Category Archives: Blog

No excuse now: Custom (free) Mother’s Day Cards from Black Sheep Postal Service

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Black Sheep Postal Service

Recently, you met Justin from Black Sheep Postal Service. Great dude. Awesome taste in music. Owns bees.

Well, we chatted about moms a bit after our talk and decided to put together a special offer for the woman who birthed you, took care of you, fed you, put up with your crap for years and years, drove you to hockey practice, slaved over a stove preparing meals, made sure you looked good before leaving the house, and basically just had your best interest in mind all the time… I mean, that’s the majority, anyway. I could be way off.

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Spotlight On: Hedley & Bennett. Real Aprons for Real Chefs.

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Hedley & Bennet HQ

It was a gray and dreary Saturday morning when I made my way to Downtown Los Angeles. It didn’t take too long to get their from Mid-City, but when the weather wants you to stay inside, everything takes an extra 15 mental minutes.

But heading to DTLA was well worth it. I had been invited by Ellen, owner of Hedley & Bennett the week prior at Northern grade to come check out the offices and sample sale. Continue reading →

EDC: Los Angeles Daily

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EDC

Did a little Everyday Carry on the Instant of Grams lately, and people seemed to like it. Well, I guess about 20 people did, but that’s cool. I liked it, and that’s sorta all that matters. I didn’t start The Momentum to make friends… except I ended up making a lot, which has been the best. So, I thought about my life since moving to LA and how I’ve simplified my living since being on the golden coast.
What follows is a little roundup of what I rarely leave the house without on a daily basis. Hope you dig.  Continue reading →

Siding with the Enemy: Heavyweights.

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pp6

On the surface, the Ben Stiller vehicle known simply as Heavyweights, is a tale of one overweight loser kid that just wants to “hang out” all Summer long and eat Ding-Dongs (though Ding-Dongs are not so directly mentioned). But his parents would rather him have a productive Summer: one where he might lose a little weight, make some new friends, be a better person, and basically anything and everything that comes along with going to Summer camp. But, booooooooooo. Parents are lame, man!!! Summer is about sleeping in and doin nothing until you move up a size in your pants and finally beat the last boss in Mega Man (do kids still play that? Mega Man ruled…). Continue reading →

California Giveaway: The Est. 1850 Collection from Johnston & Murphy

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Johnston & Murphy and The Momentum have been friends for a bit, now. I remember back in the day, flying out to Nashville to see their operation first-hand. That was a long time ago… when I was a young man. Now, I’m a little older. A little wiser. I’ve moved about the country a tad. Finally landing in California.

But with age comes appreciation for classic and timeless styles. There will always be room in the closet for a neon-soled McNairy shoe, but for the everyday, Johnston & Murphy plays the part perfectly for those time-honored silhouettes. A few of my fave from their new 1850 Collection are below.

And after the pictures? The giveaway details… Continue reading →

Spreading cheer: The Hill-Side & Co. X Gitman Holiday Shirt Collection

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Really diggin this collaboration from the Hill-Side & Co. and Gitman. Just in time for the holidays, these two companies have come together with a set of amazing designs. Personally, I’m all over the woodland camo and starburst dots. The collection will debut today (11/30/2012) at the Hickoree’s booth at the Pop Up Flea, running through the end of this weekend in NYC.  BUUUUT if you’re not one of the lucky ducks that get to go to such an event, no worries. This collection will be made readily available on Hickoree’s, Context, Need Supply, and Unionmade early next week.

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Camp Well: Fleece-Lined Face Warmers. Handmade in CA

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I’m a fan of “early” season camping. I put early in quotation marks as early to me is not early to some seasoned outdoorsman, but that’s neither here nor there. So I went camping this season in early May. The days were in the 80s (plenty warm), but the nights… the nights sunk to the 20s with wind whipping through the Pingree Park valley like a goddamn flood of hyper-threat violent shakes, hell-bent on destroying any mortal creation in its way. While our tent and gear withstood the barrage nature decided we needed (Birdie included), the one thing I wish I had was a legit face warmer.

