Emerica is back with another Blueprint collab shoe, the Francis Lo. Blueprint Pro, all-terrain ripper, artist, music aficionado, London resident-call him what you will-Vaughn Alfred Baker has been ruling the UK/European skate scene for quite some time now. For proof, check out his parts in blueprints first broadcast and lost & found videos.
After A round of recent injuries and ups and downs in his personal life, Vaughan is back, better than ever, and amped on the newest Emerica + Blueprint collaboration shoe. Spread some cheer with the Vaughan and get the newest Emerica Blueprint Collab - the Francis Lo from the Zappos Rideshop today!

Zappos Rideshop

Here's one for the ladies! Etnies Girl is loving fashion lately. For etnies Girl this fall is all about fun patterns, pop color, rich textures and clever little details. The etnies Sew Rock Series takes a cue from art school fashionistas and the ever-creative DIYers know for taking trends and making them their own. Check out the girls Fader special edition Sew Rock colorway on the Zappos Rideshop today!

Lakai has added a couple new styles to their "Recycled Program" for Back to School. Introducing the Mercer Recycled and the Carroll Select Recycled. Reducing waste impact is a global responsibility. Lakai has chosen to do their part by applying excess shoe materials that would otherwise be thrown away to selected styles each season. These styles also feature soles comprised of new gum rubber mixed with regrind rubber waste, reducing new material by up to 40%. Expect unique color and material combinations from all of Lakai's eco-friendly Recycled Program shoes. Check out some of the other recycled styles: The Manchester Select, the Koston Select and the MJ-2 Select. New styles available now from the Zappos Rideshop. Breathe!

Zappos Rideshop

The black suede Munition CT Mid is the first installment of a two-part shoe series collaboration between long time DVS rider Chico Brenes and LRG. Designers looked to the early years of Chico's career for inspiration on it's look and feel.

The footbed print is borrowed from Chico's first World Industries pro model graphic, Orange Vendor, introduced in 1992 by artist Mark Mckee. The graphic features a tiny cartoon Paisa wearing a red flannel and selling oranges out of a box. This character is a direct reference to Chico's heritage as a Nicaraguan immigrant. The same flannel pattern used on the graphic is mimicked in both print and texture on the collar of the shoe. The shoe also features custom Chico and LRG branding on the tongue and heel.

To compliment the line, designers also produced signature apparel pieces that tie into the color and graphic themes of the shoes. The Chico x LRG apparel collection includes a textured red flannel New Era, a signature red flannel long sleeve, and graphic T-shirts that feature the same Mark McKee Paisa character found in the footbed of the shoe. Pick your's up today from the Zappos Rideshop!

Ever wondered what it would be like if you removed the padding from a SK8-Hi™? Well the footwear engineering genius' over at Vans have fulfilled your fantasy once again. Introducing the Vans SK8-Hi™ Deconstruct. This shoe combines the existing features and benefits of the SK8-Hi™, but now with a little more steez (and less padding of course). Standard features include an environmentally conscious canvas upper. Triple stitching on the collar and toe box. Traditional rubber outsole with Vans' trademarked Waffle Grip and a clean vulcanized construction. This will most definitely be a hot ticket item for fall, so get em' while they last! Available in 3 colors from the Zappos Rideshop. While you're at it, don't forget to check out the full range of Vans available from Zappos.com - HOLLA!

http://www.zappos.com/vans

Vans SK8-Hi™ "Dressed to Kill" is a killer pair of skating shoes. These shoes feature a Kiss band member graphic that makes these shoes a great tribute to the spirit of Rock and Roll. If you are a skater, a wannabe skater or if you just like cool shoes, then try these on for size.

Vans SK8-Hi™ "Dress to Kill" - The Basics

Vans SK8-Hi™ "Dress to Kill" shoes retail for $69 and come in both men's and women's sizes. They come in men's sizes 3.5 to 13, as well as women's sizes 5 to 12. They weigh in at about 18 ounces and have a shaft height of about 6.5 inches, depending on the size of shoe that you order.

These shoes have a black, white and grey tone palette. This makes them the perfect addition to nearly any wardrobe. They have a high-top design that stars the members of the band Kiss in full character makeup on the sides of the shoe, as well as the logo "Dress to Kill" printed on the side of the shoe's sole.

Dressing to Kill

When you buy a pair of shoes there are many things that you need to think about. Fit is the first thing. A properly fitted shoe will fit snuggly but will not be tight or crumple your toes. Next you will want to look at function. The type of shoe that you buy needs to reflect what you will be using the shoe for. For example, if you will be using the shoe for skateboarding then you will want a shoe that has give in its design so that it flexes, as well as a non-skid sole to prevent slippage from your board.

