tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-219753332024-03-13T10:34:39.478-07:00Sy Design RamblingsSY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-12903556061321683092012-10-12T08:46:00.000-07:002012-10-12T09:01:20.668-07:00Outdoor Girl NirvanaAs an outdoor apparel designer I often come up with ideal pieces in my head, my latest dream need has been the desire for a svelte softshell pant. Not the kind we generally make in the outdoor industry. My brain had imagined a piece made from a 4-way stretch double weave softshell fabric, something that would fit and look as good as a pair of lululemon pants meeting skinny jeans, something that I can wear a skirt over the top of, something I can backpack in, instead of those not so attractive brown pants that we are always offered. I wanted something I can fish in, wet wade in, and put underneath my waders too. Since this dream pant would be a softshell it would naturally be resistant to brush and burrs along the rivers edge, or while bushwhacking for that matter. This dream pant would also be equally at home on the street and on the town at the end of an active day. I wanted to take it from the river or the trail, to the bar. <br />
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Until yesterday it only existed in my head. I went into <a href="http://westendbikespdx.com/">West End Bikes</a> to talk about riding in the rain, as we discussed getting really hot while riding the co-owner Mark took me to the back of the store and suggested that I try on this pant from <a href="http://outlier.cc/">Outlier</a>. I love Outlier, so I was intrigued, but hadn't yet purchased anything from them.<br />
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Imagine my surprise when the pant he pulled out was...my dream pant! In fact I was so in shock at first that I didn't even really get what he was showing me. It took a little while to sink in, maybe because they were $180 *gasp*, so I began to think about why I would pay $180, these were the dream pant, I quickly calculated that I would likely wear them a 100x (can you tell I'm excited) in just the first year that's $1.80/use, and if you factor in that they are a durable softshell, with Nanosphere, these pants are gonna last a long time, so if you average it out over say 3 years, that's .60 each time I wear them, practically a thrift store deal when you break it down properly! <br />
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So I left West End Bikes with a silly smile on my face went home and jumped into my new <a href="http://shop.outlier.cc/shop/retail/women-s-daily-riding-pant.html">Women's Daily Riding Pant</a>, still haven't wiped the smile off my face... The photos don't really do them justice, you have to try them on. These pants are also exactly what I have been asked for by climber girls that I have interviewed for design projects too, outdoor girl nirvana has been found, I love it when that happens.<br />
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SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-22016509291143141592011-12-16T10:46:00.000-08:002011-12-16T10:46:02.025-08:00I'm dreaming of a white one, hope you are too!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpXfkUx3sMQ/TuuRpH3IrYI/AAAAAAAAAL0/qFvjTfkS7sg/s1600/SY+Design+Greetings+2011.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpXfkUx3sMQ/TuuRpH3IrYI/AAAAAAAAAL0/qFvjTfkS7sg/s640/SY+Design+Greetings+2011.png" width="640" /></a></div>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-79740907088422398362011-06-28T15:12:00.000-07:002011-06-28T15:19:23.399-07:00Beautiful BoliviaDuring my recent three week road trip, we spent one night sharing our camp with a couple of rock climbers from France. They raved over dinner about their recent travels to Bolivia and highly recommended it as a place to visit. They talked about how kind the people were, and that the sights were simply amazing. This of course made me curious to learn more, see more, and well... maybe visit there too! Take a look at a small sampling of the beauty that is Bolivia.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5TIxC6tlyE/TgpAmCevC6I/AAAAAAAAALc/0YC0twBXbbU/s1600/Picture+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z5TIxC6tlyE/TgpAmCevC6I/AAAAAAAAALc/0YC0twBXbbU/s320/Picture+5.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5aJ6idMcbg/TgpAm0dluwI/AAAAAAAAALg/_LEdCXH2_zw/s1600/Picture+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5aJ6idMcbg/TgpAm0dluwI/AAAAAAAAALg/_LEdCXH2_zw/s320/Picture+6.png" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The World’s Largest Salt Flat is located in Salar de’Uyuni, Bolivia. During the rainy season, the water turns into the world’s largest mirror. The reflection of the sky creates a sense of infinity, like you’re walking among the clouds. It’s called the Border between Heaven and Earth.</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjHud47tWPI/TgpAnXvg2cI/AAAAAAAAALk/UQhDE-_byd8/s1600/Picture+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjHud47tWPI/TgpAnXvg2cI/AAAAAAAAALk/UQhDE-_byd8/s320/Picture+7.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Above photos courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlos-diaz/">Carlos Diaz</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<blockquote style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As if that weren't already enough to convince anyone of a visit to Bolivia there's more, the Death Road...alternatively known as Grove's Road, Coroico Road, </span></span><span lang="es" xml:lang="es"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Camino de las Yungas</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, </span></span><span lang="es" xml:lang="es"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">El Camino de la Muerte</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, or Road of Death. It is legendary for its extreme danger, one estimate is that 200 to 300 travellers are killed yearly along the road. It seems only logical that the best way to enjoy it is via bike of course.</span></span></blockquote></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jD375kBG2ys/TgpNsMI_Y7I/AAAAAAAAALo/j-2cBbzeHB8/s1600/528037-fg0401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jD375kBG2ys/TgpNsMI_Y7I/AAAAAAAAALo/j-2cBbzeHB8/s320/528037-fg0401.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.4em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It is one of the few routes that connects the </span></span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_rainforest" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Amazon rainforest"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Amazon rainforest</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> region of northern Bolivia, or Yungas, to its capital city. One of the local road rules specifies that the downhill driver never has the right of way and must move to the outer edge of the road. This forces fast vehicles to stop so that passing can be negotiated safely. Also, vehicles </span></span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_hand_drive" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Left hand drive"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">drive on the left</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, as opposed to the right like the rest of Bolivia. This gives a left hand drive vehicle's driver a better view over his outside wheel, making passing safer. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">- Wikipedia</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I'm fairly certain I'd love to bike this, but also certain I'd never want to do it via car or bus.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/7065103?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="400"></iframe></div><a href="http://vimeo.com/7065103">Camino de las Yungas (DeathRoad)</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user2457403">keksas</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1946736541"></span><span id="goog_1946736542"></span></div>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-79729376796170092622011-05-17T08:02:00.000-07:002011-05-18T15:41:33.276-07:00Adventure HiatusOne of the best parts of working for yourself in the outdoor industry is having more time and freedom for adventure. In that spirit, <b>SY Design will be closed May 27 - June 19</b> for some serious outside play time. I'll be taking my four year old daughter, Bernese Mountain dog, and backpacking gear for a three week long adventure based out of our car. We don't have a set plan in place of where/when just a plan to be outside playing everyday biking, hiking, fishing, swimming, climbing and whatever else comes our way.<br />
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You can follow us along in our adventures or misadventures at <i><b><a href="http://meanderingmama.tumblr.com/">Meandering Mama</a> </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">our travel blog.</span></i> See you soon!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6nGFdezP1cg/TdKLHPSOp1I/AAAAAAAAALI/iqMb2yXswas/s1600/Picture+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6nGFdezP1cg/TdKLHPSOp1I/AAAAAAAAALI/iqMb2yXswas/s640/Picture+2.png" width="396" /></a>. </div>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-15615214570778744212011-05-10T15:59:00.000-07:002011-05-10T15:59:13.096-07:00Did you do Railroad Revival?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>If you missed it, too late now, but if you didn't, oh what an experience the <a href="http://railroadrevivaltour.com/">Railroad Revival Tour</a> was. I read about it first on Twitter, and then tickets were bought before I even knew if I could get to the event, I wanted to be there and was pretty certain I would find a way.<br />
