Go KD, Go Dasher, Go Breezy...

     It wouldn't be Christmas without the NBA putting on a showcase of it's best players throughout the day as we open gifts and eat more food.  As they did last year, the NBA rolls out their Christmas commercial in promotion of their holiday jerseys as your leagues finest will rock the solid color tee's.
D. Rose, Durantula, Steph Curry, Nash, Harden, and the oop to the King are featured in the promo.
As much as these commercials feel like they'll really just shooting hoops making it sound like a real song, the holidays aren't the holidays without a little make believe...regardless I still get a kick out of it.

Asics Gel-Lyte III "Urban Camo"

     The Gel-Lyte III first caught my eye because my neighbors were cross country runners and always had different kinds of sneaks around other than Nikes or Adidas.  First thing I noticed, and yes, this is when they originally came out in the 90's, was the split-tongue right down the middle.  Not only did it make it look pretty sleek, especially back then, but it also made them super comfortable.  Right away, they became one of my all time favorites.  Fast forward to 2013 and it seems like there's a new boutique collaboration release every weekend for the Gel-Lyte III model.  Every color you can think of and different materials have been showcased from designers such as Ronnie Fieg to Asics themselves coming out with more colorways then they ever have.
     The first pictures of the "Urban Camo" colorway was released very early this year and after hitting  Europe first, finally found it's way stateside only a couple months ago.  The high interest wasn't shocking as the model has sold out every time a link goes up, but a little surprising considering it was a general release.  Asics did pick a winner with grey suede, black color blocking and light blue highlights, as it gives way to the camouflaged insole.  They also throw some bonus alternative color laces as well.  Subtle 3M hits on the front and back of the sneaker as well.  This model has withstood the test of time and is definitely thriving.

I'm Funny How ??

Pretty great parody of a couple of classic movie scenes...been out for a while, but great none the less.
Happy Thanksgiving...

"Philly Is Ugly" x Nathaniel Dodson

     Having never lived more than an hour away from the City of Brotherly Love, it has obviously given me an affinity for one of the first cities in this country.  The long chronicled history has been told many times and is embedded in the city's culture and personality.  Philadelphia has served as the metropolitan cityscape for the South Jersey, Delaware,  and Eastern Pennsylvania region since inception.  It's easy to get overlooked when you're in between the city that never sleeps and the nation's capital but there is no doubt that Philly has it's personality and can hold it's own amongst the best cities in the world.  Although some outside perceptions of Philly has been the opposite..
     Local Philadelphia photographer Nathaniel Dodson put together a short film, using stop motion photography, to dispel the myth of the city's aesthetics.  The title "Philly is Ugly"  pokes fun at that idea as he gives everyone a really wonderful view of the city we've grown to love.  It also gives you a different view of the things we see every day and take for granted or don't think much of.  A building here, a road there…
     A great original soundtrack, provided by @shelteredturtle, accompanies the visuals as well.  Hopefully you enjoy it as much as I did and feel a little sense of pride for "our" city.  
     You can follow Nathaniel on Twitter @EndyPhoto for more information and behind the scenes footage.



Philly Is Ugly from Nathaniel Dodson on Vimeo.
View in full screen!

Nike Flyknit Trainer + Volt/Black

     A year ago the Olympics graced London and of course Nike paved the way by using the global showcase to introduce new products.  One of them being their Nike Flyknit technology.  A one piece seamless upper that is knit from materials that make it extremely light and form fitting.  What better way for everyone to see them by pretty much every US medal winner wearing the Flyknit Trainer on the podium and being associated with greatness.  Numerous athletes were seen wearing the bright colored kicks throughout London, especially the US Men's Basketball team along with the US Swim team and phenom Michael Phelps.
They were released last summer and this color way sold out immediately and prices on the secondary market soared.  Not only did everyone want what their idols were wearing, but the uber popular Volt color way with the black blocking on the interior, and the gradient volt to black upper, made them the ultimate attention getter.  Not to mention they actually were super comfortable and super light, the reasons continued to pile up to make this must own footwear.  Patience is a virtue as I was lucky to get them from Nike directly this past spring for retail and they have become one of my all time favorites.  Take a look for yourself and if Volt isn't your thing, they have the Trainers along with other Flyknit models in any color you can think of.

"Work" x Iggy Azalea

Iggy Azalea has been on my radar for quite a while now, but why wouldn't she be.  A bombshell blonde from Australia that spits rhymes.  Sure, why not.  She's been signed to T.I.'s Grand Hustle label for the last few years and is releasing her second album this fall.  This single and video should bring enough attention to it and for all the right reasons.  She's up for best new artist at this Sunday's MTV awards.

Oregon Football Performance Center

Football is back……and Chip Kelly might want to reconsider leaving the Ducks  to come to the Eagles after you see the spread that his former employer has on campus. A reported $68 million dollar renovation has the University of Oregon ducks facilities looking like the Star Trek Enterprise.  Just kidding Chip!  I'm definitely excited to see what he has in store for the Philadelphia Eagles with his fast paced offense and getting back to running the ball.  Something we never did with Andy.  I digress, back to the stadium facilities.  Watching the video will definitely have you rethinking what college is like for today's student athletes and money that's involved in the whole process. Oregon has recently taken marketing themselves to the next level with the multiple eye-catching uniforms,  helmets, their forest inspired basketball court, home of Tracktown US, and countless Nike and Jordan Oregon sneakers. Given that one of their most famous alumni, Phil Knight, heads the worlds biggest athletic brand, it's no secret he's donated substantial amounts to the school which allows it to offer facilities such as these…enjoy the tour!

