Employee Spotlight:  DJ Joyner

Raleigh has a new surfer in town and he goes by the name DJ.  DJ hails from Virginia Beach, where Whalebone coincidentally has another store.  DJ has grown up on surfing and worked in the industry for a while.  We are stoked to have him as the newest member of the team.  He has a quirky sense of humor and eclectic style that makes him an ideal fixture for the shop.  I had the pleasure of getting to know him today and you can read the interview below.

Name:  DJ Joyner

Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia

Longboard or shortboard:

DJ:  Longboard

What board(s) are you riding right now?

DJ:  Right now I am riding a 9'6 Chris Christensen Westsider and a 5'4 Bing Dharma.

What is you're favorite local surf spot?

DJ:  Probably anywhere in the Buxton or Frisco area.

What made you want to work at Whalebone?

DJ:  I bought my first surfboard from Jim in the Nags Head shop when I was nine years old.  It just made sense.

What is the number one item on you're Whalebone wish list?

DJ:  Definitely the 9'6 Jacobs 422 Noserider.

When did you first start surfing?

DJ:  I first started surfing when I was five years old.  My dad took me out at milepost 12 in Kitty Hawk.

Where would you go on you're dream surf trip?

DJ:  I would take the "Wet Boys" surf team and go down to Noosa, Australia.

Favorite Surf Brand?

DJ: Insight

Favorite Longboarder Surfer?

DJ:  Well I have a couple.  Alex Knost, Joel Tudor and Scotty Stopnik.

Favorite Surf Video?

DJ:  Lost Across America and growing up I loved anything with Corey Lopez.  A current video I like a lot is Rip, Shred, Tear.

Kelly Slater or Andy Irons?

DJ:  Patrick Swayze

Paper or Plastic?

DJ:  Paper.

Tupac or Biggie?

DJ:  Biggie.

Beef or Chicken?

DJ:  Beef.

Favorite Movie?

DJ:  Princess Bride.


Stop by the shop and meet the newest member of the fam!

Employee Spotlight: Jordan Worthen

Whalebone Urban Surf is excited introduce the newest member of the Raleigh team. Her name is Jordan Worthen and we could not be more happy to have her as part of the Whalebone family.  Read below for more information about our newest team member!

Name:  Jordan Worthen

Education: Currently a Junior at Broughton High School in Raleigh

College of Choice:  Catawba

Favorite Subject:  Biology

Extracurricular Activities:  Plays soccer for Broughton High as well as a club team.

What would you like to be when you grow up?:  I want to be a doctoe without borders and travel to third world countries and help sick people in need.

Favorite Beach:  Holden Beach

If you could go anywhere in the world for FREE, where would you go?:  I would love to go to Bora Bora!

Why do you like working at Whalebone?:  It just seems like a great place to work!  Also, I love all of the cute clothes!

What is your favorite surf brand that Whalebone carries?:  I love Billabong!

Nothing Better than a Great Flannel

When I think of classic American style for some reason flannel always comes to mind.  There is something so comfortable and familiar about a great flannel shirt.  My first exposure to flannel came when I moved to Vail, Colorado, where I lived for two years.  I rarely went more than five minutes without seeing someone where a flannel button down.  Guys. girls, and children alike were seemingly obsessed with flannel.  My hasty observations caused me to quickly jump on the flannel bandwagon and I have been on it ever since.  Flannel is a huge part of surf culture and it is something that Whalebone has and always will do very well. I personally think EVERYONE should have at least one flannel shirt in their closets.  Dress it up or dress it down. Wear it with jeans. Wear it with khakis. Wear it over-sized with a belt and leggings. Wear it open over a dress with some ankle boots. Wear it with a blazer and trouser jeans. Wear it on a lazy Sunday when you are lounging on the couch. Wear it snowboarding. Wear it after the best surf session of your life.  Honestly I cannot think of any daily situation when wearing a flannel shirt, or any variation of the former, would not be appropriate.

Billabong "Stormy" Flannel.  $44.50

Flannel shirts are not just for men anymore either.  Many lines are coming out with their own unique take on the flannel shirt for the female customer.  Whether it is a flannel dress or an open front flannel cardigan, these brands know how to make flannel make sense while still be fashionable for the female shoppers out there. You better believe that this Fall you will find me strutting around Whalebone in a Billabong flannel with some skinny jeans and riding boots.  It is my go to look for Fall and it should be yours too!  Roxy makes an amazing flannel and they usually have really fun colors and styles.  I am loving Billabong's "Stormy Flannel" because it gives you the option to roll up and fasten the sleeves.  Quiksilver Girl has come out with probably my favorite flannel of the season.  The Quiksilver "Captain Flannel" has the perfect color combination and blue trim details makes for a unique look.

Quiksilver Girl "Captain Flannel".  $49.50

My absolute favorite way to wear a flannel is over-sized and accessorize it up.  Mary-Kate Olsen is sporting a look I love below in her flannel.

Ask yourself this question.  How do you like to wear your flannel? 

Think about it and let Whalebone know.  I am positive we have the perfect flannel for you.



Confessions of a Denim Snob....


My mom bought me my first pair of designer jeans when I was fifteen years old.  I remember she took me to Nordstrom and she let me pick any pair I wanted.  For me, it felt like a rite of passage.  Most girls my age dreamed of a new car, instead I was dreaming of perfectly stitched premium denim that fit like a glove.  They were a perfectly dyed pair of A-Pocket jeans by 7 For All Mankind.  My first taste of designer denim ruined me and ever since then I have spend an absurd amount of money on high end denim from brands including Paige, Citizen of Humanity, True Religion, J Brand and Joe's Jeans amongst others. I have always been attracted to the fit of these jeans, and no matter how amazing that fit is, I can no longer justify spending $200 on a pair of jeans.

Regardless of who you are or what you like to spend on denim, I have quickly realized through my many hours at Whalebone that everyone is seemingly always on the hunt for that "perfect" pair of jeans.  It is an elusive hunt for many to find the perfect combination of fit and price, especially in the current economy.

After personally trying on numerous pairs of jeans from the various surf brands that we carry, I realized that many of the styles we have a phenomenal fit and a high-end look that I seem to always be reaching for with designer denim.  My overall favorite jean we carry is Quiksilver's "Lorne Skinny Jean".  They have a 11 inch leg opening that make for a comfortable fit and they do not sit too low either.  They have a high-end hanger appeal without the high-end price tag at $78.

Some of my other favorites are:

• Roxy "Skinny Slides" Jean.  $59.50

• Element "Magic Sleeve" Straight Leg Jean.  $69.50.

• Quiksilver "Shipley Straight" Jean.  $59.50.

Ladies and Gentleman, remember Whalebone the next time you are shopping for jeans.  We have a huge selection and our amazing sales staff is dedicated to finding you the perfect pair!

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things...

"My Favorite Things,"

Rodgers and Hammerstein

From The Sound of Music

I am and always have been the kind of shopper and self-proclaimed "clothes junkie"  who begins to plan the wardrobe for the next season when she is still in the current season.  I like to prepare and plot out a very calculated attack on my wardrobe in regards to what is essential to have and what I can do without.  This Summer's miserable heat wave has been no match for my desire to cultivate my Fall wardrobe  early.  When most females have been thinking about swimsuits and sundresses, I have been dreaming of chunky knits and military inspired jackets.  I am absolutely, positively crazy for clothes and anyone who knows me, or works with me in the shop, can attest to that.  I may or may not have danced a jig recently when our FedEx driver Badr brought our delivery of Quiksilver Girl Fall.  I was born this way, I honestly cannot help it.


My passion for styling and fashion is something that truly inspires me everyday and I love to share it with others, which is why I have developed a list of five trends for Fall that I feel every woman, fashion obsessed or not, should be aware of and if possible include these pieces in their wardrobes!  All of the items shown below can be purchased at Whalebone Urban Surf!




1.  Military-Inspired Jacket

I absolutely LOVE the Retro Wave Parka by Quiksilver for $99.50.  Perfect paired with a feminine dress and combat boots.  It is a perfect piece if you want to mix a more edgy, masculine look with something more delicate or feminine like a flowy dress or blouse.


2.  Classic Denim Shirt

The Quiksilver Third Bay for $59.50 is pure perfection paired with a bohemian dress or even a skinny jean.  Nothing says casual chic more than a denim shirt.  It is easy to wear, practical and most of all timeless.  This shirt will stay in your closet for years.

3. Boyfriend Cardigan

Quiksilver Girl's Blanket Boyfriend Cardigan, $64.50,  is a necessity this Fall.  It has a wonderful over-sized fit, that looks great paired with a skinny pant and some fun flat boots.  The stripes make it fun and flirty at the same time.

4. Anything and Everything FLORAL

Volcom's floral printed V.Co-Logical Tank for $32 is the perfect transitional tank for Fall.  Great worn under a cardigan or even worn alone with a bandeau underneath.  The muted colors make this floral under stated, thus still staying edgy!

5. Blanket Sweater

Everyone seems to be making a cozy blanket sweater this year.  I have to say that Billabong's take on the sweater is my personal favorite.  The Love Letter open front sweater, $79.50,  with yarn detail is super comfy and great worn with a V-Neck tank and some jeans.

Those 5 items are just some of the many things that I think are vital to have in your wardrobe this Fall.  Whether you are a freak of fashion nature like myself, or you just want clothes that are accessible and wearable, remember that dressing is a way of life, so have fun with it!  Whalebone Urban Surf as well as our other locations in Nags Head and Virginia Beach are ready to have fun with you!


Stay chic always,

Allie