Christmas Wish List: Stocking Stuffers Edition!

           Duh, everybody loves to open extravagant gifts on Christmas morning. But, what about those little knickknacks that you get as you dump out your stocking? Sometimes the smallest things can be the best gifts! Candy and socks aside, here are some great stocking stuffer ideas with your athlete in mind:

·        Nike Phone Cases- want a phone case that defines who your athlete is? The Iphone cases by Nike are just the thing as they come in several different designs that range from the classic swoosh to their slogan of “Just Do It”.

·        Headbands- Every athlete with long hair understands the struggle of hair constantly flying into their face. You can check out my Headbands, Headbands, and more Headbands post to get my opinion on which ones are the best. The Skylar Diggins Headbands that tie in the back a quickly rising in popularity amongst girl athletes!

·        Sunglasses- Especially for those who are baseball and softball players, you can go wrong with a new pair of shades. Oakley is a popular sunglasses brand amongst athletes, and they can be a little bit pricey, but you are getting your bang-for-your-buck as they are of great quality.

·        Water bottles- An athlete must have an endless supply of these bad-boys, so what is adding one more to their “collection” going to do? You can go with the classic style of the Gatorade bottles, the Polar Bottle Sport which is great for insulation, or the CamelBak Eddy. Whichever one you choose, you can’t go wrong!

           I hope my quick and simple ideas for stocking stuffers will help you as you go out on some last minute shopping quests. I wish you the merriest of holidays and hope you spend some great time with family and friends!

Beats by Dr. Dre takeover the Sports World

            It’s two hours before the biggest game, meet, match, or race of your life. Thousands have filled the stands to witness the feat you and your teammates are about to accomplish. Focus is the number one priority. Some may find focus in prayer, others in absolute silence. I know for me, I find my focus while listening to music. I block out the world, get my mind right, and picture my teammates and I hoisting up the trophy, victorious, after a hard fought battle.
           Listening to music. It’s an escape for people. If you watch athletes in pre-game, many are walking around with headphones on, listening to their number one playlist to get them prepared and poised to fight out for a win. But, it’s not just any headphones you see athletes wearing, it’s the Beats headphones by Dr. Dre that thousands of athletes wear as they focus on the task ahead.
           Beats by Dr. Dre offer many different styles and colors of music accessories to fit your needs. For headphones there are the Studio, Solo/Solo2, Mixr, and Pro with the option for wireless for certain styles. For earbuds there are powerbeats/powerbeats2, urbeats, and tour. All of these different headphones and earbuds are offered in numerous different colors as well. Also each pair of headphones come with a carrying case too.

Different Color Options for the Solo Beats headphones by Dr. Dre

          I myself own a pair of the original Solo headphones in white and I love them. I like how the design is very sleek and simple. I personally like the Solo headphones better than the Studio because I think the Studio ones seem a little bulky, but a friend of mine has a pair and she loves them. I think that what makes Beats headphones so great is that they do a great job at doing their job of blocking out all other noise and playing the desired music clearly. I know that when I have my Beats headphone on, I can clearly hear the background parts of songs that aren’t easily heard when listening to the same song on the radio. Also if somebody were to call my name while I had these headphones on, there is probably a 99.9% chance I wouldn’t be able to hear them, which means the headphones are doing their job of blocking out other noises to make a great listening experience.
         Some may say that Beats headphones are a status symbol. I mean they first became big when athletes and celebrities such as Michael Phelps and Justin Bieber were seen wearing them 24/7. Also usually when something is defined as a status symbol, they usually cost a high price, which is true with beats headphones that can range anywhere from $150-$400. But, I don’t think that the price has anything to do with a status symbol. I think the price reflects the great quality of headphones that the customer is buying.
       In my own experiences, I would rate Beats by Dr. Dre at a quality of 5 stars. They are by far the best headphones I have ever used and they are durable as well (not like Iphones that will break the first time you drop them lol). So if you are a person who loves music, but wants to listen to it with better quality and volume, I would definitely recommend you check out Beats by Dr. Dre.

Images Courtesy of www.maclovers.universiablogs.net 

 

Christmas Wish List: Part 3 (Last Minute Ideas!)

            OMG Christmas is literally days away and I couldn’t be more excited! I guess for me at this point, the number one thing on my Christmas wish list is for a white Christmas because here in the Midwest, it feels as if it is still fall with the 40⁰F weather and little to no snow. But for those of you who are looking to do some last minute shopping for your special athlete, here are some quick ideas on easy gifts to surprise them with on Christmas Day!
           In one of my previous posts, Fall Apparel Part 1: Nike Jackets, I mentioned the Nike Half-Zip jacket. Even though it’s a little bit colder in the winter and these jackets probably won’t keep you warm enough in below freezing temperatures, I still think it is a great gift because it is something that you can wear year round, whether under a heavy winter coat or over a tank top on a breezy summer night. Also if you want to make this half-zip jacket extra special for your athlete, it would be cool to get their team logo or name embroidered on the chest area of the jacket. I know my high school basketball did this with our half-zips and it was really popular amongst the players. I was jealous I didn’t get one, so this was one of the big things I asked for on my own Christmas wish list.
          Another really simple and easy Christmas idea for your special athlete would be a baseball hat. Lids offers numerous different styles of caps in any sports team imaginable, from the classic fitted hat all the way to bucket hats which seem to be all the rage with this year’s generation of teenage boys. Lids also offers the option to customize your own hat, but at this point in time with Christmas days away, it could be a time crunch, but it is still a great option! You honestly can’t go wrong with getting your special athlete a hat. Just make sure you get their favorite team, not their rival’s hat otherwise it could end up being the worst gift they receive, and we wouldn’t want that!
          For any other last minute Christmas ideas for your athlete I would recommend checking out Finish Line's 2014 Gift Guide. What I really like about it is that they have what seems to be a never ending list of awesome sportswear from all different sorts of sports brands. I hope my Christmas Wish List posts over the past few weeks have given you some great ideas, and stay tuned as I will be releasing a Christmas Wish List Stocking Stuffers Edition before the holidays end!

