Nike Air Flight ’89 sneakers are composed of both smooth and textured leather, and take on a mostly white design. Contrasting the look are grey and hyper blue tones. Meanwhile, the heel and collar areas utilize elephant print. Check out www.nike.com for more information.

Photo Credit: upscalehype.com

Georges Bataille was a French surrealist, novelist and existentialist philosopher. He rejected traditional thought, instead applying concepts of sex, death and the obscene to cultural theory.

Disturbing yet beautiful, Visions of Excess is a collection of essays that challenges notions of sociology by way of excretion and expenditure.

Order your copy at www.amazon.ca

Photo credit: amazon.ca

Written By: Yasmine Shemesh

Yasmine is a freelance writer from Vancouver, BC with a BA in English Literature from Simon Fraser University. A free spirit who believes in living life to the fullest, she loves to create, read, swim in the ocean and dance. Her mission is to bring others inspiration and positivity through her words. Connect with Yasmine at www.yasmineshemesh.wordpress.com

Since the Italians saved their neighborhood from the earthquake and fire of 1906 by uncorking their wine barrels and swaddling the houses with blankets soaked in vino rosso, San Francisco’s North Beach has developed itself into a wonderful hub of ristorantes, caffes and Old World-style delicatessens. Affectionately dubbed Little Italy, it was also famously haunted by Beat writers Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.

Lively chatter, clinking glasses and the welcoming aroma of Italian cooking greets you as you stroll down Columbus Avenue, North Beach’s main strip. Pizzerias and both casual and gourmet dining are readily available on every block, along with a multitude of great little caffes where you can sit outside and sip espresso while people watching.

But Little Italy isn’t just all about the food – small boutiques carrying local and imported goods and handmade clothing dot the streets in between some of the most spirited watering holes in town. And City Lights, the original publisher of Ginsberg’s Howl, still maintains itself as one of the best bookstores in San Francisco.

Rarely does one find a place that is so sought after by tourists yet still sacred and beloved to those who call it home. Don’t drive – walk through North Beach to experience all that makes this neighborhood so special.

For more about Little Italy visit www.sanfrancisco.travel/neighborhood/north-beach

Photo credits: examiner.com gocalifornia.about.com blogs.sfweekly.com

Written By: Yasmine Shemesh

Yasmine is a freelance writer from Vancouver, BC with a BA in English Literature from Simon Fraser University. A free spirit who believes in living life to the fullest, she loves to create, read, swim in the ocean and dance. Her mission is to bring others inspiration and positivity through her words. Connect with Yasmine at www.yasmineshemesh.wordpress.com

Since publishing its first issue in 1888, just 9 months after the society itself was founded, National Geographic has made a name for itself as a reputable scientific journal with exclusive articles and spectacular photography about nature, culture, history and the far corners of the world.

This issue features a discussion about genetic advances that could significantly prolong human life, the discovery of new elements, and the oppression, fear and courage of Zimbabwe.

See more at www.nationalgeographic.com

Photo credit: press.nationalgeographic.com

Written By: Yasmine Shemesh

Yasmine is a freelance writer from Vancouver, BC with a BA in English Literature from Simon Fraser University. A free spirit who believes in living life to the fullest, she loves to create, read, swim in the ocean and dance. Her mission is to bring others inspiration and positivity through her words. Connect with Yasmine at www.yasmineshemesh.wordpress.com

The Maya were an ancient Mesoamerican civilization known for their advanced developments of written language, mathematics, architecture and astronomy. Chichen Itza is a Mayan city on the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, in between Valladolid and Merida. As it most likely served as the Yucatan’s religious and ceremonial centre, there are many spectacular monuments here, including the Kukulkan pyramid which is marked as one of the new seven wonders of the world.

The pyramid, believed to be built somewhere between the 9th and 12th century CE, served as the temple to the Mayan god Kukulkan, a feathered serpent deity. The pyramid is beautifully striking, with 24 meters high with 91 step stairways going up each of the four sides that, when included with the temple platform on the very top as the last step, add up to 365, equal to the number of days in a year in the Mayan calendar. Sculptures of the plumed god run down the sides of the northern balustrade and during spring and summer, the late afternoon sun casts a series triangular shadows that makes the serpent appear as if it’s crawling down the pyramid.

Chichen Itza is one of Mexico’s most spectacular Mayan sites and the structures left behind by these people are windows into their fascinating and sophisticated culture.

Learn more about Chichen Itza at www.chichenitza.com

Photo credits: tripadvisor.com iambackpacker.net

Written By: Yasmine Shemesh

Yasmine is a freelance writer from Vancouver, BC with a BA in English Literature from Simon Fraser University. A free spirit who believes in living life to the fullest, she loves to create, read, swim in the ocean and dance. Her mission is to bring others inspiration and positivity through her words. Connect with Yasmine at www.yasmineshemesh.wordpress.com

Fat Joe releases the visual for “Ballin” with a cash rules everything theme. Joey Crack flaunts his lavish lifestyle in the video with features Wiz Khalifa and Teyana Taylor. The Eif Rivera directed clip includes apperances from Trey Songz, Scott Disick and more.

Photo Credit: thisis50.com

This Alexander McQueen red blazer which retials for $1,770 definitely showcases a bold look! The jacket is made of soft plush velvet and features notched lapels, a darted waist for a slim-fit, two flap pockets on the front, single button closure and signature Alexander McQueen button fastenings on the cuffs. For purchasing and more information check out www.alexandermcqueen.com

Photo Credit: upscalehype.com

These Pierre Balmain Flint high-top sneakers which retail for $580, present a sleek and cool look for the casual dresser. They feature a navy blue suede and leather trim combination with a leather buckle strap. For purchasing and more information check out www.pierrebalmain.com

Photo Credit: upscalehype.com

Vancouver is a world class city. It is recognized as one of the best places to live and have fun in. It is surrounded by water and mountains which provides views like no other place. Another thing that Vancouver is known for is having nice cars rolling around town! On any given day you can see Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s and Porsche’s driving around town enjoying the pleasant city. There is a lot of wealth in Vancouver so it makes sense that we see these gorgeous cars. Owners are usually quite nice and appreciate the attention that their cars receive. Here are some pictures that I have taken over the past few months of cars in Vancouver. I expect this summer to bring even more exotic cars out!

Photo credit: Deepak Hari

Written By: Deepak Hari
Twitter: @deep_impak
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Kendrick Lamar turns up at a funeral in the video for “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe,” the latest single off his debut album. The Compton MC attends a church service but the somber mood quickly turns celebratory when he gets in the limo, popping champagne with his friends as they head to the hills.

Photo Credit: gq.com