SoulKix -- Custom Designed Shoes

My son and I are going to have a blast going to see the newest Star Wars movie ROGUE ONE wearing matching stormtrooper shoes that were custom made for us courtesy of SoulKix. These shoes are impressive, most impressive!  SoulKix understands everyone has their own sense of uniqueness and lets a people personalize footwear to express their individuality through some really cool looking shoes.  If you want to create your own custom kix you really need to contact SoulKix.

As you can see SoulKix can provide custom designed canvass shoes for both adults and kids!  My son really got a kick out of us being able to wear matching kixs to a movie we've both been waiting all year to go see.  It's no surprise that we picked a Star Wars motif for our shoes but you can pick whatever you want when you design your own pair.  SoulKix allows you to print any image that can be uploaded online from your computer onto a pair of canvass sneakers.  Submit your design and SoulKix will make it a reality.

In addition to making shoes that let people show off their individuality, SoulKix is committed to helping the needy around the globe who may not own shoes have a good pair too.  For every pair of SoulKix shoes sold, a plain pair is donated to Soles4Souls.  This non-profit organization acts as second wave responders providing footwear to those in need during times of disaster.  They also provide shoes to people in impoverished areas of the world in an effort to better their way of life.  More than 6,000 shoes have been donated to this charitable effort by SoulKix.

As you can see from the shoes SoulKix sent A Geek Daddy, they will do an outstanding job in producing your custom made shoes for you.  Just go to the soulkix.com website and visit the "Design Your Kix" section.  There you'll be able to select your shoe's color and size, select a layout, and add your images or photographs to add your own artwork to the shoes. Once you've approved the preview, they'll print out your shoes and mail them out to you. Easy as that!

SoulKix wants its customers to "Think Outside the Shoebox" so your kix come with a handy bag  instead of packed in a box.  This bag sporting the SoulKix logo is made out of recycled materials, includes adjustable, removable tote straps and has shoe slots for you to carry, store, or hang your SoulKix in.

The folks at SoulKix are fans of this blog so in addition to sending us some wicked awesome shoes for my son and I to wear when seeing ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story they also sent me some wonderful, personalized kix featuring the A GEEK DADDY logo.  How cool is that?!  aren't these some sweet shoes! I'll definitely be wearing these at some blogger events because they are sure to attract extra attention for A Geek Daddy's blog and social media channels!

Whether you want to stand out in the crowd or highlight your own personality as you walk around, SoulKix are perfect for allowing you to differentiate yourself.  Stumbling on what to give someone as a gift?  Customized kix are a unique gift that even a hard to shop for person who has almost everything will appreciate.  SoulKix are available in youth, kids, and adult sizes so they are just as suitable to wear for a 2 year old as a 102 years old.

Head over to SoulKix.com right now to design your own custom shoes or to craft a pair for someone special in your life.

NIKE Creates Collectible Air Jordon Sneakers Based Upon "Kubo and the Two Strings"

NIKE is continuing the tradition of creating collectible sneakers themed around the new releases of movies from LAIKA studios with a new customized version of the Air Jordan XV.  LAIKA's three previous animated movies Coraline, Boxtrolls, and ParaNorman have all had unique shoes created by famed NIKE designer Tinker Hatfield released in coordination with the release of those films which have all become popular collectors items.  With an approaching August 19, 2016 U.S. theatrical release date for LAIKA's newest film, Kubo and the Two Strings, Hatfield introduced today his newest creation for this collaboration the Kubo XV sneaker.

Coraline

Boxtrolls

ParaNorman

The Kubo XV is a customized version of the Air Jordan sneaker brand featuring a sleek zip up rather than laces.  One of the shoes in the pair is blue and the other is red in reference to the movie's good versus evil story. In addition to making a limited edition of these Kubo Air Jordan XV sneakers available for purchase, NIKE and LAIKA will also be giving away 300 pairs in a variety of charity auctions, contests and sweepstakes.

The entertainment website Complex.com will be giving away a few of these collectible sneakers through a sweepstakes that has 5 pairs as prizes.  On August 8, the Just Keep Livin Foundation will host a live eBay auction with dozens of pairs of Kubo XV sneakers up for bidding; all proceeds will go to the Foundation's programs that teach the importance of decision-making, health, education and active living.  Finally, on August 11, visitors to the official Kubo and the Two Strings website will be able to play an online game where they take on the role of Kubo in battling the Moon Beast.  The top 250 scorers will win a pair of Kubo XVs.  Official rules for the video game contest can be found at kubothemovie.com/rules.html

Kubo and the Two Strings is rated PG and features the voices of Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, Ralph Fiennes, George Takei, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Brenda Vaccaro, Rooney Mara, and Matthew McConaughey.  The movie is directed by Travis Knight, who also happens to be NIKE co-founder Phil Knight's son cementing the relationship between the athletic apparel manufacturer and the movie studio.  The plot of the movie revolves around a young boy named Kubo whose peaceful existence comes crashing down when he accidentally summons a vengeful spirit from the past. Armed with a magical instrument, Kubo must battle the Moon King to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known.