The final thing that you want to think about when buying a pair of shoes is style. The styling of the shoe needs to fit in with your current wardrobe. This will give you the most styling options when putting together your daily look. Fortunately, the Vans Sk8-Hi™ "Dress to Kill" has a neutral palette, which means that it will look good with nearly anything that you want to pair it with.

Support Macbeth's studio project with Jack's Mannequin and The Dear Jack Foundation at Zappos.com.

One of the most important pieces of safety equipment that you need for skateboarding is a great pair of shoes. The best skating shoes will have a flat sole with good grip. This will keep you from sliding or skidding off your board. You will also want to select a shoe that has been properly fitted to your feet. Shoes that fit the size and shape of your feet will not only improve your stability, but it will also reduce your chances of twisting your ankle or developing blisters. If you are looking for a great skate shoe then consider the Van's SK8-Hi™ Slayer.

Van's SK8-Hi™ Slayer - Specs

The Van's SK8-Hi™ Slayer is a skate shoe that retails for $69.00. It comes in women's sizes 5-12, with half sizes available, in men's sizes 3.5-13, and in youth size 4. It has a medium width and a black, red, white and gold design. The shoe weighs in at about 18 ounces for a men's size 10 and has a shaft height of about 6.5 inches.

The construction of the shoe is impeccable. It has an upper made from a patchwork of canvas, leather and suede. It has an EVA insert that has been die cut and a gum sole.

Working Van's SK8-Hi™ Slayer - Wardrobe Tips

The Van's SK8-Hi™ Slayer is a great shoe that can be easily worked into nearly any casual wardrobe. They coordinate well with jeans and t-shirts, and can also make a great compliment to skater shorts and tanks for summer wear. These are not dress shoes but you can create a funky evening look by pairing these shoes with a more formal outfit, such as a dark pair of slacks, a bold printed T and a sports jacket.

Keeping Your Shoes in Top Condition

When you invest in a good pair of skateboarding shoes it is a good idea to take steps to protect their appearance. Keeping them clean is one step that you can take to keep the color and their general appearance crisp. Obviously when you skate outdoors you are bound to get them dirty. The trick is to allow mud and dirt to dry before brushing them clean. This is a better option than trying to clean mud off of wet shoes. This only embeds the mud into the fibers of the shoes. You can also protect your shoes by spraying them with a Teflon or waterproofing treatment before you first use your shoes. This will help make them water proof and also help them to become more resistant to stains.

Shoes are the foundation of your wardrobe, however, when it comes to skateboarding they are also the foundation of your stability. If you put the wrong shoes on your feet you can end up with sore arches and ankles, or worse yet sprained or strained muscles in your legs. If you are looking for a great pair of skateboarding shoes then try on the Vans Caballero.

Vans Caballero - The Basics
Vans Caballero are a mid rise shoe that offers an extra comfortable and supportive fit. They retail for about $64.00 and offer a medium width. They come in women's sizes 5-11, including half sizes, and men's sizes 3.5-13, including half sizes.

There are three styles that you can choose between. The most classic style is the black and white option. For a slight variation on this style you can also select the charcoal and white option. Finally, there is a more colorful option that offers a shoe design in black, white and ultra violet. All three styles come with the signature Steve Cabellero logo, which commemorates his 20th anniversary as a skateboarder.

The shoe itself has a suede or a leather upper and a cotton lining. They weigh in at an average of 20 ounces, however, this will vary depending on the size that you order.

Steve Cabellero
The Vans Caballero is a shoe that was designed to honor skateboarder Steve Cabellero. He's been grinding and tricking out since the late 1970s. Today he is known for his ramp work, however, he also has a history of being a top pool and vert trickster. Currently his favorite trick is done on a mini-ramp and it involves going from an Ollie to a k-grind to a Fakie stance. He also likes to do flip tricks while street boarding.

Cabellero is a family man with a great wife and a new baby. He is a San Jose native and he still lives in the American Southwest. When he is not skateboarding or promoting his career, he still jams with a variety of garage bands.

If you are a fan of Steve Cabellero, or if you just need a great pair of shoes, then try on the Vans Cabellero.

What does Chaz Ortiz have in common with Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, Derek Jeter and Dwyane Wade? They're all ad pitchmen for Gatorade. Except, skateboarder Chaz Ortiz might better described as a pitchkid rather than a pitchman. He turns 15 years old until May 4, and yet he's already a veteran pro.

Chaz Ortiz doesn't come from one of those sunny skateboarding havens in southern California or in Florida. He hails from Chicago, where people know "the Hawk" not as Tony Hawk, but as the bitter winter wind that screeches from Lake Michigan. This means the weather often is not suited to skating, but that hasn't stopped Chaz.