Some of the amenities include:

The lobby has 64 55-inch televisions that can combine to project a single image.

The floor of the weight room is Brazilian hardwood.

There are custom foosball tables where one team is Oregon and the other team has 11 players, with each player representing a different Pac-12 team.

The players' lounge has six gaming stations.

There's a skybridge with an art installation of ducks. Each duck has the name of an Oregon player drafted by the NFL.

A "war room" with six 80-inch TVs.

A two-story meeting room with a window that overlooks Autzen Stadium.

A hydrotherapy tub in the coaches' locker room.

TVs are embedded in the mirrors of the coaches locker room.

A cafeteria with the words "EAT YOUR ENEMIES" in neon lights

Building consists of 145,000 square feet and 6 floors, 2 auditoriums

Photo Gallery: Football Performance Center - GoDucks.com - The University of Oregon Official Athletics Web Site

ICE COLD New York

     Nothing better than something that is ice cold on a hot, summer Saturday in Brooklyn.  here, which has their shop, blog, etc.
That's exactly what I found at the Brooklyn Flea Market.  ICE COLD, New York, a newer brand that I recently stumbled upon on Instagram, would be setting up shop that day and offering some of their wears.  I went over there after running in the MLB All Star 5k in Prospect Park and found Mike and the goods.  Very impressed from first glance at the vibrant colors and design.  3M highlights and flocking gives these shirts depth, especially for athletic wear, which they're meant for.  Designed by Michael, along with a full line of socks with 3M spots,  the gear is meant to be used and be seen, especially when getting your evening jog or bike ride.  That's the inspiration behind ICE COLD and you can get the full story and more information from their site
      I picked up the limited edition Brooklyn Flea Exclusive "RUN" shirt.  Each one is hand made and even the packaging is top notch.   It comes in a foil padded envelope with the name across the front.
     If you get a chance, get down there on a Saturday and chop it up with Mike.  Not too many times you can talk to the person responsible for what's in front of you.   I'm looking forward to see what else comes from ICE COLD as you can see the care taken in each detail for a great product.
Ice Cold, New York definitely has their own lane…

www.icecoldny.com

New Balance ML574 "Surf Pack"

     Here's a look at the Navy blue color way of New Balance's ML574 "Retro Surf" Pack.  With a homage to the beach, they combine a bunch of great materials all associated with surfing.  Nylon with metal eyelets to represent board shorts, a woven hemp heel and tongue, along with a wooden graphic side panel and lace tips.   A suede upper toe box and heal along with contrast stitching give it extra detail.  Last but not least the Hawaiian floral insole and footbed compliment this summer sneaker perfectly.   They also have a yellow and green color way.

 More pics below

New Balance 420 x Herschel Supply Co.

     This late winter collaboration makes for a clean trainer with unique hints at the co-branding between travel goods' maker Herschel Supply and New Balance.  The low profile 420 model was revived as the silhouette of choice and in red, black, and navy with tan leather on the heel and logo.  Herschel's famous paisley lines the foot liner and insole and has badging at the bottom lace tab.  "Enjoy your Day" on the tongue and insole sums up the sneaker, along with two sets of extra laces, navy blue and red.

More pics below

"Get Lucky" x Daft Punk x Pharrell x Nile Rogers

     I'm dancing just writing this right now, hard not to.  Daft Punk's newest single "Get Lucky", is from their long awaited new album Random Access Memory.  The French robotic duo has highly influenced many current artists and the EDM movement as a whole, but this critically acclaimed album is definitely a different sound than what you would expect.  Listened to the album a couple times and overall it's Fleetwood Mac and even Michael Jackson are referenced as a sound they were going for.
sound has a pretty slow tempo and almost all live instrumentation, which is a completely different contrast to their previous albums and electronic sound.  They said the 80's heavily influenced this album and you can definitely hear that throughout.  Steely Dan, The Cars, Eagles,
     This single has Skateboard P on vocals and guitarist Nigel Davis on guitar.  The video isn't anything special, but the song is a groove buster, perfect for the summer.

