Luxury beach escape

Wish it was hot

2011-07-22T22:37:00.000-07:00

A country drive

2011-07-09T23:17:00.000-07:00

We had a couple of pals down to stay this weekend, so we took the old car out for a drive down to the Elkhorn Cafe in Wallington for brunch. It may be blustery and cold, but you can still enjoy a stylish Sunday if you're organised. Why not pick a spot on the map, deck yourself out with a pair of good chinos, driving mocs and leather driving gloves, tune the ipod onto a good driving album like Jon Swift, and get some fresh air. Nothing better.

Images: Vintage map - Flickr, Field image - pixiegenne, spacehaggis.com, The Elkhorn Roadhouse, 15 Signs - John Swift, onlygloves.com, redbubble.com, raife.com.au, raife.com.au, Todds Driving mocs - ioffer.com

Style icon: Jon Hamm

2011-07-03T00:31:00.000-07:00

Famous for playing the role of Donald Draper in Mad Men, Jon Hamm's cigarette totin', whisky swilling bad guy charater, is one whom guys can all live vicariously through watching him charm his way through a litany of female beauties on the series, while delivering knock-out genius advertising spin in his advertising agency gig in up-state New York. What a role, what a star!

Jon Hamm is about to hit that tipping point of serious super star. This 38 year old man among boys, has that dual-gender appeal, as the guy the women love to look at and who men want to be. His natural good looks are just the beginning. The foppish hair, the five o'clock shadow and the devilishly handsome grin, all come together to make the man appear drop dead dapper in anything he wears.

Drinks - Bourbon

Drives - Audi 5

Work out - Softball, basketball and golf

Style tip for his peers - Dress for your age and not like 'post-pubescent hipster'

Lady tip - Don't cheat

Smoke - Quit five years ago

Coffee or tea - Five coffees a day

Queens Birthday get-away

2011-06-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

Hope you enjoyed a great Queens Birthday weekend. Whether with mates or that special someone, a long-weekend is always a great chance to escape the every day.

A winter escape

2011-06-10T23:15:00.000-07:00

From left to right: Academee Smoker's Knit, RAIFE leather weekender bag, Academee Flannel shirt, Vintage LL Bean Duck boots, Baldwin Denim Jeans, Polaroid 2 Instant camera, 8 year old bourbon whisky, Wasabi peas, RAIFE felt Hat, Roxy Music - Country Life

The Queen's birthday long weekend falls smack bang in June, and right now the wind chill in Victoria is cold enough to freeze vodka. But do not despair, there are ways around this. It is all about embracing the cold, preparing for it, and actually - yes truly, enjoying it.

First, pick a destination where you can take her and she'll think you are a romantic (think antique stores, cosy wine bar, pubs with open fires) or go with the guys, where you can all let off a bit of steam (think golf course, bit of fishing, maybe a surf). Next sort out some accomodation....somewhere warm and accomodating. A house of your own for the weekend is always ideal. Make your own mess and noise and not have to worry about an over-bearing host. Then you'll need to pack. A flannel, jeans, good waterproof boots, a bottle of something to warm the cockles, a hat, a camera for the memories and some cheesy old tracks to dance to.

This my friends, is all you need to enjoy a cold, long weekend away this Queens Birthday weekend.

Enjoy.

Style icon: Crosby Stills and Nash

2011-05-13T22:05:00.000-07:00

Crosby Stills and Nash vintage vinyl Etsy.com

Academee denim shirt available at raife.com.au

This Autumn, take your cue from the easy listening style of Crosby Stills and Nash, when double denim was the biz. There are no rules with the double denim look. Wear light with dark, or light with light. Tuck jeans into semi laced boots and layer a grey marle tee underneath. Total rock n roll.

A warm gentleman

2011-04-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

Dolce and Gabbana 2010/11 fall collection

Bunelli Cucinelli Fall 2010/11 esquire.co.uk

Salvator Ferragamo esquire.co.uk

Missoni Fall 2010/11

Zara 2010/11

Silverdale Merino Knit, available at RAIFE $129.95 AUD

If you're a bloke who plans regular getaways over winter to keep the winter blues at bay, warmth should be a key consideration, and real wool rather than cotton knits, acrylic or worse - polyester, is essential.

