“these bums will buy you cliche` flowers and candy and consider it as an investment with a sexual return.”

I know the ladies are ready to light me up with comments and emails, but bear with me. You are so deprived of romance and consideration for most of the year, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for romance by obligation. Valentine’s Day is a romantic paradox. The soul of romance lives in spontinaety, and by declaring a day for lovers to be romantic, spontaneity looses its edge. A champion lover is frequently thoughtful throughout the year. That is why I am declaring a new holiday: The Champion Lover (CL) holiday. Think of it like sick time at work. You can take it as you need it (nh). Everyone has 12 Champion Lover holidays per year. You can take one every month or you can spend like two weeks this summer cupcaking with your boy/girlfriend, wifey/hubby, life partner, f%#ck buddy, or what ever you kids call it these days. Every holiday has to have traditions or customs… We will keep it simple. There is only one rule. Be selfless. When a Champion Lover does things for someone he/she cares for, it is done for no other purpose than to make that person feel special. On Valentine’s Day, most of these bums will buy you cliche` flowers and candy and consider it as an investment with a sexual return. Lame! It has to be done just because you love to do it. Do it for the look on her face.
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The 2008 Presidential Election has been one of the most historic and interesting campaigns I have seen or read about. With new social networks and media outlets, we have seen the new age campaigning develop right before our eyes.

Over at the Elevated Group we have been working on our Paint the White House Black project, and in the spirit of newspaper, magazine, celebrity and political endorsements I felt it necessary to go on record and officially endorse BARACK OBAMA for the next President of the United States. Being that our project revolves around the Limited Edition T-Shirt and Blog, I wanted to give my rating on the Top 10 Obama T-shirts, from both major and boutique brands. Check out the list below and let me know what you think.

10. Ballin wit Barack ‘08 by Akomplice
Fresh and creative…showing the athletic side of the future president.

9. Air Obama
Taking example from one of the most recognized brands in the world.

8. Obama Knows by Under Crown
Do you remember all the Bo Knows commercials?

7. Must Do It by Everyday Ppl
Simple but fresh…Look like Nike runs the world.

6. Barack the Vote
Rock the Vote enhanced for the proper choice.

5. Progress by Obey
Everyone has seen this print in one way or another.

4. O-Face by Under Crown
Showing the correlation of Obama’s athleticism and McCain’s lack.

3. Why I Vote by Ragamuffin
Powerful piece..I will remember when i head to the polls next week. Check out their other Obama Tees as well.

2. Obama Bumaye by Mighty Healthy
Personal favorite, really looks like he is saying “The election is mine!”

1. Paint The White House Black by Propaganda Champ
You should have known. Elevated Group & Propaganda Champ. Check the Black House Blog for full info.

If you aren’t aware Downtown Los Angeles is getting an Extreme “Central Business District” Makeover. Think: The Edison, The Standard Downtown, Versus. Those however do not hold a flame to L.A. Live, the expansive Sports and Entertainment District off the 110 Harbor Freeway, the wick being the 54-story hybrid JW Marriot, Ritz-Carlton and The Ritz-Carlton Residences at L.A. Live.

Recognizing the technological and internet driven times we live in, The Ritz recently hosted a live Bloggers only preview of the residences and of course your boy Blog-E (E-Nuff.Info coming soon, pause) held it down for the Elevated Crew with G. Vitte. With a full model home that will make Tony Stark hate, premium open bar and a 5-course buffet dinner catered by a man who shall remain nameless, there was no room for me to complain.

Despite the fact that the housing market has sent the global economy to hell, somebody has already bought more than a QUARTER BILLION worth of the 224 residences. This was the only number mentioned – I suppose individual home prices are on a “Need to Know” basis.

My guess however, is not cheap with its top-of-the-line high-end features and appointments plus the buildings amenities such as the private heated rooftop pool, state-of-the-art spa and fitness center, 24-hour concierge, valet parking and how could one forget – views of the mountains, the ocean, and the city! Not to mention the fact that residents also get advanced and VIP access to L.A. Live events and venues and that you would be living 27+ stories atop a 4 and 5 star hotel and small city.

