Skate Rising December 10th at Academy Skate Park

December 12, 2016 Jordan

Skate Rising which meets the second Saturday of each month to empower girls through skateboarding met up at Academy Skate Park on 12/10/16.

As always the event is free and open to all girls who want to help a need in the community, support each other, and skateboard. A huge thanks to Neal Mims the founder of Academy and strong Skate Rising supporter for opening the doors for this extra special event.

The group shot above is just some of the girls. The event started at 9am and girls just kept coming.

Academy Skate Park was filled with girls. Girls getting geared up, girls on the vert, girls getting ready to launch into the foam pit, girls on the stairs, girls, girls, girls skateboarding everywhere.

This months service project was a toy collection with an emphasis on collecting toys for teens. The first picture above shows the collection at 9am and the next picture shows the donations just kept coming in. In all over 250 items were collected for the under privileged youth thru the Community Resource Center.

Lily from the Community Resource Center spoke to the girls and told them how grateful the teens and families would be. In addition to “toys” families get to “shop” for food. To find out more about the program and how you can still help – collections accepted through 12/15 click below.

It was truly amazing how many girls and families came out to donate. Plus its awesome to see the continued support of so many local companies.

Nektar juice & Phive Bar who come to the Encintias Skate Park each Skate Rising with refreshments were at Academy Skate Park. As was SkateXS, who always helps by providing boards for girls to try and having team riders there to help.

Nina Seibert, who takes tons of the pictures was at Academy with a photo booth, which was a favorite of mine.

It was a great day to “pay it forward” – Neal helps me all the time, so it was nice for me to be able to help someone.

The most inspiring girls at these events are the other girls.

The power of seeing your friends accomplish a goal plus being surrounded by encouragement is incredible.

Till next time keep it stylish on & off the board. The next Skate Rising is January 14, 2017 – 9am. Be sure to follow them on IG and sign up for the emails so you always know the latest.

Academy Skate Park is having a Girls Holiday Skate Camp – December 19th – 23rd enrollment is open on-line.

Be on the look out for Skate Rising events in Arizona. That’s right the Phoenix Chapter of EXPOSURE Skate’s girl youth program has begun!

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Sharing Skateboarding & Secrets

December 11, 2016 Jordan

I love the smile on Naomi’s face in this video from Victoria Park.

A smile is the most stylish accessory anyone can wear.

In the video Naomi’s on her new mini cruiser. She also enjoys longboarding plus a lot of other sports including cycling, she’s an instructor at Boom Cycle.

As to why she likes skateboarding and thinks other girls should try it:

I started skating a few months ago and I’m having so much fun with it. It’s the best feeling when you begin to notice your own progress. More girls should get out there and try it, it’s never too late to learn new skills. I love it because I’m transferring all my board skills together (wake, surf and snow). I’m hoping all this skating is going to make me a better snowboarder ?! Let’s see when I hit the slopes this season.

As someone who believes skateboarding is sport, art, transportation, rolling yoga and build self-confidence, I have to believe that it would help with all your board balancing.

Be sure to check out Naomi to see where she goes on her skateboard and how it improves her skiing.

I can’t believe I waited 29 years to jump on a skateboard. Every minute of every day, we are all a little bit closer to dying. Don’t waste any more time wishing you’d done something, just go and do it! Don’t worry too much, don’t over think things, take those risks, make those mistakes. It all makes us stronger, enriches our souls and helps us grow. In the end, we will only regret the chances we didn’t take.

Thanks Naomi for sharing – more girls skateboard when they see girls skateboarding and hear that it’s always the right time to try something new. Better to try and know if you like something then to wonder what if!

Thanks too for sharing Regent’s Canal – some secrets are meant to be shared.

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Connecticut Skate Parks Support Their Skater Girls

December 10, 2016 Jordan

When the local skate park tells girls about the blog, it’s definitely a good feeling. If you are doing something that’s different, there’s likely to be some push back. Negativity can be hurtful – so thank heavens for positive feedback too!

I’m writing this post on Sarina because her local skate park in Connecticut told her about the blog.

Here’s what Sarina had to say about skateboarding:

I started out skateboarding a couple of years ago. I was cruising around with friends just having a good time. Then a couple of months ago, I started really taking a liking to skateboarding and started to try and do more things with the sport.

I go to a skatepark called CT bike and there I’ve been learning a lot. I’m still a beginner striving to become the best I can be. Now I’m learning basic things like pumping, dropping in, pop shuv-its and ollies; later I want to focus on street skating

Before skating I never found a sport that was so much fun, with the ability to progress, and without the pressure of competition. With skating I can just go to the park, relax, have a good time, and just skate with friends.

I’ve started to take skating more “seriously” because I have tapped into the love for the sport plus it lowers my anxiety. I unfortunately have an anxiety disorder. Skating is one of the few things that I love to do that truly relaxes me and takes away the anxiety.

