An UGGly Situtaion

Tom Brady can run up flights of stairs while his feet bask in the comfort of wool lined sheep skin boots. This is quite the accomplishment. My guess is men all over the world are taking note of what UGGs Australia can provide for them too. From what this commercial shows and from Brady's public comments on the footwear the boots seem to be pretty versatile.Why is it then that more men haven't picked up on this trend? Oh yes, it's because they are uglier than a monkey's armpit. UGGs are not a good look for anyone especially not a self respecting man. I don't care if pro athletes wear them or if they are advertised in GQ they will never be considered stylish. I have never put on a pair so I won't deny the fact that they probably do feel like you are walking on a cloud. Having said that, comfort should never be the main concern when purchasing something to wear in public. If it were we would be seeing more people walking the streets decked out in snuggies and sweats. Maybe Brady is trying to dictate style in this direction, saying that his favorite UGG style is the Ascot slipper because you can wear it inside and outside. No other man could really get away with such a fashion statement though so try and  leave this one to Brady. The real question boils down to: Are you trying to look like a suburban high school girl or a well dressed grown man? If you answered yes to the first question then you probably should buy a pair of UGGs and also stockpile your closet with pink Hollister sweatshirts. If you want to be taken seriously pass on these boots regardless of the comfort factor. For the price tag that UGGs command it's easy to find a different style that is plenty comfortable and also looks great. Let's be real Mr. Brady on a scale of one to Gisele how good do these boots really look?

Red Line

North Lake Shore Chi

2011 Art Prize GR MI

"Rusty"

"Metaphorest" 

Art Prize is a competition open to any artist who can find a venue to display their work in the beautiful city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The event runs for 19 days and attracts over 200,000 visitors to a city that is supposedly dying. When I was downtown this past weekend the streets of GR were undoubtedly alive. From the middle of September to early October Grand Rapids is a bustling metropolis due to this artistic event. Art Prize brings a new crowd to the city. Numerous people come from the suburbs, all over the state and even from across the US to participate, vote or just enjoy the artwork and splendor of the fall season. Whatever the reason for coming to see the artwork the influx of people to the city brings customers to restaurants, bars and storefronts helping  local entrepreneurs boost revenues. The attraction does wonders for the city and personally I would love to see Art Prize continue for years to come. Honestly though the artwork this year was not on par with that of the previous two years. I was only able to be in the city for a day, so I did not get the chance to witness all the artwork, but what I did see did not impress me at all. Don't get me wrong, there were some nice pieces, but I wouldn't say any were really worthy of the $250,000 check for the first prize winner. The art that won in 09 and 10 were both equally amazing and this year's top ten fails in comparison. Like anything else there will be good years and bad years though. As long as "Crucifixion" or "Under Construction" don't win I won't be too upset. It would be a real shame if the conservative church goers of GR vote the crucifix mosaic all the way to the win because that would certainly hurt the credibility of the event for future years. Only in Grand Rapids would something like that happen, but we will just have to wait until  tomorrow to see who is named the winner of Art Prize 2011. My hope is that one of the works from the above photos will win, but it's difficult to interpret the art taste of the masses so who knows?

Check out the official Art Prize website www.artprize.org      

Character of Style: Ryan Gosling

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This summer saw the release of “Crazy Stupid Love”, a film that helped propel Ryan Gosling to a new realm of stardom. That’s not all the box office hit did for the young star though. It’s no coincidence that Gosling took his style swagger to another level about the same time this movie started filming. If you look back at Gosling’s street cloths five years ago you would be surprised by the evolution that has taken place. It seems his character’s style in films correlates to how he dresses off set. The man has never looked terrible at premiers, but he certainly wasn’t recognized as one of the most stylish men in Hollywood when “Lars and The Real Girl” released. Could that be because Lars was a socially awkward character who wore faded plaid shirts and oversized winter boots, looking homely at the least but better categorized as creepy? It’s difficult to say exactly, but in recent months Gosling has without doubt taken a few cues in fashion from Jacob Palmer. While there is no way I would ever say “You are better than the Gap” Gosling’s character did have impeccable style, and any man could learn a thing or two from him. Gosling kept his on set wardrobe fresh in recently released high action drama “Drive”. Seen above wearing a vintage Levi’s denim jacket in one photo and satin jacket with leather driving gloves in another. It will be difficult for Gosling to continue to find films that offer costumes with the type of style of his summer 2011 hits, but it looks like his off set swag is here to stay. Look for him to continue to stay ahead of the style curve and out dress most actors on the red carpet.           

