Keep Style Simple

My non-techie Nexus One review

2010-01-22T07:23:00.003-05:00

There are tons of articles critiquing the finer points Google's new phone and arguing how is not as good or better than the iPhone or Droid, so why bother myself and go into that ugliness.

Plain and simple it's an awesome phone. If you want a smart phone you won't be disappointed. It's OS is faster than any other of the T-Mobile Android offerings. The speech recognition is probably the coolest feature on the phone and the screen is bright and crisp

I bought the unlocked full price phone because I have an existing family plan with a $4.99 T zones data plan. I keep reading posts from people saying that the Nexus won't work with T-zones. They are dead wrong, it works just fine and I get 3G service. It's a misnomer that there are different data plans. They are all the same, just priced differently by marketers. So if you have an existing T-Mobile plan with a dirt cheap data plan buy the unlocked phone, you will save $20-30 a month in service fees. All those people whining about the price of an unlocked don't realize it's actually cheaper to buy an unlocked phone if they have T-zones. I've also read people are saying T-Mobile will close up the loophole, well if that happens I will be the first one to complain to the FCC.

Need a New Suit...

2010-01-06T22:13:00.001-05:00

Ok Brooks Brothers can't you figure out to move your Fall/Holiday Clearance to a sale section and put up some fresh styles. I need a new suit and your aren't making it easy! I think I may sway to Hickey Freeman or J. Crew...

My new Bean Boots rock!

2010-01-04T21:30:00.004-05:00

So last week when all that snow fell and it finally got cold, I freaked out because I don't own winter boots and felt the sudden urge to buy a pair.

Sorel Caribou boots are everywhere, but after reading the reviews on REI, I stayed away from them. Most of the reviews were pretty awful.

My search eventually led me to L.L. Bean's inhouse boot line that oh by the way is still assembled in Maine (I've been on this buy American kick lately). As I was shopping the temperature was rapidly dropping, so I bought a pair of Maine Hunting Boot with gortex liners figuring when it warmed up, I could just remove the liners. My fear of cold feet got the best of me and over nighted those suckers. Boy was I glad, these boots rock! The construction is superb and they are toasty warm. I ordered a half size down and they fit great with a regular sock. I would have gone down an entire size if I didn't have the gortex liners.

Just a J. L. Powell 10% off coupon with free shipping

2009-12-18T20:53:00.003-05:00

Hey if you like spending a lots of moola on clothes J. L. Powell is the place.

here is the deal:

Take 10% off your entire order.
We'll even send it to you for free.

Just use source code JHH1FS in store, online and over the phone
for 10% off and free ground shipping on orders placed on
Thursday, 12/17 through midnight on Sunday 12/20.

Banana Republic - Get 40% off! One day only. 12/14/09!

2009-12-14T19:43:00.004-05:00

As so the email from Banana Republic reads...

Here is the code PWNH8Q9D88CG.

I believe it can be used only once. I didn't see anything that compelling to buy.

J. Crew Sweater Pill ugh!!!

2009-12-11T13:38:00.005-05:00

Ugh!!! The two Merino sweaters I bought last year from J. Crew are pilling. I've been hearing that pilling issue is pretty much common place with J. Crew sweaters these days, which sucks. I have a few merino sweaters from J. Crew that are 4-5 years old and they still look fantastic.

2009-12-04T21:10:00.002-05:00

Noticing every morning around 6 am J. Crew's website updates with new sale items. I'm guessing either the website processes abandoned carts or that's when the clearance merchandise coming back from the stores processes.... Anyway if you happened to be looking for one of those hard to find J. Crew styes long gone from the stores, you may find it at 6 am.

I'm loving my new chinos from Lands End

2009-11-10T21:35:00.004-05:00

Ok... so Lands End isn't known for being real fashionable with their clothes, but when I saw they put a model in a pair of skinny jeans on the cover of their catalog I knew something was different.

Flipping through the catalog I noticed they started carrying several slim fits in a few of their pants, so I took the plunge and ordered a pair of their legacy chinos in original fit.

I am flabbergasted at the level of quality and engineering for the price ($35 now on sale for $30). First of they feel great. The fabric is supple and nicely brushed. The fit is awesome, totally modern, they sit nicely on the hips, no loose fabric in the thigh. Also, I love the fact that you can order a custom hem length. For $30 you can't go wrong. J. Crew offers their basic hemmable chinos for $60.

The one issue I have with Lands End is I'm still confused how Traditional Fit differs from Original Fit?? I wish they had a blurp explaining it in laymens term.

Hot Fall Color = Purple

2009-10-10T13:52:00.005-04:00

Yes Purple, Plum, Egg Plant you name it!

Ann Taylor and Banana Republic have jumped all over this trend, just check out their coats, sweaters and blouses. J Crew miss the boat? I'm even seeing lots of purply (word?) tones at Kohl's!

So what's a guy to do, buy a eggplant colored wool pea coat? nah... update yourself with a nice deep purple sweater. It's easy enough to incorporate into your current wardrobe without stepping out that much.

Men's Casual Fall Style Guide

2009-08-24T15:17:00.006-04:00

Ok well not really a guide, more like a Top 5. Anyway, here are a few of the trends I'm seeing out there.

