Monday, December 31, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!


MAY YOUR 2013 BE FILLED SUNSHINE AND SNOWFLAKES!
Photograph from Blower by Jeff Curtes

Thursday, December 27, 2012

WINTER RUNNING


The holidays will soon be behind us and a couple more months of winter lie ahead. The snow is falling but this can be one of the most beautiful times of year to run. If you are one of the intrepid who decides to defy the cold, you will find a blissful calm in the tranquility that is winter running. The key is staying warm and dry, and the trick is layering! A moisture-wicking base layer, breathable pullover, and windproof jacket, depending on the temperatures, is the combo you need. Below are 6 winter-proof and stylish layering pieces to get you started.















CLICK BELOW TO SHOP

Clockwise from top:
Made from revolutionary bicomponent fabric, this SmartWool's hoody combines the comfort of merino wool on the inside with weather and abrasion resistance of durable nylon on the outside.

This stylish quilted jacket features PrimaLoft® Infinity insulation and a soft fleece-lined high collar and cuffs for a comfortable fit. This one you might want to wear even when your not training. 

This pullover features a lightweight water and windproof fabric with high breathability to keep you dry and comfortable in cold, windy and wet conditions. There are internal fist mitt seals to keep hands warm and reflective external tape provides 360 degrees of reflectivity for low–light visibility.

This Long Sleeve half-zip shirt is a fleece midlayer that wraps your core in breathable warmth. The shirt is designed with FORMOTION® for running-specific fit and comfort and CLIMAWARM™ keeps you warm and comfortable in cold weather conditions.

This thermal-weight hoody features a smooth, durable outer face and moisture-wicking inner face for excellent thermal regulation. Breathable stretch panels on sides, arms and hood enhance your freedom of motion. Half-glove cuffs add coverage and warmth around hands. 

The Nike Element Shield Running Jacket is a lightweight option that combines wind resistance and moisture management for excellent protection. This jacket is loaded with great details such as front storage pockets, thumb holes, and hand warmers. It also has reflective details for nighttime visibility. 


Monday, December 24, 2012

SUNDAY NIGHT SPORT FLICKS: PART 4

It's time for another installment of my favorite sport movies. Yes it's Monday, but the Holidays have delayed my posting and I wanted to give you a few sporty classics to entertain you into the new year. Click the movie title or image for a preview. Happy and merry all!



1981 Oscar winner for Best Picture, Chariots of Fire is the true story of two British track athletes competing in the 1924 Summer Olympics. One is a devout Scottish missionary who runs for God; the other is Jewish and is running to escape the anti-semitism and class struggles he faces in Cambridge society. The movie's opening sequence, set to Vangelis's iconic theme song, is probably one of the most recognized in movie history.



This documentary by filmmaker William A. Kerig tells the story of a young teen freeskier, Kye Petersen, on a quest to ski the same slope, the legendary Exit Couloir on the Aiguille du Midi on Chamonix, where his father, famed big-mountain skier Trevor Petersen, perished. As Glen Plake and other accomplished skiers train Kye for this dangerous endeavor, they reveal a close-knit fellowship of adventurers who live to push themselves and each other to the limit. 


Warren Beatty stars as a Los Angeles Rams quarterback, accidentally taken from his body by an over-anxious angel before he is supposed to die. He comes back to life in the body of a recently-murdered millionaire and buys the team in order to quarterback them into the Superbowl. The movie also stars the always enchanting Julie Christie. 

This documentary focuses on the history and social struggles of the Bra Boys, a notorious surf gang from the Australian suburb of Maroubra with a reputation for being legendary partiers, rebellious thugs and incredible big-wave surfers. Narrated by Russell Crowe, the film highlights the Bra Boys running battle with authorities and shows their reliance on one another to survive in a society in which they are displaced.



