Ralph Lauren Fall 2010 Collection

The 2010 Collection from Ralph Lauren is a gas chamber of tailoring. Keeping the power of its basics with extreme details in cut, fabrics, and occasional duffle, Brooks Brothers probably shed a tear for the Bronx-born tie salesman when they saw this collection. This is the simple clean lines thats makes my day. Suits that not only feel great for the work day but have the comfort and fit to wear well into the weekend. It reminds me of a modern day "Mad Men." Semi-spread collar hold skinny-less tie that adopt width in a three piece suit complemented with quiet patterns on-top of a minimal break in the pants hem. Bespoke it looks but Ralph Lauren has always had a graceful understanding of tailoring.

I couldn't image any normal dressing male not wanting to wear this or obtain this for his personal closest. Unrestricted yet balanced for the body with splashes of colors every so often for a somewhat colorless individual. Raw and edgy he brought a bottom-zipper motorcycle jacket with snug jeans to compliment the frame that would have anyone ready to jump on a chopper. The tweed blazer and maroon tie mixed with the slacks looks like a modern day college professor giving a visual look in style. As the collect goes on, so does the comfort of its outfits as fall is the time grey, cream and autumn color seem to ease its way in with the rest of the dark hue family.

Without a doubt I love this collection presented. Just looking at it gave a great understanding how fit should be and keeping simplicity with a touch of edge doesn't have to do with fashion. It has to do with style.

Obsession Of The Day.. Correction, year.

Jam this in your Ipod..

Just a year ago the Baltimore-based duo was squatting at an emotionally chilly latitude. Songs like "Gila", from the group's sophomore record Devotion, were driven onward only by the glacial ticking of a paper-thing drum machine and Victoria Legrand's smoky voice. Had David Lynch required a house band to play in "Twin Peaks"' Black Lodge, Beach House would have been a shoo-in.

But "Norway", the lead track from Teen Dream, the duo's Sub Pop debut, raises the temperature a few degrees. A percussive intro yields to an explosion of twinkling guitars and a chorus of woozy backing vocals. The core elements of Beach House's sound-- the drum machine, the thrift store keyboards-- are still present; they're just a few ticks faster. This makes a big difference. As it turns out, Beach House goes from dour to exuberant in just a few BPM.

Legrand, whose vocals have been saddled with Nico comparisons, can finally breathe a sigh of relief, too. The 1960s chanteuse's shadow is nowhere to be found here. "You let us in the wooden house/ To share in all the wealth," sings Legrand over a carsick slide guitar riff. No, "Norway" is radiant with the sunshiny 70s pop vibes. It's Stevie Nicks territory, for sure. Climate change has come to Beach House, and the weather suits them beautifully

Land's End Canvas Catalog

Lands' End began as a sailboat equipment company in 1963 in Chicago, Illinois. The company is named from its sailboat heritage, after Land's End, but the misplaced apostrophe in the company name was a typographical error that the founder (Gary Comer) could not afford to change, as promotional materials had already been printed.

Guaranteed. Period. That's what you'll hear when you ask about the new idea that Land's End Canvas were you can return anything at any time for any reason. Land's End takes inspiration from classic pieces and gives them a new life with a modern fit, style and sensibility. I had never heard of the company before but when I was in one of retail stores I gave them a try and by much surprise, the fit was incredible. Tailored close to the body but never tight (me and my 42" chest like that). Their clothing reminded me of Gap back in the day of serious casualness but a modern understanding of fit and proportions of the modern day male and female that prefer a clean line with the right placement of details to lean one's body and keep comfort. I tried on a few shirts but didn't get the chance to try on their jeans, they did look slim and form fitting with no signs of skinny written on the tags. The canvas shoes were nice and the desert boots look like some winners.

Unfortunately in their catalog they don't show more then half of what's in stores right now for men cause of catering to the female crowd. I don't have a problem with pretty women. Without a doubt though, Land's End Canvas is a brand you would want to check out. With the tailoring of there clothes comes a prices that would easily have you picking up a shirt or two, or three. Who would be one to deny a great fit and a great price?

Landsendcanvas.com
1.877.877.1963

Ornella Vanoni - L'appuntamento

Out of simple boredom I was searching for a tone and the soundtrack to the "Ocean's Movies" rang to me. This one in particular was off of "Ocean's Twelve," though not a big fan for many, I felt it was a good film and really enjoyed its creative chic cons. This song I always remembered but never knew the name of the artist, I use this as my alarm now for waking up cause of how meloow it is. It's live so you hear the crowd but her voice and lyrics (which I have no clue as to what she's saying) are sure to grasp and easily drown out the fans expressing there love for her in the background.

I think I'll come back later and throw some more info in about her but not today cause there's a grill on fire. Yenjoy.

