A successful pool party planner knows that the party should actually happen in the pool. To us, that means major pool toys. And we're not talking your everyday gators and whales. Look no further than Urban Outfitters site for your pool party planning needs. Always thinking outside of the box, they offer giant floats in the shapes of our favorite snacks, sporting equipment, and flowers. We know that pool attire doesn't exactly lend itself to eating tons of donuts, but floating around in a half-eaten one (with sprinkles) looks pretty awesome. RAY SIEGEL

Donut Float, $24

Pretzel Float, $24

Sunflower Float, $24

Baseball Glove Float, $24

Last night we hung out with Emma Roberts (and her mom, who Roberts told us was her "hot date for the night") at the Whitney Museum in New York. She was serving as a judge at last night's Vans Custom Culture contest, which is an art showcase of five high school finalists. Along with the other panelists, Roberts helped to select the grand prize winning high school: Lakeridge High School from Lake Oswego, Oregon was awarded $50,000 towards their school's arts program. Roberts has been a long-time Vans lover, but her love of the arts is what drew her to the program. "I'm sure you've heard about it, but I'll give you my version: This is about bringing the arts back into schools and really supporting that. I'm from LA, and I know that a lot of the school art programs there have been cut. So for me, it's really important that kids are still given that opportunity. It's a big deal these days because there's not a lot of money or time put into art programs," Roberts explained. "I have a sister who is twelve and I see that happening with the school she goes to in New York. I think it's awesome that I get to inspire kids to be creative by sending them these shoes and letting them decorate them." As a panelist, Roberts got to submit an inspirational Vans design of her own, which, she admits wasn't easy. "Mine are old-school Vans mixed with girly. So many people designed amazing shoes, so I felt pretty lame after seeing everyone else's. It's almost harder when you can do whatever you want. I was like, 'What am I going to make? What if it's lame?' I was really proud of my red laces!" We didn't think her creation was lame at all: an enlarged old-school Vans graphic with red laces? Pretty awesome if you ask us. But as her biggest fans, we might be biased. Scroll through the gallery to see some of the winning designs. RAY SIEGEL

Okay, stop. I can hear you whining about all the photos of animals showing up on your Instagram feed.
Seriously, guys, can you honestly say all those blurry pics on your feed of random friends you don't hang out with looking awkward in poorly lit bars are more interesting than a real-live hedgehog surfing on a banana peel? Well, if you do, than this isn't the story for you, and you can feel free to move on.
For the rest of you, I'd like you to meet my five favorite animals on Instagram. I think you guys will really get along. ALI HOFFMAN
Name: Tupac Shacorgi Instagram handle: @tupacshacorgi Vibe: Not your Queen's corgi. Oh, And Also: From the looks of things, he got down with an Affenpinscher on Cinco de Mayo.
Name: Darcy The Flying Hedgehog Instagram handle: @darcytheflyinghedgehog Vibe: Darcy's not messing around. The artsy gal only posts super curated images, often concealing herself in what would otherwise be a still life. We think it's safe to say she's ready for her solo exhibition at the Whitney. Oh, And Also: She has her own professional hedgehographer.
Name: Montjiro Instagram handle: @montjiro Vibe: Gucci Gucci, Louis Louis, Fendi Fendi, Prada Oh, And Also: Too busy to give a quote.
Name: Eddy & Rambo Bunny Instagram handle: @bunnymama Vibe: The very best of friends. Oh, And Also: They love parsley.
Name: Pudge Instagram handle: @pudgethecat Vibe: Laidback girl from Minnesota. Oh, And Also: That Face!

The obvious trends on Instagram are food, pets, and oh you know how us gram-ers love a good selfie, but we've dug deep to find some weird trends (so deep that they were hard to find on Google) and were surprised at what we found. For one, there's a major fitness craze sweeping this social platform. Using the hashtag #fitspo and #fitspiration (along with about 50 other hashtags on average), millions of users have banded together to inspire each other's fitness and healthy eating routines. In some cases, the trend appears a bit harsh, even extreme, with mantras like "You want results? Then train like it." or "Double tap if you by the end of 2013 you'll be in the best shape of your life." It's a little scary, yet we haven't been able to look away. Mostly, we were astounded by the number of followers these hashtaggers have--some reaching numbers in the millions. There's a lot of rock solid abs, plates full of protein, and some serious workout getups. Getting involved can mean a major increase your own following along with lower blood pressure, but we'll stick to posting pics of our favorite indie hangouts, nail polish, and obviously ourselves. Tell us about the weirdest Insta-craze you've found in the comments section. RAY SIEGEL Follow the web team on Instagram: @RebeccaWDavis, @SaliHoffman, and @RaySiegel!

