Fenway Boots! LL Bean Gives Away 50 Made-To-Order Boots Created With Fenway Park Rain Tarp.

Outdoor retailer L.L.Bean has revealed the most innovative version of its signature product: the Fenway Bean Boot. Made of upcycled Fenway Park tarp from the 2012 season, the one-of-a-kind boots will be made-to-order for a select number of lucky Red Sox fans who engage with L.L.Bean on Facebook and other channels.




The opportunity to win has already begun. When fans can visit Facebook.com/llbean to share their favorite Red Sox moment, they are entered for a chance to own a piece of baseball history. Submissions will be received through Sunday, October 20, 2013.



Company founder Leon Leonwood (“L.L.”) Bean believed in the reuse of materials long before the concept of “upcycling” came into vogue. The one-of-a-kind Bean Boots put the rain delay tarp that covered the Fenway Park infield in 2012 – the 100th anniversary year for both Fenway Park and L.L.Bean – to great use as the upper material of the weatherproof rubber soled boots.



“This project brings together two of L.L.’s favorite things: Bean Boots and baseball,” said Steve Fuller, Chief Marketing Officer for L.L.Bean. “As a season ticket holder, L.L. loved the Red Sox and he would be delighted to see the Fenway tarp put to use in a way that fans can enjoy.”


above: The LL Bean logo is at the center of the tarp that protects the field at Fenway Park during its 100th season.


above: The 100th anniversary L.L.Bean rain tarp photo via @mdanubio4 on Twitter.

Originally named the Maine Hunting Shoe, the popular Bean Boot has seen a variety of style changes since its introduction in 1912, all remaining true to the original and still handcrafted in Maine. Early versions had a red brick sole, reintroduced for the 100th anniversary of L.L.Bean, and today’s collection includes an assortment of styles for women and men such as waxed canvas and shearling-lined leather.

Each of the 100 limited-edition Fenway Bean Boots will be custom made for lucky recipients at L.L.Bean’s manufacturing facility in Brunswick, ME.

“These unique boots are just one of the many ways L.L.Bean has demonstrated their innovative spirit throughout our partnership,” said Troup Parkinson, Red Sox Senior Vice President. “From the 100th anniversary tote bags, to The One Fund Boston Tote, to these Fenway Bean Boots, they continue to highlight new ways of bringing our two New England brands closer.”



Last month, L.L.Bean announced a contribution of $114,000 to The One Fund Boston following the sale of 3,500 limited edition totes also made from the 2012 Fenway Park tarp (shown above). The One Fund Boston totes sold out in just over a day with 100% percent of profits benefitting the cause.

Share your favorite Fenway Park moment with L.L. Bean to enter to win one of 50 pairs of made-to-order Fenway Bean Boots, handcrafted from the 2012 100th anniversary Fenway rain tarp.



Find out more about the contest and learn how L.L.Bean upcycled the Fenway Park infield rain tarp here

Fifty winners will be selected at random and notified on October 21. Additional ways to win – including on campus at select Northeast colleges – will be announced. Follow @LLBean for more details.

*All contest entries are moderated and will appear in the gallery within 24 hours of submission*

Beautiful Handmade Slingshots From Split Fork Tree Branches by Adam Gray

Certain toys never go out of style, but instead simply get more stylish. This is what Adam Gray has done with the ol' classic slingshot. Adam, who graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and presently works at Bicycle Bolts, has become a new millenial favorite with his Hella Slingshots.



Handcrafting different slingshots from forked tree branches in San Francisco and carefully airbrushing them with acrylic paint, he has raised the classic toy to a level of functional art.



From higher-end versions made from polished woods to sporty colorful versions and even adorable folk-art animal versions, each is outfitted with a leather appointed projectile using natural latex tubing.





Featured on Fab.com and with Wired magazine choosing them as one of the best 20 gifts under $50, they are becoming a hip gift for adults and kids alike.


above: Hella Slingshots featured in Wired magazine

While I'm not encouraging people to knock out squirrels or worse, an eye, these can serve as the ultimate CEO desk accoutrement as well as a great stocking stuffer for the child (or juvenile adult) who wants to aim at inanimate objects.

