If you’re wondering where PRAKTICALA takes its style cues from, the answer is JAMES BOND.
If I’m dressing professionally or want to be taken seriously in any way, I just ask myself, “Would James Bond wear this?”
Continue reading Would James Bond Wear This?
Yep, the new trailer for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS is out. This trailer gives us a closer look at the characters that will be featured in Episode VII, including Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac). Still no sign of Luke though?
Action, explosions, drama, and Industrial Light & Magic kicking it into overdrive – looks like everything STAR WARS should be. Let’s hope it’s good!
Watch the trailer and unleash your inner geek! What is your reaction to the trailer? Let us know in the comments!
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS is directed by J.J. Abrams (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III, STAR TREK) and will be released on December 18, 2015. The film stars also Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong’o, Domnhall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Max von Sydow.
Looking for an entry into the world of Swiss watches? There’s the Tissot I reviewed a while back. There’s also Hamilton, a brand with proud American origins, having provided timekeeping devices for the American railroads during the rail expansion of the late 1800s, as well as for U.S. troops during World War II.
EDIT: Added new video review below!
Hamilton was eventually acquired by Swatch Group, and moved their manufacturing to Switzerland. Like Tissot, Hamilton is a reputable and well-known name in Swiss watches, yet won’t kill your wallet (too much). The brand is notably a favorite among filmmakers and can be seen during critical plot points in several movies, from MEN IN BLACK to BURIED to INTERSTELLAR, making it a popular household name in watchmaking.
Continue reading Review: Hamilton Khaki Aviation Swiss Automatic Watch H76565835
People: If you have been looking to up your DSLR game, Amazon has a killer deal right now on either the Nikon D5300 or the D7100, plus the 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G Nikkor ED VR DX Zoom Lens.
The D5300 is a from Nikon’s mid-range line of cameras, newer than the venerable D90 (probably the best Nikon DSLR ever) but missing a few pro-level features that most amateurs won’t give two hoots about, like a built-in AF motor or high-speed flash sync (if you don’t know what it is, you’ll never miss it). But it does have some exclusive features, like built-in GPS and wifi. What the heck? Back my my day we were lucky if our SLRs could push ISO to 1600.
The D7100 is the successor to the D7000, which is my primary camera. I ditched my “pro” level D300 way back when because the D7000 was lighter, faster, and easier to use. I don’t have any hands-on experience with the D7100 but I expect that it would perform just as well.
The 18-140mm Nikkor lens gives you a crazy zoom range. I have a great 18-50mm f/2.8 Sigma lens, but sometimes I wish I could get some more range in there without having to switch lenses. This Nikkor lens gives you that versatility (although unfortunately you don’t get to keep the f/2.8 – beggars can’t be choosers).
If you add either camera to your Amazon cart, and then add the lens, Amazon will knock off $400 at checkout. In other words, you can snag the D5300 + lens for under $700 or the D7100 + lens for under $900. It is an insane deal. Jump on it now or you will regret it!
UPDATE: These shoes are in! Check out my review here!
EDIT: Now, take 20% off your order with our exclusive promo code PRAKTICALA20!
Beckett Simonon must be doing something right because their business is really starting to take off: recently, they announced yet another line of “premium” shoes that are being funded initially through Kickstarter. So what about the shoes that I already have? What are they, chopped liver??
Though I’m not 100% sure about what makes the upcoming line more “premium” than the Beckett Simonon shoes I’ve reviewed in the past, I do know that they’ve added a ton of new styles and colors, most notably burgundy (which you need to wear more often) and pebbled brown. The assortment of styles include monk straps (cool), loafers WITH TASSELS (FAHncy), brogues (can’t beat ‘em), and chukkas.
Continue reading Beckett Simonon Premium Dress Shoes on Kickstarter
Last year I reviewed Beckett Simonon’s Caine Oxford cap-toes and determined that they provided a decent value for the price, offering many high-end features (full-grain leather and goodyear welting) normally found on much more expensive shoes.
Beckett Simonon’s shoe lineup has since been updated. I was able to get my hands on a pair of their Cohen loafers to see some of the changes in person.
EDIT: Now, take 20% off your order with our exclusive promo code PRAKTICALA20!
EDIT: Beckett Simonon is launching a somewhat new, pre-order based business model, so the Cohen loafers are no longer available. You can read about the relaunched business here, or visit here to see Beckett Simonon’s current lineup of products.
Continue reading Review: Cohen Loafers by Beckett Simonon
I’ve already mentioned what I think is the best watch ever. Some of you, however, probably care less about the timeless elegance of an automatic movement and more about the accuracy and functionality of an everyday timepiece.
Nothing wrong with that! If that’s you, here is perhaps the last watch you’ll ever need – the Citizen BL5250-02L Titanium Eco-Drive Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Watch.
Super long name, but it is practically bulletproof, never needs batteries, and has a crazy accurate quartz movement. And once you set the calendar, it will never need to be adjusted again. Not even for leap years. WHAT?!
Continue reading Review: Citizen BL5250-02L Titanium Eco-Drive Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Watch
Google just unveiled its new logo – the first major change in over 15 years (other than some slight adjustments in color palette and drop shadowing).
Google put a lot of thought, research, and work into the new logo’s design, including branding and image, simplicity, compatibility, and even the movement of the viewer’s eyes across the typeface (which is a brand new, from-scratch font called Product Sans).
You can read a whole lot more about their fascinating and incredibly smart design process here.
We love the new logo – it’s modern, but not trendy, and it is immediately identifiable as very “Google-y.” We’re excited to see it roll out across all the different Google applications!
What do you think of the new logo? Comment below!
After some positive feedback from my recent post on the Clarks Ashland Alpine shoes, I learned that, shockingly, women are more interested in reading about shoes than men. So I figured that there could be a substantial niche at PRAKTICALA for content targeted at women.
It just so happens I have these Black Canvas Cork Strappy Wedges from TOMS that I think you people might be interested in. Hey I won’t fight against the basic laws of economics. Supply and demand!
Continue reading Shoe Review: TOMS Black Canvas Cork Strappy Wedges
The first cast photo from the upcoming STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE is out and features a very cool ensemble cast, not the least of which is… holy crap, DONNIE YEN!
Read more about the film here.
Donnie Yen is a veteran martial artist, actor, and badass, probably best known for playing my ancestor, the legendary IP MAN, in the film of the same name and its sequel. They are both great films and are currently available on Netflix; or you can get them at Amazon here.
STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE is currently in production and is directed by Gareth Edwards. It is scheduled to be released on December 16, 2016.