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</div>I think there were many things that made this event stand out: all the band members of Old Crow Medicine Show, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, as well as Mumford & Sons + friends traveling via vintage railcars from venue to venue, the sweet unique tickets, and artist poster, serious artist collaboration on stage, equal billing, an event that spanned all ages and types of people, something cultural & different from everything else currently happening. For me as a designer it was very inspiring so I thought I would share some of the images with you culled from the RRT facebook page, and from the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=rrt2011marfa+or+rrt2011oakland+or+rrt2011sanpedro+or+rrt2011tempe+or+rrt2011austin+or+rrt2011neworleans+or+railroadrevival+or+railroadrevivaltour+or+rrt2011&m=tags&s=int">Flickr</a> page with fan photos from the event. Looking forward to seeing what might happen next after the success of this event.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pd9TKj03Z0s/Tcm7TlQQsvI/AAAAAAAAAKY/ZpcFaFXcphM/s1600/Picture+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pd9TKj03Z0s/Tcm7TlQQsvI/AAAAAAAAAKY/ZpcFaFXcphM/s400/Picture+7.png" width="361" /></a></div>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-6133004281294921302011-03-23T17:36:00.000-07:002011-03-23T17:36:32.820-07:00Tips for Living with Creative People<div><!--StartFragment-->I read this last year on Brian Andreas' twitter feed, stumbled onto it again and had to share, he speaks the truth.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c3d53;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Tip #1: </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c3d53;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Don't ever think you can go behind their backs. It will backfire in VERY creative ways. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c3d53;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Because they're smart & creative. Duh.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c3d53; font-size: x-small;">Tip #2: quit whining about why they're with you in the 1st place. They CHOSE you. So, get over your neuroses. Or at least shut up about them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c3d53; font-size: x-small;">Tip #3: don't expect them to think what you do is interesting. If it was interesting, they'd be doing it. Just be sure it interests you. ( Note: If it's not interesting to you, don't tell them how it's driving you crazy. Because they'll ask Why the hell are you doing it then?)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c3d53; font-size: x-small;">Tip #4: DO NOT try & bend a smart & creative person to your will. It will go badly. It may take awhile, but IT'LL GO BADLY. Trust me on this.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c3d53; font-size: x-small;">Tip #5: Smart, creative people like presents (not always stuff) that intrigue them & say you thought about ways to make deeper conversation ( Note : If all you're doing is starting up a conversation by telling them the details of your day, you are killing them slowly)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c3d53; font-size: x-small;">**Tell them about the man you met who is trying to teach his canary to whistle opera. Or the lady who offered you 2 for 1 alien ray protectors.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c3d53; font-size: x-small;">Tip #6: Pay attention in your life. A smart & creative person is not there to entertain you. They are there to play with you. Big difference.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c3d53; font-size: x-small;">Tip #7. Chocolate & wine. Apply liberally. Be willing to laugh & dance & open more wine. This is the most useful tip</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c3d53; font-size: x-small;">Tip #8: Be flexible & self-sustaining. Smart,creative people have an impetuous relationship with life, so their attention is not always on you</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c3d53;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Tip #10: managing a smart, creative person is different than living with one... (Note that creative people don’t always follow the rule, hence no #9) </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">You may THINK you can manage them. This is a delusion. The best you can do is lay it all out & ask what they want to do about it.... AND </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">If you MUST manage smart, creative people, tell them about it up front & promise treats when they deliver. They work like demons for treats.</span></span></span></div><!--EndFragment--> </div>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-36534407968227925092010-09-02T22:57:00.000-07:002010-09-15T23:07:19.760-07:00Back from the wild Wallowa's with Big City MountaineersIt's already been almost a week since I returned from the Wallowa backcountry with the rest of the Backpacking Betty's, (our team's name while on the trail)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TICR9qq2hyI/AAAAAAAAAJY/wx0XwSZqbiA/s1600/BCM+group+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TICR9qq2hyI/AAAAAAAAAJY/wx0XwSZqbiA/s400/BCM+group+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
It was an amazing time, and for all of you Summit For Someone climbers and BCM supporters out there, you can know that all that hard work fundraising and climbing really does make a difference, these trips are worth it.<br />
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<div class="donationNote"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It was my first youth trip with BCM and the four teenage girls from Portland's YEI, a big adventure for four city girls who had <u>never</u> backpacked before. Their trail names where Karma, Bobcat, Branch, and Clover, these girls carried the weight of the world on their backs during our 15-16 mile, five day trip in the Wallowa's. Through highs and lows they experienced many first's like: peeing in the woods (<i>eeeew!</i>), digging cat holes (<i>we're gonna hold it all week long!</i>), learning about respect for nature and in return respect for others too, they built their first campfire (<i>even tried using Tapatio hot sauce to start it!</i>), skipped rocks for the first time (<i>at Aneroid Lake</i>), slept out under the stars (<i>and much to their disbelief were not attacked by bugs</i>), laughed and squealed at the sight of bats, celebrated a 15th birthday in the wild (<i>memory of lifetime</i>), learned to navigate the trails on their own, enjoyed the splendor of watching the moon come up and then following it's path all night (<i>hadn't noticed that it moved before that night</i>), and delighted in the sight of shooting stars. It was an eye-opening trip, with some amazing memories for sure. These types of transformative outdoor experiences can only be made possible with the generous support of others like yourselves. With each trip that Big City Mountaineers is able to send out there are new hopes and dreams that are realized, strengths that were only imagined, and experiences like never before.</span></div><div class="donationNote"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="donationNote"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I'd like to finish up this journey by raising $2000 to help BCM, with the generous support of so many people already I have reached about $1850 thanks to everyone for your support, and if you have <i>any </i>change to spare, please give this a<a href="https://ssl.charityweb.net/bcm/friends/kimbrannock.htm"> click</a> for a secure donation. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Hugs from the trail, and thanks for your support.</span></div><div><br />
</div>Introducing the Backpacking Betty's.... with photos highlighting, camp life, our summit hike to Jewett lake, hiking out of our "frozen toes" campsite, building their first campfire ever on their own, learning the fine art of skipping rocks for the first time, the value of good nature wipe, smiles for miles at the lake, and a team shot en route to Jewett lake.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TICNwDLoIVI/AAAAAAAAAJI/uXZezA-n6vo/s1600/BCM+group+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TICNwDLoIVI/AAAAAAAAAJI/uXZezA-n6vo/s400/BCM+group+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-51199130794831600402010-07-28T14:55:00.000-07:002010-08-06T11:45:23.092-07:00Inspiration, Vintage Camping Trailers and Caravans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCbqE8sZhI/AAAAAAAAAGw/RhicSRhgW84/s1600/Vintage+shots0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCbqE8sZhI/AAAAAAAAAGw/RhicSRhgW84/s320/Vintage+shots0015.JPG" /></span></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My first memories of camping started in this Prowler trailer, I remember how excited I was each time we made a journey down the road with my dad's Jeep Landcruiser charging the way. I remember the smell of the wood paneling inside, and waking to the smell of my dad percolating coffee on the stove in the morning. I remember the kind of camping that was simple, without TV's and dishwashers, generators, and air conditioners, with simple scenes like the one below taken near Jenny Lake in Wyoming. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCb9J5klcI/AAAAAAAAAG4/aS_9NjwW9tU/s1600/Vintage+shots0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCb9J5klcI/AAAAAAAAAG4/aS_9NjwW9tU/s320/Vintage+shots0003.JPG" /></span></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I am very inspired by trailers and caravans from days gone by, so I thought it was fitting to share some with you that I have recently found. If you too are inspired by vintage caravans then I would also encourage you to visit the <a href="http://www.bocc.be/index.php">Belgian Oldtimer Caravan Club</a> where you'll find a treasure trove of vintage material.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCczea-xmI/AAAAAAAAAHA/40yr6sLQjy8/s1600/chateau%2420mobile.werbung%2420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCczea-xmI/AAAAAAAAAHA/40yr6sLQjy8/s320/chateau%2420mobile.werbung%2420.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Leave it to German ingenuity to have come up with this Chateau Mobile by Brüderchen</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCdoP-9uxI/AAAAAAAAAHI/Y7tM4h5AmQM/s1600/265-3-DvdL-0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCdoP-9uxI/AAAAAAAAAHI/Y7tM4h5AmQM/s400/265-3-DvdL-0.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Westfalia</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCeIct6ceI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/TvwWGxxQyuw/s1600/Picture+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCeIct6ceI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/TvwWGxxQyuw/s400/Picture+4.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Shasta-Exterior</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCeVskRSOI/AAAAAAAAAHY/FoTuIoNo1Zc/s1600/Picture+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCeVskRSOI/AAAAAAAAAHY/FoTuIoNo1Zc/s400/Picture+5.png" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Shasta-Interior</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCfH4R0glI/AAAAAAAAAHg/Gpj5K0Quefk/s1600/krielkip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCfH4R0glI/AAAAAAAAAHg/Gpj5K0Quefk/s400/krielkip.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">KIP Krielkip - 1965</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCi8uPVCzI/AAAAAAAAAIA/5qa7HJifLyg/s1600/hullebus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCi8uPVCzI/AAAAAAAAAIA/5qa7HJifLyg/s400/hullebus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Volkswagen Dormobile - 1971</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCgEzXfwPI/AAAAAAAAAHw/yY6Xhb6iGWE/s1600/volders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCgEzXfwPI/AAAAAAAAAHw/yY6Xhb6iGWE/s400/volders.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Mostard Yvonne 304 HD - 1965</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"></span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I have a particular love of red, navy, creamy colors, and khaki like colors right now too, making the colors of these trailers as inspirational as the trailers themselves.</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCjWXL84pI/AAAAAAAAAII/_R5a3uOuUQI/s1600/sprite-cadet-69-GH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCjWXL84pI/AAAAAAAAAII/_R5a3uOuUQI/s400/sprite-cadet-69-GH.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Sprite Cadet - 1969 (sweeet!)</span></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCkNIYpU-I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/9BZiueSEM8c/s1600/QEK-1985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCkNIYpU-I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/9BZiueSEM8c/s400/QEK-1985.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">QEK Junior - 1965 and spec sheet below</div><div style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCkewcOm3I/AAAAAAAAAIY/JBuRXI3XyCY/s1600/QEK-Junior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFCkewcOm3I/AAAAAAAAAIY/JBuRXI3XyCY/s400/QEK-Junior.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFClJFcs12I/AAAAAAAAAIo/89FokVV1GnY/s1600/otten-roos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFClJFcs12I/AAAAAAAAAIo/89FokVV1GnY/s320/otten-roos.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFClJFcs12I/AAAAAAAAAIo/89FokVV1GnY/s1600/otten-roos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFClMUiBYgI/AAAAAAAAAIw/BZPYRAQcFFM/s1600/logo-otten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TFClMUiBYgI/AAAAAAAAAIw/BZPYRAQcFFM/s320/logo-otten.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Otten Speurder LS - 1968</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I just love that little guy in the above photo, great colors, style lines, inspirational for pack and bag design too! Happy trails, hope you are finding time to get outside this summer, and maybe even some time to camp too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></span></div>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-31163060276529047222010-07-22T10:57:00.000-07:002010-07-22T11:15:24.694-07:00Gulmarg is...As Good as it Gets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TEeWNASKAhI/AAAAAAAAAGY/mHESscflY8o/s1600/800px-Gulmarg-Tourist-Rate-List.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TEeWNASKAhI/AAAAAAAAAGY/mHESscflY8o/s400/800px-Gulmarg-Tourist-Rate-List.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I only learned about Gulmarg in the last couple year's but now that I know of it, I want to go.</span><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Originally called ‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Today Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country’s premier ski resort in the winter.</span></blockquote><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TEeXdaTMzPI/AAAAAAAAAGg/Mr7tXwWHUbo/s1600/n1607376149_30398071_3792150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><img border="0" height="170" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TEeXdaTMzPI/AAAAAAAAAGg/Mr7tXwWHUbo/s400/n1607376149_30398071_3792150.jpg" width="400" /></i></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">photo courtesy of David Marchi - </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://global-lines.blogspot.com/">Globallines</a></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">With views and skiing that looks like this combined with an incredible cultural experience how can you go wrong? </span><i></i><br />
<i><div style="display: inline !important; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Wondering how you might get there? Here is just one idea for you... </span><a href="http://www.extremelycanadian.com/skitrips/gulmarg-india.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Extremely Canadian</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> owned by Peter Smart and Jill Dunnigan whose home mountain is Whistler, offers guided skiing world tours and will be in Gulmarg Feb. 5-12 of 2011. Speaking from experience having skiied with them many times, they are really good guys/gals who are top notch and offer amazing experiences. </span></div></div></div></i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TEeXdaTMzPI/AAAAAAAAAGg/Mr7tXwWHUbo/s1600/n1607376149_30398071_3792150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TEiEbRziyGI/AAAAAAAAAGo/sckaoXf8PvY/s400/gulmarg-india.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">photo courtesy of Extremely Canadian </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TEiEbRziyGI/AAAAAAAAAGo/sckaoXf8PvY/s1600/gulmarg-india.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">You can also learn a little more about Gulmarg via </span><a href="http://www.b4apres.com/concept/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">B4Apres</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> through their </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">cultural documentary as seen through the eyes of skiers. They traveled into the mountains surrounding the Gulmarg Ski Resort in order to capture the aesthetic beauty of the landscape and the livelihoods of a people eager to dispel the stigma that Kashmir is a dangerous place to travel.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TEiE1KZX4HI/AAAAAAAAAGs/HJFnVB2omRk/s400/6330_1149881039685_1607376149_30398045_2270697_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">photo courtesy of David Marchi - </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://global-lines.blogspot.com/">Globallines</a></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">If you get lucky enough to go to Gulmarg let me know, in the meantime it's on my list of places to go in the next few year's. </span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></span></div>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-25027446123255022612010-07-20T22:32:00.000-07:002010-07-20T22:32:25.568-07:00An Excuse for New Gear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TEZ96bnQ9pI/AAAAAAAAAGI/Mrk2dNVoooY/s1600/DSC_0389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TEZ96bnQ9pI/AAAAAAAAAGI/Mrk2dNVoooY/s400/DSC_0389.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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We spent this past weekend at Eight Mile Crossing up on Mt. Hood, the views are bountiful, the camping is amazing, and this area has some of the best mountain biking you'll find. I realized just before skipping town that my most favorite biking shorts were nowhere to be found so it gave me an excellent excuse to head over to Bike Gallery to see if I could find something to replace them. I found a pair of sweet Townie Bike Shorts from Fox that I couldn't resist. The fixed waist fit amazingly well (I was skeptical of this) during my entire single track ride they stayed in place without me feeling like my drawers were drooping. Serious love for the yarn dye pattern, thanks for something that looks more fun and less like another pair of black riding shorts. So what if they get bike grease on them, it only gives them more character. I also liked that the inner chamois short was separate because these shorts actually look good and fit well when worn alone without the diaper look of the chamois underneath (added bonus for sure) Looking forward to giving them many rides and seeing how they hold up over time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TEaB1OFXZmI/AAAAAAAAAGM/mjHVvgx-y_g/s1600/FOX009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TEaB1OFXZmI/AAAAAAAAAGM/mjHVvgx-y_g/s320/FOX009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I couldn't think of a jersey in my closet that was going to be the perfect match up to these new shorts so I was delighted to find the Dakine <a href="http://www.dakine.com/girls/apparel/bike-jerseys/girls-antic-short-sleeve/">Antic Short Sleeve</a> to pair with my shorts. This picture doesn't do it justice by the slight gathering at the chest area and the subtle graphics are a nice touch, and I appreciated the use of Aegis anti-microbial finish to cut down on the stink factor too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TEaEjaVfwtI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/BgKni-dMXhw/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TEaEjaVfwtI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/BgKni-dMXhw/s320/Picture+1.png" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
Perfect gear for a great ride on the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/8-mile-loop-tr-459.html">8 mile loop</a> conveniently located 2 minutes from our camp. If you check out this ride try riding it backwards, or according to the sign the "easier" route. I've done it both ways, and much prefer the both the climbing and the downhill when rode according to the "easier" route. Otherwise you climb up for 900' in very low gears for about an hour straight, that part was a lot more fun to come down. <br />