The third time is definitely the charm in the case of our third Instagram competition!
This past weekend, we asked you to post an intagram pic of your favorite outfit and include the hashtag #NylonOutfit. The results showcased a wild variety of style, from chic French eclectic traveler to Blair Waldorf-approved high society darling, the submissions pretty much covered it all. Narrowing it down was tough, but we managed to select our top eight favorites. Check out the winners in the gallery below and keep eye out for theme of next weekend's contest. ALI HOFFMAN
Follow the web team on Instagram: @RebeccaWDavis, @SaliHoffman, and @RaySiegel!

photo by @sasha_lj

photo by @buhls

photo by @PrimpedandPrimed

photo by @gaiagray

photo by @madisonelainechertow

photo by @m2chelle

photo by @katerinapatouhas

photo by @jennmunroe92

Our initial interest in LA-based artist Tom Everhart came immediately after hearing of his upcoming exhibit, "Rollin With The Homies." Let's be real, we're suckers for a Coolio/Clueless reference. But regardless of what drew us in, it's safe to say what was first a curiosity has turned into a full-fledged fascination. As the best friend and apprentice to "Peanuts" creator Charles Schulz, Everhart is the sole living artist allowed to work with any "Peanuts" related subject matter. His work has shown in the most esteemed galleries and museums around the world, including the Louvre in Paris. Prior to this weekend's opening of Everhart's "Rollin With The Homies," at the AFA gallery in New York City, we chatted with the artist about the exhibit, his relationship with Schulz, and, obviously, Snoopy.
How did you first get involved with Charles Schulz? It was about 1980. I knew who he was I just didn't know anything about his strip, which was really embarrassing. My body of work prior to the Charles Schulz-inspired work was all skeletons. Gold the brightest color I used. But when I got to know him, I realized what he was doing was fine art by any standards. I was in love with the architecture of his line. He was really influenced by Picasso. Picasso would do multiple views of a face all at once, so you felt like you were inside the painting. Charles did the same thing. By seeing multiple views on one side, you could be in the strip--and not only that, but you could walk around the figure. It gave you that familiarity with the characters--you actually knew them and were one of them.
What's the biggest misunderstanding about your work? I think most of the time my work is misunderstood. Most people think I'm a licensed artist creating these pieces. But I'm not. I don't have a license. I have a contract that protects me to do my work. I'm doing the work because of our relationship.
Did you have trouble continuing to draw Snoopy after Shultz passed away? Yes. I tried to stop after he died. All the characters changed. I was less inspired, and I didn't feel the support anymore. I just missed him.
What is the most important thing you learned from Schulz in terms of your art? I learned that the things we are sure we're seeing, we're often not. I'll do a painting that is Charlie Brown, but it's not Charlie Brown at all--it might be a friend of mine, or a feeling I have. He once said to me, 'a cartoonist is someone who has to draw the same thing everyday without repeating himself.' ALI HOFFMAN

We're willing to admit that we're kind of (ok, very) competitive when it comes to Instagram. We aim to have the most exciting, clearest, and never before seen photos--and we're willing to go to great lengths to get them. We're also willing to admit that even us pros should brush up on our skills and get familiar with the latest apps. To that end, we've consulted photographer Daniel Silbert for some photo lessons, because we're pretty sure there's a science behind his "like"-worthy Instagram account and a reason why all of our favorite designers and actresses are willing to let him snap shots of them. So gather your iPhones and Androids, secure a high-speed internet connection, and let's get to work. FIND A SUBJECT: "The subjects of my Instagram posts are the people that I surround myself with. For me, that's my wife, my dog, and my best friends. Those are my immediate subjects, but I also love when I walk by something or someone that makes me go for my phone and take a photo. My favorite photographers to follow are my friends. It's a great way for me to keep up with their lives even if they are on the other side of the country or world." FIND THE LIGHT: "I'm always looking for the best light. That's actually what draws me in the most. Light really inspires me to make a photograph. It doesn't matter if it's with my iPhone or a camera. I really love the fact that there is such a thing as Instagram. It's a great photographic journal that enables everyone with a phone to be a photographer. Everyone is capable of making a great photo. Sometimes I am blown away by some of the photos I see from my friends' Instagram accounts who don't even know how to work a camera." WHAT NOT TO FIND: "There aren't things I specifically avoid photographing, but it's important to shoot everything in an interesting way. Quality over quantity is really the key to a good Instagram account. I get so annoyed when people that I follow post 15 photos a day. To me, that many things a day couldn't possibly be that interesting. Having your own eye is the most important thing. And photograph people and things you love." FIND AN APP: "Treating photos for Instagram is super important and fun. It's another artistic expression. The first step is to capture the moment and then the next step is to edit it. You can use the filters that Instagram provides, but why stop there? There are so many third party programs that give you so many better options. I personally love to use my iphone 5 ( the camera is actually really sharp) and then edit them in Snapspeed. I have my own method of editing once I am in there, but there are so many options. You can create a feeling or a mood purely with editing. It's actually the most enjoyable part for me. Recently I have been using PuddingCam as a camera, specifically the Fantasy option. Also, there's app called Easy square that lets you put the entire full frame on Instagram, which is great." TO FLASH OR NOT TO FLASH: "Only use the flash at night!" Now run along and check your photos--we bet they're getting more likes as we speak. RAY SIEGEL Follow Daniel and our web team on Instagram: @Danielgsilbert @RebeccaWDavis, @SaliHoffman, or @RaySiegel

