Lifestyle
Check out the All-Electric Nissan LEAF During the Drive Electric Tour
A couple weeks ago, Nissan brought the Drive Electric Tour to Los Angeles to showcase the 100-percent electric Nissan LEAF. The Drive Electric Tour is the biggest EV driving effort in history. It’s a 23-city tour that gives consumers the opportunity to learn about the Nissan LEAF and it’s technology and features.
The LEAF (which stands for Leading, Environmentally-friendly, Affordable Family car) has an expected all-electric range of 100 miles. It produces no local air pollution and has a total cost of ownership that improves over time because of rising gas prices. The LEAF has an MSRP of $32,780, but with federal tax savings factored in (up to $7500), the price for the vehicle can be as low as $25,280. Not bad for a car that never needs gas.
The Drive Electric Tour will head to San Francisco from November 20-28 at the SF International Auto Show. If you want to check out the tour, take a look at the ride or schedule a test drive, check out the Drive Electric Tour Schedule at NissanUSA.com.
Nov 2nd
Cost Plus World Market – Baseball’s Big Game Sweepstakes
Cost Plus World Market is giving away tickets to Game 4 and Game 6 of the 2010 World Series. The contest features two grand prizes. Here are the details:
• One winner will receive two World Series tickets to Game Four in Arlington, Texas
• One winner receiving two World Series tickets to Game Six in San Francisco, CA
• Both winners will receive a $1000 World Market gift card and a chauffeured limousine ride to and from the game* (ARV of each prize: $6,000). If Game Six is not played, the winner will receive the cash equivalent.
In addition to the two grand prizes, fans who shop at Cost Plus World Market wearing San Francisco Giants or Texas Rangers team logo apparel will receive 10 percent off their purchases from October 27 to November 4.
To enter this content, just visit the Cost Plus World Market Baseball’s Big Game Sweepstakes site.
Good luck!
Oct 28th
Review: True Clean Towel
Have you ever wondered where your towel was last? Did you finish yesterday’s post-shower drying session with a face scrub, a foot wipe or maybe even a quick blotting session of your butt area? Which side did you use for your head and which side did you use on your nether regions?
We all have these questions. But now, you can take the guessing game out of your shower routine with the True Clean Towel.
The True Clean Towel is a Jacquard Double Spun Cotton towel that’s five feet long, two and half feet wide and labeled with a convenient dude design that clearly marks which part of the towel is for top use and which part of the towel is for bottom use. Sound like something you don’t need? You’re crazy. This large towel is extra soft, sturdy and it takes out all the guesswork. The design is built to withstand a lifetime of washes, so that handy diagram won’t fade over time.
The True Clean Towel is a great decorative addition to any bachelor pad bathroom. It tells the world, hey, I know which portion of my towel I use on my junk… do you? It’s a badge of healthy, responsible hygiene that can be displayed proudly on any shower door or towel hanger.
If you’re going to drop $19 on a fu-fu magenta towel at Target, might as well fork over the same amount for The True Clean Towel. It’s got personality, utility and a little bit of comic flair.
Oct 26th
Athletes Challenge Bear Grylls in Chain of Adventure
Degree Men launched a series of webisodes where athletes challenge survival specialist and all-around badass Bear Grylls to a series of sporty outdoorsy-type challenges. The program is called Chain of Adventure, and the first episode can be seen below. It features hockey legend Mark Messier and NY Jets QB Mark Sanchez. Sanchez challenges Grylls to toss a perfect pass from a raft with a grappling hook. Take a look:
The next episode features a challenge from NBA star Kevin Durant. Mark Messier will continue to assist Grylls as other athletes like Tony Hawk issue challenges for Grylls to knock out in the wild. You can watch all the videos at DegreeMen.com.
Oct 25th
HARLEM Kruiden Liqueur SHOT Showcase in Vegas
Earlier this month, the MANjr team attended a SHOT Showcase for HARLEM Kruiden Liqueur at the Palms in Las Vegas. Named after Haarlem, a town just outside of Amsterdam, the Dutch liqueur is produced by the Nolet Family, the fine people that make Ketel One Vodka. Haarlem is the town where Carl Nolet Jr.’s grandmother was born. HARLEM is the first product that Nolet has introduced since 1983.
