Ralph Lauren Private Sale
Posting about sales isn’t really my thing but this one is a top notch one that I’m really jealous of. Right now Ralph Lauren is having a pretty fierce sale at all their stores and online. Yes I know RL is always going on sale but damn, Purple Label cords for $135, amazing Polo cardigans for 40% or more. Cashmere shawl collars for 4 bills when they’re normally 7 and nice rugby’s for $100 tops. Even with our (CDN) dollar in the dumpster I’d be all over this if they shipped internationally. Damn the 49th parallel. For those of you below it that are thinking about picking something up, don’t forget to use the promo code NOV1317 for another 15% off…
Friendly Fire
Photography: Polaroid cameras may be a thing of the past but the photos still live on thanks to Poladroid. (Link)
Travel: If you’re wanting to fly the coop for the holidays check T Magazine’s winter travel guide; beautiful places and photos (pictured). (Link)
Clothes: My love for Head Porter+ is back thanks to The-Glade’s fresh batch of goods. (Link)
Food for Thought: I’m a pretty big fan of the way J. Sakiya Sandifer thinks. (Link)
I’m Unfocused Mayne
I have been having a weird feeling the last two days. I am just about done classes for a brief personal project 3 week period, in between issue deadlines, unsure about my working future and just can’t quite figure out what I need to work on. I kind of makes me uneasy, fortunately I have the blog to keep me on point to some extent. I’ve been working with Flash every night trying to develop some concepts but I don’t have an actual assignment or project to work on so the work is undirectional which makes it slightly tough to really dig into. I think it is sort of a quick pause before I really jump in however. The next issue is looking to be pretty good. A lot of fashion focus which I’m not mad about. I am also working on a new project that I’m really excited about with some products…That is all I can say for now but it’s something I think you, the readers, will like, at least I hope. So for the brief moment I feel transitionally unfocused, it doesn’t feel normal but as long as I keep it moving and avoid the couch I’ll be back on track. Anybody know the feeling?
Cheap Monday Tor Parka
This parka by Cheap Monday has been out for a little while now but thoughts of it have been dancing in my head lately. I saw it on the rack at Leo the other day, where it looked solid but I didn’t have the time to try it on. Then I saw a dude wearing it yesterday looking dope as hell. Now I must confess that I’m thinking seriously about biting his steez. It’s a thick, lined, cotton canvas coat that has a nice long length to it. It’s not too slim nor too bulky, perfect for layering in the depths of winter. It comes in the usual grey, green or black (see below). We often preach quality over price but with this coat I don’t think you’d be sacrificing too much quality in comparison to similar coats at a fraction of the price. Do you really want egyptian cotton outerwear? Aren’t winter coats meant to get beat? At $170cdn this coat is a steal. (A quick Google search wields a number of online retailers for less too) Read more
Penfield x St. Alfred
In the midst of the work/outdoor wear ‘revival’ we’re seeing right now, Penfield continues to stay relevant in today’s crazy market of here today gone tomorrow trends and lines. This time they’ve teamed up with Chicago boutique St. Alfred to make a nice clean lightweight down puffer. I actually like the jacket quite a bit, but at the same time I’m disappointed. The projects they’ve done in the past with the likes of Stussy, Wood Wood and Alife were all so much better. Slapping a chest logo on the most plain coat in Penfield’s arsenal seems almost like a waste of time. Hopefully the rest of the Fall collaborations turn out a little more intesting. Read more
Weekend Viewing: Ralph Lauren ‘93
This is a great interview I watched a few months ago. I thought it would be good for anybody else to check out as well. Maybe you’re working, like me, or cleaning or hanging out. You can throw it in the background and listen up. Ralph Lauren is a pretty incredible guy, his vision, his idea of the brand and the execution. I don’t see it to ever be possible for Ralph Lauren to fall off the map, that in itself is amazing but the range of appeal, image and products are also…amazing.
In Jake Davis’ Bag
No introduction, your taste makers taste maker, this stuff stuff is all in Jake’s bag.
Every man should own three “manbags”… (That’s what they are gentlemen so let’s not kid ourselves by calling them anything else.) One for the office, one for the country, and one for the beach…That’s it. Now office can really mean several different environments. This is your place of work bag and since most people work in some sort of metropolis we can call this your city bag… Here’s mine…
J. Press Navy Stripe Tote. It’s simple, clean, and classic. My girl bought this for me a few seasons back before I met Mark McNairy. Mark is right up there with style leaders in NYC. I try to keep up. This bag helps.
Moleskine Pocket Storyboard Notebook. “My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way.” - Ernest Hemingway
Minnetonka Double Bottom Slippers With Buffalo Plaid Lining. My father would wear these around our home in upstate New York. Now I wear them in the edit… Whatever makes you comfortable, right?