KAWS Companion (Passing Through) x 30th St Station Philadelphia

     It's not uncommon for people to see some odd sights when in some of the bigger cities in this country.  In this case, KAWS' 16 foot sculpture stood tall as it greeted visitors, commuters and everyone in between in the main lobby of 30th Street Station in Philadelphia.  The internationally known urban artist, Brian Donnelly, better known as KAWS, was at the train station for the presentation of his "Companion (Passing Through)" sculpture as it sat at one end of the historic building.  The statue has graced NYC, Hong Kong, Austin, Miami and finally has touched down in the City of Brotherly Love.  It's the first of many engagements KAWS will have with the city, with the support and direction of the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts, he will have other pieces placed at their building and an exhibition to follow in the fall.
     PAFA had a press event in early April to present the statue and KAWS was present to field questions from the media and invited guests.  After a break, he came back to sign some of his famous toys, books, shirts, etc, for his fans and took pictures.  Below are pics from the event and a video showing the statue being assembled.
     Donnelly is originally from Jersey City and has turned his graffiti beginnings into being an international pop culture icon that has covered every medium imaginable.   
More information about him and the upcoming exhibitions in Philadelphia via PAFA can be found here.   Unfortunately, it was only on display from April 11th to May 14th, but you'll never know where Companion will end up next…
     Other KAWS posts … KAWS x Hennessey , KAWS x Dos Equis, Kawslo.

Click below for more pictures

Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder

  Watch the video first (if you haven't already, over 27 million views in a week in a half)….yeah, pretty great concept right?  Pretty amazing when you watch a commercial and don't realize it is one, since it invokes an emotional response.  Especially one that has a human element that everyone can associate with right away and leaving you feeling a little better about yourself.  You might not run out and buy Dove but I don't think you'll forget watching this for a while.
Kudos to @josh_willins  

"Poetic Justice" Kendrick Lamar x Drake

     A little west coast and some up north flavor gives a great song a visual just in time for the spring and summer.  Kendrick's metaphors are translated into video with a spot from Drake that's basically a love ballad to the ladies, but none better than to deliver the message than these two.  Scoop Deville provides the soundtrack as I'm sure we'll be hearing and seeing this song all season.
     K.Dot is definitely showing an all black everything east coast look to the set, but clearly the Southern Cali roots are represented throughout the video.  It's been a meteoric rise for Lamar and I appreciate seeing him a couple years ago when he didn't have the stardom but he had the same energy as he does now.  You can tell he loves what he does…..but we also know that "Love Hurts".
     

GhostFace Killah x Montreality

     This is a fantastic interview from one of the most colorful entertainers and lyricists in hip-hop, GhostFace Killah.  As expected, he has a way with words and explanations that always amaze, but in reality, speaks more sense than most people would ever expect.  You have to be intelligent to stay relevant and successful in any genre of music and he's done more than that.  His lengthy catalog has solidified him as one of the best and probably has put out the most albums out of all of the members of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan. 
     A lot of what Tony Starks speaks on can be applicable to almost every man, woman, and child.  Love is always the key to life and the fear of God to keep us disciplined.  Humanity is universal and regardless of whatever life or background you come from, we're all on the same journey and leave it to Ghost to remind us of that.  He's usually the flashy member of the group, known for his giant gold Eagle bracelet to the Versace robes and pendant as he created his own super hero comic persona, but this gives a candid look into the star's thoughts.
Let me not spoil the interview as it's an instant classic.  Be on the look for GFK's new album that should be out in a couple months and peep what he says about Wu's 20th Anniversary celebration.
Major Kudos to Montreality for doing the interview, more from them here.
#WuTangForever

"Coexist" x The XX

     One of the best albums of 2012 that flew under the radar was "Coexist" by The XX.  The English band has really impressed me with their last two albums being absolutely enjoyable to listen to.  Both albums sound very similar as if it could be one album, as their distinct sound is very consistent.  This album seems to be a smudge more uptempo in a few of the songs, with an almost dubstep tempo to them.  Makes them sound all that much better.  I really enjoy listening to a full album without having to skip through them (especially since I'm a commuter).  Almost like a book with different chapters, a good record brings different emotions, up and down and tells a story.  Some songs are betters than others, you'll have your favorites, but as a whole, it really makes for enjoyable listening.
     Get both records, have some wine and relax...The XX might end up your favorite as well.

Ohio State Live Arcade

     One of the more impressive things I've seen when it comes to live spectacles, the Ohio State Marching Band put on a halftime show for the ages...video game ages.  The hours of practice, coordination, planning, the fact they're playing instruments, and you have hundreds of kids all moving at the same time, it's quite an astounding feat.
     It's great to see representations of some of the all time best video games come to life on the gridiron. See if you can figure out all of them.....great stuff.  Thanks to Rosco for the heads up.
This was the halftime show they performed against Nebraska this past October.

Supreme x Nike Air Force 1 Low

     In celebration of one of the most iconic sneakers ever, Nike has been releasing Air Force 1's in record amounts to commemorate it's thirtieth anniversary throughout 2012.  Of course, that includes collaborations with everyone and their mother.  Some of these collabo's carry more weight then others and in this case, not many standout more than Nike's joint productions with legendary brand Supreme.  Everybody is familiar with their SB Dunk and Blazer co-signs and this time, it was the Air Force 1's turn to get the infamous makeover.
     Supreme went with 3 colorways on the all time classic, all using a "NYCO" water resistant canvas-like material on the uppers.  Available in fatigue olive, black, and camouflage, they all have the white and gum rubber outsole.  Gentle Supreme branding on the swoosh, tongue label, and insole complete the look.  Three sets of laces lets you change it up with additional white and black complementing the olive.  These were literally gone in 5 minutes on their website as it was probably one of the best releases of 2012.

More pics after the link: