Lifestyle
Dickel Whisky and Serious Barbeque with Adam Perry Lane
I like barbecue. You like barbecue. We like barbecue. There’s even a Stax record about it called Bar-B-Q by Wendy Rene.
You get the idea. BBQ is awesome. It brings people and meat together and makes them both happy. It’s a signal for summertime celebration and social enjoyment.
You know what else people like? Whisky. I sure as hell do. Rye, bourbon, Scotch, Irish, all of it. As Mark Twain said, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” I tend to agree.
So when I was asked to attend a Dickel Tennessee Whisky tasting paired with some amazing barbecue prepared by Serious Barbecue author and celeb chef Adam Perry Lang at the Jimmy Kimmel Live studio last week in Hollywood, it didn’t take much arm twisting for me to say, yes please!
And man, what a fun night it was. The Indy Crew was in full effect (okay, half effect maybe, but all the LA kids were there) and the setting was just amazing. Take a look at this video below to see what we were working with. Jimmey Kimmel invited Adam Perry Lane to set up a posh southern backyard right in the middle of the parking lot outside Kimmel’s studio. Lane partnered up with Dickel whisky and this is the result:
Just two great crafts that taste great when crafted together. Of all the items that made it across my plate that night, Adam’s brisket was just a heavenly slice of meat-joy that can’t be described with everyday superlatives. The meat was so tender that teeth and chewing were optional. The spices collided in a nuanced dance of simple pleasure and subtle sophistication. Needless to say, I put some brisket in my pocket right there at the table so I could enjoy it later.
(Okay so I didn’t actually pocket the brisket. But I came damn close. Like hashtag #PocketBrisket close. I was totally willing to sacrifice my jeans and my dignity to preserve and repeat that magical moment of brisket bliss).
Dickel brand ambassador Doug Kragel was on hand to walk us through the brand’s four distinct variations as the group chomped through what seemed like a 17-course meal fit for kings/local bloggers:
- Dickel No. 8 was a no-nonsense, straight-to-the point spirit. Simple, smoky, buttery, No. 8 gives you that nice familiar whisky-warmth as it slides down your windpipe.
- Dickel No. 12 is not a 12-year-old whisky. It’s the No. 12 whisky recipe in the Dickel vault. It’s got a longer finish and a sweeter, maple-oaky vibe than the standard No. 8 recipe.
- The Dickel Rye was extra mellow. I’ve been on a steady Bulleit Rye and Coke kick for a few months now and I thought this particular green labeled rye choice was right on par. The newest member of the Dickel spirit portfolio was an instant favorite for me.
- I started my night sipping Dickel Barrel Select with Adam and it was a nice way to close the evening out as well. The process by which Dickel Barrel Select is curated is an extensive one. Master Distillers go through multiple rounds of hand sampling specific barrels to isolate the most distinguished blend in the bunch. The result is the smoothest finish of all the Dickel options at a price point that won’t bust your wallet. Sipping this stuff is like laying your taste buds on a soft, Tennessee whiskey pillow before calling it a night.
So this was a nice way to spend a Wednesday. Catching a live performance from a British boy band, seeing the back of Oprah’s head and sipping Black Lager in the green room of the Jimmy Kimmel Live studio, these were all great lead-ins. But sharing good whisky and ultra-premium (dare I say, serious) BBQ with good friends in a comfy backyard spread setting was the real treat of the evening.
Thanks to Adam Perry Lang, Doug Kragel and the LA chapter of the Indy crew for a fun night out. We should all do it again soon!
Aug 19th
Fans watched David Lowery’s newest film “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” underneath the stars at Queens Farm and enjoyed Bulleit cocktails
Rooftop Films and AT&T presented a sneak preview of “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” on Thursday, August 15 a day ahead of its August 16 release by IFC Films. David Lowery’s hypnotic, dream-like second feature stars Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, walking away with rave reviews and the Cinematography Award in the U.S. Dramatic Category. Rooftop is committed to bringing bigger, more enhanced events to New York audiences and this very special screening exemplifies Rooftop’s curatorial ambitions. Audience members watched the tragic rural romance “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” under the stars and amongst the farm animals at the Queens County Farm Museum in Glen Oaks, Queens.