R By 45RPM Hand Indigo-Dyed Gauze Bandana. My good friend Brendon Babenzien turned me onto wearing bandanas around the neck similar to a tie but less formal feeling. The gauze cotton from 45rpm gets softer with age and wear. For the rest of the in-depth description of Jake’s contents Read more
DO Lectures
My mom is going to like this post, I know it. I came across this website which has a set of lectures or talks called the DO Lectures. It’s a variety of people who do interesting things and are really passionate about it. Basically they DO things, do them well and do them interestingly. The idea of the lectures and website is to showcase some of this people who have gone out and done things, and try to inspire people to do their own things. Whether its business, technology, arts or beekeeping, there are a number of speakers that are worth listening to. Tim Ferriss is one of the speakers, he’s the author of the ‘4 Hour work week’ and has accomplished some incredible things in his life while overcoming a few physical and mental disabilities. He’s one of the most positive, driven and interesting people out there. I know about as much as anybody that there are do-ers and there are the rest of the people who talk about doing. As a doer, I’ve noticed I have met more and more people who are making it happen for themselves and it seems to be a common topic having worked with people who talk about it. Maybe one of these lectures will help you do.
VOTE
Dear fellow Canadians,
As you should already know, today is election day so don’t forget to go do you civic duty and cast a ballot. Opinions are the one thing that every human has. If you truly are apathetic then go spoil your ballot and let that voice be heard. I don’t really care who you vote for (except Conservative) just do it and don’t take it for granted. Visit here for all the information you need on voting.
Word from the Wise
Jeff Ng has been added to the Arkitip Intelligence blogroll if you aren’t a regular over there. If not, you should be, there are some cool artists and creative people giving some insight into their work and lives. Anyways Jeff recently posted about how to save time. He had found a list of things and then added in his experiences and how they relate to him. There are some really valid points and it’s interesting to read through. A lot of us could use more time, so making the most of the time we do have is obviously pretty crucial. I like his work pattern of sleeping in and staying up late, I can relate to that one among others. I would have to say that TV is probably one of the biggest wastes of time possible. Anything worth watching you can generally find on video, on the Internet, or even in a podcast. You can check out what else he had to say here.
Friendly Fire
Blog: The best blog name I’ve seen in awhile also has some good posts. | Secret Forts
On Repeat: Nom de Guerre Spring and also Nom de Guerre Spring | Selectism Oct 9 or Selectism Sept 11
Life: Matt George almost died and got locked up. F*#k the Police | Matt George
Products: Inqmnd Fall Buyers Buyable coming soon… | Greg Washington
Products: Pegleg actually made a dope rain jacket? | Mens.Style.com
DSQUARED2 Expedition Boots: Suck
For the most part we post about all things good and while we’re here to share what we think is good, I can imagine it might get a bit boring/monotonous seeing sweet things over and over. I feel like sometimes it’s necessary to tell it how it is whether it’s good, or in this case, bad. Behold the DSquared2 Expedition Boots. Monstrosities so hideous I’m actually embarrassed to be Canadian right now. Bad shape, bad tongue, bad sole, and bad ‘laces’. They look like they might be decent quality, but at $700 they better be. Thank you for bearing with me while I kept it real, hopefully I don’t end up like Vernon Franklin now. (via Selectism) Read more
Issue Six Live
Issue six is finally up. Enjoy. Nom de Guerre, WANT Les Essentials, Business of Buying, Komakino, Peter Taylor among several other pieces. Check out the Battle of the Oxfords in the focus section along with every single other page in the magazine. Enjoy. Less than a month to go until issue seven, hurry up and read.
What’s the Point?
Do any of you ever buy the products I talk about? Have you ever helped your friend find something you’ve read about here or found out about products you didn’t know about and now feel better for realizing their existence?
Sometimes I wonder why I even started blogging about so much of this ’stuff.’ It’s stuff every day, shoes, shirts, bags…Sure it’s really nice stuff and I like it all, but I sometimes wonder why so many people are interested in reading about the stuff. Why am I addicted to stuff? I don’t even need to have to too much, but I like knowing about it and forming an opinion and apparently publishing that opinion. I get stressed out if I haven’t blogged for the next morning or if I know I won’t be able to for a day. Who will blog, will people come back? It’s weird that I am actually concerned with that by itself. Whatever the case, I guess I will keep doing it because I do find it enjoyable. I love seeing the comments and knowing that people seem to enjoy the magazine and blog. So thank you for reading and getting involved. With that said, I’m sorry about the delay on issue six. It should be up by the end of the day I’m hoping.
General Research
Apparently a brand behind Navel Research as well as this line, Mountain Research are responsible for one of the coolest look book and mountain style apparel lines I’ve seen. These looks are completely over the top and amazing. The styling is definitely on point and looks really cool. Although I spend a lot of time near mountains, I don’t spend much on them, so I don’t see myself buying up the whole collection anytime soon. There are definitely some great pieces that you could transpose onto the urban aesthetic however. The Japanese line has done a beautiful job studying the outerwear and essentials in a technical mountain setting and re-appropriating the items with wools and cottons for a more casual look. I think the grey sweats, chunky knits, and boots look awesome. The chances that I will ever see this line are pretty rare I’m guessing but I would be lying if I didn’t look through the look book with an excited eye. I urge you to check out more looks and pieces after the link.
