UO Blog

From San Francisco

Nail Art with Floss Gloss: Round One

Floss Gloss has an incredibly fun palate of colors to choose from. With their bright colors and pretty packaging, we had a feeling the women behind the brand, Janine and Aretha, could teach us a thing or two about nail art... and we were right. Using inspiration from the Bazaaaaar Pop-Ups in L.A. and NYC, and products from our site, the duo has created three unique and easy-to-follow tutorials to get your nails on-trend just in time for summer. Here, Janine takes us through Round One, and it has us dying to see what they have in store for next week!

Your guides Janine (left) and Aretha (right).

Janine: "I was inspired this week by the Sparkle and Fade Cut Out Romper


I love the triangles and the variety of the print with only the simple triangle shape. This design is fairly easy and can be done just on one nail, two or all ten! Play with different color stripers or do the design on naked nails with a colored tip for a lace effect.



The Polish:
I used Floss Gloss Ltd Pro Nail Lacquer in Bassline for the base coat, Bikini Coral, Neon Nacho, Perf, Fastlane for the color scheme, and topped it off with Gloss for the top coat. All Floss Gloss Ltd lacquers are available online at Urban Outfitters. I used a nail art striper in white for the design.






The Steps:
Always base coat! Using a base coat will help make the longevity of your manicure longer and protect your nails from any staining from highly pigmented lacquers etc. This design can be modified for ability level by simply not doing step seven. Get playful! Try just one triangle on each side of the center front line or two center front lines! The possibilities are endless and because African Prints are so organic, the lines do not have to be perfect."


Step One:

Step Two:

Janine getting into the zone! (And showing off her crazy cool nail station)

Step Three:

Step Four:

Step Five:

Step Six:

Step Seven: Add the Gloss and...
Ta-da! Janine shows off her amazing work.


Already getting ready for next week? Stay tuned to find out!

Shop Floss Gloss and make sure to check back next week for Round Two!

Follow the girls on Facebook and Twitter at @FlossGloss 

From San Francisco

Thee Oh Sees: "Toe Cutter - Thumb Buster"

"Toe Cutter - Thumb Buster," easily my favorite song off of psych-rockers Thee Oh Sees new record, Floating Coffin, now has a rather dark video to go along with it, directed by John Strong. The protagonist, clearly a murderous fellow, has some trouble getting on with his night, because of well, the other people he runs into throughout the evening. Actions of the dude in the video aside, this song is seriously one good jam, and if you like this one, go listen to the whole album. Maddie

From San Francisco

Fatal Jamz

Sometimes it feels like Burger Records can do no wrong. A nice addition to the Cali label's roster is glam rock group Fatal Jamz, whose LP "Vol. 1" is awesome. Not to mention their song Rookie has won my heart over. Though there seems to be no official connection to Rookie Mag, I'd like to think they're singing about Rookie readers. Hazel

 

From San Francisco

Happy Birthday James Franco

Just in time for 4/20, we get to wish our favorite stoner a very happy 35th birthday. Here's to you, Mr. Franco (a.k.a. how I envision myself singing HBD to him)! Xoxo. —Ally








From San Francisco

UO x Converse Pop-Up

The Converse pop-up shop inside of the 80 Powell St. Urban Outfitters in San Francisco is still on and poppin' until April 13th. If you've been dying to get some new Converse, now is the time to buy because you'll be able to get an awesome customization with your purchase. —Katie









From San Francisco

Nike x Levi's 511 Skateboarding Collection with Omar Salazar

Levi's and Nike have released this quick preview of their upcoming 511 Skateboarding Collection. Rooted in the same marriage of style and sport as the popular Levi's Commuter Series, the line will add skate-centric details to the 511. The video features Nike SB pro Omar Salazar, whose ability to mix old school tricks into an aggressive style fits well with the theme of classic brands continuing to innovate. The 511 khaki is my go-to skate pant, so I'm stoked to see what details this collab brings to the table. -Angelo

From San Francisco

The Sad Girls Guide to SXSW

This "Sad Girls Guide to SXSW" by Tatyahna Cameron is brilliant for a million reasons. I am literally this girl at every show ever, always yelling at my friends to stay hydrated (that shit is serious!). For some excellent tips on making out with music bloggers and chilling out about where you're going, this is a handy lil' guide. Cameron will also be tweeting more Sad Girls tips from SXSW with the hashtag #sadgirlsguide2sxsw. You can also read a few more of her Sad Girls Guides here on her tumblr because, come on, we're all a little sad sometimes. - Hazel