When he was 6-years-old, Chaz Ortiz begged his father for a skateboard. It was a classic case of ask and you shall receive. And with his birthday in early May, Chaz had an entire Windy City skate season ahead of him. Chaz Ortiz immediately started practicing tricks, day and night, and he got better and better. Two summers ago, he competed on the Free Flow Tour, which is the premier amateur tour. He not only dazzled the crowds and the judges, but he actually won the season championship at the age of 13.

In June 2008, Chaz's first pro contest was the AST Dew Tour's Panasonic Open in Baltimore.
He placed third behind superstars Ryan Shecker and Paul Rodriquez. In September, he captured the Toyota Challenge in Salt Lake City in front of 26,000 fans and he went on to capture the season championship.

Despite his youth, Chaz is known for riding in a smooth style that goes beyond his years. Ryan Sheckler commented, "He deserves everything he has coming to him. I think that Chaz has the potential to be the next 'it' skater. He has the attitude of a champion, he skates like a champion; he skates like he wants to learn how to do everything that's going on in the skateboard world."

Chaz Ortiz says, "Just skate hard, skate your best, and don't get yourself down. Just go out there and skate how you know how to skate, make sure you have your run planned, and just have fun."

SOURCES:
http://www.kidzworld.com/article/14592-chaz-ortiz-biography
http://skateboardermag.com/skateboarder-news-features/news/chaz-ortiz-on-gatorade/
http://www.grindtv.com/athlete/Chaz_Ortiz/2627/bio/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaz_Ortiz

Last week we had a special guest stop by the offices and hang out with the Rideshop and Blog teams: Espree, from Zexsports.com.

Our own Blogger and professional skateboarder Melissa L. sit down with her for a bit during her visit. Espree has as much energy as Melissa and she was such a cool person to meet!

*Editors note: Everything above is true except for the whole 'Melissa being a professional skateboarder thing'. We made that up.

Thanks Espree!

Keeping your wardrobe up-to-date and versatile without breaking the bank depends on your ability to select great coordinating pieces. One of the most cost effective clothing pieces that you can add to your wardrobe that will give you several outfit options is the cardigan. If you are looking for a kicking cardigan that can be dressed up or down, take a look at the Roxy Sweet Treat Sweater.

Roxy Sweet Treat Sweater
The Roxy Sweet Treat Sweater, which retails for an affordable $46, comes in five women's sizes: extra small, small, medium, large and extra large. It is a button front cardigan that has ribbed cuffs, a ribbed waist and the sassy Roxy metal logo plate. This cardigan is made from 100-percent cotton is totally breathable.

It comes in four stunning colors: black, blue radiance, party pink and white. Buy a neutral color like black or white and pair with a colorful camisole or select one of the wilder colors, like blue radiance or party pink, and let it make the statement for your outfit. If you can't decide which color you like best, buy one in each color and increase the number of outfits that you can put together.

Caring for your Sweater
To protect your clothing investment, it is important to care for your Roxy sweater properly. First of all, you will want to wash this sweater in cold water on a delicate cycle. Next, don't put it into the dryer. This will cause shrinkage, fading and fiber damage. Instead you will want to lay your Roxy Sweet Treat Sweater flat on a towel to dry. You can speed up the drying process by patting down the sweater with a sponge.

Building a Wardrobe Tips
The Roxy Sweet Treat Sweater is a great layering item. Since it is a solid color cardigan, you can pair it with a solid color or patterned undershirt. During the warmer months you can wear this sweater with a camisole and during the colder months you can pair it with a t-shirt or long sleeved shirt. To dress up this sweater you can pair it with a pencil skirt and heels and to dress it down you can pair it with jeans.

In the heart of downtown Louisville, Kentucky is the Louisville Extreme Park. This is the town's ultimate skatepark. It offers about 40,000 square feet of skating terrain and the city is in the planning process for a 20,000 square foot addition to the park. The addition that is planned for this park will be a 20,000 square foot skating pavilion that will have room for indoor skating features and concessions. To find this park all you have to do is look for the Louisville Slugger Field on Witherspoon. The Louisville Extreme Park is right next door on the corner of Witherspoon and Clay.

Louisville Extreme Park - The Basics
The Louisville Extreme Park has one of the best collections of skateboarding features in the state. It has a very rare 24 foot diameter full pipe, a six foot bowl, a couple of four foot bowls, a couple of eight foot bowls and a couple of eleven foot bowls. It also offers several fun boxes and a great street course. To top everything off is a twelve foot wooden ramp that has a great thirteen foot extension.