“We have admired David Lowery’s poetic sensibility from the moment we first encountered his work” said Dan Nuxoll, Program Director for Rooftop Films. “His films possess a mysteriously powerful emotional undercurrent that sweeps you into a realm of deeper feelings. When he applied for a grant from the Rooftop Filmmakers Fund, we were blown away by his proposal for “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” and we knew that it would soon become a rich and moving work of art. We couldn’t be more proud to have played a small part in helping him to complete such a masterful feature film.”
AT&T has been the Presenting Sponsor of the Rooftop Films Summer Series and the AT&T Rooftop Films Feature Film Grant since 2012, and in that time they have provided crucial support to Rooftop Films and the independent film community in New York. Prior to the screening, Rooftop will announce the winner of the AT&T Rooftop Films Feature Film Grant. The grant is awarded to a filmmaker who has previously screened with Rooftop Films and provides that filmmaker with $10,000 to help him or her produce an upcoming feature film. Previous winners of Rooftop Filmmakers Fund grants have included Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild), Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene), Lucy Walker (The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom) and many other groundbreaking and successful independent films.
In 2011, “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” received the Rooftop Films & Edgeworx Post-Production Grant. Edgeworx Studios is a post-production house based in Manhattan. For this grant, Edgeworx provided 2 weeks of post-production services to Lowery’s film. Rooftop screened Lowery’s short films, A Catalogue of Anticipations and Pioneer, and the feature film St. Nick.
Inspired by the film, specialty cocktails were served including the Texas Tumbler and Bulleit Saint. Bulleit Bourbon has partnered with Rooftop Films to help up-and-coming filmmakers create content that pushes the boundaries of the modern frontier. Their creative entrepreneurial spirit mirrors brand Founder Tom Bulleit’s own story of following his life-long dream to start Bulleit Distilling Co.
“As a team of film lovers, Bulleit Bourbon is happy to congratulate all the film makers who are being featured this summer,” said, Tom Bulleit. “Their work is truly inspiring and we are proud to join them on this trip to the frontier of film.”
Here are recipes for the two Bulleit Bourbon cocktails.
The Texas Tumbler
1.3 oz. Bulleit Bourbon
4 oz. Tonic water
1 lemon wedge
Serve on the rocks and garnish with a lemon wedge
The Bulleit Saint
1 oz. Bulleit Rye
.5 oz. sweet vermouth
3 dashes bitters
Strain into a glass. Garnish with a cherry.
“Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” begins with a trancelike fugue, as two lovers fight in a sunset field, coo to each other in a parked pickup, and are suddenly thrust into a farmhouse gunfight. A jail term for him, a baby for her, years of aching separation, an escape and then the stately story begins. Bob Muldoon (Casey Affleck) is on a quest to reunite with Ruth Guthrie (Rooney Mara). In early scenes with a friend who offers a hiding place, Muldoon is vague about whether he’s going to fetch Ruth. But a confrontation with his criminal mentor (Keith Carradine) lights the fuse. There’s something in Muldoon’s eyes, a look into the distance and future, something in his movements that reveal a controlled flame of desire. Seeing that, his journey feels inevitable, fated, yet desperate and fraught.
Another man, the local sheriff once shot by Ruth, is moving steadily in, played with stunning naïve charm by a thickly-mustachioed Ben Foster. The weight of domesticity and threat of danger is perhaps more than the romantic desperado adventures Muldoon once thought he wanted. “Ain’t Them Bodies Saints” represents a form of near-magical realism, so vivid and intense as to seem dreamlike. The romance is whispered in the past; the violence happens so fast you’re bleeding before you know someone fired. And so what Muldoon wants remains perhaps unclear — as unclear as real life — until his dying day.
Aug 19th
Reebok Classics is “Kickin” it Old School
Reebok Classics is bringing some heat from back in the day. The shoe game has been crazy these days and Reebok is making sure that you check out their “All-Star” lineup. Reebok has been working with Shaquille O’Neal, Shawn Kemp, and others to have sneakerheads salivate.
