30 Apr 2014

MyOptique Giveaway | Win London Retro Glasses

myoptique glasses, london retro glasses, rayban round glasses, albam athletic sweat, menswear blog, stanley park
myoptique glasses, london retro glasses, rayban round glasses, albam athletic sweat, menswear blog, stanley park

To be frank, I'm a right wally. Whilst in Dublin shooting for the ASOS on Tour campaign I went and "mislaid" my 3-week old Ray-Ban frames. After searching high + low and tweeting up every single place we visited several times, I had to concede that they'd simply fallen out of my pocket, resulting in someone swiping them. Someone, somewhere is enjoying those glasses right now, that's assuming they have the same prescription as me!

I finally found a frame shape that I was 100% and they slipped away so quickly -  MyOptique are really decent folk and as an extremely kind gesture they've offered me a new pair of glasses and a brand new giveaway for you guys! We're giving away a pair of London Retro Glasses of your choice. Choose any style from the men's or women's section - worth £79!

Below are a couple of London Retro unisex styles which caught my eye in particular -

myoptique glasses, london retro glasses, rayban round glasses, albam athletic sweat, menswear blog, stanley park
myoptique glasses, london retro glasses, rayban round glasses, albam athletic sweat, menswear blog, stanley park
myoptique glasses, london retro glasses, rayban round glasses, albam athletic sweat, menswear blog, stanley park

How To Enter

To enter this giveaway you must be a subscriber to Buckets & Spades - simply complete the form below. Giveaway is open worldwide. Best of luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Find us on  Twitter | Facebook |  Bloglovin' | Instagram | Pinterest

99 x 99's by Luke Stephenson

luke stephenson 99x99s, ice cream photography, british seaside, british photographer, ice cream van 99
luke stephenson 99x99s, ice cream photography, british seaside, british photographer, ice cream van 99
luke stephenson 99x99s, ice cream photography, british seaside, british photographer, ice cream van 99
luke stephenson 99x99s, ice cream photography, british seaside, british photographer, ice cream van 99

Yet another post about the seaside - we're getting heavy on them but it's such a visual subject, projects keep coming thick and fast! This week's nod is to the humble 99 (sadly these days costing a inflated price of about £1.80, hmm) and Luke Stephenson's project, 99 x 99's.

Equip with a camera, a portable ice-cream studio (you heard it right) and his trusty Bedford Camper, Stephenson traveled the length of the British coast searching for the finest soft-serves. The aim was to stop at 99 seaside locations and photography a 99 Flake at each resort, documenting all the subtle differences and quirks. He cataloged his travels by photographing each ice-cream in his self-built studio (see video below), with the outcome to produce a published photobook.

Each location serves their 99s in different ways - using various cones, sauces and little hand touches, which have all be documented by Stephenson. If you fancy owning your own dollop of the seaside then visit his Kickstarter here.

For last week's posts on the seaside click here + here.


 Find us on  Twitter | Facebook |  Bloglovin' | Instagram | Pinterest

29 Apr 2014

Nike FuelBand Review | Motivation for an Active Lifestyle

nike fuelband review, nike fitness, nike sportswear review, fittness blog, mens lifestyle blog, sports fashion, sportswearnike fuelband review, nike fitness, nike sportswear review, fittness blog, mens lifestyle blog, sports fashion, sportswear

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve (Nik) been wearing a Nike FuelBand. Religiously. The time it’s spent off my arm can probably be counted in minutes, rather than hours - and that includes recharging, which is ludicrously fast. There it’s sat, a sleek black band on my wrist, as discreet as any watch, measuring the intensity of my movement and recording this as NikeFuel points. The idea being to set a target of intensity each day and beat this target. I’m currently aiming for 3,000 points, and have achieved that in five of the last seven days.

