LifeOver35

Suits for success - donate your old clothes

2013-04-30T02:14:00.001-07:00

Only time for a quickie today - A Suit That Fits is repeating it's 'Suits for Success' campaign from last year, in which people donate unwanted (clean and wearable) suits to charities that distribute them to homeless young people. They then have something to wear for job interviews and stand half a chance of getting their lives back on track.

It (and many others like it) is an excellent cause. Info on drop-off points is here:

http://www.asuitthatfits.com/shop/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1659&Itemid=461

Do have a think about donating that suit you no longer wear. You get a £50 tailored suit token by way of return and you may help turn someone's life around.

Spirit gifts for Fathers' Day

2013-04-29T02:22:00.002-07:00

I've never been big on Fathers' Day. My mother always insisted - quite correctly, I find - that it is a concoction by a greetings card company and not the deeply-held tradition that Mothers' Day is. Also I haven't had a father since 1984, so it didn't touch me much until my daughter was born.

Many people don't actually mind about the day's origins and would like to get their dads something nice for it. This is why I've been delighted to have the Alexander and James website drawn to my attention. The principle is simple: you verify your age, you order spirit drinks and accessories and it arrives. So far, so admirable e-commerce but mundane.

Premium spirits

I tried the service ordering a 14-year-old single malt (Oban, for what it's worth). This you can get in supermarkets, but you can also source premium, several-hundred-quid tipples. The Johnnie Walker on the left will set you back £475.99, for example.

There would be little point in my spending that much on a bottle of whisky even if I could afford it; I wouldn't know what I was looking for or what I was buying. My £40-odd Oban single malt will do me nicely but if you're feeling flush and your dad's a real connaisseur then this is a good site not just for whiskies but for premium vodkas, gins, rums and of course cocktail accessories.

What I certainly had was a surprise with the speed at which my bottle arrived (two days, never mind the fact that it's not going to be opened for a while, it's one of my favourites) and the packaging. I didn't specify anything fancy but it came well padded (of course) and in Alexander and James' own box, which would be quite good enough to wrap and present as a gift box.

Overall an excellent service with a system that recommends other drinks of similar character so it's a place to explore a little next time you're buying.

Of course LifeOver35 advocates responsible drinking, both for health reasons and social elements - you don't want to drive after touching a single unit, frankly. But then if you're buying one of their premium 'costs hundreds' bottles the chances you're just going to knock it back are pretty remote!

Steptronic: comfort shoes that look good

2013-04-18T02:35:00.002-07:00

OK, first the nasty bit - I have achieved an ingrown toenail. It's simple enough, you cut your nail too small and it goes unpleasant.

So, all my decent work shoes - Church's and soforth - suddenly don't fit. It would be wrong to say that the pair of Steptronic boots I was sent were designed specifically for that, but I do find them wearable and that's something.

This probably won't apply to most readers (I mean, why would it?) - so let's see what the PR blurb says about the construction and why these are comfortable:

"All Steptronic Footwear has a patented 100% flexible rubber sole, it's made up of ridges at a particular 45 degree angle that ensures that the shoes bends with your foot at all times, and goes back to shape easily. They also have a sheepskin lining, not the furry side as your feet would be too hot, the sheepskin is within the inner of the shoe, ensuring bounce, comfort and breathability. The company boast that they are the most comfortable shoes you will ever wear."

They are indeed very comfortable. But, as the PR person comments, the above description will leave you expecting something hideous and grandfather-ish. Here's a picture:

This is the Aldershot Black style. I went for the Bassett Brown boot. The leather is very soft, they look good with a blue or grey suit but also work with jeans.

Oh, and given the complexity of the construction I think £99 or so per pair is a pretty good price. Given that it's going to be a month or so before I'm back in ordinary boots (no, the nail isn't complicated but my diary won't let me get it seen to before mid-May) I've ordered a pair of black formal boots too.

No, they're not as formal as my usual 'meetings' footwear. But for the price they're going to get me through, and quite honestly the ones I have are a pleasure to wear.

Great hat. great service

2013-03-20T04:59:00.002-07:00

The strange thing about social media is that so many people think they can give you advice about anything whether they know you or not. For example, I decided I wanted a hat and asked on Twitter where I could get one. One bloke said there'd be enough time for hats when I was old and ga-ga (he did apologise later).

OK, so I'm having a couple of hereditary cysts removed from my head and I wanted a hat. There can be all sorts of reasons for wanting something like this. Only, I look terrible in a woolly beanie, always have.

So I was pleased when I had Laird London recommended to me and particularly pleased by the reception I had in the shop (I went to the Covent Garden branch on New Row). The guy let me look around in my own time then asked whether he could help.

Service

I told him a little about the operation, and about how this would leave me with a few temporary bald patches. I told him that my ears stick out a little so a brim should ideally stick out a little more, but nothing too Indiana Jones or mid-life crisis. He asked a bit about what I wore and my preferred styles.

We ended up with a Trilby, very nice it is too. It's grey so I can wear it with different outfits. I opted for the budget version in wool as I don't anticipate a longer-term need; I might go back and get something in furfelt later on for £165 or so if I really take to wearing the things and, let's be honest, if I feel like splashing out that much cash on something and am in a position to do so.