Here are few of their most recent and upcoming releases that make you want to purchase a Starter jacket and parachute pants…..well maybe not the pants.
Reebok Pump Pay Dirt
The first ever cross training shoe to feature Pump technology, the Reebok Classic Pump Pay Dirt was originally released in 1992 as part of the Preseason pack worn by NFL and MLB greats alike. Tough enough for the field with enough style for the street, the Pump Pay Dirt OG remains one of the most durable kicks in the game with an armor-like cage surrounding the upper, a mid-foot strap, speckled midsole, and Classic Pump technology for a custom fit. The Reebok Classic Pump Pay Dirt OG was released back on August 8th.
Reebok Shaqnosis 
Back in July the Shaqnosis OG black/white colorway was released. Reebok has been bringing many different color variants of the show and the “Steel” version pictured here will be released August 28th. A shoe designed for a “larger than life” player both on and off the court, the Shaqnosis had a truly polarizing look for arguably the most visible guy in the game. At the time, Reebok knew that the Shaqnosis was a ‘‘love it or hate it’’ model, and the brand fully embraced the controversy the shoe evoked. The energy behind the Shaqnosis was so strong that it led to a spin-off collection called Mobius. The Mobius line played off the Shaqnosis inspired 50/50 black/white split, making it the ideal statement look on the basketball court or baseball field. Other styles in the Mobius collection included The Big Hurt with baseball great Frank Thomas and The Blast with basketball icon Nick Van Exel.
Reebok Kamikaze II
One of the most exciting hoops stars of the ’90s is celebrated with the release of the Reebok Kamikaze II. These stylish kicks were once worn by Supersonics player Shawn Kemp and many of the same design details, including the distinctive lightning/zigzag design on the upper, remain in this new release. While these basketball sneakers are stylish enough for everyday wear, they also feature the performance details you need to take the court by storm. Lightweight Hexalite cushioning in the forefoot and Ultra Hexalite in the heel help to absorb shock and protect your feet, while the mid-cut design gives you ankle support and plenty of freedom of movement. These were released this past weekend and are as sick as ever.
Reebok Question Mid #1 Draft Pick
In one of the deepest drafts in NBA history, a 6-foot guard from Georgetown rose to the top of his class in ’96. Despite the high expectations that would follow, Allen Iverson’s rookie of the year performance proved he was worthy of the #1 selection. Reebok Classic honors this historic moment with a fresh treatment on Allen Iverson’s signature rookie year model, the Question Mid #1 Draft Pick. Featuring a blue suede upper and speckled white mid-sole, the Question Mid #1 Draft Pick pays tribute to Iverson’s career in Philadelphia with a nostalgic royal/white/red treatment reminiscent of the ‘90s Sixers uniforms. The customary “3” that adorned the Question Mid during Iverson’s rookie year is replaced with number “1” to commemorate the Sixers selection of the Georgetown guard. The Reebok Question Mid #1 Draft which hits stores on Friday, August 23rd.
Reebok Classic Shaq Attaq
Back by popular demand for the first time since 1992, the Reebok Classic Shaq Attaq. Rarely seen on court, this lesser known Shaq Attaq colorway is essential for sneakerheads and basketball fans alike. Originally released as an “away” colorway to complement Orlando’s black and blue pinstripe uniforms, the latest Shaq Attaq features a black upper with an azure blue accent on the heel. The Reebok Classic Shaq Attaq will make its return to shelves on August 30th for $160.
Aug 18th
Know Your Spirits: Tuthilltown Spirits
Here at MANjr., we at times do the “Know Your Beer” segment. This time we are going to switch it up and let you in on very cool distillery called Tuthilltown Spirits located in Gardiner, NY. They distill vodkas from apples grown at orchards less than 5 miles away from their homestead and whiskeys using grain harvested by farmers less than 10 miles away. The farm distillery also produces rum, eau de vie, brandy, absinthe, and infusions.
I was able to take a tour of the distillery a few years back. One of the brand ambassadors, Gable Erenzo gave me and my crew at the Masters of None Show a tour of the place. Gable also gave us a tasting lesson as well. The whiskey was phenomenal and now they are even branching out with different kinds of spirits. Since the whiskeys are very popular I thought I would talk about the other spirits that they recently introduced.