This is Top Gun on the race track and stars Tom Cruise as the cocky upstart stock-car racer Cole Trickle. Set in the high-pressure world of Nascar racing, he's a hot driver with a hot temper, which gets him into trouble on and off the track. His rivalry with a fellow racer leads to an accident which lands him in the hospital and he develops a relationship with his doctor, played by Nicole Kidman. Directed by Tony Scott, this entertaining flick is also where Tom and Nicole began their off set relationship.


FOR MORE OF MY MOVIE FAVORITES CLICK BELOW:
http://styleofsport.blogspot.com/2012/08/sunday-night-at-movies-welcome-to-first.html
http://styleofsport.blogspot.com/2012/09/sunday-night-at-movies-sport-flicks.html
http://styleofsport.blogspot.com/2012/10/sunday-night-at-sports-movies-part-3.html


FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @STYLEOFSPORT

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

IN-VESTED: 6 HI-LO PUFFER VESTS


CLICK BELOW TO SHOP!

Clockwise from top left: AUTHIER® TOM'S VEST AT J.CREW $530; UNIQLO PREMIUM DOWN ULTRA LIGHT VEST $49.90; MONCLER GHANY VEST $525; PATAGONIA DOWN SWEATER VEST $150; JOE FRESH WEST LOOK DOWN PUFFA VEST $49; LANDS END DOWN VEST $40

A down vest is an essential for everyone's outdoor closet. Worn under a peacoat or blazer, over a sweater or flannel shirt, they are the perfect extra layer of warmth. Some like them thin, others like them fat. Some prefer brights, other neutrals. Whatever your preference or budget may be, there lots of great choices. These are 6 of my hi-lo favorites! 

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: COVERS FROM ERAS PAST

AUGUST 16, 1954 (PREMIER ISSUE) / MAY 28, 1973

AUG.23, 1971 / AUG.8, 1955

DEC.9, 1968 / DEC.26,1960

SEPT.19, 1960 / DEC.20, 1954

I discovered the SI VAULT a few months ago, where the cover of every Sports Illustrated issue ever published is on display. Sports Illustrated was first published in 1959 and founded by Time magazine patriarch Henry Luce. Prior to that there was no general sports magazine with a national following. At the time, many believed sports were not worthy of serious journalism, much less a magazine of their own.

What treat it is to see the magazine in its early days, when the chic sporty lifestyle was as much a cover story as the NFL, NBA and MLB, and then President John F.Kennedy and first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy boating were the embodiment of that lifestyle. It is also nice to see sports photography that is not so razor sharp as is the norm in the digital age, but almost painterly and symbolic of eras passed, when professional sports had an innocence that we don't often see today. 

Above and below are a few of my favorites covers, but you can see them all at SI VAULT.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

ROLL IT, STICK IT, BUFF IT



There are four muscle massaging tools that the athlete and avid exerciser must have to improve endurance and performance. Ranging from high to low, the cheapest of options will cost you less than $5. So if you're going to keep going, you better have at least one. 

THE STICK. The Stick is a rolling pin device composed of a semirigid core around which 8-10 (depending on the size) one-inch spindles freely spin. Made popular by world-class distance runners, this simple tool is fantastic for relieving trigger point pain, increasing flexibility and accelerating recovery time. The Stick comes in a 20" and 17" size, which is perfect for travel. I don't leave home without it!

BELLECORE BODYBUFFER. Hold on tight because this oscillating massager packs a lot of power and provides a vigorous, deep-tissue massage and exfoliation experience. Using a HoneyBelle or smaller BabyBelle bodybuffer before a workout is a great way to kick-start circulation, heat and loosen up muscles. After training, the BodyBuffer massage action enhances blood flow to the muscles, flushes out lactic acid and toxins, and relieves soreness. This is a serious piece of machinery! 

LACROSSE BALL. For precision trigger point pain and muscle knot relief you can't beat a $5 lacrosse ball! It gets in there and gets the job done. A tennis ball will also do the same trick and is a little softer.  Keep one at home and one at the office. Carry one in your bag or briefcase. Don't be caught without one!

