Friday, January 29, 2010

Sharp Dressed Man

It’s a gloomy, cold and rainy day in Austin. A perfect day to for impeccable dress. Well… at least for me. I can’t exactly put my finger on it but I’ve recently been completely consumed with what I’m wearing. I’ve gone through stages in my life where my style has changed but for the most part I’ve always cared about what I’m wearing. Something like a second skin. Some people are more daring with their color choice or patterns while other are more conservative. Our clothing of choice often time speaks for us before we even open our mouths, whether it be in a negative or positive light. And I’ve been no stranger to both aspects. But now; maybe because I’m on the verge of fatherhood, I’m again taking my clothing choice and style more importantly.

Growing up in a single parent household with siblings, dressing up wasn’t something that was often done. No, our “best” was in reserve for picture day or holidays and I looked forward to those opportunities. I can still remember my sisters talking about what I was planning on wearing for one holiday, good times. I don’t have any pictures at the moment, of my school-day’s but when I’m able to upload some, you’ll see a dapper young bloke. “G’d up from the feet up” well probably not the feet, I was still a sneaker kid. Yeah I rocked my sneakers with a sweater vest and tie before it was cool. My brother on the other hand had this thing for cowboy boots; ol’ boy would get down on those regardless if he was wearing shorts or sweat pants. But like many less fortunate kids we did the best with what we had in finding creative ways to make new looks.

Now a little more grown and more in tune with who I am and aspire to be for myself and my growing family, I have a look that I intend to perfect as the seasons change. If I had the gear (and the funds) the look that I’d like to be strutting around this town on this nasty Friday would be…


Naval Artillery Jacket - Heritage Collection.

Black Gingham Twill - Taylor Stitch.

Half Zip Collar Sweater

Ludlow Street Red Paisley Tie - Mountain & Sacket.

OR a Burgundy Polka Dot Tie.



Black Dress Belt


Black Dress Boots - Girogio Brutini



Now I'm not a brand man, never have been and most likely never will be. So the brands listed here really aren't the focus. My concern is more towards the fit, style and functionality of the product. However I do love that jacket and can't even imagine where else one could find such a solid and what I think unique product. As far as Taylor Stitch goes, I'll probably never own one of there custom tailor made shirts but I do enjoy visiting there site. Even if it is just to create a custom shirt I'll never own. The same goes for Mountain & Sackett, beautiful ties that I'll probably never own, but hey who knows? The cool thing about putting this wardrobe together was that while looking for the perfect scarf I found The Fine and Dandy shop, I didn't browse the site much but I am looking forward to it.

In the end, putting this look together was a damn good time. Inspired by the clean lines of a form fitting military uniform and here with the Artillery Jacket and glossy shoes, I had fun dressing this up. With the shirt pattern, tie choices and argyle socks I added my own personal flare and fun to an otherwise cloudy day.

Watch out now, here comes a sharp dressed man.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

#4. Start Recycling

This one took some time to actively happen... Not due to lack of effort, because I did save cans. Cans that started to overflow cause I never did anything with them. but hey that beats tossing them out just to take up space in a landfill somewhere right?

I can't remember, but at some point... Let's say early 2009 our neighborhood's garbage disposal service FINALLY offered weekly recycling pick up. Something I had looked forward to for a long time, since apartment life didn't offer it.

The first week came and I was prepared, but were the recycling guys? As I stated above I had been collecting cans for quite some time. long enough that in that time we had three different people living with us on two different occasions. Had several parties, drank too many beers and ate poop loads of corn. How's that for imagery? -Pause- Okay, shake that thought. That's just crass. Ahem, okay... Where were we? Oh yeah the first week. So, with a shiny new blue green tub in hand I emptied the contents of a garbage receptacle, well as much as I could. Filled the blue green tub to the TOP with with crushed empties; Sunkist, Lone Star, Coors, Big Red, Dr. Pepper, Bud & Light, Coke & Zero, and of course the before mentioned corn (Don't think about it), green beans and such. They christened the brand spanking new blue green tub in party like fashion, all out-to the top.

This was the norm for about three weeks. My recycling crew had to have thought we were some sort of soda-beer-canned-vegetable fiesta hosters. On a weekly basis. But soon the contents of my overstuffed, crushed can devoted garbage can was empty.

Now, the only party our blue green tub hosts are those of laundry detergent & milk jugs, water bottles and the occasional wine bottle, with a few canned vegetables as the "OG's" of the party.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Back in the Saddle Again.

I'm not one to maintain or even really care about my online presence, hence the reason I've temporarily abandoned this blog. Not only have I neglected SBoB, I also started a new blog with good intentions of maintaining and updating it. It was to be devoted to my yard and all the seasonal happenings that go along with maintenance and care for it. I had planned to blog with pictures and maybe post small reviews on products and/or tools I was using but just minutes ago I deleted that blog.

Some time while Brad(ford) was living with us he went on and on (and on) about this Twitter thing. To which I initially thought was a new media source that was completely full of shit. I mean really, who needs to know that you just clipped your toenails and now you're eating steak? Oh the joys of summing up a moment in 140 characters or less. Just the self absorbed, narcissistic crap we need hitting our hip or inbox on a daily. Breath... But as I do, I joined and even (Insert air quotes) tweeted a few times. Lame attempts to be clever in my allotted 140 characters. But soon grew extremely tired and even annoyed with constant -how do you say- bullshit posts of others. I even found myself falling victim to my own dislikes, posting craptastrophies from time to time. And so, with-out the announcement that so many attention craving people on social networking sites do, I quietly left. I haven't been happier.

Wow, that was more of a rant than anything else... And yet, here I am. Again. My feeble re-beginning at reaching the blogosphere.

Note: I'm already hating this! I'm trying to find a way to add music to this post and can't figure out how to do it.