Blogging

Although I haven't done a great job at posting items on my own blog, I do feel it's my duty to let you all know that there are some GREAT blogs out there.  Sooner or later this will become a regular thing for me but until then try these:

A Continuous Lean

The Impossible Cool

Selectism

The LP Cover Lover

Repeat to Fade

The Sartorialist

Finally...

Mike Albo of the NY Times has written an article which was way overdue - in my opinion. Apparently he writes a column called "The Critical Shopper" in which he ventures out to different stores and rips them apart - in his writing of course.  Anyway, this piece highlights the boys over at Rag & Bone. While I happen to love fashion and the elitist sense that comes along with it, Mr. Albo makes some valid points - worth the read (NY Times).

Mr. Vegas Endorses - The Women of New York City

Mr. Vegas is happily in a relationship with a beautiful woman but can appreciate the women of NYC. Here's a quick snapshot from this weekend's visit. It's not just about what they were wearing but the attitude they had to back it. This is a blog to help all people and sexes not just men. So girls, please take note. These girls are fashion "forward" not fashion "stagnant". Men also find confidence attractive. Take for instance the trend going right now...I saw at least a half dozen women this weekend rocking skin-tight leotard pants and that's it! No shorts or skirts over top. And rocked them well they did.

Cool Grease

Just a little follow up to my previous post which mentioned "slick hair". I went and got a haircut at Freemans Sporting Club on the lower east side of Manhattan a few weeks ago. Freemans Alley is a very interesting place. The restaurant, which came first, is home to an eclectic mix of prepsters, hipsters and just some randoms from time to time. It also contains enough taxidermy to make a hunter blush - not to mention the delicious food and drink. Some of the guys that hung out there started a club, which lead to a small clothing and barber shop - named (of course) after the restaurant that they loved. The line is small but really nice. They specialize in old school tailoring and american workwear-type looks - really simple stuff, but the fabrics and the details give it it's charm.

Anyway, I had eaten, shopped and read about Freemans in all of the magazines so I figured it was time to give the barber shop a visit. The magazines didn't lie - the atmosphere is very manly. Old anchors, skulls, wood, guys hanging out listening to Jimi Hendrix - it was right on the money. I immediatley got the feeling that these guys would know what to do with my unruly hair. You see, I have extremely thick and wavy hair and it is very hard to maintain. I've wanted to get a classic cut with a side part and some shine for some time now but thought it was impossible because everytime I have tried to use gel, wax, or spray it just doesn't seem to hold and dries out. The barber (Joey - my new favorite person) gave me the cut and suggested I try Cool Grease XX. I told him that most stuff doesn't work with my hair and he assured me this would - man was he right.  Cool Grease XX is fantastic.  The hold is like glue - but you don't feel like you have a ton of sticky gel on your head.  The shine is Clark Gabel circa 1940 - sharp.  Not only does this stuff make my hair look great but it also smells like bananas and washes out with just water. I highly suggest you check out Freemans in all of its elements, get a man's haircut and try Cool Grease - you will thank me.

One word: Sharp

Slicked hair, a nicely tailored double-breasted blue blazer, a colorful shirt, a pocket square, with a distressed jean and a velvet slipper - what a sharp look. I think that what's really great about this picture is how this man makes dressing up look cool. You know, just by looking at him, that he is important and he understands fashion-but has his own take on a mostly traditional outfit.

The Sartorialist shot this man outside the Ralph Lauren spring fashion show last week. I think he makes a great point when he points out that although this exact look might not be for you, it's a great starting point to figure out how you would do it slightly different. I'm on a raw, skinny jean kick so I would probably substitute those - with a large cuff instead of a roll. I'm also a single-breasted blazer kinda guy so I'd probably be wearing that instead. And slippers are a little too old for me - I would much rather be wearing driving loafers. I could go on and on...

Anyway, the point of this is that the look is great and the idea is there-it's just up to you as to how you put it together.

Mr. Vegas Endorses - Tassel Loafers

Hello everyone. Thought I'd share my most recent obsession....The tassel loafer. Going along with most of our themes here on Lifestyle defined one must choose this style of shoe carefully, as it is all based on "how" you wear it. I myself agree with the rest of our Lifestyle team's tastes for classic clothing with a modern touch. Please be very careful when choosing this style of shoe or you will end up looking like your eighth grade girlfriend's hurting dad, who I can guarantee wears a cell phone clipped to his belt.

Above is a perfect example of how the tassel loafer should be worn. Mixed with a touch of modernization but not breaking any classic rules.

I personally like wearing mine with no socks as well. And try your best to keep it casual. Dressing them up is too damn hard to pull off. Lastly, for the sake of humanity never wear these with shorts. I see this a lot after golf outings. besides the terrible sock tans you just look like a tool.

