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This is a lil shout out post to my very talented photog friend Andrew Kelly. AK wears many hats but he is especially nifty with his camera. He takes some sweet pictures of weddings, friends, babies and, OH YEAH, he also snaps pics of a little band called The Lumineers!
Don't know if you've heard of them? I kid, I kid!
Check out his awesome blog and portfolio HERE! 

Great job AK! 

Downtown, Petula Clark
Monday Morning, FleetwoodMac
Back In The High Life Again, Steve Winwood
Classy Girls, The Lumineers

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When I was in 5th grade my mom bought me a pair of Vans slip on sneakers. She was tired of telling me over and over again to tie my shoes. It's not that I didn't know how to tie them, it's more that I just chose not to. I was never a skater girl, (no wait... sk8er gurl) because 1) I couldn't skate, and 2) I was no where near as cool as Avril Lavigne. However, I really fell in love with the sneakers and throughout the years I have acquired quite a few pairs.

I bought these bad boys last year. It was too cold to wear them at the time, but now they are very much part of my wardrobe. The beautiful thing about Vans is that there are so many styles, colors, prints, patterns and designs, they can be worn for all occasions. They are pretty affordable ($65+) and super comfortable!

Vans are sneakers that can last for ages no matter how broken in and beat up they get.








I'm really digging their California collection:

• CA Buck Authentic Decon CA ($70)
• Hiker 106 Era Hi CA ($85)
• Hiker 106 Vulcanized CA ($70)
• Sk8-Hi Binding CA ($70)

Oh, and I tie my shoes now.

I've been posting music after my posts for sometime now, I recently discovered that I can attach a Spotify playlist to my post for easy listening!

Enjoy!

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Just because it is summer doesn't mean you're going to be rocking some shorts or swim trunks the whole time. Let's take a look at some pants that are pretty hot right now.

Not all chinos are created equal! When most guys hear "chinos" they think of their dad's double pleated dress khakis with the intense crease down the front of the legs. Well gentlemen, I've got news for you, there are now slimmer cut, pleat free, sans crease chinos that come in a variety of colors and are pretty awesome. NN07 (No Nationality 07) makes beautiful chinos that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Pssssst! Some of them even have cargo pockets! And don't hate on the idea of cargo pockets. Remember when you all rocked those pants that zipped into shorts?? Those always had cargo pockets and everyone was sporting them. Well NN07's are not so 'cargo-y' and very clean looking.

You also must, Must, MUST check out GANT's WWII inspired Rugger Pre-Fall 2013 Collection. The collection as a whole is fantastic but the trousers are by far the best of seen. Slim fitting and tailored bur relaxed.

Sid Mashburn's classic but colorful trousers are just so fancy. They are tailored beautifully and have all the features of a well crafted pant.

I have wholeheartedly become obsessed with Bleu de Paname and their take on menswear. They make clothes for men and women and have been featured in plenty of editorials! Great Parisian brand! Just pause on reading and go check out their blog! 

Topman, another brand that I really like, seem to be big on the chino game. The flat images of the pants look like the pants have curvy legs like Beyonce, but don't worry, they actually fit really nicely. Don't get me wrong, Beyonce has fantastic legs... for a lady. Some of Topman's prints are a little ambitious, but I do like the tapered leg at the bottom of the pants.

Edwin is a Japanese based brand that is incredibly fun and eccentric. I really like the Chino 55-Dot Cotton Denim pant.

You might notice that a lot of guys lately are cuffing the bottom of their pants.
STYLING FUN FACT: If you're on the shorter side, might I suggest not cuffing the bottom of your pants. A cuff generally accentuates the length of your legs. It is almost like an exclamation mark, your leg is the line and the cuff is the dot at the bottom. It appears that your legs are shorter than they actually are. If your pants are a bit too long, have them tailored to a particular length you are comfortable with. A nice, shorter hem is right above the bottom of your fibula, (your ankle bone that pops out.)

That's all I have for you today! If you have any style tips, questions, feelings - whatever, let me know and I'll try to help you out! I've also posted some tunes for your below!

Happy listening

• Midnight Dancers, Wolf Gang
• Mine is Yours, Cold War Kids (The entire album is phenomenal)
• This Charming Man, The Smiths
• 1957, Milo Greene 
• Big Parade, The Lumineers

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Good Looks

So remember that time you graduated college and then had to go out in the world and be a real person? Well if you don't... it happened. Hopefully you've been applying for jobs and coping with the fact that you are an adult now.

It's hard today, being in the digital age. Nothing is face to face anymore. Online dating for example, you find your match through a website and then eventually meet them in person. I'm not against this in any way, but it's just not for me. Applying for jobs, we're told to submit our resume's online and then hope for the best. It could be weeks until you get a response, sometimes even months. You need to be able to stand out amongst all of the other candidates that are applying for the same position as you and hopefully if you do get called in for a meeting, make an awesome impression.

• Look Professional! Employers want to make sure they are making a good investment in hiring you. Similarly to the getting ready regimen I mentioned in my 'going out post' you should do the same here.
• Shower
• Shave
• Comb your hair out of your face, don't be afraid of a little bit of product
• Deodorant and a teensy-tiny-itty-bitty dab of cologne
• Brush your teeth-mouthwash/floss

• FILE YOUR NAILS! 
• Make sure it looks like you take care of your hands. I'm sure your girlfriend or one of your girl-friends can lend you an emery board. If you feel like you can swallow your pride, go get a manicure. Most guys feel too nervous to go get one, but the ladies at the nail salon have been doing this a long time and will make your nails look so good. You could probably just be a hand model. You might really enjoy your manicure and start going every week.

• Dress the part.
• Under no circumstances should you EVER go to an interview in jeans and a t-shirt, no matter what the position is. Even if you applied to be the assistant to the assistant, you dress like you are being interviewed to be the top dog. Save all of your pennies, go buy a good suit. There are plenty of shops that you can go to to purchase one. If shopping for a new suit is not in your budget, find an old suit or one of your dads old suits that may be a little to big on you and take it to a tailor. It will be much easier for the tailor to take in a slightly bigger suit than to let one out that is too small. You can look through magazines like GQ, Details, Esquire, Vogue Homme, Another Man or Vman to look at the fits of suits and see what you like. 

• Shoes
• Your shoes speak volumes of the person you are. Okay, that sounds super dramatic. I mean more of how you take care of your shoes. If you buy a good pair of leather shoes, make sure you clean and polish them. If they are suede, go over them with a suede brush. Your shoes should last you a few years, and they have the chance to look brand new after every wear...that's if you take proper care of them. Kiwi literally has everything you will need to clean your shoes. Also peep Foster & Son, their shoes are amazing!

• Bag
• Say goodbye to your dirty Jansport backpack that you've had since freshman year of high school. Go buy yourself a sleek leather or canvas bag. You'll be able to quote Allen from the Hangover, "It's where I keep all my things. Get a lot of compliments on this. Plus it's not a purse, it's called a satchel. Indiana Jones wears one." I promise, you will be taken a lot more seriously if you have a clean looking bag. 
• Stock & Barrel Co. 
• Head Porter
• Makr
• Ally Capellino
• Billy Kirk
• Yuketen  

Make a good first impression!
Wouldn't it be so cool to stick out as the well dressed, confident, smart guy?
Don't underestimate yourselves gentlemen, best of luck to anyone on their job search!

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ERRRRBODY'S GOIN SURFIN'

I recently became interested in swimwear. Guys are no longer wearing the knee-length swimsuits their moms bought them when they were younger but going back to the original surfing roots. Guys are getting a little sexy and raising their hem lines back up. Sometimes a bit too short! There's the fear that something is going to pop out! But I guess that's the excitement in rocking those lil' shorts.

I did some investigating and found an array of brands that have ventured into swimwear land.

