Ioncewascanadian

eliz:

It’s happening. I’m teaching a Skillshare class called How To Make Your Digital Photos Not Suck.

If you think I shoot film all the time, you’re wrong. 

Check it out here, and if I get enough interest I will set up a time and date, most likely in Brooklyn, and probably in September. It will be very worth your while.

Please reblog!

Also: if you’re even remotely interested in this, please click “Add to Watchlist” so I can gauge interest. No interest, no class. Thanks!

You guys! I made this post above ^^^ 5 years ago.. amazingly, the team at Skillshare and I have actually made this class happen, and you can watch it on demand! Stay tuned for details and how to enroll, including a special deal.

Bike Commuting and Style—Mutually Exclusive?

On a recent rush hour drive to Reagan National Airport, I followed Google Maps’ recommended route through DC, which the app assured me was a better option than our local purgatory, the beltway. I was amazed at the number of bike commuters I saw. At every turn there were more–people of all ages; some guys dressed in spandex or other technical gear; some in street clothes; a couple in suits; on bikes of all types, from aggressive road bikes to beat up 10 speeds to upright Bikeshare rentals.

I realized as Google directed me to make a slight right onto a footpath near the Washington Monument that I had set the app to give me bike directions, which explains why I was getting in the way of a critical mass of cyclists. But the trip inspired me to think a little more about how I dress for my commute and work, as I’ve been commuting (partially) by bike daily since last summer. Overall I’ve found the commute has led me to dress more casually than I used to, but the physical and weather demands have also encouraged me to try out new outerwear and adaptable options I hadn’t before. 

The best option for you depends a lot on how much physical commitment your commute requires, and the style of riding and bike you choose.

Town Trip

For shorter, primarily flat commutes in moderate climates (a rare combo), you can ride an upright bike. Sitting in a comfortable position, with a chainguard keeping your drive-side trouser leg clean, you can wear pretty much whatever you like. This is the commute I think of when I see photos of guys tooling around Florentine streets in tailored jackets and nice shoes. For real, though, who are those guys?

If I had a town commute I’d likely wear on the bike what I like to wear in the office–OCBDs, sweaters or sportcoats, and cotton or flannel trousers, and suede shoes. Some practical concerns even for a short commute:

• Wear and tear—your flannels aren’t really built for pedaling and any trousers you wear will likely wear out faster if you bike in them a lot. Slightly looser fits will be more forgiving.
  

• Packing—backpacks or messenger style bags are practical but they can ruin the shoulders of a sportcoat and wear on shirts or sweaters. Using panniers or adding a rack you can secure a bag to is advisable if you’re wearing more refined clothing when you ride.
  

• Shoes–while a stiff soled shoe can be efficient for pedaling, leather soled shoes and bike pedals don’t generally get along. Better to wear something with a rubber sole, like Dainite or crepe, either all day or at least while on the bike. Likewise if you ride a cool old school bike your pedals may have toe clips, and they will scuff up the tops of your leather shoes immediately. Also, don’t wear “bicycle toe” shoes. Because they’re ugly.
  

In the photo: Orazio Luciano sportcoat, Eidos polo, Eidos trousers, Alden shoes.

Long Haul

For intense commutes, over long distances, with a lot of elevation change and risk of bad weather, you’re probably best off seriously gearing up for your commute, riding a speedier bike with a more aggressive riding posture, and finding a way to transport a set of work clothes to the office. Unfortunately, there’s not really an easy way to do so. 

In my office, some long haul commuters pack in their work clothes everyday and keep an iron and small ironing board in their office. This arrangement limits you somewhat to easily packed and easily de-wrinkled clothing–like cotton shirts and pants. 

I also know guys who keep a rotation of more formal office-wear–basic suits and separates–in their office space, and patronize a nearby dry cleaner rather than packing everything up. Simon Crompton, who is dedicated to both tailored wear and bike commuting, transports some of his clothing back and forth and rotates a selection of suits, jackets, and accessories stored at the office. 

These options assume you have some storage space at the office and a place to shower or at least change. I’d be concerned I’d get lazy and leave the same jacket at the office for 6 months.