But what about style? Gents it's time to let go of the Coogie knits from the eighties and save the out-of-shape wincheater for bed. Investing in a collection of excellent quality knits means being prepared to pay a bit, but also expecting that knit to last a long-time, so you won't need to buy them every season.

Look for pure fibres such as merino wool, cashmere, mohair and lambswool.

This season, the catwalks were filled with refreshing new looks, thankfully deviating from the navy blue/black and grey conventions.

Mixing courduroy tailoring, egg-shell and mushroom palettes, with colourful knits in plum, army green will always look amazing, and when the weather is cold and grey, great tailoring is an excellent pick me up.

Caring for your knit is important too. Moth holes can be the ruin of the best cashmere, so hang your knits on wooden hangers with a cedar hanging blocks, or fold and store in air-tight containers, with aromatic cedar blocks, also available at amazon.com. Dry clean or hand-wash knits, and dry in flat, cool place.

Style icon: Robert Redford

2011-04-19T20:43:00.000-07:00

The mo', the hat, the collar turned up = pure masculine confidence

Redford and Hackman in Downhill Racer

Seersucker blazer, teamed with open necked body shirt and poor boy's cap

Taupe blazer with chambray shirt is a timeless ensemble

A tweed jacket with jeans is a deadly combination

Check shirt, plain loose tie for a casual, nonchalant formality

Shearling jacket with a white skivvy: who woulda thought?

Wearing cream or white close to the face will flatter the facial features.

Note the lapels...

A pair of razor sharp sunglasses, will give you a stylish edge on the ski slopes

The puffer vest will never go out of style.

Robert Redford was a natural good looker in his prime, and boy did he know how to dress. Even off screen he nailed the rugged, preppy look. In Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid, he was the ultimate outlaw, donning the leather, suede and shearling like he invented it. His role in Downhill Racer, gave him the chance to show off his buffed physique in some pretty smokin' ski suits and aviator sunnies.

And let's face it, few men can pull off a hat without looking a tad try hard, but Redford makes it look natural, and the roll neck knit in 'The Way We Were', is gold.

Yup Redford is a great muse, and one to reference when pulling together our own ensembles. His formula seems to be classic and rugged, and having confidence in your best features and dressing the same way.

Kelly Slater has arrived

2011-04-18T21:14:00.000-07:00

I'm not one to go ga ga over celebrities. They are just humans after all. Even if they have 'god-like' skills on the waves, a never ending fearlessness to conquer the ocean, flawless good looks and all-round nice guy personality. Nope. I'm not some crazed 'fan'. But I am a little bit excited by the fact that Kelly Slater's arrived down our way, to surf at Rip Curl Pro - at Bells Beach, Victoria. It's going to be a cracker of an Easter.

This photo was taken courteousy of our dear friends, Courtney & Jeff Crow, both sports photographers, covering the pro this year. You can look at and purchase loads more shots of Kelly on their website www.sportlibray.com.au

Happy Easter to everyone!

Kassia Meador

2011-03-24T00:47:00.000-07:00

Liking the attitude and shots of Kassia Meador surfer and photographer

Speaking of her loves and her blog ......"love surfing...the road...meeting new people...getting into weird stuff...and snapping photos...this blog is just about my life...the people in it...and the rad stuff i think is inspiring.."

www.kassiameador.com

RAIFE

The Kids Are Alright

2011-03-21T03:47:00.000-07:00

We saw this film just recently and just LOVED it. So raw, great dialogue and gutsy characters. The moment the film finished we downloaded the soundtrack, and now play it in the store on high rotation. Listen to a sample here

Mark Ruffalo was a stand out. Just so perfectly played as the cool, cruisy 'non-dad'. Annette Benning's rendition of Joni Mitchell's 'Travelling' was classic too.

THE ROLLING STONES IN VILLA NELLCOTE IN 1971

2011-03-21T02:15:00.000-07:00

Track shoes, skateboards and beers

2011-01-28T18:27:00.000-08:00

Our inhouse summer model and artist

H shows off the new Honey Skateboards on sale in RAIFE store, Barwon Heads

Honey Skateboards, RAIFE, Barwon Heads

Superga

Late yesterday our summer range model and good mate, Ant dropped into the shop at closing time with a six pack. Ant not only surfs like a pro, but paints as well. We sold two of his paintings already and he promises us he'll do a couple more for the store soon.