Mert & Marcus Shoot Madonna for Interview Magazine

Yeah, I know this is a little late but do you really care?

Photo's: KanyeWest.com

Black and Clean.

Don't be fooled by the desaturation of the photo, the watch is exactly the same color as pictured if it wasn't. A great find.. clean, black and essential to work with any outfit for the summer. I've received many comments about this watch and undoubtedly you will too!

Brand: Aldo
Watch: Flexer
Price: $35.00
Item Number: DCS: 32-13-01
www.Aldoshoes.com

Jam this in your Ipod..

Ever heard of Danger Mouse?

Probably not, but most are familiar with the name Cee-lo Green who's hit song "Crazy" was produced by Danger Mouse including the album. Broken Bells is an American indie rock band featuring artist–producer Danger Mouse (billed by his real name, Brian Burton) and James Mercer, the lead vocalist and guitarist for the Portland indie rock band The Shins.

I will say this album is for open-minded music lovers but if you enjoy a different taste of sound every once in a while, this album is for you. The sounds and tracks clearly own in its own genre and Danger Mouse's production on the melodic intro track "The High Road" to the experimental "Your Head Is On Fire" has vocals that are undeniable to one's ears.

A close cousin of mine gave me the chance to hear this album in the 12" version and I've yet to go a day without listening to it. In my opinion this is the best album of the year.

Album Release: March 9, 2010

www.BrokenBells.com

Here is a Video for the song "The High Road," Enjoy!

Inspirational..

I'm about 30 minutes away from going on my run and I found this video.

Obsession Of The Day: Poker

It's my day off and all I want to do is drive a Infiniti G35 Coupe and play Poker.

Believe it's going to happen right now after I press this "Publish Post" button!

Quote:

"If you haven't spotted your sucker in the first 30 minutes.. You are the sucker." -Matt Damon "Rounders"

Why Style Matters: Ozwald Boateng

This documentary was created to see through the eye of Ozwald Boateng, a London born tailor who is credited with revolutionizing Savile Row and bringing the first catwalk to Paris. A friend of mine put me on to this, so if you have the time. Please enjoy it in its entirety.

Going back Cali..

I'm going going, back back, to Cali Cali!

And I'm more then excited about it cause I'm going to LA with my sister. I've never been to LA, I was born in Fremont, that is the northern parts of the west coast state but I have some cousins that live down there so this should be great. It's interesting every time I think about it cause I really don't know what to expect? I mean, you see LA on TV and everywhere but you never really get to see what it's like. My cousins say it's great and I hope it is and more cause that's where my sister and I will be moving if it is.

Atlanta is a nice place, nice people, very open (I mean the area) and cost friendly as opposed to New York and California. Actually a majority of people I meet here aren't even from Atlanta, most of them are coming from New York, DC, Chicago and all over the eastern side. It's pretty funny when it comes down to it.

People love it!

I on the other hand, after 14 years (15 in August) have been worn down. The slow moving and comfortable laybackness has taken it's toll. The same people and places where nothing is happening has bored out and I don't really consider Atlanta to be a place of Style. A person like me who walks around in a suit and tie on the weekend seems to be some kind of alien. I laughed loudly just now at a moment I had a couple weeks ago in a store with a young lady when she asked, "You look so nice, what is the occasion you are so dressed up for?" I told it was my day off and her jaw went through the floor. My tailor thinks all men should dress like me and though that is flattering. I just want men to dress stylishly comfortable with an understanding of tailoring with fit and proportion without spending hundreds of dollars. Thats another topic though.

Atlanta is caught up in it own bubble. It's just talking.. talking.. talking.. and more talking. Not saying that LA won't have this or won't be the same, but I guess I just need a little more speed in my tempo and people with a little more tailoring. I've made a good foundation here and friends, but would you ignore when something more is out there for you?

Really I don't care anymore and I'm ready to leave.

Darker Depths...

Something about Black and White with grey in photo's that just gets to me.

I've never really been a person that dealt with an array of colors, maybe a splash here and there but I always just go back to these colors. I don't see a problem with it, I guess its part of who I am or how I see things.

Is that weird?

Blah...

I for the past few weeks i've had "Walking Pneumonia" and have been all sorts of tired and weak to even feel like posting before or after work.

I hope your not mad at me. Thanks!

Fall 2010: Paul Smith

Our buddy Sir Paul Smith is truly a genius..

This past January he presented his Fall 2010 Line in Paris and as always, I get to choose out my favorites even though the whole line was pure bliss. The tailoring of the classics mixed with eye catching colors brought out a new sense of dapper and effortless chic for the suited man. Remembering that getting dressed is about having fun but keeping your cool. Seeing this makes me want to become a designer, I would bow in the presence of greatness that is him.

