February Love

Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
Love’s not Time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle’s compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Indisputably, I am that stubborn, headstrong “I am absolutely right 100% of the time, and you are wrong” type of girl. Even when I know I’m wrong, I’ll spend 15 minutes convincing you why I am right, rather than admit my mistake. I am still convinced that I can do whatever I want, that I will someday become a rockstar, become fluent in 10 different languages,  become a best-selling novelist, and become a Blair Waldorf-type character. I did everything my mom didn’t want me to do: I refused to become a Nurse or get a medical degree, took that extra 5th year to graduate,  I moved to another city, fell in love with a White guy instead of a Filipino guy, and work a lot more than I actually should. Nonsensical? Probably. But I would never in a million years imagine myself always following a preset path instead of doing whatever the hell I want.

If you asked me 4 years ago if I thought I would be studying at my dream school/UC Berkeley or living my current lifestyle I would probably think it was a stretch. Sometimes, I still think it’s a stretch. If a made a couple of decisions differently, I most likely would have ended up somewhere else, living a totally different life. I’ll still wonder if I did it right or if I am doing it right.

Everyone says when you get older, you figure everything out and everything just falls into place. Every day, I get a little bit older, and I don’t feel like I’ve figured out my entire life. I am fickle and indecisive. I change my mind every single day. I feel like the older I get, the more I realize that I have limitless possibilities and opportunities to choose from. But at the same time, there are constrictions that come along.

Some people got it “all figured out”: Graduate, go to Grad school, find a sugar-daddy husband, have 3 kids, make millions of dollars.  I don’t want any of that. But I do. I want permanence. I want unpredictability. I want to stay here forever. I want to move somewhere else.  I hate Sacramento. I miss my hometown.  I want to be older. I want to go back to being that eighteen-year-old. Despite it all, I wouldn’t take anything back.

I’ll have my cake and eat it too. And save some for later. I always want more, and I want it all.

People spend years attempting to figure out their life and trying to “find themselves.”  But I don’t want to figure it all out. I don’t want to “find myself.” Nothing is more scary than figuring it all out.

Jamie

Backpacking pt 2

Welp. About a month ago my buddy Mike and I went on another backpacking trip at Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County California. This time around we went for 3 days and two nights instead of one night. We surprisingly had enough energy this time to actually to touch the ocean. Anyways, here’s a few shots from our voyage. Enjoy.

-Daniel

The Perfect Winter Boot

Everyone looks forward for fall fashion. For some people it’s coats, for others it’s shoes. For me it’s both. But if I am going to invest in something stylish this year it’s going to be a good pair of boots. So after months of thinking about what I’m going to be wearing this winter I think I have narrowed down some options to find the perfect winter boot.

Sebago Lighthouse

I found a pair of Sebago rain boots last winter and have been thinking about them since then. My local Nordstrom Rack still has a pair in my size so it’s possible that these will soon be mine. What I like most about these is that they are a fresh but classic looking leather or rubber boot that could transition into spring when the rainy weather is still afoot. The moccasin style stitching is nice as well. In navy please!

Clarks Wallabees

My number one shoe that I am for sure getting this coming season. The hardest thing about them other than dropping 160 bucks on a pair is deciding what color I want them in, and if I should get suede or leather. Decisions, decisions. This is also a great transitional shoe with endless styling options.

Palladium

My Pallidium boots and I have a love affair. I bought my first pair of gray canvas Pampa Lows (first picture) 2 years ago and have been wearing them religiously with different fall and winter ensembles. However, after a few backpacking trips and washes over the past year or so my poor boots have taken a beating. They still look great worn out and faded, but it might be time for a new pair. Maybe a pair of the leather Pampa hi this time?

Chealsea boot

My newest discovery is actually a classic style. The funny thing is I first saw them on a little boy in a Crewcuts by J Crew catalog and thought how beautifully they were styled. They just look really simple and effortless, but if not styled right they can look a bit boring and a little stuck up. My favorite pair that I’ve found so far is the Wolverine Montague Chelsea boot pictured above. I would prefer them in black, but the brown does show the details a little better.

Red Wing for J Crew 6″ round-toe 

Every stylish man by now probably has or desperately wants a pair of  Redwing boots. Hell, every non-stylish working, handy man has or wants a pair of Redwing boots. My dad has a few pairs himself. I’ve always loved the tough, weathered leather and that signature sole. But if this happens to be the year that I will drop 250 or so dollars on a pair of boots from the work wear favorite they just might have to be these ones. Beautiful.

-Daniel

In the Mission.

I went to visit my friend Robert a few days ago in San Francisco. Traffic was terrible right when I got onto I 80, and with a cracked radiator (among other car troubles I’ve recently discovered) I neglected the blessings of my air conditioner. However, once I got to the Bay area, and the cool ocean breeze had dried my sweat, it was just a half hour Bart ride from El Cerrito into the city.

Robert, a good friend of mine since high school, moved to San Francisco shortly after he graduated from cosmetology school earlier this year, and after months of couch surfing he has finally found a perfect dwelling space in the Mission District.

Robert along with our friend Rose, Rachael, his roommates, and me went to see his roommate’s band, Sun Waves, play at this hip café/laundry mat, got food, and then got drunk off late night mimosas. The next day before heading home we spent a few hours walking around the Mission getting tacos and coffee, thrifting, and taking pictures of the amazing artwork seen on almost EVERY building. We also talked about our new found philosophies, new people in our lives, those who we admire, and how happy we are to have our tight knit of friends. In all it was a fully enjoyable trip for me, and it only lasted a little over 24 hours.