THE GRID FOAM ROLLER. The Grid is a versatile and comprehensive foam roller. With its unique design matrix and "Distrodensity" zones, The Grid allows for a more realistic massage experience: low and flat feels like the forearm or palm
; high and firm feels like the finger tips
. The Grid is designed to withstand repeated use, and comes in a 13" and 20" size. It can also be used as an exercise tool for a simple core workout.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

THE BESPOKE SPORTING GOODS STORE

ROW 1: RAPHA GINGHAM  LONG SLEEVE SHIRTSATURDAYS SURF CROSBY ST, NYC; ROW 2: VANS AT DQM; NIKE STORE 21 MERCER; PREMIERE ISSUE OF SATURDAYS MAGAZINE; ROW 3: EARLY TOUR DE FRANCE; LIMITED EDITION KAI MALIE STAND-UP PADDLEBOARD AT ANTHROPOLOGIE; DQM NYC; ROW 4: PRO TEAM JACKETS AT RAPHA; HELMET FROM ADELINE ADELINE;  ADELINE ADELINE IN TRIBECA

The word "bespoke" conjures up an image of refined sophistication that one does not usually associate with skateboarding, surfing and cycling, but there is a whole new generation of hip and posh sporting goods stores that fit this description. In lower Manhattan, the surf shop SATURDAYS, skate shop DQM, Nike store 21 MERCER, and bicycle store ADELINE ADELINE have all opened in the last few years designed with a cool and minimal aesthetic. In addition, there are online stores like RAPHA, which design and carry retro cycling apparel and sportswear reminiscent of the early days of the Tour de France. Even clothing stores like Antropologie are following suit carrying a limited edition Kai Malie stand-up paddleboard and Van Heesch Copper Bicycle that patinas with age. Below are a few of my favorite "Bespoke" sporting goods stores. I am NYC based but love to hear about others in the US and abroad!

Tribeca, NYC
Located in Tribeca, this very bespoke bicycle boutique sells only the most beautifully designed city bikes and accessories in the tradition of those seen on streets of Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and the English countryside. The store has a refined Scandinavian aesthetic that showcases these two wheeled works of art, in addition to a selection of helmets, bags and other accessories perfectly curated to compliment the bicycles they sell.  

NIKE 21 MERCER
Soho, NYC
Tucked away in the middle of Soho, its hard to imagine this understated boutique is actually Nike store. 21 Mercer carries a specialized and hard-to find selection of Nike footwear and apparel, curated to appeal more to the design and fashion oriented customer than the athlete.  21 Mercer is home to the exclusive Nike Bespoke program, where customers can design their sneakers from scratch with almost unlimited design elements during a NIKEiD customization session. The boutique also carries limited edition pieces from the brand’s NSW line, a collection of refined and sophisticated off-field apparel.

NYC & Tokyo
In 2009, Saturdays opened its flagship store in SoHo as New York's premier downtown surf shop. Carrying not just surf gear and apparel, but books, fine art and other accessories, Saturdays represents the lifestyle of the urban surfer. The clean open design, espresso bar, and garden patio in back have established it as much as a hang out destination as a store. Saturdays now designs and produces its own menswear line designed to appeal to the surfer and hipster alike. There are also addional stores in the West Village and Tokyo. 

http://www.rapha.cc/
Rapha Performance Roadwear is a premium sportswear and lifestyle brand focused on road bicycle racing, clothing and accessories. It is an online emporium of performance roadwear, accessories, publications and events, all celebrating the glory, culture and history of road riding.

East Village, NYC
When DQM first opened in 2003, on a nondescript street in Manhattan’s Bowery district, it had just twenty styles of sneakers, a few skateboards and five styles of house brand t-shirts. Founded by professional skateboarder Chris Keeffe, born and raised in New York City, DQM quickly found the support of the neighborhood and the downtown scene. Remaining true to its roots in skateboarding, DQM has grown to become one of New York’s premiere location for sneakers, menswear and skate goods, as well as a fully-fledged brand in its own right, with clothing and accessories sold in select locations around the world. In 2011, DQM opened its second store, The General, in partnership with Vans, in a landmark building in SoHo district, bringing one the most impressive collections of Vans to the East Coast.


Thursday, December 6, 2012

ART BASEL MIAMI


FEELING THE HOT COLORS OF MIAMI BEACH! MY ART AND SPORT HIGHLIGHTS... ROW 1: TSHIRT AT WINGS; PAINTING BY HEATHER GWEN MARTIN AT PULSE; PROENZA SCHOULER BAGS AT THE WEBSTER MIAMI; ROW 2: PEDRO VARELA AT UNTITLED; NEON ALEHANDRO INJELMO HI-TOPS AT THE WEBSTER MIAMI; TAKASHI MURAKAMI AT PULSE; ROW 3: ALEXANDER CALDER BMW 3.0 AT MIAMI BEACH BOTANCIAL GARDEN; ANDRES CARRANO HELMET AND FACE PLATE (THE ARTIST'S) AT UNTITLED; NEON SURF ART BY ROB AND NICK CARTER AT PULSE; ROW 4: NEON PULSE BROCHURE; DESIGN MIAMI ENTRANCE; DEMISCH DENANT GALLERY AT DESIGN MIAMI


Saturday, December 1, 2012

DECEMBER = 31 DAYS OF SNEAKERS













In the spirit of the holidays, I am celebrating this December with 31 days of sneakers. Each day this month will feature a new sneaker selected not just by me, but some of my most sporty and fashionable friends. So to all my sneakerheads out there, I'd love to hear some of your picks too. 

CLICK SNEAKER NAME BELOW TO SHOP!
DEC.31: Well it's the last day of December, the last day of my 31 days of sneakers and the last day of the year! Very hard to pick the final sneaker, especially while there are still so many more to choose. I am giving today to the ADIDAS SPEZIAL, because I love this orange and yellow combo, and because I couldn't decide between the ADIDAS GAZELLE, CAMPUS or SAMBA... all timeless Adidas classics!

DEC.30: Going with a kid's pick today from a very hip 8 year old, NYC Elite gymnast, Ellie Diamond (who happens to be my niece). Ellie always has the coolest kicks and loves these OSIRIS KIDS NYC83.

DEC. 29: PONY TOPSTAR. Remember these? Pony was born in Brooklyn in 1972 and quickly became of the most recognized and iconic Sports brands in the world. 

DEC.28: SAUCONY ORIGINALS BULLET. Originally a track shoe with spikes, Saucony took this 1985 classic and adapted it for the street.

DEC.27: NIKE LEBRON X+. Today's sneaker of the day comes from Ariel Foxman, the Editor-In-Chief of InStyle magazine! This shoe celebrates of the tenth anniversary of LeBron James and Nike Basketball, and features newly engineered cushioning and state-of-the-art support. When paired with the Nike+ Sport Kit (sold separately), the LeBron X+ tracks your highest jump, average jump height and total jumps per game, along with your steps per second, quickest moments and more. Very cool pick Mr.Foxman!

DEC.26: PUMA G.VILAS. This Puma classic named after 70's tennis legend, Guillermo Vilas, is another timeless sneaker favorite.    
DEC.25: Gotta go with this green suede and mesh ADIDAS ORIGINALS DECADE OG for the Christmas sneaker. 

DEC.24: Today's pick comes my old friend Adam Glassman, Creative Director of O, The Oprah Magazine. Like me, he is obsessed with the Nike Flyknit Trainer, which happened to be my Dec.1 Sneaker of the Day. Adam has a sneaker feature as well in the January issue of O, and I am going with one his choices from the magazine, the Asics Gel-Lyte33, as today's sneaker of the day. This lightweight, super-flexible running shoe delivers a cushioned ride and promotes a mid-foot to forefoot strike. Plus the neon yellow and pink will definitely add an extra burst of speed to your runs!

DEC.23: CONVERSE JACK PURCELL: This classic was first introduced in 1935 by its nakesake, world champion badminton player Jack Purcell. He designed the shoe to provide more protection and support on badminton courts. In the 1970s, Converse purchased the trademark rights to Jack Purcell sneakers. The traditional white canvas has long been popular for its vintage fashion appeal, but now like almost all Converse sneakers, the Jack Purcell fully customizable. 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

ITS A WRAP... KINESIOLOGY TAPE

KATRIN HOLTWICK OF GERMANY DURING OLYMPIC WOMENS BEACH VOLLEYBALL MATCH, LONDON 2012

A few years ago, at the Beijing Olympics, I noticed Beach Volleyball Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh's shoulder covered in very badass-looking colorful tape. It was applied with an intricate criss-crossing pattern and I was intrigued to find out more. As an recreational athlete who tends to overdo it with a fair amount of frequency, I am always interested in what professional athletes do to treat their injuries. Since its their job to get back on the field or court as quickly as possible, they usually have access to the most progressive therapies. It turns out the latest thing is Kenisio Tape and in the London Olympic Games it was everywhere.


Kinesiology tape has a comprehensive array of therapeutic benefits. It is applied to reduce pain and inflammation, and support muscles in movement. The lifting action of the tape relives pressure on pain receptors under the skin, allowing for quick relief from acute injuries. Developed in the mid-1970s by Dr. Kenzo Kase, a well-known Japanese practitioner in chiropractics and acupuncture, the tape was designed in response to the limitations he encountered working with traditional sports tape. Kenisio tape has a texture and elasticity very close to human skin. It is non-restrictive and allows for full range of motion, in contrast to traditional sports tape. 

A few weeks ago, I found a doctor in NYC, Dr. Vladimir Friedman, DC, CCSP,CKTP, a chiropractor who uses the Kinesiology Tape as a post-treatment therapy. Nursing a hamstring strain going into a half-marathon, it seemed like the perfect time to see if Kenisio Tape worked. I felt I had come full circle when there on his wall was a picture of Kerri Walsh! While the jury is out as to whether Kinesiology Tape really works, I shaved 5 minutes off my time and broke that elsuive 2hr mark. You be the judge.

For more information on Kinesiology Tape, watch the segment from CBS This Morning below.



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Saturday, November 24, 2012

GOGGLES GALORE!


Aspen, Jackson Hole, Squaw Valley and more are open for the season. Its time to start planning those ski and snowboard trips and with the Holidays upon us what better gift to get or give than a new hot pair of goggles! There are hundreds of colorful styles to choose from and what a fun way to add a little burst of flavor to your slopestyle attire.  But besides looking good your goggles need to protect you from the elements and anti-fog, scratch resistant, UV filtering, form fitting, no distortion lenses are a MUST. Click below to shop my season's picks. All are available with inter-changable or adaptive lenses for varying light conditions.


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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

QUILTED: SHOP IT NOW!





Love to see a trend manifest itself on everything from a Lanvin iPad case to a classic Sebago loafer, and a backpack look as elegant as an evening bag. From flip flops to a leather mini skirt, the quilted stitching gives everything that chic touch... especially in black! As the holiday shopping season is upon us, I present the first of many gift ideas features to come. CLICK BELOW TO SHOP!

Row 1: BELSTAFF Anysley Jacket $695; LANVIN Amalia iPad Case $927; SPERRY TOP-SIDER Shearwater Boot $98; Row 2: BALMAIN Quilted Leather Mini Skirt $6870; SEBAGO Coast Two-Eye $89.99; MARC JACOBS Quilted Stam Bag $1395; Row 3: GIVENCHY Quilted Leather Clutch $1563; MOSCHINO Quilted Leather Jacket $4220; BARNEYS NEW YORK Quilted Cap $195; Row 4: CHANEL Quilted Lambskin Ankle Boot (price available upon request); H BY HARRIS Q3 Quilted Leather Rucksack $795 REEF Dreams $34

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