Friday, February 26, 2010

Danger Mouse x The Shins = Broken Bells


Super groups seems to be the thing these days (Monsters of Folk and Discovery) so why not have a super group with a great song writer and a great producer. Well, my wish came true when James Mercer (The Shins) and Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley, The Grey Album, and Danger Doom)  got together to become Broken Bells.

Monday, February 22, 2010

2nd Birthday Fort

 
  

Decided to make a new fort/playground for Alex's 2nd birthday!

Friday, February 19, 2010

New Partners & Spade Site


Andy Spade's new adventure, Partners & Spade, finally upgraded their site and it is perfect. Broken up into two sections, Studio and Storefront, the new website gives you a better idea of the unique collection of items that can be purchased from the studio/store hybrid. But the true genius of the site lies in the Studio section.
 

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Jack Spade Navy Waxwear


Jack Spade have done it again with their new Navy Waxwear travel bags.

Details:
WATERPROOFED WOVEN COTTON SOAKED IN TURN OF THE CENTURY PARAFFIN FORMULAS FOR GREATER STRENGTH AND ABRASION RESISTANCE. WAXWEAR COMBINES THE DURABILITY OF NYLON AND THE EASE OF COTTON. WHEN EXPOSED TO HEAT, THE WAXED SURFACE REFINISHES ITSELF, AND MARKS OF USE FADE. ALL STYLES DETAILED WITH CHOCOLATE BRIDLE LEATHER TRIM, CUSTOM DIE CAST JACK SPADE HARDWARE AND STRIPED SUIT LINING BACKED WITH PVC.

Team Zissou Adidas

 

After years of pleading with Adidas to make a Life Aquatic shoe to no avail, someone finally decided to do something about it. Team Zissou sneakers are now available here. USA Today even ran an article about the elusive shoe back in 2006.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Kate and Andy Spade in NY Mag


Great article on Kate and Andy Spade in New York Magazine.

Excerpt on how Branding should be done:
Engaged by J.Crew in 2008 to reimagine that company’s approach to menswear, Andy and his partner, Anthony Sperduti, suggested putting a J.Crew shop in an out-of-business Tribeca bar called the Liquor Store, which still had its vintage sign out front. They insisted that no J.Crew sign replace it and that the original bar remain, with the register behind it, and that the mantel be decorated with toy soldiers from Andy’s personal collection. Music must come from a stereo whose dials and knobs would be visible to customers, and the speakers should emit just enough crackle to remain credibly lo-fi. There should be three colors of a T-shirt, say, rather than eighteen. Inside the closet-size dressing rooms, there should be “exhibitions” by downtown artists and photographers. There should be books chosen from the Strand, and a mug full of pencils munched on by famous writers (like Max Blagg) for sale as well. The staff shouldn’t come from the world of retail, but preferably from the world of art or high design.


J.Crew did it all—a massive departure for a company whose stores are mostly in shopping malls. According to J.Crew creative director Jenna Lyons, the Liquor Store “far exceeded” expectations. “Far, far exceeded!” Andy Spade’s explanation, the key, he says, to his marketing success?

“The bigger you get, the smaller you act.”

First Look: Gant x Michael Bastian (update)

 
GQ

Click here for Valet's insightful Making of a Collection: Gant by Michael Bastian.  

  

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Closer Look: Secret Fort's Timex Expedition Camper


Last month, Secret Forts (one of my favorite blogs), decided to give us a glimpse into his daily attire and asseccories. Besides the Ebbetts Field Flannel cap and Moscot glasses that I truly love, the one thing that stood out to me was his Timex Expedition Camper with Nato Band. Secret Forts links Target for the Expedition but after closer inspection, the one at Target is a little different.

 
Secret Forts

Target

Besides the date display, the hands are different on the watches. Secret Fort's hands has a more classic clean look while Target's seem a little bulky. The good news is that after a little research, I found the exact watch on Amazon and its $5 cheaper.
And since J.Crew is no longer selling their Timex online, this is a great pickup.

*Update 2/25/10 Timex Watches at J.crew are now restocked.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Inspiration: Lacrosse x Gant

One of my favorite sports (after baseball) is lacrosse and it's getting its share of press due to the fact that it inspired Michael Bastian's new Gant collection. And although some lax purist would say that this has nothing to do with lacrosse (and I would agree with that), I like the idea of starting with a concept/theme and creating a entire line around it. I'm really looking forward to seeing what comes out of this collection.
Lacrosse originated with the Native American nations of the United States and Canada, mainly among the Huron and Iroquois Tribes. In many Native American societies/tribes, the ball sport was often part of religious ritual, played to resolve conflicts, heal the sick, develop strong, virile men and prepare for war. Legend tells of games with more than 100 players from different tribes taking turns to play.It could be played on a field many miles in length and width; sometimes the game could last for days. Early lacrosse balls were made of deerskin, clay, stone, and sometimes wood. Lacrosse played a significant role in the community and religious life of tribes across the continent for many years. Early lacrosse was characterized by deep spiritual involvement, befitting the spirit of combat in which it was undertaken. Those who took part did so in the role of warriors, with the goal of bringing glory and honor to themselves and their tribes.The game was said to be played "for the Creator" or was referred to as "The Creator's Game".

Monday, February 8, 2010

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Say Hey Kid

Willie Mays

GQ has a great article about the Greatest All-Around Baseball Player of All Time to celebrate his new biography.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Walking In Holden's Footsteps

 
Holden Caulfield's New York

In memory of J.D. Salinger, who died on Jan 28, 2010, The New York Times created an interactive map that traces Holden Caulfield's steps through New York. The accompanying article to the map can be found here.