The key to the FuelBand is simplicity, not just in design, but in function and use. A single button allows you to toggle through NikeFuel points, time, and hours ‘won’, with the LED display merging seamlessly with the black of the band when not lit. Using BlueTooth, the band transmits data to a very slick smartphone app. The app can be used to alter the settings of the band, but it’s primary function is to display a whole range of stats relating to your intensity (including calories spent and steps taken) over time, vs the general population, and vs your friends. The app also allows you to tag sessions so that your performance at certain activities (e.g. running, gym, or football) can be compared independently from the rest of your daily movement. 

nike fuelband review, nike fitness, nike sportswear review, fittness blog, mens lifestyle blog, sports fashion, sportswear

I’m not a serious athlete, attending the gym and running three or four times a week, but even so I quickly noticed some failings with the FuelBand. Certain activities - rowing and cycling, for instance - don’t seem to register many Fuel points, presumably as my arm is fairly stable during these exercises. You can easily cheat, with ten minutes in the pub racking up a large number of points once a couple of people had taken turns to throw the FuelBand in the air. 

And, then there is the ‘black box’ nature of Fuel points: as Nike won’t explain how they are calculated, the seemingly arbitrary nature of the points make it difficult to use as a scientific tool for serious training. 
 nike fuelband review, nike fitness, nike sportswear review, fittness blog, mens lifestyle blog, sports fashion, sportswear

I think these criticisms are slightly unfair, however. The Nike FuelBand is really an everyday motivational tool for measuring how active your lifestyle is and encouraging you to move more, rather than a serious training tool. And it really does work. Within a day of wearing the band I found myself changing my mindset, jogging up the escalator (or better yet, the stairs) on the way to the office, walking further to buy my lunch, and attempting to run for a couple more minutes, all to clock up just a few more Fuel points. In just a week, I’ve increased my target, increased the number of Fuel points I score each day, and therefore increased my activity levels. 

The app is a really good way of keeping track of various exercises you do and how much effort you’re putting in each time - it’s surprising just how many times I don’t run quite as hard as I think I do. Also, the social element of seeing others activity levels and competing against or with each other would be brilliant, if I had more friends with FuelBands. 

Unfortunately, given that my only friend with one is a marathon runner, I tend not to look at her score very often. If anyone out there has a FuelBand, look me up! Here's a short video which shows how the FuelBand works. Have any of you tried the Fuelband, if so has it managed to keep you motivated?

p.s Rumours about that Nike might be pulling back on production of the FuelBand itself; however, strong ties between Nike and Apple suggest Apple's new wearable devices could include a Fuel element. Exciting stuff! - Nik

You can find Nik at - Conrad's BeerTwitter | Instagram

28 Apr 2014

What If Animals Were Round?

what if animals were round, animal animation, funny animals video, lifestyle blog

Man, I seriously can't get enough of this animation by Rollin' Safari at the moment.

 Find us on  Twitter | Facebook |  Bloglovin' | Instagram | Pinterest

27 Apr 2014

ASOS on Tour | Dublin + Belfast with Tourism Ireland



 I'm super excited to finally share some more photos of my recent trip to Ireland with ASOS and Tourism Ireland! Myself and fellow bloggers Olivia of What Olivia Did + Remi of Hands of Style, we were lucky enough to be invited by ASOS to get involved with their latest campaign - ASOS on Tour | The Dublin + Belfast Challenge.

Over the course of a few action-packed days we set about exploring as much of both cities as possible - soaking in Dublin + Belfast's culture, entertainment, history and attractions. Both cities were very different, each with their own historical background and unique restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, markets and art scenes. Both Olivia + Remi look ridiculously pretty in the photos, they did a top job at making me look good! My highlights of the trip were visiting the Guinness Storehouse, pizza at Skinflints, The Mac art space and spending time down at the seaside with the team at Howth.

You can check out the full campaign with ASOS + Tourism Ireland is here, where you'll find our comments on each location we stopped at. If you would like to see more menswear shots then click here.



Thank you for reading folks, hopefully you've enjoyed the photos -  there's a chance for you and your mates to win a trip to Ireland c/o ASOS here, give it a whirl!