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</div>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-83676488400837707652010-07-08T13:37:00.000-07:002010-07-09T09:17:16.015-07:00What's Old is NewIt's been coming on for the last 2 years if not longer, blame it on the recession if you like, but popularity of vintage Americana, blue-collar working class life, bringing things back home again, and farm to table eating, continues to grow in interest. I like it.<br />
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<object height="300" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13010675&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=13010675&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/13010675"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Tennis - South Carolina</span></a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/woodsmanman"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">woodsman man</span></a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">Vimeo</span></a>.<br />
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This was posted by a friend on Facebook today and it personifies this "trend" with the Burlesque girls, the vocals, and the way the video was put together, it almost looks like watching an old vintage reel film. <br />
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With this new found love of the old, canning, farmer's market shopping, gardening, baking, knitting, sewing, and crafting are heading towards mainstream, instead of making you seem like some geeky outcast lost in another time. Sites like <b><i><a href="http://www.canningacrossamerica.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Canning Across America</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">have new found popularity, and I can't help noticing that every store from Target to Whole Foods is now carrying canning supplies.</span></i></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDYhr-IrrzI/AAAAAAAAAFA/YcNerTZbxNY/s1600/canning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDYhr-IrrzI/AAAAAAAAAFA/YcNerTZbxNY/s400/canning.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br />
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<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">Urban Chicken farming is becoming as common as having a garden for some, if you are handy you can build them yourself, but if not never fear there are places like <a href="http://www.bakesbinster.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Bake's Binster</span></a> all over America that come right to you and get you all set up and ready to raise chickens. </span></i></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDYjV6VxsSI/AAAAAAAAAFI/Ijb_GPJttH0/s1600/Emery-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDYjV6VxsSI/AAAAAAAAAFI/Ijb_GPJttH0/s400/Emery-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;">In June I attended the <a href="http://www.hellocraft.com/summit/the-show-of-awesome/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Show of Awesome</span></a> at the Doug Fir and found a space filled to capacity with hipster crafters, these aren't your typical craft shows and not the typical attendees either. While there I found finely crafted </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">smoked</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"> almond butter toffee from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/RoseCitySweets"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">Rose City Sweets</span></a>. (sinfully delicious, and I loved the old candy dishes she uses here with tea towels)</span></i></b></span></i></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDYlL_GrdSI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/f6b5-aTVtLM/s1600/il_430xN.152032299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDYlL_GrdSI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/f6b5-aTVtLM/s400/il_430xN.152032299.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Also of note was that the creator of these lovely treats was dressed in a 1950's era little dress, had a beautiful curvy figure and reminded me instantly of a pin-up girl... and that smoked flavor in her toffee, a signature new twist on a classic. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDYmg8RiJsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/IaYWQgYGqkc/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDYmg8RiJsI/AAAAAAAAAFg/IaYWQgYGqkc/s400/Picture+1.png" width="325" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been reading about brands like Levi's, Pendleton, Woolrich (America's oldest apparel company), Filson, etc enjoying a new found popularity amongst a younger crowd. In fact I took on a big design project for Woolrich this winter overhauling their entire outerwear collection and working with them to restore vintage branding a labeling for 2011. I was thrilled to spend hours combing through their archives and getting my hands on vintage woolen jackets from the early 1900's. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDYo5vd452I/AAAAAAAAAFw/b4Vq9MLwLY0/s1600/IMG_4497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDYo5vd452I/AAAAAAAAAFw/b4Vq9MLwLY0/s320/IMG_4497.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">vintage Woolrich</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">I find myself constantly in search of old "finds", some of my most recent scores were in Walla Walla, Washington at the Shady Lawn Creamery vintage store. Where I picked up this vintage Mt. Hood postcard, I paid $7.50 for it, youch! But...it's a beauty.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDYy7P665BI/AAAAAAAAAF4/xTaTYP4Gm6I/s1600/Vintage+MT+Hodd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDYy7P665BI/AAAAAAAAAF4/xTaTYP4Gm6I/s640/Vintage+MT+Hodd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>I also had some serious love for these too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDY1q55q-TI/AAAAAAAAAGA/c_x5NaIFzdU/s1600/DSC_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDY1q55q-TI/AAAAAAAAAGA/c_x5NaIFzdU/s640/DSC_0005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It's good see this happening and I look forward to seeing how it evolves.<br />
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</span>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-69285276186269241672010-07-07T14:44:00.000-07:002010-07-20T22:33:43.213-07:00Faves of an Outdoor GirlBeing an outdoor apparel designer sometimes makes things a little tricky when buying performance clothing and gear, each time I venture into "outdoor" stores more often than not I'm a little disappointed in the end. First of all, if my street wear would perform the way I needed I probably wouldn't even buy outdoor gear, because for the most part I find it terribly conservative, unflattering, and not playful enough. But alas that whole performance thing is important so..... I go with the goal of getting a bunch of gear all at once, but there is never enough stuff that looks good, functions, and fits good too. If all of those things are in magically in alignment I try not to worry about the price because I know I'll wear it to death. Here are just a few of my fave's that have been living in my closet and getting tons of use. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDPI3evwTWI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/IO8XSMpM-7E/s1600/Picture+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDPI3evwTWI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/IO8XSMpM-7E/s400/Picture+2.png" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.lululemon.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Lululemon</b></span></a> may not be an outdoor brand by design, but these <a href="http://shop.lululemon.com/Wunder_Under_Crop/pd/c/570/np/570/p/1356.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Wunder Under Crop</b></span></a> pants rock, I wear them to the gym, for yoga, hiking because I love how smoothly they rest under my hip belt, for short bike commutes, camping, and under my fishing waders too. They are hard enough wearing to hold up well to outdoor living, and it doesn't hurt that they fit amazing too. The $68 spent on these is worth every penny.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDTqyeIk58I/AAAAAAAAAEo/0cnUI5dTI0s/s1600/257_8742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDTqyeIk58I/AAAAAAAAAEo/0cnUI5dTI0s/s400/257_8742.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm a huge fan of merino wool because it's natural and it's the only base layer that I can wear and sweat in heavily for multiple days without it stinking. I recently started wearing the <a href="http://www.ibexwear.com/shop/product/1589/8742/womens-balance-bralette"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Women's Balance Bralette</b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> </span>from Ibex and....I LOVE it. In fact I have it on right now. This piece fits great, is super comfy with straps that aren't binding or painful, and they adjust (very important). Looking forward to wearing this on my long backpacking trip in August and seeing how it holds up. At $42.00 it's not cheap, but it's merino and will last forever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDTsgFZ-jKI/AAAAAAAAAEw/nPKDGG6qzxs/s1600/ss10_w_ibf127606_cwh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TDTsgFZ-jKI/AAAAAAAAAEw/nPKDGG6qzxs/s320/ss10_w_ibf127606_cwh.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Keeping with the wool theme, my <a href="http://www.icebreaker.com/site/icebreaker_woman_bodyfit260_tech_top.html?thumb_value=Kingfisher"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Tech Top</b></span></a> from Icebreaker is one of the best fitting and most comfortable cool weather layering pieces that I have ever owned. I find myself wearing it for shoulder season hiking and biking, underneath my shells on the mountain in the winter and everything in between. I picked it up in NYC at <a href="http://www.paragonsports.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopCategoriesDisplay?storeId=10551&catalogId=10051&langId=-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Paragon Sports</b></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> </span>at just over $100, but I've had it for I think 4 winters now and it's still going strong in the love line of my outdoor gear, though I'm craving a new color. I love that they are one of the few outdoor brands who has the whole length thing right on tops. <i>(We like them long now, hint hint to all the other brands.) </i>I have a lonely hearts club in my closet of tops that are too short, I often wonder how they got there, and because the collection has grown it's something that I really pay attention to now. I have tops from Mountain Hardwear, Columbia, Patagonia, Arcteryx, Ibex, Carve, Cloudveil all too short and never get worn, and there are countless ones that I put back on the rack instantly because they look short and boxy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the category of non traditional, during one of my many visits to Target I happened on their <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1274333505"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Women's Seamless Fashion Cami </b></span><span id="goog_1274333506"></span></a>by Champion, the rule for me when buying something besides the household items from Target is that it has to work without trying it on. For $12.00 it was a pretty low risk to pick up a size small and take it for a test drive. I was surprised at how well they fit, and how comfy they were, I have about 6 of them now. I even wore one of them when I climbed Mt. Shasta last summer as my underlayer that I wore for 3 days straight while climbing. They come in loads of colors and a couple of other styles as well. They don't offer heavy support but good for lighter active tasks that aren't high impact.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm also doing some wear testing for <a href="http://www.coconafabrics.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>Cocona's</b></span></a> Xcelerator technology, this spring they shipped out a new 2.5 layer lightweight shell for me to test. I loved the design of the jacket, simple, nice fit, and details that worked without being too tricky. Since we had the longest ever winter+spring that never ended in the northwest I was able to test this jacket much more than usual. I wore it mountain biking, trail running, and trekking in the snow at 8,000 ft. on Mt. Shasta. In one of my notes to them I wrote, "Thought I would test this piece aerobically in a different way than my prior test, weather is very damp and cool, underneath the jacket I wore a mid-weight merino base layer and hiked vigorously for about 1 hour 15 minutes with a 20 pound pack, and....never had to take off my Xcelerator layer. My wool layer was pretty damp underneath, but it would have been even without the jacket on, I was working pretty hard aerobically. I was impressed with the comfort level and my lack of feeling clammy too." This piece has been my go to outerlayer all spring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I crave more risk taking from outdoor brands, better fit, and more current looks that could be worn as both street wear and for outdoor use without looking instantly like "<i>I'm from Oregon" </i>or hearing the words, "you look so granola today." Because in the end, "girls just want to have fun."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-89261334643781306822010-07-01T14:20:00.000-07:002010-09-02T23:52:28.988-07:00A Little Help Goes a Long Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TCwsnDE66mI/AAAAAAAAACs/JONAsTDMWzw/s1600/logo-top-lft-corner.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TCwsnDE66mI/AAAAAAAAACs/JONAsTDMWzw/s320/logo-top-lft-corner.gif" /></a></div><b><i>(This post will go on record as my longest, but if you read it when you have five minutes to focus it's worth the time)</i></b> <br />
On August 21st I'll be heading to the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Wallowa</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span>mountains in eastern Oregon with a group of <a href="http://www.bigcitymountaineers.org/">Big City Mountaineers</a> volunteers and 6 teenage girls chosen from Portland's <a href="http://www.calderaarts.org/#/page_id=8&article=27/">Caldera Arts</a> program to go on their first <i><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">transformative</span></span></i> outdoor experience. These teenage girls will be leaving behind many of the things that they value most, cell phones, music, TV, makeup, boys, and in most cases their valued peers to go on an outdoor experience geared to give them growth in ways that they likely couldn't imagine. They take a giant leap of faith, traveling into the unknown outdoor world with strangers to learn about things like bear bagging, cat hole digging (<i>and filling</i>), water purification, and leave no trace practices, but more importantly they'll learn about themselves. <br />
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I get asked all the time, "<b>why do you do it</b>?" "<b>...how can you volunteer another whole week of your time?</b>" Here's my humble attempt at an answer:<br />
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How can I not? I volunteered my time as a camp counselor each high school summer that I was in 4-H, after that I was hooked. When I was 29 and up to my eyeballs in my corporate job I decided to volunteer a week of my time (<i>I had 3 weeks of vacation a year</i>) and teach fly fishing at the same summer camp that I attended as a kid. (<i>I think my co-workers thought I was crazy.</i>) I showed up with 12 donated fly rods, special hand tied flies from a friend, a little candy, hula hoops, donated T-shirts, and tons of energy. I didn't really know what to expect, but I knew that if I made it fun the rest would just fall into place.<br />
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At my first class I had kids from the 4th grade up to 8th grade plus high school counselors to engage. They looked at me with skepticism, I could sense their thoughts... fly fishing? a girl? no way, this is gonna be a dumb class. But....then I started talking about the critters under the water, the various stages that they go through prior to hatching (<i><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">eeewws</span></span> and yucks filled the air</i>) and then I'd pass around the tied flies having them guess what kind of bug they thought it might be. They were curious, I moved quickly to the next step. Fly rods... I taught them the proper way to put them together, that they were called "rods" not "poles", I showed them how to thread the line through the eyes on the rod properly to prevent it from sliding all the way out if you happened to let go as you threaded from one to the other. And then....I took a deep breath and passed out the rods for them to assemble in teams and I watched. I watched <b>team work</b>, <b>excitement</b>, <b>laughing, mentoring,</b> etc. it only took 30 minutes into my first volunteer experience and I was the one who was hooked. By the end of their first class I had all the kids out on the lawn casting with little yarn flies on the end of their line, learning how to use finesse instead of power, learning to feel the rod and listen to the line. I started to <b>break down</b> their <b>barriers</b> because the girls in the class assumed that I was some she-man and that fly fishing was the dumbest thing they'd ever seen, and the boys assumed that I was a girl so what did I know about fishing and especially fly fishing? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TCw9HiWisMI/AAAAAAAAAC0/29EmKQbXA9A/s1600/Picture+14.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TCw9HiWisMI/AAAAAAAAAC0/29EmKQbXA9A/s320/Picture+14.png" /></a></div>I'm an outdoor apparel/gear designer, but I love fashion too, so once I ditched the fishing garb after class suddenly the girls realized that I was more like them then they had imagined, soon they were asking to borrow my clothes to wear to the camp dances at night, they all wondered about being a "designer" and asked a million questions, and after classes each day when I offered free-time fishing there were always girls there too. It made me smile. The boys on the other hand would challenge me to cast at targets to see if I could hit them, and when I did it time and time again they started to be amazed and <b>to trust me</b>. <br />
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During the 2nd class all the kids learned to cast at the lake, with the bushes and trees around them. <i>(I have never in my life untied so many knots and impossible snarls as during that week.) </i>I learned quickly that they love to compete with each other even in friendly ways, competition was something that spurred them on, so I created two lines, tossed two hula hoops out into the lake and they would race against each other to see who could cast into their yarn fly into the hoop first for a candy prize. I sat back and watched <b>camaraderie, laughter</b>, and most of all <b>wonder.</b> (<i>they were amazed at what they could do, and how much fun it was</i>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TCw9uJ61HmI/AAAAAAAAADE/4YVoQ4WezaM/s1600/Picture+11.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TCw9uJ61HmI/AAAAAAAAADE/4YVoQ4WezaM/s320/Picture+11.png" /></a></div>During the 3rd class we went to a stocked lake and fished for the first time with real flies and hooks. People thought I was crazy, how could I do that with 20 kids at a time? But I had to <b>trust </b>and<b> </b><b> </b><b>empower them</b> to use the tools I had given them. It was amazing, no one got "hooked" and you could hear the squeals and hollers all around the whole lake whenever anyone got a bite or a small fish on their line. The smiles that would light up their faces were priceless, and their excitement was contagious.<br />