From Elsewhere

Employee Side Projects

Over the past few months, Urban Outfitters has supported employee entrepreneurial efforts by creating Side Projects, a chance for employees to show off their amazing talents and get their products featured in local stores. Below were our first round of employees, with more coming throughout the year. Enjoy! -Ally


UO Sales Associate Andrew Cunningham has spent his time working with wood and building for the last 11 years. Recently, he's been making his own skateboards out of reclaimed wood, turning material that others might pass right by into hand-carved works of art.  The reason he started making these decks? "I couldn't find the skateboards that I wanted, so I went out into my parents garage and started making my own."  He's been perfecting his craft ever since. You can find his boards in our Santa Monica store (1440 Third St. Promenade).






Upper Midwest District Manager John Migala helps run this vintage shop which is described as, "American heritage with a touch of white collar flair referencing utility, work wear and military styles." Focusing on the needs of the quintessential "man," Scout manages to mix the outdoors with low-cost, unique clothing that will have even the most experienced male thifters at a loss for words. Go get some new digs before they run out at our NYC stores at 14th and 6th (526 Avenue of the Americas).





This vintage shop is filled with all of the things you want to fill your closet with but can never find in any stores. If you want some one-of-a-kind outfits (especially with festival season right around the bend), then this is your to-go shop for making you look cooler than you are.  Shop BPV by San Francisco Store Merchandiser Laura Cerri and her BFF Jessica Dega at the NYC Broadway Store (2633 Broadway) and in San Francisco (3322 Fillmore St.).



Hollywood Sales Associate Sean Tully (and our former Employee of the Month) is back for more Urban fun with a bunch of new zines, T-shirts and faux wooden spray cans he created in between his surf days at sea.  You can find his stuff in San Francisco and on 5th Ave in NYC. Get 'em while they're hot!



Looking for some new zines to flip through? Then Portland Sales Associate Sara Golden is your girl.  Just browsing through her photographs on Tumblr is like having a little kid on your leg begging you to take her on a trip to Disney Land (yeah, that's my idea of a getaway. Sue me.).  Her 'Zines are in San FranciscoCambridge, MA, and NYC.




You would never guess from employee Kat Mills' cat-filled Tumblr that she makes super gnarly zines. You can buy her satanic kitty zine (and more) here, or check her out in San Francisco and NYC.

Lila Ash
Lila Ash, assistant display artist at UO Space 15Twenty, is an illustrator, sculptor and performance artist from NYC who lives and works in L.A. Her paintings and comics have been exhibited at L.A.'s Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) and are published bi-monthly in L.A. Record Magazine. She is an alum of the painting department at the Rhode Island School of Design, class of 2011.

From San Francisco

100s 'Ice Cold Perm'

Recently discovered 100s out of the Bay Area. His album Ice Cold Perm is killing it right now. With clear inspiration from Snoop and 1970s pimp influenced flow, you can get his album here. -Lorin

From San Francisco

Agyness Deyn x Dr. Martens Spring/Summer 2013

You may remember that British model turned designer Agyness Deyn created the coolest collection of shoes and clothes for Dr. Martens last fall, and you found yourself wanting more, of course. Luckily, Aggy is back for Spring 2013, and has possibly created an even cooler range of shoes and clothes for the brand, ranging from fisherman sandals in patent and metallic leathers, heeled sandals, as well as some totally awesome clothes, including an eyeball print dress. Basically, I want it all! Check out the campaign video above, shot in the always wonderful San Francisco, and shop her current collection here.Maddie

From San Francisco

The Essential Guide to Dim Sum

We all know what it's like to be at a restaurant and have no friggin' clue what we're actually eating or how to even pronounce it. The Essential Guide to Dim Sum breaks it down for us with the history behind the food and what's in each of the 24 dishes featured.  You'll be a menu master in no time and your friends will be all WTF? when you simply explain what's in Har Gow. (via Buzzfeed) -Ally


