Five key trends to put you in the sunlight.

People travel from far and wide for our weather. They watch our TV and movies. They read volumes about our celebrities. And perhaps more than anything, they seek out our West coast style. From Levi’s and Vans to plaid shirts and surf tees, it seems to be everywhere you look these days. And all are bits of California culture: denim (1850s Gold Rush), plaid (1950s Hollywood), surf style (1960s Surfin' Safari), skate shoes (1970s Dogtown); the list goes on and on. Over the decades, Mervyns has been a stable destination for West Coast style. It’s where I find the looks I love, and whether you’re preppy, rad, gnarly, stoked, boss, or amped, chances are you will, too.

Mom’s birthday was last week, so I thought I’d bake her a cake. I gathered all the ingredients and gear—box, eggs, oil, bowl, pan—and set to pouring and cracking eggs. Midway through the eggs I started thinking ahead to the mixing. I had no mixer, so my only option for achieving the desired blended state was my trusty right arm. For those of you who haven’t experienced the pleasure of mixing batter by hand, I’ll tell you it’s not for the slight of shoulder. Incorporating the ingredients is easy, but smoothing out all the lumps requires some upper arm strength and marathon endurance. And by the time you’re done, your hand and arm ache so much that lifting the bowl to pour the batter into the pan requires a Herculean effort. It’s a wonder our grandmothers made cake at all.

Grandma may not have enjoyed the convenience of modern appliances, but at least Mom had a two-blade hand mixer. I’m fortunate enough to live in an age when stand mixers are affordable and eat up relatively little counter space. So I’ll be picking up a KitchenAid mixer with all the attachments. And with Mother’s Day fast approaching, I’ve solved the dilemma of what to get Mom, too. Hopefully she’ll be so moved by the good taste I inherited from her that she’ll thank me with a bounty of baked goods!

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I’ve been reflecting on all that my mom’s given me. Food, shelter, clothing, advice. And now that I’m an adult, I have the resources to give a little back. While she may not need food, shelter, or advice, as a woman, she always needs clothes. But which styles are right for mom?

Some believe that short skirts and high heels are off limits because moms should be role models for their children. Others think fashion shouldn’t be reflective of whether or not you’ve given birth. My opinion falls somewhere in between rowdy and dowdy.

Having kids doesn’t mean you can’t have style. This summer’s trends cross all ages, so mom can find popular styles that fit her right, right in her own department. Maybe I’ll treat my mom to some capris, a crisp white campshirt, and a trendy bag this Mother’s Day.

Last weekend’s sunshine inspired my domestic side to do a little gardening. I put down five kinds of hibiscus, three types of roses, and a trio of dwarf blueberries. Now I’m hovering over these poor little plants looking for buds, plucking dying leaves, and fighting off invading grasses. But I’m really just waiting for the flowers, trying to will them into existence with my obsessive ministrations.

I know it’s totally irrational, but I feel like they should be blooming already. I put them in the ground when I was supposed to, watered them as directed, and groomed them so they wouldn’t expend energy feeding dying leaves and shoots. (all three of which are darn healthy!) So why won’t they grow?

I want flowers. It’s spring, the days are getting longer, and I want buds in the living room. I want floating blossoms in the bathroom. I want roses in the bedrooms. So I’m splurging and buying some. Not fresh blooms—they won’t last long enough. Not fake flowers—they’ll need dusting. No, I’m buying a rose-printed bedding set to satisfy my flower jones. Lighter color schemes are so bright and fresh that I can almost sense a fragrance. And at the very least, I know I can’t smother them to death. Plus, the only “weeding” required will be brushing off the cat hair (and maybe a rogue sock or two).

From dresses to bikinis to bedding, eyelets are everywhere. And there's just something about this vintage look that says spring has sprung. This season's looks have come a long way from the prairie, though, with crisp fabrics and flirty styling. Short-sleeve eyelet tops pair perfectly with crops, while eyelet dresses flatter your figure with flowing skirts and attractive ruching. Best of all, you can wear these outfits anywhere from the office to brunch to picnics in the park. Add this look to your spring wardrobe and you’ll shine all season.

Ask any scientist, and she’ll tell you a star’s life is determined by its mass—the greater the mass, the shorter the life.

Ask any fashion insider, and he’ll tell you a star’s life is determined by its appeal to the masses—the greater the appeal, the shorter the life.

Now ask both of them about their Chuck Taylor® All Star® sneakers. Yes, the ones they’re both wearing right now.

Trends come and trends go, but “Chucks” are in everyone’s heart and on everyone’s feet. And with this month being Converse’s 100th anniversary, there’s no better time to consider the All Stars’ timeless and tireless charm.

The namesake of one of Converse’s most valuable players, basketball enthusiast, salesman, and brand evangelist Charles H. Taylor, the Chuck Taylor All Star is one of the most beloved shoes in history. With roots in subculture Rockabilly, punk, grunge, and emo music, today the All-Star is positively HUGE—wildly popular among all walks of life, and available in nearly every color, pattern, and texture imaginable.

We guys like to be boys, and nowhere is this more obvious than during springtime. A variegated display of new t-shirts, team sports apparel, and yes—backwards baseball caps marks the season. Here are a few things we guys may want to keep in mind when shopping this season.

New: make it new—try some things out, try to grab a trend, or try to personalize.

Sharp: make sure the clothes fit, the collar is defined, the material is fresh looking, and the shoes match the duds.

Rockin’ or hip-hoppin: what guy doesn’t benefit from some pop-music culture? From hair product application to premium denim styles, pop decides cool.

Put it all together: premium denim, fitted dress shirt, new sneaks, a rockin’ belt, and a watch for example.

This spring, let people know you are smart, stylish, and creative.