Indigenous Vodka
This premium batch-distilled spirit is triple distilled to retain a faint essence of the Hudson Valley apple cider from which it is hand crafted, one batch at a time from apples pressed in local orchards. This is not “apple vodka,” which is typically neutral grain spirits with apple flavoring added. Each 750ml bottle of INDIGENOUS vodka contains the spirit of up to 80 Hudson Valley apples, pressed to cider, fermented under the watchful eyes of their distillers, and then carefully guided through our 20-plate copper pot still to create this unique vodka. It is a real fruit spirit like no other, great over ice with a citrus garnish or in one of the many cocktail recipes.
Half Moon Orchard Gin
Half Moon Orchard Gin, named for the vessel in which Henry Hudson first explored the River, which now bears his name. In that same spirit of exploration, they have created a new base of near neutral spirit from both Wheat and the Hudson Valley’s ubiquitous Apples. “We’re in the heart of the American apple industry so it’s natural for us to turn to apples to create an original New York gin”. The distinctive subtleties of the apple blend in the base spirit create a smoother and rounder gin, more drinkable than the standard grain neutral spirit base used in other gins. Half Moon Orchard Gin has an ABV of 46%. The 1 liter bottle is priced to become the preferred “well” gin by bartenders in New York State and nationwide.
Basement Bitters
Basement Bitters is an innovative new creation from their bottling crew, who just so happens to work in the basement under their Tasting Room. “Bitter Frost” is the first release in the Basement Bitters line of products. This elixir is a special blend of unaged rye spirit, Sarsaparilla, and fourteen other herbs and spices, balanced with local maple syrup and aged in one of their rye whiskey cured barrels. The result is a distinctively aromatic bitters that is crisp, bitter and warm, it will truly enhance your favorite cocktail.
Aug 15th
Celebrate National Rum Day with These Great Cocktails
Now more than ever it seems like there is always some national day being celebrated every time you look around. It can be overwhelming. One day that you should not pass up celebrating though is National Rum Day. On August 16th one of the most popular spirits, rum, has its day in the spotlight.
So why not revel in the day that is dedicated to rum. Since the day happens to fall on a Friday it is cause for even more celebration. After a long work week you can now unwind and relax with a refreshing cocktail. Here are a few delicious recipes that you should try out.
If you are having a party I would go with the Port Royal Punch. If you are having a smaller gathering why not try the Black and Ginger Tea. Cheers!
PORT ROYAL PUNCH (Serves 25)
Ingredients:
2 46-oz. cans of pineapple juice
3 cups mango juice
1 750 mL bottle of Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
4.5 oz. grenadine
3 oranges sliced thinly and quartered
3 cans of Sprite for fizz
Directions: In a punch bowl or large serving vessel, add the above ingredients and stir. Serve over ice in a punch glass – or glass of your choosing.
BLACK & GINGER TEA
Ingredients:
3 oz. Ginger Tisane (tea base)
1 oz. Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum
1 Tablespoon agave nectar (or sweetener of choice)
1/4 oz. lemon juice
Directions: Brew tea base or tea bag in 6-8 oz. of water. Brew hot for four minutes and flash-chill, or cold for one hour. Shake with Captain Morgan Black Spiced Rum, sweetener and lemon juice, and pour into rocks glass over ice. Created by Owl’s Brew.
CAPTAIN’S INVASION
Ingredients:
1 ¼ oz. Captain Morgan Sherry Oak Finish Spiced Rum
¼ oz. Grand Marnier Liqueur
¾ oz. lime juice
2 dashes of bitters
Directions: Add all ingredients to an ice-filled rocks glass. Stir to blend and garnish with lime wedge. Created by Owl’s Brew.
Aug 13th
For Guys Looking to “Swoon” the Ladies, Use this Dating App
If you have been looking for love in all the wrong place, maybe you should turn to your smartphone to be your new wingman. One way that your phone can help is by downloading the Swoon app. Swoon allows you to find cool people nearby who are interested in you and lets you connect with them.