Grooming: Magic Shave Cream

Being a man of color, I've had to deal with razor bumps for a long period of time. Continuously growing my beard out to stop them from appearing but doing so only delayed it until my next haircut that they would show on my neck again. I went from using bump patrol to shaving but nothing seemed to work, it would just come back and stress began to built as much as my lack of tolerance for it. I know alot of men deal with this as I did and I will say that there is a solution...

Magic Shave Cream!

Since the first day I used this I've been completely Razor Bump free!! When I say free.. I mean FREE! Magic Shave is a product that's been around for some years now, mostly knownfor there powder form, not too long ago they released a Shea butter cream version (pctured above). This cream goes on just like a regular shaving cream with a waiting period of ten minutes, remove and shower and presto-chango! Razor bumps be gone, hello smooth skin. After a couple uses your skin will become use to it and become more clearer.

I'm religious and completely dedicated to this product. If you have the same problem I would say give it a try, if bumps are not cleared I would suggest seeing a dermatologist in your area.

Apple App Of The Week: Dragon Search

Dragon Search App

Cost: Free

Dragon Search is a fast, accurate and smart way to search online content on your Iphone using your voice. Simply speak your search queries and get simultaneous results from a variety of top websites and content sources including: Google, YouTube, Twitter Search, iTunes, and Wikipedia.

This App has worked wonders and has replaced my Google App. Put this in you life people!

Weekender Weekend..

There's something about being prepared for whatever a unexpected weekend may bring.

We all look for ways to simplify our lives and want things to go smoothly without inturruption or interference, atleast i do. I guess where I'm going with this is just being ready. Weekender bag ready that is.

It's now the last evening before I wake to head back to work Sunday and knowing that I've gone throught the weekend partying with no intent on driving due to clear consumption of voka mixed in orange juice or in the form of a small shot brought a clear minded feeling just now. Last thursday a good friend of mine called me over for a group game of poker and since I knew I didn't have to work the next two days, who says making money and fun isn't a good kick off for the weekend. Plus I had my dopler kit and change if things got a little too tipsy (needless to say they did).

The morning sunlight woke me, luckily with no hangover but a little taste of listerine before I had put myself to bed the evening before. It felt like one of those days where it should be filled with good food and movies. My friend walked by the guest room I was in talking lunch and "Lucky Number Sleven," I already knew where this was going and didn't care about anything else that lied outside of the house, just a full stoamch and relaxation. I had what I needed in my weekender, all I needed in assisting was a shower and a sink.

As the day progressed into the evening somehow I ended up with a Bloody Mary in my hand and the company of some pretty smiles in a conversive environment. With the smell of Tom Ford, slim 514's and my earthwalker boots, I was winning a battle that most unprepared lads would of had to go home and come back to play in this game. This night was mine for the taking.

Waking up today I still had no idea that I wouldn't be going home but a early afternoon game of poker went into a full on Rounding with my buddy. Damn influences. After reaching for my weekender bag, all thoughts went to the side and the only thing was on my mind was can I hop a shower and make it before "shuffle up and deal." Second place in the the tourney and a new number with a smile signed off to a great weekend.

I have to give thanks to my Weekender bag, without it my week wouldn't have went so successfully smoothly.

Stop Cuff'n Around!

I'm not a big fan of ordering offline.

I mean I'm REALLY not a big fan of it. I'm too impatient to wait when I've already paid and due to experience of losing items, damages or some other dumb reason to lower my obligation to using Internet purchases. I only do it when I've got to have that item, i'll call every store in the area before I make that trip.

The funny part is, besides a pair of Aldo shoes I did store order, I almost had to order these cuff links from the Banana Republic website. I knew I had been waltzing around keeping my eyes open for a creative little pair and saw these online for a incredible sale price. Luckily when I went into a BR store on a random occasion, their they were (Holy music plays). Lease to say they were $2 more but 10 times a greater feeling then waiting for them to show up in the mail.

Happy New Years!

Doesn't it feel great that the New Year has started off with fresh cold air? I know I feel good about this year, just kind of strolling into it and not trying to set all these goals and accomplishments. Not to say that isn't a bad thing but it's easy to fall off track or contradict yourself before years end and lose focus. I know I have.

It's funny what the New Year brings, new hope, new ideas, new goals.. new love. Everyone has something that they want to happen this year and it looks as if there are going to be more brave souls taking that step to get there cause it's becoming more apparent how short this life is, but how long our memories can last if we make something of it. Things are happening so quick sometimes it feels like we missed things before we even had the chance to see or experience. I don't know if it's from getting older or what, but there is no doubt about it. We're all in for something incredible this year and I hope your in the front row when the best part of it happens!

Inspi(Red)

It's cold outside, just having fun with the colors.