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Each day during free time fishing, (<i>there was no obligation to come to this</i>) I took the kids that showed up on the river fishing. They would wade in with their socks if needed. I taught them how to maneuver the rocks, where to look for the fish and... they caught fish!!! Each day the kids who went would tell the ones who didn't go and the next day there would be more kids. I was run ragged during those 4 days, but loved every minute of it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TCw-HlZ3j7I/AAAAAAAAADM/qsptxt9o4BI/s1600/Picture+12.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_CtXgWJukDk8/TCw-HlZ3j7I/AAAAAAAAADM/qsptxt9o4BI/s400/Picture+12.png" width="400" /></a></div>By the last day of camp the boys were pals with me and asking me, "So what other kinds of cool things do you do?" and the girls were thanking me for making a class that they were sure would be boring fun, they said, "We didn't know that girls could do this," and they giggled whenever I told them that boys dig girls who can fish.<br />
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I listened proudly to boys tell their fathers about a new kind of fishing that they learned about and ask them if they could get a fly rod too. I listened when one boy thanked me for all that I had taught him and the time that I had spent with him. I took a few kids "under my wing," that I could sense needed the extra encouragement and I gave them my "all" knowing how much it might help them in ways totally unrelated to fishing. The biggest lesson in my volunteer experience was that fishing wasn't really what they learned, it was about so many other things, but the fishing was just a tool to allow those other <b><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">transformative</span></span></b> things to happen.<br />
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As I now prepare to embark on another volunteer journey with Big City Mountaineers, I look forward to what I might learn from a week with 6 teenage girls in the wild, and I'm certain it will be about much more than bear bagging, backpacking, and adventure. I hope that you might take a minute and visit my <a href="https://ssl.charityweb.net/bcm/friends/kimbrannock.htm"><b>fundraising site</b></a> for Big City Mountaineers and consider supporting me in whatever way you can as I strive to reach my goal of raising $1500 to help support getting more kids outside.SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-35247928532212172492010-04-27T22:23:00.001-07:002010-04-27T22:29:06.984-07:00This blog has moved<br /> This blog is now located at http://sydesigninc.blogspot.com/.<br /> You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click <a href='http://sydesigninc.blogspot.com/'>here</a>.<br /><br /> For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to<br /> http://sydesigninc.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.<br /> SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-24667418503717682182010-04-08T22:24:00.000-07:002010-07-02T12:20:47.123-07:00It's just around the corner....<a href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-1-799514.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-1-799229.png" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 308px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
I've been buried in work these past few months with little time for blogging, but...I'm just a couple weeks away from wrapping up my projects, and coming back to life again. <br />
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As I patiently wait for the weather to change here in Portland the Dandelions are a constant reminder that warmer days are coming soon. With a toddler in my house I have recently come to admire their whimsy and splendor once again. They even recently became part of a surface design project that I did for gDiapers too, inspiration is everywhere just keep your eyes open and you'll find it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-5-705330.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-5-704923.png" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 399px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-76511421749877548282010-02-11T12:46:00.001-08:002010-02-11T13:08:40.986-08:00An Inspirational Journey to the Summit of Mt. Shasta<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/CLIMB-Event-Poster-726013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 340px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/CLIMB-Event-Poster-725719.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Please join me on Wednesday, FEB 24Th, 6:30-7:30pm, at THE CLEANERS AT ACE HOTEL PORTLAND, for a CLIMB AGAINST THE ODDS MT. SHASTA slide show and story about teamwork, passion, healing, struggle, and triumph. One mother candidly shares her story about climbing to the top of Mt. Shasta alongside cancer survivors on the 2009 CLIMB AGAINST THE ODDS team. Her goal is to inspire other's to join this great cause and to become part of this year's CLIMB AGAINST THE ODDS team, guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience of a lifetime. <span style="font-style:italic;">You don't have to be a mountain climber to be a part of this team, so please come and learn more about this amazing journey.</span><br /><br />THE CLIMB AGAINST THE ODDS is a benefit for the BREAST CANCER FUND, the BREAST CANCER FUND identifies-and advocates for elimination of - the environmental and other preventable causes of the disease.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">No Host Bar and light snacks provided, this event is FREE so please spread the word to anyone you think might be interested in an inspirational journey of a lifetime.</span><br /></span><br />Please feel free to call me if you have any questions. kim - 503.913.0069<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Many thanks to THE CLEANERS AT ACE HOTEL for their generous donation of space for this event.</span>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-9920533787920460942010-02-10T13:59:00.000-08:002010-02-10T14:36:51.751-08:00Cocona Xcelerator, is it really better?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-2-711787.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 193px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-2-711763.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />While walking the aisles at Outdoor Retailer I walked into the Cocona booth to learn a little about their newest technology Xcelerator™ that I read about before attending the show. Excelerator™ is a new form of Cocona technology that allows them to apply their technology to WPB laminates and 3-Layer fabrications further expanding where they are able to use their technology that offers these key features:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_4280-726830.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_4280-725452.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />1) Coconut Activated Carbon - is a recycled sustainable material<br />2) It rapidly pulls moisture away from the skin<br />3) It spreads moisture across the surface to increase evaporation and drying<br />4) It attracts and traps odors that are released when it is washed<br />5) Washing and drying are good for it, refreshing it's abilities.<br /><br />In a nutshell (or coconut shell) it makes you feel better, and makes you less stinky when you are working hard. And because it manages moisture so well, if you sweat like I do, it helps you stay warmer too by effectively managing the excess moisture, not to mention the stink.<br /><br />I'm always skeptical about new technologies, can you really tell the difference, is there really a benefit? How will the customer/consumer understand it? So they gave me a sample to try it out, and for the first time ever a sample from a fabric/technology vendor was actually nice looking and fitting too! They also gave me a glove to try that has their laminate, insulation, and fleece inside a trifecta of Cocona! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picnik-collage-755810.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 368px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picnik-collage-755798.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />All set for testing, but winter isn't cooperating as well as I'd like in the Pacific Northwest, but I'm hoping to get it on the mountain maybe tomorrow. In the meantime I've been maxing it out on the aerobic end to see if the stink part really works. I've even been putting it on at the gym after a big sweaty workout to wear around until I cool down. (My other jackets tend to stink to high heaven from this) So far, I can't smell any odor at all on the interior of the fabric, but the YKK pitzip is not holding up as well, there is an obvious stink on the zipper tape that does not exist on the fabric near by. Hmmmm. Stay Tuned, and if you want to test too head to their <a href="http://www.coconafabrics.com/wanted-few-good-testers">site</a> and tell them why you'd be a great tester.SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-12266600487917793832010-01-08T10:06:00.000-08:002010-01-08T10:19:46.421-08:00The Life & Love of Trees<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-1-796309.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-1-795644.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />During my recent trip to San Francisco I weighed myself down with one book find after another. My MOST favorite of the loot is <a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,8214/title,The-Life-amp-Love-of-Trees/">The Life & Love of Trees</a>, with text by Lewis Blackwell.<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-style:italic;">Lewis Blackwell is recognized as a leader in creative and photographic practice. For almost a decade he led the creative development of the world’s largest photo agency, Getty Images, and previously he was widely regarded as a trend watcher and innovator with his work as editor/publisher of the prestigious title Creative Review. He is a visiting professor at the School of Creative Leadership at Steinbeis University, Berlin.<br /><br />His books are considered some of the most critically acclaimed and bestselling in the creative field worldwide, and include The End of Print, Soon: The Future Culture of Brands, and Twentieth-Century Type.</span></blockquote><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-3-742935.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-3-742727.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I've always been inspired by nature, and besides the fact that this is mostly a "picture" book (designer's love them) the photo's are both inspirational and memorable at the same time. I found as I turned the pages that these photos invoked memories for me. For $50.00, you can't go wrong with adding this book to your coffee table or design library.