Our Instagram contest continues, and we've got a whole new batch of winners!
For the second competition, we asked you to post a pic this weekend of your favorite midnight snack and include the hashtag #NylonSnack. And judging by the whooping 720+ entries, you definitely had fun with this one. It was tough, but we managed to file it down to our top eight favorites. Check out the winners in the gallery below and keep eye out for theme of next weekend's contest. ALI HOFFMAN
Follow the web team on Instagram: @RebeccaWDavis, @SaliHoffman, or @RaySiegel

photo by @umjessica - "Raspberry Delight!"

photo by @Jslnathania - "night crave"

photo by @forever_majestic - "Say hello to Mr. Yummy! My tasty midnight snack: Doritos, Skittles, & Cookies"

photo by @portiaevans - "waffles"

photo by @shopsaturdayschool - "Sorry Mom :/"

photo by @dreamway92 - "my #nylonsnack (; just the perfect combination"

photo by @xkatieelizabeth - "tea and lavender pound cake"

photo by @louisianna14

Punk was (and still is) many things: a musical movement, a political force, a celebration of adolescence. But a fashion statement? Yes, totally. The Ramones adopted a uniform look--leather jacket, skinny jeans, lace-up sneakers. The Sex Pistols were outfitted by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren (who was inspired by his brief stint unofficially managing the New York Dolls in the early '70s and saw the power of an in-your-face look, albeit a glam rock one). Blondie donned a Stephen Sprouse dress in the "Heart of Glass" music video.

And as Punk: Chaos to Couture, the new Costume Institute exhibit on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City starting today, proves, the bands influenced designers as much as the designers dressed the bands.

The show features nearly 100 designs, from Versace's safety pin dresses to Rodarte's hole-covered sweaters, organized by theme (hardware, bricolage, etc.). They've also recreated the Westwood's and McLaren's Seditionaries boutique and the CBGB bathroom (thought we're not quite clear on what it has to do with punk, fashion, and the intersections between the two), and all of the mannequins have insane, finger-in-socket wigs designed by Redken's Guido Palau. Awesome, right?

There are plenty of mind-blowing pieces to look at, but don't go expecting much else; this is hardly a history lesson, and the soundtrack is kept pretty quiet (we suppose not everyone wants to hear "God Save the Queen" blasting on loop). So our advice? Get there early, since there are sure to be lines to get into the show, and bring your headphones so you can listen to your very own playlist of Patti Smith, Buzzcocks, X-Ray Spex, and more. And don't forget to pull on the bondage gear beforehand.
REBECCA WILLA DAVIS

Punk: Chaos to Couture is open May 9-August 14, click here for more info.

John Lyndon by Ray Stevenson (1976)

Versace by Satoshi Saikusa (spring 1994)

Patti Smith by Caroline Coon (late '70s)

Ann Demeulemeester by Catwalking (spring 2000)

Sid Vicious by Dennis Morris (1977)

Chanel by David Sims (2011)

Jordan (1977)

Rodarte by David Sims (2008)

We like to brag about being one of the first magazines to join Instagram (it's one reason why we have an obscene amount of followers), but we also work extremely hard to ensure that our feed is constantly being updated with awesome photos taken by our web team throughout the day, many of which land us on Instagram's famous popular page. Even though it happens all of the time, we still get excited when one of our photos makes it to the popular page. Which brings up a good question: how do you make it to the popular page anyhow?
Instagram told us that their algorithm is a "magical secret recipe" that they keep under lock and key, but we've come up with some ways to help you cheat the system. First, patience is a virtue. Very few popular page photos are taken by bran new accounts. Second, the popular page takes into account how many non-followers like the photo, so anything you can to do gain more traction from those outside of your list is to post your photos on Facebook and Twitter. And use tons of popular hashtags. Which brings us to our third tip, make sure you're taking advantage of hashtags by using them properly. You can go hashtag crazy if you want, but the key is use already popular ones with high searchability. Next: it's all about speed. The faster you can attract attention to your photo the more likely you'll be to make the cut. Lastly, you can increase your popularity by achieving high rankings, which are based on your overall contribution to the Instagram community. The more active you are, the more "popular" you'll be. It's kind of like high school--the popular kids didn't cheer from the sidelines-- they joined the squad.
The most important thing is to do what any good photographer does: try to capture the moment. If you still feel incapable of taking a decent photo, seek tips from Instagram's "help hotline." #GoodLuck!
RAY SIEGEL