2011 Holiday Derby Gift Guide

The time has come!  I've gone through all of my favorite online sources to put together some gifts that your derby friends and relatives are going to love! 

Welcome to the 2011 Holiday Derby Gift Guide!

Want to add a little derby to your Christmas tree?  These ornaments by MoxieMadness are the perfect solution!  They come in multiple colors and cost $16 for two.

I love hair accessories and am often seen with a flower in my hair.  These skate clips from MT Coffinz are the perfect alternative to a flower and great for a team manager who doesn't have to wear a helmet!  They come in other colors and cost just $8!

Another great accessory for your hair, is this roller girl headband from Janine Basil. 

For your favorite cook on quads, a roller derby cookbook! The Dames Dish it Out - a cookbook created by The Greenville Derby Dames is filled with little secrets, plenty of photos of the girls and over 80 recipes.  $15

I've featured products from Beep Art in the past and they continue to add more creative ideas to their collection all the time.  Check out this adorable derby girl laptop decal for only $12.

Keep the derby love going all year long with a subscription to Five on Five Magazine.  This informative mag will keep you updated on everything from gear, regionals, coaching, media and so much more.  Order a single issue, or set up a friend with a full subscription.

Most derby players, especially when starting out, eat, drink and sleep derby.  These pillow cases by Branch Handmade can definitely help out with the sleep part.  $18 for a set of two.

I think it's only fair that if you skate, your Christmas stocking should reflect that.  Check out this derby skate stocking for $14.99 by Sinister Skate Wear. 

Derby girls are always looking for the perfect booty shorts.  Hex Chromosome features these and other bottoms which are created for and by derby girls.  Best of all, they promise no muffin tops or camel toes.  Check out the rest of their amazing styles and colors!

Former skater and artist Dedly Weponz never ceases to amaze me with her creativity.  Check out this tote bag for $28.

Keep the derby festivities going all year long with this illustrated calendar  for $20 by Black Sheep Clothing.

For those who love art, these colorful prints from Strada Coast are full of character and at just $10 each, affordable.

Let's not forget a little something for our hard working refs.  How about these note cards for $5 or necklace for $12 from Fire Bolt Creations.

To our derby moms with future derby players in their house.  This bib from Caustic Threads is not only adorable, but it's also reversible!  $14

There you have it!  The best of the best for holiday 2011.  I hope this year's guide helps you pick out some gifts for your loved ones.  Here's to a wonderful derby filled holiday season!!

- Etta

Getting Ready For Giving

The time of year will soon be upon us when stores are packed with frantic shoppers and mall parking lots turn into a tar covered hell.  This is when I do my best to avoid the brick and mortar shops and pick up my laptop.  Shopping for holiday gifts in the comfort of my own home is just how I like it.  While some of you tough it out and go the old school route, I know that many of you, like me, prefer holiday shopping via the internet much better. 

Avoid this!

Every year I do my very best to bring you the biggest, newest and best in skate related products to make shopping for your favorite roller girls (and guys) easy!  My Holiday Derby Gift Guides are still The Rebel Yell's most read posts.  Even after holiday season is far behind, people click back to reference them and check out the shops listed to see if they can find a cool birthday gift for a friend. 

While I do find a lot of great gift ideas on my own, I always take reader suggestions.  Are you an artist or shop that makes/sells skate related products or know someone who does?  I'd love to feature you!  Email me with a link to your shop and any other information to ettajams@yahoo.com I plan on getting the Guide up by the last week of November, so be sure to get back to me before then.

My goal is to help you shrink down the "what do I get them" questions on all of your lists, so I'm hoping to make this year's the best gift guide yet!

- Etta

Roller Cowgirl

 

 Images via Honestly WTF

Just A Reminder

Tomorrow night is our annual Halloween Fundraiser!  Come on down to Sinclair's Pub in West Babylon and enjoy great music, drinks and prizes for best costume!

Call Backs

Last night was the first official practice for our new Fresh Bloods. It was so exciting to see them all in action! Captain Morgan ran a great practice and although it was filled with a lot of basic skills, it was high-energy and left everyone feeling exhilarated and happy! I saw each and every skater out there giving it their all. Full determination - No slackers, no complainers. It was exactly what a coach likes to see.

I want to wish all of our new girls the best of luck and can’t wait to see them improve even more! Congratulations again to all of you!

See you all Thursday……

- Etta

Boo!

Oh What a Night!

Last night over twenty women tried out for The Long Island Roller Rebels.  Potential recruits, waited patiently outside the doors of United Skates, while current league members got things prepped for registration.  A huge bag of extra gear was stationed near the entrance, ready for newcomers without any.  As the women slowly made their way through the registration process, the coaching and recruitment committees gathered together to prepare for the night.