In the photo: House Industries cycling cap, Rapha jersey, bib, and shoes.

Hybrid Commute

Most of us fall somewhere in between–we ride far enough and up and down enough hills that we need to ride a capable, multi-speed bike and deal with fickle weather, but not so much that we want or need to completely change our clothes when we get to work. Hybrid commuters need to find a point of dress that balances comfort, practicality, and formality appropriate to their office.

For me, that means cotton pants (sometimes with a little stretch to the fabric), OCBDs (like I’d wear anything else), and weather-appropriate outerwear. I wear sneakers on the bike, primarily–I don’t like riding in shoes with a heel and I appreciate the opportunity wear all my cool sneakers. I keep two pairs of shoes at the office, if I want to wear something else, I’ll pack it in. Currently I carry a messenger bag but I’m considering adding a rack to my bike.

This sort of commute lends itself to the sort of stealth technical clothing that tries to combine performance characteristics—like stretch, water resistance, and breathability—with non-eyeball-searing design. Hybrid clothing is always risky—I see a lot of ads for dress yoga pants—but the idea is appealing. Some interesting lines that do this sort of thing are Nanamica, Outlier, Mission Workshop, Levis, and Rapha, who Ryan has had good experience with.

In the photo: Engineered Garments jacket, Gitman Vintage cotton/linen oxford, Outlier pants, Vans.

Safety Concerns

I ride a lot in the dark, so I’m usually lit up like the Griswolds’ house at Christmas, with a bright headlight and taillight on the bike as well as a couple clip-on lights on my bag and helmet. Whether or not your local jurisdiction mandates helmets, I’d recommend one–I’ve found Bell’s to be pretty good looking, and I have taken a couple of spills in the rain where a helmet was valuable. Preventable major head injuries: not generally a good look.

We’ve got a month until Christmas. If you’re looking for some gift ideas for the men in your life (or for yourself), be sure to check out the Art of Manliness Shop. We’ve added several great products to our line-up this year that would make for fantastic stocking stuffers or sure-to-please presents under the Christmas tree.

Plus, making a purchase from the AoM Shop helps to support the Art of Manliness! If you’ve enjoyed all our top-quality, totally free content this year, making a purchase from the AoM Store is a great way to say thanks.

As a thank you to our wonderful readers, we’re giving away 3 gifts from the shop to 3 lucky AoM readers. Enter to win below; even if your name’s not drawn, we’ll hook you up with a 10% discount code.

Highlights from the AoM Store

A note on shipping: Standard flat rate orders made by December 16th should arrive before Christmas Eve, though USPS is not guaranteeing that. If you decide to order via our 2-day rush delivery with UPS, order by the 18th of December to ensure delivery by Christmas Eve. That’s guaranteed. 

The Detective’s Wallet

Inspired by a classic icon of masculinity, we’ve designed the Detective’s Wallet to help you harness the moxie of an old school private eye while keeping your credit cards and cash in place.

The Detective’s Wallet consists of a handsome leather folding wallet made right here in the USA. Besides holding cash and credit cards, the wallet also holds a mini Moleskine notebook (an extra comes in the box) to jot down your observations throughout the day. For your convenience there’s a loop attached to the right side of the wallet that holds a sleek, black, Fisher Bullet Space Pen. This precision-assembled pen writes at any angle (including zero gravity) and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Engraved on the inside right cover of the wallet you’ll find a quote from one of the cleverest, most perceptive detectives of all time, Sherlock Holmes: “I have trained myself to notice what I see.” It’s a constant reminder to have a keen eye and always observe your surroundings so that you can better solve the mysteries that you’ll encounter in this story called life.

Art of Manliness 15 oz Etched Coffee Mug

Theodore Roosevelt’s son said that his father’s favorite coffee mug was “more in the nature of a bathtub.”

Well, the Art of Manliness Coffee Mug would certainly get TR’s grinning approval.