One of the cool features of Swoon is that the app is smart and anonymous. It gives you suggestions on people you can secretly like or skip. If you like someone and they reciprocate, Swoon allows you to message each other.
Swoon is a snap to download and you can login by using Facebook. Don’t worry nothing will get posted on your Facebook profile. Swoon works with Facebook by showing you pictures of single people that live in your area.
You can use Swoon to anonymously view profiles and like the ones that interest you while you can skip those that don’t share the same interests or you feel is not a match. As you look online, the people who you think are date worthy can get a checkmark on their profile. If that person likes you back you will get notified. Once that happens Swoon allows you to chat with that person in the app.
This free app is available for Apple and Android devices and is created by Tagged Inc. Click here for Swoon’s website.
Not only does Swoon connect you to the dating world by using your smartphone, but they also throw promotional events in a few places around the country. Some of these past events were held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City. To find out how you can get some free swag or even share a drink with other Swoon members follow them on Twitter. They tweet out there parties at the handle @swoonapp.
So if you haven’t had any success with your past few dates and are tired of coming up empty in the dating world why not check out Swoon. You got nothing to lose. Have fun searching!
Aug 11th
2013 Capture the Crown Recap
Okay, okay, so I wasn’t part of the team that won this year’s Capture the Crown event in Indy, but hey, you can’t win ‘em all, right? It was an epic scavenger hunt and a valiant effort from my squad, but we didn’t capture the ultimate prize – tickets to the Super Bowl (I know, I know – crazy huh?). So no repeat this year, but I did get to enjoy an amazing weekend of purple cup parties with friends, heroes, country music stars and bow season enthusiasts.
Say Samuel Deeds 400 at the Brickyard…
This year’s NASCAR race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was another mouthful of a title, but for very good reason. Crown Royal presents the Samuel Deeds 400 at the Brickyard Powered by BigMachineRecords.com was the full official title of this year’s Brickyard 400. Samuel Deeds was awarded the naming rights to the race after beating out four other finalists in Crown Royal’s “Your Hero’s Name Here” program.
We wrote a bit about Deeds before the race, but the dude was truly taking it all in this weekend. A diehard NASCAR fan, Deeds must’ve loved every minute of dominating the Indy scene. Hats off to him for his much deserved honor.
Art Makes #BowSeason Happen
Frequent MANjr contributor, everyday angel and all-around badass Art Eddy III was not only a member of the winning Capture the Crown team (hey, I make a super good plus-one, bro!), he was also responsible for making #BowSeason a trending topic on most major social media channels. After speaking to some local NASCAR fans during the Justin Moore concert that took place at the track on Saturday night, Art discovered that hunting with a bow and arrow is not only a thing, it’s a way of life, really. So Art proceeded to toss around the term Bow Season fairly hard for the rest of the evening. And man, #BowSeason took off. It came to encompass so much more than deer huntin’ the old fashioned way. It became a rally cry. It became a legit hashtag, a lyric placement, a photo pose and oh yes, a dance move (hat tip to Tracy Pendergast for that).
You’re Welcome, Ryan Newman
One of our scavenger hunt tasks was to secure an autograph from a NASCAR driver. So I saw a driver dressed in red walking with some serious swagger and I approached him with my hot pass in hand and requested a signature. What happened next was something to be remembered, as you can see from this photo, the meeting was, in a word, special.
I clearly had some sort of impact on his racing performance, because it just so happens that shortly after meeting me, Ryan Newman set a new track record at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. And then he, you know, went on to win the race the next day. Coincidence or the result of positive Stout juju? You decide.
Justin Moore Wins Me Over
I love music, but I’m not really a country fan. It just happened that way. Some people are a little bit country, some are a little bit rock and roll, and some people lean soul, funk and disco. It’s just how things shake out.
Anyway, when Justin Moore was performing this weekend, something clicked. It wasn’t necessarily the lyrics (I can’t really relate to a song like, “Guns,” for example), but the dude’s a good performer. And his band mates were cool, too. I found myself transitioning from “I’m not sure if I’m going to be into this,” to “this isn’t so bad,” to “oh damn, I’m actually singing along now,” to “let me look this guy up on Spotify while I’m chilling at the airport.” So yea, it was a pretty big swing for me musical-taste-wise.