Christmas Wish List: Part 2

           Christmas is almost here and I’m still looking for more ideas to add to my wish list for the big man up North. This past week, I’ve been scouring sites like Wanelo and Pinterest, to find some new items that spark my interest. This first item is one for those of you who are runners, and it seems to be a big hit, as I’ve seen these new running tights all over my Twitter feed.  

Nike Flash Women's Running Tights

           Nike’s Flash Women's Running Tights seem to be the new big thing this Christmas season. What I find to be so cool about these leggings is how Nike incorporated the reflective aspect of the pants into their overall design, instead of just adding a few random reflective patches here and there. These tights come in five different colors as well. Their design allows them to not only be used for the running aspect, but you can make a fashion statement in them as printed and patterned leggings are all the rage this winter season. 
           Another item that caught my eye were the basketball socks on Wanelo. Now these aren’t just any old black and white basketball socks. No, these are out of this world, crazy, creative, unique socks that you can’t find anywhere else. A company known as Customize Elite Socks has taken over the basketball sock world with their crazy new designs that can be found in gyms across the country. They have any design of Nike Elite socks you can imagine with designs that range from the Disney movie Frozen and The Ninja Turtles to a classic tie-dye design. There is even the option to customize your own Nike Elite Socks to make your own classic design. If you want to step up your style both on and off the court and stand out from the crowd I would definitely recommend adding this to your wish list this Christmas season.

Nike Roshe Run

           Finally for those of you looking for a new pair of kicks to strut in once the New Year kicks off, put Nike Roshes on your list as well. Over the past month Roshes have become the new “it” shoe by Nike. They offer a simple and sleek design and come in numerous different patterns and color combinations to please any type of customer. Also a big plus is that they are SUPER comfortable because they have an oversized sole that offers extra cushion. I feel like they go really well with any type of athletic wear from your baggiest sweat pants to skin tight leggings. I already own a pair of Roshes and I’ve added them to my own Christmas wish list because I love them so much I want another pair just in a different color.
           I really hope that these options have interested you and you take some time to check out these awesome ideas for your Christmas wish list as I know they are all for sure on mine!

Images Courtesy of www.nike.com and www.kicksonfire.com

Sweatshirts are Life

            If you were to tell me that for the rest of my life I could only wear a certain article of clothing, my first and only choice would be a sweatshirt. I’m not kidding when I say that I wear a sweatshirt to school for about 75% of the school year. The entire top rack of my closet is packed with a sweatshirt from every college imaginable.  I think they are the most comfortable thing to wear on this earth especially when they are oversized and baggy, and you can pair them with yoga pants and it still looks cute. With sales at an all-time high right now due to the Christmas Season, you are in luck at getting the best deals on some awesome sweatshirts.    
           If you are looking for a great hoodie to rep your favorite school in, I would check out Finish Line. Every time I go in there, they have all the top schools sweatshirts in numerous different colors and designs. You can get a sweatshirt design that has the team logo, school mascot, or even just the classic block lettering of the school name, which is my favorite design. Also a big reason to go to Finish Line right now is because they are having a deal on sweatshirts at 2 for $35, which I consider to be a steal! Normally a great sweatshirt, like the ones sold at Finish Line, cost about $35-$40 apiece, so 2 for $35 is like getting one for free. I know I will be definitely be cashing in on that deal!
          Other types of sweatshirts that you should check out would be those from Nike and Under Armour. Under Armour’s Big Logo sweatshirts are my favorite because they have several different color options and patterns. Also on the outside they have a smooth texture that is water resistant and then the inside it nice and fuzzy, which is what sweatshirts are all about. Nike also offers some different designs in sweatshirts that range from a classic hoodie like the Swoosh Out All Time sweatshirt to their Nike Tech Hoodie which has more of a futuristic, modern look to it.
          I don’t think you can ever go wrong when it comes to sweatshirts, unless they don’t have that soft, fuzzy inside I was talking about earlier. Add some more sweatshirts to your closet as you can wear them at any time of the year- yes, even my sister has worn one in Florida during the summer. Maybe one day you will share my great passion of sweatshirts too!

  

Less Styles, but more Design Opitons for Nike

            As you can probably tell from my other posts including my Nike Shoe Collection post, you know that I am a Nike fanatic. Periodically, you can find me scrolling through Nike’s numerous shoe collections and searching for that new pair of kicks that spike my interest. I didn’t really know what I was looking for as I prowled Nike’s website yesterday, I just wanted some new shoes that were different from the normal styles and colors of light blue and gray that I usually get.
           As I looked through their different shoe collections I realized that over the past 6 months Nike hasn’t come out with really any new styles of shoes. They still have the Roshes, Flyknit Lunars, and Lunar Glides. But, what was different about these different styles was that there were numerous different designs and color combos available than there were before. Personally, I was looking into the Roshes and when I looked at all my options for them while designing them on Nike ID, I was overwhelmed at all the patterns and colors I could choose from. There was the option to have a faded color, camo, marbled, or a sparkled pattern added to your shoes.  Nike has stepped up in providing the customer with more choice on their favorite shoe styles which is a big plus in my book.

Nike "Outer Space" Mercurials

          With more design options available for the customer to decide from, it allows them to take the style they love and spice it up a little. Not only is Nike adding more design options to their original tennis shoes styles, but they are incorporating it into other type of sport specific shoes. Soccer wise, Nike’s original shoe designs included the Mercurial and Hypervenom and both types of cleats have numerous design options available as well. One of my teammates has a pair of Mercurials that have a really cool outer space pattern on them which shows how creative one can get when deciding what they want their shoes to look like.

         I hope Nike continues to add more design options, because I already love the original styles of shoes they offer, but I like to be able to get them in different colors and designs. These new options really open up the power of the customer as they get to choose from numerous different options rather than get the standard one-tone color that used to only be offered. This is a great step in the right direction for Nike!

Images Courtesy of www.dailymail.co.uk



What Uniforms with Adidas "bless" the NBA with on Christmas Day?