I keep skating even though it’s difficult because I know if I push myself I will get to where I want to be. I know that this sport makes me happy and gives me this amazing escape that I can only find in very few other things.

I truly believe that this sport can have a positive impact on anyone who participates, no matter what gender. And frankly I believe that there are too many girls who don’t use this opportunity to have a good time with friends and to take part in this amazing sport because they believe it’s a sport for guys, which is far from the truth.

What we don’t hear about as often as we should is how many girl skaters there actually are! This is a surprise to many when it shouldn’t be. If this fact was shared more then I do think that more girls would want to go out and skate.

Thanks Sarina for sharing. There are more girls skateboarding then people imagine and when we share our stories of why it’s fun and how it helps us, even more girls give skateboarding a try. And yes – you’re style is on fleek!

Thank you CT Bike & Indoor Skate Park for supporting all skaters – everyone’s story is unique & has the power to inspire others.

The Skatingfashionista Loves Bombas Socks

December 9, 2016 Jordan

I’ve been wearing Bombas Socks for awhile. My first blog post on them was

and they’ve been mentioned in tons of my other posts both on the blog and in social media.

Why do I love Bombas socks?

Well they stay up – in fact there’s a ton of technology in every Bombas sock

2. There are also several styles.

Sometimes it’s all about the shoe – eyes on the shoe – so you need an invisible sock.

3. There are tons of colors.

Above are just a few, there are many other colors too. Yes, you can mix & match your socks. It’s far better to wear mismatched socks than have smelly feet from wearing sneakers without socks.

4. They have collections like the Americano.

5. They have wool socks too. Cold feet are sad feet, so keep them warm.

6. And those wool socks don’t require special washing instructions! I wish that everything I threw in the washing machine came back out looking the same – my Bombas stay looking great wash after wash.

7. Bombas has a happiness guarantee. So if for any reason you weren’t happy there’d be a simple return process.

Even the small print is reassuring

Our #1 priority here at Bombas is your happiness. Which means we stand by our product 100%, no matter what, no questions asked, no holds barred, no ifs, no ands, no buts.

8. They support girl skateboarders and not just me because I’m a blogger. They’ve proudly supported EXPOSURE Skate for the past two years – supplying socks for the goody bags.

9. The inspiration for Bombas came from a need. Not a need to make money but a need that impacts more people then anyone would like to believe.

“Socks are the number one most requested clothing item at homeless shelters.”

10. They saw a problem and did something. For every pair of Bombas socks purchases a pair is donate.

The number donated is as of the time I wrote this post. Bombas isn’t going to stop giving socks to those in need – there’s no magic number and they are done. Bombas has always been and will always be about “Beeing Better”.

I hope you check out Bombas, buy a pair, and have them donate a pair. If you need two more reasons – 12 Days of Christmas, below are reasons 11 & 12.

Yes, if my “true love” gave me socks for 12 Days I’d be happy & grateful!

11. The bee has “meaning”.

Bees work together to make the hive a better place. We like that. When we say Bee Better, we mean it as a mantra, a way of approaching every day. It’s stitched into the inside of every pair of Bombas for a reason. It’s a reminder to push yourself harder to be better at your athletic pursuits.

Plus the bee is cute. Maybe even cuter on the youth socks.

12. They have ski & snowboard socks and it’s that time of year.

Till next time keep it stylish on & off the board!

Christiana Smith – A Positive Seed

December 8, 2016 Jordan

A Positive Seed is the latest project by Christiana Smith. In addition to this project she’s still doing positive work with Michigan GRO (Girls Riders Organization) – inspiring, educating & supporting girls through action sports.

I had the opportunity to ask her a few questions. Starting with her inspiration for starting A Positive Seed, which was the positive response she received to a video she released two years ago.

What video?

Skating in a dress?

available on YouTUBE – published on 12/8/14

How old were you?

I was 18, I went to college for a semester after high school and took a video production class. Our final was to make a portrait on someone, like a mini documentary.

The idea came to me, like the whole dress concept and everything one night, so I wrote it down. I don’t even think I was thinking about the school project when it came to me; until I decided to use this idea for my final project and make it on myself growing up a skateboarder.

I wanted to make it to give people a glimpse on being a female skater like myself in a male dominated arena and to let people know that they are capable of doing anything that makes them happy, no one else’s opinion should affect the way you chose to live your life.

Minna Stess repping with her APS (A Positive Seed Sticker)

I agree that as long as we’re here we will be judged. That being judged is out of our control and that to be who we’re meant to be we need to let it go. What’s your advice for letting it go? And how do you deal with the haters?

