, so slather up and start summer glowing.
Gone are the days of smeared orange streaks that leave you smelling like a stale bagel bite. Today’s tanners glide on smoothly, have re and are scented. Aveeno Continuous Radiance Moisturizing Lotion ($15) has a dual chamber bottle design with lotion on one side and tanner on the other allowing the user to control the strength of her tan. Dr. Hauschka’s tanner ($30), made with anti-oxidant, pomegranate extract provides more instant gratification. To achieve an instant glow, lightly cover face, neck and décolleté in either beige or L’Occitane Sunshine Lotion ($25) wins the award for best in scent. This stuff smells so good you might permanently swap out your regular lotion.

And while you’re at it, you might want to purchase a bottle for your daughter, niece, little cousin. New York State is gearing up to adopt the “Teen Tan Ban.” Tanning is already illegal for New York state youngsters under 14, and if the “Teen Tan Ban” passes, a trip to the tanning salon will require parental permission for those 18 and under.

Emma Dinzebach