              I understand it is a special day. I understand that on special days people like to wear special things. But, were the short sleeved uniforms worn by the NBA teams who played Christmas day last year even special? No. I would describe them as outright ugly. When I think basketball, I think cut-off jerseys with big block letters of the team name and the player’s number donning the front of the jersey. But, what we saw last year was what looked like a skin tight warm up jersey with an oversized logo on the front.
             I don’t know exactly what Adidas was trying to achieve with this new style of basketball jersey, but it was definitely one I don’t want to see again in the NBA. For a special holiday of Christmas, I do like the idea of changing things up for the day, but there are numerous different ways of attacking that idea without going completely downhill by creating a skin tight short sleeved basketball jersey. Using those words to describe a basketball uniform just sounds wrong.


2013 Adidas NBA Christmas Day jerseys modeled by players.

             I think that for the special Christmas jerseys, it would be fun to see the athletes wear throw back uniforms. Or another idea would be for Adidas to design uniforms in like a secondary color, for example Oklahoma City could wear orange jerseys. Also a big trend that seems to sweeping the sports nation is for teams to have a tribute for the armed forces, so it would be cool to see the jerseys have some type of camo or patriotic theme integrated into their uniforms.
            I will be interested to see what style of uniforms the NBA debuts on Christmas day this year. I feel like anything will be a step up from last years. If Adidas wants to continue to have exponential growth in their basketball department, they definitely need to have a slam dunk with their 2014 design!

Images Courtesy of www.elitedaily.com

 

The Beauty of Customization

           In past posts I have talked about the allure of the idea of customization to buyers. Many sportswear companies offer this aspect, so that prospective buyers have the opportunity to make a product the like into one that they love. This past month, I used the customization process offered by Nike called Nike ID to design my basketball shoes,  and I want to share my experiences with you, so you know the options available to you through online shopping.
          Shoes on Nike’s website have the most options when it comes to customization through the use of Nike ID. When you log onto the Nike website and begin to look through their numerous shoe collections, under the picture of each shoe there is a little colorful tab that reads, “Customize It” to allow you to reach the Nike ID app for that specific style of shoe. Once you open up the Nike ID customization tab, the original shoe design that you had clicked on will pop up with a side bar that lists the different components of the shoe and the numerous color options for each component of the shoe.
          Over the past few years, Nike has expanded their customization capabilities by allowing the customer to not only change the color of the shoe, but for certain shoes, there is the option to add graphics such as a camo, crackle, or fade aspect to the color of the shoe. You can even make them glow in the dark! Also, after you finalize the exact color combos you want and love the look of your shoes, there is the option to add your name and number to the shoes, to make them even more personalized.
         When I customized my new Nike Hyperdunk basketball shoes through Nike ID in early November, I was able to send the link to my teammates for them to view my creation and ask for their opinion on the shoes. One thing that was really nice was that there was no restriction on opening my design through the link, which allowed my teammates to add their own personal touches to the shoes without having to do it through my computer, they could do it in the luxury of their own home. Once we finally ordered the new shoes, it took about 3 weeks for them to be delivered to my house which I think it relatively quick considering they were customized and not in stock. Due to the fact that these shoes are not in stock there are some extra costs added into the original shoes, and shoes that customized through Nike ID usually cost about $50 more than the original shoe that is in stock.
         If you have searched numerous websites and still haven’t been able to find that perfect color combination on the shoes you want, I would definitely recommend checking out the Nike ID option. Though I do suggest that you might want to use this option on certain shoes that you really, really like to make them special because using this customization option on all your shoes may prove to be a little costly. In my experiences with using the Nike ID options it was a positive outcome and I was very pleased with the quality of the product I designed and I hope that you have the same results when you choose to use the great option for your new shoes!  

Christmas Wish List: Part 1

           With Christmas rapidly approaching, happiness and joy begin to fill the wintry air. Apart of the millions of people ranging from toddlers to the elderly, I am hoping that I get what I ask for this holiday season. But, I have hit a road bump, like thousands of others, who have no idea on what they want. So this is the guide for those of you who are looking to amp up their closet for the New Year ahead.

Black Nike Women's Vintage Gym Pants

          The first, (and only), item on my Christmas Wish List so far are the Nike Women's Vintage Gym Pants, which have the color options of Sail Blue, Action Red, Dark Gray, and Black and their price comes in around the average cost of a pair of Nike sweats. These type of “vintage” sweat pants are starting to become a big trend, as the so-called hipster style takes over the teenage generation of America. I really like how these sweats combine a comfortable relaxed style, but still fit along the lines of the fashion trends of today. I would call them dressy sweat pants because you can still “bum it” in these pants and still look put together, rather than when you throw on your oversized baggy sweats and a random t-shirt.
           For those of you who are health and result driven maniacs then the new technological wrist bands developed by leading sports brand companies such and Nike and Adidas may be the perfect gift for you. Nike has their Fuelband SE while Adidas competes with the Micoach Smart Fit wrist band. These athletic wrist bands are like the step counter you were forced to wear during gym class, except these step counters are highly advanced. Aside from all the different components that go into these athletic wrist bands from their numerous calculations to their smartphone connections, these bands also have aesthetic appeal as well. When comparing the two, I feel like Nike’s Fuelband has a sleeker more simple design, whereas I see Adidas’ Micoach Smart Fit to be little bit more bulky in its size and design. If all this sounds great to you the next stop would be cost, where the Nike Fuelband retails from about $100-$150 and the Adidas Micoach Smart Fit comes in at around $200. In the end, I think it comes down to preference, and which athletic wrist band has the qualities you are looking for and fits your style as an athlete.   
         It’s around this time of year that I begin scavenging sportswear websites in search of the perfect Christmas gift. Stay tuned to my blog, as throughout the next few weeks leading up to Christmas, I will be sharing my latest and greatest finds for you to enjoy this holiday season!

 

Images Courtesy of www.nike.com



Equal Options for both Men and Women?

