August 9th, 2010
Did you see these yet?
Taken between 1939 and 1943 by the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information to document the effects of the great depression on the super-great citizens of small town America.
Whatever you call the crimson cap atop the boy on the right, let’s all find one for fall!
There’s something so elegantly nonchalant about the way they’re tending this soil. Perhaps they’re just posing, but next time I have back-breaking work to take care of under the summer sun, I’m going at it as cool and casual as they all did.
Oklahoma kiddies worn out by a square dance. Someone host a square dance, invite me, and we can all get worn out together! I’ll bring sarsaparilla, or something.
These images (and all the others) make me wonder if the sky was more cyan back in 1939, or if the grain was more golden. Surely not, but it always seems that way.
Posted in Photography | 1 Comment »
August 6th, 2010
In my ongoing process of transitioning to a pleated-pants lifestyle, I came upon a trio of $4 pairs at an iffy thrift store. After trying them on at home, only these no-name tweedy ones proved a potential winner.
Their colorful flecks fulfill most of the 50s-slanted chic of a similar Beams Plus pair at the Inventory Stockroom, with a more 80s angle perhaps. Their only problem is they’re awkwardly an inch too short.
There is some leeway up inside the hem, so the question becomes, when I take them to my happy, hispanic tailor do I have them lengthened into respectable yet rote man pants, or do I hike them up even more – mischievously, like Thom Browne’s interns probably would?
Posted in Fashion | 5 Comments »
August 5th, 2010
I missed the bus as far as the Baron Wells Spring 2010 line went, but I’m studying up hard on the Fall line, waiting for its imminent online arrival.
From the new lookbook it appears the club collars are back, but are the slim, iPhone sized front pockets – or the scallop-bottomed neckties returning as well? It’s difficult to discern. I’m just finger-crossing that there’s clear traces of the last line, below, in the new line, above.
Stretched-out and ever so subtly strange. I mean, who wouldn’t want to describe their new fall look that way?
Posted in Accessories, Fashion | 2 Comments »
August 3rd, 2010
These days it seems like only the few, fawned over brands bother with building goods handsome and built to last. But once upon a time that wasn’t the case, and even at not-so-chic Sears you’d find scrumptious sweaters made by Ohio Knitting Mills and wingtips as deadly and dapper as the four in my collection.
The first pair wound up in my possession randomly, as part of a costume for a film, and a size and a half too large for me. But the second set were selected because they were the most striking of all the brown wingtips in my size at a local vintage shop.
The rest were sought out specifically on e-bay, and although the era and interior Sears emblem varies a bit from style to style, each pair is rock-solid outside and pillow soft inside. With vintage wingtips, if the leather is too pebbly or too dull the shoe reads as too dusty, dated and drab – but the Sears shoes are grained and glossed just perfectly so.
And, apropos for a Sears shoe, even a rare vintage one, I’ve never paid more than $19.99 for a pair. If Alden or Trickers wingtips elude you economically, go see the softer side of Sears.
Posted in Nostalgia, Shoes, Thrifting | 8 Comments »
August 2nd, 2010
Originally a movie theater, then a beloved cafeteria, The Forum in Minneapolis languished as a series of clubs and restaurants since the early 1970s before being restored to its pre-war wonder under its original name as a chophouse earlier this year. (Don’t you love the retro riche of the word “chophouse”? I always do.)
With its mirrored murals and towering tiles, local historians now cite the refurbished Forum Restaurant and Bar as the best example of art-deco design in the Twin Cities.
As well, it glistens like an Epcot-style tribute to everything über-Minnesotan, with Vikings and Indians and pinecones as the main themes of the glasswork, and sparkling cocktails splashed with rhubarb syrup.
Aside from the woodwork and upholstery everything appears to be perfectly period, right down to the diamond doodads laid into the jadeite walls.
I think I was maybe wearing shorts when I first went, but next time I best break out a fedora, or at least some flannel.
The entire establishment is so Northwoods natty, I wanna look like I belong.
Posted in Decor, Design, Flavors, Minnesota, Nostalgia, Perfect Places | 2 Comments »
July 30th, 2010
The pretty-great goods don’t go live on the web ’til Monday, but a sneak peek at L.L. Bean Signature’s Fall 2010 Catalog reveals my new must-have boot.
The super-famous Bean Boot’s been pictured on all the bearded, East Coast hipsters over the past few years and thus many times I almost pulled the e-bay trigger on a vintage pair of mid navy blue or tall tan ones.
But I never ever did, which I’ve just today decided was a secret blessing. Because now I am free to guiltlessly bag these full grain, black-topped treasures for fall.
For five seconds I thought they’d be even better with black rubber bottoms to match the ebony leather. But then I reversed my position completely.
They’re just right just as they are!
Posted in Fashion, Shoes | No Comments »
July 30th, 2010
Strap-free document cases seem to have struck a chord with readers earlier this week.