From San Francisco


This Is A Memory Of

This Is A Memory Of is a Tumblr that will make anyone drown in a sea of nostalgia. The author of the site, Olga Nunes, asks her Tumblr visitors to call a number and leave a message about the last time a sight, smell, or sound triggered a long-forgotten memory. She then posts the voicemails to the Tumblr for everyone to hear. So cute (and often cry-worthy). The internet: Bringing everyone together since Al Gore invented it. -Katie

From San Francisco


Jason Nocito 'I Heart Transylvania'

Jason Nocito, a photographer based out of NYC, is opening his I Heart Transylvania exhibit at the Little Big Man Gallery (234 Ritch St.) in San Francisco tomorrow. Jason has shot our last two men's digital catalogs and we think he's mega talented, but if you're unfamiliar with his work and in the SF area, make sure to catch his exhibition. Jason's photos are effortlessly beautiful and entirely relatable—exactly what you wish your Instagram feed looked like. -Katie




From San Francisco

The UO Nice List: Boo

We reached out to some of our favorite people to find out what is on their wish lists this year.   Here we talk to Boo, the cutest dog in the world.

Introduce yourself 
Hi, world! I’m . I like to eat chicken, chew on squeaky toys, wear pink, and follow around my best friend, Buddy.

What do you love/loathe most about the holidays? 
Holiday sweaters! Love!



If you could ask for anything this year (and money is no object) what would you ask for? 
World peace for sure. And a bowl of boiled chicken and rice.

What’s your favorite holiday snack or food? 
Chicken, rice, and cottage cheese (low sodium since I’m watching my weight) for dinner and apples for dessert!

Without looking it up, what are the ingredients in eggnog? 
Hm. Egg and nog? 



Any idea how you will spend New Year’s Eve this year? 
Buddy and I haven’t finalized plans yet, but whatever we end up doing, I’m sure it will involve a lot of glitter and sequins.

If you could be any character from a holiday movie, who would you be and why? 
Buddy the Elf! Mainly, because his name is Buddy.

If you could plant a New Year’s kiss on your dream crush, who would that be and why? 
Buddy, of course!

From San Francisco


Christopher Owens Solo Debut

Over the summer Christopher Owens announced that he would be leaving his band Girls to start his own solo project. Sad. Today it was announced that Owens will be releasing his debut solo LP in January, and the first two songs are available for streaming. Usually I feel sort of ugh when artists feel the need to go solo, but I have to say, I'm interested to hear the album in its entirety. And maybe now that he's free as a bird, he'll feel like cracking a smile once in a while. (via Pitchfork) -Katie

From San Francisco

Brenton Haslam

Feeling the need to get away? Brenton Haslam's photos will make you forget where you are (like your office desk, in history class or sick in bed) for a little and take you on a journey to a world unknown. -Ally




From New York

Spinlister

Do you believe in the kindness of strangers?  On the new website Spinlister, the goal is to be able to rent bikes to other individuals with the trust you'll be getting it back.  And if by chance your bike breaks, is destroyed or completely disappears, they'll pay for the damages up to $5,000 and make you a cake (mmm, cake).  Sounds like a good plan to me.  Start by listing your bike today! -Ally

From San Francisco

At Home with Barry McGee

T Magazine takes a look into the Mission district home of San Francisco artist Barry McGee. The vibe of McGee's home is pleasantly warm and not over-decorated. It's always interesting to me to see how an artist treats their dwelling. Check out some more details in the feature here. -Bob


From San Francisco

Creature X Jay Howell

Jay Howell is by far my favorite artist of the moment.  The skateboarding, partying, and full on don't-give-a-shit youth culture vibe of his illustrations make me want to shrink myself down to the size of a joint and join in on all of the fun.  His new decks for Creature have me begging my boyfriend to take me to the skatepark.  His answer? "No fucking way." Oh well, looks like I'll just to hang one of these on the wall and daydream about doing fakie flips.  Buy them here!-Ally



From San Francisco

Beck Hansen's Song Reader

When I heard McSweeney's was releasing Beck's latest album, I was a little confused. Is McSweeney's producing records now? Turns out Beck's latest album is actually a song reader, filled with pieces of sheet music. So if you want to hear any of the awesome songs listed in the reader, you're going to have to play them yourself. I guess it's time I learned to play piano! - Hazel