HARLEM is basically a more nuanced, Jager-like liqueur that’s full of subtle herbal and citrus tones. It’s a bit darker and stiffer than Jagermeister (HARLEM is 80 proof, Jager is 70 proof), and it has a fuller, more complex-tasting edge to it. The actual ingredients in HARLEM are a secret, so the blend of aromas and flavors is rather difficult to describe. Kruiden is the term the Dutch use to describe the herbs used to give HARLEM it’s bold and earthy flavor. Meant to be served as an ice cold shot, HARLEM has this orangey root beer bite that kicks the back of your throat and coats your palate with a balanced combo of bitter and sweetness.
The SHOT Showcase, which took place at the Rain Nightclub inside the Palms Casino & Resort in Vegas, was a coming out party for the liqueur. The culmination of a national contest, the Showcase featured bartenders throughout the US who won The HARLEM® Make Your Best Shot Competition. Judged by Tasting Panel Magazine, the competition invited bartenders to create their own custom shots using HARLEM as the main ingredient. The results were quite impressive.
Local bartenders from Chicago, LA, Miami, Vegas, New York, San Francisco and Orange County showed off their winning 2 oz. concoctions to rave reviews. Every bartender brought a unique spin to the liqueur.
Some bartenders played on the sweetness of the shot. Mike Miller and Adam Garvanian from Chicago created two shots, The Red Light and Harlem Night, that accentuated the after-dinner desert quality of the liqueur. The Red Light featured 1 oz. of HARLEM with ¾ oz. Effen Black Cherry Vodka, ¼ oz. Vanilla Flavored Alcoholic Whipped Cream with a cherry on top. The Harlem Night combined HARLEM with equal parts Bailey’s Irish Cream, chocolate liquor and a dash of Goldschlager. This shot was served in a glass rimmed with cinnamon sugar.
Richie Petronzi, a Miami bartender from the Burger N Beer Joint decided to throw bacon in the mix. His Harlem Nights shot included an oz. of ample smoke bacon fat washed HARLEM, ½ oz. fresh pressed apple juice, ¼ oz. fresh lemon juice and ¼ oz. grade-A maple syrup. This hearty shot was served with fresh tarragon and a slice of honey smoked bacon.
Phoenix-based Andrew Record from Hacienda del Sol decided to play up the zesty citrus quality of the liqueur. His HARLEM Renaissance shot included lemon cello, rosemary-infused simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, soda water and a thin orange zest garnish.
Another Phoenix winner, Gail Riley from My Ole Man’s, played on the liqueur’s fruity flavors. Her shot, Harlem Rage, combined vanilla vodka, raspberry vodka, pineapple juice and cranberry juice with the Dutch liqueur.
My favorite shot came from LA bartender Justin Long from First and Hope and STK. Long’s Harlem Express combined 1 oz. of HARLEM with ¾ oz. chilled espresso, ¼ oz. vanilla syrup and ¼ oz. cream. Served in a mini-Guinness-pint shotglass, Long’s HARLEM Express was a creamy, fluffy coffee treat with a kick.
From sweet to fruity to bacon to coffee, each bartender’s take on HARLEM was worthy of being showcased. Each shot enhanced a different undertone or highlighted a distinct flavor. HARLEM shots are going to be a staple at the Rain Nightclub from now on. The club announced the opening of the new HARLEM Kruiden Liqueur VIP room this week. Visitors to Rain can enjoy shots of HARLEM in this lavishly furnished VIP room that’s decorated with Kristall chandeliers, massive horizontal mirrors, black carpet, and bold red paint. Framed by bright LED lights, the new VIP room will be easy to spot, even inside the 25,000-sq. ft. of club Rain. The HARLEM Kruiden Liqueur VIP room at Rain will serve the brand’s signature drink, The Slamsterdam, along with a variety of other cocktails made exclusively for HARLEM.