I honestly have gotten to the point of not even acknowledging negativity. But my advice is to take it as a compliment! It means you’re doing something right if someone doesn’t like you for no reason. They are wasting their life/ energy hating on you, the best thing you can do is not waste any time of yours acknowledging it.

How do you think skateboarding helps you stay positive and spread seeds of positivity?

Skateboarding a awesome diverse community of people from all over the world. You can make friends with another skateboarder without even speaking the same langue as them, that common bond itself is such a powerful tool to make friends, be nice to one another, and have a positive encounter.

What’s it mean to be repping APS?

By repping APS it means you agree to plant positive seeds in your life and others in the things you do from the smallest thing to the largest. And by doing that you’ll inspire more people to do the same. Chain reaction! You agree to help moving the world forward in a positive direction!

Thanks Christiana for taking the time to answer these questions and plant seeds. If you want to share what seeds your planting – whether it’s through skateboarding or anything else – you can share your stories here or with Christiana.

You can email her at [email protected] or use these tags on IG #youCANshredwithus #aPositiveSeed #aPositiveSeedCo

Examples of planting positive seeds

Helping out a kid at the skate park
Teaching someone a new skate trick
Hang out with someone who’s alone
Help someone with homework (it’s stylish to be & admit you’re smart)
Share what you have (take turns)
Smiling
Say Hi

Seeds aren’t big, they grow and become big.

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Boy Meets Girl Catching up with Stacy Igel

December 7, 2016 Jordan

I’ve loved Boy Meets Girl for years. I first wore & blogged about them at EXPOSURE Skate 2014. I was honored to be their muse back in 2015

back then my favorite Boy Meets Girl item was the Pink Alice tee

because I love the logo – a boy meeting a girl is exactly what I’m doing at the skate park. The first time I wore it was at Exposure 2014 and I loved how it symbolized yes I’m a girl but I’m also a skater – I can be a girl, skate, and look fashionable. I have the bow it came with on my helmet so the Boy Meets Girl is always with me when I skate.

Several years later, I still love that tee plus there are so many other items I love. It’s definitely time for me to do a post on what’s current at Boy Meets Girl.

Boy Meets Girl is a brand created by Stacy Igel for the girl who’s

fun and fearless, wild yet modest, strong but soft. She loves with her entire soul, and lives life with wonder, courage, and enthusiasm. Always on the go, her style must be easy and effortless, functional and stunning.

The brand and I are both 2001 – it was a good year! Ten years later Boy Meets Girl University was launched. I’m still years away from university, but I’ve always been impressed that Stacy takes time to mentor the next generation of designers. She’s truly passionate about her designs and once she commits to a cause it’s 110% forward.

I love Boy Meets Girl Clothing for Cause. 10% of all proceeds are donated to Young Survival Coalition.

My favorite piece in the collection is the Crop Sweatshirt. There’s also a tank, over-sized boyfriend tee, and socks in the collection.

I wanted to find out what Stacy loves and learn more about what’s going on at Boy Meets Girl.

Boy Meets Girl collaboration with Care Bears is it really only available in Paris through Colette?

Stacy: The Boy Meets Girl® x Care Bears™ collection in colette in Paris is exclusive to colette. Our sneak peek collection released in August 2016 and we will be releasing a bigger collection in celebration of Care Bears 35th Anniversary in February 2017, which I am extremely excited about. We are also releasing some special pieces on our website in March 2017 as well as some cool partnerships in other categories!

2. The 2016 Holiday Pop Up Shop – will there be a physical shop? If so where? My favorite piece is the Together We Stand Crop Box Tee – will it be available after the holiday?

Stacy: The Holiday Pop-up Shop is a preview to our future pop-up shop – stay tuned! The Together We Stand Crop Box Tee will be available as long as supplies last.

3. The Boy Meets Boy V-Neck Oversized BoyFriend Fit Tee which donated 10% of all sales to Equality Florida is SOLD OUT – will it be back?

Stacy: We release new Limited Edition styles each month to an organization that we believe will impact communities in a positive way. This tee was part of our Limited Edition series and as of now, we do not have plans to come back with this style but may release a similar one in the future.

4. So you’re a Cubs fan – originally from Chicago – is this limited edition?

Stacy: The cubs tee is not a limited edition tee, it is a web exclusive! So all my cubbies you can come and get your special cubbies tee 🙂

5. Why do you make time to inspire the younger generation? Below Stacy at the Chicago Library where she spoke about fashion, entrepreneurship, design, & more and then designed custom tote bags with attendees.

Stacy: Guiding and teaching the younger generation is something that gives me a lot of joy. I think it is important to give back.

Thank you Stacy for your designs and for being an inspiration to myself and other fashionistas around the world.

Just in time for the holidays there’s a Stocking Stuffer sale – click below for the details.

Be sure to check out the entire Boy Meets Girl collection – select pieces also available at Nordstrom.