The AoM Coffee Mug is made of ceramic and is thick-walled to keep your soups, stews, and beverages hotter, longer. This bad boy weighs in at a hefty 1.3lbs and holds a healthy 15 ounces. Its vintage shape and speckled finish is reminiscent of old camping mugs that grizzled cowboys would use on the trail. And the large, three-finger handle makes for comfortable holding even for hands so big and meaty that one alone could span a large cast iron skillet.

Emblazoned on the outside is 19th century bare-knuckled pugilist John L. Sullivan with the phrase “Semper Virilis” — Always Manly — above his head. And unlike most branded coffee mugs with a chintzy printed-on design, we’ve deep-etched our artwork right into the ceramic, giving it a unique look that will never fade with use or wash off over time. It’s destined to become a vessel of manliness that will be passed down to your posterity for generations.

The Ben Franklin Virtue Journal

When Ben Franklin was 20 years old, he made the audacious goal of achieving “moral perfection.” To help him along, he drew up a list of 13 virtues, and created a chart on which to keep track of his progress in living them. Each week he would specifically focus on one virtue while also keeping track of the others. He would then move on to the next virtue and so on, eventually going through four cycles of each of the virtues in a single year.

When he failed to live up to the virtues on a particular day, he would place a mark on the chart. When Franklin first started out on his program he found himself putting marks in the book more often than he wanted. But as time went by, he saw the marks diminish.

Though Franklin never attained his goal of “moral perfection,” he felt that the effort had still greatly improved his life.

To help you grow into a man of character, we created a journal inspired by the one Franklin used as a young man. The Ben Franklin’s Virtues Daily Record & Journal is divided into 13 weeks — one for each of Franklin’s virtues — with each week containing an agenda and journal section for each day.

The design of this heirloom-quality journal is inspired by both Ben Franklin’s original diary and his virtue charts. It’s printed on acid free paper in the United States and encased in a handsome leather journal cover that’s handmade in Utah. The journal insert is replaceable, so once you’ve gone through one cycle of the virtues, you can begin anew and continue your journey towards personal excellence. Hold on to your old inserts as a record of your daily life and strivings during that period.

Semper Virilis Buck Pocket Knife

Every man should carry a pocket knife. The Semper Virilis Buck Pocket Knife is made in the USA and comes with a lifetime guarantee. The blade is 2.5″ long and made from 420HC steel. Etched on the blade is “Semper Virilis” — Latin for “Always Manly.” It’s the motto around here at Art of Manliness and what better way to remind yourself to live a manful life than seeing it etched on the blade of a knife? The handle is made of handsome birchwood. This knife will serve a man his whole life through, and be passed on to sons and grandsons.

“Stay Manly” Chicago Comb

Rather than using a flimsy disposable comb to create your classic Mad Men haircut each morning, run this stainless steel baby through your manly mane. Laser-cut and then hand-finished for comfortable daily use, each comb is made right here in the USA. Etched on the comb is an essential morning routine reminder to “Stay Manly” during the day ahead. Unlike the cheap plastic comb you’ve probably been using, this comb will definitely outlast your hair, and you as well.

Strength & Honor PT Short

For the “Fitness Buff” in your life. The Strength & Honor PT short is based off the standard issue gym shorts for new Army recruits. They’re just the right length: shorter than basketball gym shorts, but not as short as ranger panties. They don’t get in the way of your deadlifts and power cleans and they just look more grown-up than your typical baggy knee-grazers. The lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking material keeps you cool, and the flexible fabric stretches to move with your body. Plus, they come with built-in underwear, and even make great swimming trunks!

The Strength and Honor PT short has AoM’s signature “Virtus et Honestas” sword and wings emblazoned on the right leg to inspire you to reach higher and push yourself harder. These are the perfect shorts for your strength-building, honor-inspiring workouts.

Art of Manliness T-shirts

Show off your commitment to reviving manliness with one of our AoM T-shirts. We’ve teamed up with TankFarm Clothing to create some of the manliest t-shirts around. Our most popular sellers are “Fight in the Shade,” “Gentleman Barbarian,” and “Sullivan U.S. Flag.” We’ve also got two boy’s tee designs for the little men in your life: “You’ll Be a Man, My Son” and “Man in the Making.” They’re on sale now — get ’em while they last!

Safety Razor Bundle (or get the items individually)

We partnered with Edwin Jagger to create a line of Art of Manliness branded safety razor gear. We’ve got a safety razor, a best badger hair brush, and a shaving bowl. We have a nice shaving soap too. Each of these items would make for great stocking stuffers.

You can also buy them together in a bundle at a 15% discount.

Art of Manliness Straight Razor and Strop

If you’ve mastered safety razor shaving and are ready to move on to straight razor shaving, the Art of Manliness has got you covered. We partnered with Grim Blades to create an heirloom quality straight razor that’s crafted right here in the USA. The 7/8″ square tip, hollow-ground blade, and exotic rosewood handle are hand-forged by master craftsmen in Idaho. The Art of Manliness logo is etched on the blade, with John L. Sullivan positioned to be your loyal morning routine companion.

This is an heirloom piece that will be passed down to your posterity and offer your sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons a lifetime of grooming pleasure.

If you’re going to get a straight razor, you’ll need to keep it sharp, so pick up our American-made strop crafted from supple leather with a medium draw. Stropping your Art of Manliness straight razor prior to each shave will maintain your blade for a comfortable shave, keeping it sharp and keen. Strop the blade on the cotton canvas side to remove burrs from the blade; then move to the leather side to prepare the blade for shaving. The 3-inch wide surface eliminates the need for a cross-stroke pattern, making stropping easy for the novice.

Save 30% when you buy both together in a bundle!

AoM Morale Patches

For the military or tactical guy in your life, grab our Fight in the Shade and John L. Sullivan morale patches. Our morale patches have a velcro backing and can be attached to plate carriers, backpacks, or hats.

Buy them in a bundle and save $3.

Signed Copies of Art of Manliness Books

Did you know we’ve published three books? You can find all of them on Amazon, but you can also get signed copies in the AoM Store. My signature resides on a handsome-looking bookplate on the inside cover of the book.

The Art of Manliness: Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man. This was the first book we published back in 2009 and since then it has sold over 100,000 copies. It’s filled with the practical how-tos of being a man like how to tie a tie, how to start a fire without matches, and how to give a dynamic speech. It’s a great bathroom reader. (You can buy it on Amazon unsigned for less.)

The Art of Manliness Manvotionals: Timeless Wisdom and Advice on Living the 7 Manly Virtues is our second book and is more about developing the mindset and philosophy of being a man. It’s an anthology of the best advice and insights about being a man ever written. From the philosophy of Aristotle to the success books of the late 19th and early 20th centuries to the speeches and essays of leaders like Theodore Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, the book contains the manly wisdom of the ages — a myriad of poems, quotes, and essays designed to inspire men to live life to the fullest and realize their complete potential. (You can buy it on Amazon unsigned for less.)

Heading Out On Your Own: 31 Basic Life Skills in 31 Days. The goal of Heading Out On Your Own is simple: to help young men heading out on their own for the first time learn some of the very basic life skills they need to master to succeed at living independently. While we couldn’t possibly include every single life skill a young person needs to have under his belt, this book covers all of the most important essentials. And after reading dozens of “life skills” books on the market during the research and writing of the original series, I can confidently say that Heading Out On Your Own is by far the most thorough, comprehensive, and imminently readable one to ever have been published. Great gift for a young man about to head off for college. (You can buy it on Amazon unsigned for less.)

Art of Manliness Boxed Set Collection

Get Classic Skills and Manners for the Modern Man and Manvotionals in a handsome, vintage-inspired cigar box along with six manly coasters. What man wouldn’t want to find this awesomely manly book collection under the Christmas tree? The box the books come in is even accented with festive red and green. Sets with signed copies are available in our store. But right now, unsigned sets are going for $18 on Amazon, or about the same price as a single book. Can’t beat that deal!

Art of Manliness Posters

We have a wide selection of thumos-inspiring posters in our store. They’re great to hang up in a dorm room, office, or garage gym.