All-in-all it was a great Vegas trip. We met a bunch of cool people from Manolith, Complex Magazine, Thirsty in LA, Bourbon Blog, Imbiber and Liquor Snob, and we got to sample some tasty shots and experience Sin City in style. A big thanks to all the bartenders who participated in the Showcase. Everyone enjoyed the good times.
Oct 19th
Review – Ahnu Hiking Shoes
I recently received a pair of Ahnu hiking shoes, and I gotta say, they’re pretty comfy. I consider myself more of a couch-potato than an outdoorsy type, but I decided to give my pair of Ahnu Men’s Moraga Mesh shoes a proper test drive. So I went for a quick hike in some drizzly weather conditions.
The shoes fit comfortably – not too tight, not too loose. My hike was by no means extreme, but I did hit some rocky-wet terrain. The shoes breathed well, but didn’t let any puddle splatter in, which was great. No overheating and no exposure to the elements, which was a nice balance.
The bottom sole is both firm and flexible, allowing for stable foot placement that wasn’t too rigid and still left me with good range of motion. The bottom traction action is the best part about these shoes. Even in slippery conditions I was able to get solid foot planting while hiking in the hills. If I was sporting my usual pair of Sauconys, I would’ve been treading super lightly, but the grip action of the bottom sole let me hike at a brisk pace without any fear of skids or slippage.
It also helps that these shoes look cool. Most hiking shoes look like paramilitary accessories, but I’d wear these things with some jeans and not even think twice about it. The back hoop makes for quick entry into these shoes too, so whenever I need some quality walking or hiking kicks, I can slap these guys on real quick.
Again, I’m not a super all-terrain type guy, but the Ahnu hiking shoes might make me rethink that. It’s nice to get out and about and conquer some nature, even in small doses. The balance, fit, appearance and traction on slickness certainly make these kicks a worthwhile addition to your closet.
Check out the Ahnu website to see more examples of outdoor shoes that provide comfort and support for a variety of outdoor activities.
Oct 15th
21 Random People You’ll See in Vegas
Whenever you’re in Vegas, you come across some interesting people. There’s the stereotypical loud types, super drunk types, drop dead gorgeous types and so on, but there’s also a bunch of other random characters that you’ll encounter when you’re in Sin City. Here’s 21 random people you’ll see in Vegas:
The Old Asian Dude Who Knows Dice Control and Can Win You Bank at the Craps Table
If you like craps, find the table with the four-foot Asian dude with the glasses and the slouch. If you see him setting the dice as he picks ‘em up, camp out at that table and just enjoy your winnings. When he leaves, you need to leave too.
Aggressive Mechanical Wheelchair Guy
Dude, I’m trying to get out of your way but you need to slow down on those turns, buddy. I know you got a disability and all, but that doesn’t give you the right to mow people down with your high-speed bulldozer-chair.
The Chick with the Bad Boob Job
Wait a minute, there’s something wrong with those basketballs bolted on your chest. They might look good from afar, but when you get too close, the cross-eyed nipples start staring at you in opposite directions. Big boobs look great and all, but those south-by-northeast nips just ain’t right.
Pornstar Asian Chicks
Wait a minute, that super-stacked, blond-haired blue-eyed shorty isn’t a white girl? Nope, she’s one of those pornstar Asian chicks. These down-to-get-down Tila Tequilla-types never travel alone. There’s always at least seven or eight of ‘em. You’ll know their coming when you hear the click-clack-shuffle of massive heels being dragged on the marble floor at the Venetian.
The Pool Prowler
Young kids who go to Vegas don’t even have a gambling agenda. They just want to live the Jersey Shore dream with a $1500 poolside cabana complete with vodka bottle service and your choice of mixer. Tanned dudes flex their six-backs and big-breasted 90-pound birds showcase more T&A than you’ll see at strip clubs that serve booze. In this environment, you’ll always find that Creepy McCreepster guy who’s too old and filthy-looking to be hanging around the pool. He’s probably not even lookin’ for action. He’s just categorizing images for his spank bank and hoping to see a nipple slip when some blondie’s using a towel to remove wetness from her pink string bikini.
