SICKA THAN AVERAGE

Campin’ Out With the New 55DSL x Dim Mak x Ferrino Survival Kit

I'm about as outdoorsy as Shelley Long's character in Troop Beverly Hills, but if I were to go out in the wilderness and camp out, you best believe I'd be traveling in style. I'd like to think I wouldn't be as ridiculous as Jessica Simpson, when she brought her Louis Vuitton purse to the woods in that camping episode of Newlyweds (remember that?), but frankly, I can see myself doing something equally nonsensical! See, I've never gone camping in my entire life — as a city gal, the opportunities to do so haven't exactly poured in over the years but, truth be told, I could never picture myself in some desolate woodsy location, singing around the campfire and swatting bugs away. Maybe I'd camp out for a great outdoors concert. Maybe. And if I did, I'd do so in a tent just like the one pictured above, part of a new "Survival Kit" designed by fashion label 55DSL, Dim Mak Records and Italian tent company Ferrino.

The kit comes in a box designed by Dim Mak's Turbokrapfen and includes: the above-pictured tent (which pops up, so you don't have to worry about complex assembly instructions), a limited-edition 55DSL graphic tee (pictured second from top), and a compilation album (cleverly dubbed "Unnatural Sounds of the Wild") put together by Dim Mak Records.

The inspiration behind the design was the idea of summer music festivals around the globe. Dim Mak founder Steve Aoki and 55DSL Creative Director Andrea Rosso wanted to keep you rockin' out and rockin' fly gear as you awaited some of the summer's biggest outdoor concerts — whether it's Lollapalooza, the Essence Music Festival, the Liverpool Summer Pops Festival, the Reading Festival, Summerfest, or any other major music festival.

Visit 55DSL.com for a list of stores carrying the 55DSL x Dim Max x Ferrino Survival Kit.

Posted at 12:18 PM in Art, Fashion, Music | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

June 26, 2009

R.I.P. Michael Jackson: Long Live the King with Neff’s Tribute Tees

Today, I will not start a post with some clever pun or cutesy anecdote. I will not dip into my seemingly endless stash of jokes, nor will I write with my trademark sass. As cliché as it may sound, my heart feels heavy (apparently, sadness, however abstract a concept, does have a weight) — and, seeing as I've always made a point to be truthful with you, my lovely readers, I can't put on a happy face and keep it movin'. Yesterday, we lost the most magnetic, influential, inspiring, charismatic performer of our generation: the great Michael Jackson. And I, like many of his loyal fans, wept — a lot. Once I overcame the denial stage, batted the shock period, and came to grips with the reality of his passing, a wave of sadness swept over me, pounding my heart mercilessly. The woman in the mirror is very, very sad today…

See, Michael Jackson was so much more than a celebrity to me. He provided the soundtrack for my entire childhood and adolescence. Divorcing these memories from his music is nearly impossible — his voice, his grooves, his style, his being permeated my life. Growing up, there were only two Mikes that mattered: Jordan and Jackson. But it was Michael Jackson who made me (and so many other people of color) feel like we, too, could go beyond race (and the confines of racism) to accomplish our dreams — however ambitious. Michael Jackson managed to make us all want to rock with him. Women (black, white, Asian, and Latino) fainted at his concerts. Boys everywhere emulated his Moon Walk, coveted his white glove, reenacted his "Thriller" dance… His music reached the entire world — and I pray that he knew how profoundly he touched so many of us…

Now, as we mourn this tremendous loss and discuss his incredible legacy, let's focus on the positive aspects of his life. Yes, Mike was troubled (and who isn't?), but we will never truly understand the depths of his own struggles nor will we know how to distinguish fact from fiction and truth from rumor in regards to his personal life. The media spent the last ten years or so mocking him, spewing hatred and churning out vile propaganda — let's not allow the negativity and the speculations to continue. Instead, let's focus on how one man single-handedly healed the world with his music and how, whenever he stepped on stage, he drew the audience to its knees.

To pay tribute to the King of Pop, Neff has produced these two "Michael Jackson King" T-shirts — the first design depicts Michael during his "Smooth Criminal" era (notice the fedora and arm band), while the second one captures him suited up (bow tie and all), moving and grooving like he did in his "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough" video.

Remember the time….when we fell in love with Michael…

The Neff "Michael Jackson King" tees will be available on Tuesday at select retailers across the country and will retail for $20 each. Visit NeffHeadwear.com for more information.

Posted at 03:01 PM in Fashion | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

June 26, 2009

Cruisin’ With Timberland’s “Design Your Own Boat Shoe” Program

While on Twitter the other day, one of my friends made a comment about boat shoes being the new Air Force 1s, and I'm inclined to agree. Once upon a time, these shoes were used merely for functional purposes (to prevent you from slipping when standing on a wet boat deck) and, over time, they became a staple in preppy wardrobes (along with khaki bermuda shorts, cardigan sweaters tied around the shoulders, pastel-colored Polo shirts and thin pearl necklaces). But now, boat shoes are emerging as a popular footwear alternative for stylish urbanites — and, catering to a different audience also means re-imagining the shoes' design. To that end, everyone from Sebago and Sperry to Timberland and Dexter has been offering bolder colorways, funky fabrics (like patent leather, rich nubuck suede, etc.), and clever design twists that will appeal to a younger consumer base.