MNii
My favorite thing about MNii is that this California based board short company originated from Hawaii! All of their shorts range from $125 - $165 and come in a bunch of colors, prints and I do believe I saw some color blocking in there.

MNii explains their shorts are, "not just a pair of board shorts, but a memento, a badge of honor."

Mollusk
Mollusk's site opens to a trippy video of what appears to be surf culture from around the world, backed by the song 'Pink Elephants On Parade' from the Disney Movie, Dumbo. At first I was kind of put off by this film, but then I began to navigate the website and I totally got it. Their pieces are an homage to surfers throughout the ages. I really liked their printed Cactai board shorts and their Katin Deliver board short in peach and blue. Mollusk's shorts have a slimmer leg that I think it looks really flattering. ($54 - $84)

"Over the years Mollusk has developed into a cultural institution that integrates surfing, art, craft, music, film, and visual media. We sell products handmade by friends and neighbors, host art shows in our intimate galleries, and function as a concert venue. Our storefronts in San Francisco and Venice Beach have become hangouts and homes for surfers and artists living in these urban, beachside communities. Beach bums unite."

Saturdays Surf NYC
Saturdays Surf seems to be the current brand taking New York City by storm. It's a surf shop based in the West Village of the Big Apple. They sell literally everything: apparel, wetsuits, surf boards, art, hair products and even coffee. You know how much New Yorkers love coffee!  The brand was founded in 2009 by Colin Tunstall, Josh Rosen and Morgan Collet. It specifically caters to all things any NY surfer dude would need to escape this crazy city and catch some waves. Their shorts are indeed short, but they are well made and super stylish. Board shorts are $65 - $75 and come in dozens of colors, prints, patterns and solids.

Onia
(Pronounced O-nee-a) This brand is just so fancy. Their shorts are made from the most amazing fabrics and the hardware that makes up the shorts, (metal snap, buttons, eyelets) are industrial pieces from Japan. The shorts are tasteful and well constructed. You have to check out their website, I really liked the feature where they show you all the elements that make up each of their shorts. Great brand, cool shorts, a little pricey, but totally worth it. ($120 - $195)

"At Onia nothing is overlooked in our pursuit to produce the finest swim shorts and beachwear possible. With a highly intricate and multi-phased production process we strive to provide options for the man lost in beachwear purgatory. We use only the most skilled and innovative designers, source only the highest quality fabrics and finishings, and use factories that are on the cutting edge of manufacturing technology."

I wanted to give it a go and hop on the surfing bandwagon! No, I don't know how to surf, BUT I do know how to make clothes! So I made a pair of board shorts! They are printed with planets which is kind of silly, but they were so fun to make! Check them out!

Now go sign up at your local Cross Fit, get that summer beach bod and buy yourself an awesome pair of board shorts!

SUMMER JAMZ
Floating Vibes, Surfer Blood

High School Lover, Cayucas

Get Lucky, Daft Punk ft. Pharrell

Pompeii, Bastille

Sweater Weather, The Neighbourhood

COWABUNGA DUDES!

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OFFICIALLY A COLLEGE GRAD!

Get inspired!

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Covers!

Here's my second post dedicated to covers of some great songs. 

(They might even be better than the originals!)
 You can also check out the ones I posted on April 19, 2012

Mree - Blood, The Middle East

 

Tori Kelly and Angie Girl - Thinkin Bout You, Frank Ocean

Ben Howard - Dancing In The Dark, Bruce Springsteen

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A guy friend the other day asked me if it was okay for men to wear bracelets. Without much thought I told him yes. I didn't see why not. My entire lifetime of going to sleep away camp and seeing guys wearing brightly colored friendship bracelets seemed totally normal.
Then I thought, "No wait... that was camp, are male bracelets cool to the rest of the world?"
Of course they are! Plenty of designers have come out with stylish bracelets for guys that don't look feminine in any way. You can rock one or a few on your wrist, they'll give you an edge. I don't think you should be too over zealous and stack up a bunch of bracelets, but have fun with it. 

