Recent acquisitions

Not going through an inventory of Christmas presents - I received a few gift cards so that I could go out and find things that tripped my "gotta-have-it-switch".

My daughter and her family came for the holidays and during a shopping expedition on Christmas Eve, I spotted this pair of Bass Buchanons - suede/leather with eraser soles.  I like them.

On the way out of the store and working through our mission to finish our Christmas shopping, my daughter, (remember - this is the wonderful daughter who gifted me so generously at J. Press in New Haven this past summer) thought I should have gotten the blue suede babies that were perched next to them on display.

After Christmas, after the all the guests left for home and parts north, my wife went back to the store and picked up the Bass Brocktons.

Nice eh??

(flash photography makes these look lighter than they really are)

Somewhere in between Christmas and New Years - Dillards sent a shout out they were having a 50% off the already reduced prices on some great items.  Carolyn works in the Ralph Lauren section of Dillard's in Altamonte Springs - next time you're in there, say hello to Carolyn -- she's a gem.

I spotted these Ralph Lauren "Professor's Pants" - I'd read about them earlier in the year - "Exuding timeless heritage and style, the Professor pant is tailored for a relaxed fit from timeworn cotton chino" --   and the selling aspect of these britches were the back-side tabs - When I was in high school - this style of chino was very popular.  When the back tab was "dis-engaged" that meant you were not going steady - tab "engaged" meant you were taken/owned/going-steady/gettin' some.  (any or all apply may apply)

Two things about these pants -- 1) the cotton is beautiful - its nicely washed and soft. 2) the belt loops are too  small though - first thing I did was add a ribbon belt to these pants - and the loops would barely let the belt through.  Otherwise - great chinos men - go get some - just get a narrow belt to go with them!

Here in Florida - Stein Mart is a popular place to shop.  Mr. Stein makes it all the more appealing by sending me emails, taunting me with coupons for generous discount percentages (register at steinmart.com).

In the men's department there is plethora of Flusser-ware; all good looking, but certainly not top-of-the-line.  I snagged some Flusser slacks - grey, nice looking and goes well with a lot of my inventory.  Also snagged these two Nautica sport jackets -

Got a couple of ties and shirts to go with these - but I'm on the hunt for something special - and I'm moving toward orange, or peach (for the top jacket).

I know most people who read the style blog are keen on the high-end, bespoke kit-combos from the big men's style houses in New York, Milan, London, and other parts of the world (that I wish I could visit).  I peruse the blogs and pretty much drool on my laptop at some of the candy I come across.  Lately I've been keen on chino, or cotton blazers.  On the break between Christmas and New Years as I was tripping through Dillard's, I came across this Daniel Cremieux chino jacket.  Men, this jacket rocks!  I think I've worn it almost everyday (to work) over the the past week.  I love it!

I wore it with those "professors pants" and some new Levi's 501s.  The weight is just a little heavy, but for Florida winters, it's perfect.  It feels good, and looks good - the deep indigo blue goes with so much.

What's you're most comfortable piece of gear?  What one special item makes you feel so good, you can take on the world?  For me - it's this jacket.

Cheers Gentlemen!

Time to Celebrate - the bar is open - Tom and Jerrys

My wife is from (waaaay) upstate New York and in that area they make Tom and Jerrys in the period between Thanksgiving and New Years.  There is a very old restaurant - The Crystal - in Watertown, NY that makes these delicious concoctions throughout the holidays.

This is the bar at The Crystal - nice, old wood bar with lots of mood!

Here is the recipe -

Note:  If you are somewhere in the northern United States this weekend, freezing and snowing like mad -- this drink will have you mowing the lawn at 2 AM - ripe and ready to celebrate the season.