Timberland, however, has taken the game to unexpected heights with its fantastic new "Design Your Own Boat Shoe" program. Consumers can simply log onto Timberland.com and custom design their own shoes, which are then handsewn in Timberland's factory in the Dominican Republic and delivered within 3-4 weeks. Once you log on to the site, you can: add your initials to the shoes' tongue or collar (and select the color and font type for the embroidered monogram), select from an assortment of colors and fabrics for the shoes' tongue, side and collar; pick the type of metal for the hardware (mainly the eyelets); choose a color for the laces; and more. Among the color/fabric options, you'll find: pink nubuck suede, periwinkle nubuck, kelly green nubuck, white tumbled smooth leather, burgundy smooth leather, purple nubuck, hot pink nubuck, wheat burnished suede, brick red nubuck, black smooth leather, pebble nubuck and olive green nubuck.

A few of the design options are pictured above but, trust me: you can spend hours playing around, coming up with new color combinations. I literally spent over two hours fiddling with the design application before finally creating an awesome black-and-white boat shoe that resembles a spectator oxford (I wish I had a photo for all of you but, alas, I wasn't able to grab a photo before submitting my order! I promise to post and/or Tweet it once I get my pair though!)

Those who prefer a more hands-on approach to customizing shoes will be happy to learn that the program will be available at Timberland stores starting in July.

To paraphrase Lil Wayne, don't just cruise control, ladies — control the cruise.

Women's Classic Custom Boat Shoe, $120. Visit Timberland.com

Posted at 12:35 AM in Fashion | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

June 25, 2009

Lady Gaga’s Cross to Bear

I admire Lady Gaga's in-your-face, Euro pop-flavored style (with all of its glitter and flash), but even I must admit that she has been taking her adventurous approach towards fashion into zany, fruit loop territory. Making a bow out of her own hair was eccentric but cute, wearing a hooded red leotard like some naughty Little Red Riding Hood character was fierce, but rocking a jacket with shoes glued onto it? That's one of those baffling, this-is-your-brain-on-drugs moments — especially when you consider that it looks like those were perfectly good Louboutins she destroyed (that's sacrilegious right there)!

But hey, her shoe jacket misstep (pun intended) aside, I do appreciate this little sasspot's insistence on pushing the envelope. And I must admit: she works the heck out of her get-ups and has the power to start some majorly funky trends. Which brings me to one of her latest style coups — during her travels to Japan, Korea, and Australia, Lady Gaga has been spotted wearing this Fetty necklace, which she received as a gift from friend and Fetty designer Justin Tranter, best known as the lead singer of Semi Precious Weapons.

Gaga's long necklace features a brass cross plated in oxidized copper and bearing crystals that spell the word "fame" in Braille. So clever, right?

If you're looking to buy a diamond-studded, punk-flavored, high-end design like the one pictured above (pieces are priced between $115 and $800), opt for Fetty's boutique line, available at Barneys.com. If you'd like a tough but more inexpensive piece, check out Fetty's mid-price line, FAME, or the inexpensive Precious Weapons line, which is sold at Urban Outfitters stores and online at TheFetty.com

Posted at 03:53 PM in Jewelry | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

June 25, 2009

SickaThanAverage.com x StefaniBags.com Giveaway and Special Promo!

My lovely STA readers, this is probably THE most exciting giveaway I've brought you so far, so I can't tell you how excited I am to announce it (and thanks to StefaniBags.com for making it all possible). I truly feel like a fairy godmother, just waving her wand in the direction of one lucky Cinderella who will soon upgrade her handbag game something fierce. That's because one SickaThanAverage.com reader will win the Cynthia Rowley Lydia Satchel pictured above (cue the oohing and aaahing), courtesy of cutting-edge handbag e-boutique StefaniBags.com, which carries the latest from such trendy brands as Alexis Hudson, Ananas, Bliss Lau, Hayden-Harnett, Furla, Jalda and Treesje.

This magenta pink, patent leather Cynthia Rowley Lydia Satchel measures 12" in height, 13" in width and 7" in depth, while the shoulder straps yield a 9"drop. I personally love the frame shape, and the modern but simple design (from the horizontal exterior pocket to the oversize golden metal eyelets through which the shoulder straps are looped. The Lydia Satchel regularly retails for $425, so here's your chance for a major fashion score!

To enter this giveaway, send an e-mail to celia@sickathanaverage.com with "STA x StefaniBags.com Giveaway" as the subject and, in the body of the e-mail, name one handbag (both the designer and the name of the style) that caught your eye while browsing through StefaniBags.com (1-2 lines will suffice). Also, please note that by submitting your e-mail address, you are agreeing to sign up for the StefaniBags.com newsletter (and not to worry — you'll be safe from pesky spammers). Please note that this giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only. The deadline to enter is July 17th.

And here's some additional good news. From now until July 17th, STA readers will receive a 25% off discount on any purchase at StefaniBags.com. Simply enter the code "moda25" at checkout and get ready to save some pesos!

Posted at 12:02 AM in Fashion, Giveaway | Permalink | Favorite This | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)