"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