Two things struck me. First the hats were good quality - these people make their own. Second and more important, the guy listened carefully to what I wanted and why, and came up with pretty much the perfect solution. I came out happy to recommend the shop to anyone; this, my friends, is how you run a business.

(There was also a decanter of whisky and a glass on the counter. I didn't ask.)

Grooming gadgets

2013-03-01T08:39:00.002-08:00

One of the least appealing things about reaching middle age is the things your barber suddenly starts attacking. I was in the chair a few weeks ago and he solicitously started snipping not only the hair I intended but also a quick clip of nasal hair and inside the ears.

I have rewritten that first sentence three times to try and make myself sound better. It doesn't work.

So I was pleased when among all the stuff Sassoon for Men is releasing lately, including a number of beard trimmer products (as people who read this blog regularly will realise I quite enjoy being clean shaven), included the Titan Series 'hygiene trimmer'. It's nicelty designed, not too expensive, does the job, is easily washable and unlike my last one from Boots' own-brand range, it has a flat base so it stands up in the bathroom cabinet. I'm amazed more people don't think of this when designing these things.

The other gadget I've been playing with is a clever nail clipper from StylFile, the company owned by Tom Pellereau and Lord Sugar sparked by Pellereau's win on The Apprentice. Pellereau, you might remember, was a bit of a boffin and a very good thinker. Yes, he came up with the "emergency biscuit" when they were asked to design a biscuit but actually being prepared to throw any idea out and see if people react is a good thing.

This time he's attacked the concept of nail clippers. They generally have parallel blades so they more or less snap the nail off, which then flies around the room. If they had a scissor motion, he's presumably reasoned, then the nail would simply fall into the bin. And that's what he's done - very simple indeed and like all good inventions, obvious with hindsight.

Would I have put his face on the front of a beauty brand? I'll pass on that, but then I wouldn't put mine there either.

Competition: Double Denim Day from Burtons

2013-02-28T01:15:00.003-08:00

Psst...want to win some free clothes in the form of vouchers? OK, there are two ways you can do it.

First, for £300, get over to the Burtons Facebook page and upload some pictures of yourself wearing as much denim as you can. They will pick a winner in the middle of the month and that winner will receive £300 in vouchers to spend in Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Wallis, BHS, Evans, Topman, Outfit, Miss Selfridge - any of the Arcadia Group.

Better still, I have a £50 e-voucher to spend with the same group to give away. All you have to do is to leave a comment between now and 9am one week from today (so that's 9am, 7 March) about your worst style mistake. Sartorial errors you've made over the years, clothes you wish you hadn't worn - email a pic to Guy@Clapperton.co.uk if you like and I might publish a few.

No fee to enter, my decision is final and this is separate from the Burtons' Facebook page promotion, you can enter one, neither or both, and it won't affect any likely outcome.

Good luck!

Guest post: mistakes men make in formal settings

2013-02-22T11:10:00.001-08:00

It's nearly time for the Oscars and last week we had the Baftas (we don't count the Brits because very few people are formal there). But what errors do blokes make when it comes to smartest bib and tucker? My thanks to Mytuxedo.co.uk for offering these six tips.

The wedding of the year has arrived. The dress attire is morning suits. This consists of a jacket with tails, and striped formal trousers, a dress shirt and a dove or beige waistcoat should be worn.

MyTuxedo.co.uk is finding, however that many men are hesitant about stripy trousers. While it may not necessary be your cup of tea, morning suits traditionally always require striped trousers and not adhering to this dress code would definitely ensure that you look ridiculous on the day.
For every man that thinks it is a wise decision to wear a pleated shirt with a waistcoat, please don’t! The combination off too much pattern and material in the chest area is too much and is not a wise choice if you want to make an excellent impression on other people.
It is not okay to wear a coloured waistcoat with a white dinner jacket either. It makes too much of a statement and when it comes to formalwear, you want to look suave and subtle to make the right impression. Traditionally with a white dinner jacket, wear a white Marcella waistcoat, a white bow tie and black trousers.
Dress shirts can also cause confusion with many people as well they are not aware that they need to be a looser fit then a normal shirt. This is for allowing you to tie the button at the top. So before you decide to return the loose fitting shirt for a smaller size, take this into consideration and if you are still unsure, opt for a slim fit dress shirt instead.
One rule that should always be considered when it comes to formalwear is patent dress shoes. Of course, you will realise that trainers are a definite no but so are ordinary black shoes. If you have a specific formal wear dress code to adhere to, then you must wear shiny patent shoes as well. On the day, make sure they are nicely shined and buffed and do not have any scruff marks. This final touch will ensure that you look your very best on the day.

This guide will hopefully ensure that you look great at any formal event but just in case you need any more style advice, then visit MyTuxedo.co.uk for great tips and excellent formalwear 50% cheaper than the high street!

I think we can allow them the plug at the end - useful stuff, my thanks once more.

Uncommon scents: Storm Electric

2013-02-05T04:57:00.001-08:00

I had a note from Apple's (no doubt) sales and marketing department the other week, telling me to buy my loved one an iPad Mini. If she wants to get me one then fine, although I'd query the expenditure when there are rooms in the house that need repairs and money spent on them.

Tokens it is for us, and they might well include a new scent. I've recently been testing a box set of Storm Electric, courtesy of the people from BrandAlley; it's pretty good, although I do have an issue with the name. I'd never have asked for anything called 'electric', I'd have assumed it was to do with electric shavers.

It's not. The shower gel and eau de toilette in this package is woody with traces of cinnamon and lemons and lasts a fair time. There's a bit of citrus in there as well.

Oddly for a spicy number my wife rather liked it - usually she goes for naturals. I'd be happy with a bottle of this for my valentine's present any year; that said, I've already got one now.

So, iPads all round then..?

Teetotal drinks: A ginger glow

2013-01-15T03:19:00.001-08:00

I've mentioned here before that I'm taking part in the Dryathlon for Cancer Research during January - no alcohol this month and people's sponsor money has already started going to this excellent cause. If you wanted to make a small donation to encourage me at this roughly half way mark, please click here and give what you can - I'm not quite half way to my target (although I'll be adding my money-that-would-have-gone-on-wine-for-dinner at the end of the month).

This has left me looking for non-boring drinks with no alcohol and I have to say I'm disappointed - so much out there is so sweet, and the thing about we wine drinkers is that we don't necessarily need a sugar hit.

One really good alternative is ginger wine, not fizzy ginger beer but the wine - fermented and no alcohol, I've been sampling two varieties from Gran Stead and I'd recommend them heartily. Almost like a good whisky they have a kick (that will be the ginger, duh...) and yes a bit of sugar, but not offensively so.

I can't stand Coke, never liked it - this is a proper grown-up drink that goes with a lot of meals and you can serve it in an actual wine glass. Oh, and if you're not off the bottle for January I can only imagine a glass spruced up with a bit of whisky will warm the cockles of your cockles nicely for Burns Night next week!

New year, new suit

2013-01-09T02:26:00.000-08:00

Flickr: Matt512

First off, a Happy New Year to all readers and I hope you had a great Christmas. Everyone is now back to work of course, so it may be time to think about a new work suit (and no, the picture isn't of my dog although she's the same breed).

The question is what to look for. In terms of business suits, a bit of tradition never did anyone any harm. All but the slimmest people do well to go for darker colours, and ideally these should be in blocks rather than loud patterns. I'm currently quite drawn to suits that look as though they're a solid colour but when you get close there's a subtle Prince of Wales check like my blue number, or a thin, subtle pinstripe like the one I'm picking up on Thursday.

Two buttons is classic and will suit most builds; if, again, you're very slim you might get away with three buttons but if like me you're a little 'broader' (euphemism alert) I'd suggest sticking with two. Skinny collars and skinny ties will work only if you're skinny yourself, otherwise they end up working as a contrast and showing your own well-upholstered proportions in a poor light.

If you want a bit of fun in spite of being businessy, have a think about a lively colour for the lining. People do see it when you take the jacket off or when you move around, so you might as well go for something less than dull; if you're looking for a tailored suit you'll be able to choose something individual. The weight of the cloth is important; you might find something warm a bit comforting right now but you're likely to regret this as the weather gets milder. I have a blue 'winter' suit which seemed a great idea at the time but I barely use it as most of the year it's too hot.

Contrasting stitching is a good way of picking detail out that makes your suit individual without being ostentatious. When I'm having things tailored (and it doesn't cost as much as you might think) I normally opt to have the cuff buttonhole stitched to match the lining. I once went for this on the lapel buttonhole as well, which was a bit of a mistake as it limits the ties I can wear and look reasonable.

Watch out for other 'fun' bits as well. Ages ago on this blog I went for a morning designing suits with A Suit That Fits. It was fun and I liked the John Steed/Avengers look of the velvet collar I'd put in. So, being an incredibly sensible and wise person, I ordered the suit later - and have hardly worn it. I just don't get invited to the 'showy' occasions on which an ostentatious feature like that is going to work, and would have been better off opting for a standard collar that doesn't stand out.

It's all about what works for you and above all the context in which you're going to wear the thing. You can always liven it up with a fun tie from someone like Victoria Richards, a firm favourite, or Duchamp, of which I'm also rather fond (although if you see something reduced on the Duchamp site at the moment, do check it against prices of the same product from John Lewis in the sale - I'm finding the discounts are deeper there in the January sales).

Right, it's New Year and I'm off to the gym for the first time in about ten months. And I'm happy to note the shorts still fit, which is not a bad start to 2013.

Christmas presents 11: Other stuff

2012-12-21T06:52:00.002-08:00

This time of year bloggers get sent a lot of stuff to look at for Christmas and I've tried to give an opinion on most of it. Here 's a glance at stuff which just hasn't fitted into a category I've been covering:

* IrisNotes Executive 2: Pen plus monitor you clip to a piece of paper. Write with the pen and you don't see it on the paper but you can upload to your PC or Mac; you can then turn this into text or just get an image if you use the iPad or iPhone app. This was sent to me and my faulty computer swallowed the installation CD otherwise I'd have covered it a lot more - it is spectacularly useful for note taking. Really, really simple to set up and use and does what it's supposed to - the odd letter may be misread depending on your handwriting.