And it didn’t hurt that the guy was super cool and approachable as well. Saturday night he showed up at our hotel bar wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers hat on. That’s all it took for me to buy him another Michelob.
Later that night I found myself talking to an older dude named Curt, a farmer and Chiefs fan from Missouri. Curt mentioned that he was a big Justin Moore fan. I said that’s cool cause Justin was sitting right across from us at the bar. Curt objected. He said he had been to like six Justin Moore concerts and that wasn’t Justin Moore. I said it’s totally him and c’mon I’ll introduce you. So I did. And Curt was super stoked about it and he got an autograph, a handshake and a big smile out of it. I saw him at the track the next day and his buddies knew all about the guy who introduced Curt to Justin Moore. Fun times!
Good People
There were too many good people on this trip to list. I mean walking into a group like that after arriving late Friday night was just overwhelmingly awesome. My teammates were all cool. The competitors were cool. Just tons of good memories. I mean who the hell orders a salad at a Steak and Shake? Who knew about Deer Fest 2013? Or that country music could be tolerated to the point of enjoyment? Who knew I’d be the key to victory for Ryan Newman? And who knew that sipping Crown Royal responsibly for an entire weekend would make for such great times?
Okay, we probably all knew about that last bit. But seriously – sipping Crown and Coke for days is a really solid way to maintain a fun vibe. I highly/responsibly recommend it.
Thanks again to our friends at Crown for another memorable race weekend at the largest sports venue in the USA. Good company, flawless weather and a well-planned event made for another successful Capture the Crown experience. I look forward to redeeming myself next year and taking back that title!
If you want to support the Crown Royal Heroes program and get a free Justin Moore song in the process, visit CrownHeroesSong.com and score your free download of Moore’s son “Heroes.” Crown Royal donated $1 for every free download leading up to the race and presented a check for $10,000 to the Armed Forces Foundation. It’s a good song so go grab it!
Aug 1st
HeadBlade looking to make grooming easier with the ATX All Terrain Razor
The ATX All Terrain Razor may look like a snow mobile made for an action figure, but the ATX is not a joke. The latest edition from HeadBlade has multiple blades on the razor that allow it to form to your head and a handy grip on the top of device allows you to follow a smooth path all around your head. The blade’s grip is designed for your forefinger, middle finger and pinkie finger to slide into comfortably. The circular grip can even be adjusted to fit your hand. You don’t need to apply any pressure to the blades since the wheels help out with a perfect shave.
The ATX All Terrain Razor has been in development for over three years. It had to pass four official mandates before hitting store shelves. One was to utilize new multi-blade technology that had flow through design. Second it needed to eliminate the learning curve for anyone who previously used a conventional razor. Next HeadBlade wanted it to be an effective and versatile face, body, and leg shaver. Lastly they wanted it to be a faster, easier, and more efficient head shave than any previous HeadBlade.
The HeadBlade ATX comes standard with our HB4 blades and is also compatible with the HB6. The HeadBlade ATX All Terrain Razor is available with a suggested retail price of $15 at headblade.com.
The ATX All Terrain Razor utilizes HeadBlade’s patented finger ring and car-like suspension, but the new design now has the blade suspended in the back by a spring action device, reducing any learning curve and virtually eliminating the chance of nicks or cuts.
So if you are fan of the Lex Luthor or Howie Mandel look you might want to give HeadBlade a try.
Jul 30th
5 Tech Savvy Gadgets/Apps to upgrade your toys
Here are few sweet upgrades that you can add to your smartphone or tablet. They are a handful of apps and gadgets that will turn your device into even more of a Swiss army knife.
RunPee App
The first one is called the RunPee app. This app is always being updated each day when movies are released. This app notifies you with the best time to run and pee during your favorite movies without missing anything important. After you chug the 3 gallon soda that is considered a small at the theaters, you will need to know when the optimal time to go to the bathroom will be.