           With basketball beginning tomorrow, I have been on the lookout lately for a new pair of basketball shoes. As I scour the numerous sportswear websites, I’ve come to a glaring conclusion: men are offered more variety in style than women. I’ll prove it to you, go look at the Nike website and click on Men's Basketball Shoes and then go to Women's Basketball Shoes, just numbers wise you can see a vast difference between the two.
          As a girl I can attest to this unfairness. I mean how would boys feel if they always had to get their shoes based on women’s sizes? How would they feel if they only had the small selection of styles that are given to women? They wouldn’t be too happy with the small number of choices they have and would start to look somewhere else for their shoes, where a wider variety is offered.
          My biggest issue with this problem is that I feel like these sportswear companies stereotype women and assume that we just want basic plain colored shoes including pink. No, just because I am a girl doesn’t mean I always want to wear pink nor do I just want solid colored shoes. I like to spice it up, and get crazy patterned shoes just like the men wear, so why can’t they make those types of shoes in women’s sizes as well?
        I highly doubt that this will be an issue that will be changed in the near future, or even just the future in general. Women will always have to defer to men when it comes to sports, because that is how the stereotype of our generation is set. I just wish that women were given the creative ability that men were, because we do care and do have an opinion on what we like to wear and it would be great if those creative options were given in our sizes as well.  

Trending: Crew Neck Sweatshirts

               Fashionable, comfortable, and affordable. Those three words are the motto that is lived by most teenage girls when they go out shopping. The problem is that most things that are fashionable and comfortable, aren’t affordable, and those that are affordable and comfortable, aren’t fashionable. Well, what if I were to tell you that the common crew neck sweatshirt fits all three points of the criteria, and is rising in popularity amongst teenagers across the country.
               I myself am a sweatshirt fanatic as I own about 20 sweatshirts (not kidding!). Part of this obsession has to do with the fact that I live in Iowa, where a majority of the time we have cool temperatures so what other choice is there than to wear a sweatshirt on these days. Also, it is very cozy to curl up in an oversized sweatshirt and hang out on lazy days in front of a fire during the winter months.  
                Now, you are probably wondering why I specifically said that crew neck sweatshirts are making the upward trend and not just regular hooded sweatshirts. For me, I think a majority of the reason why I like crew necks more is because as a girl you don’t have to worry about your hair getting all tangled up in the hood of the sweatshirt. So that makes it easier to wear your hair down with a crew neck rather than a hooded sweatshirt where it will get bunched up in the back. 
                Another reason as to why I think crew necks are rising in popularity, has to do with the common fashion theme of my generation of teenagers. I would identify our fashion theme as a throwback to the 80s, commonly known as hipster, because you see a lot of high-waisted shorts and leg warmers making their comeback. Another article of clothing you could add to this list of throwbacks would be the crew neck sweatshirt which was also very popular during that time period and is once again making its comeback amongst our teenage population.
                So, if you are just having one of those lazy days, where you don’t feel like dressing up and wearing a nice sweater, but you want to wear something that is fashionable and comfy, I would definitely recommend throwing on a big oversized crew neck with some yoga pants. For the affordable aspect you can literally buy a crew neck sweatshirt anywhere, from your local Goodwill all the way to a department store. For this winter season, I foresee the crew neck being a big hit, so get out and go buy one for yourself!

Organization is Key

               As an athlete, I know I am always hustling and bustling from one practice to the next. Your day seems to never end, even when your head hits the pillow late at night, because you know you still have to wake up in less than eight hours and relive this journey once again. As you begin this daily trek, you really need to make sure you are organized and have the right equipment for the correct practices, or else you could end up having to speed home to pick up the correct gear. To help myself stay organized, I like to carry different types of athletic bags, and whether it be a drawstring bag, backpack, or duffle depends on what type of equipment I have and how much space I need to store it.

Nike Drawstring Bag

              The most basic and simplest form of organization I’ve seen through bags, is what most describe as the drawstring bag. For most popular sports brands like Nike and Adidas, these types of bags retail at around $15-$20. They are about the size of an average shoe box and some of these bags have a small pocket on the inside to store items like a phone, keys, or money. I find the drawstring bag very helpful when I only need a pair of shoes, or maybe when I just need to carry a few extra articles of clothing. This type of bag is also nice to have if you don’t want something that is really heavy or takes up a lot of space in your locker.

Nike Elite Basketball Bag

          My favorite type of athletic bag to carry would be a backpack. Currently for both basketball and soccer I carry backpacks, which are the Nike Elite and the Adidas Estadio II respectively. What I really like about having a backpack for both sports is that they are the perfect size to fit all of my equipment, and they don’t take up a lot of space as compared to a duffel bag. A major reason I like backpack more is that they are more comfortable to carry because the weight is evenly distributed amongst your shoulders rather than all the weight being supported by one shoulder, which happens with a duffel and can sometimes lead to injury. Also, I like the fact that with most athletic backpacks, there are multiple pockets, so you don’t have to stuff your smelly shoes in the same pocket as your clean clothes.

Nike Duffle Bag

              If you need to carry a lot of equipment and clothing to numerous places, then I suggest that the duffle bag is you best option. One really convenient quality about the duffle bag is that they come in many different sizes within themselves. So, after you’ve decided that you want a duffle bag, you can then go and decide which size you need based on the amount of stuff you need to carry. In the previous paragraph I talked about some of the drawbacks to this type of bag, but there are also many positives to it outside of the amount of stuff it can carry. If you invest in a duffel bag for a certain sport, I see it as a 2-in-1 deal because you can use it for the specific sport, and if you need to travel it is big enough to fit all your clothes, shoes, and toiletries. I think the duffel bag is a great choice if you need something that can have multiple uses because it is big enough to fit a wide array of equipment.
             When deciding on what bag is best for you, I think the key aspect is the size because if it’s not big enough to fit all your stuff, then what’s the point in getting a bag in the first place. Also another big aspect is the comfort factor, because you have to remember that you will be carrying this bag day after day, hour after hour, you don’t want to get a bag that may cause injury to your back or shoulders. In the end it all comes down to preference, and I hope that my insight on these different types of bags gave you a better understanding as to which one fits your crazy lifestyle best!

