Max Rogers

Model Max Rogers is captured by photographer Thomas Lohr. Taken from the the lastest editorial from Seventh Man. (via adequatelyfresh.com)

It's so refreshing to see fashion photography of a man who has a more rugged, manly look about him. I feel like men in fashion are increasingly becoming more and more feminine these days (aka- skinny, with little to no body hair). Actually, men in general are becoming far too feminine. Personally, I prefer some body hair, beards, and manly facial features. I think most girls do, and yet somehow these things are becoming lost. Sad times. There is an oil spill in the Gulf and real men are becoming extinct. No good, no good at all.

tiny badass

I love remembering myself in high school and thinking about how much of a tiny badass I was. Smoking cigs on school property and going to parties like this. Hilarious. I found this picture on somebody's Facebook tonight and was completely overwhelmed with nostalgia. These parties were insane. I'm so glad I was a part of this group of people at that time. Much has changed, but it was new and exciting back then and I will never forget this time of my life.

Why I LOVE all things Nordic

No, not this! But just about everything else...

The Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden (all of which use a Nordic Cross flag) and their associated territories which include the Faroe Islands, Greenland, Svalbard and Åland. Scandinavia is sometimes used as a synonym for the Nordic countries, although within the Nordic countries the terms are considered distinct.

I am consistently impressed by Nordic culture. From their amazingly creative, fun, and edgy sense of fashion to their political culture, the way they live seems so progressive, smart, and beautiful. In addition, I think some of the best music in the world has been coming out these countries for awhile now. I can't even tell you how many Nordic bands I've posted on DCDM since I began last year. Even movies. Anyone heard of 'Let the Right One In'?

So maybe instead of NYC or Portland, I will move to Denmark or Sweden!?

Probs not, considering I would never even begin to be able to grasp those crazy languages! Instead I will appreciate their culture from afar. I feel like our country could learn a thing or two from these (what seems to be) very nice, happy people.

Music:



Jonsi (Iceland) - Maybe a bit creepy in the looks department, Jonsi's music is fantastic. Prior to going solo, Jonsi was a member of Royskopp (another awesome Nordic band). Not kidding, this is probably some of the most original, whimsical, and just plain pretty music I have ever heard.



Robyn (Sweden) - Pop perfection, fun lyrics, amazing aesthetic everything. Robyn fucking rules. I have loved Robyn for a long time, remember 'Show Me Love'? Yeah, that was my jam in 6th grade. Robyn's music has come a long way and now exists in a dance-pop-electro-ish world of its own. I love her voice. I love her style. I love everything about her.

And the list goes on and on: Fever Ray, Teddybears, Lykke Li, The Knife, Kent, Bjork, Jens Lekman, and pretty much all metal ever.

Fashion:

I originally thought that Stockholm Street Style and Copenhagen Street Style were blogs mainly made up of pictures taken of a few very trendy people in particular places and that wasn't what real life was like in these countries. However, my recent following of a blog done by a regular girl living in Sweden has shown me otherwise. It's no surprise that this is where H&M came from. The people in Nordic countries seem to be fearless when it comes to clothing and I love it.



Political Culture & Bikes:

There are three major pillars of the modern Nordic welfare state: social security, health care and free education. Health care and social security ensure a high minimum living standard for all citizens regardless of their economic situation. The free education maximizes the social mobility, and strives to make it possible for everyone to better themselves, without relying on economic support from their families.

Despite the expectations of its critics, the Nordic countries have strong economies, a high standard of living, low crime rates and are democracies. - via Wikipedia

So basically, they have amazing social programs and yet still manage to maintain free markets and high standards of living. SHOCKING.

They also ride bikes EVERYWHERE!

Basically I'm a huge fan and I just wanted to share my love.

***update**** I met a guy named 'Marcius' from Norway this past weekend and had the most exciting conversation about Nordic culture. Yay!

round sunglasses and high waisted shorts

I am madly in love with these two trends.

NO BOYS, NO!

So I'm sitting here watching VH1's Undateable and I've been inspired to create my own version. So far since I've moved back to Cleveland, I've noticed that I never see attractive guys anymore. Being newly single, this is an upsetting problem. The thing is that I think a lot of guys here have potential, they just ruin everything by wearing dumb things/having horrible hair. So here goes...

Don't
1. Military Hats



These are VERY popular with men in Cleveland. They usually feature pinstrips or maybe a skull decal. Sorry, dudes it's 2010. You look like that kid with a mullet from Degrassi.

2. Overly graphic tees
Okay, so this a good rule for male style: K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid). This shirt violates that rule to the point where it needs to be checked into a clinic and have pictures taken of its vagina. You look DUMB. You look like a seventh grade girl. Is that glitter on your shirt? Oh, rhinestones? Stop it. Now. Take that shit back to the Buckle ASAP.



3. KSwiss/any other white tennis shoes
These shoes were really cool when I was in 7th grade. That was 10 YEARS AGO. Take them off. Any shoes that you need to replace every 6 weeks because they're getting yellow are gross.



4. Lip rings/gauged ears/emo hair
Lip rings are trashy. Gauged ears make you have gross stretched out lobes. Emo hair (enough said). Hot Topic is for 15 year olds. You probably still listen to things like Matchbox Romance. Give it up. Grow up. Bye.


5. Goatees:
Overly manicured facial hair is weird. Don't do it. The end.


6. Puka shells/Man necklace
People who don't live in this city would be shocked at the amount of puka shell necklaces that are still being worn. When I think about puka shells I think about 6th grade, Kenny Chesney, and visors. The last time I associated these things with hot guys, I was 12. Unless your looking for a girlfriend who is in middle school, remove your puka shell necklace, hold it over the toilet, and cut the string. Now!


7. Designer Jeans
You spent $200 on those jeans. You spent $200 on JEANS! TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS! Do you have a penis? Really? Cause I don't believe you.


8. Ringer Tees
NERD. I get it, your "vintage" right? Maybe in 1999. However, it's the future now and it looks like you got left behind. Get yourself a normal tee shirt. Please.


9. Overly gelled hair/frosted tips
Your hair is shiny and stiff. Do you like girls with solid hair that feels like plastic? No. Why should we like your hair like that? I don't care what your mom says. Are TRYING to look like your on the Jersey Shore? Get over it. You're in Cleveland.


10. I'm getting tired and can't come up with any more DON'TS.

DO

1. K.I.S.S.

Simple is best. If you don't have much of an eye for fashion you can easily do things like: Avoid logos/graphic tees (being a walking billboard is unattractive). Buy a nice pair of classic tennis shoes (Converse, New Balance, Nike, etc). Keep your hair natural. If it's a hot mess, do just enough to tame that shit. If your bald, shave your head. If you can grow a beard, cool, but leave it at that, a BEARD. More importantly, if you can't grow a beard, DO NOT ATTEMPT. That's embarrassing and you need to hide the evidence. Really, it's easy. Walk into a Target, buy some Levi's and a tee shirt and your golden. Nothing fancy here. You can do it boys. I believe in you.

aztec

Electric Aztec Teardrop Earrings



Motel Aztec Print Dress

Charo Aztec cuff

Marc Jacobs 'Ossie Aztec' bag



Aztec print everything. Summer 2010.

things for summer