Bastian Reigned Supreme at Fashion Week

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As the 2011 NYC Mercedes-Benz fashion week drew to a close on Thursday, Kanye West had yet to unveil his new line, but it is reported we will get our first look during Paris Fashion week. It is a women’s line so not really that interesting. I just like to see what the creative mind of Mr. West will come up with next.  With so very many brands showing off their spring 2012 products this week it is difficult for me to boil down my favorite collections, but the one that really caught my eye was that of Michael Bastian. Bastian started his brand in 2006 and has done relatively well, but last year chose to recreate his image and find a way to sell his products at more reasonable prices. He cut ties with his partner, Brunello Cucinelli, last December and is committed to lowering his prices by 20% without sacrificing quality. Unfortunately even with the price reduction his line will be out of my price range, with hoodies retailing for upwards of $1000. After not releasing a fall lineup this year we finally got our first look at what Bastian has been working on for almost a year. What I find most intriguing about his spring 2012 lineup is the classic American pieces to which he added his own unique design. While some brands such as Versace, Calvin Klein and Y-3 have started to trend towards a baggier look, Bastian for the most part kept his collection slim and refined, the way clothing should be worn. I will have to come to grips with the fact that some top brands are going with looser fits, but I don’t think that is ever a style I can really get behind. Tailored suits and slim trousers will never go out of style regardless of what the new trends may be. Some of my other favorite collections featured on the runway include Band of Outsiders, Gant Rugger, and J Crew.
Props to QG for photos          

State & Mechanic

Alma MI

New Coldplay: Paradise

Chris Martin and company recently released the second single off their upcoming album "Mylo Xyloto" which will officially hit stores on October 24th. After hearing three songs that have made the track list for "Mylo Xyloto" I think the album easily has the potential to be the band's best to date. While I enjoy listening to all of Coldplay's previous records, it seems to me that  the songs on each recording tend to sound a little too similar to each other. This is the case especially on their first two studio albums. This new album will hopefully have a nice blend of slower more dispiriting songs along with the upbeat type that dominated the track list of "Viva La Vida Or Death and All His Friends". Their first  "Mylo Xyloto" single "Every teardrop is a Waterfall" sounds nothing like "Paradise" and "Major Minus" has a different sound than either of the official singles, so it looks like this album will include some variety. This will be a breath of fresh air from what they have done previously. I know from personal experience that it's hard to get through the whole "X & Y" album if you are driving the interstate on a dreary day in March. The album is just too depressing. "Mylo Xyloto" should be an album that breaks the monotony with a few cheerful tracks spread throughout. At this point, this is all  speculation though, so we will just have to wait for the release at the end of October and hear what they have created.

Mr. Rager Video

Kid Cudi dropped his latest music video earlier today for his track Mr. Rager off his second studio album "Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager". With his new lifestyle this might be the last time you will see  Cudi raging, so take a watch. I won't comment on how great it is because the video speaks for itself. Cudder's a beast and kills it in whatever he's up to. Can't wait to hear some new music from him.

Musical Killstreak At Call of Duty Event: Kanye and Cudi

Kanye preformed a number of tracks last night at the Call of Duty XP event in Playa Vista, CA. For the final song of his set he brought out G.O.O.D Music member Kid Cudi to help with the vocals. Too bad Rhi couldn't show up too, but who would really expect her at a gamer event? From the video it looks like it was a great performance... Give it a watch. That jacket Cudi is rocking is killer, I need to find one like it. He might be the only performer with the ability to out swag West.

Via Complex

Campus Essentials

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With the Labor Day weekend coming to a close that means it's time to head back to school and begin the fall term. While we would all like to be able to bring thirty pairs of shoes and twenty pairs of pants with us, the fact is dorm rooms or small apartments just don’t lend enough space for that type of luxury. Here I  give you the list of what exactly you will need to look fly this school year.

