20% off everything at Shrink Boutique

This sale only lasts for one week so get in were you fit in! Use this code for your 20% disount: 111109 Only at Shrink Boutique

Wale meet & greet pics!

The gathering outside
WALE likes these Griffey VOLTS
and of course my YANKEE CUSTOM SNEAKERS!!
he was lucky enough to get a pair of these SAVAGE BEASTS!!!
the only kicks for us that I found!!
Ladies representing!!!
Thanks Joe!

It was a nice turn out at Sneaker Bistro in Patchouge, Long Island last night! A long drive too, but that's what being a FSF'er is! By the time I got there, Wale had already did the signing and people bought up his cd's so I didn't have alot of time with him. He wanted to let the ladies know THANK YOU for supporting as well as his top picks in the store! He even took a pic with my YANKEES CUSTOM SNEAKERS so look out for a pair done for him in the future! Thanks Joe and the staff at Sneaker Bistro! Shout out to Matt who purchased 4 cd's trying to win that DJ HERO package..which he did! Be sure to pick up WALE's new album ATTENTION DEFICIT if you haven't already!

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Meet WALE today at SNEAKER BISTRO!!!

Washington DC's front man on the Hip Hop scene and sneakerhead WALE will be greeting guests tonight at SNEAKER BISTRO to help promote his new album ATTENTION DEFICIT!!! Buy an album and you will be entered to win the new DJ HERO package which I hear is HOTT!! While you are there you can check out the latest styles in kicks that Sneaker Bistro has to offer. See you tonight at 7PM!!

Sneaker Bistro
580 Route 112 , Suite 17
Patchogue , Ny 11772
631-730-7132

Women Empowering Women Summit wrap up!

R&B artist Melanie Fiona and I
celebrity make up artist Raedawn J

The fabulous Wendy Williams


Hey ladies! The summit was a few hours of networking, and sharing positive methods to help inspire each other to allow our voices to be heard, and that our thoughts and ideas are indeed valid! It was moved at the last minute to the Holiday Inn next door and streamed live for those who couldn't attend. I missed Elisabeth Hasselbeck's video acceptance for her honoree award, but was there to see Wendy Williams accept, share her experience working with women in a male dominated field, and give advice on sisterhood and why it is important that we as women help each other get ahead! There was also a special guest, new R&B artist Melanie Fiona, and celebrity make up artist Raedawn J who says a little make up goes a long way! There were group exercises to make positive presentations to help inspire you in whatever it is that you have passion for as well as Q & A with the panelists from Hip Hop for Life, Daniel's Music school, and Junior Achievement Academy NY! This event was great and I was glad to be invited to cover it for the blog! Thank you Heather Young and WEW founder Kisha Mays!!!

Lady Footlocker & Nike hook up the hoopsters!

Lady Footlocker has kept their mission of providing quality, performance footwear for women, and they're expanding beyond their strong niche in running shoes with a huge online selection of women's basketball sneakers. This is big! I used to go to every sneaker store in the mall and ask for women's basketball sneakers, not so much because I wanted them (the men's were always better), but just to keep the word alive that yes, females play basketball! And buy sneakers! So now here we have it, online and in the mall, the recognition that hundreds of thousands of girls and women of all ages are balling. Nike has heard. Lady Footlocker has heard, and they're stepping up with over 70 varieties of Nike Hyperize, Shox Vision, Lebron Soldier IIIs and more. Don't sleep on the ladies!

(Sorry adidas and Reebok, you slept! Or you better take it up with LFL, cuz offering 3 colorways of one shoe? And it only comes in 1 size?? What is that?)

Congratulations NY YANKEES!!!

It was a great game! Many predicted the win back home in my beautiful boro of The Bronx!! Now that we are the champions, why not celebrate with a pair of custom, hand-painted YANKEES CUSTOM SNEAKERS!!! This is one of the 1st orders before they won that I am finishing up just in time for the parade!! That client is lucky!!! Hit up the FETTi Footline to consult with me about a uniquely designed, exclusive pair made just for you or a loved Yankee fan!!! Each pair will be 1 of 1, with no 2 pairs having the same design!

Women Empowering Women Summit

WEW is an international women's empowerment organization. This Sunday will be their 1st annual Women Empowering Women Summit held at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, NJ.

This event will empower, inspire, & educate women of all ages & ethnicities by bringing together a panel of the most successful women nationwide providing their invaluable insight & life lessons! There will be a host of event speakers from various industries as well as 2 honorees for the WEW Maverick Award; Wendy Williams & Elisabeth Hasselbeck!

In their efforts to raise $1,000,000 in 7 days for organizations that benefit, support, & uplift women and children, they ask that you come out and join!

Anotha ILL Banga!!

Crooked Tongues 52

Crooked Tongue celebrates its 10th year in the game next year. To commemorate they are giving 1 very lucky person a free pair of shoes a week for the year. That's 52 pairs of shoes. Pause... I said that's 52 pairs of FREE shoes. The winner also gets to pick which shoes they would like each week!!!

ENTER TO WIN HERE

I filled out my entry form, have you?????

PF Flyers SPORTING LIFE Spring 2010 Collection

RAMBELER HI ORIGINAL & RE-ISSUE

Thursday night I went out to cover some sneaker events and the PF Flyers event turned out to be the coolest one! Situated in a cozy loft with dim lighting and comfy seating areas throughout the space, I was able to really soak in what the 2010 Sporting Life Collection is about. PF Flyers has been around for at least 70 years and started with a great basketball sneaker, but has evolved into so much more! The collection immediately inspires casual fun with vulcanized rubbers, nylons, suedes and leathers complimenting each other in various style designs. I especially loved the Bob Cousy Hi All American in black canvas as well as the Astor & Glide collection which you will see in the pics below





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ANOTHER COUPON!!! ADIDAS Family & Friends!!!

Being a sneaker artist does have it's perks!! From November 5th - 8th you get 40% off any purchase at any ADIDAS store! Time to start shopping early for Christmas!!! Just print out this coupon, get your kicks,then get them customized by ME to make the kicks extra special!!! Thanks Melissa!!!

Footlocker & House of Hoops 5 DAY SALE COUPON!!!

Hey ladies! Our great friend Melissa over at Footlocker sent this out for us to enjoy this Halloween weekend! $15 off any purchase over $60..of course with some exceptions! So print this out and get out there and get some new kicks!!! Thanks Melissa!!

Puma's Usain Bolt Party Thursday

If you're in NYC Thursday, don't miss this chance to check out Puma's new Usain Bolt collection and chill with Hot 97 and DJ host Cipha Sounds. It's all going down at the 34th St. Footlocker from 5-7pm.

(I hope Puma comes out with some gear celebrating Jamaican Shelly-Ann Fraser's World and Olympic championships, too!)

REEBOK x SHEIKH RIP THE MIC talent search

Reebok and Shiekh Music is looking for the next hottest hip hop and R&B talent in the Southwest US . The 1st independent artist talent search of its kind, Rip The Mic Talent Search will span 3 cities and award 3 winners with a 1-year marketing endorsement and artist development deal.

To commemorate the kick off of the Rip the Mic Talent Search, Reebok launched 3 exclusive “Fuze 1.0” high top styles that will be available for purchase at all Shiekh stores for $85. Using mixed media for a leather & suede upper & color blocking effect in blue, purple & black colorways, the Fuze 1.0 style is known for its distinctive Velcro straps and back zipper detailing.

Think you have what it takes?
Sign up here: SHEIKH TEAM

RIP THE MIC TALENT SEARCH TOUR DATES

October 9th – Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix , AZ
October 23rd – Hilltop Mall in Oakland , CA
October 30th – Westfield Fox Hills in Los Angeles

Air Griffey Max "VOLT" back at FOOTLOCKER!!

Didn't get a chance to cop these on the first re-issue? Well next week FOOTLOCKER will re-release this infamous colorway for the Air Griffey Max VOLTS due to high demand so be sure not to miss out again!

Source: FOOTLOCKER UNLOCKED

50 MICS Tournament @ REBEL NYC

50MICS, JOHNNY MISKEEN, MTV, SOURCE MAGAZINE, DIGIWAXX & HOODLIFE MOVEMENT PRESENTS:
50MICS NEW YORK "ENTER TOURNAMENT CHALLENGE" ARTIST SEARCH @ "REBEL NYC" 251 W 30th STREET, NY, NY 10001
The 50mics Tournament is a nationwide search for the best independent talent. Once the artists qualify and enter the Tournament, These individuals get to perform and critiqued in front of judges. Each 50MICS state finalist will receive a customized Digital Waxx Service promotional package, valued at $2,000 among other prizes.

Come show your skills tomorrow night or attend these other venues to show em what ya got!!

50MICS TOURNAMENT DATES AND STATES

50MICS WEST VIRGINIA, NOV 14TH
@ “THE DRINK” 1544 Winchester Ave. Martinsburg, WV 25401

50MICS BOSTON, MA NOVEMBER 20TH
@ "CLUB CHOICES" 381 SOMMERVILLE AVE, BOSTON MA 02143

50MICS CONNECTICUT, NOVEMBER 28TH
@ “Vibz Uptown” 3155 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06120

Be sure to check out these links for more info on the latest in hip hop!
HOODLIFE DVD
50 MICS

Act Now Benefit

FDnyc INCREDIBLE HULK Customs!!!

Haven't done a pair of Hulks in a minute so I had to go in on these! I added HULK fabric to the insoles as well!!! Check it out!!! Don't forget!!! My COLORWAY FRIDAY Sale is coming next month!!! Get your ideas ready!!!

London Calling

Converse is making their S/S 2010 collection dedicated to The Clash's 1979 critically acclaimed album "London Calling". The collection includes an all white leather pair with the album cover font , a very emo looking olive green pair with button embellishments and a vintage looking black pair with skull and crossbones. The collection to me as a whole looks cheesy. Converse could have definitely came harder with this. What do The Clash fans think?









pics via Sneaker News and Amazon

London Calling - The Clash

Footlocker Sneakers for life

Want to to win 65 free pairs of kicks from Footlocker? All you have to do is make a film about how obsessed you are with your sneakers. Contest ends Nov. 22 2009. To enter click here.




Shouts to Handcancel for bringing it to my attention! :)

Tis' the season for metallics

With the drop of the Nike Metallic Dunk Pack last month and Reebok's own metallic collection, the AF1 is getting it own metallic makeover. As much as I love silver metallic anything, this doesn't seem to be doing the AF1 any justice. This colorway would awesome on a vandal though.




Pics via: Sneaker News

adidas hits the runway with PPQ

I know Puma's made some inroads into the fashion world, and now it seems adidas is taking up the strategy as well. Much of their Originals by Originals have been quite innovative and fun, and now they've taken it a fashion-forward step further--hitting the runway with London-based PPQ, a fashion house with a music background. As PPQ's cofounder Amy Molyneaux says, "I've always coveted the Trefoil logo and its ability to be ever stylish since its design. It defines decades of music and fashion and is an integral part of historical style. It's very music related and therefore has a synergy with PPQ." And I have to say, if I had to wear a dress, this one is cool as hell!


Now, these cube photos are a further collab, with a photography outfit named Rankin. Do they look a bit soft porn-ish, or is it just me? You know how I hate photos with half-naked women wearing sneakers. And stuck in boxes. What the??? Really adidas? You can't be bothered to advertise a single women's sneaker, but you stand behind this? Talk about boxing us in.


Thumbs up for PPQ, thumbs down for Rankin and adidas.

Nike Vancouver Trip Part 3: The Apparel

The last thing we got to see during our time in Vancouver was the Spring 2010 training apparel line. It was presented by Keryn Francisco, the Women's Global Training Apparel Design Director, who I interviewed in my series on women designers at Nike. It was great to see her, and she was definitely on top of her game. Here's how the line plays out:

The compression layer prevents your muscles from moving too much, helping to prevent that dreaded lactic acid build up in your muscles.


The hyper cool layers have carefully placed mesh and no bothersome seams.

The fitted tees and long-sleeve tees are all dry fit to wick away sweat, and extra long in case you're wearing them with fitted shorts or pants.

According to Keryn, the apparel line is built by first listening to female athletes. Nike also did their own research on exactly where women sweat the most, and the new line reflects this with added mesh areas, like down the back on the shirt below.

The line also includes a lot of layering options, including 2.5, 5 and 7 inch compression shorts:


As well as some good baggy overshorts for those of us who don't like to walk around in fitteds!

The bra, while looking classic Nike, has been adjusted to come up a bit higher after athletes complained about having to hike up some of the older ones to stay decent during workouts.

Here are the Winter Olympic hopefuls who gave Nike some recent feedback on more of their upcoming apparel... The Spring line is due out 1/1/10.


And here's Fee, working hard on the job!


Thanks for the pics, Fee! Thanks for the trip, Nike.

New Sneakins "skins"

I recently got a nice care package from Sneakins.com, a new company creating durable, customizable adhesives to redecorate your sneakers. They were good enough to create a pair of sneakers for me, including using the FSF logo, so I could see how the stickers worked.


Sneakins says their "skins" will last for 2-3 years, and are water proof (and therefore mildly cleanable) and sun proof. I guess time will tell! Unfortunately, the adhesives seem difficult to place perfectly, so that edges are a bit rough, and somewhat too shiny, so that the decorated parts stand out.


On a brighter note, Sneakins says the skins work on multiple surfaces (cloth, leather, plastic) and can stick to used as well as new kicks. A sheet big enough to decorate a pair of sneakers costs $7. To learn more and see other designs, check their site, sneakins.com.

Colette x Reebok Pump

Reebok's celebrating the 20th birthday of their Reebok Pump by collaborating with 20 elite shops to design their own versions of these classics. Here is Colette's take, and I love 'em!

Pics from NiceKicks. More 20th anniversary Pumps out soon...

Nike Women's Urban Line, Holiday 09

Vandal Hi December release

What's coming up from the Nike Women's Urban line? They took Ancient Egypt as their inspiration, building colorways and designs based on the symbolism and art of that day. As the design team says, "The spirit and essence of the original queens have been transported into the hearts and minds of modern day urban queens. This energy is expressed through her self-empowerment, her self-confidence, and her self-evolution." Alright, they're talking about YOU, so what do you think?