1. Slim fit Jeans. I hade to go with Levis, afterall they are the classic.
2. Pair of Chucks or Jack's. Personally I like the Leather Jack Purcells.
3. Tee's in fall colors. American Apparel has the best fitting tees out there.
4. Broken in Blazer. Who better than J. Crew
5. Self Winding Automatic Watch. Swiss Made please...

Always the copycat

2009-08-15T06:58:00.000-04:00

Apple should be flattered once again I guess. Link

Retail Traffic

2009-03-19T20:59:00.002-04:00

Retail Traffic is one of my favorite Retail Blogs. It's where I get the dirt on who is closing next, plus it has tons of insight regarding real estate strategy.

Retail Traffic

Merona Ultimate Polo Lives up to its Name

2009-03-11T08:41:00.002-04:00

I've seen a lot of polo's in the last few weeks and Target's Merona Ultimate Polo for $14.99 lives up to its name. I'm voting it my favorite. Gap, J. Crew, and the department stores are selling their polo's $25 and up for similiar or lesser quality.

When I look at a polo shirt I make sure the collar and sleeve cuffs colors match the pique body, the placket is straight and the fit is reasonable.

If you want the distressed polo look, simply take a file to a couple of the corners then wash it a few times with your denim.

The Ultimate Torture is a Glow Amp with No Speakers

2009-03-06T22:43:00.003-05:00

I took the plunge and bought a new sound system. I owned the typical black box stack set up from Sony and lets face it, its boring looking and I was getting tired of surround sound. Music coming from all corners of the room became tiresome. I decided to go in a different direction and purchased Glow Audio's amp and speaker system. I can only tell you the amp and sub woofer are aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and not yet to the ears, because the speakers are back ordered. It's killing me to have the amp and letting it sit silent....

Retail is Tough

2009-03-06T22:41:00.000-05:00

Sorry I've been so busy at work lately and had no time to blog....

2008-10-05T21:04:00.003-04:00

I'm not the hunting type, but I love this vest from J. L. Powell.

Waxed Canvas is one of my favorite fabrics, because of its durability and the handsome patina waxed canvas acquires with wear.

I own an original wax canvas Timbuk2 messenger bag from 1999. Ok, at this point this bag has a little more than a patina, but it's still going strong in semi-retirement.

Just so you know, I'm the type who would be waiting in line for a cup of Café Corretto wearing this vest.

PS Don't forget to check out J. L Powell's Clearance Sale.

Extra 20% off Gap This Weekend

2008-09-26T06:42:00.002-04:00

Thought I pass this to the web. It's available online and in stores. The online code is Sale20

Brooks Brothers Friends and Family 25% off

2008-09-24T06:52:00.001-04:00

For the next few Days you can get an extra 25% off your order in stores or online. The Online code is Friend60, for an instore coupon click www.brooksbrothers.com/friends

20% off J. Crew, If you can handle the used car sales man pitch

2008-08-14T05:45:00.003-04:00

I know, I know thats mean. I actually like the friendly customer service J Crewers provide at the stores. I've never done the personal shopper gig though.

Gap Outlet Coupon

2008-08-12T20:38:00.004-04:00

This doesn't happen very often! I would take advantage of this coupon!

Why Not Organic Cotton

2008-08-07T21:37:00.001-04:00

I've been thinking Organic Lately.

An estimated 1/10 of the world's annual fertilizer supply is used for cotton production.

Quite an impressive amount of fertilizer. Cotton is a 300 billion dollar industry.

I wonder if the price of conventional cotton keeps rising (in part due to fertilizer costs) will organic cotton become main stream?

Everyone including Wal-Mart (who is the biggest buyer of Organic Cotton) has fringe lines devoted to organic cotton, but nothing that would be considered the meat of the assortment is made from organic cotton. Something like 2% of total cotton production is organic.

Imagine if Gap or American Eagle sourced part of their assortment from organic cotton instead of conventional cotton I think it would be a major marketing coup.

Take Gap's basic denim, Tee's or Khaki's and fabricate it from Organic Cotton. I think their customer would eat it up.

On the flip side, if there was a major shift to organic cotton how much oil and natural gas would be freed up because of the decreased demand for fertilizer?

Just some food for thought.

Ben Silver Warehouse Sale

2008-07-29T06:28:00.003-04:00

I've never made it down to Charleston for this sale, but I've heard there are great deals to be found.

Hickey Freeman Rue La La Sale

2008-06-11T21:12:00.003-04:00

Rue La La is holding a Hickey Freeman Sale until Friday afternoon. I've never really seen this caliber of Hickey Freeman on sale, so I'm pretty pumped about it and may pick up a suit and a few dress shirts.

I'm kinda digging the Rue La La concept as of late. Upcoming is a Doir sale. I can't wait! Let me know if you need an invite.

2008-06-11T21:11:00.001-04:00

Sorry been busy with several projects of late...

Macys.com Coupon Code

2008-05-31T15:51:00.002-04:00

Here are the details :
From May 23, 2008 through June 23, 2008, enter promo code XJ0EQ1F6T20Z at checkout, and we'll take 20% off your next online order of $100 or more