Pants- Since space is limited, the best thing to do is diversify and find pieces that are versatile. Buy a couple pairs of slim fit cords and trousers that can easily be dressed up or down depending on what you wear them with. Wear them with a tee and sneakers to class. Wear them with a button down and cardigan out to the bar. As long as you have them on you’ll look good; don’t be afraid to break the norm of sweats and collegiate t-shirts this year. Really the only time you should be wearing sweatpants out of the dorm is if you are walking to the gym.

Bags- Some guys can pull off the messenger bag look, but for most of us the best bet is a classic backpack. The fact is, Indiana Jones might wear a satchel, but so does Joy Behar so just play this one safe and wear a rucksack to class. Get a durable bag with enough room for a few textbooks in case you have back to back classes. You can’t go wrong with a vintage JanSport or opt for a newer look from Incase or Nike SB. A bag is something you will use everyday so don’t skimp on price by buying one from Wal-mart that will make you look like you belong in middle school or will fall apart after half a semester.

Tops- With shirts the best way to shop is to go basic. Classic V-neck tee’s from the Gap are a great casual look that won’t break the bank. When buying white t-shirts, which are possibly the most important item in your closet, just get a pack of Hanes because its not worth the price to buy designer labels. Save the money so you can purchase a nice leather bomber jacket, brand name dress shirts or some new shoes, pieces people will actually notice. Also, buy a basic zip hoodie that can be worn over anything if its a cold fall morning or the AC is just cranked up in a lecture hall.

These items are just the basic necessities, if you have been reading the blog then you already know my views on footwear. Wearing scarves, hats and other accessories will make you look that much better, but if you are shopping on a budget and have little room for storage these are the items you really need to cop.

NC Coast Before Irene Moved In

North Topsail Beach

A picture I took a few weeks ago on a peaceful morning on Topsail Island.

Mr. West Was in the Building, Swagga on a Hundred Thousand Trillion

If you didn't catch last night's MTV VMAs then you missed a hell of a show. So what was the biggest story of the night? Was it Beyonce announcing she is pregnant or Lady Gaga making her full transformation into a man? Gaga went full out greaser in her first act, looking like Ponyboy, Johnny Cade or who knows what else. Yes, Manly Gaga would want to be the talk of the night, but unfortunately for him/her Kanye West stole the show just like he always does. It was a low-key heist by Kanye standards since it didn't include rushing the stage after polishing off a bottle of Hennessy, and there was no salmon colored suit. The show was his none the less because he chose this stage to debut another colorway of his signature Air Yeezy 2's. It was just classic Kanye- wrists adorned in bracelets and rocking denim on denim like only he can. All eyes were on his kicks though when he and Jay performed their hit single "Otis", and we got an even better look at the zen grey  sneakers when he came on stage with Katy Perry. Nike now just needs to come forth with a release date for these masterpieces. The 2011 VMAs were a great show and in all seriousness Beyonce did have some pretty exciting news. Congratulations to her and Jay who are by far the coolest celebrity couple. Naturally then they read this blog on the regular and will see this post.

Josh Endorses Palladium Boots

Pharrell in Tokyo

I have been admiring the style of Palladium Boots since last fall and have contemplated buying a pair on numerous occasions over the past year. Last week I put in an order, and couldn't be more happy with the product when I tried them on today. These boots are the most comfortable footwear I have put on in years, and more importantly they look great. They will be an excellent upgrade from the Blazer boots I wore for the past  three seasons and trashed this summer while backpacking. Palladium supplies the perfect combination of lightweight design and durability. With a wool upper, leather accents and a rubber toe there is no doubt I will stay warm and look fly as I brave the cold weather and snow of Mid-Michigan this winter. I can happily say my days of trudging through snowdrifts in leaky nylon boots or Janoski's are over. Palladium boots were tough enough for the French Foreign Legion to explore the Atlas Mountains in the late 40's, so they should do the job trucking across campus today. They are also stylish enough for one of the biggest innovators on the fashion scene to represent. Earlier this year Palladium added style icon and designer Pharrell Williams to their marketing team, so with his help look for them to blow up this fall in the US and abroad. If you don't already have a pair I highly recommend copping some before the fall and winter months arrive. These boots are so nice I'm already thinking about buying another pair in brown or grey to diversify my footwear for the upcoming months. Don't forget to check out the "Tokyo Rising" full video with Pharrell at palladiumboots.com available for view starting September 1st.