Ammo (shown below) is available in felt, wood, iron, or eco-friendly seedbombs.



The Slingshots vary in price from $15 to $41 on his site and here on Scout Mob.


individual images courtesy of Adam Gray and Hella Slingshots, composite images by If t's Hip, It's Here.

Hermes Re-Opens On Rodeo Drive With A New Store and A $12,900 Basketball.

Slated to open on September 4th, after an 18 month renovation, French luxury brand Hermes will re-open the doors of their overhauled store located at 434 N. Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.


above left: the old Hermes Store on Rodeo Drive and above right, a rendering of the new one

The new, 12,000 square foot Beverly Hills flagship was designed by Paris-based RDAI (Rena Dumas Architecture Interieure), who has designed most, if not all, of the Hermes Boutiques worldwide.

The original Rodeo Drive boutique opened in 1972 and fast became a celebrity favorite. According to the Los Angeles Times, Hermès already had a Hollywood following at that time, having outfitted movie star cowboy Tom Mix's horse, made Alfred Hitchcock's swim trunks and created a custom bag, the "Marlene," for Marlene Dietrich.

To commemorate the grand re-opening, Hermès has created a limited edition collection of special items including two luxe blue calfskin leather basketballs costing $12,900 each, made with the same leather and stitching as their famous Birkin Bag, and swimming pool-inspired silk scarves - both of which fit in with the brand's theme for 2013: "A Sporting Life."



above: a page from their 2013 summer catalog, A Sporting Life, with beautiful photos by Nathaniel Goldberg

"The Sporting Life" theme has generated other unique sport-related items from Hermes such as the silk-covered Boxing Gloves created for the launch of their 2013 Summer Collection event in Palm Beach:


above image courtesy of Palm Beach Post

A $12,900 basketball is too rich for your blood? Well, Hermes also makes a baseball bat in ash wood and gold swift calfskin selling for $1,850.00, a Petanque set in carbon steel and natural hunter cowhide selling for $1,150.00 and their $4650 Bicycle in lacquered stainless steel with frame, handles and saddle in Taurillon Clemence leather, all available at their online store.



You can also view a series of cute short videos here.

Hermes

A Hole In G. Ollie Willis Designs A Typographic Golf Course.

Leicester born London based Designer Ollie Willis challenges the precision, patience and frustration common in the game of golf with a mini golf course in the shape of the letters of the alphabet. By creating a typeface that uses the curves, 45º and 90º angles that are present in mini golf courses, the letters can be made into interactive structures pairing the processes of golf and design to become a 26 hole course.







While not yet completed, Willis plans to design each of the 26 letters for the complete miniature golf course.

Ollie Willis

Thanks to Designboom for bringing this cool project to my attention.

30 Carved Wood Baseball Bats by Vincent Kohler in 'Turnaround.'

'Turnaround' is an artistic project by Vincent Kohler which focuses on the theme of the baseball bat. It consists of a collection of thirty baseball bats, turned on a lathe using different species of woods. Each bat is unique in form, and a book combining texts by various authors and photographs was specially done on the subject for this project.

The 30 Bats:




Details:







The bats in use by the Challengers Baseball Club of Zurich:





The project has been implemented thanks to the cultural percentage allocated to the building of the Heerenschürli sports center in Schwamendingen - Zurich, which includes the first ballpark in Switzerland that conforms to the game’s regulations.

Official Baseball Bat Rules, Article 110:

(a) The bat shall be a smooth, round stick not more than 2 3 / 4 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood.
Note: No laminated or experimental bats shall be used in a professional game (either championship season or exhibition games) until the manufacturer has secured approval from the Rules Committee of his design and methods of manufacture.

(b) Cupped Bats. An indentation in the end of the bat up to one inch in depth is permitted and may be no wider than two inches and no less than one inch in diameter. The indentation must be curved with no foreign substance added.

(c) The bat handle, for not more than 18 inches from its end, may be covered or treated with any material or substance to improve the grip. Any such material or substance, which extends past the 18 inch limitation, shall cause the bat to be removed from the game.
Note: If the umpire discovers that the bat does not conform to (c) above until a time during or after which the bat has been used in play, it shall not be grounds for declaring the batter out, or ejected from the game.