Images Courtesy of www.eastbay.com

 

Jordans are on another Level

“Don’t touch my Jordans,” is a common phrase heard throughout urban America. Jordan shoes which are named after the legend himself Michael Jordan, have earned their reputation for being the God of all street shoes. It seems that year after year the company comes out with a new style that leads to mad rushes of people who are trying to be the first ones to acquire the shoe. What is it about these shoes that entice millions on people, what is it that makes them the end all be all of basketball shoes?

Could it be there reputation and who the shoes themselves are representing? Everybody knows who Michael Jordan is, whether they are a sports fan or not. He is known as the greatest athlete of all time. Yes athlete, not just basketball player, but athlete of all time. Maybe that, just by itself, is what makes these shoes so luxurious. By wearing the shoes that are named after a great, the people who wear them feel that they are great in some way. Some people might think that if Jordan was such a great man, then his shoes are great, which in the end makes me great because I’m wearing them.  

Another reason that may be why Jordan shoes are so important is because of social and cultural aspects. There’s this idea in urban America that if you see a guy walking around in Jordan’s, that makes him important or cooler than a guy just wearing regular Nike kicks. I think that it’s the way people who live in the cities of America show who they are and that they are of some importance or value because they are wearing the beloved Jordan shoes of their culture.

You can’t deny that Jordan shoes don’t have swag.  I mean the brand has an entire song based on them! They are the shoes that define the city streets of America and the millions of basketball courts throughout the country. If you want to fit into that type of culture, go buy yourself a pair of his latest kicks. Jordan’s are unlike any other street shoe brand. They aren’t the type of shoes that you would go out and ruin in the mud; they are the type of shoes that are taken care of as if they cost you your life. That is what makes Jordans such a special brand.

Staying Warm this Winter Season

              Winter is nearly upon us and if it’s anything like last year’s, we are in for a chilly one. For those of us who live in the North, we have many different types of coats for all different types of weather. There is the fleece, windbreaker, every day winter jacket, and a heavy coat for when you are in a snowstorm. The most popular brand that offers all these different types of jacket is known as The North Face, and with my own experiences, I’ve found them to be reliant, long-lasting, and fashionable jackets.
               The first thing you are going to notice when you look at a North Face coat as a buyer is the price. They are considered to be a more expensive brand, but I think that the cost is reflective upon the fact that these coats last a long time, so you don’t have to replace them year after year, and they are great at doing their job of keeping you warm. So yes, the first year you go to buy your North Face you are going to have to spend a little more than you would like, but remember you won’t have to spend that cash repeatedly each year, so it’s a smart buy.
                 Another great aspect of North Face jackets is that they are very light. Now, you’re probably wondering why in the world is that a good thing; I want a jacket that keeps me warm hence the name “heavy coat”, not some lightweight pullover to keep me warm on a 50⁰ day. Yes, that is exactly what my dad thought when I got him a North Face coat for Christmas, but then later that day he wore it out in the below zero temperatures and said it kept him a lot warmer that he had expected. This is what I think puts North Face ahead of competing companies because it already sucks having to be outside in freezing temperatures, but to then be weighed down with a 5 pound coat isn’t fun either, so by keeping it lightweight and warm, North Face has created a win-win.

North Face Women's Osito Jacket

                 Walk in to your local sporting goods store like Scheels or Dicks and you can find a plethora of different North Face winter coats in numerous different colors. The most popular style amongst my friends as teenagers is their Women’s Osito jacket which has a furry textured outside. North Face is the most contemporary winter coat brand out there with their sleek and simple design. I would highly suggest checking it out when you are looking for a winter coat this upcoming season.


Images Courtesy of www.dickssportingggoods.com

Wear what makes you Confident in the Gym

             The gym is the gym. You are not walking down the runway in front of millions at Paris Fashion Week. Wear what makes you comfortable, you don’t need to need to impress the other 15 people whose eyes are barely open at your 5:00am workout. The gym is for you to make a better version of you physically so you can wow people when you go out later that night in the amazing new outfit you bought at the mall last week.
             When I go to the gym, I wear baggy basketball shorts, an old t-shirt, and worn out tennis shoes. I know I probably don’t look my best, but I know I’m going to sweat anyways, which doesn’t add to my overall attractiveness. Personally I don’t care how bad I look while working out because I’m focused on if I’m doing the lifts correctly and have the right form, not if my shirt is too big. But let’s face it, most of us have experienced that nagging voice in the back of your head, myself included, that is constantly whispering that you look gross and need to change. Just learn to ignore it, and don’t worry about how you look because I can guarantee you that a majority of the people in the gym have that same annoying voice talking to them too, but they keep pushing on.
             If you are an active gym member, you can probably clearly picture that one person who is the exact opposite of myself, which is one who dresses in top notch athletic clothing, has a full face of makeup, and perfectly done hair. I feel like almost every gym in America can attain to that statement because there are all different types of people in the world, and for some it is important to them on how they look, even when at the gym. Now, if you are that type of person who cares about their appearance at the gym, I’m not saying it’s a horrible thing and that you should show up dressed like you haven’t changed your clothes in weeks; I just want to get the idea out there that you don’t have to dress yourself up to go to the gym, just go in what you are comfortable in. I think being comfortable in what you are wearing while at the gym is a big deal because not only can you focus on the task at hand which is working out, but I think that it makes you more confident because you don’t have to worry if others will judge you based on what you are wearing.
             I think that the reason behind little rant here is that I don’t want people to be intimidated on going to the gym because they worry too much about what others will think of them. The gym is supposed to be a place for you to gain confidence in how you look and feel about yourself and how could you ever gain that confidence if you never take the “leap of faith” and just go for it. The clothes you wear shouldn’t stop you from reaching your end goal of becoming a better you mentally and physically.

 

 

Nike Shoe Collection

My personal Shoe Collection

       
              So I've hinted at it in many of my previous posts, and here is the evidence to show you that I am a huge Nike fan, especially their shoes. As you can tell I love the Nike Running Shoe Collection in which 9 out of these 20 shoes are apart of. Also I prefer Nike Basketball shoes over any other brand with my 5 pairs at the top of the picture. Every year Nike comes out with a new pair of shoes that I love, and I am hoping that they soon come out with a pair from their Flyknit Collection that I can soon add to my own collection!