#ShoesYourDestiny

TOMS & National Geographic Big Cats Collection

** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free to review **

 
My kids have an affinity for"Big Cats" probably resulting from a combination of their dad being a passionate sports fan for two teams that have them for mascots (Detroit Tigers & Lions) and one of our favorite family activities is taking a walk through our local zoo to go see the lion exhibit.  So my daughter was pretty excited when a package from TOMS arrived the other day containing a sample of their new Nat Geo Big Cats Collection.  This collection includes sun glasses, a backpack, and of course what TOMS is known for, shoes that include design elements representing big cats and incorporate iconic photography from National Geographic's image library into their style.

While it is nice to be able to see lions, tigers, and other big cats at zoos wouldn't it be a shame if these creatures became extinct from the wild.  These animals have become symbols of adventurism and ferociousness for all of us so what would become of our own human nature if one day we find ourselves living on a planet where there aren't exotic natural spaces where majestic beasts roam in the wild.  Would some of our own instincts for imagination and exploration die off in a world with no wild animals and places?  Unfortunately this is a very real scenario.  Big cats in the wild are disappearing at an alarming rate.  In fact some zoologists are warning that within a generation wild lion and tiger populations may be extinct.

Fortunately there are efforts to try and avoid this scenario.  Since 2009, National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative has worked to reverse the decline of big cats through on-the-ground conservation and education projects in Africa, Asia, and North and South America. These projects include instituting patrols to prevent lion snaring and poaching and building livestock enclosures to protect endangered cats from retaliatory killing.  TOMS is joining in the effort to save these wild animals and their natural habitats by partnering with National Geographic to support its critical nonprofit work through the Big Cats Collection. National Geographic and TOMS hope that this special collection draws attention to the critical need to protect and preserve big cats in the wild.

Heather Mycoskie, the wife of the TOMS founder and "Chief Shoe Giver" Blake Mycoskie,  became inspired to start the TOMS Animal Initiative when she learned that wild lions are at risk of being extinct.  As TOMS "Chief Animal Lover", Heather reached out to National Geographic to partner with the nonprofit in creating the Big Cats Collection.  Through the TOMS Animal Initiative, TOMS is working with various nonprofit animal conservation organizations to drive awareness and funding for global animal protection.

My daughter received a pair of Nat Geo Tiny Jaguar Classics from the TOMS Big Cats Collection to wear on our next trek to the zoo, camping trip, or nature trail hike.  These shoes feature a jaguar-inspired paw print pattern on the outside and the inside is lined with Jaguar pictures from National Geographic's image library.  In addition to be stylish there are also useful components to these shoes that include an elastic V-notch for a secure fit; a latex arch insert for added support; and TOMS classic microfiber with cushion for comfort.  My little girl adores the style of these Nat Geo Tiny Jaguar Classics and can't wait to wear them out on our next big family adventure.

In addition to a pair of TOMS, my daughter also received some goodies from Opposite of Far which included a unique bobcat mask. Opposite of Far specializes in creating unique animal-inspired masks for kids that are made in the United States. Opposite of Far masks are made from layers of premium Merino wool blend felt and Eco-fi Felt sewn together to ensure a safe, durable high quality product that inspires children to enjoy hours of imaginative play. Opposite of Far has a line of endangered animal masks to help promote awareness for conservation and preservation efforts.

Some of the other items in the TOMS Nat Geo Big Cats Collection include Nat Geo Men's Lion Paseos, Nat Geo Women's Jaguar Classics, Nat Geo Leopard Sunglasses, and the Nat Geo Big Cats backpack.  CLICK HERE to view the entire TOMS Nat Geo Big Cats Collection.

National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative was founded in 2009 with Dereck and Beverly Joubert—filmmakers, conservationists, and Nat Geo explorers-in-residence—as a long-term effort to halt the decline of big cats in the wild. The Big Cats Initiative supports efforts to save big cats through assessment, on-the-ground conservation, education, and its "Cause an Uproar" global public-awareness campaign. Since its inception the Big Cats Initiative has funded over 80 grants across more than 25 countries to help save big cats in the wild. CLICK HERE if you would like to make a direct financial contribution to assist the Big Cats Initiative. For more information about its mission and accomplishments, visit animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/big-cats-initiative

A Geek Daddy is a member of the National Geographic Kids Insider blogger program.  Insiders get a behind-the-scenes look at National Geographic’s resources, activities, content and projects for kids and families. They also review copies of books, magazines and toys, and other Nat Geo products plus are offered interviews with authors, explorers and editors. 

#NGKinsider