The Bald Guy with the Fanny Pack
Look man, I know you’re on vacation and I know you have a ton of shit to carry, but the tucked-in t-shit and shorts with a fanny pack and comfortable running shoes just sends out a rob me signal to the entire world. Man up, put some pants on, store stuff in your pockets and tell your nagging wife to shut the hell up.
The Explosive Shitter in the Bathroom
I don’t know if it’s the beer-shits or the buffet-shits or some killer combo of the two, but you can’t visit a casino bathroom without hearing some sort of crazy asstastrophe going on. Dude, can I get a courtesy flush on that butt-shrapnel?
The Girl Who’s Just Not Hot Enough
Vegas makes you horny. Maybe it’s the booze or the pros or all the titties on display, but when you’re in Vegas, you start to think that anyone’s shaggable. Well, almost everyone. There’s always that girl who’s just not hot enough. Maybe she’s got a poor face-to-body or body-to-face grade. Maybe’s she’s just a little too chunky or too crazy. Whatever it is, you’ll always find a chick on the bubble who just misses the cutoff, even when you’re blasted and seeing double.
The Old Local Lifer with the WTF Haircut
Oh man, Vegas locals are a trip. They got their funny t-shirts and physical deformities (like a neck barnacle or an extra back or some shit). A majority of these locals have the most ridiculous haircuts you’ve ever see. Like the lady with the 5-2 step-mullet-fade that’s half highlighted and half spikey. Strange.
The Dude Who Just Got Out of Jail and Needs Money
If some shady white dude with neck tats tries to chat you up at the slots, don’t engage. The dude just got out of jail and he needs money to get back home. He was put in jail because of a long story involving his girlfriend, a crowbar and peanut butter. Don’t offer him a ride and don’t give him any money.
Raider Fans
Raider fans are everywhere, especially in Vegas. Raider fans have the dumbest football IQ of any fan group. These guys yell stupid shit at the Sportsbook to cheer their team on even when the Raiders aren’t playing. They always think the Raiders are going to win, and a couple times each year, they’re right.
Fat Chicks Who Travel in Packs
With all the amazing tail on display in Vegas, chubby girls have it rough. They need to stick together. When was the last time you saw one fat girl by herself in a casino? It doesn’t happen. Large girls know they need to travel in packs to minimize their maximum exposure.
Drunken Business Bros
We’re at a conference bro! I’m gonna get so wasted that I may even untuck my shirt at 3am. No promises though! Let’s high-five and yell whenever we double down or split 8s at the blackjack table. I can’t believe you didn’t hook up with Kimberly from marketing, bro. She was so into you!
Three Greasy Hipster Dudes with One Grimy Skinny Chick
Hipsters travel in disproportionate girl-to-guy ratios. Typically you’ll see three flanneled ironic-facial haired PBR drinkers to every one bright-plastic-eyeglass-wearing pale and depressed looking skinny gal with satirical high tops and a haircut from the future. I don’t know why this is.
Old Oxygen Tank Guy
Look, I’m no doctor, but if you’re wheeling around an oxygen tank in a smoke filled slot pit, maybe you need to find another spot to spend your Tuesday afternoons. I know they pump extra oxygen in the casino, but that’s gotta be offset by the cancer cave-like conditions near the Wheel of Fortune games.
Prostitute?
Wait is this smoking hot broad laughing at my jokes because it’s 5am and we’re the only two people left at the bar? Or is my bankroll about to take a surprise hit from a professional lady of the night? It’s really hard to tell sometimes. Girls in Vegas like to go extra slutty with it. If you’re unsure whether or not the hot chick you hit it off with is a pro, don’t ask her. That’s just bad form. If for some reason she’s not, you’re gonna blow it. Concoct a story of lost wealth so she knows you got nothing left to spend for the evening. If she is a professional, she’ll move on.