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-2-743564.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-2-743357.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-4-742752.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-4-742552.png" border="0" alt="" /></a>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-78978238428753456062009-12-01T10:51:00.000-08:002009-12-01T13:58:59.048-08:00DoG - Get the code<span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Full price is dead. You'll never have to choose between gear and groceries again</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/cefd97f7-a314-4c3b-961e-578c16175091-783315.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 189px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/cefd97f7-a314-4c3b-961e-578c16175091-783313.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />You gotta be crafty and sleuth your way in to <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.departmentofgoods.com/sales/inviteuser/login.html">Department of Goods</a></span>, another new store from the team at Backcountry.com, selling the latest outdoor, surf, skate, bike, and mountain equipment from more than 400 pinnacle brands. Once discovered you might have just stumbled upon the promised land of premium gear. Boasting up to 70% off of tons of ski gear, up to 50% off everything bike, and up to 70% off of everything for riding too, how can you possibly go wrong?<br /><br />Not convinced yet? Check out this snapshot of the array of products you'll find from DoG:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-3-741864.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 198px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-3-741859.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-2-760651.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 285px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-2-760646.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-1-760534.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 129px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-1-760528.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-4-752540.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-4-752534.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-6-752405.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-6-752401.png" border="0" alt="" /></a>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-35000816761683177142009-11-03T15:52:00.001-08:002009-11-03T16:02:22.113-08:00What's in that bottle?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-12-793538.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 241px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-12-793524.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I've been looking at this bottle sitting in our bathroom for a couple of year's now, mind you it's more than a couple of year's old...a bottle of Spohn's Compound, a bottle that I inherited from my dad who is ditching his vintage bottle collection. A bottle that is inspiring to me, almost every time I look at it. A bottle worth sharing with friends, of a "Stimulating Expectorant for HORSES, MULES, DOGS, RABBITS, apparently one of those wonders of the early 1900's. A bottle that would tuck nicely inside of a <a href="http://www.iamlamerde.com/men.html"><span style="font-weight:bold;">LaMerde</span></a> jacket for the occasion that a gentleman might need it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_2790-735410.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_2790-734977.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_2791-735996.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_2791-735550.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_2793-795795.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_2793-795351.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_2792-795111.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_2792-794590.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-30362939127399375612009-11-03T14:35:00.000-08:002009-11-03T15:34:46.848-08:00When I say Airblaster what comes to mind?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_2780-703103.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/IMG_2780-702205.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/jackets-north-face-718385.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 158px; height: 80px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/jackets-north-face-718341.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a>Spending some time hitting the streets in PDX this week and yesterday's travels had me at the <a href="http://www.usoutdoorstore.com/">US Outdoor Store</a>, where making a purchase choice can cause a veritable quandary, there is surely enough outdoor gear to meet any single person on the planet's need for gear. Since the last time I truly looked in every nook and cranny of the store things have changed. First of all, the amount of gear in the store this time of year is overwhelming, the assortment for the square footage is enough to wear you out just pushing back one style to see another. <span style="font-style:italic;">(This is more true on the main floor than upstairs where it is refreshingly open in comparison.)</span> Secondly, I didn't realize there was a bargain/sale annex upstairs...maybe it's a sign of the times, but it could have also been there before. <br /><br />I have to admit I didn't spend too much time on the first floor except to confirm my suspicions that outdoor still remains well, you know, the same. It was great to see Armada's new outerwear collection front and center though on the half of the store that isn't dominated by The North Face. So I rather quickly ended up upstairs this trip. I immediately found two brands that I didn't see at SIA, of course they could have been there, but I didn't see them. <br /><br />That brings me to Airblaster, a brand that touts themselves as being a small company from Portland, Bend OR, Lake Tahoe CA, and San Fran CA and a sketchy RV somewhere in the great USA. Just one look at the line I was able to admire their irreverence, this is what I believe is missing in the outdoor industry where everyone takes themselves way too seriously for irreverence. <span style="font-style:italic;"> (I heard one of the store employees asking another if they "had" to go to Outdoor Retailer, and when the other said no and how boring the show was, the girl who will be going lamented the same.)</span> US Outdoor had a pretty decent size assortment of this new partially local brand, always great to see local support. <br /><br />The SUMO SUIT had me laughing right away, there is something a little phallic about it, luv it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-8-799758.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-8-799429.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The line is sort of a fun mix of bold 80's colorblocking with crazy bright colors, as well as a nod to classic ski styling of the late 60's and 70's. You can easily see that in the aptly named BIG SKY jacket here<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-6-796916.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-6-796175.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Another fun style is the COLORING BOOK jacket and pant, where you can customize panels with your own fantastic creations for a a truly one of a kind look.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-7-734159.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-7-733712.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />If I say 80's you say Airblaster....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-11-756796.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 213px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-11-756793.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-10-756788.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-10-756490.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />There is not as large of an assortment for the girlies, but you gotta love the DONNA jacket and STRETCH bib, think how dry your back will stay, these babies got you covered, and I gotta say it, wish there were more brights for the chica's we like color too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-9-759910.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-9-758291.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I've yet to try them on or hear anything on fit/performance, but if I do will be sure to share. Keep thinking about snow, and stay tuned for more soon!SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-18060653178012476302009-10-19T15:34:00.000-07:002009-10-19T15:45:30.954-07:00Portland Fashion Week Ready to Roll, benefitting Oregon ManifestOn October 10th a different kind of fashion show happened celebrating the bike friendly spirit of PDX. Ready to Roll showcased new designs via a runway show highlighting both bikes and fashion together from Apres Velo, Cestelli, Hell Yes, Icebreaker, Keen, Nau, Patagonia, Simple Shoes, and Showers Pass to name a few. Thought I'd share a few photos that found inspiring from this event. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-24-749181.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-24-748110.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-20-747877.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-20-747092.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-16-795598.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-16-794737.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-13-794520.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-13-793791.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-12-753225.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 297px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-12-752581.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-9-752166.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 304px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-9-751241.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-6-705986.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 333px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-6-705800.