• Man in the Arena
• “If” Poem
• Jack London’s Credo
• Character is Power
• Know Your Lifts (great for the fitness junkie in your life)

Art of Manliness Gift Cards

If your loved one is a dedicated AoM reader, but you’re having trouble deciding which items from the shop they’d like best, let them pick. We now offer Gift Cards in the AoM Store. You can buy them in $25, $50, $100, or $200 increments. Our electronic gift cards are emailed to your recipient immediately after placing your order (or email it to yourself and print it off to give on Christmas morning). This is great option for a last-minute gift!

Save With Bundles

Besides the safety razor and straight razor shaving bundles, we also offer a couple other bundles that will save you money:

Mug+AoM Book

Nothing says “manful relaxation” like kicking back with a signed copy of an AoM book while sipping coffee from your manly AoM coffee mug. Give someone that experience with the Mug+AoM Book Bundle. You’ll save 15% off the total price when you buy the two items together in our bundle. Bundle comes with either Art of Manliness: Classic Skills and Manners or Manvotionals. 

AoM EDC Bundle

Every man needs a solid EDC (everyday carry) setup so they’re prepared for anything that life throws at them. The AoM EDC bundle serves as a great foundation for that kit. It comes with a Detective’s Wallet and Semper Virilis Buck Pocket Knife. Buy the two together in our bundle and save 15%.

And Much More!

We’ve just highlighted a few of the items that you’ll find in the AoM Shop. Be sure to explore the entire store along with our clearance section for even more gift ideas!

Bonus Items!

FREE Art of Manliness Sticker With Every Purchase

Every purchase comes with a free Art of Manliness diecut sticker. It makes for a nice little stocking stuffer. Great for putting on laptops, guitar cases, and cars.

FREE Shipping on All Orders of $100+

We offer flat rate shipping at the AoM store. So no matter how much you order, you’ll only pay $6.95 if you choose our flat rate shipping option. (If you’re looking for speedier deliveries, you have the option to spend more for two-day rush via UPS). So load up!

Spend $100 or more in the AoM Store and you’re eligible for FREE shipping. To redeem your free shipping simply enter the code FREESHIP at checkout. The coupon will discount $6.95 (the cost of regular ground shipping) from your shipping total. But act fast. This offer will be over December 15th.

Giveaway!

Santa John L. Sullivan is giving away 3 items from the AoM Store. To enter, use the contest form below. There are multiple ways to enter, so use them all to increase your chances of winning. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you are an email subscriber, do not reply to this email to make your entry. You must click on the title of this post, which will take you to the post on our web page, where you can enter using the form.

We’ll pick 3 random entries as the winners. Deadline to enter is Friday, Dec. 4, 2015 at 5PM CT.

Everyone who enters will receive an email with a discount code for 10% off your purchase from the AoM Store! 

Good luck and Merry Christmas!

ELIJAH WOOD & BRANDON WALTERS

Photo I took while directing the music video for

Greg Laswell’s “How The Day Sounds“

styled by Shirley Kurata

Scoring a Winter Overcoat

After my post Monday, a few readers emailed to ask where they might be able to score a nice overcoat this winter. The places that sell such things are typically the same places that sell other kinds of tailored clothing (suits, sport coats, and the like). Often called “dress coats,” these garments different from other kinds coats in that they’re a bit dressier. 

Go Retail: We have a two-part guide on where you can look for suits, if you don’t already have a favorite spot, and many of those places will carry overcoats. Just remember that many of the bigger companies will hold sales. With holiday seasons around the corner, right now is a good time to figure out which styles fit you best, and then plan for a purchase in a month or two.

Go Vintage: Even on sale, however, a good overcoat is likely to run you $500 or more. To get something more affordable — or to get more bang-for-your-buck — we recommend what we always recommend: trawl eBay and your local thrift stores. The great thing about overcoats is that they tend to hold up very well, as they’re usually durably constructed and classic in style. You can get a great vintage piece for pennies on the dollar. 