Practice started with a safety check on gear, a warm up and then the potential new skaters were tested.  As they performed a series of skills, us coaches took notes and grades to help us decide who would make the cut.  We saw a lot of good skaters out there with determination and great potential.  The girls, some in derby skates, some in rentals, all worked their way around the track showing us who could crossover, who could hit and who could listen and follow direction.  The girls also met with the recruitment committee to discuss what becoming a part of the league entails.

Once tryouts ended, the coaches and recruitment committees gathered together to discuss who made it.  We are happy to welcome a lot of new members, and to all of those who didn't make it this time, we urge you to be a part of the league by becoming a volunteer or NSO.  Keep practicing, there's always next year!

These next few months will be a test for our newcomers.  While we openly welcome our Fresh Bloods, we will continue to assess skills, attitude and commitment.  Being a part of the Long Island Roller Rebels is surely an experience you will remember forever and we look forward to the new players for our 2011 season!

This Saturday!

25 Random Facts

I can remember when this Roller Rebel first became a part of the league 1 and a 1/2 years ago.  She started out as an NSO and then went on to become a skater.  As one of the most determined Fresh Bloods I've seen, she put in every single effort to learn each skill and learn it well. Her leadership qualities, willingness to always help, and her unconditional love for roller derby resulted in her being voted in as Captain of The Rock-A-Betty Bruisers, Assistant Manager of the All Star Team AND Recruitment Manager.  She takes on these roles with passion and commitment and does this all in addition to holding down a full-time job!  Let's learn a little bit more about this truly dedicated skater, ShadowboxHer!!

1. My middle name is Joy because my parents felt so much “joy” when I was born, or so the story goes.

2. For 3 years I taught Introduction to Feminism at the University at Albany.

3. I teach elementary school Physical Education to gifted children.

4. I have an older sister, and a younger brother who are both 4 years apart from me.

5. When I was young I used to have to try out the soap of every restaurant I entered!

6. I am a second degree black belt in the martial art of Chinese Kenpo.

7. I have a secret desire to be Xena Warrior Princess.

8. I have an extreme aversion to chewing gum.

9. I am dating a Villain.

10. I have read the book Stone Butch Blues, by Leslie Feinberg, over 30 times (no joke).

11. My favorite comic book character is Mystique from X-Men.

12. I was Missy Elliot for Halloween one year.

13. I have the best derby big sister out there!

14. I aspire to gain a PHD in Women’s Studies.

15. I dream of owning a farm with; three horses, a goat, a pond, and a weeping willow. Oh and of always wearing a cowgirl hat!

16. I have THE corniest sense of humor, and if you don’t believe me just ask my students.

17. I don’t get scared, I get startled.

18. I am extremely competitive, and always have been.

19. I would be perfectly content playing roller derby every waking hour…sometimes it feels like we do!

20. There is nothing in my life that can’t be cured with chocolate.

21. I played the saxophone my entire elementary/middle/high school career.

22. My favorite flower is a sunflower, every year I pledge to plant them.

23. I can read your aura!

24. The hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through was my black belt test. At 14 years old, I fought 12, 3 minute, full contact rounds against all men…BRUTAL.

25. Roller Derby has awarded me with the introduction to; some of the most amazing women I’ve ever met, the most thrilling, intricate, competitive sport out there, and some of the most memorable experiences of my entire life. I feel so fortunate to have stumbled upon the Long Island Roller Rebels!!! BOOM/BAM

Mr & Mrs Roller Papi

As many of you know, I met my husband through roller derby.  Over the years he has been a part of the Roller Rebels - as a friend, a sometimes coach, a mascot one night and a half-time show performer.

On August 13th, in front of family and friends we were married by The Roller Rebels' very own Eve L. Taco aka Reverend Eve L.  The day was filled with happiness, good times, chilled Colt 45 forty ounces, yummy food and LOTS of dancing.  It was the very best day of my life!  I waited a long time for this wonderful man to come along and he was well worth the wait!

Though we don't have any of our professional photos yet, I thought I'd share some images taken by a few of our guests.

The photo on our invitation was taken by Beth Dixson and the invitation was designed by Renee Michele Andolina aka Dedly Weponz.

Me and my Matron of Honor, my sister.  You can't see, but I've got red shoes on, a gift from Sleeping Booty.

I cried (happy tears) walking down the aisle

Here we are at the ceremony with Reverend Eve L.  

 Our first kiss as bride and groom.

We did it!

It wouldn't be an entrance at all if we weren't on our skates

Our first dance

A day I won't ever forget!!
- Etta