Wednesday July 23, 2014

Summer Cycle Chic

 

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On the road, in the mountains, in the spin studio or on the street, the look in cycling gear and accessories this summer is bright but with a sophisticated palette. Color blocked and graphic, grays and blacks accentuated with warm oranges and reds, these high performance bike helmets, shoes, gloves and other accessories are made for hot weather riding with the chic style perfect for any season.

ROW 1: SMITH FOREFRONT $220. This ventilated low profile mountain bike helmet looks great with its tricolor design, and fully integrates with your sunglasses, goggles, or helmet cam. Available in a wide array of colors with an adjustable and removable visor. GIRO PROLIGHT SLX II $350. High performance with a minimalist design, this ultra-light two toned shoe, features titanium hardware and is one of the best looking cycling shoes we’ve seen.

ROW 2: RAPHA WOMENS SOUPLESSE JERSEY $205. Elegantly designed for all-day riding in hot conditions, this lightweight jersey is extremely breathable, and wicks moisture superbly. Chic styling elements include a rear contrast stripe and polka dot tab and collar lining. GIRO ASPECT $175. Streamlined and cool, this new helmet from Giro offers chic urban style with tough protection, secure fit, and uniquely engineered ventilation. PEARL IZUMI PRO LEADER II. Graphic and bold, the new lightweight PRO Leader features Adaptive Fit, designed to conform to your foot shape, combined with the Boa retention system for precision and superior power transfer. GIANT CONTROL MINI ROAD+ PUMP $35. On your bike or in your bag, a mini pump always comes in handy. We love this matte silver pump for its durable aluminum body and clean simple design.

ROW 3: JULBO GROOVY $100. The women-specific Groovy from Julbo is made for performance with its wide peripheral vision and photochromic Zebra lens that automatically adapts to changing light conditions. MAVIC ESPOIR GLOVE $29.95. Simple design with supreme comfort, EVA foam and gel cushioning combine to dampen road vibrations, while the Clarino synthetic leather palm provides excellent breathability and handlebar grip.

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Sunday July 20, 2014

The Anti-Gravity Treadmill

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 SUSPENDED ANIMATION: ALTERG ANTI-GRAVITY TREADMILL

 
State-of-the-art rehab tools and equipment are often found so effective they make their way into the gym for general population training. The latest piece of equipment to do so is the AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill, which I had the opportunity to check out last week at Body Space Fitness in NYC. Originally designed by Nasa, AlterG treadmills can unweight up to 80% of a person’s body, allowing for stable support, unencumbered movement, and continued training through injury. These treadmills are used by professional athletes such as LeBron James, Derek Jeter, Kobe Byant and Kara Goucher, and can be found in the training rooms of many NFL, MLB, and NBA teams, in addition to collegiate sports programs and Olympic Training Centers.

As Body Space Fitness owner, Kelvin Gary, told me, “running is a contact sport”, and for those with joint and mobility issues, the AlterG allows them the benefits of running without the impact to the body. Wearing neoprene shorts with a skirt that is zippered into the inflatable chamber, the treadmills use Differential Air Pressure that literally lifts you while you run. Kelvin integrates intervals on the AlterG into training sessions with his clients, and they also book time on their own on the treadmill as part of their regular cardio training regimen.

Training for the NYC Marathon myself right now, I am happily still healthy. With a few more months of training to go and bigger mileage ahead, the AlterG would be an ideal way to keep running should overuse injuries arise. I am hoping, however, not to have to put it to the test. One way or the other, see you at the starting line November 2nd!

-CL

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Wednesday July 16, 2014

Sporty Beach Reads

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Chilling post surf or between ocean dips, we all love a great book to keep us company while soaking up the summer sunshine. With your perfect towel, beach bag, bikini, board shorts, sunglasses, hat and tasty refreshment, the only thing left to complete that perfect STYLE OF SPORT day at the beach is the perfect read. There are many ways to go…. fiction or non-fiction….e-reader or good old-fashioned paper… new bestseller or literary classic… but if you want to keep it sporty, here are some of our favorite beach-tested reads:

UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand (2010). Read the book before the Angelina Jolie directed movie comes out! This is the unforgettable story of Louie Zamperini, a teen-age hooligan who went on to become one of America’s greatest runners and compete at the 1936 Olympics as a teenager. Zamperini later joined the Army Air Corps, survived a plane crash and 47 days adrift at sea in a tiny raft, and then endured years in a notorious Japanese prisoner of war camp. Hillenbrand, who wrote Seabiscuit as well, also describes the hardships Zamperini faced when he returned to civilian life. Sadly Zamperini passed away just last week at age 97.

WILD: FROM LOST TO FOUND ON THE PACIFIC TRAIL by Cheryl Strayed (2013). This is the first person account of Cheryl Strayed, who at age 22 thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother’s death and crumbling marriage, with nothing to lose she made the most impulsive decision of her life. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State — and she would do it alone. Told with suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild powerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her. Coming this holiday season is the movie starring Reese Witherspoon.

THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA by Ernest Hemingway (1952). Okay, we’ve all read this one (or maybe not), but we all should probably read it again. It’s the only work of fiction on our list, but it somehow fits. Here’s the first line: “He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream and he had gone eighty-four days now without taking a fish.” Lest we forget, this book won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953 and was cited by the Nobel Committee as a major contribution to Hemingway receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954. Read More

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Saturday July 12, 2014

The 8 Classic Summer Sneakers

 

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For summer, the white sneaker is an essential and there are none more perfect than these 8 timeless classics. From Keds to Vans to Adidas to Tretorns, these sneakers have been the summer staple of generations, with a chic simple look that never goes out of style. You wore them as a kid, you’re wearing them now, so are your kids and we bet theirs will too!

CLOCKWISE TOP LEFT: CONVERSE CHUCK TAYLOR ALL STAR $50; SUPERGA COTU CLASSIC $65; TRETORN NYLITE CANVAS $65; ADIDAS STAN SMITH $75;  KEDS CHAMPION CANVAS SLIP-ON $45; CONVERSE JACK PURCELL $60; VANS CLASSIC SLIP-ON $45; ADIDAS ROD LAVER $65

 

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Thursday July 10, 2014

The Bod Squad

 

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The summer hottest temperatures are in the water this July. Super sexy surf and swimwear for all your favorite water sports is making a statement, with sleek body defining shapes, colors and graphics designed to reveal your fab physique beneath. Cropped rash guards, mini wetsuits, booty shorts and zip neoprene swimsuits are built to perform while turning heads. Surf is definitely up!

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ROW 1: LISA MARIE FERNANDEZ “THE JASMINE” NEOPRENE BIKINI $355. Release your inner Bond Girl with this super sculpting neoprene zip bikini. ROXY SHOREBREAK CROP TOP $92. This revealing zip up long sleeve crop top is actually a 1mm neoprene wetsuit and features UPF 50+ protection. ADIDAS CLASSIC ELASTIC HIPSTER SWIM BOTTOMS now $31.00. Comfortably cut with full backside coverage, these cute swim bottoms look great with any swim or surf top. SWEATY BETTY DOLPHIN SWIMSUIT $100. This graphic colorblock one-piece swimsuit is quick-drying and durable, with great support for a streamlined swim.

ROW 2: HURLEY GOOD SPORT CROP TOP $59. Cropped coverage with sleek mesh cap-sleeves, this little neoprene zip-front rashguard is made for the hottest of surfers. Pair with HURLEY SURFSIDE STRAP SIDE BIKINI BOTTOM $33 for the complete look. TAVIK SWIMWEAR ANIA ZIP SWIMSUIT $139.95. Inspired by classic surf and dive wear, this sexy swimsuit combines stretch nylon with lightweight neoprene side panels and zips down the front from the neck to the waist. SPEEDO SPORTY TOP WITH RINGS $44. With matte and shine colorblocking, this bright swim and sport top is constructed to have 5-10 times more durability than ordinary spandex fabrics. Pair with SPEEDO SHIRRED BOYSHORT $44 for all your water training.

ROW 3: NEON WETSUITS “SOWENA” $140. Based out of Cornwall, England, Neon makes sexy little graphic wetsuits ready for any water adventure. ROXY MOD LOVE ZIP-UP VEST $46. From the Roxy Pop Surf collection comes this graphic floral swim vest that adds a mod look to your surf style. Pair with NIKE BRUSH STRIPE SWIM BOTTOM $44 for any water sport. ADIDAS BEACH HALTER BIKINI TOP $28. The matching top to the bikini bottom in Row 1, goes together perfectly here with the VOLCOM REALITY BITES BIKINI BOTTOM $29.50.

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Monday July 7, 2014

Field Guide

 

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Inspired by the great outdoors yet perfect for an urban adventure, this is your field guide to that ruggedly stylish gear designed to enhance all that Mother Nature has to offer. Should your summer travels take you to one of America’s National Parks, a city abroad, or provide the opportunity for local exploration, here are the accessories to accompany you on your journey, plus a few souvenirs to bring the adventure back home.

LEFT COLUMN: FIELD NOTES “Expedition” Waterproof Memo Books $9.95. Rugged are these little adventure ready notebooks! Field-tested and explorer-approved, within this arctic orange cover are 48 pages of Yupo Synthetic paper — a waterproof and tear-proof material designed to stand up to the toughest conditions, yet beautifully designed for everyday use. Check out Field Notes for lots more great styles and colors! TIMEX Weekender Slip-Thru $45. We love a Timex and this field style watch, with its simple clear face, nylon wrap band and Indiglo Night Light is a classic. KAUFMANN-MERCANTILE EDC Brass Compass $32.95. Yes, we all have GPS on our iPhones, but you never know when this waterproof brass compass might come in handy. At 1″ in diameter it can be easily stashed in your pocket, glovebox, or on a keychain.

