Spin Shine.

Scraper Bikes are cooler than you. It doesn't really matter how cool you are, they are just cooler than you. Once you get over that, you should watch this docu-vid and see what I mean:

See? Those spokes shine with a higher purpose. Not only do they look all blingy and fresh, but those bikes also save lives. In order to maintain membership of The Original Scraper Bike Team you have to pass muster with your wheels, learn to obey the single file ride rule, and maintain a 3.0 GPA in school. I approve whole-heartedly. Inner City good will and glam have never gone together quite so well. Here's some more shots of kids' custom wheels:

I wonder if I can apply for an absentee membership?I found directions on how to Scrape my bike on the Internets. Wait, I don't have a bike...yet! To be continued.

It's Like Riding A (Dream) Bike.

Couture season always gets me into a built-to-order kind of mood. I start craving customization. I want options and I want to say what goes where and what looks like what. It's just the diva in me. Thanks to Urban Outfitters Bike Shop, I can exorcise a little of that diva demon and wind up with something that will get her some exercise too. Check it out...

You can build your own bike! All the parts have different color options! You can change the color of the front tire, the back tire, both tire rims, your seat, your chain, your handlebars, and your pedal crank. I mean, come on? That's cool, right? Click the pic to make your own colorful creation. It's $399. No sneeze, but an absolute steal compared to this awesome yet $3,200 Benedict Radcliffe Fluoro bike commissioned by Andy Spade for his Partners & Spade concept store.

I saw this crayon-colored two wheeler on the Style.com site as a "Vogue's Most Wanted" pick and I was all like, "Damn! That's cool!" then I saw the price and I was all like, "Damn! That's rich gear!" then I remembered the UO Bike Shop and I was all like, "In your face, Vogue!". Ok, not really but I did get rather excited that even high concept, designery, customizable, cool stuff is becoming more and more attainable for the average Joanne. I know $399 isn't pocket change, but it's doable if you save your allowance. Go babysit. Eventually you'll be able to ride your (dream) bike to go babysit.

Take it to the Streets

If I was ever (god forbid?) to be in position to petition the folks at the Make a Wish Foundation for a dream day, I would beg to strap on a bike helmet and be a guest on Bill Cunningham's handlebars. His cheery, street fashion audio slide shows are the highlight of my Sunday Times web surfing. He loves what he does, and I love what he finds. This week he spotlights the footwear fever that has struck the fashion community. I saw more chunky, sky high, leg lifters in this city this week than I have in my two years of residence here and Bill captured a good sampling of them.

The best part is that he followed the teetering ladies around the corner where they shed their stilettos in favor of flip-flops. Ah, the fashion facade.

What a Difference a Day Makes

As posted below, I love The Sartorialist. However, in the last 24 hours a phenomenon has come to light that disturbs me. It can only be termed as "Sartorialist Baiting". As New York Fashion Week approaches I'm seeing leggy girls on bikes all over the city. See, Schuman has a thing for girls on bikes and I think these ladies are pedaling around tempting the god of internet fashion to make them blog icons. But, something's off: The outfits are askew, the colors clash, the accessories are cloying, and the bikes are wobbling. If I had Schuman's chutzpah I'd be snapping them and calling them out for their faux-fashaionista behavior. But, I'll leave it to Scott to continue to post the naturally qualified and ignore all the fashion fakery. Here are some of Scott's snaps of the beautiful on bikes: