The Ideal $300 a Month Car

A good buddy of mine (who's also one of the only people who actually read this blog) just got a $300 per month car allowance. He's asked me what new (or relatively new) car would I go for with a payment in that vicinity. So here's my quick hit list of cars that strike the balance between sport, style, usefulness, economics, and fun:

5. Volkswagen GTI

So yeah, despite VW's current turmoil, I'm still a massive fan of this car. It's a fast, fun, near-perfect vehicle and is more or less the first option that comes to mind. No surprises here.

4. MINI Cooper S 4 Door
I've recently been spotting some new 4 door MINI's and I kinda dig 'em. Now I'm not talkin' about the Countryman or the new Clubman. I mean the Cooper S 4 door. At first I hated the idea of this, but seeing them on the road, with a pair of bikes strapped to the top, I kinda love this wagon-esque super Cooper.

3. Fiat 500 Abarth
The Abarth (pronounced either ah-BART or AY-bart) is the perfect pocket rocket. It's fun factor is through the roof and would be an absolute blast to own for a bit... mainly because I haven't yet : )

2. Ford Focus ST


I'm really intrigued by this little guy. It's way too fast for it's own good. It's agile AND functional and you can't find a single auto reviewer who will talk crap about it. Not to mention it looks fantastic with a bike rack.

1. Hyundai Elantra GT + BMW G650 GS 
Let's face it, a base model Elantra GT is by no means a bad looking ride and it's beyond affordable too. So much so that you can probably swing a payment on a G650 GS as well and still be close to on budget.

It looks like a fun little combo, if you ask me.

2015: My Tenth Annual Year in Review

Ten years ago I started a blog about music, movies, TV, cars, and design and that same year I decided to do a quick review of my top three favorites in each category. I've loved creating this list each and every year since and here are my picks for 2015. Enjoy!

Top 3 Favorite Albums

3. Individ - The Dodos

The Dodos not only dropped one of their best albums yet in 2015, they put on a face-melter of a tour. Standout track: Confidence

2. Depression Cherry/Thank Your Lucky Stars - Beach House

What band releases an amazing, full-length album and then two months later drops another? Beaccch Houssse from Baltimore, that's who. Standout tracks: Space Song and One Thing

1. Every Open Eye - CHVRCHES

My kids know every lyric to every track, 'nough said. Standout track: Never Ending Circles

Top 3 Favorite Movies

3. The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

Who would have thought that after coming off of stinkers like Man of Steel and The Lone Ranger, these boys could out-Bond Bond. Standout stuff: all of the cars and clothes.

2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

I'm still completely shocked at just how sold I am on the new squad. #ThanksJJ Standout performance: Daisy Ridley as Rey.

1. Mad Max: Fury Road

Only a movie with this much high-octane could possibly beat out one of the best Star Wars flicks yet. Standout vehicle: Imperator Furiosa's War Rig

Top 3 Favorite TV Shows

3. Daredevil

This show feels so much like the street-level Batman I've always wanted. Standout episode: Cut Man

2. Mad Men

It was full-on surreal to be working on Madison Avenue during the last season of this one. Standout episode: Lost Horizon

1. The Last Man on Earth

Finally, a non-formulaic foray into post-apocalyptic awesomeness. Never in the history of television has a show been as insanely unpredictable as this one. Standout episode: Alive in Tucson

Top 3 Favorite Cars

3. Jeep Renegade

Not only is this little rig riding the #adventuremobile wave perfectly, its TV commercial pretty much has the most serendipitously catchy tune of all time. Standout feature: Awesome colorways.

2. Volkswagen Golf R Wagon Wolfsburg Edition

This one woulda easily been numero uno if you could actually purchase it stateside. Standout feature: It's the total package, even despite all the diesel drama.

1. Volvo V60 Polestar

The V60 wagon wins the day. Its flawless Euro-stance and hatch is actually available at a dealer near you. Standout feature: Polestar Blue

Top 3 Favorite Designs

3. Vintage Overland Caravan

Nothing says adventure time like a rugged teardrop in tow. Standout feature: Chrome caps

2. New Balance 574 Botanical Garden

It's the New Balance retro running shoe that says I'm fun yet sensible, stylish yet approachable, daring yet down-to-earth. Standout feature: The botanical tongue.

1. Levi’s x Pendleton Trucker Jacket

If I had $400 bucks to blow on a denim jacket, it'd definitely be this one. Standout feature: Its sick Pendleton print.

What is Flipboard? An Introduction

Part of my responsibilities here at Flipboard is to help position the brand to new audiences. I was so excited when I was asked to script this video designed to help new and potential users understand and get the most out of an app that I love! 



It was also fantastic to work closely with Flipboard's stellar creative team to pull this one off. Special thanks to Byron and Ashleigh who killed it.

Merc Madness

Growing up, I had a handful of Mercedes Benz Hot Wheels cars—and I always used them as the bad guys. They were either the bank robbers' getaway cars or an evil spy networks' chase cars. However I imagined them they weren't the good guys and I've honestly never been into Mercs—until now. There are currently three beyond bada$$ Benz's right now that I'd be stoked to drive. 

Mercedes-AMG GT S

This maybe the obvious choice for most, but if you know me, it's actually the least obvious choice. I'm usually not big into supercars, but when I saw Randy Probst and the Motor Trend team put this one through the paces, I got excited. 

Mercedes-AMG A 45 

Now this is more like it. A Mercedes Benz hot hatch? Yes. I'll take it! This little beasty can crush anything in its class and do it with style and finesse.

Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Estate

You thought a Mercedes hatchback was a bit of a sleeper? Imagine a full-size family wagon that can not only smoke anything in its class, but pretty much anything on the road. If you told me I could have any car I wanted as long as it was a brand new vehicle—I'd, without hesitation—take this 5.5-Liter Biturbo V8 that makes 585 horsepower in a station wagon! Check this out.

Maroon Moodboarding

Lasting night I did a little #keynoteandchill and came up with this maroon moodboarding madness.

Patina Perfection

You'll never care about a dent or scratch again after watching this rust bucket rally! 

The Force Awakens Trailer 3: Soundtrack Only

This music only edit of the third The Force Awakens trailer is a mind-blowing masterpiece. It's instant feels across the board and is hard evidence in hand—much like Soderbergh's silent film Raiders of the Lost Ark experiment—that JJ's accomplished something special here. Thanks to One Perfect Shot for uncovering this gem.

And just a quick note on the marketing perfection that's happening around Episode 7. Disney nailing it so hard. And though some would like to forget it, I think they really figured this out with the marketing of TRON: Legacy. If you remember, that film was seeded extremely well in the community without them giving too much away. Just the way a film should be marketed.

Celebrate Back to the Future Day with Supercuts!

First, catch every "Doc" and "Marty" ever uttered on screen from the fine folks at Screen Junkies.
 

Then go deep into the sound effects and close-ups that made me wanna go to film school.

Bespoke BMW

Loving this amazing little BMW 2002 build, especially the idea that a car like this needs to be driven. The wear and tear that happens along the way is all part of the experience.

Norway Longboarding

So yeah, everything about this Ishtar X Tussilago video makes you feel completely lazy and super uncool—everything except the hipster Amish kid. I think I got the jump on him at least.

Lake House Moodboard

These Nike kicks and this Topo Designs shirt randomly popped up right next to each other in my feeds the other day and I couldn't resist the chance to get my moodboarding on.

Benji Wagner vs. TEDxPortland

The man behind Poler Outdoor Stuff—one of my fave brands at the moment—recently dropped a potent and poignant TEDxPortland Talk. Give this one a serious listen! He does a fantastic job of breaking down how technology can either paralyze us in our tracks or become a vehicle to incite us into outdoor action. 

I love, love, love it. And let's face it, that beard is rawesome.

Bat-Tac Moodboard

So unless you've been living in a cave for the last couple of weeks, you already know that new trailers for both Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad recently dropped. I thought the Suicide Squad trailer was pretty perfect (although I think Jared Leto would be a better Riddler). And I have tons of issues with the Batman v Superman trailer, but I was excited by the corresponding picture of him in a duster with these rad goggles. That bat-image inspired this bat-tactical gear moodboard.