Enter: The Face Warmer

Handmade in California, I came across these fleece-lined, velcro-attached by happenstance one day. Got one right off, and now wear it once the temps dip on camping trips and/or cooler bike rides through Denver. Works well for blustery hikes and going incognito.(I recommend not wearing this into a bank, convenience store, or anywhere the person behind the counter is already skiddish about being robbed…)

Anyway, I’ve found this useful thus far for camping. I assume they would be nice for chillier bike ride, but seeing as how it’s 100 in Denver, I have yet to test.

These are now available in a number of colors and patterns at Camp Well ($15).

Easy

The Camped Well Collection

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The Camped Well Collection is a carefully curated selection of vintage camping gear and goods available at Camp Well. New offerings will be added often.

Recently added:

Camp Mugs

These are one of the most iconic mugs available and are well-suited for being around the campfire. They won’t melt, they clean easily, and they’re good for hot and cold liquids alike (from coffee to whisky on the rocks).

Camp mugs available now for only $8/set.

Cheers,

WGP

Camping Well: The new era.

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Hey there friends. Well, it’s been awhile, hasn’t it? I know. It has.  I was reminded today of something I wrote year ago. I wanted to take this site in a new direction. While I explored a few different avenues, it occurred to me that what I want to do is not too far off of what i’ve done. I’m not going to talk about double-breasted Brooks Brothers suits or leather wingtips, though I may sneak in a pair from time to time, I’m just going to talk about what I know. And what I know, as a Denver native, is the art (and I stress art) of “headlight camping.” Headlight Camping? Yes. I am not one to backpack in 11 miles before finding a spot to pitch a tent. I prefer to have the car within sight, a fire raging, and plenty of whiskey and guitars to make the night a blur of amazing. I would like to introduce you to the new venture, Camp Well. Right now, yeah, it’s a baby of an idea, but the goal for this is so much more. An online shop stocked with items I believe in and would actually use camping versus what it might LOOK like you would take camping. Trust me, ain’t no one gonna wear that $150 “rugged” shirt camping just to get drunk, climb a tree, and rip the shit out of it when you jump down and nearly stumble into the fire.

So stay tuned. This is gonna be fucking fun, man.

Here’s the philosophy: just be cool, have fun, don’t be a dick, and, above all else, camp well.

Peace trails,

Will and Camp Well

 

Practical. Tactical. Form.Function.Form.

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Packaging is the jam

So I was approached not too long ago by some good friends.. Jeremiah, specifically. Basically it went down, “Dudes. A friend is making some legit shit. Wristgear. Real deal. Check it.” So that’s not verbatim whatsoever, but that’s kind of how I remember it. At any rate, I was initially hesitant. “Ah, I got a watch and a friendship bracelet my lady any I bought for each other in San Diego. I don’t need more on my wrist.” Wrong sauce.

Form Function Form has it on lock. Not just for looks, either. And that’s why I got so into FFF’s offerings. Anyone cane make some leather goods. But what set is apart? In this case, function. The braiding on the lure bracelet can easily hold a few lures, should fishing be your fancy. Plus, walking around with an old lure as the focal point, hook included, it’s something new. And I am a fan.

The Lure. (Original momentum fans might gets that....)

I was swung a lure wristwrap and a mini multi-tool carrier complete with lighter. Both should come in handy when camping. Especially the multi-tool holder. Light for fires and smokes and mallows (if fire fails) and whatever else I want to burn.

lighter. tool. tool. lighter. leather.

Check out Form Function Form here:

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Brunch with Topo Designs and Living in Denver

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Topo in Topo. Bagception

Saturday turned out to be one of the most productive and inspiring days in recent history. I awoke when the sun hit my face, mulled about the house for a minute or two, played with bird in the back yard, and hung out with the lady friend. When noontime came, and I rode my bike clear across the city to meet up with Mark, my friend and one of the brain trusts behind Topo Designs.  It’s pretty rad having one of the best new brands around living basically next door.