So in the spirit of promoting the Elevated mantra of “Hustle Hard. Eat Well. Live Elevated,” be sure to send an invite to your house warming. Move-in is slated to begin around January 2010.

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are..”   These are the greeting words read when entering Broccoli City.  A lifestyle brand originating in North Carolina that encompasses a clothing line and blog that allows people to continue to navigate through this world keeping  health and our environment a priority.  My man Book Bag B, has given notice that the new season of Broccoli City T-shirts are on their way, and I figure no better time to give you all an introduction.  Living and working in Hollywood I can definitely agree with BC when they say “Hate is the New Love.” Check the site to see some of the sold out pieces, and also peep the blog content. 

Since its inception in 1972, Nike has been that fast kid on the playground that no one could ever catch up with. And there is no sign of them slowing down.

In May, Nike announced the creation of Nike Sportswear, a lifestyle brand that blends its classic designs with cutting edge technology. While they only have one flagship store at 21 Mercer in New York’s SoHo district, the company is hosting a “getting to know you” period by opening pop-up temporary stores across the world. Their intentions are to create a stronger understanding of the brand and the company’s vision between the consumer and the Nike Sportswear NSW collection.

For Los Angeles residents, your nearest local is the historic Montalban Theater on Vine Street, just south of Hollywood Boulevard.

An experience for sneaker freakers and art enthusiast alike, the collection at The Montalban is the culmination of high art and high fashion, displaying the high end kicks and apparel in such a manner that you forget your in a store and feel more like an exclusive gallery opening. Various displays and videos share the past of the company and its future.

With features such as Cinema Tuesdays, a NikeID Studio and the MAKE SOMETHING!! children’s classes, the Nike Sportswear Collection at The Montalban is definitely something to add to your To-Do List. But hurry, they close shop on October 31st.

This Tuesday, you can check out an much anticipated film RocknRolla with an all star cast.

Nike Sportswear @ the Montalban
1615 Vine Street
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323-483-0089

Store Hours:
Tuesday: Cinema Tuesdays
Wednesday and Thursday: 11am - 9pm
Friday and Saturday: 11am - 10pm
Sunday: 12pm - 8pm

Music marketing and promotion has always been a difficult task, to reach an audience who is bombarded by artist who have little talent but large budgets, the quality artist are usually overlooked.  With many new internet and viral initiatives being put in place to catch attention of consumers, many go unseen and unappreciated.  With a degree in the formal teaching of marketing I pay close attention to any fresh and innovative marketing efforts.  Today I saw the Monday Night Football billboards with actually astroturf and chalk writing.   I tried to snatch it off the wall, I will let you know if I get my hands on one, but that’s not what this is about.  Phonte and Nicolay are gearing up for their second collaboration, Foreign Exchange Leave It All Behind (LIAB).  The first album Connected was great, nice mellow beats, fresh lyrics, something that you can play thru with out getting bored or tired.  They have released tree videos of different chat conversations, leaving things very vague, and most fans sitting on the edge of their seat like when Kells dropped the first couple Trapped in the Closet songs, before it got weird.  I am looking forward to this project, available for digital download on October 7^th and in store on October 14^th, check out the videos below, look up the Connected project to get acquainted. 

No this is not about the presidential race, but about a few other people that need your vote, coincidentally all at the same time. Read the step by step guide on how to help.

A few weeks ago we posted on Fonzworth Bentley’s video for his new single Everbody featuring Kanye & Andre 3000, with the MTV Video Music Awards around the corner, the call has been set forth to nominate this classic for Video of the Year. Click here and scroll down Fonzworth and provide your vote.

Everybody - Mr. Bentley w/ Kanye & Andre 3000

Also on the MTV VMA Ballot is Los Angeles’s own U-N-I, whose song Supreme has been on our music player for sometime now, has been nominated as one of LA’s Best Break Out Artist. The winner will be revealed at the awards and we want to make sure they take the title. Check out the song & Click here to vote, and represent for U-N-I.

U-N-I - Supreme

Last but certainly not least, we [elevatedla.com] need your help.The 2008 Black Web Black Awards nomination process has begun and we need nominations & votes in the categories: Best Blog Design, Best Food Blog, Best Group Blog, Best Photo Blog, & Blog to Watch. Nominate for one category or ALL.