The navy Guard’s coat above, for example, was made by Polo Ralph Lauren for Wilkes Bashford. I bought it for $75 from a thrift store in San Francisco (thanks to a tip from Jesse), and then threw in about $50 for alterations (the sleeves needed to be shorted and hem taken up). All in all, $125 for a great winter coat that probably retailed somewhere in the thousands. Jesse picked up something similar for even cheaper ($55).

Jesse wrote a great guide on thrifting, should you want to search around in your area. If you find something with moth holes, think about whether or not it’s something you can take to a re-weaver. Also, if you plan on wearing a sport coat or suit jacket underneath, bring those things with you when you go hunt. An overcoat can feel too big when you slip it on over a sweater and shirt, but fit perfectly when you have it layered over another jacket. 

The walls in our house are made of horsehair plaster. It makes an amazing wall, without question, but it’s also the most annoying material to cut holes in because the lath tends to catch the sawblade and break away from the back of the plaster, weakening the whole area.

When installing the speaker jacks in my previous post, I tried a tip from a friend which worked great.

Simply screw some pieces of scrap wood to the wall on either side of the hole before you cut. The lath stays in place. Filling screw holes is a lot easier than patching cracked plaster!

The Grand Budapest Hotel est un film de Wes Anderson sorti en 2014. L’action se passe pendant l’entre-deux-guerres dans un grand hôtel de montagne situé dans une république imaginaire d’Europe centrale. Les vues extérieures de l’hôtel et de la montagne ont été entièrement reconstituées à l’aide de modèles réduits entièrement imaginés voire inspirés librement de […]

The post The Grand Budapest Hotel appeared first on Funimag photoblog.

“Why are you eating? What are you eating? Where are you eating?”

“Why do we have eyelashes? Why do we have eyebrows?”

“I used to eat bamboo all the time when I was a panda.”

“Dad! I’m excited! I’m excited that you made bacon and waffles!”

“Did you get enough sleep? Now you won’t be grouchy.” (she actually slept 11 or 12 hours solid for probably the 6th or 7th time ever)

“Whoa! Look at that wicked dinosaur!”

“It’s a V! It’s a V!”

She also told a story using a toy wolf, three toy pigs, and tea box houses: “Little pig, little pig, let me come in.” (while gesturing with the wolf) “The little pig replied, ‘No, no, no. Not by the hairs of my chinny, chin, chin.’ So the wolf found his own house.” (He lived next door and later attended a party hosted by the pigs.)

Some extra quotes from yesterday:

(Holding up two toy pigs) “They’re not born yet.” (putting them under her shirt) “They are babies in my belly. They’re sisters.”

“I’m sad. I need some milk to cheer me up.”

Updated Backpacks

Put This On is on record as against backpacks with suits (a position I stand by—it usually looks silly and can ruin a suit’s shoulders), but I don’t wear a tailored jacket most days, so I do carry a backpack. I’d love to go to work with nothing but a wallet, keys, and a smile but most of the time I’m lugging more: lunch, a camera, a laptop or tablet, and gym clothes. A backpack is the easiest and most comfortable way to move that stuff. A recent Wall Street Journal piece pointed out that packs have become the luggage of choice for runway designers, although these design-first bags are often short on usability. Modern technical packs from outdoor stores/brands have pockets to spare and good technical performance, but I find the best balance of utility and design in between the technical and design worlds. I’ve handled a lot of the packs on the market and can recommend a few in different price ranges.

Under $100

Herschel Supply: Herschel Supply cracks the list because they make a basic update of the 1980s/90s day packs that became schoolbook staples and because they’re inexpensive. Herschel Supply gets important, basic things like water resistance and internal laptop sleeves right, and offers a variety of relatively subdued styles plus some wilder fabric patterns. Despite a healthy dose of heritage-y branding, Herschel is a young brand and the bags are imported and frankly a little flimsy compared to other options.