We chatted for a few hours over French Toast and mimosas, real manly like, about product, shops, ideas, the future, Australia, Fancy Tiger, Left Field, and destroying. After settling up, we rode to his casa.  I had promised a friend I would pick him up a Klettersack in the duck camo colorway (pictured).  I got to peep Mark’s house, too, which was rad as he has done some killer remodeling. So, yes, dinner parties will be had.

One thing that Denver really has going for it is the community vibe and everyone working well together. Whatever industry it is, everyone pretty much has everyone else’s back. Don’t know too many other places like that. Plus, we have ghost pepper vodka at Sputnik… and $5 mimosa carafes. Sort of hard to beat that.

Onward, 5280,

WGP

Underrated Albums: The Blood Brothers “Crimes”

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This isn’t so much a review of a record from 2004 as it is a remembrance of one of my favorite bands more overlooked offerings. “Crimes” hit a mere one year after the Blood Brothers’ best* record in their illustrious career, “…Burn, Piano Island,  Burn.” To follow that up could not have been an easy feat, and it’s probably the reason “Crimes” never got its due. While BPIB is an amazing set of songs front to back, I’ve, as of late, come to appreciate the songs on “Crimes” in a new way.I’m not going to get into the details of the recording, but if you want to know more about the producer and themes, check out the Wiki.

There’s no doubt that the album is less coherent and, in turn, less approachable than BPIB, but when you start to listen closer, at least for me, you find the hidden intricacies.  Love Rhymes with Hideous Car Wreck is by far the most sing-alongable track, but the ferocity and pounding drums of Teen Heat, Trash Flavored Trash, My First Kiss at the Public Execution and Wolf Party have been ravaging my psyche and keeping me sane in gridlock traffic to and from work. That could be my reasoning for liking this album so much. I’ve heard and analyzed Burn Piano since it came out in 2003. I never gave the same close listen to Crimes. Of course, since it’s the Blood Brothers, I seem to be the only one I can agree with to listen to it on a daily basis, before 7AM, at full volume.

Hands down my favorite part of the album lies right in the middle. As Rats and Rats and Rats for Candy ends with some incredibly loud and abrasive tones, the in-comparison-calm of the title track, Crimes, chimes in. Just a good segway into the second half of the album.

I don’t know many people anymore that still give the Blood Bros the same attention I do and they once did, but I guess that’s growing up. Nights at home with the lady aren’t exactly the appropriate time for such noisy rock. And that’s cool. I still know K likes em, just when the situation calls. For me, that’s more often as driving fast and screaming my brains out seem to go hand in hand. And she’s a fan of Jaguar Love, so that’s something, too.

Choice lyrics from this release include:

As you make your way back to the financial district. / The subway is a numb field.
And every dazed boy and girl makes you lick your lips. / And the girl with the accordion, chewing grass like a lamb. – Wolf Party

If the brick you throw / puts a bullet in your skull / police boot lands atop your gaping jaw.
Hey, Peacock?
Yeah, what’s that?
I just wanna know what the babies mouth is full of.
Is it flies, or cries, or straw? – Peacock Skeleton with Crooked Feathers

A hot tub stuffed with gorgeous ass? (We want it!)
Bronzed lips? Mouth full of cash? (We need it!)
A sizzling tan? Life of the party? (We want it!)
A full-length mirror for every inch of your body? (We need it!) – Teen Heat

‘If we rob the
liquor store we could
be in Tijuana by the crack of dawn.
and if we rob the
Mayor’s mansion
we could pawn his modern art and make a fortune.
and if we rob the lonely widow,
we could steal her credit cards
and buy a cottage by the Ocean
And we could swim in to Junk Island
we’ll burn up like the seagulls and the whiskey bottles. – Crimes

But some things never get better
Like used cars and bad livers
So you traded her in for a better looking brand
One with fake porno tits
A pad lock on her lips
Disposable tan
Biodegradable hands – Love Rhymes With Hideous Car Wreck

If you do give it a listen, pay attention. Sure, it may just sound like angry speakers yelling at you from all directions, and for those who aren’t Blood Brothers fans, that’s exactly what it is. But sometimes, in life, you need a little abrasion. And, as Johnny Whitney screams, “Everybody needs a little Devastation!” It’s true. We do. Get wrecked.

