A quickie update

I noticed that the last post was from almost two weeks ago, so I think an update of a laconic nature is due. I'm in Malaysia at the moment, sweating unattractively and steadily gaining weight on a combination of coconut milk and noodles. I have some exciting news to report when I return home, but in the meantime, I wanted to show you what I brought for a 10 day stay:

From top: Lands' End boatneck tee, Brooks Brothers oxford shirt, Wood Wood Abril tee, J.Crew skirt

I also brought a pair of walking shorts and a set of loungewear while wearing a pair of jeans and an APC sweater up the plane. I really like traveling light because it makes it so much easier and more enjoyable when you don't have to lug around a bunch of clothes you'll never end up wearing anyway. I always have an oxford shirt and my beloved WoodWood Abril tee wherever I go, it's become my traveling staples. And as an aside: never forget sunblock when you're just south of the Equator.

Bridge and Burn Spring 2011

I can't write highly enough of Erik Prowell's designs for Bridge and Burn, a Portland label that makes classic and utilitarian jackets for men and women. I'm a big fan of the Castle jacket I purchased over a year ago and it has become a fair weather staple for me. I'm a little disappointed that the clothing isn't made in the USA, but hopefully, with gentle prodding, the company would be able to move things Stateside. In the meantime, I'm really loving the clean cuts of the shirts and jackets (Chambray! Waxed Cotton! Blonde Jason Schwartzman lookalike!) for Spring 2011 and it seems perfectly suited for the Pacific Northwest.

Designer-ish canvas tote bags

Gilt is having a sample sale on these tote bags that go toward supporting the National Audubon Society i.e. the bird preservation club. They were released in Autumn last year and retailed at Henri Bendel for $68. It's now $38 on Gilt + shipping. Although the price may seem steep for a mere tote bag, let's remember who's in congress now and how anything science, art, bird and logic related is going to go down the drain.

 The "up and coming" designers are (clockwise) Suno, Toni Maticevski, Genevieve Jones, Prabal Gurung, Fenton/Fallon and Cushnie et Ochs.  I'm quite taken by the Suno one (for some reason) - and I guess I'm technically helping bird preservation by buying an organic cotton tote bag Made in the USA. If you need an invite to the sample sales, click here. Sale ends February 15.

Come next spring

Bridge and Burn Castle jacket, Franco Ferrari scarf, J.Crew sweater, J Brand jeans, Comme des Garcons oxfords

"Come next spring, when all the world is new and fresh, and green, and fair; Then I'll come home, and I'll carry in my heart just one prayer; That'll I find you still waiting for my arms" - Come Next Spring, Scott Walker

In light of having listened to Scott Walker on replay for the whole day, I'm now wishing very hard for an early spring - something that I don't think is improbable given how much the climate has change. Did you know that spring has been arriving on an average of 2.3 days faster per decade and since the 1970s, it's crept forward by up to 10 days? Imagine your birthday coming earlier every year and then think about what it must be like for birds, insects and trees. Scary stuff!

Anyhow, I really only have one spring jacket (Bridge and Burn Castle jacket as shown) and I'm thinking of adding a Barbour Bedale to my clothing assemblage. I mostly carry my winter style into spring, substituting heavy jackets for lighter ones, cuffing my jeans for a casual vibe, and wearing oxfords without socks instead of boots. I also substitute thick dark winter scarves for lighter ones. I'm a huge fan of scarves because they always lend that je ne sais quois to an outfit and find that they are very useful in moderating the cold on a balmy spring day. I'm particularly drawn to those Franco Ferrari ones that La Garconne offers although they seem to sell out almost instantaneously.

Random items of the week

Tweed run in London, April 2010 via mistercrew.com

- Girl in above photo is the epitome of classic British perfection - beautiful curls, tweed jacket and ankle boots. I may be in love.

- I'm also infatuated with Mila Kunis.

- Happy Lunar New Year! Is it sadistic that I've seen enough pictures of rabbits to be craving rabbit stew?

- Penelope's is cashing in the crazy weather by having a 15% off storewide including sale items. They have some new A.P.C. in stock as well as generally good deals on outerwear. The code may either be "snowday" or "showday", try both and see which works (Expired!).

- British Sea Power will be making their North America rounds in April.

- South Carolina welcomes Michele Bachmann and her decision to mull over giving Mitt Romney a run for his money in  2012. What is this world coming to?

- Vintage style martini glasses are now affordably available to the masses at Crate and Barrel. At 9oz. however, it's either encouraging watered-down wussy drinks or a bad drinking behaviour. Traditional glasses were only 4oz.

- And speaking of martinis, if you're at home on the East Coast and are all snowed in, try some Prohibition Era Cocktails. And for god's sake, use some good rye whiskey because bourbon tastes like the bottom of dirty boots (and don't ask me how I know). Stay safe and warm!