Summer, Summer, Summertiiiiiiiiiime! Introducing M.I.S.S. July, the Upper Playground Adidas Superstar BBQ. Part of the 35th Anniversary Expression Series, what doesn’t say Summer more than a BBQ! So you know we had to hook up some finger lick’n nails…all the necessities for your ‘Q: Hot Dogs, Chips ‘n Dip (please believe those are real chips and French onion dip, we certainly don’t play, especially when it comes to nails…and food!), Drank, Hamburger on a Sesame seed bun, and some watermelon! Just thinking of summer and bbq’s brings to mind a certain back ‘n the day song…and so we leave you with this…

Yeah I got on sneaks but I need a new pair
Cause basketball courts in the summer got girls there
The temperatures about 88
Hop in the water plug just for old times sake
Break to ya crib change your clothes once more
Cause you’re invited to a barbecue that’s starting at 4
Sitting with your friends cause y’all reminisces
About the days growing up and the first person you kiss
And as I think back makes me wonder how
The smell from a grill could spark up nostalgia*

*All song Lyrics from “Summertime” by Will Smith…Duh!

Adidas Superstar 35th Anniversary Expression Series #14, Shoes Courtesy of Upper Playground
A Smoke & Mirrors Creative Production
Download the M.I.S.S. July calendar here and the desktop here.

Links to previous month’s calendars and desktops after the jump . . .

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Oh yes we did. Because we know you just said to yourself, “Oh know they didn’t!” when you saw this months playmate. And why not. It’s summer time ya’ll! And what better way to celebrate the hot weather and beach days then with Nike’s vintage footwear made for the water! Introduced in the 80’s, the Nike Aqua Sock took on many variations thru the 90’s…Aqua Sock Too, Nike Foot Digs, Aqua Surf…And rightfully so, who wouldn’t want their beach get-up to be perfect from head to toe. So it was important that you had different variations of footwear for the beach. Ok, so we know people weren’t rocking these as a fashion statement back in the day, purely function over fashion…for water-play, surfing and as stated on the box “providing protection from beach elements” not to mention a killer tan line! But it’s 2008 and if you are thinking of adding some kick to your steeze with some Aqua Socks, don’t forget who put you on.

Download the M.I.S.S. June calendar here and the desktop here.

A Smoke & Mirrors Creative Production
Nike Aqua Socks & Nike Foot Digs: The Goods!

Links to previous month’s calendars and desktops after the jump . . .

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Dare you say you love your kicks more than your mama? Bite your tongue, we wouldn’t believe that for an instant. But we might believe that you love and care for your kicks like you would your own child…feel the pain of a new scuff or scrap, buy them special things, you probably clean them everyday, and every night tuck them back into their cozy little box for a good nights “sleep”…you’d probably even feed your shoes if someone told you if would extend their “life”…ya’ll are crazy…BUT that is love and sometimes love can be crazy.

For the month of May we are featuring original Jordan VIII’s. This month we celebrate Mother’s day and although there isn’t anything more beautiful than the love and bond between a mother and child, you might agree that there isn’t anything cuter than a “mama” Jordan and a “baby” Jordan…sooooo cute! We think you and your Mama should get matching kicks this Mother’s Day and on your dime of course because you know she’s worth it.

You can download the M.I.S.S. May desktop here and the calendar here.

Art Direction: Smoke & Mirrors Creative
Photography: Gabriella Davi-Khorasanee
Nail Art: Liz Baca
Model: Myra
Post Production: Liz Baca
Original Jordan VIII’s youth & toddler from The Goods!

If you missed out on April’s “Playmate”, never fear! You can download the Desktop image here and the calendar here.

If you missed out on March’s “Playmate”, never fear! You can download the Desktop image here and the calendar here.

If you missed out on February’s “Playmate”, never fear! You can download the Desktop image here and the Calendar here.

If you missed out on January’s “Playmate”, you can download the calendar here and the desktop image here.

FLOM…For Love or Money. Said to be the rarest sneaker of them all and by far holds a huge bounty…if you could even find one for sale. This Nike SB Dunk was master minded by the master mind, Futura 2000 in 2005. Designed to coincide with the opening of his FL (Futura Laboratories) store location in Fukuoka, Japan, only 24 pairs where produced. 3 pairs where raffled at the opening and the rest gifted to friends and family. All in all there are 13 countries currencies represented on the shoes: Malaysia, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, France, Singapore, Canada, United States, Brazil, Thailand, Australia, China, Switzerland and Japan. In an interview with Futura on NikeSB.org he shares some of this inspiration behind the shoe:

“The initial idea comes from the STAR WARS bounty hunter: (4LOM) this acronym meaning (FOR LOVE OF MONEY). I’ve been a huge SWARS toy collector for some time and he (4LOM) was my favorite character. However I was always at conflict w/his name. I thought he should have taken a romantic approach and not one of mercenary. The subtle difference(s) between (of & or) are in fact not that subtle at all.”