It will only take a few minutes for this and this can serve as some early practice for the big vote in November, but more on that later!

Simply…
happy birthday to ME!
congrats to the Elevated Crew…5 Years..Hustle Hard, Eat Well, Live Elevated!
and lots of pics of lots of people from lots of parties in the gallery…

Literally “lets get dirty.”!  In a constant effort to stay healthy and fit, I could not back down, when a friend challenged me to complete the Camp Pendleton 10k Mud Run. Since I have completed in marathons (26.2 miles), one on foot and the other on bike, I figured how hard could a 10k (6.2 miles) race be.  As I sought information on this “Mud Run”, I learned that the course was equipped with tire obstacles, river crossings, tunnel crawls, slippery hill climbs, and the final 30-foot mud pit.  Needless to say, I think I have a found a fulfilling challenge.

The Mud Run is October 18th, which gives myself and those who dare to accept this challenge more than enough time to prepare. Registration is $55 and as this is a popular event spots fill up months in advance, so sign up early!  If you are content with the treadmill as your work out, be sure to check back later this year and see how team Elevated survived the Mud Run.

If you couldn’t answer the question faster than you read it, your timepiece may be suspect. Last night, the JL boys produced the NOOKA X DDCLAB event in Hollywood at the DDCLAB Los Angeles store. With ever-flowing drinks and rare grooves by Gomez Warren IV, the collaborative event gave invited guests a glimpse of the two brands.

NOOKA, a design company, shared their line of watches that fit as a normal watch with abstract digital displays that make them beyond typical. Having seen a couple of these watches up close, some practice is needed before wearing — as you don’t want to stumble through a response to my initial question. With many styles and colors to choose from, they have pieces for any outfit or occasion. The summer uniform of tees, sneakers and jeans have a new buddy to set a scene off right.

DDCLAB is a product of Roberto Crivello and Savania Davies-Keiller’s design studio DDC USA. This duo is committed to enhancing fashion through emerging technology but never “reinventing the wheel.” So, “The look is the same. It is simple. It is classic. But is now improved. It is fashion technology.” Although my sneakers may be fly, they can’t make me fly — but if it ever happens I know where it will happen first.

Check out the photos LAZO shot at the event and catch your own peek of NOOKA X DCCLAB.

The Mantra, the motto, the slogan, the theme…whichever way you choose to view “Hustle Hard, Eat Well, Live Elevated,” it is our offering not only to our readers, but to everybody we encounter. You may have seen it pop up in a few of the post, but now I think it’s time that is we provide a detailed explanation. Besides sounding really cool, we put some deep thought into these few words:

Hustle Hard means to do just that: work hard in all that you do, and success will always be a by-product of your hustle. Some may feel the word “Hustle” is played or worn out, but there is no better word to describe pure hard work. Now matter how many rap songs use the word, it will still hold the same weight. Hustle is a state of mind. As much as it is about working hard, it is about working smart. Each opportunity that is put in front of you is a gift. Your thanks for that gift is hustle.

Eat Well (pause), does not just mean to eat 5 fruits and veggies a day, or to hit up the place on Beverly Blvd with the good pancakes. Of course we encourage you to literally eat well, or we wouldn’t suggest so many spots with good eats, but in our mantra “eat well” is a reference to money. If you’re “eatin” that means you’re getting money. And as true wealth is our goal, you know it is achieved when you can have the best food on your table and the best people around it.

Live Elevated. How does one do that? Living up to your potential is living elevated. Strive to be, have, see, and experience the best there is in this world and the next. For the those who are temporarily “elevated”–or impaired–don’t even worry about it. Just stick to the script and follow along with us. We will map it out for you. Living elevated is something that is a constant struggle. You must constantly expect the best for yourself, as well as your surroundings and activities. Life is too short to be complacent and accept sub-par quality in any aspect of life. We strive to assist you in this way of life by provided you with elevated experiences and destinations.

Now that we are clear, there is 75% of the year left for you to “Hustle Hard, Eat Well, Live Elevated” in ‘08.