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-4-705553.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-4-704707.png" border="0" alt="" /></a>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-14459487962056555082009-10-13T22:12:00.000-07:002009-10-13T22:43:31.062-07:00Fun Design Project for Filson<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-1-769304.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 252px; height: 114px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-1-769268.png" border="0" alt="" /></a> One of the best things about having a freelance design studio is the variety of work and projects that you get to work on. Last Spring I worked together with the Filson team up in Seattle to create some new outerwear pieces for their collection. Filson is one of the few classic American heritage brands that has been in business for a very long time, since 1897.<br /><blockquote>1897 Klondike gold seekers come to C.C. Filson for rugged outfits to survive -50 cold.<br /> 1902 Loggers line up for Filson's new clothing line for loggers.<br /> 1914 Patent is granted for Filson Cruiser coat, still made and sold today.<br /> 1927 Filson Cruiser becomes copied extensively when patent expires.<br /> 1941 Filson expands its line of boots.<br /> 1945 U.S. Forest Service commissions new water repellent garments, dyed Forestry Green.<br /> 1985 Factory moves to Seattle's historic Pioneer Square, 5 blocks from original 1897 store.<br /> 1991 Luggage line is re-introduced, made of Rugged Twill and Bridle Leather.<br /> 1996 Fly fishing vests are introduced after 10 years of research and development.<br /> 1998 New lodge-like store opens in historic building 10 blocks from original location.<br /> 2003 Original Wool Shirt made of 100% virgin Merino wool is introduced.<br /> 2005 New Recoil Pad Technology introduced in our Super Shooting Shirts and in several of Shooting and Hunting Outerwear products. New, easier to use website introduced.</blockquote><br />The office location is near to the flagship store in Seattle, and they are one of the few brands that still has a factory right there making oilcloth and leather clothing, bags, and goods right there. It is a beautiful thing to see the craftsmanship that goes into the pieces that they make. Here are a few of the pieces that were created for Filson by SY Design that you can now find on their website. It doesn't take long to realize that they take their slogan "Might As Well Have The Best," very seriously.<br /><br /><b>Classic Down</b> never goes out of style, these pieces utilize a unique polyester/wool blend fabric with a special down proof construction. The fabric really gives these style a unique outdoor twist for Filson.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/pFILSON1-6138775dt-714654.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/pFILSON1-6138775dt-714609.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/pFILSON1-6138675dt-714573.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/pFILSON1-6138675dt-714549.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The <b>Wingshooting Jacket </b>is Filson's first lighter weight WPB hunting jacket. This was a fun style to create because it uses many of the latest technologies, and has integrated inside pocketing to accommodate a recoil pad for either left or right handed shooters.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/pFILSON1-6138645dt-793186.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/pFILSON1-6138645dt-793163.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/pFILSON1-6138645_filson1_dt-720972.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/pFILSON1-6138645_filson1_dt-720938.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The <b>North Fork Wading Jacket </b>for $325.00 is a beautiful classic fly fishing WPB jacket, that has been lightened up a little from what the traditional Filson look would normally be.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/pFILSON1-6138670dt-761410.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/pFILSON1-6138670dt-761408.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/pFILSON1-6138670_filson1_dt-735504.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/pFILSON1-6138670_filson1_dt-735501.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-49992171606988971382009-10-06T11:16:00.000-07:002009-10-06T11:37:20.437-07:00I'm back! Outside magazine, Gear of the Year Award 2010!!I know... I've fallen off the face of the earth with my blogging since mid-summer. What's a girl to do? Twitter has been growing like mad and I've been spending more time doing updates more often there. You can always check them out <a href="http://twitter.com/kimbrannock">here</a> for almost daily tweets about the outdoors, adventure, fashion, green living, music, etc.<br /><br />But, I'm promising to get back at it again and start getting some blog posts going on a more regular basis too. Besides it's time to post some thoughts on all the new Fall/Winter product out there right now.<br /><br />I was really excited to hear that the FirsTurn softshell jacket that I designed for Cloudveil recently won Outside magazine's Gear of the Year award for winter 2010! Yipee, it's not every day that it happens so when it does it's time to celebrate. Thought I would share some photos of the creation and final product here for you.<br /><br />Here it was way back in March of 2008 when I created it...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/FirsTurn-1-711258.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/FirsTurn-1-709657.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />Tons of details to call out for the factory to make sure it ends up being just right<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/FirsTurn-2-714719.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/FirsTurn-2-712526.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />and finally the finished product, voila`!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-4-770919.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="http://www.sydesigninc.com/blog/uploaded_images/Picture-4-770910.png" border="0" alt="" /></a>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21975333.post-57801713039186508912009-07-10T11:23:00.000-07:002009-07-10T11:29:23.428-07:00At What Price, a sustainable movie in the making.<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/j645scVCi5A&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/j645scVCi5A&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Change is all around us, and I was excited to read about this short film, "At What Price", that is currently filming and attempting to be as environmentally responsible as possible. Are we finally coming to the end of our oh so wasteful and multi-million dollar movie set days? Probably not yet, but this is at least a start. <br /><blockquote>Giving Back to the Community<br />The local community - in this case East Hollywood - was important to Enci's internal green dialogue. Catering for the film production will be serviced by local restaurants and produce vendors. The crew will be asked to bring in their own coffee mugs while washable utensils and plates will be provided with meals. The location of the shoot in East Hollywood is readily accessible by public transit and the crew is encouraged to avail themselves of L.A.'s public transit system to help minimize parking issues with local citizens and thereby shrink the production's environmental footprint further. Enci is also partnering with a local organization to plant trees in the neighborhood as a testament to her willingness to ensure a green film with a lasting benefit to the community.<br />First time director Enci intent to make film green.<br />Enci's pre-production checklist includes facilitating most decisions online where possible. Casting calls were via electronic submissions and all paperwork relating to the film is done online as At What Price? is a SAG production. This simple procedure mitigates paper waste. Production meetings are held in locations that are convenient to and accessible by all modes of public transport. "Up to this point," says Enci "the 'green' journey has been somewhat conceptual with a bit of drama thrown in as we grapple with shade-grown versus free-trade coffee choices for our production meetings."<br /><br />With shooting of At What Price? set to commence in July, Enci has looked into sustainable lighting, set design and film options. If necessary, her outfit, Rebel Without a Car Productions, has even looked into the availability of a solar-powered generator.<br /><br />The Green Machine<br />"My husband and I are getting a team together that is quite a mix," she says with regards to the crew that will see her film dream come to life. "Some are already 'green', carfree, vegetarian, and some are not even close to being green. We don't just want to preach to the choir, we want to inspire those who are not thinking about their carbon footprint or the future of the planet.<br /><br />"All these people are very excited about helping and being part of this production. I also hope to inspire the 'non-green' people in our production to be more sustainable, to drive less, to bring their own mugs and to order their drinks in glass or china when they sit down in a coffee shop. I would also like to encourage them to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables or grow some produce themselves."<br /><br />"Living sustainably has been always close to my heart," states Enci as she explains that her environmental concerns predate this film project. "I came to the U.S. almost 13 years ago and I love it here in America but I always found it shocking how much is wasted. Food, disposables, idling cars, a/c running with doors and windows open, etcetera. Through all my years of living here I have tried to recycle - even when it was difficult because recycling bins were not always readily available. I've always used canvas bags when I shop and I started riding a bike when my husband, not only encouraged me, but also rode along with me everywhere, until I felt comfortable enough to ride on my own," she says before adding proudly, "Now we're both car-free!"<br /><br /></blockquote>SY Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482053928780710981noreply@blogger.com0