* Bowers and Wilkins C5 headphones: In-ear headphones which, like most in-ear models, are great for the treble and clarity but I prefer a bit more oomphy bass. I can only get the quality I want from an over-ear headset. These are good for what they are, though, with a bit of wire that holds them in place for extra comfort. Excellent for audiobooks, less so for bassy music, unusually comfortable for long sessions and they come with a carry case. The £149.95 price tag will make some people wince.

* Rohan Superfine Merino 200 Necktube: Bit of a fashion statement this one, keeps your neck warm and looks like a scarf which is a loop rather than a straight bit of material. Very warm, very comfortable and a little 'young' for my tastes - which no doubt means everyone will be wearing them in January or whenever the next cold snap starts. A good stocking filler at £25.

* 3M iPad screen protectors: Another stocking-filler for the iPad fan in your life. Just a self-adhesive cover for the iPad, which comes off without residue if you need it to, and protects it from scratches without diminishing its sensitivity. Recommended (or something like it) for all iPad users.

* Eneloop rechargable batteries: Or similar, of course - what, you've opened a load of presents and they need AA or AAA and you haven't got any? Get charging with these, you'll end up swearing by them and longer term they will save you money.

That really is it for this festive season - I may be back with the pick of the online sales between Christmas and the New Year. Have a great break and whatever you get or are about to give away, enjoy!

Drinks for Christmas

2012-12-20T06:48:00.001-08:00

So, time to think about some drinks for Christmas? I like to greet people with a cocktail when they come to visit and this year I have a fair bit of Tia Maria around the place, mostly because the PR people were kind enough to send a sample to show me the new packaging. If I'm honest nobody really cares about the packaging by the time it's in the glass: it's a good cocktail ingredient as well as a coffee liqueur in its own right. Here are a couple of recipes:

Tia Espresso Martini

25cl TIA MARIA

25cl espresso coffee

25cl vodka

10cl sugar syrup to taste

Coffee beans to Garnish

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients together with cubed ice in a Boston and shake. Pour into a martini glass and garnish with coffee beans.

This is a good one for a short drink, although some people will find the vodka a problem (my wife can't take white spirits for example). For a longer drink try this:

Tia Ginger (pictured)

35cl TIA MARIA

Half a fresh lime

Ginger Beer

Instructions:

Pour ingredients into a highball glass filled with ice, squeeze in the juice of half a fresh lime and garnish with fresh mint

Very refreshing and warming I find, and if Christmas is going to be as wet as it's threatening to be then this is going to be a good option.

For mealtime I won't be driving this year for once (YAY!) so I'll be on the white with the starter and red for the main course. I can recommend some of the Absolutely Cracking French Wines selection. This is a promotion in which drinks journalists selected their best wines of the year and as you can imagine the results are pretty good.

The promoters have sent six samples and I can recommend them all: AOC Chinon, Bernard Baudry, La Croix Boissée 2010 (Lea and Sandeman, £17.95, pictured) will be my main course tipple of choice, a lot of earthy fruit in there, or AOC Fleurie, Albert Bichot La Madone 2009 (Soho Wine, £10.99). Try also something from the Tra La La vineyards through Naked Wines if you can get a pre-Christmas delivery at this stage (look, where does this time go?

On the white front you could do distinctly worse than IGP Pays d'Oc, Marquis de Pennautier, Terroirs d'Altitude 2009 (Majestic, £9.99) if you like oaky wines with a bit of an acidic tang; for something a bit more citrussy have a look at AOC Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh, Domaine Capmartin 2010 (Enotria, £10.95).

As always, enjoy sensibly and don't drive afterwards. And in January remember I'll be giving up for the Dryathlon in aid of Cancer Research - why not sponsor me?

Dryathlon - raising dosh for Cancer Research

2012-12-19T02:01:00.004-08:00

A quick break from Christmas presents today and a look to 2013, January to be precise. Tomorrow I'll be blogging about Christmas drinks; Tuesday will be Christmas Day (I know this stuff, I've Googled it) and a week later...I'll be abstaining from alcohol for a month.

People who know me will most likely have fallen off their chair at the thought. And certainly I enjoy a drink, not to excess but a good meal like, say, a really excellent steak, without a good red is not my idea of fun. Nonetheless there's a scheme called Dryathlon.

How it works

The idea is that I (and thousands like me) will abandon the bottle for the month, give the money we would otherwise have spent on booze to cancer research and (here it comes) get our generous friends and readers to sponsor us.

(If we fall off the wagon then we have to give an extra £15 to the charity so even if I don't keep it up we're still raising loads).

So, season of goodwill and all that, if anyone felt like sponsoring me for however small an amount you felt appropriate, here's my JustGiving page.

I will of course report back at the end of January on any weight loss, improved energy levels and other undesirable side effects the absence of alcohol has on me. Meanwhile, Ill urge people to drink responsibly and sensibly in what remains of 2012!