The Dapper Old Dude with Cut Up Plastic Jailbait
Nothing’s creeper than seeing some slick old-timer with huge shades, a fitted burgundy suit and gold chains walking around with a 17-year old brunette who just got done with her 17th augmentation surgery.
Bachelor/Bachelorette Parties
There’s nothing funnier than a large group of horny bachelor party dudes who can’t get into a club ‘cause there’s not one chick among them. Well, that’s not true. Seeing a wild back of bachelorette party girls who are walking around with hungry eyes and dildos and goofy matching t-shirts is also pretty entertaining.
The Cheapskate
You know, the guy who camps out at the buffet so he can catch the breakfast and the lunch rotation. Or the guy who lingers around the slots to get a free drink and then doesn’t tip the waitress. In Vegas, cheap bastards are everywhere. You can spot them by their shifty eyes and willingness to fake gamble for long periods of time just to score a Bud Light.
Wedding Party Girls Looking for Action
Nothing’s more romantic than getting married in Vegas. It’s every girl’s dream, really. Well, maybe not every girl, but girls who are around other girls who just got married want to get down something fierce. That’s a fact. If you see a pack of casino skirts who look like they’re going to church, you know what to do.
Sad Children
Vegas is so much fun for adults. Things get tricky when you bring the kids, though. Sure there are responsible parents who just love spending family time together watching those outrageous blue man guys do their outrageous blue man thing, but most of the time, if you see kids at a casino in Vegas, they look sad as hell. There’s only so much TV you can watch when mom and dad are burning through your college tuition during a 13-hour slot bender. Don’t park junior at the buffet. Leave the kids at home.
Oct 15th
Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask – LA Launch Celebration
Last week, the MANjr team attended the LA launch of Balvenie’s 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask, an extra smooth single malt scotch that starts it’s life in a whisky barrel and finishes up in a golden Caribbean rum cask. The Cuban/Carribean-themed tasting event took place at La Descarga, a nifty bar that gives you a taste of old Havana in Hollywood.
The entrance to the venue set the tone for the night. After climbing up some stairs you walk into a plain-looking office room and are greeted by a host. The host then opens up a cabinet door and instructs you to enter. After you push aside some Hawaiian shirts you see a metallic spiral staircase in front of you that descends into a chill bar/lounge with an intimate speakeasy vibe.
A special Caribbean-inspired cocktail menu was prepared that featured five different scotch concoctions:
- Stirred Up Scotsman
- Wembley Sour
- Caribbean Swizzle
- Blood and Sand
- Caribbean Handcraft Punch
After sampling the light and breezy Stirred Up Scotsman, I shifted my attention to the Blood and Sand. I sipped quite a few drinks that night (including the frothy, egg-white powered Wembley Sour), but this cocktail was by far my favorite.
A quick journey to the back of the bar revealed a walkway to a much appreciated, semi-outdoor cigar lounge where the awesome Aussie bartender was serving up single-malt tasters of multiple Balvenie bottles. The Balvenie Caribbean Cask was a smooth vehicle, but I enjoyed the entire Balvenie fleet.
After knocking back a few drinks, it was time to grab a snack. The event was catered by a fantastic Cuban food truck. Café Con Leche had great coffee, delicious sandwiches and they even incorporated the Caribbean Cask action into some custom sauces that totally completed the sandwich.
The quality scotch and savory Cuban food were both big hits, but the highlight of the night was the 5-minute presentation by Nicholas Pollacchi, the Balvenie Ambassador. I’ve been to scotch tastings before where the ambassador of the spirit lays it down real thick. Like you really have a palette sophisticated enough to identify 35 different complimentary combinations of aromatic mixological madness. Pollacchi’s approach was much better. A quick, light-hearted presentation on the spirit followed by a tasting that let the scotch speak for itself. As Nicholas put it, he’s not a big fan of highlighting the taste of “children playing in daffodils” or quality ingredients “picked by left-handed people.” He lets the spirit do the talking. It was an efficient and entertaining showcase that allowed the taste of the Caribbean Cask to take center stage.