Burkman Bros -Woven bracelets that almost remind me of the ones from camp
Miansai - All around awesome stuff
Kiel James Patrick - Similar to Miansai, but also really fun bracelets
Yuvi Alpert - BEADS!

NY Mag did this absolutely rad illustration on the history of the "Man Bracelet"

-29-

Don't fear prints! They've become very trendy, especially in menswear. It's easy to get overwhelmed by paisleys and flowers, but guys, MAN UP! Don't be afraid of a lil' ol' flower. Obviously you can never go wrong with plaid, stripes, buffalo check or even polka-dots. There are some sweet brands that have been pushing prints like these!
 
Hentsch Man
Our Legacy
Norse Projects
Mountain Research
Bedwin & The Heartbreakers
Engineered Garments
Shipley and Halmos
Bodega
Gitman Bros

Suggestion: Look for prints that blend in with the shirt they are on. Navy flowers printed on a dark navy woven. Even accent prints are fun and give pieces a little pop!

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This past weekend, I turned 22! I Celebrated with friends and family at Houston Hall, a beer garden with a huge crowd and enormous ceilings, so you don't feel too claustrophobic. We all had a wonderful time, despite the hefty line outside and the snow flurries. We really did enjoy ourselves once we got in.

There were plenty of twenty-somethings just all looking to have a good time. Obviously everyone wants to let loose and drink the night away, but there are still ways to get your drink on without looking like a sloppy mess.

At the start of the night, get yourself in the right mindset. Long week at work, fine, put that behind you and focus on the weekend. Do you plan on making it home into your own bed? Perhaps with a lucky lady? Clean your s*%@ up! In all seriousness, when you come home tipsy and stumbling around your apartment it's easier if you're not falling over all of your stuff. Put it away. Also, no matter how intoxicated your "friend" is she will eventually wake up in the morning and see your messy abode. Even if it's just a one time thing, at least make a good impression and have a neat place.

After you've cleaned up, start getting yourself ready. Do not just put water on your hands and rub them through your hair. You might think you don't smell, but you do.

SHOWER! SHAVE! WASH BEHIND YOUR EARS!

When you get out of the shower, under no circumstances should you EVER douse yourself in Axe or any cologne for that matter. De-od in your pits and you cologne a little spritz. It doesn't need to be across your whole chest. Spray some in your hands and dab the cologne on the parts of your body that emit the most heat: nape of your neck, wrists, behind your ears and a little on your chest.

Comb your hair away from your face, use whatever product you are comfortable with and run a hair dryer through it.

Brush your teeth and use mouthwash, your breath smells better longer.

Getting dressed is not as hard as you think. Start at the bottom. I suggest a dark denim or black pant. Boot cut or slim leg. A slim fitting khaki is also good. Pretty basic, right? Also no crazy embellishments or embroidery on your pants or butt pockets. It's awkward.

Invest in a good belt while your at it.
Tanner Goods
Makr
Billy Kirk

If you're old enough to go to a bar, you are old enough to dress like an adult. Leave the graphic t-shirs at home and throw on something chic and simple.   I'm all about brand support but it's distracting and not for a night out. (If you really, really, REALLY want to sport a graphic t/sweater just make sure it works with your look.) A henley always look good, even a plain t shirt. You can never go wrong with a classic button down. You don't need to layer a t-shirt under your button down. Generally guys do this if they sweat a lot to absorb their perspiration, but I think you'll just be hotter. Try a lightweight cotton, your body will be able to breathe.

Throw on a nice blazer, coat, leather jacket, or a sweater and be on your way.

The following is a list of a few brands that have some basic/essential piece.
Raleigh Denim (Linked an amazing video with it!)
Wings + Horns
Twothirds
Simon Miller
Save Khaki 
Engineered Garments (For the more ambitious)
Steven Alan
S.N.S Herning
Velva Sheen
York Street by J.Press

Be confident, not cocky and just have a good time.