-Daniel

Summer so far

How I Like My Men

Most girls would answer the question “What’s your type?” as tall, dark, and handsome. Okay, maybe not. But that’s the typical answer that comes to mind. Nowadays, it’s not even about that. I guess you can say it’s about what kind of clothes he wears, what color are his eyes, “swag” (You will never catch me using that word, ever.), Does he have good hygiene? Does he have nice hair? Is he my style?

I’m not going to lie. I get tired of the played-out plaid shirt or v-neck, kind-of-slim-jeans, and vans/some-expensive-shoe-you-bought combo that guys have nowadays. Hey, guys, A little more creativity would be nice?

I recall watching this old 1940′s film not too long ago and wondering why more guys didn’t dress nicer. Even the poor people in the movie were dressed more gentleman-ly than most guys today. Why?! How I wish I were a woman in the 1940s-50s because the were able to ogle over men like this:

Marlon Brando

James Dean.

A style icon who introduced the staple denim, white shirt, and leather. His look quite possibly started the fitted, classic-with-an-edge look. For example:

Zac Efron (post High School Musical, thank god) in GQ

James Franco. Probably the closest thing we’ll ever get to James Dean.

Gossip Girl’s Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) He may be a douche, but at least he dresses like a gentleman? If you’re an avid gossip girl fan like I am, you’ll know he is perfect.

Shia Lebouf. I kind of fell in love with him after reading his profile piece in DETAILS here.

Arthur Kulkov. Favorite J. Crew model (of course)

Chace Crawford. (> Zac Efron)

Francisco Lachowski’s hair.

Joseph Gordon LevittLeonardo DiCaprio via the 1990s. (as Jack Dawson)

This guy’s not so bad.

This guy’s not so bad either.

This list can go on. Okay, so this is coming off to be pretty vain and superficial. But first impression/looks are what reels a person in, right? Don’t get me wrong, above all, a guy should be respectful, level-headed, honest, sweet, romantic, and (insert any other virtuous word here), but I like my men classy, for the most part.

These are my do’s and don’ts for guys:

DON’T wear flip flops. What’re you thinking? No one wants to see your hairy toes. Save them for the beach.

DO have some variety. I get tired of v-necks and skinny jeans.

DO wear things that fit you properly. Emo boys, enough with the girl jeans! For the most part, it’s not flattering. And it is also unecessary to wear shirts/pants 2 XL.

DON’T wear Ed Hardy. No need for explanation.

DON’T think that buy expensive clothes makes you look cooler. Abercrombie and Fitch rips you off and gets like 300% profit for shitty quality.

DO smell nice.

DO get hair cuts. Clean is better than scruff.

DON’T solely shop at Urban Outfitters. Not saying I don’t love UO.

I am in love with the timeless look. And it’s not even hard to do. My dad’s an old man, and he still loves the classics like Ralph Lauren and loafers. For starters, maybe you can tuck in your button-up from PacSun and add a belt. Or roll up your pants. Or get a nice haircut. Or wear a watch and good man accessories (like so). Or wear desert boots or Sperry Topsiders instead of Vans.  Or go into Arden Mall’s (for all your Sacramento citizens) J. Crew and ask for Thomas or Daniel. Or start reading GQ magazine.

I don’t know much about men’s fashion. Maybe can Daniel and elaborate more. But I do know that classy is key. Being a gentlemen also means dressing like a gentlemen. When you grow up into a man (if you aren’t already), hopefully you won’t be wearing cargo shorts and plaid shirts the rest of your life. So why not start now?

(More eye candy on my tumblr)

<3 Jamie

If you like this you should probably follow them because they’re the inspiration behind this (I suppose).

www.anthonycalisterio.tumblr.com

www.ddanielmm.tumblr.com

Why I Love Fall: 2011.

I’m always eager for the next season to begin.  Don’t get me wrong, I love summer. Summer clothing=cute little dresses, effortless outfits, less clothing, straw hats, and sandals. But I think I’ve always been a fall girl. I love the earthy tones, layering, perfectly tailored coats, leather boots, wool, and leather. Since I’ll be moving to the bay area, I’ll pretty much be dressing fall 24/7, and I’m not mad at all. These are my favorite looks so far:

Miu Miu

J. Crew (can you blame me)

Marc Jacobs

Scotch & Soda 

Anthony introduced me to this brand because he knew I’d like it and showed me this video (posted below).

I posted the rest of the looks on my tumblr.

Jamie

Vintage Grapes Clothier S/S 2011 Look Book

Supreme quality, meticulous attention to detail, and preserved style are the words used to describe the products at Vintage Grapes Clothier, and I couldn’t describe them any better myself other than to say that they are purveyors of beautiful men’s clothing. Normally, I am not a man of luxury, decadence, affluence, status, or the “Vineyard Lifestyle”which is very strong in their heritage. However I could appreciate the clothes for what they are: clean, simple, and classic. Quality over quantity is something that Jamie and I believe in, and their products are definitely top quality.

The Spring look book is filled with clean and simple looks that show the sharp tailoring and details. They use lush colors and fabrics for their pieces so nothing more is needed than some nice leather accessories. It’s like going back to basics: a clean shirt, sharp slacks, ivy league hair cut, light on the accessories which coincides the phrase “less is more”. My favorite is the solid ivory button down with the unique grape emblem that makes it cheeky enough to stand out from others.

The website is as beautiful as the clothes. There is also more to them then meets the eye where they share some charity organizations they are in partnership with . Their Fall collection is very elegant and cool as well. So check them out at  http://vintagegrapesclothier.com/

-Daniel