CENTER COLUMN: PARKS PROJECTS National Parks Olympic Raglan $36. Parks Projects is a company dedicated to the preservation of our National Parks. Their mission is to inspire people to get outside, visit parks, and support park preservation through their products. They have created a series of vintage styled tees, baseball jerseys and tanks featuring a variety of our National Parks including Acadia, Everglades, Grand Teton and Olympic shown above, among others.  EASTLAND SHOES Seneca Camp Moc Chucca Boot $100. Ideal for the woods or everyday rambling, this classic hand sewn moccasin features a fully lined, cushioned footbed and a shock absorbing, flexible natural rubber outsole. Eastland has been making these boots since 1955 and they are a timeless favorite. MUIR WAY National Parks Maps $39 (unframed).  These graphic prints have been inspired by the National Parks maps, and use a clean design and a mix of colors to reinterpret the topography into beautifully stylized reproductions. Any design can be customized to the palette of your choice and a portion of every sale from their site is donated to the Sierra Club Foundation. MAGLITE Mini Maglite Camo $33.75. A pocket flashlight is always a useful accessory. This rugged little camo Maglite is water and shock resistant, and packs a high intensity adjustable light beam, along with a candle mode feature for hands free light.

RIGHT COLUMN: LEICA Ultravid Colorline 10 x 25 Binoculars $999. Available in an array of fun colors, these top of the line compact Leica binoculars are the perfect accompaniment to all your outdoor adventures. Bird watching or people watching, they offer superior viewing brilliance and sharpness, with optimal reduction of light reflection. BEST MADE Waxed Anorak $375. This lightweight rain jacket is made in the USA from 6.25 oz waxed cotton and features a three piece hood for maximum protection in inclement conditions. Double mesh ventilation eyelets insure breathability and a layer of moleskin offers comfort against the face. We love the bright orange, but it is available in more subdued earth tones as well. ISOLA INCENSE Balsam Fir $15. Bring the scents of the forest home with this classic Balsam Fir incense. Each box contains 32 cones and a wood burner. FILSON Camera Field Bag $320. This all-weather oil-finish field bag from Filson features ample interior space, with multiple pockets and dividers for the camera buff, yet doubles as a perfect everyday bag.

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Saturday July 5, 2014

Run Service

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For runners looking to get on the road while on the road, Westin hotels across the country are now offering RunWESTIN, their signature outdoor running program. A designated RunWESTIN running concierge leads scenic runs from the hotel, touring landmarks throughout the city. Guests can also run on their own following 3-mile and 5-mile routes provided at each hotel. It’s a great way to stay in shape and do some sightseeing while traveling.

As an additional feature, the brand has partnered with New Balance in an exclusive gear-lending program. For those opting not to pack their running gear, the New Balance gear-lending program allows guests to borrow running shoes with disposable insoles, as well as a variety of men’s and women’s New Balance running apparel, for just $5 per stay.

You can now cross the “I forgot my running gear” excuse off the list of reasons not to work out while traveling.

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Wednesday July 2, 2014

Wild Wild West

 

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To celebrate our nations birthday this 4th of July, we are paying homage to the spirit of the American West and those cowboys and cowgirls whose style of sport is just as cool a look for urban dwellers too. We combed western shops, trading posts, and a few fashion establishments as well, looking for the most authentic Western wear with added some city style. Welcome to the wild wild west!

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LEFT COLUMN: FRINGED SUEDE JACKET BY KATE MOSS FOR TOPSHOP $450. The classic suede fringe jacket gets a fashion blessing and a styling update by Kate Moss for Topshop. WRANGLER JEANS COWBOY CUT SLIM FIT $34.97. There is no jean more western and a symbol of American style than a Wrangler (well, Levis too). Still a staple of cowboys and cowgirls everywhere, this slim fit, high waisted jean has great urban style too. NOCONA WOMEN’S TURQUOISE & CRYSTAL BELT $75. This classic western belt with its silver engraved buckle is gussied up with turquoise and crystals. NATHALIE COWHIDE HANDBAG $550. From Nathalie’s in Santa Fe, comes this ruggedly chic bag. Chocolate and white cowhide on the front, faux black gator on the back, it features white whipstitch detail for extra flair.

CENTER COLUMN: LUCCHESE VINTAGE CLASSICS COWGIRL BOOTS $729. The ultimate in cowboy boot style and craftsmanship is Lucchese. Each pair is made by hand by master bookmakers and recognized for their unprecedented fit and comfort. TIN HAUL OMBRE WESTERN SHIRT $44.99. This plaid western shirt has all the classic styling details, featuring a snap front and pockets, curved back yoke, and contrast inside trim. Chick here for more great western shirts. MINNETONKA CANVAS MOC $42.95. Playing cowboys & indians here, these Minnetonka Moccasins never go out of style. We love this new canvas edition, perfect for the summer months.

RIGHT COLUMN: SUNBODY STAMPEDE COWBOY HAT $50. Handmade from Guatemalen and Mexican palm leaves, these hats keep their cool and style in the toughest conditions. Pre-formed or shape yourself, there are a host of models to choose from, perfect for wherever you may roam. LEVIS AUTHENTIC DENIM VEST $44.95. This little ombre denim vest is ready to rock with a hip extra layer of western style. ALEXANDER MCQUEEN LEATHER & SWAROVSKI CRYSTAL SKULL BRACELET $280. This leather wrap bracelet is braided and interspersed with gold-tone beads and a Swarovski crystal-adorned skull.

 Special thanks to Maggie Mann

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