Styles for Men, Women and Children at Palladium

         

How To Make It In America: Get Ready For Season 2

With the series finale of Entourage airing in just a few weeks, the second season of How to Make it in America couldn't come at a better time. Both shows are produced by Mark Wahlberg and Rob Weiss and they do have some similarities, but the lifestyles of the characters in each show are very different. The Hollywood, happy go lucky way of life prevalent in Entourage is absent from this newer, more gritty HBO series. How to Make it in America follows the lives of young entrepreneurs Ben Epstein (Bryan Greenberg) and Cam Calderon (Victor Rasuk) as they try to work their way to the top of the New York fashion industry. These friends and business partners are set on "sticking it to the man", but have had little luck with their business endeavors. In the season one finale it looked like Ben and Cam might have finally gotten their big break by starting a clothing line called Crisp, but there is no doubt this season the two will encounter their fair share of difficulties. From what I have seen so far from the trailers this season should be even better than the first. With a bigger acting role for Scott "Kid" Mescudi and cameo performances by Pharrell Williams and Pusha T season two is going to be must see tv. If you have yet to see the first season get on it now because season two will be starting October 2 at 10:30 on HBO......Can't Knock the Hustle

Ye & Jay Before They Were On The Throne

With the recent release of the Jay-z/Kanye album, "Watch the Throne", I thought it fitting to take a look back at a musical relationship that has spanned more than a decade. Kanye got his big start in the rap game courtesy of his "big brother" Jay. He first started by producing one track on Jay's album "The Dynasty: Roc La Familia" in 2000, and a year later produced numerous songs on "The Blueprint". The two first collaborated lyrically when Kanye received a feature in "The Bounce" on "The Blueprint 2", and shortly there after Kanye began to rise to stardom as a rapper. Since then Yeezy and Jigga have worked together in the studio to produce a number of hits. Here are three of my favorite collaborations prior to their full album. Take a listen and a watch.    

Kanye's "Monster"

"Run This Town" from "The Blueprint 3"

Diamonds from Sierra Leone (official remix featuring Jay-Z)

Sorry, there is no visuals for this song, but check out the video for the original song

that doesn't feature Hova. It's a great video, but this remix is a way better song. Kanye may have spazzed , but his big brother came through and kicked his ass. 

Frank Ocean Is Going H.A.M.

Christopher Francis Ocean

Frank Ocean is relatively new to the music scene, but has already attracted a great deal of attention from some of the biggest names in the recording industry. Ocean, who is loosely associated with Odd Future, currently only has one mixtape of his own, "nostalgia, Ultra", but has collaborated with some heavy hitters. He has written songs for John Legend and Justin Beiber, but wasn't really brought into the spotlight until this summer after co-writing "I Miss You" which appears on Beyonce's album "4". Ocean then managed to score the biggest feature on Ye and Jay's album "Watch the Throne" which after the first week numbers looks like it could be one of the best selling rap albums of all time. All of this exposure will no doubt do wonders for Ocean's career. Let's hope he will release some mega-hits of his own soon. He has already begun to make a name for himself as a songwriter, and with the release of his new single "Thinking About You", he is showing his amazing vocal range. Some of his best solo tracks include "back", "swim good", and "dreamkilla" although I like just about everything on his mixtape. Ocean used samples from The Eagles and MGMT on "nostalgia, Ultra" , and I can't wait for his EP, "nostalgia, Lite" to drop.  Ocean will one day be the new king of R&B; look for him to be topping the charts in the near future.