 Find us on  Twitter | Facebook |  Bloglovin' | Instagram | Pinterest

26 Apr 2014

Nintendo Game Boy Soaps + Weekend Links


This week is the 25th anniversary of the original Nintendo Game Boy, way to make me feel old! In celebration of this fact I'll be dusting off my turquoise Game Boy Colour and having a few rounds on The Real Ghostbusters!

For all those who got rid of their original, how about some insanely realistic Game Boy Cartridge Soaps - Also available in Super Nintendo versions. Neat hey? Happy weekend my friends!

Oh and this is Buckets & Spades' 1000th post!

Weekend Bucket List

25 amazing science + nature GIFs
Cocorina's redesign looks spot on!
Tips for choosing the right DSLR + lens
Article of the week - Building a "cool brand" from the ground up
This packaging - Milky Wave!
Got my eye on these shorts for summer
My interview with Reiss - How to Pack Light

 Find us on  Twitter | Facebook |  Bloglovin' | Instagram | Pinterest

25 Apr 2014

Blackpool Beach | Totally Beachin' Beaches

Blackpool Beach, Lancashire.

I've been making full use of my Lumix GX7 lately - although I've not quite figured out all the settings yet, but I am trying to get out and use it as much as I can. Just the other day I was informed of a blogger's competition called "Totally Beachin' Beaches" so I thought seeing that I live at the beach I'd give it a shot.

So here's my entry for the competition - Sadly it's been really gloomy where I live for a few days, so I didn't capture a nice sunset or a packed-out beach as I was hoping, but I've definitely captured something! I've lived by the seaside all of my life but I've only started to appreciated it over the past couple of years, nowadays I cycle down the promenade every week.

Shortly after I took this shot the heaven's opened. Faded seaside glamour? Maybe, but it's the place I call home. Wish me luck guys!

 Find us on  Twitter | Facebook |  Bloglovin' | Instagram | Pinterest

Beside the Seaside | New Balance 577 Seaside Pack

new balance 577, new balance seaside pack buy, new balance made in england, menswear blog
new balance 577, new balance seaside pack buy, new balance made in england, menswear blog

New Balance celebrate a subject which is very close to my heart, with the release of their "Seaside" themed pack. The 2-piece collection features the 557 trainer, with each design and colourway being inspired by a trip to a British Seaside town. Helter Skelters, deckchair stripes and pastel colours all featured across both versions - check out the sweet illustration on the tongue and insole!

Made in Flimby, Cumbria, UK - each features its own unique candy-cane colourway, embroidered Union Jack on the heel and alternate laces. This short video below has been produced to celebrate the industry + importance of the Great British Seaside. Also see the New Balance "Tea Pack" + "Three Peaks Pack".

New Balance Seaside Pack is available at size?


 Find us on  Twitter | Facebook |  Bloglovin' | Instagram | Pinterest

24 Apr 2014

Who Made Your Clothes? | #InsideOut Fashion Revolution


Who Made Your Clothes? These words are not something we really consider on an everyday basis. In fact, most of us won't consider it at all. Unless we have close connections to a factory, manufacturer, or the industry we're unlikely to ever find out either. 

A lot of you will know that I'm very pro-local production and try to support small + independent business, (in particular the UK + US) whenever I can. It's very encouraging to see UK brands such as Mamnick, TRiCKETT, S.E.H Kelly and Hiut Denim, forming such a loyal following, and tapping into specific niches + needs across the clothing industry. Huit's jeans even get signed off with the marker's signature, so you whose hands constructed each pair. Same goes for our brand, Northern Goods Co. - any queries about our products, we can talk to you through the whole hand-production process.

TRiCKETT Lynch Socks - Made in Durham, England
Mamnick Commute Clip - Made in Sheffield, England
Northern Goods Co. Key Clip - Made in Blackpool, England.

24.04.14 marks one-year anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster, in which over 1,000 garment workers lost their lives, when their factory complex collapsed, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Fashion Revolution Day says enough is enough. 

So, Who Made Your Clothes? Fashion Revolution is asking us to be more curious about our clothes, and wear them #InsideOut - drawing attention to their labels, questioning who was it made by and in which country? You can share your images using the hashtag #InsideOut + @Fash_Rev.

Ethical menswear store Brothers We Stand have produced this series of images (see first image) to accompany the campaign, asking us once again how much we really know about the clothing on our backs. They'll be posting new photos on their Instagram throughout the day, so have a gander.

It's time to turn the industry Inside Out, so get involved! To find out how you can help out, visit Fashion Revolution  here.

Find us on - Twitter - Facebook -  Bloglovin' - Instagram - Pinteres

23 Apr 2014

Everyday Objects + Pantone Colour Swatch Match-Up by Inka Mathew



A colourful + humorous on-going project by designer Inka Mathew - matching small everyday objects found around her house, to Pantone Colour Swatches. Follow the project's Instagram account for regular updates and brand new match-ups

In other Pantone news - Barbour collaborate with a group of blogger's to launch their new campaign.

Find us on - Twitter - Facebook -  Bloglovin' - Instagram - Pinteres

22 Apr 2014

Traveling with Reiss | How to Pack Light



With our trip to Orlando in just under six-weeks the subject of packing in firmly in my mind. I know right, it's well too early for that business but everyone starts to consider what they might take, a while before they go. Guys, guys...?  Last week I worked on a travel piece for Reiss' blog , a "What's In My Weekend Bag" post if you will. 

As I've been traveling with work a lot this year I've started to nail down some proper packing steez, becoming a increasingly light packer. I chatted to the guys from Reiss about my packing tips, warm weather outfits and where I'd love to visit next:


Where in the world is your dream destination?
I’m very keen to continue my exploration of America, as I’ve only just started to scratch the surface. Last year I visited Savannah, GA, which was one of the most fascinating places I’ve ever been to. I’d love to visit Japan, to experience a totally different culture to what I have been used to. Their enthusiasm for life, attitude towards innovations, street culture and traditions are something that really interests me very much. I would also love to visit Iceland, Belgium, China and Russia.
 

How do you go about packing your bag?
My first rule is only take what you need. I start with deciding what items of clothing to take, making sure each item works with the others, so there’s no wasted space. I pack shoes first, placing socks and underwear neatly inside them, next packing electrical and other bits around them. All my clothing is neatly folded (the roll technique doesn’t work for me), and siting on top of them is books and magazines, which keeps things secure.

I make sure my washbag is in a separate compartment, to avoid any leaking issues. I never pack without “portable snacks” too, and I’m perpetually hungry. Nuts and dried fruit are always in there, as well as my gym kit, just in case.


On my next holiday I’ll be wearing…
Short sleeve pastel colour shirts, stripe t-shirts, soft cotton chino shorts, Ray-Ban Wayfarers and Nike or Jack Purcell trainers. Classic cargo shorts are something I’ve gotten into recently too, they’re practical with all their pockets but can work well with a plain t-shirt or short sleeve shirt. They were my go-to shorts last year, and they’re great for storing a digital camera in!

I’ve got a shaved head so hats are important too, this year my choice of hat will be either a bucket hat or a soft cotton baseball cap.


I’d describe my holiday style as…
A mixture of simple street and sportswear I think would describe it quite well. It’s always hard to define these things, but when I’m on holiday I tend to dress for comfort without shying away from colour. Not necessarily bright colours, but rather mixing patterns and textures with classic tailored pieces; for example I’d pair a short sleeved Oxford shirt with camouflage shorts.

I try to wear outfits that I can wear all day, without having to smarten up at night time. A button-down shirt, shorts and trainers is my ideal ensemble. The shorts need to have room for my camera, as I’m never without one

Many thanks to Reiss for asking me to take part in this series! What type of packer are you organised, overpacker or all in one big heap?


Find us on - Twitter - Facebook -  Bloglovin' - Instagram - Pinterest