Strato Style

I stumbled onto a slew of images from this Japanese retailer called Strato. I seriously can't get enough of their aesthetic. I love the simplicity of this classic urban-meets-outdoor vibe. It's a look that's defined by a based of real staples enhanced by one or two pieces of uniqueness that pushes the boundaries just a little. Love it.

And some lovely looks for the ladies too...

Mad Max: Center Framed

Well, apparently Wes Anderson and Stanley Kubrick aren't the only directors obsessed with centering their cinematic compositions. I love how George Miller's technique allows you to track with the high-paced action in a way that feels right. Compare this scene to the mess of an opening sequence in Age of Ultron, and there's just no doubt what's more enjoyable to watch. 

Morning Moodboard

Netflix Picks of the Month Club

The team at my agency Tribal Worldwide recently started a Netflix Picks of the Month Club. Well, this is my month and just for fun, I thought I'd share my picks.

Better Off Ted, 2009

Okay, Let’s start off with a great little TV series that’s totally binge-able over the course of a single weekend. This show only lasted two seasons, but that’s a good thing… because it’s nearly perfect. If you dig Arrested Development, you’ll absolutely love this quirky satire on climbing the corporate America ladder. 

Shut Up and Play The Hits, 2012

Even if you aren’t a fan of the electronic beats of LCD Soundsystem, this beautifully shot rockumentary chronicling their final concert at Madison Garden is simply infectious. Put it on the big screen, crank the volume, and this one pulls you in like a tractor beam. If you don’t believe me, watch its epic trailer like right now.

Unbreakable, 2000

Since someone already swiped my first pick of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, I’ll just go with straight up Unbreakable… M. Night’s best and ONLY re-watchable movie. This is easily one of the greatest superhero movies ever made and features a pre-Avengers, pre-Capital One Samuel L. Jackson in one of his coolest roles. And after you finish it, check out Patton Oswalt’s in-depth pitch for the sequel.

The Trip, 2010

This dramedy is a very English take on the classic roadtrip-buddy flick genre. Think of it as Tommy Boy with British-trained theatre actors who consume fine foods, traverse the rolling hills of Northern England, and enjoy educated conversation, all the while making you fall on the floor laughing. 

Harold & Maude, 1971

Alright, now for the coup de gras. This is one of those movies that from time to time will make you the smartest person in the room. It’s a beyond quirky cult-classic love story between equally strange peeps who are generations apart from one another in age. See a young Bud Cort (a.k.a. the bond company stooge in The Life Aquatic) drive one of the most iconic cars on film (a Jaguar hearse) to the best soundtrack ever… completely scored by none other than Cat Stevens himself.

Rendezvous Moodboard x2

I thought for my next moodboard it'd be interesting to build a story around a meeting with an indeterminate ending. Would this rendezvous result in someone getting lucky? Or would it wrap with someone getting full-on murdered? Jury's still out. But the real mystery is, which car is the dude driving? A vintage Porsche or this tuned touring? I still can't decide!

400th Post = Porsche Collaborations

Yes, that's right. This is the 400th post on Kyality! It's crazy to see how this blog has evolved over the years (and devolved in some cases). I started off posting some relatively long pieces as a way to keep my writing skills alive and well. Nowadays, I catch myself more often than not simply posting videos and the moodboards I conjure up from time to time. I just want to sincerely say thank you to all those who've even occasionally stopped by for a post or two over the past 9 years.

To celebrate, I'm posting two new Porsche vids I stumbled on back to back, with two doods who on the surface couldn't seem more different. The first is a collaboration between Porsche and classic street style photographer, Scott Schuman a.k.a. The Sartorialist. 



It's a nice branded piece featuring one of my fave fashion bloggers and the all-new 911 Targa 4 GTS. Check it:

Next is, of course, the latest Porsche collaboration with everyone's favorite 911 nut, Magnus Walker. Here he compares one of the very first 911 Turbos and the most recent iteration. And for some awesome reason all the cars featured in these two vids are a beautiful, bloody red. Thanks again to all my readers and enjoy:

I don't know about you, but I'm inspired by each of these guys—both completely driven by their passions.