Just because Sienna Kate Moss Miller Lohan rocks a fancy fedora— is exactly why you shouldn’t.  Don Vivre’s wide-brim portrait hat, instead. A fabulously floppy hat vibes JLo circa P Diddy, until its stiffed in straw, tiered with black licorice crochet, and pinched pretty for an urban cowgirl fit.

A sunblock more boss than Prada’s overpriced SPF, the hat’ll also obscure your face from the pap. Or just nosy neighbors. ‘Cause unlike Lindsay Richie Nicole Lohan, you’d rather really live luxely—privately.

Though I’m not for picking arm candy that clashes with my wardrobe —

I’ve got set ideas about what works and what won’t, I know how to style for both pleasure and profit.

— Sometimes I’ll snag a dude that prefers Jessica Simpson to Brigette Bardot, who thinks spending five on a soy latte ridiculous, who questions why I never swap a flapper frock for just jeans.

And while variety may nicely spice life, I prefer that translating into choosing from various snakeskin clutches, into picking between four- or five- or six-inch heels, I say —

Ditch the dude, but not before I snag his Italia Independent aviator sunglasses .

Both basic and boss, at least there was one thing we agreed upon. 

Though I style like a Krissy — all flapper frocks and too-tall heels and piles of black eyeshadow — I think like Kristopher — a dressing in a dress equals less time matching a skirt to a blouse, smoked-out eyes means a naked pout with no lipstick to touch up while I girl about town, and hooker-high heels…

Let me fetch another soy latte, lovely, and I’ll justify them.

Meanwhile, check my latest beauty buy, Aveeno Sunblock Spray, Continuous Protection.  Equal parts pretty — oil-free, natural soy and vitamins A and E for my porcelain skin — and practical — SPF45 blocks both UVA and UVB rays, spray-on cuts down a.m. prep time.

Which translates into five more minutes to body up my bobbed hair.

I mean check emails, crunch numbers, and read up on Dubya Buffett and Bill G.

Daylight Savings can’t come fast enough for my light-starved self - finding out we’d be turning the clocks back earlier this year was like having Christmas all over again. But with more daylight comes more exposure to those terrible UVA and UVB rays, which are no good for your skin in so many ways (and, no, I did not mean for that to rhyme).

So when you’re out frolicking in the 7 p.m. sunshine this Sunday, make sure to slip on your Kate Spade Sunglasses. “Life in California is full of sunshine and you need the perfect pair of shades at all times,” notes Laura Laytham, reminding me that I really need to upgrade from my $5 Venice Beach-bought shades. A recent transplant, mrsmogul includes the Kate Spade sunnies on her Switching Sides list of “L.A. Lifestyle Essentials.” “Now that I’m living in constant sunshine, I have to wear shades daily!” says the California girl.

More time in the sun also calls for slathering on some primo sunscreen, such as Skinceuticals Ultimate UV Defense SPF30. “This is the best sunscreen, hands down,” twirlgirl claims. And, as with all sun protection, there’s a benefit beyond skin cancer prevention: “Your ultimate tool for slowing aging skin is a good sunscreen!” twirlgirl promises.

...continued: Up Your UV Defense

Some scary news for all those who spend lots of time behind the wheel: New research from St. Louis University found a link between more time spent driving and a higher incidence of left-sided skin cancers - especially on sun-exposed areas like the left arm, left hand, and the left side of the head and neck.

To up your sun defense while you cruise around (or wile away the hours in gridlock traffic), slather your skin with a powerful sunscreen like Neutrogena UltraSheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 55. “I love this sunscreen because it feels clean on my skin – and there’s absolutely no icky shine,” says Wendy Leonard. Adds fellow shopcaster mightymarce: “This is my favorite sunscreen…It’s perfect for using every day (as well should be doing!!). And Neutrogena is recommended by top dermatologists, so you know your skin is well protected.”

Given that the temp’s due to hit 98 degrees today in Los Angeles, I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that winter’s right around the corner. But the calendar tells me we’re well into fall, and soon enough I’ll have to trade in my tank tops for L.A. winter wear (you know, like long-sleeved American Apparel tees). And while the cooler air and greater skin coverage may trick us into believing that sun protection is no longer necessary, sunscreen’s still essential for fighting off those wretched UV rays – even if you live in the kind of climate where the temperature occasionally falls below 55 Fahrenheit.

That’s especially true for those who practice winter sports, such as snowboarder Jessica Ng. “Protection from the sun minus a greasy face is love,” says Jessica of her Coppertone Endless Summer Ultra Sheer Sunscreen. “Also keeps the goggle tan under control.”

...continued: Eternal sunshine

With peak foliage season just around the corner – or already arrived – in spots across the country, it’s time to gear up for some weekend hikes through your nearest deciduous-tree-lined terrain. Unsure what to bring along when you hit the trails? Check out JustHike.com’s list of hiking essentials, then visit ThisNext to get some specific product recommendations.

To protect your feet as your climb, lace up with Vasque’s Sundowner Brown GTX boots, a favorite for Will R. (“When I was researching hiking boots, I read a lot of magazine reviews that basically said these were the best, most durable all around hiking boots you could buy,” Will says. “That was almost 10 years ago, and my pair has never disappointed.”) For the ladies, there’s Ecco’s FYM Ankle Strap sandals, which Deb Schiff calls the “most comfortable sandal I’ve ever worn.” (“They’re somewhat technical, so you can wear them on light hikes as well,” she adds.)

...continued: Leaf peeping

ThisNext loves bloggers who are in the know. Like Marshall Cutchin at the fly fishing blog MidCurrent, who returned from last month’s Fly Fishing Retailer show in Denver with much insider info on upcoming gear. One of the products we’re most excited about: Patagonia’s Sun Shade Shirts, which Marshall describes as “super-comfortable, fast-wicking long-sleeved T-shirt-style shirts with modified collars to help protect the lower neck.” The shirts also offer a high SPF - good news for anyone looking out for high-quality sun protection.