The RunPee app also helps you know if there is anything extra after the end credits and even gives you a synopsis of the first 3 minutes of a movie in case you’re running late. There a feature that has a timer that will vibrate your phone before each peetime. This allows you to use the app to watch a movie and not bother people around you in the theatre. It runs on iPhone, Android, and Windows devices. Experience an unforgettable painting experience by combining the pressure sensitivity of a Wacom Tablet with the digital art expertise.
Outdoor Tech: DJ Slims
Outdoor Tech made wireless headphones with a built-in microphone for hands-free call availability. The DJ Slims are very light and have a low profile. I used these gems while I was running and they stayed in place. I loved the fact that these headphones were wireless so I didn’t have to worry about wires getting in my way while I was working out.
The DJ Slims wirelessly connect with your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or any other Bluetooth-enabled device. The headphones connected easily to my iPhone after I had the initially charged the DJ Slims. Speaking of charging the headphones, the battery life goes for nine hours and had a range of 30 feet. There is also a built-in microphone that allows you to make and receive hands-free calls from anywhere, any time. These sell for around $64 and you can get them at Amazon.com
Carbon Audio LLC: Zooka
Carbon Audio created the Zooka. No it is not a new dance move or a character in “The Hobbit” films. The Zooka is a Red Dot Award winning design and top-selling wireless Bluetooth speaker. Zooka is a wireless speaker designed to be as mobile as your media. With a 30-foot Bluetooth range, multiple vibrant colors, and a low price point there are more than a few reasons for you to listen “LOUDERER” with Zooka. So whether its movies, music or a video of a toy monkey playing the drums, you can be sure you’ll hear it louder.
It has a built-in microphone that enhances the use of Skype and FaceTime, and is perfect for incoming and outgoing phone calls. The Zooka slides onto the edge of your laptop giving you portability without inhibiting the use of the camera. It also has a kickstand that can be added to the iPad to create a perfect viewing angle.
Outdoor Tech: Turtle Shell 
Outdoor Tech has made it on the list for a second time with the Turtle Shell. This portable speaker is a water and dust resistant Bluetooth do-anything, go-anywhere Hi-Fi boom box. It features an angular, triangle-themed construction that fits in as well in the house as it does the outdoors. The Turtle Shell has a rubber-coated shell to keep out dust and absorb substantial impacts. Just like the DJ Slims, the Turtle Shell wirelessly connects with your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or any other Bluetooth-enabled device and streams crystal clear audio up to 30 feet for up to 9 hours.
Geneva: WorldRadio
Geneva takes a contemporary take on the classic radio receiver combined with Bluetooth technology and HiFi sound. The WorldRadio receives all available radio stations using the broadcasting technologies of FM, long and short wave radio of a forgotten era. It also features a powerful audio system, digital color display with touch controls, digital FM tuner, Bluetooth receiver, and alarm clock.
The WorldRadio has a high-performance amplifier and full-range loudspeaker play mid and high frequencies with absolute accuracy, and produce warm, rich bass below 80Hz. It can receive both FM and digital (DAB+ version, Europe only) radio stations, and can wirelessly stream Internet radio stations from any Bluetooth-enabled device.
Jul 15th
Design Your Own Shades With Made Eyewear
Summer is in full swing here and if you’re like me, you could use a new pair of sunglasses. But who wants to go to the mall to find a store just to search for a pair where they may or may not have what you’re looking for?
That’s where Made Eyewear comes in. This new eyewear brand launched just in time for you to get your summer shades. You can get custom sunglasses just how you want them with extensive options in colors and styles. Because you control the design process, you can get exactly what you’re looking for. The frames are high quality acetate composition. The sunglasses offer 100% UV protection and the prescription frames are available offering everything from single vision lenses to progressive sunglass lenses from the state-of-the-art digital free-form lens lab with options for everything from super high index lenses as well as anti-reflective and scratch resistant coatings.
The site is slick, easy to navigate and has a nifty tool called Fitting Box FitLive to see how any style will look on you right on your computer in 3D (if you have a webcam). Every frame is made to order and custom designed to fit you with the option to add laser engraving of a design, pattern, logo or up to 25 characters along the temples.
Starting at $84, made eyewear provides the perfect customized finish for your summer wardrobe at a great value. Check out my custom MANjr creation:
Jul 9th