Each section of the Louisville Extreme Park is marked with a blue square, a green circle or a black diamond. A green circle means that the feature is appropriate for beginners, a blue square designates features that are suitable for intermediate skaters and a black diamond designates the most advanced skating features in the park.

Louisville Extreme Park - Important Information
The most important rule that you need to understand before skateboarding at the Louisville Extreme Park is that you have to wear a helmet. This is not just a park rule, it is a Louisville ordinance. If you are caught skating without a helmet then you can get kicked out of the park and be given a ticket.

In addition to wearing a helmet you also want to be dressed appropriately for the weather. On sunny days you will want to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes, sunblock and clothing that will keep the moisture away from your body. On cooler days you will want to wear layers so that you can adjust your clothing depending on the weather.

Other rules that you need to understand before skating at the Louisville Extreme Park include skate at your own risk, no smoking, no drinking, no eating and no outside obstacles inside the fenced skating area. Spectators also need to stay outside of the fenced skating area. Finally, only skateboarders, in-line skaters and bicyclers are allowed to use the park. Motorized vehicles are not allowed.

Rodney Mullen grew up in Florida and wanted a skateboard as a child, but his father resisted. His father perceived that older skateboarders were lousy role models who represented a counterculture way of life.
Finally, 10-year-old Rodney Mullen got his skateboard. It wasn't on Christmas, but on New Year's Day 1977. Still, Rodney's father warned that the first time he hurt himself, that would be it.

Sure enough, young Rodney Mullen took a spill. He could have twisted his ankle or scraped his knee or bruised his shoulder, but instead, Rodney knocked his teeth out. This wasn't the best "choice" for an injury. His dad placed a high value on strong, healthy teeth. His dad was a dentist! Somehow, Rodney Mullen managed to get his skateboard back. He started winning contests that same year, turned pro at age 14, and became a street skating legend.

Rodney Mullen has been called "The Thomas Edison of Skateboarding." At age 42, he's not forgotten by the younger crowd. He's known for inventing an array of tricks, such as the ollie and the kickflip, for his successors to build upon. Mullen was past his prime before skateboarders started showing their stuff all over the web, but his fans have produced tapes that have drawn as many as 1.5 million views on YouTube.

"I never really felt like I fit in (as a youngster)," Mullen once told an interviewer. "It's probably a common bond that a lot of skaters have, and I certainly felt that. I really liked the individuality of it, where you don't have to dress up all the time. You're really on your own. You didn't have a coach, no one's going to tell you what to do and it never ends in terms of the possibility of what you can do."

Despite the respect of his peers and the admiration of his successors, Rodney Mullen always will remain a sort of lone wolf. "I always like to skate at night," he said. "There's something about being alone to me that's so conducive of it all. Plus the practicalities of living in the city, because that's the time to hit things up, since no one's around."

Who knows what tricks Rodney Mullen has performed, that nobody has seen. However, he is willing to share some things, to the extent that he wrote an autobiography "The Mutt," published in 2003.

Sources:
http://www.rodneymullen.net/bio/
http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/news/2008/jan/16/q-skateboarder-rodney-mullen/

With the weather warming and the skies clearing it is the perfect time to refresh your spring/summer wardrobe. One option that will quickly freshen up your wardrobe is the Roxy So Hip Dress. This casual slip on dress will work great as a weekend lounging outfit or as an element of a casual work outfit.

Roxy So Hip Dress
The Roxy So Hip Dress, which retails for $46.00, comes in three very refreshing colors, banana cream yellow, regatta blue and shamrock green. The dress also comes in five sizes, extra small, small, medium, large and extra large. The measurements for the length of the dress start at 30 inches for the small size and increase slightly with each size up that you order.

This dress is made of 60 percent cotton and 40 percent polyester. It has a jersey mineral wash finish and a very cute V-neck design with a tie at the waist belt. This little dress also has a single chest pocket for an added detail and point of interest.

To keep this dress in good condition you will want to make sure you follow the washing instructions that come with it. First of all you will want to use a mild detergent like Woolite. This will prevent fading, fiber stretching and fiber damage. Next you will want to wash this item on a warm and delicate setting on your washing machine. Finally, you will need to tumble dry the dress on a low setting or hang it out to dry.

Wardrobe Tips
The Roxy So Hip Dress is a versatile piece. First of all it works great all by itself for a very casual look. Pair it with a pair of flip flops or sandals for an easy day on the boardwalk, at the park or at the beach. If you want to wear this dress to a business function or to work then simply pair it with a linen blazer in white, tan or a complimentary color. Finish the look with a beaded necklace and a matching pair of pumps. For a night on the town you can dress up this dress with a pair of heels, a great necklace and a matching clutch.