Christmas presents 10: Skin care stuff

2012-12-18T05:32:00.001-08:00

Woody Allen once said (no doubt incorrectly attributed) that he didn't like growing old but it beat the hell out of the alternative. It's a view with a lot to recommend it, and Christmas is an excellent time for other halves to drop hints by donating moisturiser.

Actually before you even do that I'd look at the cleanser they're using. Clean skin will moisturise better than flesh with soapy residue on it; Dove has a nice little package available this year of gentle cleanser plus Hydrate+ moisturiser which have the benefit of being completely unscented. They do the job as well as some of the vastly more expensive alternatives you can buy.

Likewise Rehab London (pictured) offers a couple of different moisturisers that won't add their own scent, which is always welcome. Morning Glory is aimed at normal skin, if you produce a little more oil than the rest of us then fine, they have a "no Shine" option (pictured) which works very well indeed. And yes moisturiser is still a good idea after you've shaved even if you have oily skin because it will soothe you - you've just dragged a naked razor over your skin, remember? (And don't forget to use a decent shaving cream as I've recommended here).

If you want something for your whole body or just a few chafy bits (spare us the details) then you could do distinctly worse than Palmers' Cocoa butter formula body lotion, which I've been trying out and is very pleasant stuff. Its only drawback is that you do end up niffing rather of, well, cocoa butter, which isn't at all nasty but will clash with any cologne you might want to use. I put some on after trying out the Original Source Orange and Cinnamon shower gel that's out for Christmas (rather cleverly the company gets its customers to vote for which gel should be released during which season) and ended up smelling like a chocolate orange. Each product is fine by itself but watch those combinations!

Christmas snacks

2012-12-17T03:51:00.000-08:00

Time for a break from gift-giving and think for a second about what to give any festive guests. These people are notoriously greedy whatsits I find, and will very often measure any good cheer against any free food and drink they can score. I've been sent a few samples - there will be more on drinks towards the end of the week. First the snacks.

Chocolate is always a winner, I find, and the tradition of big boxes of biscuits has become a bit of a fixture by now. As an aside I was in Debenham's in Wimbledon a week ago and you'd be staggered at the amount of really quite ordinary food that becomes 'festive' when put in a little wicker basket and surrounded by shredded paper; packs of oatcake biscuits, I even saw an ordinary pot of jam wrapped and made to look a bit 'glam' in the gift section. You'd have bought it in Sainsbury's without thinking about it only a couple of weeks ago.

I like the sort of rubbish people come out with at this time of year. Over a decade ago I found my all time favourite in British Home Stores - porridge. Seriously, it was a small pack of oats, a wooden spurtle, tiny jar of honey, instructions(!), all done up in a little basket and shredded paper.

On the non-rubbish side, if your visitors have a sweet tooth I can recommend the "Fabulously Fox's" tin, of which they've sent a sample, as a pretty decent selection including some for those incomprehensible people who don't want chocolate biccies. The same company's "Rocks" is a fairly basic biscuit covered in chocolate but it's inexpensive and you get a decent thickness of covering, which isn't always the case where cheaper brands are concerned.

Nibbles with drinks are always good and I've been getting hooked on nuts lately. I often review the newspapers on the BBC News Channel which means getting home past midnight and hungry; I know nuts are calorific but they're not as bad as the sugary snacks that might otherwise tempt me. So I was pleased to receive a selection of pistachios from Wonderful; you can have salted, salted and peppered, unsalted and unpeppered (known as 'pistachios') or sweet chilli flavour. I'm not in favour of loads of salt as it messes with your blood pressure and makes you thirsty, and I find these nuts have enough flavour in their own right so the plain version is my favourite. Your mileage might of course vary - do watch them, they're fattening, very more-ish, tasty and easy to get through an awful lot when there's a daft film on the TV.

Who am I kidding, it's Christmas in a week. Help yourselves, worry about the diet next month.

Christmas presents 9: Tweed iPad case

2012-12-10T07:40:00.000-08:00

The thing about leather iPad and iPhone cases is that they all tend to end up looking the same. Go to a meeting and put your iPad down and you'd be hard pressed not to pick the wrong one up at the end.

So it's useful that iChicGear has issued iPad and iPhone covers in a very distinctive Harris Tweed design (pictured). They're reasonably priced, the one in the picture is €49 plus delivery. There's a little leather catch at the back so you can tilt your iPad on a flat surface for easier typing. Mine's brown herringbone tweed with orange micro-lining.They have magnetic closure so they'll switch the thing off, and although they don't feel like it they have hard shells built in for protection.

Actually I wouldn't have minded paying a little more if they'd put a bit more into them. I do like to have a couple of card pouches in an iPad holder, and preferably somewhere to put a pen. This is a lot more basic than that - but then I'd be back to my case looking like everyone else's.

These are a nice alternative to the norm, they're genuine tweed and aimed at the luxury market. They're distinctive - you can make your own mind up about whether you want any extras.

