Hello Brooklyn

Earlier today the Brooklyn Nets officially released their new brand identity with accompanying apparel items. 

As expected, due to a leaked preview image, the main logo depicts a crest with simple black and white features. Below are the alternate logo identities:

I appreciate the clean, simple and bold contrasts that Jay-Z went with for the new Nets logos. The entire team identity and apparel dates back to the vintage Brooklyn from the subway imagery to the ABA and Brooklyn Dodgers styles. I'll be curious to see the unveiling of the team uniforms and if they truly will keep an all black and white color pallete. I would love to see some pops of blue and/or red in there at some point. One thing is for sure, it is 100000x better than the old New Jersey Nets schemes.

Brooklyn Nets Identity Hints

With the NBA Playoffs not on their schedule, the New Jersey Nets are quick to turn the page to the next chapter in their organization. Co-owner Jay-Z is a big player behind moving the Nets to his hometown of Brookyln, New York, next season. They've started looking forward immediately by hinting at the new team logo utilizing local billboards and the official Nets website.

Someone leaked this photo of what is speculated to be the new logo, which will be unveiled on Monday.

If this turns out to be the Nets' new logo, do you "Like" or "Dislike" it?

NIKE: How They Hyperfuse

You've seen the shoes by now, the ones that look like a normal shoe but there are no seams or stitching anywhere on them. If you're like me, you probably wondered quietly to yourself, "How did they do this?" The Kitchen at Nike is where the hands-on experiments take place for the latest and greatest innovations. Fortunately for us, they opened it up for a video to show how they Hyperfuse the materials together to make a light weight, yet durable and strong footwear product for sport and life. Grab your mini bag of popcorn and your notebook:

A Huffington Post Contributor?

Yes, you read that right: a Huffington Post contributor. On behalf of [Fashion Has Heart], I've been asked to blog about the nonprofit's mission to aid wounded veterans through the mediums of art, design, and fashion on the popular news/blog site. Check out the first post that describes the reasons why Michael Hyacinthe and I worked together to start the initiative and the first hero we worked with, Corporal Josh Hoffman. Make sure to follow [FHH] on their Facebook and Twitter pages, too!

In-Progress, Part VII

Sometimes, close attention to detail means taking the extra time and effort to make it perfect, dot by dot.

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Get caught up from the previous updates:
Part VI
Part V
Part IV
Part III
Part II
Part I

Maestro Knows: Spread the LOVE [video]

Levi Maestro just released this "Special Edition" webisode featuring NBA star, Kevin Love. You think NBA players have it easy, that all they do is travel on private planes and make millions of dollars just by playing a game? Think again.

"The definition of hard working is habitually working diligently and for long hours... It is not cool, there is nothing fun about it... There should be a want, and a will, and a desire to learn and to be better. If that is there, then the opportunity presents itself to help others along the way who are paying attention."
-Levi Maestro

The Art of Thrifting

Growing up, my mom always made my sisters and I go to the Salvation Army with her. Unless I found sports trading cards or cool basketball jerseys, I hated it. Nowadays, I have a whole new appreciation for thrifting. I'll thrift for almost anything: furniture, books, clothes, and an assortment of random items of coolness.

Last week the fashion blog, Put This On, launched this video featuring Joshua Kissi and Travis Gumbs, the proprietors of Street Etiquette in Manhattan. Their tips inspired me to spend my Saturday morning combing through a Goodwill, Salvation Army, and New-2-U thrift stores.

After a couple hours of sifting through racks and racks and racks, I found a couple keepers in great condition:

London Fog jacket (Made in USA): $12.00

Calvin Klein denim jeans: $6.99

Diesel long sleeve oxford: $3.99

"SPACE: The First 50 Years" coffee table book: $3.99

Haggar short sleeve oxford: $3.00

Grand Total (not including 6% Michigan Sales Tax): $29.97. Not bad, huh?

What's the best thing you've bought when thrifting?

#MakeItCount (Off The Court, Too)

This is great simply because of the beginning, "Nike asked me to make a movie about what it means to #makeitcount. Instead of making their movie, I spent the entire budget traveling around the world with my friend, Max. We'd keep going until the money ran out."

This video lends itself to be a great branch off Nike's #makeitcount campaign because it takes the slogan off the playing field and into everyone's daily life. I guess that's what makes Nike's marketing always spot on. They do sports but yet are still able to apply it to our everyday lives. Their products aren't just athletic products anymore, they are props and tools in our daily lives. Well done.

P.S. The video image with the two girls on the beach -- it's not that kind of video clip. Sorry.

Sport > Homelessness

Sometimes sport can take on a deeper meaning, a deeper connection, and deeper purpose than just sport.

"Street Soccer: New York is an independently-funded documentary film about camaraderie and overcoming incredible circumstances to achieve one's dreams. It's the story of 12 homeless men as they prepare for the 2009 Street Soccer USA Cup. The film shows how sports can change people’s lives and it highlights the effectiveness of the Street Soccer USA organization, which helps the homeless get off the streets, find jobs and reconnect with family members. Watch the trailer below.

The men in this film are an inspiration and represent an entire population of homeless people in America. This film will shatter your judgments of the homeless and how to address the problem of homelessness."

If you feel so inclined to help fund this documentary in efforts to spread awareness and bring aid to the homeless, please make a donation of your choice on their Kickstarter page.

In-Progress, Part VI

A ton of dots have been added since the last In-Progress update, literally. The most difficult part, other than not going crazy during this tedious portion of the process, was trying to capture the texture of The Duck's fur. It's a start in the right direction. I believe this was the hill that I had to get over, the rest of the painting should hopefully be smoother sailing from here on out. Stay posted for the next update within the next week or two.

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Get caught up from the previous updates:
Part V
Part IV
Part III
Part II
Part I

Winner-Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Kentucky pulled it out and saved my bracket. I finished with a personal best 129 points (whatever that means) and in the 94th percentile, earning me the ranking of 23,425th place. Do they make a trophy for twenty-three thousand, four hundred twenty-fifth place?