Compression Shorts (aka Spandex) are a Girl’s Best Friend

                I am going to make a bold statement in saying that over 90% of athletic girls have at one point in their career worn compression shorts, which are also known as Spandex. Call them whatever you want because girls like them! Mainly this article of clothing is only known as Spandex in the volleyball world, but everywhere else they are called compression shorts or just compressions for short. You can see these undergarments everywhere, whether it be under a girl’s uniform, sweats, or even a dress as compressions seem to be the go to piece of clothing for girls across the nation.

Nike's Pro Combat Compression Shorts
are my favorite brand.

                 Personally, I am one of those girls who can’t live without them. Every time my family travels I always throw in at least one pair whether it be for a weekend sports tournament or just a family vacation, you never know when they can come in handy. I don’t know what it is about them, but I always feel like I am missing something if I don’t have them on with my uniform or even when I am just wearing them under a pair of sweats, I feel naked without them.
                 From an athletic standpoint, compressions are really nice to wear because they protect your thighs from elements you don’t really notice. As a soccer player myself, we have to play on turf a lot and the shorts we wear can be pretty short sometimes. So when you slide on the turf, you can get some really bad burns and scrapes, but by wearing compressions they help cut down the number of those injuries. Also they come in handy when playing sports because they help keep your quad and hamstring muscles warm which helps cut down on the number of muscle cramps you may get throughout the game.
                Compressions have many uses off the playing field as well. When dressing up, a lot of female athletes like to wear compressions under their dresses, myself included. This trend is very popular among teenage athletes especially. I think that part of the reason many girls like to wear their compressions under their dresses is because it makes them feel comfortable as athletes, because they are so used to wearing compressions 4 days out of the week with their regular clothing, while they only wear dresses every so often, so it’s something normal for them to wear.
                All in all compressions are a nice piece of clothing to have as a female athlete because they have many different uses to meet your specific needs. My only note is to please not wear them just by themselves out in public unless you are playing volleyball, because some would consider it like just wearing underwear in public. I highly recommend for those of you who don’t already own a pair of spandex to look into getting some, and they come in numerous different colors and patterns if you want to spice up your wardrobe.

Pictures Courtesy of www.wanelo.com

 

The Right Type of Shin Guard for You

Ah Shin Guards… you either love them or hate them as a soccer player. They seem like God’s gift to you when you are cleated in the shin, but otherwise they are those annoying little pieces of plastic that you are repeatedly pulling up throughout the game. There are numerous different types of shin guards out there, and I am here to tell you about my experiences with two types I have worn in the past years: strapless and detachable shin guards with ankle protectors.

Nike Mercurial Blade Shin Guards

Currently I wear what I would describe as strapless shin guards because they are the ones that you just slide into place under your socks. The exact style of shin guards that I wear is the Mercurial Blade by Nike. One aspect about these shin guards that I really like is that they are easy to put on, then take off, and you don’t have to mess around with numerous Velcro straps. But, my big dilemma with these strapless shin guards is that they fall down your shins too easily and bring your socks right along with them. To prevent that problem, many of my teammates put tape around their calves to hold the shin guard in place, but I don’t really like that solution because the tight tape around my legs is uncomfortable for me. This style of shin guards seems to be all the rage in the soccer community and you can see many professional players who wear them.

Adidas Shin Guards with Ankle Protectors

Before I wore the strapless shin guards, I wore the detachable shin guards. These shin guards are like a plain shin guard with one Velcro strap on top, and then an attachable ankle guard that connects to the shin guard with Velcro and then is secured by a second strap of Velcro that went around your leg. These shin guards that I wore were by far my most favorite during my many years spent playing and they were created by Adidas, but have since been discontinued within the past few years. I would have never gotten rid of them, but they were falling apart since I had worn them for 4+ years. I really like the detachable aspect of these shin guards because it was easy to remove the main part of the shin guard when you wanted to roll down your socks after a game. Also I personally really like having an ankle guard on because it seems that I get kicked in the ankle more often than I do in the shin. If you are able to find a set of shin guards that have this detachable aspect, I would highly recommend buying them because with my past experiences they have seemed to work the best.

 When purchasing shin guards there are a few aspects that you need to take into consideration to make sure you are getting what’s best for you. First off is size. When trying to decide which ones fit best, I don’t really pay attention to the measurement provided on the back, I just quickly try them on. Most shin guards come in cases that are closed by zippers, so it is really easy to just open them up and quickly try them on. Just on a personal note: MAKE SURE YOU GET A SIZE THAT COVERS A MAJORITY OF YOUR SHIN. My biggest pet peeve as a player is when my teammates complain about all these bruises they have on their shins and the reason why is because they are wearing a xtra-small size shin guard that only covers 1/3 of their shin. Also if you are looking at buying shin guards that come with the ankle protector but you want the detachable kind, make sure that is an option because many ankle protectors today are permanently attached to the shin guard.

           Deciding which type of shin guard best suits you as a player ultimately comes down to your own personal preference. I sometimes feel like I am in the minority of those who don’t really like the strapless shin guards without ankle protectors, but that’s just me. Experiment with many different types until you’ve seen all their pros and cons to make your final decision on which one you like best. Also note that shin guards don’t have to have a fancy design on them because they are covered by your socks anyways. So get what’s most comfortable for you not the ones that have the coolest design or are the most popular because in the end you don’t want to have to worry about them during the game.