Download "Back"
Download Dreamkilla

Summer Blockbuster "30 Minutes or Less" Hits Theaters Tomorrow

Aziz Ansari along with costars Jesse Eisenberg and Josh Spratt

With only one day left before the nationwide release, anticipation is building for what looks to be one of the top comedy films of the summer. "30 Minutes or Less" has a  great cast of up and coming actors including Jesse Eisenberg, Aziz Ansari, Danny McBride and Nick Swardson, not to mention a cameo role by yours truly. The Ben Stiller produced movie features Eisenberg as a pizza delivery boy who is kidnapped, has a bomb strapped to his chest and is forced to rob a bank for two low level criminals. Look for stand up comedian and tv star Ansari to have a breakthrough performance and supply most of the laughs while Eisenberg plays an awkwardly quirky character you can't help but find funny. Nobody is projected to receive any Oscar nominations, but that's alright since Eisenberg stated early this week on Jay Leno that he never wanted one again. This film is just good clean humor for the whole family, well maybe not, but for those over the age of seventeen it is a must see. Go out and buy tickets to make this film the highest grossing of the weekend, if for no other reason than to see the beautiful cityscape of Grand Rapids, Michigan on the big screen.

Vans Is On The Cutting Edge Of Footwear Design

Vans will be introducing yet another new shoe to their fall footwear lineup - the Vault Penny Loafer LX. Ever since Vans Inc. was started in 1966 they have been making basic skate shoes with simple designs and colorways. Other brands including Nike and Reebok have recently been selling beefed up high top sneakers adorned with flashy eye-popping colors, but Vans has stuck to their roots. Now is their time to shine. Slim, basic shoes have become a staple for footwear enthusiasts over the past year and subtle colors are now back in style. We have seen a change in this direction  from the Nike SB line, but the designers at Vans have taken the concept to a whole new level. Instead of becoming complacent and just continuing to sell favorites such as the Authentic, Era and E-street the company has revamped their line and added new clean silhouettes. The OTW collection was introduced about a year ago and has added a new air of class to the company built around action sports. This summer designers at Vans have gone head on into the world of high fashion with their unique takes on classic dress shoes. As I have mentioned in past posts they already have for sale their version of a buck and  wingtip sneakers. With more wingtips coming in the near future and now a penny loafer on the horizon Vans has slipped under the radar and into the spotlight. What this company has decided to do is an evolution in style and it will be noticed. They have created some signature models that I think people will begin to embrace and wear on an everyday basis. By purchasing these new styles of Vans you can add a  sense of sophistication to your footwear game without looking too dressed up. The new casual look for men is now slimmer and more refined; Vans has taken notice and created shoes that will go well with this more upscale style. They are way ahead of other sneaker companies in terms of innovation. Business casual is the new casual and Vans knows it.  

Ladies Style: What Not to Rock

As of late, my sister has been asking me if I would feature her on my blog. When I saw what she was wearing when she came home today I thought of something I could write about her. Wearing sundresses is a great look for women in the summertime. They are attractive and lightweight for the summer heat, but wearing something that resembles a dress shirt is not cool. The above picture of Rihanna surfaced a few weeks ago and her attire looks like a shirt she could have taken from her boyfriend's closet, although the color is a little feminine and Drake pretty much only wears sweatshirts. It is definitely not a dress though. What my sister, Heather, is wearing does not look as much like a dress shirt , but whoever designed it was clearly confused as to what exactly the finished article of clothing was going to be. It is tailored like a shirt that should be tucked into pants, but it's too long for that. There is really no good way to wear these "Dress Shirt Dresses" , so the solution is to just buy a nice plaid shirt or a dress and not worry about trying to pull off this hybrid look. Ladies, do not try the look because people won't think you look trendy; they will just be wondering if you forgot  your pants.  

Bucks Are Back

Grey Suede Bucks by Florsheim

If you don't already have a  great pair of casual dress shoes you should hop on this trend as soon as possible. Bucks and saddle shoes have been gaining popularity over the past two seasons and now is the perfect time to buy yourself a pair. They are available in a wide array of colors including lighter tones to rock with a summer wardrobe and darker earth tones for the beginning of fall. Sneakerheads and staunch businessmen should both look to step out of the box and into a pair of bucks. The era of flamboyantly colored sneakers has come and gone, and now it's time to add a little more color to dress wear. While it is easy to find a pair of  classic bucks that go with just about anything, these are not a typical everyday shoe. Having a pair of black dress shoes is still a necessity for work and a few pairs of sneakers for the weekend is always a good idea, but these are perfect for a change of pace maybe once a week. Wear them to the office on casual Friday with a pair of chinos or with a pair of slim cords or dark resin jeans when you go out to the bar at night. Most reputable designers have at least one style of bucks for sale now, so depending on your budget and on the exact look you are going for there is a buck for you. Whether that be a pair of Walk-Over's or a more sporty look from the Vans OTW collection, available at Premier, as long as they have that southern clay colored sole you will be looking classy.  