(d) No colored bat may be used in a professional game unless approved by the Rules Committee.

Baseball fans will really appreciate the in-depth text that accompanies the project and it is available to read in French, English and German here.

Production: ville de Zürich - Amt für Hochbauten, Fachstelle Kunst und Bau.
photos by Geoffrey Cottenceau

Turnaround by Vincent Kohler

New Cream Soda in "A Big Can for the Big Man." Introducing Soda Shaq.

AriZona Beverages has teamed up with Shaquille O'Neal to launch an all-natural cream soda line. SODA SHAQ, named for the basketball legend known for his personality, has hit the market in AriZona's signature single-serve 23.5oz. can from Rexam.

SODA SHAQ contains real vanilla from Madagascar, is sweetened with pure cane sugar and has just 90 calories per serving. Like all AriZona products, it is made with no artificial colors or preservatives and is available in Original Vanilla Cream, Orange Cream, Blueberry Cream and Strawberry Cream flavors.

"We are excited to expand our offerings to include a great carbonated beverage innovation based on a soda shop classic," said Don Vultaggio, Chairman of AriZona Beverages. "With nearly a third less calories than the competition, SODA SHAQ's great-tasting and all-natural cream sodas are perfect for consumers looking for variety. And through our continued partnership with Rexam, we are bringing them to market in another great version of our iconic big cans."



The new can designs (of which there are 8 for the flour flavors) include the tagline "A Big Can for the Big Man" and prominently feature Shaq's famous likeness.



Rich Grimley, president and CEO, Rexam BCNA, says, "As the industry leader in 24oz. 'big' can production, we continue to grow our relationship with AriZona Beverages, supporting this brand extension with an ideal packaging choice that delivers superior recycling and environmental benefits as well as filling and distribution economics."

SODA SHAQ is currently available at retailers nationwide at a suggested retail price of $.99 per can.

www.drinksodashaq.com

The Ravens Finally Get Their Bling. A Look At The 2013 NFL Championship Ring.

Earlier this month the Baltimore Ravens presented players and staff with their Super Bowl XLVII Championship Ravens Rings during a private ceremony today at The Under Armour Performance Center. Created by Jostens, the leading national custom jewelry designer and producer, the World Championship Ring commemorates the Ravens remarkable 2012 season and marks the second time the Ravens have brought the Lombardi Trophy to Baltimore.



"Emotions ran high as players, coaches and staff were presented with their rings, which symbolize the determination required to win the Super Bowl," said Ravens President, Dick Cass. "The rings are beautiful visual representations of what it means to be a Raven – physical, tough-minded, hardworking and resilient."




The truly one-of-a-kind ring pays tribute to the rich history and tradition of one of football’s most successful franchises. The design, hand-crafted by Jostens Championship Design team and led by Master Jeweler Miran Armutlu, is fashioned in white and yellow gold and with 243 round cut diamonds. In the center of the ring, the Baltimore Ravens logo is outlined with 40 round brilliant cut diamonds sitting atop a dazzling custom-cut amethyst stone. Behind the logo are two Vince Lombardi Trophies set with 32 round brilliant cut diamonds and two stunning marquise diamonds weighing approximately .75 carats, representing the team’s two World Championship titles.





"Jostens is proud to be a partner with the Baltimore Ravens and to collaborate with them on the creation of a ring that celebrates the team’s inclusive culture, winning traditions and their achieving professional football’s pinnacle triumph, the forty-seventh Super Bowl title," said Chris Poitras, Director, Sports Sales and Marketing, Jostens. "Every element of the ring was designed specifically to highlight the best qualities of each of the materials featured. It’s a singularly beautiful piece of fine jewelry that reflects the ultimate unity of the team."

To celebrate the enduring support of Ravens fans during this championship season, the team collaborated again with the Championship Design team at Jostens to create a custom selection of personalized jewelry and collectibles with designs inspired by the Super Bowl XLVII Championship Rings.


above: Josten's collection of Raven's jewelry inspired by the Super Bowl XLVII Championship Rings

The collection offers every Baltimore Ravens fan the chance to own a piece of Ravens history and, beginning June 7th, can be ordered online at Jostens.