Vintage: Buying a pack vintage is risky—you don’t know what leaked on that pack’s last hike. But there are some sturdy, good looking packs on the vintage market. Yucca packs are basic canvas packs often used by Boy Scouts in the pre-Jansport era (and stamped accordingly with BSA insignia). They’re large, floppy canvas bags, and sell pretty cheap. In my opinion, fine for a trip to the farmer’s market, but I wouldn’t trust one with my laptop. Swiss packs in “salt and pepper” fabric are quite roomy and look great with some patina on the leather straps, but some are frankly past the point of realistic usability, and the market has become more competitive in recent years, driving some prices north of $100.

$100-$200

Archival Clothing’s daypack is your basic modern heritage backpack—one big compartment that zips closed, smaller open side pockets, and unpadded webbing straps. AC’s cotton duck fabric is not waterproof, but it’s lighter (and less costly) than the waxed fabric AC uses in some of its other bags. AC’s build quality is universally top notch and I really like their unfussy designs, which reference older styles without requiring a full hikerdelic wardrobe.

The Kelty Mockingbird is the long-standing gear company’s modern interpretation of one of its 1960s mountaineering models. Made of Cordura nylon, it has a cinch-top main compartment, padded straps, and removable lash-on side compartments. (Cordura is the brand name for the woven nylon fabric used in much, if not most, modern soft luggage. Most bags, including the Mockingbird, are 500 denier—a measurement of density—but some use 1000 denier, which is more durable but stiffer and heavier.) Kelty made vintage-style bags for the Japanese market for several years before bringing the designs stateside. I’ve carried this pack most days for over two years with few complaints. One potential drawback of this era of design is the number of straps, pulls, and lash tabs—not the place to look for a minimal appearance.

$200 and up

In the heritage-styled arena, I like California’s Altadena Works, which makes a daypack-styled bag that checks every box on my personal pack list. Cordura fabric, Horween leather-reinforcement on the bottom, seatbelt nylon webbing straps with wool felt padding, and thoughtfully laid out pockets, all made in California. Like a better, more worldly version of the Jansport I carried in high school.

Cote et Ciel provides an alternative for those not as interested as I am in looking like a 1970s Patagonia catalog. The Isar rucksack has two significant compartments: a zipped, padded laptop/tech compartment that  sits against your back, and a larger gear compartment that zips vertically down the center then folds over to give the bag its asymmetrical appearance. Padded straps attach in the middle of the pack rather than at the edge toward the body (it’s complicated; Carryology has a good review that explains with photos) and hug the tech compartment to you. Cote et Ciel uses a number of cotton blend fabrics, all of which claim to be water resistant.

-Pete

The moderately and (very) immoderately priced goods that I’d rather spend it on this month.

Gitman Vintage Japanese Indigo Flannel Shirt
100% cotton
Made in USA
Best Price: $195.00 (FREE SHIPPING) at Penelope’s

Sunspel Vintage Wool Shawl Neck Cardigan
100% wool
Burnished nickel buttons
Made in the UK
Best Price: $365.00 (PRE-SHIPPING) at Unionmade

Billy Reid Standard Jeans
100% cotton
Ticking stripe pocket bags
Leather patch
Woven, cut and sewn in USA
Best Price: $78.00 (FREE SHIPPING) at Billy Reid

Filson Seattle Fit Cover Cloth Weekender Coat
6 oz., 100% cotton Oil Finish Cover Cloth outer
4 oz., 100% cotton lining
12 oz., 100% cotton moleskin collar and handwarmer pockets
Best Price: $320.00 (FREE SHIPPING) at Lyonstate

Wigwam El Pine Socks
81% wool / 15% nylon / 4% spandex
Made in USA
Best Price: $11.99 (PRE-SHIPPING) at Amazing Socks

Chippewa Crazy Horse Service Boots
Full grain American leather upper
Leather lining
Steel shank
Vibram V-Bar rubber outsole
Waxed laces
Best Price: $259.00 (FREE SHIPPING) at Zappos

Thanks to LA Weekly for choosing Put This On as “Best Fashion Blog” in their 2013 LA Web Awards!

Both newsy (a recent post alerted readers to the possible going-out-of-business sale by a beloved thrift shop) and thoughtful (‘reviewing’ takes on new meaning here). Men should bookmark this site yesterday.

eBay Round Up

Today’s roundup comes with a bit of help from our friend the RJcat, who has his own auctions going on at the moment. Of the stuff on this list, I particularly like this tan Belstaff motorcycle jacket, Schott A2 bomber, and these shell cordovan Carmina boots. 