TheGRkid on NSB

Nike SB Blue Lobsters

http://n-sb.org/1783/shellfish-from-smurfville/style/  Trying to promote a dedicated blog member..hit the link and then press the swag button to vote these best of the week...Blue Lobsters are always dripping Swagu; they are one of my favorite kicks of all time.

Entourage, The Gang Back Together?

Entourage Cast

The first episode of season eight of the wildly popular series Entourage aired last night on HBO. This will be the final season of the show based loosely on the life and career of Mark Wahlberg although a movie is likely to ensue. Season Seven ended showing Vince fighting Eminem and ending up in the hospital with face bruises and cocaine possession charges, but now it seems after three months of rehab he has put the bad habits of Season Seven behind him. It looks like Vince's entourage is back living together since Johnny Drama foreclosed on his condo and Eric and his fiance broke up, but everyone is still busy with their own problems.  Do not expect to see the carefree lifestyles of the first few seasons. Things appear to be looking up for the Chase brothers though, with Johnny starring in his own  network show and Vince's career being revitalized for the second time, but don't be surprised to see some plot twists from the writers. Grenier did tell "People Magazine", "We all end up in a very good place, but were completely transformed", when speaking of the season finale. Could this be the best season yet? Tune in to see the epic final season Sunday nights at 10:30 on HBO.

Thanks to http://www.2dopeboyz.com/ for providing an episode link.         

Remaining 2011 Releases I'm Looking Most Forward To

The Vans California Era Wingtip "wool" is one of the cleanest sneakers I have ever seen. Vans has already released a few Era Wingtips in full leather or suede, but there is currently nothing quite like these on the market. They will be releasing three colorways this fall - Tan, Pack Black and grey. My only concern with these is the wool will get dirty easily, but if sprayed with some ultra protector they should probably be alright. Keep an eye out for this nice sneaker/dress shoe hybrid in the upcoming months. There is no official release day yet.

 The Nike Air Yeezy 2 is for sure one of the most highly anticipated sneaker releases for the fall season. A lot of hype and rumors surround this shoe but not many definite answers as to when and where they will release or how much they will retail for. There are supposedly going to be five colorways of the Yeezy 2, Three that will be releasing in the US, but there is no conformation on the exact colorways yet. In a documentary about Kanye and Jay's upcoming album there was a screen shot of a Pink/Black colorway, but any colorway is still all speculation. Regardless of that fact I am determined to get my hands on a pair of Kanye's second signature Nike model. I missed out on the original Yeezys and I don't have the kind of money to drop on LV Dons or Jaspers, so this is my best option to rock some kicks designed by Ye himself. If these release at Burn Rubber I'm planning a twenty-four hour camping trip in Royal Oak. Stay tuned for more news on a release date, hopefully the first colorway will release sometime this fall.

   The Air Jordan V Retro "Metallic" is a great colorway of one of my favorite shoes from the original Jordan series. The Jordan V could possibly be my second favorite shoe ever created by the great Tinker Hatfield (After the IV), and these are one of the better colorways to date. They were retro-ed back in 2007, so it does seem a little soon for JB to bring it back again, but I'm not complaining. Expect to see these at retailers in August, but do not count on them to be on the shelves for long.  

Photo Blog: Senior Pictures First Take

I was doing some photo editing this afternoon and thought I would post some pictures. These are a few of my favorite shots from a photo shoot I did in Cleveland at the beginning of July. The shoot was for my cousins senior pictures, but I doubt these will make the final cut, just a few I liked.