Meanwhile, we showed off the new Honey skateboards just arrived in the store, handcrafted in USA, longboard, for a smooth groovy ride. In the fickle industry of skate, quality cuts-through. Each board is personally signed and numbered by the maker himself Mike Mahoney.

The Superga boots arrived too. Black, sand and white to wear with your boardies, jeans, whatever!

Have a great weekend all!

Bad to the bone

2011-01-27T21:50:00.000-08:00

This Harley rider visited us the other day and bought some RAIFE leather slides

A smart bike board rider

A solo surfer catching a wave at 13th beach Barwon Heads

A man on a bike with a surfboard. Can't get much more bad-ass than that. Unless you are a girl and then it would be even cooler....

Bikers & Surfers love coming to Barwon Heads. They can cruise the great Ocean Road and stop along the way to catch a few waves.

That's what I'm talkin' about!

Men in white linen

2011-01-04T01:35:00.000-08:00

Brad Pitt and his boys love linen

Go all white to show off the tan

White linen shirts available at www.raife.com

Raife white linen shirt

OK how do you wear a white linen shirt without looking like a new money millionaire in Florida hosting a swingers party on his yacht?

Answers below:

Wear with:

Bright pair of boardies
Khakis
Pair of quality blue jeans in a bootleg or straightleg cut
Tailored shorts

Don't wear with:

Speedos
Bike leggings
Footy shorts
Tracksuit pants
Overly skinny jeans
A kilt

Wash it:
In a cold or warm (not hot) seperate machine wash or even better, hand wash.

Dry it:
On clothes line or on a clothes rack - it will shrink if it goes in the clothes drier.

Iron it:
Warm iron but don't over iron your linen shirt. Let the creases add some roughish character.

Also:

Undo the top two buttons

Roll up the sleeves Milanese style.

A little surf shop in Barwon Heads

2011-01-03T15:37:00.000-08:00

Working the vintage art deco counter

Just opened - looks much better now!

Love the decked floors.

Charlie not for sale

Looking out at Barwon Heads seaside village

The RAIFE store opened in late December 2010 in Barwon Heads, Victoria, Australia selling a sophisticated line of boutique surfwear and accessories. The Summer range is made up of boardshorts, linen shirts, leather slides and more for the guys, and string bikins for the girls.

Merchandise is being updated all the time, and the online store will be live in a couple of weeks.

A sign of business

2010-12-22T02:24:00.000-08:00

The RAIFE store in Barwon Heads, got it's sign today, hand painted straight onto the wall.

Shoot the messenger

2010-12-21T20:01:00.000-08:00

RAIFE vegetable tanned English bridle leather and canvas messenger satchel, great for smuggling surf wax! Now retailing at the Raife store $160 AUD. Can also be purchased via online store in January 2011, http://www.raife.com/

Where boardies began...

2010-12-03T02:52:00.000-08:00

Old school surfers, like Michael Peterson and Mark Richards, always provide inspiration on where the surf culture all began. That's when surf culture was on the cutting edge, and the blokes (mostly - there were a few Gidgets), who braved the waves, were considered the pioneers of surf fashion. Initially, they made their own boardies, sewn up by a local girl, designed for comfort, or bought from a local start up. Designed to hug the body, show off the tan and of course - ride a board like a fiend, coupled with a fierce mullet. That was 60s and 70s surf.

Michael Peterson, (MP), was the best surfer in the world in the 70s He opted out of competition after a while, but was the best around at the time. Mark Richards, (MR), was a five times world champion (1975, 1979-82), is now an established board shaper based in Newcastle, Australia.

Thanks for the memories guys.

Rennie Ellis - 'Life's A Beach'

2010-09-02T17:07:00.000-07:00

Boys with Surfboard, Burleigh Heads, Qld 1978 © Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive

Back View, Lorne c.1968 © Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive

Bondi NSW 1997 © Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive

Cricket, Moggs Creek 1996 © Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive

I saw Rennie Ellis's exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria a few years ago, and his images have stayed in my heart ever since.

His 'Life's A Beach' collection is particularly resonant, capturing the essence of the quintessential Australian beach life in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Beach cricket, surfers in Lorne, topless sunbathers in Albert Park, deep dark tans, the Portsea Swim Classic, old school board shorts and bikinis, bathing boxes, beach walls, boozing on the beach, side-by-side sweltering bodies on Bondi.