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Girls Skateboarding at Ocean City Skatepark

December 6, 2016 Jordan

You don’t hear or see the name Carlin everyday. So when I saw this post from Down Beach Skate congratulating Carlin Makibbin for winning this deck at the Ocean City Skateboard Jam, I had to read a little more.

Turns out Carlin likes to surf, skate & ride in Ocean City, Maryland and that Down Beach Skate likes to support the girls.

Above Sophiew_Grom getting congratulated for second at the Winter Skateboard Jam In Ocean City.

More girls skateboard when they see girls having fun skateboarding and getting encouragement. So I think I need to put Ocean City Skatepark on my list of places to visit and I hope Down Beach Skate keeps sharing.

I absolutely loved what I read on Down Beach Skate’s About Page

We especially like the rapidly growing group of extremely rad girl groms, moms and mentors.

Life is full of connections – if you look for them – my mom’s name is Carlin so I read a post about a Carlin & found a skate shop that likes moms!

Virginia Inspires Me to Write to Santa

December 5, 2016 Jordan

There’s an IG campaign

I want to help populate Instagram with comic book & children’s characters for Childhood Cancer Awareness. If you’d like to accept the challenge, give me a like and post a character! #childhoodcancerawareness #childcancerawareness #childrenshospital #cancer #cancerawareness #children

I liked Orion’s picture of Batman so it was time for me to post my character. I absolutely believe in the power of “awareness”. When people are aware of a problem it gives them an opportunity to act and it’s through positive actions that problems get resolved.

For my pick, I wanted a character that raises awareness and gets things done. I wanted someone that could really be anyone who just took the time to take action.

I picked Virginia from Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Clause.

When I picked her, the Virginia I had in mind was the one on the right from the 2009 TV show.

Virginia in the TV show is based on the real life person – Virginia O’Hanlon (Virginia on the left). In 1897, an eight year old Virginia in response to some school bullies, who did not believe in Santa, went out to find the truth.

After asking her father, she wrote a letter to The Sun Newspaper in NYC because

If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.

Virginia’s question to the editor

Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Clause?

His answer

. . . Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. . . .

click above to read the complete question & response

Virginia continues to spread hope through her story and through Macy’s Believe Campaign.

For every letter you write to Santa, Macy’s donates $1 to Make-A-Wish up to $1m. Macy’s has been doing this since 2003 and this year will celebrate $100m in total giving to Make-A-Wish.

You can send a letter on-line just click below

or you can drop your letter to Santa off in the big red letterbox at your local Macy’s store. Write your letters now and email or drop them off by December 24th.

You can also join the movement by tagging #SantaProject on your FB, Twitter, or IG posts.

Thank you Virginia for inspiring so many of us to believe in Santa and the importance of love & generosity.

Till next time keep it stylish on & off the board.

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Olivia Keeping it Stylish on & off the Skateboard in Tallahassee

December 3, 2016 Jordan

Olivia aka motobabydoll skateboarding in Tallahassee. When I asked her why she likes to skate

I love to skate because I like progressing & accomplishing new things and tricks! It’s fun exercise as well. Especially when u have friends with the same interest, but it’s easy to make new friends at skateparks too!

I love that Olivia keeps it stylish wherever and however fast she goes.

More girls skateboard and believe they can do anything when they see girls accomplishing their passions – thanks Olivia for sharing and inspiring!

Mariya Dancing with Her Longboard

December 2, 2016 Jordan

Merilosity shares this picture before the rain. Mariya is a student at MUC. I had a chance to ask her what she likes about skating & why she thinks skating is good for girls.

I like it because it teaches me endurance and gives me a feeling of longterm achievement after I learn more tricks 🙂

I think it’s a good thing for girls because it helps you manage your fear of pain and gives you a taste of accomplishment in a sport where guys dominate 🙂

She’s currently editing a video, until it’s ready here’s some pictures. Be sure to check her out – more girls skate when they see girls skating and get encouragement.

In addition to her long board, Mariya has a skateboard. I love when those who “dominate” in skateboarding encourage others.

Thanks Mariya for sharing & hope to see the video soon.

That was quick the video was released 12/3 – click below to watch.

Skating Fashionista

Monthly Archives: December 2016

Skate Rising December 10th at Academy Skate Park

Sharing Skateboarding & Secrets

Connecticut Skate Parks Support Their Skater Girls

The Skatingfashionista Loves Bombas Socks

Christiana Smith – A Positive Seed

Boy Meets Girl Catching up with Stacy Igel

Girls Skateboarding at Ocean City Skatepark

Virginia Inspires Me to Write to Santa

Olivia Keeping it Stylish on & off the Skateboard in Tallahassee

Mariya Dancing with Her Longboard

Skating & Fashion are Better Together