Janoski's Now Available at Nikestore

The Nike SB Zoom Stefan Janoski can now be purchased at Nike's online store. A few weeks ago we saw Janoski's  appear on the Nikestore, but were promptly removed as if they had only been posted as a workers error. It now looks like they might be on the site to stay, at least the Navy/white mid colorway is. Earlier today all black mids and canvas black lows were for sale, but now have either been pulled or have sold out. The first time I saw SB's available at a retailer other than a skate shop was this past winter at the Nikestore in Santa Monica, but it looks like Nike is now trying to broaden their market even more by encompassing  their online sector. As a SB enthusiast I don't necessarily like this move by Nike. Because I live in the city of Grand Rapids which is home to Premier, one of the top SB accounts in the nation, it has never been difficult for me to get my hands on the best Nike Skate shoes as soon as they release. For those who do not live in a city with a SB retailer this might be a great option for purchasing skate shoes and apparel though. My only concerns are that the SB line will become too mainstream and the sales at local skate shops might be hurt by the availability at the online giant. As long as Nike continues to keep quickstrike releases to a limited number of SB accounts I won't be all that mad though. Any input on the situation?..leave a comment

Camo: Not for Urban Dwelling Civilians

Kanye west-with respectable Camo

Lupe Fiasco - with a style failure here

Despite what GQ or any other fashion blog or magazine might tell you, wearing camouflage print is not and never will be stylish. Please leave the camo wearing to the brave men and women who protect this country or those who choose to partake in bow-hunting. Recently we have seen big names in hip-hop adorning this ridiculous attire, which goes to show even the most hip of individuals can make a fashion mistake once in awhile (or for Drake just about everyday). Lupe, stop the foolishness and try not to "Dumb Down" the style sense of America's youth, it's just abysmal. One of the worst designer pieces I have seen is a camo tie made by David Hart & Co that comes with a $125 pricetag; I find it hard to believe any of these ties will sell at all, you would have to have more money than brains to even think about wrapping that around your neck. You would also have to be an idiot to think that wearing it to an interview for a job in corporate America would help your chances of getting hired.  I will have to admit top designers such as Louis Vuitton, Prada and Michael Bastian have made clothing items and accessories with camo print that look halfway respectable, but personally I will never be willing to drop $950 on a LV bag just to look halfway respectable. Kanye West does somehow make the camo look work in the above picture, but my guess is he dropped four digits on that bag and lets remember he is Kanye Mother F***ing West. So remember, baggy cargo pants might be a fashion disaster, but baggy cargo pants with green and brown splotches all over them is..... Unforgivable.    

My Three Favorite Kicks to Rock this Summer

The Nike Zoom Stefan Janoski is a a hybrid skate sneaker and boat shoe that can easily be dressed up or down. Wear them to the beach or for a night out on the city. They come in a multitude of colors if you want to go with something flashy or subtle and materials including leather, suede and canvas. Nike has been releasing boatloads of colorways and now has a Janoski mid option that looks great with shorts. Available at your local SB retailer.                                                                                                                               

The Pro-Keds 69er is a classic kick that has been updated for comfort and style. It is now available with or without the rubber toe depending on which material the shoes are made from. Leather 69er's usually come with the rubber toe while the canvas and wool versions do not. Buy these now at pickyourshoes.   

Van's Era is similar to the Authentic, but is a little more beefed up with padding, so you can wear them comfortably without socks and not hurt your achilles. This is a great, durable sneaker thats fit for skating or just  wearing to look fly. Plenty of different colors available at Vans.com.

With summer comes warm weather, but you can stay cool with these three lightweight low-top sneakers. By having a pair of Janoski's, 69er's or Era's in your closet you will be ready for just about any summer situation. All three have relatively small price tags, so feel free to beat them up, wear them to the beach without socks and not worry about the foul smell or getting them scuffed. 

The Hundreds Cooks up Something Sweet for the Summer

The Hundreds breaks the ice on a completely new design for their footwear lineup with the Mint n' Chip Scullys - releasing in limited quantities this Sunday. The Scully's design is average at best, but this colorway and the marketing for their release is genius. Only one-hundred pairs of these have been manufactured, so don't expect to get your hands on a pair unless you're willing to wait in line for at least a couple hours, or you have a fast internet connection to try and pick them up online before they're gone. The Hundreds will be offering free ice cream throughout the day at their four locations. Although I'm not too fond of mint chip these are my favorite ice cream inspired kicks to date. Hopefully management at The Hundreds will decide to cut the Skully after this release and not create more colorways because the silhouette is not all that original and new colorways could not even compare to this one. More information on the release is available at http://thehundreds.com/. Good luck to everyone looking to cop a pair this weekend. Wish I could make it out to Santa Monica for the release event.
  