Enjoy the video for Love Rhymes…

Love Rhymes with Hideous Car Wreck

- W.G.P.

*”Best” is a relative term in this case referring to the number of people I personally know that think Burn Piano Island Burn is the best Blood Brothers record. I agree to an extent, as I celebrate the band’s entire catalog.

Spotlight On: Ignoble Bags from Los Angeles, CA

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Image: Ignoble

It’s been a hot minute since I posted a Spotlight segment, but I thought today was as good of day as any to send a shout out to a new company I’m into.

I was contacted some time ago by one of the coolest people I’ve chatted with in a bit: Dean from Ignoble Bags, a Los Angeles, CA-based backpack purveyor. We talked product for a bit, then moved into subject matter normally reserved for friends I’ve known for years. Among topics discussed, from tequila to family dinner, we commiserated over the awesomeness that is moving, as I was in the midst of relocating to a new house in Denver’s Highlands neighborhood. Just in time, too, to help with the move, Dean sent the Lenore pack my way. It got put to good use as I stuffed odds and ends into it and now use it almost always, as it’s found a nice fit with my regular bags in the rotation.

When the dust from the much-ado settled, I got a chance to ask Dean a few questions. After reading the answers, I realized I need to meet his brother. See why. Interview as follows:

Name, Location:

Dean Hinds. Los Angeles, California.

Meaning behind the name, Ignoble:

A few things: It’s a reference to the language of noir cinema, which is one of our primary aesthetic influences; It’s an acknowledgement of the commonplace of backpacks in our culture, both in terms of their use and their manufacture; And, if you really start splitting hairs over the myriad of definitions of the word, it’s a bundle of irony in relationship to what we’re doing.

Your mission / Why you got into the bag game:

Black backpacks. The self-imposed color limitation keeps us strictly focused on bag shape and function. If we do it right, we’re making gear that is unique but still accessible, and that our audience can get excited about functionally, aesthetically, and production wise.

A few things you’re particularly proud of about the Ignoble bags:

It’s all in the customer feedback. I’ve had a few emails / phone calls where the person on the other end explains to me what IGNOBLE is doing, what the brand means, and why the product they picked up is worthwhile to them. It makes you feel connected. There’s no comparison in terms of defining the best possible outcome of our efforts.

What would you be doing if you weren’t working Ignoble?

Catching up on sleep and coming up with other ways to connect with people.

The best cocktail in the country can be found at__________

My brother’s place. Good tequila, fresh lime juice, a hint of agave syrup, ice. Dangerous. But very, very good.

When I need to get pumped up, I listen to_________________

Something loud and with a good hook.

To chill out, I throw ____________ on the speakers:

Something loud and with a good hook.

Favorite city in the USA:

Somewhere I haven’t been yet. Preferably somewhere with strong local culture and a place to get a good cup of coffee.

Favorite travel destination:

Somewhere I haven’t been yet. Preferably somewhere rainy, desolate, and mountainous.

Something we don’t know about you:

I used to play football in the NFL. Just kidding! I like tongue-in-cheek humor. And I laugh a lot. And I’m really, really good at over-thinking things. It all goes hand-in-hand for me, personality wise.

Anything else you want to add that you think Momentum readers would dig:

IGNOBLE is a tiny company. It means we’re directly connected to the things we make. If we’re doing something you’re interested in, drop me a line.

Want to know anything else? Ask Dean yourself in the comment section below. I am sure you’ll get an answer sooner vs. later. And check out these behind-the-scene shots the Ignoble crew snapped and sent my way especially for you.

A few more helpful links:

Ignoble on Twitter

Ignoble on Facebook

Ignoble on teh innerwebz