Enjoy, God Bless, and Merry Christmas from Silk Regimental

Ingredients

• 12 egg(s)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 bottle brandy
• Pinch of ground allspice
• Pinch of ground cinnamon
• Pinch of ground cloves
• 1 bottle dark rum
• milk
• nutmeg

Glass Type: mug

Instructions

Separate the eggs. Beat the whites until they form a stiff froth, and the yolks -- to which you have added the sugar -- "until they are as thin as water," as the professor advises, gradually adding 4 ounces brandy (spiceaholics will also add a pinch each of ground allspice, cinnamon, and cloves). Fold the whites into the yolks. When ready to serve, give it another stir and then put 1 tablespoon of this batter in a small mug or tumbler. Now add 1 ounce brandy (although some die-hard Dixiecrats prefer bourbon) and 1 ounce Jamaican rum, stirring constantly to avoid curdling. Fill to the top with hot milk and stir until you get foam. Sprinkle a little grated nutmeg on top. This one may require practice and a certain amount of fiddling, but it's well worth the effort. Note: Some people find the milk too rich and filling, so they use half hot milk, half boiling water.

I will host this party!

Photo:  BrendanOC

Gentlemen in great looking slacks and blazers (with our ladies in matching cocktail dresses - somewhere off camera) - this to me is the making of a fun party -

This image reinforces the power of the blue blazer (sounds like a cool blog title).  Casual and elegant at the same time - some great cocktails - sure fire formula for a fun evening.

I don't remember where I got the photo, but if you want me to delete it, I will.  Or I'll add your credit.  I just think this sort of Saturday night get-together needs to fostered.

Bourbon Cocktails and Silk Knit Ties

Food and Wine Magazine came out with a tasty decimal of bourbon drinks today - some interesting, some I'd pass on, but it's nice to know there are people thinking about how to make a nice cocktail

http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/bourbon-cocktails

Over the summer I've acquired several knit ties - some nice, silky knits, and a few polyesters, but they look pretty good.  J. Press had some great knit ties this summer - I got one at 40% off.  I'm looking for an opportunity in my schedule where I can dress such that I can pick one of these new knits.  A balance of casual and dress - with a blazer or odd jacket and khakis.  Below are some good lookin' knits.

Unabashedly Prep will love this one

Back to those Nantucket Reds

The other day (over at my other blog) I did a post for a cocktail that I came up with to match my Nantucket Reds from Murray's of, where else, but Nantucket, MA.


A quick recap... here are the mixing instruction for the


NANTUCKET RED by Yours Truly

In a shaker half filled with ice

2 oz of your favorite vodka

2 oz of cranberry-pomegranate juice

1 oz of orange juice (not from concentrate)

Squeeze of a wedge of lime

Shake and pour into a nice crystal beverage glass or martini glass and garnish with as slice/wedge of lime.

Note:  This beverage is nice but a tad tart – some folks probably like it that way.  You might consider adding ½ oz. of simple syrup to take the bite off.

Simple Syrup

2 cups of water

2 cups of sugar

Heat to a boil and all sugar granules are dissolved and then let it cool.  I was making mojitos a couple of weeks ago and that recipe said to put a bunch of mint in the syrup just as it came off the stove.  Simple Syrup keeps in the refrigerator forever.

Here's the result

Now to take this a bit further --- I stole this photo from The Elegantologist last year when he posted a bit on his blog about adding pop to your daily attire.  Here's his photo (which I have protect with life and limb)

"The E" does this quite well with an odd blue three-button sports jacket, blue (patterned, I think) shirt, blue knit tie, and a great pink pocket square.

I liked this composition very much which is why I held onto it hoping to put together the same kit.  The Elegantologist and Maxminimus are the two gentlemen I go to for what I call "putting it all together".  They seem to have a knack for it and it registers with me as good taste and like I said - it's good composition.

So, here's what I came up with:

Mine is a blue Stanley Blacker blazer, blue check RL Blaine bd shirt, navy knit Club Room tie, Daniel Cremieux grossgrain belt, Cole Haan tassle slip ons.  I have a light cashmere jacket, but it's so freakin' hot here it would have been miserable just taking a few snaps.

With out the jacket:

Check out Mountain and Sackett - ties made in New York since 1957.  These are the only ties in the world that are never touched by a machine, only the hands of skilled artisans transform these distinctive fabrics into a tie that truly reflects the spirit of their history.