Christmas presents 8: Discounted hand made jewellery

2012-12-07T02:04:00.000-08:00

I'm delighted to say that we've been offered a discount. Whether you're considering hand made good quality silver jewellery for yourself or a partner. the guys at Corazon Latino will give you 10% off if you enter the code LIFEOVER35 (remember the capitals) when you check out.

I'm an existing customer and can confirm the quality is excellent. I reviewed some cufflinks a while ago and although they were a little large for my tastes I could see they were well made; I've subsequently bought another pair (the Andata on the site, they look superb and I wear them as my first choice most of the time) and a Sylvia necklace for my wife. This is versatile and beautifully made. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this company to anyone - not only are the quality superb and the prices reasonable, but I find when I order something on a Thursday afternoon I've got it by the Friday morning.

Sylvia silver jewellery on somebody else's wife (probably)

They are very good at offering advice if you phone up in a panic and want to buy a present but don't know quite what. The offer closes 21 December and if you order on that day then unless there is snow or a postage issue, you'll still have your gift in time for Christmas.

If you're buying jewellery, do have a look at the website and remember the discount - I certainly haven't been disappointed.

Declaration: I am not on any commission or incentive for this offer - it's just something I'm passing on which I hope will be useful. My thanks once more to Cath at Corazon Latino for making this offer to all readers.

Christmas presents 7: flavoured vodka

2012-12-06T03:49:00.001-08:00

I know, I know, I'm the first to grumble about people adding stuff to take the flavour of a drink or food away. Only yesterday I was grumbling - unkind people may even say 'whining' - about people putting salt in chocolate or caramel and ruining it.

However, I find vodka is a bit different, primarily because it tastes of very little except alcohol. Unlike whisky, brandy or rum I find little to distinguish one vodka from another. So longer term readers might remember I became reasonably fond of the Christmas Pudding flavoured tipple from Howard's of Kent, tasted like Christmas pudding in a glass.

Now, my wife finds vodka-based drinks make her feel ill, so it's no comment on Howard's that the drink in question lasted some time, and by late January I was pretty bored with it. There was no doubting the quality, I'd just suggest going for that one when you have friends around and disposing of it relatively quickly when the season is right. Meanwhile they've kindly sent me some other samples to try.

They're all good. The chilli version is positively searing and does what it says on the tin; the limoncello is very refreshing after a heavy meal...

Actually they're all good but if you wanted something terrific and unexpected this year, just go for the rhubarb. It sounded utterly repulsive, I admit - rhubarb, which coats your teeth at the best of times, and a fairly insipid spirit, what's to like? The combination, though, is delicious. Warming, sweet but with that extra edge of sourness from the fruit (if indeed rhubarb is technically a fruit, I'll leave that to wiser heads than mine).

They don't sell off their website and are primarily fairs-based; they'll be at Croydon High School this weekend (a full list of their appearances is here) - if you arrive and find all the rhubarb stuff has gone, it means I've got their first and stocked up!

Christmas presents 6: Chocolate

2012-12-05T07:36:00.001-08:00

OK, time to consider the edible variety of Christmas present now (we'll look at some drinkables tomorrow, don't worry, I haven't forgotten). I've been alerted to the presence of a new (to me) ethical chocolate maker on the block; Organic Seed and Bean offers a whole load of flavours with prices starting at 99p. Here's the full list:

Pumpkin Seeds & Hemp Oil Extra Dark Chocolate
Coconut & Raspberry Extra Dark Chocolate
Extra Dark Chocolate
Cornish Sea Salt Extra Dark Chocolate
Lemon & Cardamom Fine Dark Chocolate
Lavender Extra Dark Chocolate
Chilli & Lime Extra Dark Chocolate
Mandarin & Ginger Extra Dark Chocolate
Mint Extra Dark Chocolate
Coffee Espresso Fine Dark Chocolate
Tangerine Rich Milk Chocolate
Rich Milk Chocolate (Breast Cancer Campaign)
Sicilian Hazelnut & Almond Milk Chocolate
Sicilian Hazelnut Dark Chocolate
Lemon & Poppy Seeds Creamy White Chocolat

They sent me two to taste, the Cornish Sea Salt and the Tangerine Rich Milk.

OK, a declaration first: I just don't get this idea of putting loads of salt into chocolate. The stuff's going to be bad enough for your blood pressure already, let alone pumping it full of salt too - my wife likes salted caramel, I regard it as a good way of spoiling some nice caramel. And the sea salt crystals in the salted version here were pretty chunky - so definitely not for me, well made though it no doubt was.

I'm also not a chocolate orange fan, so was quite pleasantly surprised by the refreshing tangerine flavoured version. This seemed a good deal less artificial than certain well known brands of orangey chocolate, not overly sweet and fine for a stocking filler.

I'm severely tempted by the lemon and cardamom or mint extra. Overall this new brand seems to offer good value and anything ethically sourced has to be a good idea.

Christmas presents 5: The dressing gown

2012-12-04T02:15:00.001-08:00

So I've been sent this dressing gown to review. I've never reviewed one before and it's difficult to know what to say. Except of course that it's a little on the small side - it comes in one size, I'm an XL and if you're not M-L this is going to do up but, well, a quick gust of wind while you're answering the door and there's going to be nothing left to the postman's imagination.