Everyone’s looking for something a little different and some commenters are even contemplating fashioning their own out of sweat, leather and sturdy sewing machines to avoid unsatisfying e-bay investigations or three hundred dollar price tags.
(I’m impressed!)
But if you’re broke and lazy and man enough for mass-market, these warm and woolly cases from O’Hanlon Mills make a strong case for zipping up your essentials come September. At thirteen inches wide, they’re the ideal form factor, and for twenty-four dollars they’re, if nothing else, price-perfect as a fill in ’til you sight or stitch yourself your dream case.
Best of all, their flannelly fabrication adds instant fall flare to your post-Labor Day outfits, when it’s (regrettably) still too hot to slip into S.N.S. Herning sweaters and thick, tweedy trousers.
Posted in Accessories, Bags | 1 Comment »
July 28th, 2010
Although I flirt with and photograph Byredo bottles of fragrance, I tend to end up with whatever scent COMME des GARCONS spritzes into the ether.
The essence of the line’s newest, WONDERWOOD, is richly wooded and thickly forested – yet fine and fancy; too luscious for luggy ol’ lumberjacks. It’s the smell of black-tie in a birch grove, of tuxedos in tree houses. And although I’m not afraid of an offbeat, edgy scent WONDERWOOD’s calmer and quieter than CdG’s Man 2 or Hinoki fragrances which I also favor.
For a limited time you can indulge in any of COMME des GARCONS’ scents at 25 percent off at BeautyHabit.com with a semi-secret coupon code. The code is applicable to any of BeautyHabit’s myriad of brands including Treasury favorites Valobra soaps and shaving cremes and Couto Portuguese toothpaste.
Click below to learn the not-so-secret code, and pinky promise me you won’t make fun of me for knowing it.
Promise!
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Fragrance, Grooming, Materialism, Packaging | 1 Comment »
July 27th, 2010
When was the last time you were a real rascal? There’s a real and rare thrill in rustling up some trouble, a thrill we willfully deny ourselves as we sulk into adulthood.
So pop an Old Time Sling Shot into your back pocket this weekend, perch yourself up somewhere sneaky, then fling bubble gum or your wadded up phone number at eye-catching passers-by until things get thrilling.
You’ll end up either engaged or arrested, but either option makes for a better story than whatever you had going on this weekend otherwise, I reckon.
Plus, you’ll be doing my homestate suburbs some ecological good.
Get this. According to Hickorees: “This classic sling shot is hand made from branches of the Buckthorn bush, a European hedge plant commonly found in suburban neighborhoods in Minnesota, and now considered an invasive species. Buckthorn’s hard “Y” branches are perfect for sling shots, and harvesting Buckthorn wood helps with efforts to control the species.”
So when that mean mom on your block starts wagging her finger at you for slinging away at all the pretty young things in your hood, flatly ask her when was the last time she did anything to help control an invasive species?
By the time she sorts out her answer, you’ll be halfway home and fantastically full of yourself. Just like a kid, but with cooler clothes.
Posted in Minnesota, Nostalgia, Objects, Shopping | No Comments »
July 26th, 2010
I have a collection of imperfect vintage ones archived in my attic, but this fall I’m finally gonna get a handle on finding the perfect handle-less bag.
Portfolios, attachés, document envelopes – whatever one may call them, I’m hereby declaring we’ll all need one this season.
AI_ out of Milan offers a wide range of such leather accessories in oil slick-like blacks and beach pebbly greys.
For me the trick has been to find a bag that’s neither too floppy nor too firm, and that’s large enough to slip in a Monocle mag. Anything wider and taller than that and everything starts sliding all around inside, sloppily.
The A4+ bag, pictured top, looks just about right!
Posted in Accessories | 6 Comments »
July 23rd, 2010
For many, Sunday night will ooze with indulgence and idiotic indiscretions as slick-sters across America over-toast Draper’s return with three or four cocktails too many at parties both public and dangerously private.
Your doting Treasurer therefore recommends mending your Monday morning hangover with a stacked plate of dry, hard toast and a frosted, full glass of Coffee Time-laced milk. By the time you arrive at the office no one will be able to guess the shameful ways you celebrated Sunday night.
Really, if there’s anything Don’s taught us its the importance of concealing completely one’s unattractive truths.
Overnight your Coffee Time Syrup: Here or Here.
Posted in Flavors, Packaging, TV | No Comments »
July 21st, 2010
The packaging design of Arthur S. Allen, founder of the Allcolor Company, Inc., New York City and “an expert on the application of color in product packaging”.
Are there still any experts on the application of color in product packaging?
Walking into the after-shave or facial tissue sections of your neighborhood Target store today, it sure doesn’t seem like it.
I miss you, Mr. Allen.
Posted in Design, Nostalgia, Packaging | No Comments »