Rennie Ellis saw the extraordinary in the ordinary, capturing the candid, relaxed and uninhibited days on the beach in Australia. These pictures evoke a three dimensional response where you can feel the hot searing summer sun, see the bodies bronzed to a crisp, smell the salt and the coconut oil, mixed in with the vague aroma of deep fried chips and chiko rolls.

"On the beach we chuck away our clothes, our status and our inhibitions and engage in rituals of sun-worship and baptism. It's a retreat to our primal needs." Rennie Ellis

I was kindly granted permission by the Rennie Ellis archive to show these fantastic images. Thanks also to the Moss Green Gallery who represent Rennie in Victoria. Other images by the artist, can be viewed at http://www.rennieellis.com.au/.

Surfing in New York

2010-09-01T20:18:00.000-07:00

Now these guys have got the right idea. A surf store, with a cafe, a barber AND a back-yard hangout. Handy in New York, where most people live in apartments.

They sell boards, trainers, bags and wetsuits and have an amazing blog of surf pics.

The shots above of the store are taken by The Store-torialist blog, found here:

The Store-torialist - Saturdays Surf Shop. 31 Crosby St.,

And also from the Saturday's NYC Surf Shop Blog http://saturdaysnyc.com

Beach on brief

2010-08-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to go to the Life instyle trade show in Melbourne, this week, and one of the exhibitors, was a newly launched designer surfwear brand, RAIFE.

Founder, designer and surfer, Hamish Cameron describes his brand as a "boutique, quality surf and beachwear for the design conscious guy", and it's obvious why. The hero of the range is the boardshort, designed with the keen eye of a passionate surfer. Every detail has been considered, with a quick-dry light weight cotton fabric, flat waist band and rubber stoppers on the strings to prevent scratching the board.

Hamish says, "Initially I was looking for a pair of boardies for myself, that were different from those of the mainstream brands. But I couldn't find any, so I decided to design them myself".

The range also includes linen shirts, leather slides, panama hats, a stunning leather weekender, and the pice de resistace, a handmade pawlonia wood eco-friendly surfboard, designed with the environment in mind, and the ride of a lifetime.

RAIFE is available to purchase online in October 2010, from http://www.raife.com/, and also available in selected stockists in Australia from September.

Be free and love life this weekend!

2010-03-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

This ad for Tretorn Narragansett captures my imagination for what beach side living is all about. Sitting on the front of your boyfriend's bike feeling the sun on your skin and the wind in your hair.

Happy Friday's to all!

Luxury Surf Safari

2009-10-29T23:01:00.000-07:00

My man is away this week and I miss him so! He is all about surfing, so in honor of him, I've gone on search for the ultimate in luxury surfing safaris.

Lineup Explorers arrange luxury surf escapes all over the world and they have a whole section on their website for Luxury Surf Escapes.

These guys are kind of like surf safari brokers, specialising only in surfing adventures. Their website is a portal for surfing adventures from all over the world, and they promise the best rates available and testimonials from real customers. Lineup will arrange an entire surf adventure just for you and your friends.

Villingili Resort & Spa in the Maldives is the juggernaut in surf resort serenity. This is the first luxury resort in the Maldives to be located south of the equator, and is touted as the most luxurious surf resort in the world. Line Up Explorers can arrange a bespoke surfing adventure which includes transportation out to the some of the best, uncrowded, atolls and reefs, taking all the sweaty research out of it so you can simply surf.

If you are more resort than sport, pull on your best one piece, and get off on some speed boating, or drop the pressure, and take a guided bicycle tour and gourmet picnic of the island. At the end of all that, lavish yourself with the "Serenity Ritual" at the resort Spa.

Hamptons preppy chic

2009-09-26T17:50:00.000-07:00

This week I'm inspired by the Hamptons luxury beach houses, preppy style, washed out woods, the latest Prada swimwear collection. It speaks for itself below...enjoy. x

Jenny Landey productions, private Hamptons home.

www.marieclaire.com

www.marieclaire.com

www.marieclaire.com

Sarah Jessica-Parker's Hampton's Home

Jenny Landey Productions, Hampton's private home

Michael Bastian Summer, US GQ

Home Living, USA

Jenny Landey productions

New York Tourism

Jack Nicholson & Diane Keaton, 'As Good as it Gets'

Jenny Landey productions