Oct 13th
SoBe Squamata Hat and Skate Deck Giveaway
SoBe, the lizard logoed brand of tea, fruit juice, energy and improved water beverages, ran a campaign this summer in LA called the SoBe Squamata Summer Series. The SoBe Squamata truck rolled around Southern California passing out samples and promoting fashion collaborations from artists like Eric Elms, Dr. Romanelli and Craig Redman. Los Angelenos were treated to events that combined art, entertainment, music and fashion.
Now that SoBe Squamata Summer Series has wrapped up its efforts, we’re giving away some custom SoBe gear designed by local artists. The custom hat and skateboard deck that were giving away were distributed to fans throughout the LA area. If you missed out on your chance to score some SoBe gear from the Squamata truck, fear not. We’re giving away two prize packs that include a hat and a custom skate deck. Here’s what you need to do enter this giveaway:
- Follow us on Twitter (@MANjrcom)
- Leave us a comment telling us why you deserve to win
- Winners will be chosen at random
- Giveaway ends next Tuesday, October 12th
Oct 5th
Interview with Style Expert Lindsay Albanese
Lindsay Albanese knows a thing or two about fashion. Lindsay has been a celebrity stylist for six years. Her thoughts on fashion have been featured in print outlets like US Weekly and Life and Style Magazine and on TV shows like Hair Battle Spectacular and Access Hollywood. She’s given style pointers to Audrina Patridge, Paula Abdul, Lara Flynn Boyle and Wilmer Valderama. Lindsay has also had some high profile styling jobs for shows like Entertainment Tonight, The Today Show, The Academy Awards, Golden Globes and The Grammy’s. We talked with Lindsay to get her thoughts on guy’s fashion, fall trends and essential wardrobe items that every dude should have.
What are the biggest trends you see for men this fall?
I’m seeing a lot of military inspired clothing in stores, also a lot of brown, gray, and plaid.
If a dude can only afford one big ticket item, what should it be?
It’s actually one of these two, or both: A great pair of black dress shoes and a nice fitting black suit. A few times a year, most men have to wear a suit so it’s a must to have one in your closet. If you invest in a good one, you won’t have to buy a new one for many years.
What’s one essential wardrobe item that every guy should have on hand?
A dark pair of jeans. They’re a little more polished than your everyday jeans. You can also dress them up (as opposed to wearing black pants) with a nice button-down shirt.
Entering the fall fashion season, who do you see leading the charge as a true men’s style icon?
To me, David Beckham, Robert Downey Jr, and Justin Timberlake, always look sharp and put together without looking like they’re trying too hard.
What do you think girls prefer more, boxers, briefs or those boxer-brief things?
Personally, I’m into the boxer briefs, because they are a balance of sexy and masculine whether a guy has even thought of that or not. I feel like boxers seem like your wearing shorts under your pants, and the tightie whitie thing is just not for me.
Most guys don’t like to shop at a bunch of different stores. Is there a one-stop shop that’s a good place to get everything we need?
Depending on where you live, Bloomingdale’s always has a huge variety of everything. I’m also a huge fan of Urban Outfitters, Old Navy, H &M, and Express for more affordable items from basic to trendy.
What should a guy wear to a club/bar/night-on-the-down situation?
I’m all about dressing for who you are and what you’re most comfortable in so I hate to say “wear this” or “wear that” because everyone is different. The general rule for wanting to look “dressed” for a nice night out? No sandals or flip-flops, and whatever else your wearing should fit your body well.
What kind of clothes do girls really like to see on a guy?
Simplistic, relaxed looks. I like a pizza eating, not afraid to get dirt under their fingernails type of guy, so the less fuss the better. I think most real girls can appreciate a guy in a pair of jeans, a nice fitting clean t-shirt or button-down with the sleeves rolled up.
If a sneaker-loving guy needs to invest in an affordable pair of comfortable dress shoes, what brands/styles to you recommend?
I love Ted Baker! Also, Kenneth Cole and Banana Republic are good go-to’s
What hats are totally out of style this fall?
Any hats that are printed. This excludes stripes or plaid which I adore and are always in style.
Oct 4th