Read the full interview here.

During this particular “Playmate” shoot we wore white gloves and Haz Mat suits. Although we are ballin’ enough to cut up hundred dollar bills and other funny money we are a few thousand short to pay for or acquire a replacement for such a gem of a shoe…could you even imagine the horror had nail polish split on them!!! We don’t even wanna go there. So, then, the question still remains: For Love or Money…which do you choose?
*Please note that we here at M.I.S.S. Crew are in fact not ballin’ and no currency, international or domestic, were actually harmed during this shoot.

Download the M.I.S.S. April 2008 calendar here.

Download the M.I.S.S. April 2008 desktop here.

Art Direction: Smoke & Mirrors Creative
Photography: Gabriella Davi-Khorasanee
Nail Art: Smoke & Mirrors Creative
Model: Myra
Post Production: Liz Baca
FLOM Nike SB Dunk from the private collection of The Dark Side Initiative

If you missed out on March’s “Playmate”, never fear! You can download the Desktop image here and the calendar here.

If you missed out on February’s “Playmate”, never fear! You can download the Desktop image here and the Calendar here.

If you missed out on January’s “Playmate”, you can download the calendar here and the desktop image here.

The words of the great L.L. Cool J come to mind when gazing upon our March “Playmate”: “Mama said KNOCK YOU OUT!”. More like TKO. I mean you know you weren’t ready for this. Introducing M.I.S.S. March, the Mama x Adidas Pro Mama. Made for the ladies by “the” lady herself, Mama knows best and she only gives us the best in this collab; from the custom “Mama” name-plate lace lock, lace print insoles, heart shape quilting, patent and 3-M and more importantly a reminder that us ladies don’t always want PINK shoes. Thank-you. Keep your eyes to the sky and ears to the streets for the official drop date, until then enjoy the eye candy!

Download the M.I.S.S. March 2008 calendar here.

Download the M.I.S.S. March 2008 desktop here.

Art Direction & Photography: Smoke & Mirrors Creative
Nail Art: Liz Baca/The Goods!
Model: Myra
Post Production: Alex Valdez
Exclusive Pro Mama Sample from Mama Clothing.

If you missed out on February’s “Playmate”, never fear! You can download the Desktop image here and the Calendar here.

If you missed out on January’s “Playmate”, you can download the calendar here and the desktop here.

Holidaaaaay! Celebrate! Oh, the Holiday sneaker…Christmas, Halloween, 4th of July, St. Patty’s, Easter, Valentines Day, Thanksgiving?? Yeah, even Thanksgiving. Now a days we look forward to a new sneaker release around each Holiday, perhaps more so than presents under the Christmas tree. They come “quick”, are gone even faster (usually), and often times fetch a premium on the resale market. There was a time when not all Holidays had a sneaker. This particular Valentines edition of the Nike Air Max 90 is from 2001 and is from the beginnings of the Holiday sneaker craze. It was love at first site. Don’t know about you but here at M.I.S.S. we’d take these over a box of chocolates any day. Oh, we still want the red roses and romantic dinner but the only box of something we want this Valentines Day best have kicks inside!

Download the Desktop image here.

Download the Calendar here.

Art Direction & Photography: Smoke & Mirrors Creative
Nail Art: Liz Baca/The Goods!
Model: Myra
Post Production: Alex Valdez
Nike Valentines Day Air Max 90’s from the private collection of Liz Baca/The Goods!

If you missed out on January’s “Playmate”, never fear! You can download it here!

At M.I.S.S., we love getting nails did and sneaks so we put them together to present M.I.S.S. 2008 - a calendar featuring a “playmate” of the month. Each month we’ll feature ladies’ kicks that we heart along with a killer matching manicure. For January, we present M.I.S.S. January 2008 - British Knights Black Orchid.

Started in 1980 by the Jack Schwartz Inc in New York, BK or British Knights was started as a “fashionable alternative to the major ‘performance’ sportswear brands.” BK positioned it’s self as an “inner city and music driven brand, appealing to the predominantly streetwise young male.” In the early 90’s BK sponsored MC Hammer. They where the first company to make a commercial, which was broadcast on MTV.. Their marketing campaigns included “Get off on the right foot -Get off on BK’s (1990); “U Can’t Touch This” By MC Hammer (1991) and “Choose Change” (1992). It was shortly after, in the early 90’s, that an urban myth claiming that the Crips street gangs rocked the shoes claiming that the BK stood for “Blood Killers”, their rival gang, that started the downfall of the brand. These rumors apparently contributed to the decline in the popularity of the shoe due to the brand being banned at schools and universities. British Knights never recovered from this fall. Today they stand apart of streetwear history and continue to provide nostalgia and design inspiration.

The calendar is available for download here.

The desktop image is available for download here.

Wishing you a great 2008!

Art Direction & Photography: Smoke & Mirrors Creative
Model: Mayra