You'll have noticed the design is slightly peculiar - metallic stripes on the top half, black circles on the lower half. This is because - wait for it - it's based on a Dalek. Go on, you can see it now, the roundels around the base, the metal slats - no? It's clear as day to me although my wife said if I hadn't explained it she wouldn't have known. Philistine. (I can also assure you it doesn't work particularly well as an aphrodisiac but I'll spare you any details - let's just say shouting "Exterminate, Exterminate" before going to bed isn't going to do much for anybody's love life). It comes from Findmeagift, costs £49.99 and is reasonably good quality.

It's a bit of fun and sized for the adolescent or medium-sized walking mid-life-crisis in your life. You can also get a Tardis one with a hood, one based on Tom Baker's Doctor Who costume and another based on Matt Smith's - oh, and there are Star Wars models, too, based on Stormtroopers, Boba Fett, Darth Maul and R2D2.

So you can even collect the set if you want. Just remember that after Christmas, when the joke has still worn off, you'll still have the dressing gown staring at you, alongside the Christmas jumpers.

Christmas presents 4: Hankyz

2012-11-30T07:07:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you get an idea that shouldn't work but it just about does because it addresses a problem. I've written occasionally about pocket squares - bits of material blokes use to dress up an otherwise workaday suit. Many men are wearing them at the moment.

In fact there may be more blokes wearing them than you think. Mine have certainly developed a habit of sliding down into the pocket so that they can't be seen - leaving me self-consciously fiddling with them on the train, on the tube, on the street, when the whole idea was to make me look as if I didn't have a care in the world and had natural style. I look as though I've developed a new nervous tic when I'm wearing a particularly silky one.

There are a few answers if you want to continue wearing the things. First, consider cotton - for white it's best, and it slips down a pocket far less easily than most. Second, get a big one - it will only slide into the pocket if there's space for it to slide into. I have a couple of decent-sized offerings from Ralph Lauren and from Duchamp which stay up simply because the pocket's stuffed with the rest; smaller ones vanish from view all too quickly. The trick with a larger one is not to show too much of it, so you don't end up looking flash.

Or you can cheat like mad. A firm not too far from me, Hankyz, has started making ready-folded pocket squares, folded and stuck onto a card so you can fold the card to the right height and never get caught out.Yes it sounds like the equivalent of the ready-tied tie, and as someone who's only recently learned to do up his own dickie bow I'm quite down on those. But they do work - the hanky bit is of course genuine, it's just propped up.

The key to the success of these is going to be the variety available and the price. At £28-£39.50 they're on the pricey side but hey, we wanted a proper bit of material rather than something dirt cheap trying to look like silk. The colours, patterns and general variety on offer are very promising. A nice addition to the dandy in your life's Christmas.

Christmas presents 3: iO PLAY 2

2012-11-28T07:36:00.000-08:00

Some time ago the people at Armour Automotive put one of their iO PLAY products in my car. It's a Bluetooth kit that enables you to play music from your phone and receive calls whilst driving (please, please tell people you're driving and cut the call short, focusing on the road). You'd think when they offered to upgrade me to the iO PLAY 2 I'd have been delighted, but initially I wasn't. I didn't see how they'd improve on something this simple - pair a phone or two and it just works. Easy.

Nonetheless I agreed - for the blog they'd offered to do it for nothing, saving £159.99 plus installation, so other than curiosity about what they'd change there was nothing to lose.

I have to tell you it's marvellous. Many new cars now link their stereos with phones anyway, so there isn't much point in buying this, but if you have a relative whose motor doesn't do this it's worth considering getting one as a gift for them. First there's the built-in iPhone charger (for the iPhone 5 you'll need an adapter as the charger has changed). It doesn't stop there, though.

There's a little display. This tells you which phone you're linked to. It has called ID. It has a voice - through the speakers it tells you who's texting and will read texts. It will, if you're linked through the charger rather than Bluetooth and using Siri on an iPhone, accept spoken commands. It lets you switch between tracks, albums (displaying the title), car audio, look up numbers in your phone book and initiate calls without taking your eyes off the road (although I'd still recommend pulling over if you're going to be thinking about a call rather than the road hazards).

The original iO PLAY set my phone free - I'm not a massive headphone fan so driving with my music is where having a music phone comes into its own. This upgrade has allowed me to do more with it than just play music, and spares me the bother of fiddling with the handset finding music before starting the car, it remembers five devices so I can have my iPad as well as my phone ready to work without booting my wife's phone out of the memory.

It is, quite honestly, pretty damned good and well worth the money. Unless your car already does this stuff I can't find a single down point.

Christmas presents 2: Coconut shave cream

2012-11-27T01:37:00.002-08:00

My thanks to the people at Niven and Joshua for responding to a query about men's Christmas presents. They recommended the Geo. F. Trumper range of shaving cream and sent a sample of the Coconut Oil variety.