 

Images Courtesy of www.dickssportinggods.com

 

Marketing Through College Athletes

           Nike has the Oregon Ducks, Adidas has the Louisville Cardinals, and Under Armour has the South Carolina Gamecocks. What better way of promoting your products than through the college games on Friday and Saturday nights that capture the eyes of millions. I can recite by school who they are sponsored by, and it’s not because I’ve done extensive research, but because of the fact that I am part of those millions who watch collegiate sports and just through observations I’ve been able to figure out who sponsors who. But, what the common fan doesn’t known is the series of strict rules that a college athlete must follow due to the sponsorships of the school they attend.
           This past summer my friend left for Louisville where she had committed to playing soccer. Before she left, she had told our high school team of how she couldn’t wear any of her Nike clothing since Louisville was sponsored by Adidas, and Nike was almost her entire wardrobe. But, once she got to school she was given numerous amounts of Adidas clothing that donned the cardinal red and white of Louisville colors, which was not only a promotion of her school, but also the brand that provided the clothing, Adidas. Another example is my cousin who attends Boston University (BU) on a track scholarship. Currently Boston University is switching over from a Nike sponsorship to New Balance. She has been told that they can no longer wear any of the clothing they were provided by Nike, and now they can only wear New Balance. In both instances you can see the strict rules that college athletes must follow according to the sports company that sponsor their schools, and that is done so that the companies are 100% sure they are being represented and promoted by the athletes.
            I think this type of marketing is ingenious by sports companies all over the nation. It is a win for both the company and the college because the company get marketing by athletes who are plastered on posters and ESPN, and the college receives the necessary clothing and gear needed for their athletics department. As a fan of sports, when I watch college athletes, I’m not just watching the game, but I like to pay attention to the shoes or accessories my favorite athletes are wearing because I want to wear the same gear as them. Just through watching sports daily, I’ve experienced what millions of other viewers have and what the sports companies have worked to achieve. I and millions of others want to buy and wear what the athletes I look up to are wearing, which only creates more revenue for the sports company.

Adidas: A New Type of Fashion

             The latest fashion craze that has taken over today’s generation of young people is known as hipster, and it has now translated to the sports world. Adidas has always been that sportswear brand that has been on the edge with integrating the contemporary fashions of the year with sportswear. Even though they are great at creating some of the best soccer, basketball, and football gear, Adidas has found a way to open themselves to an entirely new audience of customers. Under the Brands tab on the top of their Website, Adidas has three offshoot brands including Originals, Neo, and Stella McCartney which all have different looks that combine the latest fashion seen on the streets with the clothes worn by athletes.
            I think this is a great move by the Adidas Brand as they look for a name for themselves outside of being known as that company that competes with Nike for the top spot in the sports world. This allows them to open up to a new customer base that their competitors don’t even have as an option. Adidas has found its way to keep up with modern fashion by introducing numerous new lines of clothing that are sponsored by the likes of Selena Gomez. As I scroll through the web page, it doesn’t seem like I’m on a sportswear website, but rather on a website like Forever 21 or American Eagle, which gives you an idea of the types of clothing you will see. So, if you are that girl that isn’t really sporty, but wants something to give you that edge of an athlete while still wearing contemporary clothing, I would definitely check out the Adidas website.
            This change by Adidas does a great job creating more customer options, but it also gives them the edge when they work to sponsor athletes, because not only can Adidas offer them the sports gear they need for their job, but they can also offer them the everyday clothing to wear on the streets. From my point of view, I see that as a win-win situation for the athlete because all their fashion needs can be met by Adidas. Also by gaining sponsorships with top athletes, Adidas can create even more collections that are inspired by their athletes that can help generate an even bigger customer base and propel the company forward.
             Adidas has made a great move. The only thing I hope that doesn’t happen is that they forget where their roots are with their original athletic gear because that’s where they got their fame, these new lines are just extra that add to their overall stock as a company and create more options for them. Adidas is leading the way to a new type of fashion that creates athletic wear with a more contemporary style. I would definitely check it out if you are looking for a new look because not many people know about these Adidas offshoot brands, and you could now become the trendsetter amongst your friends!

Competiton Through Uniforms

              I am an avid Oklahoma Sooners fan and have been so since birth. Both of my parents went to college there and I have grown up in the OU culture. Historically Oklahoma is a top football program having won 7 national championships. One thing my dad says that he loves about Oklahoma Football is that they have always worn the same classic uniforms: solid crimson tops and cream pants with red strips on the side. They are what most would call basic football uniform; there’s nothing fancy or over the top about them. But, with the new generation of players looking at colleges such as Oregon and Oklahoma State, who have numerous jersey combinations, Oklahoma had to find a way to compete.
              This past summer, Oklahoma Football reviled their new alternate jerseys, which provide a modern twist on their original look. Having the same views as my dad, at first I didn’t like the fact that Oklahoma had introduced these new jerseys because I wanted them to keep their same classic look. Oklahoma has a winning tradition and I wanted them to keep that same tradition going with the jerseys they have always worn. But, I soon realized through social media how much the current players liked these new jerseys and how excited they were showcase them this season. These jerseys were more than just an upgrade, they were a marketing boost.

Oklahoma's original unifoms compared to their new alternates

              Having to compete with other top programs, like Oregon, Oklahoma needed something that would allow them keep up with recruiting. It seems like that today’s generation of young athletes is really focused on what luxury items each program has to offer. Even though Oklahoma is a renowned football program, the introduction of these new jerseys opens up the door to an entirely new recruiting class. Nobody has said change is bad, and small changes made by the Oklahoma Football program has done more good than harm. I think that this was a great idea by the Athletic Department at OU, I would just advise them not to get too crazy with the jerseys, OU has a historic program that needs to be represented by its classic uniforms.

Images courtesy of www.soonersports.com

 

Power of Pink

                The power of sports can be seen in the month of October. The month in which the sports world is painted in pink. No longer are the crowds a mixture of red and blue to support the home team, stadiums are now covered in pink. That is because it’s Breast Cancer awareness month.  As I’ve watched sports during the month of October over the past few years, I have learned so much about the disease and the efforts there are to find a cure. The comradery amongst all athletes is unbelievable as they all are all fighting for the same outcome: raise money to help find a cure.

In relation to sportswear, the work done by sports companies throughout the world is amazing. Not only do they have to design thousands of jerseys for hundreds of teams throughout the US, but they have to create the shoes, towels, headbands, gloves, and accessories needed for athletes, and they do it in the iconic pink color of Breast Cancer awareness. The ideas of personal profit and wealth are put aside for the top sports brands in the world, as they donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to the fight. It’s that type of unselfishness and support that the sports world has given to such a great cause that shows me people really do care about helping increase the well-being of others.