Oh and in case you are wondering this gentlemen is starting his own shoe line which will include this shoe in October. Write for details!

Fall Must Have: Desert Boots

Desert boots are a timeless item and should be a part of your wardrobe, not just for fall but for all seasons. You can wear them with jeans, khakis and shorts. You can wear them with or without a blazer. You can dress them up or dress them down. Heck, there isnt really a non-formal occasion these aren't good for.

They come in both leather and suede and in a variety of colors in both materials. The above boots are made by Clarks but other retailers like j. crew have similar versions. Prices range from $50-$200 so at this price you have no excuse to not have a pair of these in your closet. Grab some (or a couple) and get to wearing them.

Find the j crew boots here: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/MensBrowse/Men_Shop_By_Category/shoes/boots/PRDOVR~79438/79438.jsp

Michael Bastian SPSU09

Michael Bastian has done it again. The last few seasons by the former Fashion Director of Bergdorf Goodman have been fantastic - in my opinion. He has a knack for taking casual to a new level by mixing hints of dress throughout his looks and topping them off with superior detailing. It's American Prep - but it's a "new" type of American Prep. These days it's not enough to just throw on your oxford shirt, khaki pants and aviators - you need to be more aware. Fabric, fit, wash and color - these are all very important things to consider. All of these elements provide a little glimpse into who you are and what you like and I think Michael does a great job at highlighting all these features. Check out the entire line at Men.Style.com (Michael Bastian SPSU09).

Mr. Vegas Endorses - Raw Denim

so I am sitting here attempting to pack for my trip to laguna beach for a wedding. but something keeps bugging me. no its not the flawless fit of my newly tailored t.m. lewin tux shirt that i will wear this weekend. nope, it's the desire to share with new fellow blog heads the pictures of my a.p.c.'s. for those of you new to our blog a.p.c.'s are a brand of raw denim jeans. unlike sean i have commitment and dedication to my goal. i have gone 6 months with only one hot soak with woolite black. yep, that's right, never washed. as you can see the "fades" are coming in nicely.

I love the idea of breaking in raw denim. maybe its the beauty of self dedication or the process of making something your own....or maybe its the ability to stick it to your best friend that you wear your jeans harder than him. not really sure. but what i do know is that i feel damn good and proud when i look down and earned my wear and tear.

So blog heads please get out there and get your self some raw denim and earn your stripes...er...fades ;)

Golf Course Review: Rich Valley Golf

Where: Mechanicsburg, PA

Cost: $19 to ride 9, $26 to ride 18

So I got out this afternoon to play some golf and decided to give this course a try after not playing it for 2 years. I got my clubs, shoes and a couple extra balls and made my way to Rich Valley.

Upon arriving at the course, you realize that the name is very fitting of the surrounding neighborhoods but is quite the misnomer for the course itself. The clubhouse and restaurant reside in the same building, a building that can be mistaken with the equipment shed.

a bad sign

The course itself is quite short, so much so that even on longer par 4s a decent drive (225-250) will usually leave you a shot in the range of 70-120 yards. This is a good thing right? Nice and easy pitch to the green. Most average golfers like myself love these kinds of courses because it gives us a change to score high and build confidence. Well, this is where the trouble starts.


The 100 and 150 yard marks are woefully inaccurate and you might as well make a guess just based on your gut feeling. Supposed 100 yard shots flew far past the intended landing point and into the woods on several occasions. To make matters worse, the scorecard yardages are completely different than the yardages at each tee (which are spray-painted on the ground no less). The tee boxes on the back 9 have recently been aerated, they are uneven and the ground is so hard I thought I was going to need a hammer to get my tee in the ground. Several holes offered blind drives where you couldn't even see where you wanted to land the ball and no yardage indicators to the landing zone. In other words, take your best guess and hope you made the right choice.

These golfers are dreading the back nine

Now there were a few positives. The pro shop is actually well staffed an organized. I teed off right on time and the starter was a seasoned vet, keeping the groups moving along. Rich Valley has the best driving range in the area with both grass and mat surfaces to practice on, although it is a tad on the expensive side.

But probably the best feature of this course is the "practice course" they offer. It is comprised of three par 3 length holes with different tee options so beginners can make it as hard or as easy as they wish. It is not crowded so those who are intimidated of the full c0urse can get their feet wet on the practice course without feeling rushed or hurried by crotchety patrons. I found this feature unique to the area and quite a high point for Rich Valley.

In closing, Rich Valley offers a mediocre 18 holes and better courses can be played for the same price locally. The practice course and driving range however are great and should be at the top of the list if one needs a place to practice. If you must play here, stick to the front nine and avoid the back nine at all costs. You'll be much happier you did.