My father used a safety razor and always used soap to produce a lather with a shaving brush. That's a little while ago now, he died in 1984, but proprietary shaving creams were already starting to become big business. The thing about ordinary soap is that it will often dry up on your skin while you're shaving and you'll get what I call 'judder' - the blade fails to glide, sticks and bounces and ouch. If you're trying to use a safety razor this is bad news; if you're attempting to use a cutthroat as I've attempted (see this entry) then you're going to cut yourself, possibly quite badly. Many dedicated shaving creams are glycerin-based and will therefore stay fluid for longer. Essentially the cheaper they are, the faster they'll dry up.

This coconut oil cream is distinctly pleasant to use. It doesn't dry up, although if you're using a cutthroat for the first time then I'd do an area of your face at a time as it takes ages while you're learning. The razor glides nicely and it has a very subtle scent while you're using it. My usual cream, Coates' Shaving Cream, is a 'limited edition' and therefore isn't being made any more. Once stocks run out I could see myself urging the guys at my barber to start stocking this as an alternative - I'm very likely to be using it again.

P. S. Following the mention of my cutthroat razor I should mention that three days ago I managed to use it without cutting myself once - with a fresh blade, too, so it was definitely sharp. Now, if I can just get it to the stage where I look as though I've actually shaved, too, I'll have mastered it!

Declaration for clarity: I have no affiliation or other link with either Niven and Joshua or Geo. F. Trumper - this is strictly independent commentary.

Christmas present ideas no. 1: the phone

2012-11-21T08:34:00.000-08:00

I've been playing with a new phone. It's the new RAZRi from Motorola (sponsored link through my Amazon affiliate link) - you may have seen it advertised as the phone with the screen that goes all the way across the front.

I'll be honest, I'm an Apple man myself (sounds like a rubbish superhero but never mind). I skipped the iPhone 4S and moved to the 5, and if I'm horribly honest it's been a bit, well, whelming. Yes it's a bit longer but apart from allowing me to put even more icons on than I had before, that doesn't really add a lot to the experience. I like Siri but that was in the 4S as well - new to me but not much of an upgrade.

So when I was sent the Motorola to review I set about it with some enthusiasm. It is, I would confirm, the best looking phone from that company for quite some time. The screen really is pretty generous and if there's a disadvantage to not having an Apple retina display then it's not something my middle-aged eyes are going to worry about. In fact the larger screen makes it slightly easier to use than the Apple, although if I were going to be reading loads of emails then something like the Kindle Fire would be a better option (if I were in the market for an upgrade again I might have gone for a Samsung SIII - in fact after the iPhone I kind of wish I'd done so).

It's a seriously nice looking phone and it works. It uses a micro sim, so if you have a phone with a standard sim you'll need to get another (you could risk one of those cutter things, but I'd be inclined to resist that). If your phone is one of those that uses nano sims (like the iPhone 5) then you can get adapters; be careful with these. I thought the easiest way to ensure mine didn't get lost was to stick it in the phone even when it was empty; without the sim in it the structure was weak, so when I pressed it to get it out, it broke. This, I hasten to add, was a third party adapter and not, repeat not, part of the package from Motorola.

What is part of the package is the battery. I've never had a phone that lasts the best part of two days on a single charge - well, I have, but it was just a phone rather than an emailer/music player/Internet searcher/video machine...you get the idea. The battery life is one of the most striking things about this gadget.

In terms of synchronising with a Google account it does everything you'd expect, very quickly, and a load of it worked right out of the box without the need to install extra apps. Some of the social apps, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and others, are free and it might have been nice if they'd been preinstalled.

But this is the most promising phone I've seen from Motorola certainly this decade, possibly for a lot longer. Clearly if I want to use it longer term then I'll lose all my iPhone apps - there's no reason anyone should hand me an Android version for nothing - so that's a consideration. Also not all of the movies and TV shows I've downloaded from the Apple App store are compatible (see how they lock you in?). They'll work with the iPad so that's not a huge problem for me; others may differ.

But if you were thinking of buying your first smartphone and hadn't already been thoroughly tied to one particular software environment, this would be an excellent, clear, powerful phone to own.

Shopping expeditions

2012-11-20T07:21:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about Christmas shopping just lately, particularly in the men's lifestyle range as you can imagine. Rather than go online, at least initially, I've been looking into where to go in London if you want to visit somewhere physically.

The St. James' area is a must. Crockett and Jones for footwear, Geo. F Trumper for shaving accessories - don't expect to come out with much change from, well, anything. Foster and Son will make bespoke shoes for only £2850 (it's a distinct skill and not for the fainthearted), although they won't be ready for a few months - but you can give vouchers towards them for anyone who might be interested in saving up.

Check also Alfred Dunhill, which alongside the usual highly prized (and priced) ties and clothing is now starting up in gadgets - its projected keyboard is nifty, although I wouldn't want to be bashing my fingers on a table for long.

More locally we've had a branch of men's designer Simon Carter open up in Crystal Palace. Nice place, some nice ties and accessories, I'll no doubt be back shortly. Always good to see a new business opening up locally - I can only hope there will be enough interest to sustain it. I suspect my going in and not buying so much as a pair of socks this morning will have done little to help.

So, where are your favourite local shopping cubbyholes?