            On a personal note, I have never had a family member that has been affected by breast cancer, but I have had several family members affected by other forms of cancer. Even though October is primarily focused on the fight of breast cancer, I feels that it brings to light the fight of all forms of cancer. By pursuing this support of ending the battle with cancer through sports, it opens up and entirely new audience of people to inform them of the effects of cancer and it strengthens the fight.


NRG Stadium home of the Houston Texan's covered in pink in
support of breast cancer.

           When I turn on the TV and see a stadium full of all different sorts of people from all different backgrounds, and all I see is the color pink, it lifts my spirits that people care and are working to fight a battle that may not even affect them personally, but they know it affects others around them, including their friends and family. Through the power of the color pink that covers jerseys and sports gear throughout the nation, it unites everybody under the same fight. If you are looking to help the cause and become a part of the fight you can visit http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/. Also, just by wearing pink to a sporting event allows you to support the cause while still supporting your favorite team, because part of the money received through clothing sales is donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. To help donate in that way you can visit Dicks Sporting Goods, which has a variety of options.

 Image courtesy of http://pictures.replayphotos.com

Socks: A Staple in the Sport of Basketball

                  An AAU basketball player myself, the importance of basketball socks these days is astounding. Just scrolling through Nike's Sock Collection is overwhelming. There are colors upon colors, patterns upon patterns, and styles upon styles. What just began as simple long black socks have expanded into a new creative territory, giving athletes the opportunity to create their own statement on the court.

Various Nike Elite Socks

I would consider myself a simple and generic player when it comes to fashion world in sports. I would be classified in the group of people who wear neutral colored shoes with solid colored socks; there’s nothing flashy about my style. But, then there are those who have neon shoes that they can match ten different pairs of socks with. I think this evolution of being able to express who you are as a player through what fashion statements you make on the court is important in today’s society.

Ask any basketball player in the world today, and they will say that the socks you wear matter. Imagine any design you can possibly think of and they probably have it on some type of basketball sock.  Not only is the design aspect important when trying to decide which socks suit you best, but also take into account the comfort level of the socks. If you were to put on an everyday ankle sock and then put on Nike’s Elite Basketball Socks, there is an obvious difference, as the Nike socks have better support and cushion. The comfort and cushion provided by socks make a big difference, because after long weekends at AAU tournaments when your feet feel as if they are going to fall off, having the cushion on the bottom makes the pressure on your feet lighter, allowing you to last longer in the game.

Long gone are the days with the generic black calf high socks. Today in the 2^nd decade of the 21^st century, socks matter both in appearance and comfort level. Today’s basketball socks tell others who you are as a player, making a statement about yourself through fashion.

 

Images Courtesy of www.weartesters.com

 

The Perfect Pair of Kicks

                 Deciding on the perfect shoe, whether it is for physical activity or that you just need a pair of new kicks for the street, can sometimes be frustrating and overwhelming. For me, it is very difficult to find the exact shoe I want because I am very persistent on what qualities my shoes need to have. Not only is it about finding the right fit for the shoe, but many factors are included in the search, like design, quality, and color.

Usually when I go through this process, it is because I am looking for a new pair of Nike's Running Shoes, which is where I get a majority of my everyday shoes. When I first begin to survey the different types of shoes that are available to me, I start by just looking at the overall design of the shoe. During this process, I contemplate how the shoe looks from all different angles, mainly focused on the side and bird’s eye view. Also, I take into consideration the different parts of the shoe, including how the sole of the shoe looks, the laces, and the type of material used.

Once a shoe has gained my interest in its design, I begin to look at the quality and think where and when I would wear this type of shoe. A majority of the tennis shoes that I buy have to be able to endure my every day wear and tear. During this step it is helpful to read reviews about the shoes online and see how they have worked out for other people. By reading several different reviews, you can get a more informed idea of the quality of the shoe from a customer’s perspective and not just the shoe company itself, who is just throwing out a sales pitch to get you to buy them.

Finally, the last step in this process of finding the perfect shoe is my favorite step, which is picking your color combination. If you are that "I want to stand out in the crowd" type of person then go for bright, bold colors. Or if you are that person who is looking for a neutral pair of sneakers to match their everyday outfits then look for those whites, grays, and blacks. For those of you who are looking for a neutral pair of shoes, I do want to warn you that getting all white shoes has its pros and cons. Pro: they look sleek and go with just about anything. Con: they get dirty easily and must be kept up. It's up to you and your preference on what colors you want your shoes to be. Even if they don't have the exact color combinations that you want, most sports companies offer a build-your-own-shoe option so you are in control of your product. So if you are looking into the Nike Running Shoes, they off the Nike ID option to give you creative control of your shoes.

The bottom line is that they are your shoes, you are going to wear them, and you are going to buy them, so pick the ones you love the most. Make sure you are getting your money's worth in quality and design, and make sure your kicks are the coolest ones on the block.

Ankle Protection

           Lucky me. This past weekend I severely rolled my left ankle during my soccer game. I was unknowingly standing in a small hole on the field, when I went to turn to pass the ball and there was a cracking noise as I rolled my ankle. At first I thought it was broken due to the sound it made and the pain I was in, but it ended up being sprained. So, for the past week I have been wearing a boot to help keep my ankle in place so it can heal quickly for my team’s upcoming state cup tournament.

            As a precaution for this type of injury, many athletes wear ankles braces. In the past years I have rolled my ankle several times in both basketball and soccer and I have experimented with many different types of ankle braces. From my own experiences I have found that the ASO ankle brace is the best one yet. This ankle brace incorporates the straps needed to set your ankle in place and it laces up so the brace is tight on your foot. I really like that it has both these features because it does a great job of keeping your foot and ankle set in place. Before I bought the ASO Ankle Brace, I had worn both just the regular lace up brace and a brace that only had the Velcro straps to keep it in place. These two types of braces had worked well for me in the past, but they weren’t as durable as the ASO Ankle Brace.

So if you are one of those people prone to spraining or rolling your ankles, as I am, then the ASO Ankle Brace is the perfect buy. It is like a two-for-one deal because it incorporates both the lace up and strap up aspects of the brace and it’s very durable.