Vandal, Blazer, Air Max 97, sun theme, out in December

These beauts and the top electric Vandals are my favorites in this selection. The ones below don't pop as much for me... (Although the Blazers below use a new digital printing technique that's kinda interesting.)

Out in November.

These Snow Waffles are kinda fun. Out now.

Nike Vancouver Trip Part 2: The Sneakers

My Fly Sister One+

One of the highlights of the Vancouver trip was getting a peek at Nike's Spring 2010 Fly Sister line of training footwear. The sneakers are all about performance, from the lasered diamond flex soles that add to their flexibility, to the flywire, zoom air and optional shox. For those of you used to buttery leather, faux fur or polished patent, these are a whole nuther beast. Weighing in at the incredible low weight of 6.38 ounces (an ipod nano lighter than last years), these are lean, mean training machines, meant simply to help you work out your hardest. Now, I'm a basketball player, and these are not basketball kicks, but Nike's trainers put us through a "dynamic" workout in the new kicks, and they were instantly comfortable. For days after the workout I was sore all over my body (it was serious!), but my feet weren't sore in the least. Here are the three styles:

the Nike Fly Sister One+ is Nike's lightest training shoe ever

The Zoom Fly Quick Sister+ is a slightly sturdier but still very light weight "no sew" shoe

For athletes who want their shox, this is the Nike Shox Fly Zip Sister+

Here's an example of the lasered insole using the Diamond FLX laser technology. This particular insole was from a special edition of the Fly Sister One+ made for the U.S. Olympic team.

The Fly Sister series will be available January 1st.

Many thanks to Fee for the pics!

Nike Vancouver Trip Part 1: The Athletes

Nike recently invited FSF and about 30 other media outlets to view their Spring 2010 women's training line of apparel and sneakers. Not only did we get to see the goods (and work out in them!), but we got to visit some of the 2010 Winter Olympic sites in Vancouver, BC, and meet 8 phenomenal women athletes who are Olympic hopefuls. It was an inspiring trip! (Full disclosure: Nike paid for our entire visit, and we are most grateful! But as always, I call it like I see it.)

We got to talk with each of the athletes at some length, so I look forward to sharing their perspectives on the challenges and thrills of being serious women athletes, their relationship with Nike and their hopes for the Games. For now, let me share some pics and a few details...

Julia Mancuso, 2006 Olympic Gold Medalist in the giant slalom, showed us some of her summer workout! (And she went up to a standing position and back down, over and over, "great for your core")

Katherine Reutter, World Cup short track speed skater, demonstrates a resistance workout. (With help from a Nike trainer and lots of us taking pics in the background.)

Jennifer Rodriguez, a long-track speed skater, first transfered to the sport from a successful career in inline skating, then medaled twice in Salt Lake City, and is now planning a comeback from retirement. She said she skates so hard in races that her vision is blurry by the end because all her blood has left her brain to go to her limbs! That blew me away.

Keauna McLaughlin and pairs skating partner Rockne Brubaker showed us some training moves on land and on ice. They're currently the U.S. National Champions, and she's only 18! She says "I didn't get serious about skating until I was four". Four!

Angela Ruggiero already has Olympic gold, silver and bronze, and she's going to her 4th Olympics to try to get another gold. She's also the first female non-goalie to play professional men's hockey! (On the Tulsa Oilers.)

Nicole Joraanstad (left) is a SIX time national champion curler. That's that crazy sport where you kinda bowl a huge thing on the ice and then sweep it to wear it belongs. I WISH we'd gotten a demo on that. She says she has special curling sneakers that have medal on the sole of one foot and not the other (cuz of the strange bowling-type motion). Ellery Hollingsworth, on right, got into snowboarding to prove her brothers wrong (they said she couldn't do it), and now she's hoping to be in her first Olympics after being named "Rookie of the Year" in the U.S.

Katie Uhlaender rides down the side of a mountain on the "skeleton" sled at over 100 miles an hour! She calls it "relaxed chaos", but I would not be relaxed at all. Speaking of speed, she medaled in a U.S. event 3 weeks after starting the sport, then went on to win both the U.S. Junior National and National Championships in her first season. Damn!

Up next, the Spring 2010 Fly Sister sneaker line...

And many thanks to Fee for most of these photos!

New Reebok

$80



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LaVie Clothing F/W Lookbook 2009

Remember this post? Well Chris Hostos of LaVie clothing does and he was kind enough to send me an e-mail of LaVie's latest collection. There were a lot of pics so I just narrowed it down to my favorites of the collection. Check it out.....

















I must say LaVie is really on point with their cut & sewn pieces! I'm really feeling that red cardigan! If interested in purchasing hit up www.myspace.com/lavie_clothing_com for stockist info.