Of course, if you don’t see anything you like here, you can always search for more items using our customized eBay search links. We have them for high-end suits, good suits, high-quality shirts and fine footwear. 

We are almost to the halfway mark of 2013, so that means it’s time to batch up the stuff we all like and declare that we like it. So below, in no particular order (serious, for the songs I just hit shuffle, so that’s their order) (alright… I’ll tell you what my absolute favorites are, though, cause we are friends), are some of the albums and songs I’ve liked best so far this year. Yes, there are 11 albums and 26 songs. No, I don’t think that’s weird. Enjoy.

P.S.- There are links to all the albums and all the artists of each song. Make use of those and support the artists that are creating the soundtrack to your life.

Albums

Country Sleep- Night Beds (This is my favorite. It isn’t even close.)
Us Alone- Hayden
From the Hills Below the City- Houndmouth
The Beast In Its Tracks- Josh Ritter
Ripely Pine- Lady Lamb The Beekeeper
North Americana- Leif Vollebekk
Muchacho- Phosphorescent
Can’t Talk Medicine- Pickwick
Trouble Will Find Me- The National
Exactly Where You Wanted To Be- Small Houses
Fool Moon- Widower

Songs

(listen via the embedded player above or click here to listen on 8tracks)
1. Song for Zula- Phosphorescent (This is my favorite. It isn’t even close.)
2. Dead Man’s Dance- Bradford Loomis
3. Vegas- Conner Youngblood
4. Thoroughbred- Widower
5. Dreams of Cannibalism- Typhoon
6. Will “The Thrill”- Cayucas
7. Love Like This- Kodaline
8. Hopeful- Josh Ritter
9. Shine- The Cave Singers
10. City By The Sea- Fort Frances
11. Brother Roland- Pickwick
12. Blurry Nights- Hayden
13. Put A Light On- Generationals
14. Ithica- Tyler Lyle
15. The Last Night Of Summer- Small Houses
16. Human- Daughter
17. I Need My Girl- The National
18. Ramona- Night Beds
19. Where Can I Go?- Laura Marling
20. I Need A Change- The Shouting Matches
21. Long As You’re At Home- Houndmouth
22. Weight- Mikal Cronin
23. The Nothing Part II- Lady Lamb The Beekeeper
24. When The Subway Comes Above the Ground- Leif Vollebekk
25. Heart Beats- Hey Marseills
26. Take A Chance- Mike Clark & The Sugar Sounds

It’s about 10 days early, but below is a mix I’ve made for you to soundtrack the coming season of thunderstorms, blooms, baseball, sunshine and open windows. I, for one, can’t wait for all spring has to offer. Enjoy.

(listen via the embedded player above or click here to listen on 8tracks)

1. ‘Aeolus’- Freelance Whales
2. ‘Shine’- The Cave Singers
3. ‘Ramona’- Night Beds
4. ‘Heart Beats’- Hey Marseilles
5. ‘Halls of Columbia’- Pickwick
6. ‘Out to Sea’ (Daytrotter Session)- Plume Giant
7. ‘Benny’- Mideau
8. ‘Losing My Cool’ (Fuel/Friends Chapel Session)- Mike Clark & The Sugar Sounds
9. ‘Uptown’- The Local Strangers
10. ‘Celeste’- Les Enfants
11. ‘Thunder Clatter’- Wild Cub
12. ‘Always Alright’- Alabama Shakes
13. ‘The Waters’ (Live)- Shakey Graves
14. ‘The Truth Is A Cave’- The Oh Hellos
15. ‘Green Rocky Road’- Spirit Family Reunion
16. ‘Before the Evening Comes’- The Tin Drums
17. ‘Song For Zula’- Phosphorescent
18. ‘Graceland’ (Paul Simon cover)- Hey Rosetta!
19. ‘Joy To You Baby’- Josh Ritter