Props to theGRkid for telling me about these fresh joints

Nike Designers Choking Like Lebron in The Finals

It is now clear that the "South Beach" colorway has been taken way too far. Nike should have quit while they were ahead, if they ever were ahead. The whole concept is almost as big a joke as the Miami Heat winning seven or eight championships like Lebron claimed they would. Lebron will never be the player that MJ was and his shoe game will never even compare to that of Jordan's. It was a shame to see this colorway on Jordan  sixes and sevens (No hate towards Nike in that respect because they were customs though). I hope to see these on the shelves at the Tanger Outlets, so I can pass on them even if they are only ten dollars. Unfortunately, bandwagon riders and hypebeasts will probably scoop these up as soon as they drop.  

New Summer Trend: Cycling Caps

Over the past decade we have seen the rise and fall of quite a few different trends in warm weather head wear. First came the trucker hat made popular by Ashton Kutcher, but worn by everyone from the traditional redneck truckers to tennis star Andy Roddick. Then the fitted hat gained popularity around 2005 and continues to be worn by major league ball players, rap artists, suburban kids and many others. Last summer we saw the return of snap-back hats that were popular in the late 80's and early 90's. While fitted caps and snap-backs can still be worn with great style today, these trends have been killed by frat-bro types that tend to add an essence of douchebaggery to the once pure look. It is now time to move on to something new, something that is currently not even on the radar of the best dressed Americans, the cycling cap. Cycling caps have never really caught on here in the US most likely because cycling is not much of a mainstream sport; they are more popular with the European crowd, a group that could teach us all a thing or two about style. Spike Lee's alias "Mars Blackmon" can be seen wearing a vintage cycling cap in some of the Air Jordan commercials shot in the early 90's but it is no wonder that the style never caught on because Mars was see as a nerdy character. Also, the commercials used the catchphrase "its gotta be the shoes", stressing MJ's high flying antics and footwear not the hat spike was wearing. Yes, the cycling cap may be a little nerdier than traditional baseball hats, but that is what style has come to today, so embrace it. Go grab one of these hats and take a style risk, I guarantee you will not be laughed at, and you will be on the cutting edge of a new trend. These hats are cool for anyone with good taste even if you don't ride a Schwinn Varsity to work. Hats are available at many fine retailers including Bike Nashbar for dirt cheap prices. Get yours in time for the Tour de France or whatever other activity you like to do in style.      

Field of Dreams, Theophilus London

This song didn't make the cut for the album, but will be seen on his mixtape this fall. Download Field of Dreams

Big Sean is Finally Famous

Last week the highly anticipated debut album from Detroit native rapper and MC Big Sean released. Sean was signed by Kanye West to G.O.O.D Music in 2007 and promised an album release in 2009, but difficulties with Def Jam forced the album's release to be pushed back numerous times. After more than a week of listening I have come to the conclusion that Sean and the G.O.O.D Music team have produced a solid debut album that is enjoyable to listen to over and over, but that's not to say it is flawless by any means. The album has a similar style and flow to his two most recent mixtapes Uknowbigsean and Finally Famous Volume 3, but lacks a major element that made those projects great. On Uknowbigsean Sean created his signature "supa dupa flow" which he later stopped using after it became popular and over used by other rappers including Drake, Nicki Minaj and Lil' Wayne. Sean is an innovator and trend setter, so it is understandable for him to move away from this, but at the same time it's disappointing. Overall the album does what it was designed to do, sell well and have hits suitable for the radio. His first single, My Last featuring Chris Brown, reached the number one spot on the billboard rap chart and songs Marvin & Chardonnay and High have become radio hits. The album has features including Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, John Legend, Wiz Khalifa, Chiddy Bang, Pusha T, Rick Ross and The Dream. Having these heavy hitters on the album can only be positive, they helped the album sell and Sean held his own on the songs, dropping verses with better punchlines that his features in most cases. As an avid Sean fan I will not say I enjoyed the album more than his mixtapes; it was different and saw the release of more club banger's than slow jams, but this is expected from a large commercial release. I look forward to seeing Sean continue to grow as an artist and produce more GOOD music. Go out and support Sean by buying his album Finally Famous available in stores and on itunes.